Misty is demonstrating how to create a face http://twitpic.com/iy8cr

At the Dane County Regional Airport waiting for Misty Mawn to arrive any minute.

It was just one of those things…
Just one of those fabulous flings.
A trip to the moon on gossamer wings
It was just one of those things….

This favorite Cole Porter lyric seems to sum up that feeling of getting completely side-tracked by some fabulous “fling” of an idea…..and losing oneself in that idea completely and thoroughly. (At least for a while.) If we are really lucky, we can join with other artists and explore these momentary fascinations together, turning up the volume on the ideas and (best of all) the shared enthusiasm.

That wonderful feeling of reading an email from an art friend that begins…….”I just had a wonderful idea……” and ends with “Want to play?”.

(Friends who came out to play with Lynne at Valley Ridge Art Studio in 2008)

Some fascinations/flings seem to be enduring (like paper theatres) and I return to the idea again and again. Other flings have provided the spark for a larger range of work, although they started out as momentary flickers. Either way, Enthusiasm + Exploration = Fascination. Players - Theatre de Studio Paper Theatre for Somerset Studio Gift wrapping is one of my favorite passions, and I use everything in my studio. Each year I wrap over forty gifts for our community raffle, and I make each present look wonderfully enticing. Gift certificates from local businesses are tucked into outlandishly-decorated hats, or attached to “festival sticks” wound ’round with metallic garland……or hidden inside painted bird cages. Creating something elegant, using cheezy, inexpensive supplies and paper — That’s what it is all about. And lots of holiday spirit!

P.S. ……. I’ll never get too old to play with dolls.  -Lynne Perrella

Lynne is coming to Valley Ridge Art Studio to teach two workshops this fall.

Personal Iconology on October 22nd and October 23rd.

and

Zen Is When from October 24 through October 26th.

Please join us.  We would love to have you.

Kathy and Lynne

We had a weekend off and as much as I needed to work, I decided that some quality time with Elijah, Megan, and Bill was more important.   And, I too, deserved a little break from my office.  Although I have a great outdoor view, it feels wonderful to be outside looking in rather than inside looking out…  And I was starting to feel like the poster woman for “all work and no play makes Kathy a dull girl.”   On Saturday, Elijah and I spread seeds from these amazingly beautiful grasses lining our path to the lower level of our home.  Checking out the fall flowers in our garden

Elijah had friends come over for the afternoon, so Bill and took a road trip to Soldier’s Grove.

We watched people racing horses to drop a tennis ball in a barrel.  

Stopped in Plain, Wisconsin and picked up some Honey Crisp Apples  - my all time favorite apple

(these aren’t actually honey crisps…but apples none-the-less)

Driving home.

I never tire of the views out here… never….

On Sunday, we spent part of the afternoon at Peck’s Farmer’s Market aka Amusement park for children and free entertainment for parents.  Or nearly free.  The train ride and the haunted house were not free

but a ride on the tetter totter only cost a few laughs.

You can’t pass up the 25 cent handful of corn for the pygmy goats…

Priceless

Off to pick out some pumpkins

Day is done

Gone is the sun

Now, back to work.

Kids art section at the art fair. http://twitpic.com/icrwm