Art Dolls by Du Buh Du Designs

Another Summer Fades into Memory..

Andres's tricycle shot with my digital camera through the viewfinder of my Kodak Reflex camera

Just popping into to wish everyone nice Labor Day weekend! We're busy cleaning (you should see the sap that I had to scrape off my car from the Ponderosa Pines in our yard ) and running errands, enjoying a last Summer BBQ, and such. This week Mark starts back at his job (he's an amazing eighth grade teacher..tough, yet fun and has the respect of his kids..something not easily earned from that age group) and Andres will be both here at and "Grandma" Julia's house.

When he was born I was adamant about not having him in any form of daycare. "No one is going to raise my kid!". But reality set in..I needed some help and he needed to be around other kids.  Fortunately we found a wonderful woman who has an inviting home in which she only takes teacher's kids (including Andres's cousin Julia). He went there last year, made friends and loved it. There were times he didnt want to come home with me. That's a good sign! He's a very social kid and it's nice to see that he'll be back having his regular playmates around. This means I'll be in the studio again on a somewhat regular basis making my dolls and new mini sculptures.
I may be somewhat absent this week from blogging as I will be spending my time creating away. I will be catching up on my blogging so I'll be dropping by:)

A few images of Andres on the back deck this week~he's very much into painting these days. He'll go out there when it's late in the evening, past his bedtime and try to start painting. One morning we had the doors open before he was awake and the next thing we knew he was out there in his diaper painting and chatting about his painting.
The bottom right piece is titled "Moon River and Tobasco Sauce". I'm not kidding that is what he was calling it:) This reminded me of  a few quotes by Picasso.

"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child".

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."

Don't ever lose your childlike imagination and creativity Andres!

This has been sitting on my shelf collecting dust..looks like I'll have to start carrying it around with my digital camera and practice getting some interesting shots :)

 
through the viewfinder

~Timeless~

watercolor by Jacqueline Duheme

I thought I'd share some images from a book of mine that I had completely forgotten about . I was visiting the Pretty Little Things blog recently when I came across an image I hadn't seen in awhile. This caused me to dig for my book entitled "Mrs. Kennedy Goes Abroad". I picked up this little treasure a few years ago because it had the most charming watercolors by Jacqueline Duheme along with photographs from Jacqueline Kennedy's trips abroad with her sister and husband. Duheme traveled along with Mrs Kennedy at her request ,capturing scenes from her visits to India, France, Italy and England from 1961-62.

The  tiny details are child-like and exude nothing but charm and cheerfulness. It's definitely a book worth adding to your library if you happen to like paintings in the style of Grandma Moses.

all of the images above are from Mrs. Kennedy Goes Abroad by Jacqueline Duheme

Speaking of people who got a late start in their artistic life , I've been meaning to post a link about an artist named Frank Calloway, age 112 years old...yes, 112! Michelle mentioned him on her site a few weeks back and I think his story is worth passing on. I smiled and cheered him on after reading this. I can't help it..I have a weak spot for an underdog :)


And lastly~ "Olivia" sold shortly after last night's blog post was made (Thank You Nancy!). Please continue to think of the Nielson family and help out if you can :)

Fragile

Thanks to all of you who took home the Frida doll and miniature sculptures from Friday's last minute update :) I will have another bigger "official" update in a couple of weeks with dolls and more minis and an announcement a week in advance!

The Nielson Family  

I was visiting several blogs this morning and read about a family that was in need of prayers and financial support. A couple  (parents of four young ones), Christian and Stephanie Nielson, were badly injured in a plane crash nine days ago (the pilot was killed). A few sites have been set up to accept donations to help offset the ongoing care they will need. If you feel so inclined, please donate. Jenn at Noodle and Lou is participating in an auction Thursday evening, the proceeds will go to a fund for the family. You can also visit Stephanie's blog "NieNie" and donate as well.

I am donating the proceeds from my Olivia doll, so please consider "adopting" her for a good cause (or you can choose one of the gift certificates). 

 

Stephanie's friends have set up an Etsy shop and on Sept. 23-24th,  there will be a benefit  sale, all donated items, and the proceeds will be going directly to this family. I will be making a special doll for the event and mention it again when the date approaches. If you are an Etsy seller, please consider donating an item(s).

 

 Thank you!