Search Results

Watercolor is my medium (check a recent blog post on this topic)... CREATE. Why? I have talked about how I love pen & ink with watercolor . It might not be much of "a change of pace," but it seems to be a HUGE change in style. This idea began when the owner of Heather a Boutique in downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia, had a quick chat with me while I visited her shop. Heather wondered whether some of the iconic sites in this historic district could be the subject of some of my greeting cards. The thought stayed in my head for months, pushed back by the strange intervention of Covid-19. Heather's shop was one of so many in Fredericksburg that needed to shut its doors in mid-March and continued to do so into the summer months. Like many shop owners, she had to devise creative ways of selling her wares remotely, by phone, email, and appointment. It's been very hard on the independent shops. Now to my revelation: Why not just pick a place, take a picture, pick a pen, and start? The result is quite striking, at least to my eye. Architecture has never been my strong suit. The curves of flowers and birds keep my arm loose, and accidents can be quickly adapted with some paint to the affected boo-boo. The straight, bold, perspective lines of buildings and facades are unforgiving. "Oops" cannot happen with a pen or ruler. Can I do this? Yes. Yes, I can. First came the photographs. A foray down to Fredericksburg on a lovely day gave me at least three different places to dive into. I knew well enough not to do this on a Saturday afternoon. Even during the lockdown in March and April, people were bound to be out walking their dogs along the tree-lined sidewalks. With my camera at the ready, I found parking spots (Fredericksburg is notoriously hard to park your car, and you had better beware: the local police might mark your tires and come back to boot that exact tire if you haven't moved in the allotted time frame). Below are the results. Hold the cursor over any fifteen images for the title. Click for more information. The jump to try my hand at architectural drawing is a change. Isn't it nice to "shake it up" sometimes? It can be scary, yet refreshing. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click any link below and purchase any book. Books on Fredericksburg, Virginia General History - Fredericksburg, Virginia Fredericksburg, Virginia:: Eclectic Histories for the Curious Reader Greater than a Tourist - Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA: 50 Travel Tips from a Local Books covering the Civil War in the area of Fredericksburg, Chancellor, Spotsylvania The Battle of Fredericksburg:: We Cannot Escape History (Civil War Series) by James K. Bryant II. Paperback and Hardcover Fredericksburg, Virginia: Eclectic Histories for the Curious Reader (American Chronicles) by Ted Kamieniak . Paperback, Kindle, and Hardcover Historic Churches of Fredericksburg: Houses of the Holy by Michael Aubrecht Paperback. Fredericksburg (VA) (Postcard History) by De'Onne C. Scott. Paperback The Fredericksburg Campaign: Winter War on the Rappahannock by Francis Augustin O'Reilly. Paperback Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful day. Click SUBSCRIBE to "Never Miss an Update." Prime Membership Benefits

* As an Amazon Associate, I earn from products that you purchase. Click anywhere, any category, and any product and shop any item on Amazon from my links in this blog. If you add ANYTHING to the cart and purchase that product I will get a small commission. Thank you for your purchase, in advance. The apparel pictures and others represent the departments but you can shop anywhere on Amazon, and order anything. Don't forget this is great gift shopping Start shopping here ⬇️ APPAREL Check it out! Women's top, blouses Women's tops, blouses, clothing Check it out! Women's dresses Women's dresses Check it out! Men's Tees Men's Tees Men's Sweaters from Amazon Men's Sweaters KITCHEN & DINING Pictures of bakeware, baking sheets, tools Bakeware Storage bins from Amazon Storage Chairs, utensils, tablecloths, carry tote Eating & Dining Cell Phones & Accessories Phone holders, Earbuds, Chargers, iPhone, Android + more. HOME & GARDEN Plants, potting soil, patio, grills, fire pits, home trends CAMERA & PHOTOGRAPHY Security cameras, binoculars, digital cameras, tripods, telescopes, drones, kids cameras, + more OFFICE PRODUCTS Chairs, chair mats, partitions, folders, planners, shredders, + more. BEAUTY & PERSONAL CARE Makeup, Skin Care, Hair Care, Fragrance, Nail Care, + more. You do NOT have to be a Prime member to take advantage of this. ⬆️ Amazon Fresh offers grocery delivery on tens of thousands of products – from a complete grocery selection to everyday essentials, toys, gifts and more. Fresh is Prime customers' one stop for great deals on national favorites, new tastes, organic, and more. Audible Plus, a brand new all-you-can-listen membership that offers access to thousands of titles, including a vast array of audiobooks, podcasts and originals that span genres, lengths, and formats. Create a registry that celebrates who you are as a couple. Shop the world's largest selection to find everything you need to build your new life together. Our membership program offers special benefits including: *Save 20% on diapers subscriptions *Exclusive Coupons and Deals from Amazon Family *Exclusive Baby Registry benefits *FREE Two-Day Shipping on millions of items *Unlimited instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows *Unlimited, ad-free streaming of over a million songs and more Prime benefits

I thought I would do a few posts with my top books for those beginning to jump into the art world. I’m sharing the top ten books I picked for beginners from my collection.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 1. Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist You can read all the books you want, take all the classes and workshops you want, and buy all the best gear, but your art will only improve if you practice regularly. This book gets you started on that path. 2. Watercolor 1: Learn the basics of watercolor painting Caroline Linscott covers a range of popular subjects as she introduces several basic art concepts and painting techniques, all clearly explained and illustrated. 3. Watercolour for the Absolute Beginner: The Society for All Artists The exercises are ideal for beginners, and the main projects will also build skills that will help artists improve. A pull-out outline drawing is provided for every exercise and main project, and Matthew Palmer shows step-by-step instructions on how to transfer these onto watercolor paper. 4. Drawing for the Absolute Beginner: A Clear & Easy Guide to Successful Drawing A series of fun, hands-on exercises help you practice and perfect your strokes—24 mini-demos lead to 9 full step-by-step demos. The lessons you learn by drawing simple subjects such as coffee mugs, clouds and trees will help you take on progressively more challenging matter like animals, still lifes, landscapes and portraits, 5. Art for Kids: Drawing The entertaining, hands-on lessons begin with contour drawing techniques and feature numerous exercises that show budding artists how to make basic shapes and forms. 6. 30-Minute Watercolor Painting for Beginners Beautifully presented instructions and illustrations show you the fundamentals of watercolor for beginners. In five different lessons, mix colors and try various brushstrokes and washes. Learn how to choose and assemble your supplies and paint using color theory and composition techniques. 7. Lessons for Painting Flowers: Easy Watercolors for Understanding Colors and Procedures The eight lessons are carefully constructed to build the necessary techniques, one step at a time, by first starting with simple tasks such as creating and painting flowers with just a few petals and gradually leading up to more complex works with multiple flowers and colors. 8. Birds, Bees & Blossoms: A Step-by-step Guide to Botanical and Animal Watercolour Painting Botanical artist Harriet de Winton shows you how to paint modern watercolor artworks to treasure and share. This book aims to expand readers' repertoires into fauna and flora, with easy-to-follow instructions for a variety of difficulty levels. 9. The Big Book of Realistic Drawing Secrets: Easy Techniques for drawing people, animals, flowers and nature This book can teach anyone to draw (yes, even you!) Carrie and Rick Parks can help. As award-winning teachers, they have a proven game plan for helping artists of all levels overcome common problems and see immediate improvement in their work. 10. Figure It Out! Human Proportions: Draw the Head and Figure Right Every Time For those who want a bigger challenge and enjoy figure drawing, Christopher Harts shares his "foolproof" method; even beginners can quick-check the proportions of their head and figure drawings, identify errors, and swiftly fix mistakes. Pin it, please—comment below the post.

This is a quick little blog post where I create a new and different work (not my usual watercolor). I LOVE white pen on black paper. I have several images that you can check here. Rolling the gel pen across the paper's surface is fun, which I find relaxing. Seahorse first phase (0.35 sec) Seahorse 2nd phase (0.24 sec) Finished Art * As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Art supplies used in this drawing: Black Paper - CraftMore Cardstock 8.5 x 11 inches 25 sheets Uni-ball Signo Broad Point white gel pen 6-pack Transon Acrylic Paint Markers - 8 pack (4 white and 4 black) Pin it, please.

This is an opinion. My opinion. The art supplies pictured here are my own. Many of the items link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate, earning from the reader's purchases here. I can comfortably say that I use all the products listed below, and I am confident that they are art supplies that you would enjoy at a beginner or professional level. Let's start with basic supplies. PAINTS Sakura Koi Pocket Field Sketch Kit - Watercolor Sets for Painting On the Go - 24 Color s You can see that this set has been used. I bought this set in 2015, and it still serves me well. The link will bring you to a catalog of similar sets. Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 12 Half Pan with Water Brush Pen and Mixing Palette I use these Winsor & Newton© watercolours are rich with high pigmentation. You can see that this has had plenty of use since 2019 and still have plenty of color. Recognizing the colors was a little harder, so I cut a piece from the wrapping on each pan and glued it above each paint pan. This set has a water pen, and the lid opens to a palette. WATERCOLOR PAPERS Strathmore 300 Series Watercolor Paper Pad, 11x15 inches, 12 Sheets (140lb/300g) You can find more watercolor paper selections in the catalog search here . BRUSHES Sable Brushes Round Pointed Professional Watercolor Brushes These are my go-to brushes, especially when using washes. Brushes come in 9 popular sizes—#0, #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, #14, #16. This is an extremely versatile size range. It is perfect for professionals, artists, students, novices, beginners, and adults. Natural sable hairs have great liquid-holding ability, and soft and smooth blending gives you a perfect sable-like spring back and ability to hold its shape. Transon 12pcs Small Detail Miniature Model Painting Brush Set This set is perfect for details with your brush. I keep two sets so that I don't run out when a brush starts to wear down. Royal and Langnickel Brushes Despite the fancy-sounding name, these brushes are a Value Pack on Amazon. I use them for paintings, wear them out, and then buy another 12-piece pack for under $20. (Eight brushes are shown here.) US Art Supply Deluxe Brush Cleaner-Brush Washer with Wash Tank You should clean your brushes! It keeps them healthy. A Spiral Holder Suspends Brush Tips To Prevent Bending Or Deforming of The Bristles As They Hang To Dry Or Soak In Either Water Or Solvents. Great product. DRAWING General's Kimberly 24Pc.Watercolor Pencils I LOVE these watercolor pencils. They allow me to add shadows or detail in areas where I can draw colors and contrast. I sharpen these down to the nub. Beautiful colors. * Note the holder. My daughter bought me the holder, which looks like the "spiral shaving" leftover from a pencil sharpener. Very clever. Get yours here Clive Roddy . SAKURA Pigma Micron Assorted Point Sizes - 6 Pack Professional Quality Small and Large Circle Templates Set with Erasing Shield These are handy for drafting, but I love being able to trace perfect circles in any situation. The erasing shield also helps to erase unwanted lines close to each other. Speaking of erasing. I don't like to think about making mistakes...but I confess. I make them. Faber-Castell Erasers - Drawing Art kneaded Erasers As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking the links and making any purchase from this website will be an Amazon commission for me but will have no cost to you. Not necessarily needed, it's nice to have this equipment or these furniture items: Table Easel Adjustable 4' folding table If you like to video your work-in-progress or you like to do tutorials: Gooseneck iPhone Holder phone tripod with remote Good lighting: Verilux floor lamp Verilux table lamp Keep your artwork safe: Art Portfolio Presentation Book I own all of the products listed above. If you are thinking about any of these for yourself, for a budding artist in your life, or for a crafter of any kind, click through to Amazon and drop a product in your cart. I thank you, as I do get a commission for your purchase after the item has been shown and delivered. Please, Pin it! or scroll to comments.

In 1972, I completed my Fine Arts degree from Westfield State College (now Westfield State University). Ready to conquer the world, I set out to be an elementary art teacher. It was exciting to land a job in my hometown. The position involved "running" (well. not really) from school to school and teaching the art curriculum at Kindergarten through fifth-grade levels. I was assigned three schools in the district, which numbered about 1000 kids in a two-week rotation. This story involves one of those schools and one particular young boy. Fort Meadow Elementary. Shortly after the school year started, a group of people and the classroom teacher of one of the fourth grades met me at the door to tell me there would be a new "special needs" student who was being mainstreamed into the classroom. He came into the school accompanied by the para-educator assisting his side. I had all the usual feelings: What were his issues? What could he do? What would I have to do? I was filled with some fear and apprehension. Rick Hoyt was wheeled in and brought to the back of the room. Over time, I slowly got to know him. The classroom teacher explained that his wheelchair was "state-of-the-art." The chair had a computer that allowed him to "tap out his answers" on the foot pedals, and his teachers would translate. Some students figured out the codes and used Rick as their "cheat sheet" on math problems. My typical art curriculum involved drawing, painting, crayons, chalk, cut and paste, and other two-dimensional projects. Every so often, I would throw in more unique lessons. On this day, we made "pinch pots" with natural clay, not Play-Doh. The process involves giving each student a hand-sized clump of clay. They would then roll it into a smooth ball, poke in their thumbs, and begin to form a little pot. Finally, they would draw their initials on the bottom, and these would be taken to another school where they would be fired and dried in a pottery kiln and later painted in a ceramic glaze . I started giving out the clay, and the classroom became alive with excitement. I demonstrated the technique and began to pass out the clay chunks. Ricky was the last of the students I approached, waiting patiently with his para-helper. I took Ricky's hands and plopped the clay into them. He immediately screeched at a level that could be heard three classrooms down the hall. I was horrified and concerned that I had upset him. Then, I got closer to him and looked at his face. It was bright with enthusiasm, and he was grinning ear to ear. I couldn't believe it. I had made a connection with Rick that would last the rest of my life. For the first time (probably the last), I left the rest of my students alone and spent the rest of this time working with Ricky. Who is Ricky Hoyt? Five years later, he and his dad would run a fundraiser for a local lacrosse player paralyzed in an accident. When it was over, Rick told his father: "Dad, when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped." Together, they are a running duo known worldwide. Together Dick and Rick Hoyt have inspired the running community to beat the odds. Dick and Rick have done countless triathlons and iron-man races and competed in 32 Boston Marathon events. Yes. Team Hoyt was there when the Boston bombing caused such heartache in the annual event of 2013. The two were two miles from the finish line when the police patrol stopped them and told them what had happened. Dick was concerned about others on the Team and that they might be at the finish line. All were safe, and the rest of the team had finished. What a terrible scare for all who were impacted by this tragedy. In 2015, I decided that I would like to reunite with both Rick and Dick in Rick's apartment in Massachusetts. We remembered a lot of stories about Rick and laughed at his antics. My husband took several photographs, and later, I drew an image of both in charcoal pencil. It hangs on the "wall of memories" in Rick's apartment. As I write these memories, the world has learned that Dick Hoyt has passed. CNN ESPN 's Twitter account and The Boston Globe are among the media platforms posting stories about this sports icon. The tributes are flowing in from all over the world. Dick Hoyt and Rick Hoyt have inspired the running communities but also families who have had their lives positively impacted by the courage and determination of these two. "Yes, [absolutely] You Can." A group of runners, sports commentators, and athletes honor Team Hoyt in this tribute video (30 minutes): It's an honor that my own life has been impacted by these two. My story above is among the many shared by others in the book, One Letter at a Time by Dick and Rick Hoyt and my friend, Todd Civin. Books on the Hoyts are available on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I will earn a small commission for your purchase at no additional cost. I am among the contributors to this book, One Letter at a Time by Rick and Dick Hoyt, with Todd Civin. It's a story every runner should read. Devoted: The Story of a Father's Love for His Son Ironman Triathlon World Championship, CAN: The Dick and Rick Hoyt Story An additional source here for One Letter at a Time and other book offerings. Search "Team Hoyt" on YouTube, and you will find videos on the Hoyt family. Please Pin it ! Comment below this post.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Michelle Brenmark Wisconsin, USA Who are you, and what is your background? My name is Michelle Brenmark, a.k.a. One Artsy Momma. I'm happily married to my best friend of 28 years, Ed. We have twin teenagers, Eddie and Catie, plus two dogs, Indy and Junior. I'm a breast cancer survivor (5 years cancer-free) and a self-taught artist. I've been creating art since I was a child. While I took a long hiatus from creating once I became a momma, I eventually jumped back into it; it was in 2012 that I decided to try digital art for the first time. I saved up for a Mactop laptop , a Wacom tablet , and this fantastic software called ArtRage . I taught myself how to create digitally, and I opened up my very first Product on Demand (POD) store: Zazzle store One Artsy Momma What is your favorite medium? In 2019, I stopped creating digitally and started using the real deal. I first started with watercolor paints and, lately, colored pencils. I am seriously considering trying out acrylic paint. I am going to experiment with this technique called paint pouring. I can't wait to try it out. It looks so fun, but it will be messy. My favorite medium would be colored pencils, which is surprising because when I first started using them, I didn't enjoy the process. It's a slow way to create art because of the many layers of color you need to put down onto your paper and the color blending process. What do you enjoy creating? My favorite subjects, hands-down, are owls. They are so majestic and adorable. (click the photo to see this image on a ceramic tile from Zazzle) When I found digital art in 2012, my main subjects were ladybugs. This is my very first ladybug painting. (click the photo to see this image on a Poster at Zazzle) --> Then, I started my Wildlife Series: pieces of animals with a ladybug visiting them on their noses or beaks. This panda bear was the first creation of the series. (Click on the photo to see this image on a Throw Pillow from Zazzle) What food, drink, or song inspires you? Music is another form of art. I always have music playing while I'm creating. I love a variety of music genres, from classic rock to jazz. My favorites are The Beatles, Led Zepplin, Wings, Sir Paul McCartney, and Vince Guaraldi. Lately, I have to hit the repeat mode on my favorite song from Wings, " Goodnight Tonight ." (YouTube) I LOVE that song! Professionally, what is your goal? I plan to write and illustrate my first children's book within six months. I want to create more art pieces, as well. What is your best advice for someone wanting to start as an artist? I would say don't put your eggs in too many baskets. If you plan to sell your art online via product-on-demand websites, choose a couple of sites. I made the mistake of joining a half dozen sites when I first started my art, and it was too much stress and a huge hassle to load my art to each site. It was way too time-consuming. Just start with one or two. I highly recommend Zazzle.com . They have high-quality products and superb customer service. Thank you, Michelle. I'm happy you are Annie Mason's first "Meet the Artist" series post. I hope the readers enjoyed this as much as I did. Visit Michelle's website to see more of her art and blog: One Artsy Momma Stores: Redbubble Zazzle Social Media: Facebook Instagram Pinterest Portfolio As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking the link below and purchasing this product will be an Amazon commission for me but will have no cost to you. Share on Pinterest:

Watching the many web pages, platforms, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, and other internet places where artists share their creativity is fascinating. When the pandemic hit in early March 2020, I experienced mixed emotions: What will I do? How will this affect my family and me? Whoa...I'll have much more time in my studio. As the weeks went on, however, I would go into my art studio and find that I would wander around, pick up brushes, find something needing to be moved around, and end up doing nothing. The rest of the day was spent caring for family needs. I often check into Facebook groups (mostly art-related), especially when a notification catches my attention. Two Facebook groups that I belong to, All Animal Watercolors and Women Artists & their Art I found it fascinating that so many were experiencing a lack of motivation or inspiration, which I was feeling. Not much had changed. Start and stop. My creative juices were dried up like rotten tomatoes. Soon, I let whatever was going to happen happen. Personal family issues had taken a lot of attention, and I knew this was another factor in my lack of inspiration and creative momentum. Where does creativity come from? Why? Sometimes, it comes from the natural progression of events: Over the last several years, I have set aside the illustrations I did for a book authored by Dr. Bertice Berry. I know how swamped she is...and I am very patient. We both share a "right time, right place" mentality. So this book is going to happen. Why not get it back on its course? I was unhappy with some of the pages...and over the years, I had honed my painting skills, and my confidence had grown. I went through and revised all 24 pages of illustrations to my satisfaction. This book is back on track and will be a real success. My dearest friend called upon me to paint the canvas seat on a Director's chair for her grandson. I {sighed} because I worried the course canvas fabric and watercolor would not work on this project. I would be using acrylics (not my favorite choice). The design that my friend wanted was a "baseball theme" to match his bedroom décor. I love baseball (Go, Nats!), so this was good. It turned out that doing something with paint that is not the norm and having the joy of making this for my dearest friend (who lost her husband not long ago) brought "creativity" back into my heart. Is that where it lies? CREATE. "Keep Creating Like No One's Watching." Creativity is fluid. It sits just below the skin. It simmers and perks while not brewed before its time. It's spontaneous and cognitive, deliberate yet emotional, and, most of all, unexpected and unanticipated. Why? Why not? We are all creative in many ways. Maybe no one's watching, or maybe someone is watching over us. Addendum: Flash forward to 2024. I have a new art studio in our new home. It's a pleasure to be on the ground level and not have to navigate two flights of stairs. My bones say, "Thank you." I still question CREATIVITY. It's elusive, to be sure. Maybe that's the goal of every artist. The desire to forge new routes and make free and unique associations between ideas, concepts, emotions, memories, symbols, imaginative forms, objects, and words that can be developed into the most fulfilling and original artworks. Since the original post from 2019, my portfolio has jumped to over 300 works. My style has changed. See A change of pace and style. *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. BOOKS Being an Artist by Lewis Barrett Lehrman. Hardcover. Artist: Awakening the Spirit Within by Jocelyn Jones. Paperback. Harley Brown's Eternal Truths for Every Artist by Harley Brown, Lewis Barrett Lehrman. Hardcover. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon. Paperback. Kindle. Hardcover. Illustrating Children's Books: Creating Pictures for Publication by Martin Salisbury. Paperback. Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic by Lisa Gongdon, Maggi-Meg Reed (narrator). Audible Audiobook Thank you. Pin it, Please. Comments below this post.

It has been a while, but I have opened a new Zazzle store: Annie Mason Design . This store features new artwork on products ranging from Accessories (bags and wallets, scarves) to Wall Decor (Canvas, Wood Art, Metal). As we enter the gift-giving season, many products make great gifts: Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Graduations. Don't forget the friends you are visiting after the pandemic kept you away. There are also Baby Showers and Weddings that might be in the coming months. The distinction is that the product designs are my artwork so the recipient won't find them anywhere else. (At least, I hope not). Please visit my store after you view some of my favorite items here. For baby room: Giraffe and Her Calf poster Sea Turtle poster Count on Me baby blanket For baby: Roses baby bodysuit/one-piece Buttons! baby bib personalized with a name Pick of the Orchard baby bib personalized with a name Too Sweet for Words bodysuit personalized Mom didn't expect a night owl bodysuit Kids: Cat and Mouse T-shirt Sea Turtle T-shirt Graduation: Be a Pineapple poster Follow your Inner Compass T-shirt Mother's Day: Day Lily wood wall art Wild Wildflowers crossbody bag Please visit this new store: Annie_Mason_Designs Pin it.

You know me as an artist. You've seen my subjects and my techniques. Between managing my artist blog, working in my home art studio, editing a website (actually two because I admin for a local non-profit's webpages), painting almost daily, producing a line of greeting cards, and marketing, I admit my plate is full. However, now and again, I shift gears and tackle the ubiquitous task of researching the family roots. I have done this throughout the years. My family traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah, on vacation, and a block of time was scheduled to stop at the famous Family History Library . This was in the early 1990s, and this was still the best way to get information. I recall the 3 hours that I sat at a microfiche reader , scrolling through a rather large screen on a massive machine until my eyes glazed over. Yet, I did find smidgens of info on my grandparents' arrivals in the United States. Years later, here we are. The 2022 research is from my living room with a click of a name; add any other information I might have, and BOOM! up comes something or nothing...and you start again. It's a far cry from taking hand notes. My primary websites are Ancestry.com and familysearch.com . Both offer wonderful search features, certainly more pleasant to use than the tedious methods of the past. I favor Ancestry.com because my subscription gives me many options to dig deeper to find those "roots." How can I tie my art to my foray into Genealogy ? It begins with memorabilia and photographs. Among my mother's items is a passport issued by the War Department, Washington D. C. This is Stella . We called her "Babka" (grandmother). Grandma was a " Gold Star Mother ." She lost a son in WW1, and in 1933, she and a group of other Gold Star mothers were able to travel by ship to the areas in France to visit the gravesites of their lost ones. Julius Wozenski (my mother's stepbrother) lies in Oise Aisne American Military Cemetery in northern France. The Pilgrimage was the last of the Gold Star groups to visit the hallowed ground upon which their loved ones were buried. Records show that 81,155 members of the American Expeditionary Forces gave their lives during World War I. Another relative noted that Julius Wozenski also has a memorial in my hometown of Westfield, Massachusetts. On my next trip back, I will visit the site and pay my homage to his memory. In amazingly good shape are pressed flowers, more than likely taken from the site, lovingly kept in the booklet, and more than likely laminated at a later date. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission on product links in this post but have no extra cost to you. My grandmother emigrated to the U.S. in 1913 at the age of 22 with two stepchildren in tow, and then married and added two more children: my mother, Helen on the left (age 3), and her brother, my "uncle Steve." on the right (age 2) My grandmother's home smelled like laundry because she bleached, washed, and steam-ironed local businessmen's shirts. She also knew a few words in English, but my mother would mostly have to translate most conversations about her grandkids into her native Polish. You have met my maternal grandmother, Stella Wozenski, who later married a Gutowski. My paternal grandmother was Wolozemski, who married a Chrzanowski (my maiden name). You get the picture. My AncestorDNA is 69% Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland & Lithuania, 37% Baltics, and 4% Germanic Europe. I married a Mason. My husband's family tree is so much easier. His mother's line is Pugh, and a total volume of genealogical publications makes things easier. We have a charcoal drawing of my husband's maternal grandfather, Charles Newton Pugh (1862 - 1936). Does one wonder what prompted this formal portrait? I don't have a date, but it's in relatively good shape, and the mat is almost pristine behind the glass. The picture above was taken on the family farm in West Virginia. Russell (far left) was 16 years older than Martha, my husband's mother. Families were bigger and brought up to be hardworking, proper, and resilient. It's amazing how much I feel connected to my ancestors, or even my husband's ancestors, because of the resemblance or stories passed on to others. Ancestry now has "hints" when their database finds something that will give you a possible match. These are cleverly in the shape of a leaf. (family trees, get it?) The hints allow you to click each one and compare existing information or verify those you have input and check the veracity. Genealogy is time-consuming, and I can't do it for any length without taking a break. There is a lot of checking and re-checking. Have I found the right "Jonathan Martin" Mason? It is fun but takes patience and perseverance. I love to feel a connection with my ancestors. The Mormons trace their family trees to relatives who can be baptized by proxy in the temple. It does give me great pleasure to learn a new fact about my mom, grandmother, or great-uncle that I didn't know. Technology has very much improved the process of finding information. Ancestry.com is amazing. Links to the census years, newspapers, high school yearbooks, marriage and death certificates, Social Security, and City Directories are common. The microfiche of years ago is a click to a hint from other users or searches you haven't considered. Ancestry.com is the world's largest online family history resource, with more than 2.7 million paying subscribers. Ancestry users have created over 47 million family trees containing approximately 5 billion profiles. Clicking links in this post may generate an affiliate commission at no extra cost. BABY REGISTRY AT AMAZON Pin it, please. Or comment below this post.

My mom loved crafts. She was a professional cake decorator by trade but also loved floral crafts, knitting, crochet, wreath making, and anything she saw that looked FUN to make. Our basement area shelves were stacked full of boxes of yarn, candle wax, needles, and ribbon; you get the picture. I know, I know...it's hard to buy for someone else's wish list, especially if they have tools that they love. That's when a few questions to the artist/crafter in your life might be helpful. The products below are some of my favorites and I think universal in the art field. *As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from links to products with no extra cost to you, the buyer. Most of the items are similar to those that I use or that I am familiar with as quality suggestions. Thank you. Simbans PicassoTab 10 Inch Drawing Tablet and Stylus Pen XP-PEN Artist12 11.6 Inch FHD Graphic Monitor (must be connected to a computer) Active Stylus Pen Compatible for iOS &Android Touch Screens Make Great Art on Your iPad: Tools, tips, and tricks - Paperback Epson Perfection V600 Color Photo, Image, Film, Negative & Document Scanner ⬆️ My scanner, and it's a terrific product! Prismacolor 92808HT Scholar Colored Pencils, 60-Count Zebra Black Micro-Pen Fineliner Ink Pens Professional Charcoal Pencils Drawing Set Drawing Kit Set,Charcoal Sketch Art Pencils 12 PCS Blending Stumps and Tortillions Paint Brushes Set, 2Pack 20 Pcs Strathmore Paper 300 Series Watercolor Sakura Studio Set Koi Watercolor Kit Caliart Acrylic Paint Set 24 Classic Colors CENTSTAR 15 Pcs Round Paint Tray Palettes Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started Studio Series Watercolor Brush Marker Pens (Set of 24 pens) Lettering and Modern Calligraphy: A Beginner's Guide Classic Black Fountain Pen Modern Calligraphy for Kids Bonsai Starter Kit - Gardening Gifts Candle Making Kit for Adults WHAT ON EARTH Sleepy Sheep Ceramic Yarn Bowl Knitting Bowl Nanxson Adjustable Women Bib Apron Multi Function Embroidery Starters Kit for Beginners, Adults Active Algae Lightweight Moisturizer Pin it, Please! or scroll down and comment.

It’s essential to adapt your luggage to the specific trip you take. I’ve found, however, that regardless of where you go, there are always a few staple essentials that go with you on your travels. I’ve created a list of my top ten things to bring in your luggage, regardless of the nature of the vacation. Click the title or the photo to link to the products. 1. Cell phone. Phones are more a part of our lives than ever. Bringing your cell phone can help you in a pinch, provide a camera, and, in most cases, a form of navigation if you lose your way. 2. Credit Card Holder. Some people say money makes the world go round. You’ll need something to fund your trip regardless of your opinion on cash. A credit card holder is easy to carry. When buying a new wallet, use RFID shielding technology for cards and IDs. RFID blocking technology provides an extra security layer, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized scanning. 3. Charger. In this modern age, we rely on our phones a lot, so giving them the fuel to perform the functions we need is essential. This Power Pro 5000 Ultra-Compact is a minimal, tubular design that slides easily next to your phone in any pocket or bag. It is just 10cm tall and 3cm wide. 4. Extra Photo ID. One of the best packing tips I received is that preparation is essential. If you lose one photo ID, whether stolen or misplaced, having an extra form of idea allows you to continue to travel back home safely. Avery Durable ID Cards, Laser Printable on Both Sides. 5. Toiletry Bag. Hygiene matters. Bringing a toiletry bag with hygiene essentials keeps you organized and feeling fresh. This bag was given to me as a holiday gift. It holds hairbrushes, combs, toothpaste, a curling iron, a small tissue box, and even a little mirror that could be handy in the wild. Made with extra-tough fabric and technical details, then extensively tested in our lab to prove it can hold up for the long haul. These come in various sizes to meet your travel needs. You gotta love L. L. Bean for the perfect bags for all your needs. 6. Chapstick. Few things are more irritating than having chapped lips and being unable to do anything about it. Bring some chapstick and stay moisturized. 7. Empty Water Bottle. You may not be able to pack a filled water bottle on a plane, but bringing an empty one on your trip is a great way to stay hydrated. The eddy+ Camelbak© water bottle has a leak and spill-proof cap. It is BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and compatible with other CamelBak© products. The loop handle makes it easy to carry, and the sip mouthpiece and straw make drinking a pleasure. 8. Ear Plugs. You never know what party people might be in the hotel room next to yours. Having your plugs might be the answer to a good night's sleep. 9. Hand Sanitizer. When traveling, you come into contact with many unwanted germs. Even if a sink and soap aren’t nearby, it’s nice to be able to sanitize. This one is available at Target. COVID-19 taught us a thing or two about hand sanitizer. Considering when you will be around many people is a good idea. A small hand sanitizer in your luggage and/or purse is excellent. Wipe those handshakes right away. (Discreetly, of course). 10. Sunscreen. It doesn’t matter where you are; the sun is never kind to the skin. Bringing sunscreen will ensure that your skin is protected in any weather condition. Pin it, please. Comments below this post.