Traveling Thursday: Fort Walton Beach

Sunset at Ft. Walton Beach, Florida

I miss the quaint and quiet beach town, like a good old friend.

Patience in Pink

Isn't it amazing how each bud 

Has it's time to bloom?  

That's patience made into something beautiful.  

The wait might seem longer

But soon, your time will come

To bloom.

Hang in there.

An inspiration post for a dear friend.

Sweet Saturday: Muffins

Now time to make some iced berry tea.

Traveling Thursday: Helllo Chicago Summer

It's officially summer here in Chicago!

We greeted the new season with a big splash.

Oh, the places we go with our bikes.

The most meaningful turn in my life - Having our boys.

How are you going to spend your summer?

Thanks to my avid blog reader Pili for the Traveling Thursday blog series idea.

Little Photo: Show is Over

Don't miss the little precious moments before it's over.

'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots 

using the Little Photo mobile app.

Letter to Dad

Dearest Papa (Dad),

I don't want to end this day without letting you know how much I miss you.  Today, I got to reminisce our special times together.  Tagging me along with you to go to Dad-and-Son events when I was little (because you had all girls).  Making us feel how proud you are of 'your girls'.  Someone asked me today what's the first thing that comes to mind when I think about you.

This one does.  The weekend we built my little sister's dresser when I was seven, my first lesson in carpentry.  You taught me the value of creating something with my little hands and how fulfilling it is to give.  My sister was just born for few weeks that time and you simply said 'She'll be happy to know you helped built it'. I didn't understood before how she can appreciate it since she was so small.  But in time I understood what you meant.

Thank you for staying those late nights to help me figure out math.  I never thought that I can win over my weakness in numbers.  With your patience, I became a math wizard in fifth grade.  You showed me that perseverance has its rewards and it was a lesson I carried all throughout up to now.   But really, it was your patience and the countless hours you devoted for me that got me through those challenges.

You never missed an important event in my life, however busy you were at work.  You were a quiet man who said less but showed more with your deeds.  You were there to cheer and witness my accomplishments and made me see beyond the hurts and failures.  That I had a choice, either give up or stand up.  Sulk deep in sadness  or pick up the lessons learned.  Time and again, it was proven that choosing the latter was better.  And that crying doesn't mean one was weak.

Like the time I had my first heartbreak and went home sobbing.  You and Ma sat there with me and you said 'Cry all you want tonight, but tomorrow starts a new beginning'.  It was easier said than done but I did it with both your encouragement and support. When everything else failed, you reminded us to pray harder and that there are no limits to trying again.

I loved that the people at your work knew all our names.  It showed that you talked about us fondly.  I miss talking about politics, love, life and trivial things with you in our orchids' garden.  My husband brings me orchids every spring to remind me of you.  You would have loved him too.  You both enjoy gardening and plants.  I talk about you to my sons, your grandsons.  I tell them stories of the vegetable gardens you set up for us so we can grow things and our trips to the rivers.

I will not forget the pride in your eyes when we walked arms together towards the stage on my college graduation and watching mom put the medal around my neck.  And how excited you were to hear I got my first job.

I didn't know it was that Monday I will see you last.  That in two days, God will take back the father he blessed us.  We were both looking forward to our date that weekend, I was going to treat you and mom from my first ever paycheck.  Instead, we all had to dress for your funeral.

I wish I can share with you the life I have now or recount the years you missed.  Like the time I walked down the aisle, promotions I got, attend my art shows (yes, I'm an artist now because of you) or the births of our boys.  Share special moments with your grandkids and get to know the loving husband and father God blessed me and my children.

We never got the chance to bid each other goodbye.  But perhaps we didn't have to.  Because just like you said 'We'll always be in each other's hearts'.

Dad, Mom, Me and Sisters (below). Circa 1978.

Pa, Happy Father's Day.  I love you with all my heart.

Friday Feature: Isagani Fuentes Art

'Rain Series'

Acrylic , Enamel & Charcoal on Paper

by Isagani Fuentes

Spring is almost over but it ain't leaving without it's last downpour.  It's been an on and off rainy spring here in Chicago.  One more week and it will be officially summer!  To bid spring goodbye, treat yourself to Isagani Fuentes' whimsical Rain Series.  The soothing colors make his newest series a true delight to the senses.


Fuentes is a grade school teacher from the Philippines who paints on the side.  He facilitates art workshops in his community and a founding member of The Aquarellists, an art group promoting watercolor as the preferred medium.  He is a multi-awarded artist and champ to his students.


To learn more about Isagani and his work, please visit his website.

Every Friday, I feature artists from all over the world as my way of supporting their passion and artistic pursuits.  If you want to be featured in The Morning Artist Blog, please leave a comment on this post and share this article to your friends.


Remember, sharing is caring. 

Life is Like a Wheel

'Rotation'

Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier, Chicago

A Fine Art Photograph by Sherie Sloane

Life is like a wheel.  Sometimes we're up and sometimes we're at the bottom.  We all agree to that.  But what we seldom realize is that the people we ride with as we go around in our wheels also move along.  Our time with them are just here for the moment and will soon pass.

So take more time to enjoy your journeys with them.  Cheer when you're both up and hold on to each other when you're down.  For not too long, those times will be over.

To all of you who has, and still sharing this wonderful ride with me, Thank You.  You make the views up there even more beautiful.

Learn-To-Paint Workshop

A family paints together.

Little artists try their hands on painting.

Artists for the day.

My three year old student paints the background.

Move over Monet, the new Master is here.

Not too young for art.  My tiniest, one and a half year old student.

Moms, kids and even grandparents showed up for the workshop.

Students got free watercolor pads from Strathmore Artist Papers.

Here are some photos from the Learn-To-Paint art workshop I did yesterday at the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier.  If you missed it this year, stay tuned for next year's workshop.  

I'll be posting more photos soon.  Thanks to all who came.  See you again next year!

Learn To Paint in One Hour - For Free

Learn to Paint

Click image to zoom.

Map

Click image to zoom.

Tropical Fruits by Sherie Sloane

Actual Workshop Painting

Is learning a new trade or skill in one of your to-do-list this summer?  Here's your chance to check that off from your list.  Learn how to paint in watercolor in an hour, all for free.  Materials are provided.  All you have to do is make time.  It's only an hour, and best it's on a weekend.  

Who knew you can be an artist in less than the time you commute from work to home or from running errands.  But for three years, sixty students went home feeling accomplished and happy to declare they're officially an 'artist' after attending my annual summer painting workshop.  Best proof is hanging their finished paintings on their walls for everyone to admire.

So what are you waiting for?  Mark your calendar this Sunday, June 12 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. You have a date with me!  A painting date that is.  Bring the kids, your spouse, friends, in laws or co workers. Post workshop, go around the museum to experience the Passport to the World event shows and activities.  

Thanks to our gracious sponsors Strathmore Artist Papers for providing the watercolor papers for our students and Dick Blick Chicago.

See you there!  Be there at least half an hour early, seats fill up fast.  Bring extra brushes and pencils too.  

Click the icon above to RSVP.

Little Photo: Fear

We all have one.  What's yours?

'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots 
using the Little Photo mobile app.

Avoiding Idle Hands

Treasury by LauraGlassArtQuilts

DIY Phone Sleeve, Paint Your Own

Another feature,  how cool is that!  If you're looking for unique projects this summer, look no more.  New York based artist Laura curated a lovely Treasury to keep idle hands busy.  

Friday Feature: Noreen Ang Photography

The Intensity 

by Noreen Ang

 

The Portrait

by Noreen Ang

Z

by Noreen Ang

Surreal and charming doesn't usually come together.  This week's featured artist succeeds in blending the two styles in fine art photography.  Meet Noreen Ang.  A finance professional from Texas who just added 'portrait photographer' in her laurels.  Crunching numbers during the day and snapping award-winning shots in her spare time - talk about maximizing both sides of the brain.  

The Portrait, one of her best take on portraiture, recently caught the eyes of digital photographers and emerged as one of the Finalists in a national photo contest.  My personal favorite is 'Z', a portrait she took of her own baby and favorite model. Everything about it is endearing.  The color contrast, the feel of spontaneity and how it makes one wonder what she's doing (sleeping or playing) is truly an art form.

To learn more about Noreen and her work, please visit her website.

If you want to be featured in The Morning Artist Blog, please drop me a note. 

Something Different

Treasury by CuteandBroke

Organic Cotton Wahcloths

My organic washcloths has been featured in this lovely collection curated by Anastasia, European designer of Cute+Broke.  Check out the complete list of items in this Treasury.