Artists are different.
Artists are in a perpetual search for inspiration... for beauty, joy, light, magic.
Artists are inventive, expressive, adventurous, and intuitive with an overwhelming desire to share their world.
I am such an artist. _______________________________________________________________________
♥ Swan Upping
We need more summer celebrations, especially this year when so many of us are self-isolating or calculating our risks to attend any group event. If we have to live a more low-key life, I say let's celebrate at home even if we have to create or borrow a reason for the celebration.
This year I plan to celebrate ‘Swan Upping.’ It is the term used to describe the annual census of the swan population on a particular stretch of the River Thames in England, and if the Queen's involved, you know there will be a party. Having had a primarily ceremonial function when the tradition was begun over 900 years ago, it’s now come to play a significant role in wildlife conservation and a reason to celebrate.
This year, however, the official, historic summer event has been cancelled. But that doesn't mean we can't celebrate anyway. Typically held the third week in July, I plan to walk down to the Duck River and check in with floating and flying wildlife. Not really holding out much hope to see a swan, but I can take a bag of stale bread and feed the geese.
Just for fun I researched Swan Soiree supplies, just in case a party breaks out, and surprisingly there are lots to choose from. Regretfully, none include the color red which appears to be the official royal color for the historic event.
"Ugly ducklings don't turn into swans and glide off down the lake. Whether your sunglasses are on or off, you only see the world you make."
~Bonnie Raitt
♥ Marquis de Lafayette
Over the weekend Disney+ offered the streaming of Hamilton, the 2015 Broadway musical that boosted creator Lin-Manuel Miranda into the stratosphere with international acclaim and a few awards, i.e. several Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and one unexpected Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Watching the production was nothing less than inspiring.
And although Alexander Hamilton's life was astonishing and worthy of the title role, the movie re-ignited my passion for early American History and all the founding fathers....especially the Marquis de Lafayette, who wasn't even American and only 19 when he joined the Revolution.
With a little research I discovered that not only was he instrumental in the fight for our independence but he also returned home to France and was instrumental in theirs as well. Lafayette advocated for a governing body representing the three social classes, and drafted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen which is in essence the French version of the Bill of Rights.
Laura Aurricchio wrote the book The Marquis: Lafayette Reconsidered, and I've really enjoyed listening to her interviews on a couple of podcasts: No Dumb Questions and The Age of Jackson.
Last year a friends loaned me the book America's First Daughter, the story of Thomas Jefferson as told from the point of view of his eldest daughter Patsy. Now I'm daydreaming of visiting Monticello, Williamsburg, Mt. Vernon, Montpelier, Ash Lawn-Highland, and basically the entire state of Virginia.
** And if you are looking for more days to celebrate this summer, don't forget Bastille Day on July 14.
"The good fortune of America is closely tied to the good fortune of all humanity."
~Marquis de Lafayette
♥ Thyme and Monet
On a used book rack was a delightfully colorful cookbook with a photo of paint brushes and a pansy-covered salad on the cover and the title Thyme and Monet. Let's see.... painting, food, and Monet. Who says not to judge a book by it's cover? I was sold!
The inside page was inscribed to Kay and George with love and best wishes from their friend Mary, none of whom I actually know, but have enjoyed envisioning who they may be. Were they artists in St. Joseph, Michigan, in 1962 who organized an annual art fair? Were they members of the St. Joseph Art Association? Or were they patrons of the community art center? I don't know, but someone was because in 1976 George J. Krasl left a trust to build and maintain an art center for this community. And in 1980 the dream was realized... a place where the community could exhibit art and enjoy classes, lectures, concerts, and art-inspired trips. What a dream!! I applaud Mr. Krasl's generosity and the communities vision.
It took a lot of time and money to realize the dream. So when they decided to start the Krasl Sculpture Fund, members and friends collected their favorite recipes to include in this book to raise funds and cleverly named it Thyme and Monet.
Admittedly I had hoped the recipes were Monet's very own favorites using fresh ingredients from his gardens at Giverny, but alas, they are not. The contributing recipe authors have names like Annabelle and Pearl, Heartha and Emmarie, and their recipes are no less delicious!
Shoe Peg Corn Spread
Ingredients
- 12 ounce can white shoe peg corn, drained
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon grated onion
- Assorted crackers
Mix all ingredients together and chill. Flavor improves if allowed to rest overnight in the refrigerator and the flavors marry.
Serve with your favorite crackers.
Perfect for celebrating Swan Upping, Bastille Day, and every other party this summer.
**Monet's Palate ... The movie!
Why have I never heard of this before???
Monet's Palate is a documentary which examines the connection between fine art and fine cuisine as seen through the eyes of Claude Monet. Meryl Streep's opening narration takes the viewer through the region of Normandy in France and Monet's Home and Gardens. The greatest Chefs of the world prepare the cuisine Claude Monet adored.
And there is an accompanying cookbook!!
We may have to celebrate Christmas in July.
"Meals are a celebration of food. Art is a celebration of Life."
~ quote on the back cover of Thyme and Monet
"Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man."
~George Washington
“In life one has a choice to take one of two paths:
to wait for some special day - or to celebrate each special day.”
"It is no bad thing celebrating a simple life."
Let's Celebrate!! Let's Paint!!
Creative Spirits painting classes in acrylics start back July 9 at 10am in Spring Hill. Join us at 563 Maury Hill Street, lower level. Registration required, 615-668-8263.
Green is the color of renewal, growth, and hope. It is the color of harmony, freshness, safety, fertility. Green is understood to be the most restful color for the human eye to view. Green is soothing, relaxing, and youthful.
Green is a healing color. “Nature in her green, tranquil woods heals and soothes all afflictions," said John Muir, father of America’s National Parks.
In July, the students in the Creative Spirits painting class will take a deep dive in studying the effects of Green in painting.
What subject would be more appropriate for impressionist artists to paint than Water Lilies?
Monet adored them and painted approximately 250 paintings of this subject, practically consuming the last 30 years of his life. I dream of visiting his home and gardens in Giverny!
This week plan to take an imaginary vacation to France with me. Imagine sipping a little wine, nibbling on a baguette and cheese, maybe listening to a little Debussy, and imagine standing next to Monet and his beloved water lily pond with his little dog beside while painting your very own pink water lilies with all the reflected greens in the water.
We will use this photo for reference.
To keep everyone safe, we will be observing social distancing and the wearing of masks is encouraged. Class fee is $100 for four in-person sessions. Or you may prefer to watch the instructional videos from our classes at home on Patreon. Visit my Patreon Channel to subscribe.
Please call me if you have additional questions or would like to purchase a gift certificate or register for class:
615-668-8263
Here are a few of the paintings we create from the Instructional Videos in the Patreon Library....
The Watercolor Painting Classes at Southern Springs in Spring Hill continue to be postponed until the threat of the virus has passed. We are all praying that day will arrive quickly.
Please continue practicing at home. A few watercolor videos are available on my YouTube channel.
Links you may be interested in...
My ETSY Shops...
and
Postcards from the Dimple of the Universe
Do you enjoy receiving a personal, hand-written card in the mail? Do you know someone who would, maybe a friend or family member away from home or now living in Assisted Living or a Nursing Home?
Postcards from the Dimple of the Universe is my Etsy shop that offers a subscription of 1-, 6-, or 12-handwritten cards, one each month, depicting an object or scene from my hometown, Columbia, Tennessee, aka the Dimple of the Universe or from around middle Tennessee, and delivered in a colorful envelope with a delightful US postage stamp.
It's a charming and unique gift for yourself or someone you love.
Check it out...
Exhibit of my Summer & Patriotic Paintings may be seen through the end of July at Square Market Café in Columbia, Tennessee.
Recommended Supplies lists...
Supplies List for Creative Spirits Classes,
Adventure Awaits Supplies List,
Back Issues of Bullet Point Blessings at Creative Spirits Soar! blog.
Comments