Sunday, February 24, 2008

The 2007 Artists' Choice Awards on eBay

Alice - where art thou? 16x20 canvas mixed media collaged painting


The finalists have been announced in the 2007 ARTISTS' CHOICE AWARDS on eBay.

You may know I was the Director of the ACA in 2006 (it was hugely populated and big and transforming and it evolved tremendously with my awesome team of pressedink & dancing-girl_art ~ they are amazing) !


Keeper of the Stars 25x12 canvas mixed media collaged painting

(please check out all the previous winners here- many are winners again in the 07 Awards!)

http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=artistschoiceawards2006

How much more are you loved? 24x12 canvas mixed media collaged painting


As leader in 06 - I made less art (busy busy busy) and declined nominations - Since I retired from the ACA and became 'regularized' again, I was nominated this year... and WOW - my art made finalist standing in EIGHT categories (knock me over with a frying pan and call me Elmer!). Really - it is amazing.

SILENCE 16x20 canvas mixed media collaged painting

In the LARGE FORMAT (art over 14") category - I have finalist standing in FOLK ART, FUN/Whimsical/Humorous, and Fantasy/Faerie/Surreal!

In the SMALL FORMAT (art under 14") category I have finalist standing in Folk Art, and Fun/Whimsical/Humor!

In the FAVORITE OVERALL (or BEST) category I have finalist standing in Art Dolls~Assemblage, ACEO~Fun/Whimsical/Humorous, and Altered-Art!


PEACE 16x20 canvas mixed media collaged painting


WOWwee ZOWee Ping Pong Powee (to quote Melanie at thecreatorspalette)!

Although my art is migrating to another selling venue (ETSY) - I will still run live auctions at eBay as the wind blows.


THANK-YOU to everyone who supported me - and those who still do - I love you a gob!

joyfully, katey-D
Psalm 46



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





THE COLORING SONG

by PETRA

(a little RETRO "Jesus music")
circa 1981


xoxoxox




Tuesday, February 19, 2008

SCREAM!!!


Diversification... spreading the love...
like buttah... (a salute to Linda Richmond @ CoffeeTalk)
I now have a shop on ETSY in addition to live auctions that will continue to run on eBay.
After nearly 1400 postive feedbacks on eBay (combined IDs) and five years of adventure - I am moving my art to other places since eBay/PayPal took 40% of my sales in 2007 and the fees are going UP soon along with a few other unsavory changes.
I'm not jumping that ship completely - the community there is wonderful.


I am spreading the love though - like buttah on hot toast ...
Please visit my ESTY store:
www. blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com
and enjoy the new adventure!




By popular demand - I have added new versions of an old favorite: THE SCREAM





16" x 20" Acrylic on canvas board

SPECIAL Migration Offer: Buy a SCREAM painting and get a deal on the purchase a CaT SCREAM Tshirt - 50% OFF


Sunday, February 03, 2008

Last FIRST Kiss

Do you remember when we were just kids ~ And cardboard boxes took us miles from what we would miss ~ Schoolyard conversations taken to heart ~ And laughter took the place of everything we knew we were not.
I wanna break every clock ~ The hands of time could never move again ~ We could stay in this moment (stay in this moment) For the rest of our lives.
Is it over now hey, is it over now. I wanna be your last, first kiss ~ That you'll ever have. I wanna be your last, first kiss.
Amazing how life turns out the way that it does ~ We end up hurting the ones, the only ones we really love. I wanna break every clock ~ The hands of time could never move again.
We could stay in this moment (stay in this moment) For the rest of our lives.
Is it over now hey, is it over now. I wanna be your last, first kiss ~ That you'll ever have. I wanna be your last, first kiss.
Is it over now hey, it's over now. Is it over how hey, it's not over now. I wanna be your last, first kiss ~ That you'll ever have (that you'll ever have). I wanna be your last, first love (that you'll ever have) ~ Till you're lying here beside me with arms and eyes open wide ~I wanna be your last, first kiss for all time.

Inevitable - Anberlin







(a must listen-to song...)




PURITY.


Many years ago when I wrote an art curriculum for my young students, the first lesson I presented was all about color - and the perfect order of color. Our Creator set everything in place and His order is perfect. I am not saying we live in perfection - oh no, we have screwed it up.
God never changes. We change. We readjust and mess up. He is constant.

White is white. Black is black. Count on it.


The Creator is revealed in His creation. Even in the layout of color - we see His order: Red is always the opposite of Green. Purple is always opposite of Yellow... Orange to Blue... and all the tertiary colors in between ... all opposite of ONE divinely placed partner on the Color Wheel. One mistake in recreating a color wheel - and it won't work. You can count on it.

My young students were directed to paint a gray scale - pure white on one end, and the blackest black on the other end - with as many gradients in between as they could mix.
They quickly understood that white was WHITE and any black added at all (even though imperceivable to the eye) was still a pollution to that PURE white.
White is white.
Black is black.
Anything else- is someting else ... not white ... not black.

Purity.
It is REAL.
Tangible.
Attainable.
Preservable.
Protectable.
Holy.

There are a select population in our youth culture who have chosen to keep themselves PURE (some say "until marriage" but I personally find that an incorrect phrase - why would someone be pure, get married and decide they could/would be impure afterwards? Purity is a lifelong committment- even inside marriage).
Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. (1 Timothy 4:11-13)

These young ones make a choice early on that they will keep their bodies (and heart) for ONE person - their spouse.
Of course, when joined to that ONE spouse (whom they would also want to be pure) - they enter into a pure marriage - and seek to remain pure together for life.
It isn't a matter just for marriage. It applies to all relationships.
Purity is larger than our bodies, therefore, it applies to brothers and sisters and parents and friends...
It is an act of worship to keep our emotions, thoughts, and actions pure before God (not an easy act I confess) so that we may relate to Him and then to others in the way in which He has ordered.
So then, how much more valuable are we to Him than the color wheel?
Our purity can be defiled in so many ways.
The obvious ways (which need not even be discussed they are so obvious) - but also in ways perhaps not so clear to the weary traveller...
anger...unforgiveness... disrespect...jealousy...selfishness...and so many other polluted emotions can destroy purity and destroy open communion with God and with others...even with ones we love deeply.
Once we are washed by His forgiveness, we can never blame anyone else for that drop of dark paint that we invite into our own hearts of purest white paint ...
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5)

We must continually renew and refresh ourselves ... seeking purity in all ways, always.


"Last First Kiss" Mixed Media on Wood

BUY THIS PIECE OF ART DIRECTLY FROM THE ARTIST - Me, on ETSY

(more art to come! please check the link often)



Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. (Romans 12:1-3)

~~

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

SLOW FADE



There is nothing profound I can say to all the ones I know who are hurting and torn apart - or are grieving the loss of a loved one or of love itself... except to say I understand - in my own way - in my own world. I dig deeply into Scriptures for comfort - for Truth. It is like the pilot who has to fly in IFR conditions (using instruments because it is impossible to see anything in the real world). I trust in the Truth of the Scriptures when I am flying 'blind'. When nothing in my real world lines up - the Scriptures are still True to set my paths straight ~ to keep me flying level.




Mother & Son - Acrylic on Canvas





Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies [sons, daughters, moms, friends] never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see




Slow Fade - Casting Crowns



"There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. "





It is impossibly painful to watch someone you love be deceived and fill with a growing blindness.



It is impossibly painful to watch a friend endure crushing pain and weakness and endure an illness with no cure.



It is impossibly painful to experience rejection, disrespect, and rebellion.



It is impossibly painful to witness friends or loved ones walk down a dangerous path.



It is impossibly painful to see friends hurt by the world.




I do believe in the Sovereignty of God - that He does not let anything happen without it first passing through His hands... and so, as Job said and lived: "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in Him".



I hold out that same hope for all those I love... near and far ~ xo




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




"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation"


~



"From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? "



~




"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you."




~





The Prodigal Son



And He said, "A man had two sons.
"The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me
the share of the estate that falls to me ' So he divided his
wealth between them.
"And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.
"Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.
"So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
"And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.
"But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!
'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;
I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."'
"So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and
embraced him and kissed him.
"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
"But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out
the best robe and put it on him, and
put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;
and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;
for this son of mine was
dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.
"Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
"And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.
"And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.'
"But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.
"But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;
but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your
wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.'
"And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.
'But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was
dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'"

Sunday, January 06, 2008

BLACKBiRD FLY ...




4" x 2" Salvaged Antique Wood (circa 1884) - Orignal Acrylic Paintings





~
~THE BEATLES~










4" x 4" Gallery Wrapped Canvas - Original Acrylic Paintings






"Blackbird singing in the dead of night ~ Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life ~ You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly ~ Into the light of the dark black night.
Black bird singing in the dead of night ~ Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life ~ you were only waiting for this moment to be free
Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly ~~ Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night ~ Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life ~ You were only waiting for this moment to arise...
oh you were only waiting for this moment to arise...
oh you were only waiting for this moment to arise"





My RAVEN ART
~ at AUCTiON on eBay ~











enjoy,
~katey-D

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Would you like that Gift Wrapped?



you tube by silachan
Michael W. Smith - “Christmas Time”


I somehow always manage to cram myself into the smallest space in the house to wrap gifts. This makes no sense. There is plenty of floor space in our house, but even when I set up “shop” in it, I somehow barricade myself into one small area by surrounding myself with boxes, wrapping paper, peanuts, piles of ribbon and whatnot.

My plan is that it will all be in reach - and I can sit in one spot on the floor and dive into the task!
It never fails that as I wrestle the weirdly huge box onto the unrolled paper, careful not to pierce said paper with the corner of the mysteriously sharp box, that I cut it too too too long … or one micro nano inch too too too short. Patch jobs (for those micro nano inch too too too short deals) offer an opportunity to create an extravagant ribbon/bow cover-up ensemble (wink). Too too too long deals mean I cut off a looooooong strip to save for some tube-shaped gift (which hardly ever appears on the Christmas scene).


More often than not … and maybe it is because I am a tiny person … the tape is always just out of reach. I assure myself that I will set it down near to my right hand the next time, so I will be able to quickly reach for it (without much adieu or peeking) in the general area of my right side in the wrapping floor space field of play… but it somehow ends up under the pile of whatnot about ¾” beyond my best stretch.


Scissors… well, they are more often than not under me when I need them. You would think this would be obvious, but I am learning to look there first now when they ‘go missing’ mid-wrap.

I suppose there is a great metaphor in all this. “The best laid plans…” and all that… blah-blah, and blah-blah.



I hope you are listening to the song in the you tube clip above. It makes sense when nothing else does.

When paper is cut too too too long or ridiculously close, but too too too short… When scissors are lost and tape is just beyond a comfortable grab… When great intentions are consumed by piles of whatnot and the phone rings (also under a pile of whatnot, just out of reach and to the left) and you have both hands in a “Twister” game position of right hand/red dot, left hand/green dot - along with right foot/yellow dot (toe pointed holding down the fold of a nicely creased end wrap) … and you feel you can’t let go, but you must… so you do and it is only a machine calling to say your new vehicle warranty has expired and you don’t even have a new vehicle…


When all the best laid plans - aren't…
There is, beyond it all, a Greater Plan that is never too long, too short, out of reach, or buried in stuff…

~joy in the journey,
katey-D
Psalm 103


Ring Christmas bells ~ Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth ~ Tidings of good cheer. Come carolers ~ Come and join with the angels singing “Joy to the world ~ Christmas time is here again”.
Children gather around and listen … you'll hear the sound of angels filling the sky telling everyone “Christmas time is here”. Ring Christmas bells ~ Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth ~ Tidings of good cheer. Come carolers ~ Come and join with the angels singing “Joy to the world ~ Christmas time is here again”.Loved ones close to our hearts … and strangers in lands afar ~ Together share in the joy: Emmanuel !To tell the world He has come to dwell ~ The time is near~ With one voice ~ Let the world rejoice Christmas time is here! Ring Christmas bells ~ Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth ~ Tidings of good cheer. Come carolers ~ Come and join with the angels singing “Joy to the world ~ Christmas time is here again”.Children gather around and listen … you'll hear the sound of angels filling the sky telling everyone “Christmas time is here again”.







~~~~~
Isaiah 9
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Romans 10
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Friday, December 07, 2007

Christmas Time is Here




youtube created by Picardy






2.5" x 3.5" artist trading cards



(also available as a reproduction greeting card)




My ART FoR SaLE












~ joy ~



Sunday, December 02, 2007

The aesthetics of being alive ...


“Sometimes the world tries to knock it out of you”
~ August Rush









Some people just don’t "get it" - I feel as though they are walking corpses.
I am grieved, but at the same time I am joyous at those who do "get it" ~ knowing I am not alone.
And knowing it is there for anyone who wants to get it. too.
~*~
Follow-Up: I saw August Rush (the reviews were mixed btw) - but I cried several times in the movie and will see it again.
Yea, it was sappy and had unrealistic situations that left-brainers struggle with...I understand that.
I felt the movie though ... I got it.
I get it.
There are times I struggle in my heart with those who do battle in life - and still do not get it.
They miss it ... those 'walking corpses' I mentioned.
They think a better parking lot will keep people in their pews so-to-speak (as opposed to simply telling people the truth). They fight against the wind and blame the wind.
Whether church, or family/friends, or job - - it isn't about the stuff, or the programs, or anything other than the truth.
You either 'hear' it or you don't.
August Rush is a metaphor.
I hear it. I get it.
It is a relationship restored with the Creator of the uuniverse. By His mercy - I get it. On days when I seem sad - I just realize I want everyone to get it.

Friday, November 30, 2007

WHiTE CHRiSTMaS





and now a shameless promo for some affordable art...




Art CARDS - small pieces of original art to collect, trade or give as gifts


2.5" x 3.5" created on black art paper using Prismacolor pencils



Old World style Santas













Orignals available on eBay ...


My ART FoR SaLE


Reproduction Greeting Cards coming soon!

Monday, November 26, 2007

SiN

Someone saved my life tonight...




by Elton John

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"The Seven Deadly Sins"


Lust. Greed. Pride. Sloth. Gluttony. Anger (Wrath). Envy.



I just remembered -from English Lit- that "eggslap" was the acronym we were taught to memorize them by... envy, greed, gluttony, sloth, lust, avarice, and pride.



A series of events led me to drawing these nasty little beauties.
Some events I observed ...

Some events were hurled into my life ...

Some were recollections of the past year or so and the behavior of friends and so-called friends... even my own mistakes in handling events...


After coming across some small stone gargoyle statues in a gift shop - depicting the seven, so-called ', deadly' sins - another artist and I challenged ourselves to creating a series of our own interpretations of the sins in some sort of anamorphic format -- and so, these Gargoiles (pronounced Gargoyles - but emphasis on 'goils' as a play on 'girls') were born.


Lust was first and came easily. She evokes the most emotional response from me because she seems so innocent to her victims... and her (allegded) rewards are instantaneous. The Elton John song you are playing (you are playing it - yes?) - captures this one for me... such a passionate song... so well done. She is indeed that "princess perched in her electric chair" ... that "dominating queen" ... that "butterfly" ~ fly away!


And by-the-way, please don't get all offended at my use of the feminine - I recognize "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" - myself included. My artistic license has driven me to create these in the feminine form for better or worse.


With the little stone statues fresh in my mind - the flesh tones on my versions of these 'goyles is also stone-like and harsh.Each beauty measures just 2.5" x 3.5" (standard trading card size - known as ATC or ACEO). They have been created on black art paper with PrismaColor pencil.

Anger was really suppose to be Wrath. Afterall - anger in itself is no sin - "Be angry and sin not" -- It is the wrath, avarice, vengeance, and smoldering hatred that can follow that is actually 'the sin'. So, I wish I would have placed Wrath on her sash instead. *sigh* but I didn't - I was so completely into the doing of the thing - pencils flying... imagery crawling out onto the paper... it all happened quickly. I confess to having sinful thoughts while creating- recalling certain people and events and allowing myself to indulge in bitterness briefly. I stomped it out though - and chose forgiveness instead.


Anger is often tied up in passion and can cross-over into so many other areas of danger (visiting and mingling with these other ladies of darkness), but anger used to fuel what is good and right is a powerful tool in the human condition ...in which case such passion is a gift.


I hadn't intended for Envy to have green eyes - rather funny now that I see her there all unhappy with everything.

Poor Gluttony - her 'y' didn't even fit on her sash. Such a big title for a big issue. Never satisfied - with anything.

Pride - so confused. Isn't is good to be proud? Why is pride a sin? Look at her - all self-assured that she has no sin. That is it then - Pride is utter self assurance - no need of anyone and certainly no need of God. Pride has it all handled - completely.

Greed can never have enough - I think she and Pride may be twin sisters here. No one else exists. She will never know peace.

Sloth *yawn* - no big deal ... someone else will do it. She is not responsible. She is here for her - and so are you. You are here for her - you do it. It's your problem, not hers. That's how she sees it all.

The series will be available in print at a later date as a set.
The originals are at auction on eBay (the link is to the upper left).

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
~Romans 3:22-24


joy in the journey,
katey-D
Psalm 103



Thursday, October 11, 2007

TRUE COLORS



~ PHIL COLLINS ~

(youtube created by Dutchboyjr)

** play and sing along as a prayer for the one love in your heart - that someone you know who has those "sad eyes" ~~ let them know no matter what this world says - they are exquisite just the way they are - and that you love them and their True Colors **


~~ TRUE COLORS ~~



You with the sad eyes ~ don't be discouraged
Oh I realize it's hard to take courage
in a world full of people you can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small
But I see your true colors shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow
Show me a smile then, don't be unhappy,
'Can't remember when I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy and you've taken all you can bear
You call me up because you know I'll be there
And I'll see your true colors shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful, like a rainbow
So, sad eyes, discouraged, now realize
When this world makes you crazy and you've taken all you can bear
You call me up because you know I'll be there
And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors and that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors, true colors
Cos there's a shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors, true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Beautiful, like a rainbow


~~ joy in the journey,
Katey-D
Psalm 103


(featured art: folk art fish signs on reclaimed vintage wood / driftwood -- currently in my eBay store using the link to the upper left)


Wednesday, October 03, 2007

World War II (Ken Burns PBS)



Meet my Dad...
A young kid from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - who joined in to help stop the madness.

My Dad, Smitty, is on the far left - he said he and the guys sometimes rotated positions, but mainly he was the waist gunner. This B-17 is "Sack Time Sioux". Next to him are Strehlow and Croner.


Here is the entire crew... pictured in Deopham Green, England - where their bomb squadron, the 728th, began their missions.
Dad was part of the Mighty Eighth's 452nd Bomb Group.




Dad on the remains of the day.
German fighters spotted the squadron flying into Russia and came back with reinforcements for a bombing run which left our boys with nothing except a long 'walk' back home to England via North Africa and other places never before imagined by this steel mill boy.






Decorated and back home safe after 35 missions - my Dad.

If you missed Ken Burns 7-part film called simply THE WAR on PBS, please find it and watch with your children. God Bless America and our military and those who remember.



joy in the journey,

katey-D

Psalm 103


ALL PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHT (c) 2007 by the Smith Family Archives / Blueyeduck Studios

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

FoLK ArT & BLUE SKiES

~ 1884 salvaged wood ~


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



MR. BLUE SKY
~ ELO ~





This song never fails to make me smile. The concert footage in this video is part of an excellent performance best viewed in a dark home theatre setting- on high volume!



~ 1884 salvaged wood ~

In keeping with blue skies, happy colors, and all things bright and beautiful - I am transitioning here to some folk art I created over the summer from a harvest of Lake Erie driftwood and some antique salvaged wood.

I have dozens of fish and text signs on eBay (live auctions and buy-it-now items in my eBay store)




~ 2007 Driftwood ~

Most of the wood was collected last spring - I remember one particularly cold and windy day when I was certain I'd frozen my ears off.





The color and texture on these is so rich and fun - most difficult to see in these small images. These Cirque du Soliel style fishies are really fun.



It is simple ... enjoy the music ... enjoy the folk art.

To see more (and I hope you will look) - check out "MY ART FOR SALE" in the link to the upper left.

joy in the journey,
katey