A Blast from the Past

What were you doing in 1969 -- if you were even born then? Me, I was in the 4th grade and evidently had a school assignment to illustrate a poem. The poem of choice was "Poor Old Lady". If you are unfamiliar with this poem, I have included the words to walk you through the illustrations.

Poor Old Lady
by Anonymous

Poor old lady, she swallowed a fly.
I don't know why she swallowed a fly.
Poor old lady, I think she'll die.

Poor old lady, she swallowed a spider.
It squirmed and wriggled and turned inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
I don't know why she swallowed a fly.
Poor old lady, I think she'll die.

Poor old lady, she swallowed a bird.
How absurd! She swallowed a bird.
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed a fly.
Poor old lady, I think she'll die.

Poor old lady, she swallowed a cat.
Thank of that! She swallowed a cat.
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird.
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed a fly.
Poor old lady, I think she'll die.

Poor old lady, she swallowed a dog.
She went the whole hog when she swallowed the dog.
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed a fly.
Poor old lady, I think she'll die.

Poor old lady, she swallowed a cow.
I don't know how she swallowed a cow.
She swallowed the cow to catch the dog,
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed a fly.
Poor old lady, I think she'll die.

Poor old lady, she swallowed a horse.

She died, of course.

The last time I visited my parents my Mom handed over this 40 year old memory. Thank you Mom, for being so sentimental and for keeping the things that we kids made over the years. I love you and can't wait to see what else you dig out of your hope chest!

Excuse me, but what's up with your face?

Last weekend my husband and I drove down to Southern California to visit our families. We spent Saturday night at my parent’s house, which meant I needed to pack an overnight bag. The next morning I got up, got myself together, put on my make-up and we went to church, where my sister introduced me to her friends, etc. After church we went back to my parent's house to say our good-byes. We jumped in the car and headed home. When we got home we played with the dogs, grabbed a light dinner, watched a little TV and went to bed. The next morning I got up, went through the whole morning routine again. Throughout the day I went to work, to the grocery store, and to Starbucks. I talked with numerous people, went home, talked with a friend on the phone, made dinner, took care of some things around the house, went into the bathroom to wash my face, looked in the mirror...looked in the mirror AGAIN and thought what the heck? My face color was very strange indeed. It was then that I realized I must have packed the wrong make-up foundation, and for two days walked around looking like Grace Jones in the face and Grace Slick in the body. You see, I have two make-up shades that I use – medium beige in winter and tan in the summer. Well my face is definitely winter beige right now, so the summer tan is not even close to being the right shade for the season.

I am the kind of person who will tell you if you have lipstick on your teeth, your skirt tucked into your pantyhose, broccoli stuck between your teeth, or mascara on your forehead, etc. And so, I give you permission – if you EVER see me with a brown face and a beige body, please say something (to me = ) about it.

As you can see, today’s blog has nothing to do with art. So let’s lighten things up a bit and you tell me about one of your most embarrassing moments.

Remember, laugh often and don’t take yourself too seriously!

Deborah

Let's start at the very beginning...

Since this is my first post, I thought I'd give you a little background. I went through my childhood and early adult years thinking I was artistically challenged. I worked in a job where I had to give presentations, and when it came time to “illustrate” my point, people would always laugh at my attempts to draw on the board. Thankfully I learned about a class called “Drawing for the No Talent Artist” that was being offered at the local Adult School. I signed up for the class and learned to see as an artist. The instructor was wonderful and everyone in the class did really well. That class opened up a door and I have been learning ever since!

I enjoy painting portraits of people, pets, places and favorite things, and have done a number of commissions. Unfortunately, as I began painting commissions, I didn’t realize the importance of keeping photos, so many of my early works exist only in the form of the finished painting.

In 2007 I decided it was time to get serious about my art and I set the goal of getting into a gallery before I turned 50. Well, I met my goal and actually was accepted into two galleries and participated in an art show before that blessed event! In 2008 I participated in “Art in the Park” and “Open Studio” art shows, and learned just how much time and dedication it takes to put your self out there.

My goal in 2009 is to focus once again on portraits. They are what I truly love and I welcome the opportunity to touch people’s hearts and lives with a portrait.

My art blog will be dedicated to my journey as an artist. I will include portraits and paintings…process and thoughts.
I hope you will join me in this journey and check back often!