Summer

I love Summer! It is the time of year I feel most creative. I think it has something to do with the sunshine for sure. At this time of year there is also an abundance of subject material. Gorgeous flowers are blooming, the birds are out and about, and all manner of fresh fruit is available, just waiting to take up star position in my next painting.

Just take a look at these fabulous pink peonies!! The color is so vivid and they are huge! The extra rain has wreaked havoc in many areas unfortunately, but it sure has been kind to the garden.

On a sadder note, this past weekend saw the loss of two beautiful souls. Lincoln Realtor Mary Brake lost her life while on a Colorado horse riding vacation with her family. Mary was a lovely lady who always made time to say hello or assist new agents. Personally, we spoke of making some Aussie food treats for one of her sons who had been to Australia. She also sent clients my way when I first started out working in real estate without expecting anything in return. I just can't believe she might be gone from this world and hope her family finds peace and comfort. Mary, I will miss you, you were such a beautiful person inside and out.

In Australia my girlfriend Kym, lost the eldest of her three sons. I know reconnecting with the son she had put up for adoption as a young girl was such a joyous part of her life. The details haven't been made public yet of how he passed but I want Kym and her family to know we love her and will be here for her when she needs us.

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Embrace your life's passions, be it painting, photography, cooking, riding motorcycles. Life is short and you never know when your time here on earth is over. Love your family and friends. Be kind to others. I recently read a quote from Randy Pausch's book that if it comes to a choice between being right and being kind... choose to be kind.

2008 is Gonna be Great!

Ok, well basically 2007 has been a crappy year. And not just for me. So many people I have chatted with lately have talked about the challenges they've faced. The only thing to do is put it all behind us and move forward into 2008.

Personally, I am diving in head first to the art festival scene. I am planning to attend a LOT of art fairs this year. Of course this depends largely on my being juried in to the shows. A positive attitude never hurt so I am just forging ahead as if my applications will be accepted. The 2008 Oklahoma Festival of the Arts has seen fit to offer me a spot this year which is great! We set up on Monday, April 21st and the show runs through until Sunday evening on the 27th, so quite a long week I imagine.

Other shows I am applying to include Cherry Creek, St. Louis, St. James Court, Tulsa Mayfest, and a few others. Let's hope I can get into a few more of these great shows. As I move towards the show season I will be sharing my preparations with you. This is my first year where I am attempting to attend more than one show, so it will be interesting to see how this all goes.

I will share my comparisons on buying panels to hang my work on, finding a new framer now we've moved states who can handle my pastel work, putting together a kit to take to the shows and much more as I discover what it takes to do this. I can't promise it will always be pretty!! I have a lot to learn.

So if you've been there and done that I welcome any information you have to share with a show newbie and if you are also considering participating in the show circuit I'd love to hear from you too!

Have a wonderful Holiday season and I look forward to chatting with you all again soon!

Til next time,






http://www.colleenbrown.com/