As an artist I learned long ago that there is no limit to what can be perceived and executed in the name of art.  Recently I received information on this artist and wanted to pass it along.  He is truly an artist with a gift.  Let me know what you all think.

It appears his website is:  sambarcroft.com.  I am truly impressed with how he has utilized wood to create such realistic offerings.  Photos courtesy of www.sambarcroft.com.  If you would like to see more of his work, you can visit the Livio De Marchi Virtual Museum at www.liviodemarchi.com 

The Artistic Spirit Haunts Me...

As we welcome in 2010, I have to consider the challenges that face persons who have artistic spirits.  While I do not consider myself an artist of great talents (based on the balance in my bank account) I do accept that I have some inborn abilities that keep demanding they be acknowledged.  This forces me to always seek outlets for this energy that plagues me every day of my life.  So, you have witnessed a few of my vices...er, talents?  I am ever being pushed by this unknown force to pick up and create in whatever form and manner I can.  Today, it is clay.  While not finished and still in a rough state here is my attempt to quiet the artistic spirit inside my head.  The clays are whatever I had laying about so they don't blend together perfectly.  I welcome your remarks.  Yes, I know, I should try and focus on one artform, but for some unexplained reason I simply find this impossible.  I suppose this is what creates a 'Jack of all trades and master of none'?  The sculpture is of my cowboy husband when he wore a mustache.  He is now clean-shaven, but I still have fond memories of these days.  He is resting in this pose so his eyes are closed.  Okay, this little adventure is complete, I can get back to painting.  Heads, I win?

Remodel in an RV...

Thought you might enjoy seeing a project I did in our RV. You all know that my husband is past World Champion Bull Rider, so we really enjoy western decor and leather. Our bedroom had a wall of mirrors behind our bed. One of Bill's trophies from winning a title was a Winchester rifle that I wanted to display. My sister and I came up with the idea of a leather headboard where we could mount the rifle. After visiting our local Tandy Leather Company we purchased a leather side and began our creation.

We measured, cut and padded a plywood board, covered with leather, drilled and fastened silver conchos to hold everything in place. To add interest, we created the central concho and leather decoration and finally utilized rusted barbed wire to hang the Winchester. We choose to do this so that the rifle was readily available and not fastened into the headboard. We completed the project at midnight and felt pretty good about it. Would love to hear what you think.

Home Sweet Home...

A while back, Jo (Majority of Two) wrote that she was interested in motorhomes. I was tempted, but perhaps too embarrassed to respond. Following my recent days of learning that it is we who create our 'home' and not the home that creates us, I am now ready to confess.

I have always been a person who put roots down deep. This began early during my growing up years in Iowa. While I enjoyed traveling, I always loved coming 'home'. Well, our lives have changed during the past few years and we now find ourselves living full-time in an RV! In the beginning I didn't want to tell anyone that our home on wheels was our 'home' period. My husband was more comfortable with the situation and willingly told new friends that we were 'homeless'. It's been a year and a half now, so I guess it's time to accept our situation. We live full-time in an RV and are blessed.

We have met so many wonderful people who are living life in their RV's as well. The American Spirit is alive and well and, yes, some of us are living in recreational vehicles!

Another Wonderful Day...

Well, it's been a great day, again. My bread takes two days to bake, but it just came out of the oven and I thought I'd share it and the pot of homemade vegetable soup that I've made for dinner with the kids. The bread recipe made two loaves. The soup took a new spin. My family recipe calls for white potatoes, but my husband (always the health nut) wanted me to try sweet potatoes. I did and the result is a soup that has a natural sweet taste to it. Since I was photographing the bread, Bill thought I should also take a picture of one of the hand painted tiles I do. You are all invited to our simple dinner, please join us.