Time Flies!

I can't believe it's been 5 years that I have been studying iconography. Over the years, I have learned so much from my teacher Irena. She is a master iconographer who is from Russia. Her job in Russia was working for the Synod of Bishops restoring ancient icons. There's so much in her head, it amazes me sometimes. You would have thought after 5 years I would know everything she does but every so often she will say something or teach me something that is completely new to me. 

Iconography is not easy. It is so unlike any other form of painting I've ever done. I enjoy working on the icons because by the end of it, I feel like I know that Saint as well as any of my real friends as I study their image and talk them in silent prayer.

To purchase a print of this icon, please click here.

Mystery Solved

So picture this. A workman is sitting on the floor in front of the pellet stove in the family room.

The hubby was getting ready to leave for work and he said to me, "Hey is this coffee pot supposed to talk?"  I said, "HUH? NO." So he said, "Well it's talking." My grandson ran up to it and said, "Granny Jo it's talking". 

 I get up and go with the other 2 to the Kuerig and yes it was talking, however, it had President Obama's voice.  I couldn't make it out what he was saying.

My grandson says, "it's coming out of the wall". And now I'm thinking, is the Government now snooping on us through our appliances?

Now the workman turns around and he's watching us like a bad movie.
And here's 3 of us with our ears to the wall trying to hear what Mr. Obama is saying and where it's coming from.

It was on one side of the wall in the kitchen nearest the coffee pot but not on the other side of the wall in the family room. 

It sounded louder lower on the wall.  Then I thought maybe I can hear it better if I open the drawers below the coffee pot. First drawer, still muffled. Second drawer (bread drawer) a little louder but still muffled. Third drawer, a little clearer. Fourth drawer, he was talking about Iraq. I found him.

It was coming out of a transistor radio that belonged to my father who passed away one year tomorrow.

It was tuned into 680AM, a talk radio station that Dad frequently listened to.

I asked Glenn and Mason if they had opened that drawer. No, they both said. Dad was always a joker.  So I guess Dad was making sure I remember that tomorrow is the 1 year anniversary of his death. I remembered Dad. Love you and miss you. Thanks for the laugh.

Saving the Landfill

So I had this rusted up little truck hanging around the garage. Mason has long outgrown it. I hated to throw it away because it's so cute and a friend gave it to me.  So I decided to use it on the patio. It looks so darn cute with the beach bucket & plant in it. Can't take credit for it. I saw something similar, actually the plants were planted inside the bed of the truck but I decided to just use that old bucket too! Saving the landfill one toy at a time!

Sacrifices

 ACEO Title: "Waiting for Daddy" 

Today as I knelt in church I couldn't help but think of all the Men and Women who have given their lives for
this country. May all them and all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in Peace.

My thoughts were automatically taken to those who currently serve or who have served this country and the sacrifices they make.  Not to mention their families, husbands, wives, children, mothers and fathers.  So my prayers of thanksgiving and protection are for those people as well.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day and remember it's not just about the cookout.

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The watercolor ACEO pictured to the left is available on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/66688731/watercolor-aceo-original-wating-for?ref=shop_home_active_15

Be Observant!

You never know where you will find art!  There's a new art movement called Art Abandonment. It's a global movement where art is left in various places for unsuspecting people.

I recently left art in the subway in Rome, Italy and in the airport in New York City.

My latest abandonment was in the local Walmart dressing room pictured here. It is an original ACEO card in alcohol ink on yupo paper.

The card inserted was printed from a template provided by the Art Abandonment group on Facebook. It reads It's Your Lucky Day! You've found free art.  It goes on to explain the concept and give the URL of the Facebook group and an email address where the recipient can reply.  Every now and then the group leader will do a mail call for group members. I'd say 90% of the drops do not receive a response but many of the ones who do respond are touching stories of how they found it and how it made their day. Some people keep them. Some people pass them along to friends or family with health or other issues.

Our Alcohol Ink Artists Group on Facebook encourages abandonment as well.  So pay attention when you are out and about. You might find a piece of art, a piece of jewelry, a craft item, or a card. You never know what it is but it will be tagged with some kind of note letting you know that it's your lucky day.

Joann Y Wheeler
http://inkcentricart.etsy.com

Painting Projects

Well my trip to Italy certainly left me with over 600 photos, many of which I'd like to paint one of these days....here's a few.

Inspiration

Ever have an art block? I have it all the time but once in a while I see something that just says to me, paint me, please. Now generally I'm Landscaped Challenged and I really struggle with it. I force myself to do them because how can you grow if you don't push yourself right?

Well my cousin T.J. and his wife Gayle have a vineyard, Winter Ranch, in Manhattan, Kansas and Gayle posted a photo of one of her morning spring walks. For some reason it spoke to me and I had to ink it. Here's her photo and my interpretation of it. It's in the process of being sealed with UV protectant so I matt and send it off to Gayle & T.J.

Joann Y Wheeler
http://inkcentricart.etsy.com