Monday's Potpourri

Wow, Monday's sure do roll around fast. I think the last week may have had 2 Monday's.

So.....drumroll please.........here are today's potpourri picks.

My first choice today is a Mixed-Media Portrait by artist Pam Carriker. Pam includes portraits in much of her work. Pam's work has been published several times. It has a distinct look to it that is recognizable immediately. I love Pam's work and think she is one of the most talented artist on etsy. You will enjoy looking at all of her work at pamcarriker.etsy.com

mixed-media portrait

My next choice is another incredibly talented artist from etsy, SavageArtworks. These precious little ducklings were created with pastels. SavageArtworks has a very delicate touch to her work. You get a sense of what a treasure the creatures are by the gentleness in her work. SavageArtworks is a member of EFA/Artists Helping Animals.

Wood Ducklings

And finally, a wonderful photograph of a lion in a tree by RiverGreetings. I imagine this girl is hot, full, and ready for a nap. Isn't she absolutely wonderful. Of course, I have a great weakness for lions. This great photo is sold as an 8"x12" print. Proceeds from the sale of this photograph and others by RiverGreetings go to fund continuing philanthropic aid to the survivors of genocide in Rwanda. Please take time to look at more of RiverGreetings work.

Lion of Uganda

And last, but definitely not least, is my newest ACEO. This one is very dear to my heart. It is a print of a picture of our most beloved Mufasa, aka Fasa. He was actually my daughter's cat but we all loved him. He blessed us with his presence in our home for 11 years. And now he is sitting in the sunshine of heaven. This is my entry for the EFA July challenge.

Fasa

For information about having a custom portrait of your pet done, check out my website http://www.windandhoneycreations.com

What a Wonderful World

This video was sent to me via email from a friend. The video is about the sweet relationship between a fawn and a kitten. It is precious and stands to teach us all something about how we can treat others that are different than we are. And the fact that the song in the background is by Louis Armstrong is just the icing on the cake for me. I've always loved him, even as a small child. My father was killed in a fire when I was three years old. My mother says that when I was seven we were watching Louis Armstrong on a TV show and I said I wished he was my daddy. I'm not sure what prompted that comment. But I wonder if it wasn't that captivating smile.

I hope you enjoy this video.

Monday's Potpourri

And for today's Monday's Potpourri, I'd like to introduce GardenDelightsArts. Heidi is a new friend of mine who rescues and raises swallowtail and monarch butterflies. When they are ready, she then releases them to live and fly in freedom. That truly is a garden delight! Heidi is a photographer and a mixed media artists. She also teaches art classes. And I'm delighted to have just discovered that Heidi has box turtles! If you've read my blog before, you know how I love turtles. Here are some of the earrings Heidi makes in her etsy shop. They look like real butterfly wings. But you will be glad to know that no butterfly has been harmed. These are made through a special process that began with a photograph. You'll want to look at the rest of Heidi's shop. There are many fun things there.

butterfly earrings

Next in today's potpourri is a fish shaped cat bed by natdesigns2003. This is one of the funniest things I've seen. This wide mouth fish serves as a snuggly bed as well as a place for playing hide and seek for you favorite feline. It works kind of like the old fashioned brown paper sack. But oh so much cuter! natdesign also designs and makes clothing for dolls and for people.

fish bed

And finally, these embroidered pin cushions by manitobagifts. The pin cushions are so pretty, they will inspire you to sew. They are actually pretty enough to have sitting around even if you never put a pin or needle into them. They would make lovely gifts. Debra has many other items in her shop that are hand crafted and embellished with her hand embroidery or applique work.

pin cushion

http://www.windandhoneycreations.com

Display Your Art

Today I want to share a poem written by my extremely talented poet husband.  The poem is about daring to express the art that is within you.  I hope you enjoy it.

Display Your Art

Fix it on a page, 

a paper pool reflecting

private imaginations,

innermost sensations

of your heart and soul.

Pinch the wetted dust of earth

let it play, let it out

gently awaken life in the clay

help it stand, hear it shout.

Lace it on a canvas window,

painted glimpses 

of your dreams, 

splashes of passion, strokes

of freedom's tomorrow.

Pierce the silence with tempered 

speech, persuading every audient

to hear

the promise of freshly bold

ideas.

Paint the sky

with measured vocal color,

faint and bold,

deep and high,

moods and words spritely spread

upon the wind.

Compose the soul's rich store

for the tools of symphony,

breath through gilded brass,

fingered, quivered strings,

singing wood and

percussive rhythms smithed.

Loose it in each step's design,

mixing wind and time,

cultured strength with classic song,

satin toes stitching joy

through floor and sky.

Show the world your heart;

Be the death of fear;

Share your deepest love;

Bring the distant near;

Display your graceful art.

    --Rockford Johnson (copyright, 2009)

for more background information about this poem read the comments below.

Wind and Honey Creations

Monday's Potpourri

In this first edition of Monday's Potpourri, I want to share some delightful pieces that I've found on etsy. The first feature is this pair of unique and creative dog earrings by BeadedTail. The ceramic dog beads have a vintage look that is accentuated by the black onyx beads.

Next is this very colorful kubist kitty print by LolaLynn. LolaLynn is an active member of efa etsy for animals/animals helping animals. Much of her art features animals and a percentage of all profits from sales goes to animal charities.

And my third choice is a mixed-media collage by MaureenTillman titled Be You-Nique. This fun piece of altered art is 8"x8". It would be a fun addition to any room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally, remember that you can find information about special portraits of your favorite pet on my website Wind and Honey Creations