cedar’s blog

Cedar May 12th, 2008

I haven’t gotten much painting done lately, mainly because of my two jobs on-the-side (installing art shows at the local arts center and babysitting a little girl.) Both jobs are fun and rewarding, but I’m glad that they are extremely part-time affairs, because I’m feeling the need to spend some serious focused time at the easel.

I have managed to spend enough time painting that I’ve nearly finished the 6′ x 4′ tree I’ve been working on. I’ll put the finishing touches on tomorrow, if all goes well, and I should have it photographed so you can all see it later this week. The huge canvas is taking up my whole studio.

I’ve also been putting together a project that I’m really happy about–within the next couple weeks I will have ArtByCedar Magnet Sampler Packs for sale! Each sampler pack will include 6 different refrigerator magnets, each one featuring one of my favorite tree paintings from my “Looking Up” series.

These magnets are large–about the size of a postcard. They’ll come in an attractive little gift box, so you could give the whole set as a gift, or you could keep your favorites and give out the rest individually to friends and family.

These sampler packs will retail for $19.99 apiece. I’ll be offering free shipping to my blog subscribers. If you know you’ll want several, let me know so I can reserve them for you.

In other news, I cut my hair short for the first time in many, many years. The new hairstyle is really growing on me (no pun intended!)

Last week I made a new necklace. The beads are made of lapis lazuli, iolite, black onyx, sterling silver, and wood.

My garden is really coming along! I think it’ll be pretty spectacular this summer–I’m going to enjoy harvesting tomatoes and peppers in the sunshine, with the scent of herbs and flowers all around me.

Next week I’m getting a wisdom tooth, possibly two, extracted. I’ve never had any kind of dental surgery before (I’ve never even had a cavity as an adult) and I’ve heard horror stories from people I know. I’m absolutely terrified and filled with dread. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Next month I’ll be taking a trip to North Carolina. I’ll be at the Twigs & Leaves Gallery in Waynesville all day on Saturday, June 21, in conjunction with an “Art Walk” event happening in the town that day. I’ll be doing painting demonstrations and talking about my work with all the art lovers passing through.

In July, my family is having a huge reunion in the mountains of Tennessee. I’ve been in charge of planning the whole thing from the beginning, and it’s been a lot more work than I expected, but the plans seem to be coming together nicely and I’m really looking forward to it!

In August, I’m going to Ohio for a week to scout out some galleries. While I’m at it, I’ll be attending a contra dance weekend at a boy scout camp in Indiana with a friend. Then in September, if all goes according to plan, my husband and I will be going to West Virginia for a 3-day whitewater rafting and camping trip with a group of our buddies.

I’ve been doing a workout routine and actually sticking to it, and I feel great! My arms are definitely less noodley than they were a few weeks ago.

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