Artistic Tuesday

As I mentioned yesterday, these are just few (but not all) of the cool things you can see in the Stevens Point Sculpture Park tour. Google it and bring bug spray...

Thankfully nice signage since I entered the park via the Green Circle Trail and I had no idea where I was going.

I immediately appreciated beauty in the park/trail that wasn't man made!

As soon as I saw this, I thought, "Ooooh, lots of details!" You had to look at tiny details to see why the artist said it had "Three Colors, One Heart."

I didn't take a picture of the artist's sign but based on the color scheme, I'm thinking it represents an American worker trying to move forward.

This one was so detailed! It is call Arhelon's Canoe - after the name of a large, prehistoric turtle who appears in the creation myths of the Native American in the region.

So much detail! I loved it!

In my mind I named this the "Beverly Hillbillys" after Jed and all those folk. But the artist from Minnesota merely called it "Scrap Value." We get it.

I loved this gathering area - or at least that is what I perceived it as. There's no chairs there, but holding hands in a circle at each level sounds so unifying.

I love the famous bicyclist since it's a great trail to bike or walk!

In my mind, quite similar to the Beverly Hillbillies vehicle concoction. It you're young, just Google it.

I love that I first saw the backend of the bear but then kept walking and realized the owls are part of the story too.

I love that this one is called "Communication Tangles" since that represents so much of life - personal, work and otherwise.

 My favorite!

It's called the "Elk Centaur" but I just envision it as one kick-ass woman!

The "Lone Wolf" is really cool and so detailed in design. 

And finally, this one called "Furnished Framework" is totally something I (and my fellow hoarders) could see ourselves doing but won't get around to! Pretty cool. Let me know if any of you get around to it!

P.S. Sometimes we don't realize what's in our own backyards to explore or photograph or learn from. Expand your horizons! You probably don't have to travel too far!

I Heart Creativity

Had a much-needed distraction tonight in the form of a paint class with our Girls' Night Out crew. I had my friend Sara – or I should say my gnomie – come as my plus-one. Tonight's project was creating a gnome for the holidays.

These were our tools. The owner/teacher at I Heart Studios did a phenomenal job walking us through each stop from the blank canvas and on.

Some white, gold and brown paint for background.

Add in phrase, nose, hat and feet.

Create the gnome. Mine's just a squishy little guy I want to hug!

Finish up the hat – including a pom-pom on top.

And ta-da! Our masterpieces are complete!

I love how everyone in our group had something a little different! That's art or you! No two alike.

I highly recommend trying this. Pretty sure I will again! 

Grateful for friends and fun and creativity! #gratitudemonth

Their Own Beat

Saw these cranes marching to their own beat when I was out getting steps on this lovely 48-degree day. I didn't understand what they were singing, but that's been the nature of my day.

It didn't take 10 minutes into the Grammys before I realized I'm old. I shouldn't say I blame my age. Maybe I blame Sirius radio since it gives me permission to listen to my Eighties music over anything new. 

Either way, I don't get it. So I'll blog and go back to the TV and switch it to Bridgerton. Then I'll be the one singing. Uff da!

Other than the "music" it was a quiet day. Went to church. Then my friend Cindy and I checked out the Stevens Point area art fair. It was held in the former ShopKo building in Plover, which has totally been transformed into a hip space. Check it out sometime. Brewery, coffee shop and more.

Since we were "in the neighborhood" legitimately, we treated ourselves to a cool treat. King Cone is open in Plover but not the other locations yet. So don't get too excited, Rapids friends. You seriously can work it into any minor road trip that way. Guilt free.

That's my kind of jam.

Gratitude Challenge Day 10 :: Art

Whoever said "Beauty is in the eye of the ART-holder" was probably a mom. We definitely have that 100% biased opinion when it comes to our children's creative efforts. And there's no shame.

Day 10. Beautiful art.

I'll just bust into Mom Mode without hesitation. I always loved when Carter brought home "art" or made a special card. As with most kids, he made it with love and was bursting with pride. How can you not lavish praise in return. And of course, keep it forever. Or until it gets destroyed in a flooded basement or you downsize the art collection to fit into scrapbooks for safe keeping. I've had a little of both happen to me. And the boy's works.

Some I've just had in my office, which I didn't always get to look at until I started hanging out in here. 615 days ago. But who's counting?

A few frame-worthy ones...

Chalk art.

 

Sorry the light reflects on this frame. This was paint but in the same style as chalk. There's some creative style going on here!

Well of course I HAD to keep the letter R!

And look at this beauty? Just kidding. I actually painted this. Full disclosure: It wasn't exactly Paint By Number, but there was an instructor showing us each step. If you sit far enough back, it looks pretty good! 

And then there's the 3-D variety of art...

I don't know what to call this guy, but he's been sitting on my desk for 15 years.

The artist CA was in 3rd grade when he created it. So yeah, 15 years. Whoa. I've always just said it's a business card holder with attitude. But I'd hate to put any cards on there and cover up that face. It's part of the charm.

And that is the moment you witness Mom Mode go into overdrive. Only because I miss this. Miss seeing a brown-eyed boy get of the bus, run into my arms and say, "Look I what I made, Mom!" 

And thankful I hoard, er keep, a piece or two of priceless art around here so I'll always remember.

#gratitudemonth

Walking Tour

As promised, here are some pictures from the Dubuque river walk and some of the amazing and unique murals you may see while walking around town. Oh there's a ton more I missed, I'm sure. But we had ice cream and it was melting! Enjoy!

Julien Dubuque sounds like a French name but no France cities here??

No filter!

TV cameras. But we don't know why. Probably some Discover Iowa show. Ha.

And my favorite non-mural signs, of course...

It says "Field of Creams." We were in Iowa, after all!