A long time ago this winter scene was given to friends. I recently got the photo from them. All my documentation of works before 1988 was lost in a house fire. Most of my personal collection was too. This was like seeing an old friend. Thanks Danny.

Today is a day of nostalgia. May 16, 1964 was a wedding day. Since it was mine it is in the memory banks. So is that marriage! 48 years ago. I cannot believe it! Where has all the time gone? We lasted 25+ years. I thought they were good. The past 23 years have not all been bad. I was in a nightmare for a while, but woke up one day in DeKalb, IL and realized I was not looking at the world through gray colored glasses anymore. The nightmare has been behind me for quite a while. New life, new friends. Not where I thought I was going, but where I am at is not too bad. The friends I have made along the way made the journey successful and rewarding.

May 16th is also my youngest grand daughter's birthday. Kayla is 6 or 7. Bad grandma loses track. But life goes on. What began in love 48 years ago still is moving on in the universe!

So to friends, to family  to life! The journey is exciting.

Reference Photos from Ellwood House

Last Sunday a group from the Kishwaukee Valley Art League gathered to do a little sketching, painting or photographing at the historic Ellwood House a National Register historic site located in DeKalb, IL. I have included 2 of my spring reference pictures of the tower and the children’s play house located on the grounds. I often use reference photos to work from when in my studio. I will be adding some current Ellwood sketches soon. On Sunday fall color was really nice, but I am afraid most of the pretty leaves were blown away in the winds Wednesday night.

Web cite http://www.ellwoodhouse.org/
A FaceBook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ellwood-House-Museum/230983890530

The mansion offers tours Tuesday through Friday at 1 PM and 3 PM and Saturday and Sunday 1 PM, 2 PM and 3 PM which meet at the visitors center. Local floral businesses usually decorate the house for the holiday season. Holiday Open House, December 9, 7 - 9pm; Dec.10, 1 - 5pm; Dec. 11, 1 - 5pm..
Location:
Ellwood House Museum
509 North First Street, DeKalb, Illinois 60115
Phone: (815)756-4609

Exciting Visiting This Labor Day Weekend

 Finally back after getting NIU Electronic Reserves ready for faculty and students. Saturday of the holiday weekend I am visiting  two Milwaukee museums: with a group from NIU.

Milwaukee Art Museum http://mam.org/    to see the China Exhibit.
Then on to Milwaukee Public Museum http://www.mpm.edu/?gclid=CJOd3NmIgKsCFQ0BQAod-UZo2g


Some pictures from my trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden August 15th.

I loved the high color.all over and found the water lilies especially exciting.

Now I have more reference pictures for future paintings to come.

"The Sunflowers Three" will be featured on my next post, soon, very soon.