A cardinal painted just for me

I am so truly blessed to be part of an online poetry group. We met a few years ago on Robert Brewer's Poetic Asides blog and then went on to form a more exclusive, personal group where we share poetry daily and even offer each other support during life's difficulties. One of the members of our group, Michelle Hed, is not only a writer and poet, but also an artist. When she sent me this beautiful (handmade just for me) Christmas card, I asked her if I could post a picture of it on my blog. She said okay so I proceeded to ask her a few questions. Read on to find out about this magnificent lady and friend.

1. Tell us about yourself.

I am a forty-one years old and I have been married for 19 years today (Dec. 23). I have two beautiful daughters (ages 12 and 9) and two dogs. Painting, reading and writing are my three major passions, with a sprinkling of photography, knitting and sewing to keep things interesting. I’m a stay at home Mom, but I volunteer at my daughters’ schools three times a week.

2. What came first- writing or artwork?

I would have to say artwork. I’ve been drawing since I could pick up a crayon. Although while reflecting on this question I remembered that in elementary school I wrote a story on what Christmas would be like in the future ~ which I recall we would all have metallic Christmas trees ~ and this story was printed in our local newspaper. So I guess the spark for writing started pretty young as well. I didn’t start writing poetry until I was in High School. I would have to say art is very similar to writing – in that you don’t immediately paint a masterpiece, just as you don’t immediately write that best seller in a first draft. One of the animals I wanted to paint for my Christmas cards this year was the Sea Otter. No matter how I tried I couldn’t get it to look right ~ looked more like a misshapen gnome. I decided now was not the time for the Sea Otter but I will revisit him when the time is right.

3. What inspires you?

Friends and family inspire me the most. For instance when deciding which four animals to draw/paint for my annual Christmas cards, I’m always thinking of my friends and family and which animals they like or which animals mean something to them. My four animals this year are the wolf (my daughter’s favorite animal), the cardinal (special bird for you), the common house cat (my parents and so many friends have cats) and the bear (my Dad and my nephew – my dad because they get bears frequently as their house and my nephew because he is afraid of them). Also, I have found nature to be very inspiring for art, writing and photography. I just really love nature. There is so much beauty in nature to enjoy and appreciate if we just took the time to enjoy it.

4. What are your hopes and plans for the future?

I hope to one day have my poetry published. I am currently working on two different books, both of which are collaborations. I would also love to have my art recognized but I am still deciding how to approach this one. I sometimes think I should like to try illustrating, or perhaps start working craft shows starting small with cards, but haven’t as of yet decided what route I would like to go. I think I have plenty of time to decide as I continue to grow up!

5. Do you have a website, blog, or some other way to be reached?

No blogs or websites, I’m actually an extremely private person, an introvert. I took a huge leap of faith two years ago, when I joined Robert Brewer’s Poetic Asides poetry challenge. I haven’t looked back since taking that leap. I’m now on Facebook, although my privacy settings are very strict and I also have a very close group of writing friends, whom I actually have never met in person.
Thanks for interviewing me for you blog Laurie. It’s been a pleasure chatting with you! Merry Christmas everyone! – Michelle Hed

Merry Christmas to you, too, Michelle (and everyone reading this). Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to answer my questions. I will be featuring more special cardinal cards I have received in the coming days.

Two in the Two's

God is so awesome! He never ceases to amaze me. Seeing how He works in my life, and the lives of my family and friends is truly inspiring to me. I would like to share with you a recent example of God's work in my life.
As you all know, I took a part-time job as a preschool art teacher at my church. At the time this job seemed like a dream come true- a chance to work only two days a week and make some extra vacation money. I love my children's art work and have pictures all over the house, but when I had to plan for sixty kids, ranging from the age of two to five and clean-up after them- well I found out real fast that I did not like my job anymore. I'd MUCH rather be at home writing. I was willing to try and make it work, though- stick with the job through May. Then GOD intervened.
During the Art show/Valentine's Day luncheon, I was sitting right next to the art teacher I replaced (we happen to be friends). I had bags under my eyes and a frown on my face because I was worn out from all the preparation. Well, we got to talking. One thing led to another and I told her I didn't really like being the art teacher. My friend (Brandi) told me she wished she had never quit, that she should have taken the leave of absence that was offered to her instead. Can you guess what happened next? We decided to see if we could switch jobs again (she had been subbing). We went home and talked to our husbands and prayed about it, then I called our boss the next week. The boss was shocked- of course, but very cooperative. So now Brandi is teaching art again and I am subbing. Thank you God!
Oh, and guess what else? I had promised to sub this week because a lot of the teachers were going to be on spring break. Well, Brandi and I got to sub together (they had to call off art because they were so short-handed) in the two-year-old class. The two art teachers together in the two's- how's that for irony?

Getting Ready

I am very sad today. Pete tells me I get this way when I've had too much to do and get overtired. I guess that's true, since I spent the whole weekend in my garage, on my knees stapling art together. My idea was to have a long strip for each child with a representation of all the things we have done since I started in December. Well, for 70 kids, that is a lot of work. And I can proudly say I did it all on my own- no help from family. They wanted to, but once I got my system down, I just wanted to keep the momentum going. Sometimes if you have to stop and direct someone to where they need to put something or show them how to do it, then you lose time. Yesterday I got everything hung up in the hall, and thankfully one sweet mother came to help. She is my angel. I mean, I thought I had it bad when I had three kids under the age of 4- well she has 4 kids under the age of 3- NO JOKE (twins included). She got married and had kids late, too, so she is all into mommyhood- just like me. Yet, she took her off time to come and help me- I am so very grateful for that. The thing that saddens me though, is that the way I am doing things is different than the last art teacher did them, so the teachers aren't yet sure if this will work (I can tell- believe me). I guess tomorrow we'll see by the way the parents and kids react. Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck- I need it!

Sick Kids, Art Shows and Achiness, Oh My!

Sick kids, art shows and achiness, oh my!
My kids are sick and can't get well
and the big art show is looming.
Ms. Angelle's back hurts like Hell
and she keeps calling me a-fuming.
I have deadlines to meet and doctors to see;
people who think I have time are assuming.
So I keep trying my best to keep up with the rest
while juggling these obligations I'm pursuing.
I'm tired and sick and lagging behind
because I AM STUCK IN A CYCLE OF OVERDOING!
Sick kids, art shows and achiness, oh my!
Please pray that I get through this rough time by and by.