Deerhide Book

Here's a little deerhide book that I made from the tanned hide of a deer my grandmother shot, probably 50 or 60 years ago. I still have some scraps of it left, and dole it out for special little projects.

Catch-Up Time - Herbs

I'm going to be playing a little catch-up with posting some of my artwork that I don't think has ever found its way onto the blog before. In the process of getting ready to move house, I'm uncovering lots of things I'd almost forgotten about.

So, here's the first one ... actually a little altered book that I did waaaay back before I'd ever heard the term "altered book"! I kind of like it, in its simplicity.

Courthouse at Round Top, ca. 1966

At last ... something artful!

This little thread-sketching started out as a pen-and-ink sketch from a photograph that my brother Don took back in 1966 when he was at Texas A&M as an Architectural Engineering student. I then printed it on muslin, backed it with interfacing, and proceeded to "sketch" with my sewing machine. I really like the way the black threads stand out against the vintage-looking muslin. This is a scan rather than a photo of the piece, so the colors aren't exactly true where the fabric wanted to ruffle a little in the scanner. Once it is stretched and mounted, I'll post another picture.

A Rare (but inspiring) Rant

After listening to President Obama's address on Healthcare Reform last night, I felt inspired to write my Congress Critters once more. Usually, I try to restrict myself to a two- or three-line, succinct statement of my stance on an issue, in hopes that it will actually be read and counted.

However, I saw my sister Suzanne's excellent letter to Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), and with her permission, was inspired to post it here in its entirety. She is a much more passionate writer than I tend to be, and she expresses EXACTLY my feelings on the matter. I'm hoping she will inspire you to write your own representatives and try to get this Healthcare Reform passed ... it's ABOUT TIME.

(Her letter is in response to Sen. Cornyn's canned reply to her original letter ...)

Sen. Cornyn: "I believe reform can be achieved by lowering the cost of health care without spending more money and without giving Washington more control over the decisions of doctors and patients."

I know this is hard for senators (who already enjoy Washington-controlled, gold-plated, lifetime health care) to understand, so let me attempt to enlighten you: Decision-making as it pertains to health has already been taken out of the control of doctors and their patients, i.e., We the People. Remember us? Our healthcare is already being rationed (by the insurance industry), and we are being fleeced (by the insurance industry). It is a scam. It is a racket.

You mention "bureaucrats." You are aware, are you not, that officious, petty bureaucrats exist in the private sector as well as in government? The private sector of which I speak is the health insurance industry. A bureaucratic, bean-counting insurance clerk already stands between me and my doctor.

Am I supposed to worry that the private health insurance industry may suffer if there is a public option? Let me tell you something you may not fully understand: The health insurance industry is my enemy. They wish to profit off of my suffering. I care not one whit what fate befalls that industry.

One more point I'd like to make: If a public option out-performs the private sector, it may goose the insurance industry into reforming itself (though I doubt that seriously), and then we will truly have a free market from which to choose. However, if the private sector fails to meet or out-perform the public option, then the free market (rightly) says to the insurance industry: "Adios."

I will do everything in my power as a private, voting citizen of these United States to stymie the future political prospects of any senator or congressional representative who attempts to prevent real, actual, meaningful healthcare reform from being enacted.

I am an Independent. I have no love for either political party. I have no trust in either party. None. I am loyal to neither party. Having promised myself, my entire life, that I would never be a one-issue voter, I have become, sadly, a one-issue voter. My health and my very life depend on it.

My future voting patterns will be decided on this one issue. I'm not alone. We are paying attention. We are personally living this healthcare nightmare, and untruths and sloganeering and ideology won't be effective this time. We, out here, the Great Unwashed, already know the truth ... intimately.

Suzanne and I hereby give permission for you to use any or all of the above for your own letter to Congress, or rant on your own website or blog.

Next time, I promise to get back to a little bit of art ...

Ian is a Star!

My friend Sharon Dixon's daughter Melody and grandson Ian are appearing in the Crighton Theater's production of "Cheaper by the Dozen" ...

Melody is an experienced actress, and Ian is a born actor if ever there was one, and I just had to show this page from the article in the current issue of Dock Line Magazine. I've repeated the copy below, in case the text is too small to read in the reproduction.

(Ian's little brother Robben is every bit as cute and smart, but just not quite old enough yet to participate!)


At the end of this month STAGE RIGHT will present the heartwarming family comedy CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN at the historic Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe. It seems appropriate that many families have come together to bring this lovely fact based tale to the stage of the Crighton. For years, the words family and Crighton Theatre have been synonymous. Now, a new generation of families will be playing together on the stage and behind the scenes.

One such family to grace the stage is the Montez family. Playing Jackie, one of the youngest members of the Gilbreth clan, is 6 year old Ian Montez. His mother, Melody, plays the role of Mrs. Fitzgerald, the Gilbreth’s long suffering yet good humored housekeeper. Melody is no stranger to the Crighton stage. She is an accomplished actress, having last appeared in STAGE RIGHT’S premiere production, CHRISTMAS BELLES. No one that saw the show can forget her character’s perky personality and gold lame pants! Melody has also directed shows at the Crighton, most notably MACBETH. Young Ian is no stranger to the limelight, yet this is his first turn on the Crighton stage. Melody explained that she was expecting Ian when she appeared in BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, and when he was only 5 months old, Ian appeared with Melody as Baby Pippin in a production held at Conroe High School. At 6 months he was already typecast: Ian played a Baby in the musical by the same name.

What does Ian want to be when he grows up? An actor, of course! Since before he could talk, Ian has been performing. He loves attending theatre (favorite shows include The Lion King and The Wizard of Oz) and then recite his favorite scenes. His favorite actors include Steve Martin, Bill Murray and his all time favorite: Christopher Walken. He and younger brother Robben dress up in costumes to re-create scenes in movies and plays for their parents. This habit of dressing for the part came in handy. After the first night of auditions Ian thought the director didn’t notice him (with over 50 kids at the audition that was entirely possible). So Ian came the following night dressed in a costume complete with a dapper hat and tie. With a voice loud enough to hit the back wall of the Crighton he turned on the charm. Ian got the director’s attention as well as that of everyone in attendance. He won the part and is thrilled to be able to perform with his mom on the Crighton stage.

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN runs July 31 – Aug. 16, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm with two Sunday matinees on Aug. 9 and 16 at 2 pm. Call the Crighton Theatre box office for tickets: 936-441-SHOW (7469). Check out our websites for further information about us and the Crighton Theatre including our exciting upcoming 2009-2010 season: http://www.stage-right.org/, www.crighton-theatre.com and http://resources.stage-right.org.

A Mother-in-Law Wish

My sweet mother-in-law, "Bill", has been like a second mother to me, and I just wanted to send a happy Mother's Day greeting to her also.

This is the picture that appeared in Katy Magazine a few months ago, on the occasion of her 100th Birthday. Can you believe it? Personally, I think she's been adding 20 years onto her supposed "birthdays" just so she can be the most beautiful 100-year-old!

Happy Mother's Day, Mrs. M!

Happy Mother's Day!

Since my sister Suzanne and I can't be in Austin this year for Mother's Day (I think it's the first time we've ever missed it!), we wanted to give a "shout out" to our Mom, Mattie Teddlie. Not only is she the Best Mom Ever (with apologies to all you other Moms out there), but she takes beautiful pictures, suitable for splashing generously across my blog today.

Here are some of our favorite pics of her ...

(Doesn't she have a beautiful smile?)

Pretty flowers for a pretty lady.

An anniversary celebration - maybe 62nd (?)

Anniversary Waltz, on board a cruise ship. Yes, that's my Dad, gallantly steering Mom around the dance floor, even though he "doesn't dance".

(This one is probably my current favorite pic)

And here is my all-time favorite picture of Mom as a child ... she's about 11 years old here ... you can see why she grew into such a beautiful lady!

I want to put a little remembrance here for our grandmothers, too. This first picture below is of my Dad's mother, Hallie, at about age 18.


And here is my mother's mother, Hattie, at about age 21, when she worked as a telephone operator.


Both of our grandmothers are gone now, but we remember them with lots of love.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, Mom!

from your two favorite daughters,

Linda and Suzanne

Collage Mania Closes with a Bang

In a 3-day extravagaza of bidding, Virginia Spiegel's Collage Mania (a part of Fiberart For A Cause) has raised over $18,000 in donations for the American Cancer Society. With this success, Virginia is taking her very well-earned retirement from the world of fund raising (but I have a feeling that she won't be able to give it up entirely ... I wouldn't be surprised to see a few smaller fundraisers in her future).

I want to say thank you to all who have followed Virginia in this adventure. I know I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment just from my own small part in it. I'm happy to report that my "Nevermore" raven postcard went on the first day, and "Poe Meets Frost" went on the second day of bidding. I wasn't able to bid on anything this year, but I sure enjoyed the vicarious thrill of those who were. The eye-candy alone was well worth the trip!

Congratulations to Virginia and to her faithful friend and sidekick Karen Stiehl Osborne, for their hard work and dedication to this cause. My two pieces will go out to their new owners in a few days, once all the paperwork is done and instructions sent out by Karen. Thank you all for the wild ride!

Shoppin' and Biddin' Time

Collage Mania, the Fiberart For A Cause fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, opens today (Tuesday, May 5) at 10 a.m. CDT. There is an official clock on the first page of collages: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/CM2009Collages1.html

Choose from 383 fiberart collages (many of them small art quilts) donated by 161 artists from around the world. Each artwork is finished or mounted to 8x10". Today's minimum donation to the American Cancer Society is $80; the minimum donation drops to $40 on May 6 and 7. All the details on how to acquire collages is here: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/CollageMania09Directions.html

Our goal is to raise at least $20,000 for the ACS in just three days. And now, here are more of my favorites, just as an appetizer ... thank you for your support!

Pear - Judy Alexander

Renewal - Denise Aumick

St. Pete Window 7 - Natalya Aikins

Radiant - Emmie Seaman

Poe House - Linda Thompson

Sunburst - Elizabeth Dawson and Lynne Pfeffer

The Daydream - Terri Stegmiller

The Bone - Susan Sanborn North

One More Day to Collage Mania!

Here's the website again for Collage Mania, starting TOMORROW! http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/CM2009Collages1.html

and to quote Virginia Spiegel,

"All donations for collages are made directly to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause. Patrons receive an immediate electronic receipt from the ACS. I hope you are able to join us for this three-day art extravaganza. Our goal is to raise at least $20,000 for the ACS."

And here are more of my favorites, just to whet your appetite.


Journaling Forgiveness 1 - Karen Presser


Madness - Patty VanHuis-Cox


Make Time for Art - Jamie Fingal




Old Pink Rose - Georgianne Kandler

Peace - Lynn Krawczyk

Collage Mania Countdown ...

More of my "favorites" ... although it is so hard to choose among the 383 collages!



Possibilities - Fannie Narte

Fossil - Ann Flaherty

Growth Begins - Laura Ann Beehler

Hands - Jeanette Thompson

In the Woods - Liz Berg

Home Again - Allison Brown-Cestero

You can see ALL the 383 collages here: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/CM2009Collages1.html and make up your shoppping list, for when the bidding opens Tuesday, May 5. It runs through Thursday, May 7.

Collage Mania is approaching fast ...

Counting down ... here is Virginia Spiegel's post for today about the LAST BIG fundraising opportunity from FiberArt For A Cause ...

Thanks to 161 generous artists from around the world, you can choose from among 383 fiberart collages during Collage Mania, May 5 -7. See all the collages now: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/CM2009Collages1.html

This is the final big Fiberart For A Cause fundraiser for the AmericanCancer Society as I will be returning to my studio fulltime after a good run of almost five years in which we have already donated over $170,000 to the ACS. Fiberart For A Cause will still raise funds in a much more low-keymanner through the FFAC Store, my eBook "Art, Nature, Creativity, Life", and fundraisers by Friends of FFAC. I would like to thank all the artists and patrons who have donated their time, money and care to make FFAC such a success.

FFAC would not exist without the personal involvement and effort of our Honorary Chairperson, Karey Bresenhan, Director of International QuiltFestival - Houston, Chicago, and Long Beach. Thank you, dear Karey! Our goal for Collage Mania is at least $20,000 in three days.

Warm regards,

V.--

Virginia A. Spiegel

Website: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/

Blog: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/vspiegel

Fiberart For A Cause, fundraising for the American Cancer Society. COLLAGE MANIA May 5 - 7, 2009 http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/NewFiles/ACSFundraiser.html

and here are some more of my personal favorites ...

Essential Blue 9 - Wen Redmond

Dusk - Carol Lawson

Do You Believe Anything is Possible? - Jill Kerttula

Dickens - Pokey Bolton

Creatures of the Deep - Marka Harwell Bentley

Collage Mania is ALMOST HERE!

It's a count-down ...

Three hundred and eighty-three original artworks created for Virginia Spiegel's Collage Mania 2009 are now up for preview here. All artwork will be available on a first-come/first-serve basis on May 5 -7. The directions on how to participate as a patron in this three-day art extravaganza are here.

Payment is by credit card directly to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause. Use only the link provided in the DIRECTIONS and, remember, the payment will say it is to the "Forest Lake Relay For Life". This is correct, as it is part of the Relay For Life, of which Virginia's sister is Chair. You will receive an automatic electronic receipt from the ACS. Adding even $1 more to the requested minimum donation will make a difference, but add a little more only if you are able to do so. As Virginia says, "We are not into guilt!" ;^)

After Collage Mania closes, Karen Stiehl Osborn will send your name and e-mail to the artist, who will contact you to make shipping arrangements.

And now for the fun part ... I've chosen a few of my favorite collages to post here, and will add a few more each day until the opening of Collage Mania on May 5. It's a teaser for the actual Preview, as well as a little insight into my artistic tastes, if you're curious.



Collage 2 - Wen Redmond


Copper Artifact - Michelle D. Cunningham



China Visit II - Sharon Eley

Ancestors were hilarious until I became one - Jill Kerttula

Adirondack Nite - Janet McMahon

Oh yes, two of my pieces are available too ... ravens from the Edgar Allen Poe Birthday Challenge. See this earlier post.