You know when you open your inbox and find it filled with a surprise such as this, you are going to have a great week! The above was created by my friend, Brenda Wampler using some of the techniques found in Digial Expressions by Susan Tuttle. I purchased Susan's book a couple weeks ago and will be sharing a review, images and a chance to win a copy of this great book on the MMCA Marketplace Blog later this week.
2005-2010 © Debbie Overton All Rights reserved. Please do not use any photos or content from this site without my permission. Thank You.
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April Nature Notes + Electronic Addiction
Welcome CRESCENDOh visitors! Thank you Cindy of Cindy Forrester Designs who shared my blog as one of her links during her week as a Guest Curator on CRESCENDOh. Jenny Doh, founder of CRESCENDOh has created a wonderful site around ART SAVES. If you would like to see a typical work day for Jenny, be sure to visit the MMCA Marketplace Blog for A Day in the Life ofJenny Doh, Monday April 12th.
Click images to enlarge for reading!
Nature Notes © 1906 The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden
April has been a whirlwind and we are already half-way through the month. I have always been a multi-tasker, so most days I play a hat dance while moving from one thing to another. In the past you would find me writing everything and I mean everything down on a calendar in pencil. Now days everything is kept on my BlackBerry and in Outlook. I sync them every day, some days several times if I have been responding to emails and phone calls. You hear people saying they would be lost without their phone.... I never thought I would be one of them, but I can not imagine not having it with me. My emails come into my phone, reminders of upcoming appointments, the kids class schedules so I know when I can call or text them, project deadline and notes, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, apps to some of my favorite places, list of meds, grocery list and more.
And then you throw in a laptop, external hard drive, docking stations, desktop PC and there I go again....addicted to the electronic world. I do love being able to pop my laptop and an external hard drive in and out of their docking stations. This allows me to work on the computer and always have all my programs and files available whether I am working from my desk at home or on my laptop at the beach or balcony of a hotel.
Yes, I will admit....I am addicted to using my electronics for basically running and keeping my life in order and they all fit in a pretty little beach bag when I am on the go.
Are you addicted to your electronics? Please tell me I am not alone....there must be a group for this!
Patience and Perserverance
One of my favorite quotes, especially as html and css and java has tested my patience as I work on the major changes coming to the Marketplace and Blog, as well as my own website and blog. Thankfully I am very close on the market being completed and then I can head full force into my own art sites. Two art project deadlines were met this past week and two more added, so I guess that makes me 2 for 2.
I am very excited with the new directions I am taking with the market and my art and the possibilities that can come from all of it. Steve and I stayed up until after 2am last night having a heart to heart about where my life is heading with these new directions. He said when we met almost 12 years ago the one thing that he admired about me was I was a leader and not a follower. If I wanted something, I didn't sit back and wait for it to happen. I took control and moved forward. If I didn't like the way it was going, I made the changes necessary to make it happen.
I am so thrilled to call Christine Mason Miller aka SwirlyGirl, artist and author of the delightful book, "Ordinary Sparkling Moments" my friend. We met through emails and phone calls somewhere around 10 years ago. She is a person who embraces life and through her art filled with poems and quotes she inspires others to be strong and brave. Christine has been a very positive person in my life and art, and I am so excited to share with you, Christine will be one of the new "Column Contributors" for the Market Blog sharing her inspirational words with our readers. As Christine would say, Life's perfect moments are NOW! So what are you waiting on....put on your big girl panties and move on to bigger and better things. I can promise you if you are a leader, someone will follow you, they do me!
Until Next Time....
Debbie
Think Pink!
Are you thinking pink this October? I am! Not only when I look out my front windows and still have beautiful pink knock out roses but because it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. As I was thinking of writing this post, I thought about the Grandmother I never knew that was taken from Mom at an early age, friends, family and art friends that have had to deal with this disease either by the loss of loved ones or fighting each day to survive. And there are those that can now say, I am a Survivor! Once again this year I will be donating 20% of my sales through out the month to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Hope you will visit my shop in the Marketplace and check back often as new art will be added through out the month. Working together there will be a cure, let's help make it during our lifetime.
What do 26 & 9 have in common?
Twenty-six years ago I gave birth to the young man on the right after 26 hours of labor! Seth and Kaycee are very lucky they are here after that is all I can say! My birthday boy called me this morning on his way down to his grandparents and we had a wonderful hour long talk and then another one on his way back to his place. He had taken the day off and was sure Granna would have him something for his birthday, but Granna and Papa were not home! That's why you should call your grandparents before you head their way if you want special treats even on your birthday! Colby I know you will read this sooner or later as I am sure KC will call you to say, Mom blogged about you! Wish we could spend the day with you, but glad you have so many friends to spend it with.
Colby had been his Papa's co-pilot since he was just a baby and had a love for flying + an opportunity to fly when ever he wanted thanks to his Papa. He started taking lessons at 13 and did his solo on his 16th birthday and then his solo cross-country at 17. My daddy owned the aviation service and he or one of the instructors would fly down to our house and Colby would fly them back almost every weekend. It was not unusual for Colby to bring one of the planes back to Crossett for a few days. Colby has moved on from flying planes to fast cars, for his own transportation and prefers to fly first class now!
In the picture above is Colby at 17 and Mr. Jeff. We met Jeff and Lisa right after we moved to Crossett, Lisa cut our hair for 17 yrs and our kids went to school and played baseball together. Jeff had never flown before and wanted Colbyto take him up one day and 9 years ago Colby took Mr. Jeff on his first flight. They looked like kids standing in front of that plane that day. I don't know which was more excited, Jeff getting to go up for the first time or Colby being the one to take him.
Jeff we know you have been through some trying times and as you start your 4th round of chemo our thoughts and prayers are with you, Lisa and the kids.
Happy Birthday Colby! You are one of three reasons why being a Mom makes everyday special.
KC Willis Studio Retreats 2010 Workshops
By now most of you know KC has opened up her Studio Retreats and she has recently added Sarah Fishburn and JoAnnA Pierotti to the 2010 schedule. Visit the Studio Retreat site for more information on KC's workshops and check out her blog here and here for more information on Sarah and JoAnnA's workshops. Classes are small which means you get one on one with each of these talented artists. And don't forget to check out ALL the dates KC is offering her workshops. There is something there for everyone!
Calamity Jane
What do Calamity Jane, KC Willis and Debbie Overton have in common? Debbie is the proud owner of one of KC's original Calamity Jane fabric collages! I was lucky growing up, we live in the country on a wonderful farm. We rolled in freshly picked cotton, went swimming in the rice fields and had horses that we could ride any time we wanted. There was Rusty, Red-eye, and Tricks to name just a few. We were raised playing cowboys and cowgirls and indians. If our friends didn't have a horse we had one for them. I will always remember Rusty....he was delivered to us in the backseat of a car. Daddy had told us he had a surprise that would be there that day. A car drove up, the man got out and opened the back door of his car and out walked a pretty little brown pony. Rusty would let 2,3 and even 4 of us get on him and ride for hours. The only problem we ever had with Rusty was his trying to walk up the 4 steps on our back porch with us on him! Then came Tricks...Daddy bought him from a retired circus clown and Tricks could bow, pray and talk! Ok, so he didn't actually talk like Mr. Ed, but he did neigh on command! Red-eye was a professionally trained cutter that Daddy rode. We tried, but he was so quick if you were not holding on tight, you would find yourself on the ground more than in the saddle. We rode in the parades and rodeo grand entrance. Those horses led us to read about Calamity Jane and many other cowgirls from the past. So when I had the chance to own one of KC's original collages, you bet I wanted anything with Calamity Jane. KC surprised me with the quote, "I didn't mean to shoot him. He just sorta leaned into my bullet." I told KC I loved Calamity Jane and to surprise me. I could not be happier with my collage. It is gorgeous, the fabrics, lace, trims and embellishments are all me.
You have heard me talk about KC's workshops, Collage Camp and Mixed Media Mania for the past several months, now you can join KC in her Colorado studio and work side by side with the cowgirl herself. Imagine multi-day retreats with a small group of friends or soon to be friends learningthe tricks of the Collage Camp Cowgirl herself. The interactive setting of the studio will allow you to talk, share and inspire each other. To learn more about KC's Studio Retreats visit here or click the image above.
KC I know you will read this soon or later....and I want to thank you again for doing an awesome collage and for our friendship. Hope to be sitting in one of those retreats soon or roming the streets of Savannah when you and Logan come for a visit. Now the rest of you reading this, head on over to check out KC's Studio Retreats, Collage Camp and Mixed Media Mania Workshops.
Someone to follow.....
If you Twitter, then you know Fridays are "#followfriday" and I have someone I follow not only on Twitter, but Facebook and think you might enjoy too. If you are not familiar with the name Enzie Shahmiri you are missing out on so many things. Enzie specializes in commissioned portraits and figurative paintings. She is also a wonderful blogger....I can count on a new blog post to arrive in my inbox every night around midnight! I met Enzie a while back when she visited my blog and we have corresponded since. Enzie and I both live on the coast, she the west and I the east. I heard she was going to start living out of a suitcase for a while due to quiet a bit of traveling....I would love for her to travel to the SE coast of Georgia!
You might want to get comfy with your favorite cup as you are in for a treat as you stroll through her website and blogs.
Enzie Shahmiri - Commissioned Portraits and Figurative Paintings
A Blog about artists and anything art related from past to present.
A Blog about food, entertaining and great finds for the kitchen and sophisticated hostess.
A collection of Pet Stories and Photos
A Blog listing of orientalist artists, images of their work and descriptions of their technique.
A garden is a heavenly place and as it grows it should nurture the soul and be absolute eye candy.
I am working on a few small art projects, anticipating more thunderstorms this afternoon, another doctor's appointment later today and then one more quiet day before the kids fly back home. Enjoy your weekend!
Collage Camp ~ Big Bad Voodoo Daddy ~ Art
Remember back in elementary school you couldn't wait to buy all your school supplies weeks before classes started? Well that was me weeks ago...no it has been a month and although classes started weeks ago, my supplies are still waiting on me to get started. I knew when I signed up for KC Willis' Collage Camp workshop I would not be able to start right away. Every day I glance over at my pile of growing fabrics, canvas, vintage jewelry, birds nest paper, lace, trims and more....and think...today I will get caught up so I can start. By the end of this week I will have my fabrics ripped and soaking in their coffee bath to give them that old worn vintage look.
As much as I would like to just put other things on the back burner and start on my Collage Camp project, I have obligations to others that must come first plus I am trying to get as much done for my July exhibit before we fly home for my niece's wedding the first of June.
Steve left Tuesday afternoon on a business trip and KC who just came home Sunday from college couldn't wait to unload all of her stuff and pack a bag to go with him. It was a hard decision....Pool or Mom....Daddy Steve or Mom....Dinner out restaurant of her choice or Mom....Room Service or Mom! I usually go on these trips with him, but I have been gone more than I have been home lately and I just couldn't do it this time. It does both of them good to spend this time together....I don't know who enjoys it more KC or Steve.
And I have 7 days to work like a mad woman....slinging paint, ripping fabrics, taking care of the business side of running a business and the list goes on and on. So it is back to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (I love their new CD the kids gave me for my Birthday and Steve upgraded my phone to a Red Blackberry with their ring-tone, Who's Got the Action) while I paint for a while before hitting the bed.
p.s. I almost forgot. KC is now offering the Collage Camp Workshop on DVD.
Birthday Wishes and Surprises
I can hear you now....ooohhh....hhhhaaaaa....where did you get that gorgeous journal? It was a birthday surprise from my friend Sue Pieper and it was wrapped in that yummy wine lace! I had seen Sue's handmade journals online a while back and thought they were wonderful, but wonderful and gorgeous do not even come close to describing them. I opened the box as giddy as a kid in the candy store....pulling out the package that had been so carefully wrapped in lace. As I pulled the lace away from the journal you could have heard me gasp and then let out OM-Gosh! this is the most beautiful journal I have ever seen. The greens and blues are so rich and so me! And it is filled with wonderful watercolor paper torn so delicately and the details from the embellishments to the eyelets to the stitching are nothing less of perfect. Sue thank you for a gift that I will treasure each day as I fill it with words and snippets and the things that make me happy!
Sue is working on some to put in her Marketplace shop, so keep an eye out....they will be there soon. Oh and the lace is perfect for the workshop I am taking over at Collage Camp with the talented KC Willis.
Thank you to each of you that posted on my wall over on Facebook and sent me emails and phone calls and cards. It was a great feeling to come home to find my inbox filled with birthday wishes. More about my birthday get-a-way and the treasures I found in a day or so.
