fall. autumn. seasonal.
I am forever affected by the seasons. I do think that every season is glorious looking in nature, but for years I dreaded fall because of how it made me feel. I always liked the way it looked! and smelled and the light is better in (Midwestern) fall than any other time, honestly...but oh how I felt.
Once I realized that, of course I began to take precautions and measures to deal with it and now I am proud to say that I do NOT dread or dislike fall any longer. It's been a process. But hey,life is learning.
​

August 
What a month of mixed emotions. Here in Illinois, the kids all go back to school mid August, and although my own kids are grown and done with school, the dreaded back-to-school feeling arises at this time of year.  August is quite lovely in the garden tho. Many beautiful things are fully grown for the season and look so lush and the large grasses are starting to flower. The Rudbeckia subtomentosa is in bloom and makes an incredible cut! (Fall is coming)  The garden phlox was beautiful this year. The Japanese Anemone has started to bloom! (already)       I love every time of the year in nature. 
Haven't posted much here on the www as it has been incredibly busy and dare I say....a bit stressful with moving my mom to assisted living (93) and then proceeding to completely empty her home with just my sister,  all while working crazy 9-10 hour days. Needless to say, I haven't created much art.  But friends, I've been THINKING about art. I'm so inspired by the natural beauty I see around me. There are loads of ideas in my head.  I am going on a quick little trip to Detroit to see art. I can't wait! 
I wanted to check in here since I still have people checking out the www and am so appreciative! 
​Got something to say?  I'm all ears. :)

Just a quick check-in...I'm here! I'm here! 
I am feeling pretty blessed. Pretty lucky. Which is a great way to feel in February, by the way. I'm having a sort of lazy winter this year... Normally that would elicit all sorts of negative feelings, as my mode of operating is Be Busy. But for some reason.... I'm lovin it. 
Been working on some new projects using collage (my first love) and it feels great! I've collected so many loverly papers and vintage ephemera and I want to use some of it in my art. My workspace is a bit of a collage....
I'm loving instagram these winter days as well. too much scrolling, yes but so many good things to see. I started a yearlong posting project which is bringing me a lot of happiness. hashtag #ayearofseeingdifferent Check it out!  I'm still in love with my mural titled Seeing Different and it is sort of a theme for me.   Thanks to everyone who is checking out my website! I welcome comments or emails or messages.... Got something to say?  Also stuff is still for sale....( Photos on the photo gallery page). 
​see ya soon! 

HELLO FRIENDS
February is a beast. We have experienced snow, rain, ice and lots of wind and its only the 6th!!
I realize that I live in a geographical area that allows me to experience all the weather and so I am trying to appreciate the beauty in every season, more so than I used to in my younger life. Today the trees look like they're crying! It's stunningly gorgeous and requires lots of picture taking. I'm grateful for my warm home. I made a huge welcome sign. Contact me if you would like to purchase it. It may be just what your home needs. 

HI  it's super super cold these days and I feel a little trapped (in a good way)
​because it's soooo much work to go out. 
I walked into the yard yesterday because I wanted to throw some birdseed out there. The snow is knee deep in my yard and the poor birds have no access to water in my yard. I am trying to clean out some boxes/bins of stuff in the art room and then I get distracted and start a whole new project! I'm spending entirely too much time scrolling, but OH I've discovered some exciting artists recently!! Past and present.
​I finished the broken garden sign. I want to plant a little Sedum in the cup (half-cup ;)   Pix below. 
​Last day of January and this fatty needs to get back to exercising.  

OH MAN. 
I have started to make.... something  using my own broken plates, cups, dishes that got broken thru the years and I saved since the pieces are so beautiful. There is something so lovely about beautiful/broken stuff and I remember all these pieces.  Just when I needed a fresh project....I got one. #workinprogress <3

Hello 2019! 
I've started doing these little landscapes and I just love them. Handmade paper and a tiny little drawing of nature. They are 3" x 4" like my smARTs. These guys will have little hangers on them (instead of magnets).
Never two the same, but could be a nice grouping...More to come,I hope you love them too! 
The first ones I made I gave to family at Xmas but these are the first ones I will have for sale. Please contact me if you want some! x

Hi friends!
January is a mixed bag. 
Need a pick me up?? Buy yourself a nice little saying. :) or maybe a little art for your fridge... The smARTs are great for reminding you how lucky you are every time you open the fridge! 
Hope you all are having a wonderful new year so far! 
​

GOOD MORNING!! 

I'm having a giveaway over on instagram, and just posted about it yesterday.  I was driving home from target and I thought 'I'm gonna do a giveaway! I've never done one', so there you have it.
I will draw a name (or maybe 2) on December 5 so go check it.  FREE little art with a magnet on back.
I thought more people would go for it...I mean, FREE and all. :)
(I am barnwords on Insta)
​
In other news, I'm cold most of the time now. :/
Talk to ya soon.
​

Good morning friends and readers. March is really half over already and I am working feverishly on finishing my huge mural/project before April. I began this portion of the project mid January so I'd have plenty of time. 
The project is the largest piece of art I have ever created, 8' by 4', and I have truly loved working on it. The problem is I don't feel like working on it every day...and if you don't feel like painting...it's not easy to paint. 
I decided to forego the writing group so that I could use all those hours in the day (reading mostly) to do this. it was the right decision for me since I felt fine about completing the challenge last March. But I miss the 500WAD and all it entails....*
The project is called 'seeing different' and is all about how we see things and people and life. and different. It is basically a window. A window to look out. A window to look into.
The window is surrounded by bricks because bricks around windows are so beautiful and sort of old fashioned to me. My bricks are photographs. All of them relate to seeing different, some are double exposures, some are blurry. Some are more complicated, some are simple. All of them stir an emotion in me. 
The window is sort of divided into 4 panes. When I started, I wanted to create a vision of what I like to see out of a window, to a certain extent anyway. It has changed naturally and is still evolving. But I am nearing the finish line. I will add wood pieces to partition the 4 panes and also a little wood shelf above the window, sort of a reverse window sill (on the top!)
I've written about the importance of art in my life and really in everyone's lives, so I won't go into that but I can honestly say I am proud of this piece and happy to have filled my winter with it. So here is the almost finished product in it's almost finished glory. 
As always, thanks for reading. x
​*The writers in the 500WAD are incredible. Reading every post became too time consuming right now and I must read every post cuz that's how I am.