On May 23 I received artist of the year award from the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit. Debbie Donowski received the teacher of the year award. The photo shows us with our award - beautiful vessels made by ceramist Skip Sensbach. On June 1 we gathered again for a breakfast to honor the seventh grade 'core' students who worked on the 'Tiger Eyes' to be hung on the outside on the Seventh Grade Academy building. As a rostered artist of Pennsylvania I am fortunate to go in to school for a month at a time to work with the art teacher and students to produce a work of art that enhances the morale of all. 

Sue is retiring from being the principal at Tunkhannock Area Middle School.  She sold their house and it's contents to make a fresh start with a new home and new furniture  in North Carolina.  She commissioned me to do a  silk to add some color and energy for her dining room.  So a bit of NEPA goes with her and her husband  for a new phase of her journey.  Good luck Sue - enjoy and have FUN!!!Sue is retiring from being the principal at Tunkhannock Area Middle School.  She sold their house and it's contents to make a fresh start with a new home and new furniture  in North Carolina.  She commissioned me to do a  silk to add some color and energy for her dining room.  So a bit of NEPA goes with her and her husband  for a new phase of her journey.  Good luck Sue - enjoy and have FUN!!!

A good friend of mine came to see me at the Pet Expo where I was showcasing dog portraits.  At first, he was going to have me do a painting of his wife with his dog.  Then, he decided as a Mother's Day present, for me to paint his wife with their children.  I smiled the entire time I did this painting.  It made me realize the importance of hugging your parents (or anyone) and getting it on camera (or canvas!).  He called me last night to say they were so happy with the gift, I fell asleep with yet another smile on my face.  

                                                     "Skye-Girl"  Acrylic on panel                                              

This sweet crazy girl has had quite a ride in her two years.... New Mexico, Texas and Georgia where she 'vacationed' for five weeks with her awesome foster mom.  Two weeks ago, fourteen 'angels' from 'Above and Beyond Rescue' took shifts driving her to meet me in Ravine, Pa.  We've already had some adventures and I must say - she has stolen my heart and created a new beginning just as her predessor 'arranged'.  And! She's my muse for the Pet Expo (sponsored by the SPCA) at the Armory in Kingston, Pa where I will have  a booth  (thanks to Marquis Art and Frame) :

April 28 and 29th 10am - 6pm.   Come see me! : ) 

Here is my last and fourth 6' x 8' fence for the SPCA.  A black lab with the backdrop of Harvey's Lake refrenced from a photo by Mike Burnside. I'm so excited to see all the fences various artists from the area have done for the enclosed 'meet your potential new pet' space.  The SPCA will be hosting a formal unveiling, dedication, and cocktail event to show off the work the Wyoming Valley art community has create on Friday, May 4, 4:30 to 6:30pm at the SPCA of Luzerne County.  

A friend of mine said I should paint Eloise to help process the grief.  The next day the SPCA director called asking me to do another 6' x 8' fence for their project to make a beautiful spot for people to meet potential pets.  I asked what animal would the patron like and  he said they only wanted a dog. He then suggested I do my dog.  I decided to do my favorite memory of Weezie running down the hill in the beginning of our walks.  Her ears flapping in the wind - so happy - so in the moment.  Here she is in her field - transitioning and going towards the rainbow bridge where I can't wait to be with her once again one day.  Oh and by the way.... Home Depot donated the eighteen 6' x 8' fences..... ; )  

My sister Ramah said there is a last time for everything and usually we don't know it.  A last time your child sits on your lap, a last time you tuck them in, a last time you hug your parent. Two weeks ago, I took my four legged comanion and love, Eloise out for, unbeknownst to me, our last walk.  We stopped and I took a photograph of the stream which struck me with the decaying leaves underneath and the sun sparkles on top.  She passed the next day.  I came home and started a watercolor on hot press paper in her honor as a way of processing this grief.   I miss her more than words can express and find solace in knowing there is also a first for everything.  

Friday February 23, twenty- three art core students along with their art teacher, Debbie Donowski, Ali Wilson, and Debbie Cichak from Tunkhannock Middle School and myself did a field trip.  I was asked to show the kids some of my work as a finale to the residency I did at their school.  The core group was selected based on grades, behavior and desire to do art.  We completed a mural which will be hung on the new seventh grade academy building in May. 

 Highlights from the trip: 

- Seeing the ariel view of Wilkes-Barre mural and sunflower mural.

-  Viewing the amazing hubcap collection thanks to Ken Marquis graciousness. 

- Seeing the amazing exhibition at the new Sordoni gallery by Angela Fraleigh.

- Touring the inside and outside of Wet Paint and being educated on the graphic side of art by Steve Taren. 

- Viewing the local murals designed and painted by Jim O'Connell and myself at Hardee's restaurant in Wilkes-Barre.

- Being welcomed by Mary Beth Pacuska and 'The School of Practical Nursing' and seeing the history of nursing       mural we co-created. 

- Being warmly greeted by John Pepe at Linde headquarters, fed lunch prepared by Eric Kranson, touring the beautiful building and seeing three floors of my works. 

- take aways given to all the kids and cupcakes!!!!!

- picture taken with Scott LInde who shared that his seventh grade teacher said ' if you don't shape up, you're going to    be digging ditches... "  hmmm... 

- a drive by Main street Pittston to see ALL the amazing art !  

We often look 'up' or 'out' to see the always available 'show' Mother Nature is giving us.  As of late, I have been seeing her random beauty by looking down.  There is no arranging or rearranging needed with pine needles atop fern amongst dead leaves.  It's all exquisite - the living amongst the decay.