Howdy and Happy Valentine's!

A quickie: I'm launching Art on the Loop, the Sequel, March 20. Hopefully I'll have a dynamic team of helpers to replace the irreplaceable Mikie while he's playing in the snow up in Colorado.

Second, WIM has a presence on Facebook now! In three days we've gotten over 60 members! Today I set a fundraising goal of $2000 to use for recruiting. We'll see what happens!

Hope everyone has a great weekend; I'll be jogging/gasping/wheezing/walking in a 5K tomorrow morning for the Children's Advocacy Center and helping host a baby shower on Sunday afternoon. AND I'm only a thousand dollars away from my goal for my trip!! Thanks, everyone!

Portrait of Grace

Hi again. Here are a few pix I took of my best friend, Grace, yesterday in Gruene. I liked this green shirt she wore so much that I had to go buy one for myself!

I'm continuing to learn how to use my 28mm 2.8 lens and I was pretty happy with the results. I also used a few Totally Rad Actions on some of them to see what kind of cool pictures I could turn out.

So I'm pretty stoked and I hope Gracie likes them!

Still working on my hearts. I did six more yesterday and have done two more this morning. There are a total of 35 squares. Yikes.

Well, Happy Friday everyone!

HEARTS AWAY

Last year I made a goal (somewhat late in the year, I might add) of doing six paintings. Well, I did three. The fourth just never got off the ground and then it's the holidays, blah blah blah, I didn't make the goal.

This year, I reasoned that six was not too great a challenge. I never make resolutions but I DID make a decision to write in my journal way more frequently. I'm doing pretty well so far.

As far as art is concerned, I began drawing yesterday. Not even really drawing, more like doodling. Bess called me and said, "What are you doing?" and I answered, "I'm coloring." Like a little kid.

I saw somewhere online someone doing a series of drawings of hearts called "A heArt A Day" and it inspired me to do my own series. I got out my $20 "professional artist markers" that Sophia is not allowed to touch (and Hannah very grudgingly) and my big drawing pad and started drawing little 2x2 inch squares with hearts in them. After a while I felt I could do a bigger project so I got out a clean sheet of paper and drew a grid of 3x3 inch squares. Let's see there are about 5 squares across and 8 squares up and down? It's a big sheet of paper. Anyway. I drew 7 squares last night and quit after my finger started aching from the pressure of the marker. Hannah really likes it because she knows she gets to frame it and put it in her room when it's finished.


I decided to make these into other things like cards or whatever. I'll photo them after I'm done and print out as needed.

Hannah's 14th Birthday

Greetings, all! If you're on Facebook then you've probably already seen these photos, but I'm just trying to make them available to everyone. Mainly my mother. ;)

Hannah had a "low key" birthday party compared to most years....we'd bought her a new bed because she desperately needed one, so that pretty much nixed any budget for a party. We ended up inviting kids over to the house for pizza, pinata and cake. They had a great time!

Below, you see Hannah's personal mini-cake which she requested. I had the bright idea of using fresh flowers instead of candy, etc. I think it turned out nicely. And the day gave me a chance to use my new lens, a Canon 28mm 2.8! I really like it!

Oh I forgot to mention--it was a "superhero" themed party. Everyone had to dress up as an unknown superhero. Hannah was "Super Smurf" though she never donned a mask or cape. I was "Hershey Girl," and I think my costume was very successful. How can one be a superhero without a mask or cape?!

Even Sophie got into it; her identity was "Baby Bean," the sidekick to Bess's "Starbucks Girl." Those coffee cups really come in handy.

Hannah wore her crown all day long and even received a compliment from a boy in Wal Mart while we were out grabbing last-minute items for the party. She felt very special and loved from all the text messages, phone calls and cards in the mail. Thanks, everyone, for making her day so great!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year, everyone! We had a surprise treat! Mom and Dad drove from GA to TX for a VERY brief visit. They were bringing Grandmother Lee to Aunt Pam for an extended visit. We had one glorious day with them, a very nice way to start off 2009. Here are a few photos from our evening at our favorite Mexican place....

Above, you see Lanier with Dad and Chuck, and below is a photo Mom took of us.

I took this one of me and Hannah.

I've got $1900 toward my trip in April with another $1600 to go! I had a garage sale last Saturday to 1) raise money for my trip and 2) get rid of a bunch of JUNK. I made $100 and decided Hannah should get $20 to go toward HER trip to Mexico during spring break. She only needs about $400 total and they'll do a lot of fundraising but she's got a good head start.

Hannah's 14th birthday is on the 24th and her braces come off two days later. She's so stoked about it. Bess cut and highlighted her hair this past weekend so I really need to take some photos; it looks gorgeous! Hannah has fabulous hair. And now she looks older (sigh........)

New Year's resolutions? I have never made resolutions before, but, if I were to make one, it would be to write in my journal more regularly. So far I've done 3 days, not bad. And I am definitely trying to get back into the habit of regular exercise (meaning, power walking and stretching). I'd totally quit exercising of all kinds and my body shows it. Jiggle everywhere. Gross. And I'm reading "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, a daily devotion. Haven't read that in a couple of years.

So that's what's happening in our neck of the woods. We'll put out a newsletter this week.
Cheers! RLH

CHRISTMAS COOKIE ORNAMENTS

Howdy all! We took a lazy Saturday afternoon before Christmas (IS there such a thing?!) to make homemade ornaments out of playdough (flour, salt and water) and any kind of crafty stuff we could find. Natalie, Hannah, Sophie, Bess and I played for about 3 hours.

Here's Sophie posing for the camera.

Hannah and Natalie hard at work.

Bess made the cutest ornament for Jake! It looks just like him! Awww....

Here are a few close ups while they were drying outside. We sprayed 'em down with acrylic sealant and then repainted some with Mod Podge to make sure those beads didn't roll off. The blue and yellow angel is mine! :)

Some of Hannah's....

More of Hannah's....

And more of Hannah's! Hers were really nice and varied. She gave the musical one to Mary Nell.

I LOVE this star made with tissue paper. Natalie did it.

And here are Natalie and Hannah getting some love after we're done! Merry Christmas, everyone! Hope you're enjoying a wonderful holiday with your loved ones.

Rachael

Hey all,
Hope everyone's having a nice, peaceful Christmas. It's COLD here! It even snowed one a week or so ago (didn't stick or anything). Just wanted to let folks know I've got all but $200 of my plane fare for my trip in April. Woohoo!! Only $2500 or so to go for the entire shebang.

This is a photo of Chuck and Mary Nell with me and Lanier at Chuck's 60th birthday party. Mary Nell threw him a surprise party; it was the first surprise party he'd ever had, he said. Anyway, it was very attended and we had a great time.

I discovered a cool magazine last night at Borders called "JPG." It's obviously a photo magazine and I registered as a photographer this morning. You can upload photos and if they print one they'll give you $100 a free subscription to the magazine. I can do that! I posted 6 from my trip to Cd. Valles, Mexico and hope that I get enough votes to have one printed in the next issue. Go vote for me! www.jpgmag.com

Have a Merry Christmas and stay warm!
Rachael

ART ON THE LOOP

Hi all! Well the long awaited, much anticipated Art on the Loop event was this past Friday night from 6:00 to 11:00pm. Wow!! It was a HUGE success! We had at least 100 people attend (I could've kicked myself for not figuring out a way to count attendance) but we might have had closer to 150 at one point.

These are just a FEW of the images I took that night. There were LOTS of cameras! All of the artists were so excited and thankful for the opportunity to be in a show for free! And there was no cost to the public either! Everything was free. Even the musicians played for free. Our good friend, Aaron Blanco of BROWN COFFEE CO donated coffee and had whole bean bags for sale.

Above you see Mikie Farias running sound. He and I basically put this thing together and promoted it around the town. I designed and printed about 100 posters and we plastered them everywhere, even Texas State in San Marcos!

This is Lindsey Hasbrouck and Hannah Rushing singing. They are amazing! Their harmony is so pure and sweet. They play often at Two Rivers Coffee so if you're in New Braunfels, you should definitely check them out!

Here is lovely and talented Stacy with her work. Stacy's a Vineyard member, but we had about six different churches participating in this event, even Holy Family! Below, you see Scarlette with her work.

I heard the day of the show that Maximus had prepared some paintings as well! I couldn't wait to see his work!! Here he is with his art at his very first art exhibit. He elected to do a series on "Transformers" and depicted are (L-R, clockwise) "Bumblebee," "Megatron" and "Optimus Prime." His fourth painting (bottom) was a scene of his "Aunt Steffy" getting married (which will actually happen in January).

Here you see Hannah busy selling her hand-stamped notecards. She racked up, even taking home custom orders.

My darling husband, running sound for the latter half of the exhibit. Mikie really needed backup so he could move around and mingle, announcing bands and also overseeing his own art work for sale! (Incidentally, those are my paintings in the background.)

Jona sang songs he'd written himself and also played keyboard later for his roommate, Matt Drake. All bias aside, we really had some top quality musicians and artists. You can hear Jona's songs at www.myspace.com/mymusicjona

Here's Aaron with our pastor from River City Vineyard Church, Scott Tjernagel, and my bro-in-law, Jake. We had a huge turnout from the Vineyard crowd! They love music and they love free coffee! Especially Brown coffee!

My favorite feature of the night was the fact that several of us artists got to announce the different musicians. Here's Sarah Joy, introducing Chachi Diaz, a gifted singer/writer. Chachi's music is also on myspace: www.myspace.com/chachidmusic

I didn't get many crowd shots but here's one. It doesn't fully show how many people were there but it's a good shot of the place.
The artists and musicians were so enthusiastic--they can't wait for the next show! I was so exhausted Saturday morning (we got out of there by 10:45pm that night) from breaking down and returning all the stuff I'd borrowed (I'm picking up my artwork today, Monday) that I'm happy to wait a couple of months to do it again.

It was our first try, and based on how well it went, Mikie and I would plan to do more in the future. The trick is, Mikie's a snow board instructor in Beaver Creek, CO, half the year, so I have to find a new committee! But I had several offers of help that night.

Thanks everybody, who exhibited art, who played music, who helped set up and break down, who put up posters and spread the word, and ESPECIALLY thank you to Brian and Sally Leifeste, pastor of Northpoint Church, for opening your doors to the community and allowing us to host this show FOR FREE! God bless you!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. We'll be in Georgia with my family and then spend a (hopefully) quiet Christmas here in Texas. Our first Christmas as a new family!

After months and months of working, doodling, groaning and praying (begging), we have a new WIM logo! It was officially voted in by the Board of Directors this past week. Woohoo!!

It'll be a slow change but in a few short months this will replace the current logo which we've had nearly 10 years. Talk about elation.

Well, Happy Halloween! We're having a little get together tonight at our house so I'll try to post some photos over the weekend. Tomorrow I hope to watch the GA-FL game at my inlaws' (go DAWGS!) and then I'm off to a bridal shower tomorrow night.

Have a great weekend!

This Fall

Howdy, all. Cool weather is finally here, hallelujah. I had a quick photo session with my friend, Diana, last week! Here are a few pix from her shoot:

Diana and I traveled in China together back in 2005. She's a great friend and really easy to photograph despite her extreme dislike for being in front of a camera.

Below is the last painting I've completed recently. It was taken from a photo I got of my little 3-year-old cousin, Ruthie, while we vacationed in St. Augustine last July. I learned a lot from this painting and I think it's pretty successful, though I don't love it. It's too pastel for my taste. I usually use extremely vivid colors and lots of contrast. This is a huge departure for me!

Anyway, plans are coming along smoothly for Art on the Loop (www.facebook.com/artontheloop or www.myspace.com/artontheloop). We've got at least four musicians and bands commited to playing and seven artists. What's so cool is that the art ranges from painting to photography, jewelry, printmaking and textiles! I can't wait! November 21 seems so far away....



In other art news, I should start the next mural for our church, River City Vineyard, soon. I've got material to do sketches from and once that's approved, it's just a matter of getting into the building and getting it done! I'm sure it'll take more than two days like the first one did. :)

Thanks for tuning in and Happy Halloween. --R