Marita on Miami Beach

Here's a lovely picture of Marita, on Miami Beach, in 1949. Doesn't she look beautiful? You can practically feel the warm sun, the sand, and the soft Florida air. The palm trees are blowing, and the big white hotel is in the background. She was 26 when this photo was taken, and I wonder who took the picture. Who was she with? The war was over, she wasn't in the Waves anymore, so she must have had a job, and was on vacation. She was still single.....had she met Ray yet?

Bridgid Tatlow

This is a little watercolor of our beautiful niece. We were watching the PGA yesterday, and Bridgid was kind enough to sit still so I could paint her. She's such a beauty, and is going to be a Senior at MHS in a few weeks.
She's so bright and talented, and is a dedicated editor of the school paper. She also works on the literary magazine, and I'm sure on many projects that I'm not even aware of. She's getting ready to apply to college, and I'm so curious to see what school will be lucky enough to get her!

This little painting was done @ Mackerel Cove in Jamestown, RI. It's such a lovely spot for swimming, kayaking, and just reading on the beach. I saw this beautiful wooden boat that my father would have loved, and it reminded me of the Parkit.

Here's a watercolor I did of David while he was absorbed in the French Connection. He's wearing his Zeke's Creek t shirt, and has grown a nice little beard this summer. We're house sitting for Marisa & Jay, and taking care of their very sweet Labs. David has gotten us all into the Lord of the Rings while we're here....of course, I haven't read the books, so I'm very out of the loop. Everyone has to fill me in, but they don't seem to mind at all. They're wonderful movies!!!

I did this one of Ray in at Marisa & Jay's house. He was playing MVP Baseball 2004, and was so focused that I was able to sit and paint him for about an hour. We're having such a nice time going to the beach, and driving across the bridge to Newport. Yesterday David and the boys went sailing, and I walked around Thames Street in Newport. We just LOVE it here! David and Brian are working hard on the Katie N, trying to get her ready for Narragansett Bay. Tess, Zelda, & Edward were here for a few days last week, hanging out with Emmet & David & Ray. Before that, the cousins spent a few days at the Jersey Shore, in lovely Beach Haven. Cousin fun!

Artists Trading Cards

I've been working @ Morristown High School, in the Art Dept. since May 4th. I'm covering for Mac McPeters, who will be back in the Fall. One of the things I've been doing with the kids is Artists Trading Cards, and they're so much fun. They're trading card size, and are like mini works of art that you can do pretty quickly. They look great displayed in those plastic cases, just like Pokemon Cards. You can also find a nice box to put them in. I'm keeping mine in a candy tin with the Eiffel Tower on it that David got in Paris. Anyone can make them, and anything goes. I'm going to be doing them all summer, and I want to have a big collection of them.

More Artists Trading Cards

I suggest you start collecting all kinds of scraps and bits of cut out words and pictures. Old sewing patterns, any kind of typefaces that appeal to you, rubber stamps, pieces of screens, old postcards and letters--you name it. Organize your stuff in cigar boxes or whatever, just have it at hand so that when you're inspired, you can go to work. And keep plenty of gluesticks and nice heavy paper or board. Let me know when you want to trade, ok? Maybe in early August.....I'll be done working, and I'm going to want to go to the beach, and just have some fun.