Art, Art and more Art

After six years, my job-sharing partner and I quit our administrative job at SPM.  I am painting again. And, I mean really painting. I am scheduling my days and making it my focus versus randomly spitting out artwork to please my need for creativity and commissioned pieces.  Currently I am painting small pieces due to the fact that I have a puppy in my life, Ellie.  It's like having a new born child. My life revolves around naps!  I am using acrylics, but I really need to get back to oils for some of my serious/detailed ideas. Please see my recent paintings below...

It has been a crazy year.  I had to put Lucy down in August due to cancer, thus the reason for a somewhat spontaneous purchase of Ellie in Denver (while I was visiting Madeline for Parent's Weekend! "Oh Mom, let's go to a pet store and see what breed you like." Next thing you know it, I am calling Southwest Airlines, "Hi, yeah, I am standing in a pet store about to buy a puppy..." I was planning to get a dog, just not in Denver!  Ellie is unconditional love. My friend, Mark died. Another crushing blow to only realize that our lives are a gift. He was a gift to so many people. So much of my artwork was inspired by him.  I will always be thankful for his friendship.

Madeline transferred from Boston University to the University of Denver. She absolutely loves it.  She is a Delta Gamma and volunteers at a school for the blind. She is focusing on pre-med/psychology. And yes, I am very, very proud.

David graduated after three years this May and decided that he always wanted to live in Savannah, Georgia. SO, my response was...go ahead, you are 22, life is short--just make sure you are employed!  So he is living there and is employed at the Mansion! I am thrilled for him and very proud.

I am hoping to sell the house soon, though I have been dragging my feet to put a sign in the yard. I have had a few interested couples through word of mouth. I can't decide when to bite the bullet. It all depends on where I live--Chicago or Boulder. Yeah, quite a stretch, I might just rent for 6 months in Boulder to see if I like it. I did apply for a job there. We'll see! All I know is that I will keep on painting no matter where I live!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Well, we all have our "gifts" and keeping up on my blog, isn't one of mine.  I am a slacker! However, this week I was inspired by a new friend who is updating his website along with another artist friend who is quite a good blogger. It's hard to keep up with the Jones.

So on the family front, David graduated after three years from New York Unversity in May, majoring in drama. I am so, so proud.  He plans to live in Chicago this summer and will find a job and head back to NYC in the fall. Madeline had an outstanding academic year at Boston University.  She has decided to transfer to the Unversity of Denver in the fall--she loves Denver and the campus and the sunshine. Selfishly, this mama is thrilled. I can't get enough of Colorado.  One word that comes to mind is groovy. I have rented a cottage in Chautauqua in September. I hope to write and paint and paint and write topped off with a little bit o' soul searchin'.

I've been working.  I have been at SPM Marketing & Communications for almost 6 years. The biz is constantly growing and always crazy.  I love the people. It's a big family.  I am also assisting art instructors at Bottle & Bottega in La Grange.  This assisting will eventually lead to instructing, which freaks me out.

And finally, here's what's happening in my art world...last weekend, Emily (my SPM job-sharing partner) and I attended Patti Mollica's "Fast, Loose & Bold Painting Workshop" in Rising Sun, Indiana.  The whole weekend was terrific-- lots of laughs on the 5 hr. car ride (I think I need to pay Emily for at least 3 hrs of a therapy session--she gives good advice!).  I loved drinking wine and listening to music at the outdoor cafe of our sweet hotel with our fellow artists. And I can't say enough good things about the workshop.  Patti was a delight and a super instructor. And after allllll that, the bug came back and I painted this weekend. It's good to be back in the swing since I haven't been swinging that golf club as much this summer.  

Last month I wrote two chapters for my "book." It's a book of essays. It's funny. Well, I think it's funny.  Would I like it published? Of course, it's a goal.  If anything, it's a good release when something wacky happens in my life, and lately there is a lot 'o wackiness! And as a friend said to me when I shared some info, "You can't make this stuff up."

Enjoy the summer!

First day back at work after a terrific week in Palm Desert with mi madre. Hope to hear from the folks I met from Iowa who did the ASL walk! Hope you like the blog!

2013!

Happy New Year! Time is flying by AGAIN!!!!

...in a Bodell nutshell...David is graduating from NYU in May (a year early due to two full loads of summer school).  Madeline is a freshman at Boston University and doing quite well.  I am VERY proud of my kids and their focus. It was great to have them home for the holidays.

Speaking of focus...I have lots to focus on. I'm still working at the ad agency every other week.  My artwork continues to be on consignment at Twiggs in Naperville and Hammer Boutique in La Grange. Valentine's Day is coming so I need to crank out some more pieces!

And finally, sending prayers for peace and thoughts of smiles to all my friends who have lost loved ones in the past year. Take care, everyone.