Muse on Vacation?

Okay, I guess there is no guarantee that my Muse's vacation will not conflict with MY vacation! I'm having trouble settling in with a project now that I have the time to do so. I've begun by cropping some of my past collages to expose smaller vignettes within the original images My husband recently installed Adobe Elements on my laptop.

We have the full blown version on our desk top, but that necessitates my waiting around for him to vacate the desk when I want to work. In addition, I have tried in vain to master Photo Shop over the past two years. My brain refuses to think in "layers". It's an interesting problem since my collages are all about layering. I think the difference is that the layers of my collages just kind of happen as they will. I don't tend to plan them out ahead of time. With Photo Shop, I feel as though I'm supposed to keep track of what each layer has on it. Elements seems to be a little easier so far. I'm hoping to be more successful with this version.

At the very least, Elements provides me with a resource for cropping and enhancing images of my work. I like to zoom in on smaller areas of my collages thus creating a whole new piece. It's as though there are mini stories taking place within the larger statement. It also gives me something creative to do while waiting for my muse to return from her unscheduled vacation!

Summer time and the living is easy.....

Don't get me wrong, I am profoundly grateful to have a fulltime job. I know how blessed I am to be able to support my family in this terrible Michigan economy. Yet, I have to tell you, I love being on vacation!!!!

Teaching is a physically and emotionally draining career. It is fulfilling and rewarding as well. Often it feels as though we are the unsung heros of the professional world. There is no question, however, that summer is a huge perk. Yes, I have four workshops to attend, three book studies assigned to me, and six placement meetings to attend. I also have to go in two weeks early to prescreen all of the incoming kindergarteners, enter their data into the computer and balance four classrooms. All of that aside, those few precious, carefree days in between all of the other (unpaid )responsibilities associated with my job are beyond priceless!

I can now focus my attention on my art, my garden, and my family. Where to begin? Finish the series of Beauty Denied Barbies I've been working on, finish the wedding gift I started in May, catch up on scrapbooking, pick up where I left off on my journaling, or start something completely new? The possibilities are endless! Oh summer time...and the living is easyyyy... fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high......Billie Holiday

Sense of Humor

In times of stress and times of strife, a sense of humor is crucial. This light switch hangs in my hallway as a symbol of my sense of whimsy. These days, I either find things to be very funny, or very upsetting. Could the estrogen laden meds I'm on now have anything to do with that? Two weeks left of work!