A Little Giving...

Pink Rose
5x8 Water Soluble Crayon on 140# Canson Paper
©2013 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

I’ve been so fortunate in being surrounded by giving, kind friends and family, that when there is constant conflict in the air, it can be difficult to look comfortably beyond my own personal world.

In this era of in-fighting, where it seems that everyone is looking to block success for anyone who doesn’t agree with them, it’s so easy to forget that the world is full of generosity.

Generosity is still an intricate part of human behavior. It just tends to be overshadowed by the rush of everyday activities. We can be moving at such a frantic pace that we miss all the little things that make society successful on a daily basis.

The opening or holding of a door. “Clicking” on donation sites to help animals. Giving your time to help someone who is ill. Brightening a stranger’s day with a smile. Appreciating the person who serves you in a store. And so many other gestures that connect us.

These are all acts of generosity that make our lives smoother, better. Small as they seem, they are the bigger part of us.

Savor every moment of kindness that comes your way!

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Along the same line of thought, the art shown here is a sample of generosity: a gift card from a dear, wonderful friend for my, ahem, 50^th, gave me the opportunity to try another medium. These are first attempts with water soluble crayons. Having fun working with something new and learning to illustrate flowers (one of my favorite things!). All thanks to the thoughtfulness of one of the many wonderful people in my life!

Purple Petunias
8x10 Water Soluble Crayons on 140# Canson Paper
©2013 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

Single Dahlia
8x10 Water Soluble Crayon on 140# Canson Paper
©2013 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

                                                                           

 

 

Journey to the First Craft Show

It's been a very long couple of months, yet it went by so very quickly.

In early May, I'd applied to do a craft show. It'd be my first one. It was for a fundraiser held by Montezuma Winery for the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge. About one week into May, illness hit our home, and it hit very hard. Hubby got the flu (another first) and I got... something. We're still not sure, but I think it was a combination of a sinus infection and whooping cough (there is an "epidemic" of it in our area). Needless to say, nothing got accomplished for at least 4 weeks.

Which left-yipes!- 3 weeks to prepare for the show. That included building that inventory I was supposed to create this past year and designing and making displays for the tent.

Eventually, there was not a single, clear flat surface in our entire house. But by this past Sunday morning, we had a full truck and were on the road to our first show.

We had to contend with detours, wind with a primarily paper product, and exhaustion.

Sales were negligible, but the whole experience was great. It was a beautiful day and the other vendors were so warm and helpful. We also observed a few things that will be changed for the next show...in less than 2 weeks!

Wearily, once home, we unloaded the truck on Sunday night, collapsed and have not even cast an eye in the direction of all the items and displays from the show. We've missed our lives these last few weeks and we're trying to catch up a bit.

But, by next week, we should be ready to start again and get the excitement going for the July 4th show.

In the meantime, we're just taking lots of naps!

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A special thanks to all our supporters: the mentor, the muse, the cheerleader, the critic, the everyone who has sent nothing but positive energy our way!

A Long Week in a Short Summer

A common theme seems to be occupying my thoughts lately: Things we cannot control in our worlds and the anxiety it can cause.

The predominant problem in that arena is the havoc that Irene is creating along the east coast. I have friends who have been evacuated and are in a worrisome state over their homes and possessions, things that represent their lives. They're understandably concerned about the damage that will have to be dealt with once the storm has passed.

No matter how often anyone can say to them that there is no point  in fretting about possible problems that may or may not come to be, they will be fretting. There's no turning it off no matter how hard they try.

After these monumental events, the small worries pale dramatically. The hassles of vacation that diminish the fun of vacations. The frustrations of too much rain and too much heat in too short a time that stunts the growth of the gardens. The difficulties of finding the time to do the things that bring pleasure to your life.

These are minor problems that really are not worth the worry we put into them.

Wish that were true of the worries the people living through this storm have.

But, while we can't do a thing about the effects that Irene will have on our material world, we can pray for the safety of those enduring it.

And, we do.

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Just some reminders that no matter how badly things seem to be, there is still beauty in the simplest things:

 

 

Enjoy everything!

Imperfect for IF

Belmont Bridges
5x7 Graphite on 130# Paper
©2011 BEDeuel

This sketch of a photograph taken last October represents one of about 3 artpieces that vex me. All of the pieces have the same 2 elements that elude me in any medium: leaves and water.


Belmont Bridges
4x6 Water Soluble Pencil on 140# Paper
The First Completed Attempt:
An Imperfect Attempt

So, how does this represent "Imperfect"? As long as my attempts at representing the original scene are "imperfect", I will keep pushing for "perfection" of the subject.

If everything was always perfect, what would we strive for in our lives?

The Perfect Original

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For whatever reason (and the reasons seem to be varied), the last few times I've tried to post to Illustration Friday, it won't take my file. I thought I had it figured out, but then other problems started to arise. Any suggestions would be helpful regarding reducing DPI (without PhotoShop), "Save as" options (like web?), and, now, a message of "wrong file type" even though I'm uploading a jpeg file.

So, in a round-about way, this post hasn't made it to IF. But, the topic was interesting nonetheless! Thanks for the idea!

Helping Hands and Hearts

Last week, I blogged about the first art show I’ve entered as a working adult. The show opened on Friday. I wish I could say, “Wow! It was everything I’d hoped it’d be!”. It wasn’t at all.

Enjoying a moment...

The display of the artwork was done very nicely, I will say. I suppose I was expecting some greeters who would introduce some of the artists and viewers to the art and to each other. But, being a volunteer organization the manpower may not have been available (though I was available that day…). The real heartbreaker was personal, though. My name and pieces were completely left out of the program. And, from what we could determine, it was only me. Plus my middle initial changed to "A" from "E". As I was upset, I missed out on what I’d be anticipating to be the best part of the whole experience: connecting with other art lovers. It had been a wonderful week in that regard up till then.

Not surprisingly, I heard such encouragement from our fellow bloggers and blogging artisans. That was the start. Friends and family, always there, always positive. 

Picnic In the Park 2011
Photo by Howard Owens

 I’d received an invitation to show at Batavia’s Picnic in the Park on July 4^th. I had passed simply because I am still building a portfolio and inventory off of those items. I wouldn’t have enough to show yet. But I went to see what it was about to see if it’s something I want to do next year. (And, yes, I do. Hopefully I’ll get another invitation!)

While I was there I ran into another artist I’d met in a completely different setting about a year ago, Sharon Jenke Long, who does amazing portrait work. Chatting with her for a bit, she encouraged me to “just keep drawing” and it’ll happen.

At another booth, I met an artist who’s work I’d never seen, nor had I seen anything like it, Bridgette Paddock of http://www.briduvielsworld.com/ gave me information on merchandising and printing I doubt I ever would’ve found on my own. It was a wonderful experience and a wonderful day.

An Artist at Work: Sharon at Picnic In the Park
Photo by Howard Owens

After Friday's art show reception, we wandered out to the Geneseo Rotary Summer Festival and came across more artisans. The connections were easy, the help flowing. It brought my mood around, made the day bright again.

Oddly, for a field with so many potential competitors, most artists are remarkably helpful and appreciative of each others endeavors.

And this is what needs to be held close. Not the administrative glitches, not the oversights. The people sharing themselves with others. Maybe the disappointment gave me a very important reminder of that priority.



Geneseo Rotary Summer Festival 2011 Craft Booths
Photo by Dick Gallivan

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Speaking of sharing:


This past autumn at my friend Stephanie’s annual wine party, I found that her brother-in-law, Rick, has a very talented artist for a sister. Her name is Debbie Bender, and she is an incredibly talented portrait artist. She also does landscapes and other things that strike your fancy.


Debbie’s attention to both detail and spirit brings it all to life. Check out her website at 
http://www.dldrawings.com/ and enjoy! Drop her a line, too, if you like her work as much as I do!
 　

A Face You Can't Resist
©Debbie Bender