by Great Joy Studio | Apr 22, 2012 | Field Trip
This past week I was asked to help construct a display as part of a local, home school group’s Spring Art Show. We were shown an (tiny photo) example using a large cardboard box as the exhibitor’s show space. So, pretty much, I was winging it.
Spray painting a cardboard box was a first for me and harder than it sounds. I recommend brushing the paint on, for anyone interested.
Not knowing the exact space size, I thought adjustable walls might be the way to go. So, I rigged a simple system using brass brads, cardboard buttons and string.
Then it was time to select the art, mount on to poster board and assemble.
The rewarding results above, considering however, that the art teacher rearranged my precise placement of the original pieces! Always an art director that decides, they know better, eh?
And . . . our proud artist exhibitor, John.
by Great Joy Studio | Mar 11, 2012 | Art News, Field Trip
Yikes, a friend recently pointed out that I hadn’t updated the Joy Studio since Valentines Day! I’ve had my nose down, diligently painting and designing, mostly. Having plenty of work is good so, no complaints here. Juggling two new fabric collections back to back, with new and established group follow ups, has been a bit tricky though. And busy . . . also good.
We did manage however, to take a week for some fun & fantasy with the fam in Florida. Disney and Universal Studios provided lots of artful inspiration (& some sun) in the process. It was a great get-away, although a fading (cherished) memory I’m afraid, along with my tan. 😉
by Great Joy Studio | Feb 13, 2012 | Personal Touch, Spiritual
As I thought about Valentine designs, naturally I thought of love. Over the weekend I had a little fun with digital collage using coordinates from my last few fabric groups and a favorite vintage Valentine. The result:
Happy Valentine’s Day!
For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
by Great Joy Studio | Jan 22, 2012 | Field Trip
These photos taken at my daughter’s last evening, show off her husband’s latest handiwork/project and the family’s newest additions. I’m thinking, cute coop and new subjects! And EGGS, of course.
Chickens/hens were among the first images I created after being introduced into art licensing several years ago. Although intending to, I never got around to further exploration of the popular poultry since. This offers the perfect time and opportunity to re-visit this fun feathery focus.
by Great Joy Studio | Jan 1, 2012 | Personal Touch, Spiritual
In anticipation of the new year, I found myself looking back again, to this week one year ago. I had big plans for the joy studio and determined goals that I intended to accomplish in 2011. Quickly, as life shows us sometimes, it became apparent that our year would be personally, a difficult one, not planned, unfathomable. So, for the last few days, happy new year, would not easily roll off my tongue but rather, caused me to pause and ponder the coming months.
Our new year’s eve was an enjoyable one. It was spent with family, laughing and playing games. We rang in the new year by rattling pots and pans on the porch as distant fireworks exploded in the clear starry sky. The original plans to spend it around a campfire were thwarted by an increasingly (a little too) breezy night. Yes, 2012 is blowing in with a vengeance on extremely high winds that are predicted today.
New Year wishes, no, not quite. However, my prayer for you, is that your 2012 be filled with ‘Joy – gladness of heart’ as I refer to in my about page and that your joy (and mine) overflows!
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” – John 15:11
by Great Joy Studio | Dec 18, 2011 | Home Arts, Personal Touch
Looking back, it seems I made several posts on Christmas trees, Christmas tree Art, Christmas Tree fences and Christmas tree decorations last year. Surprisingly, this year we went back to nature. A real tree!
About three weeks ago, I heard the roar of the tree trimmer’s grinding machines coming up the hill. I panicked and then started making calls and sending e-mails letting Ameren UE know that I did not wish to have my trees trimmed. I argued that they were not yet a threat to the above ground power lines in the likely hood of an ice storm. They did not agree . . .
Here is the last one of three White Pines that I planted twenty two years ago just before it got the axe, rather the chainsaw.
The good news – The topped towering pine, became our Christmas tree this year. Not your typical winter evergreen but, it’s tall (aprox 12′-14′), it’s real and it is perfect for our not so typical Christmas.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
“O Tannenbaum“, or, in its English version, “O Christmas Tree“, is a Christmas Carol of German origin.
A Tannenbaum is a fir tree (German: die Tanne) or Christmas Tree (der Weihnachtsbaum). Its evergreen qualities have long inspired musicians to write “Tannenbaum” songs in German.
The best known version was written in 1824 by the Leipzig organist, teacher and composer Ernst Anschütz. The melody is an old folk tune (Lauriger Horatius). The first known “Tannenbaum” song lyrics date back to 1550. A similar 1615 song by Melchior Franck (1573–1639) begins:
- Ach Tannenbaum, ach Tannenbaum, du bist ein edler Zweig! Du grünest uns den Winter, die liebe Sommerzeit.
