Frog Blog

Well, sometimes things never work out the way you plan them...I'm still trying to update my site. Just have to nuckle down and make myself learn how to manage it. Once I do it a few times, I'm sure it will be an easy routine. I apologize to all businesses who have asked me to list links their sites, or who have asked that I make changes to old http addresses. Thanks for your patience. And to all who keep coming to my site, but never see anything new. I have a goal to learn this system by the end of May. So, you should see something happening by mid-May. Good News....new packets and items are on the way! I must have at least 20 new packets from the past 2 or 3 years...and even newer ones that I'm just finishing! You may have noticed that my designs have been in several magazines lately. That's why the site was put on the back burner...can't do everything at once and stay sane! Ha! More articles are coming...look for watercolors, acrylics, and yes, an old time favorite of mine... macrame'! You'll see more frogs, bugs, and snowmen... pretty watercolor cards...and jewelry! Keep your eyes pealed for articles in Christmas 365, Painting, PaintWorks, and Quick & Easy Painting. I will also be in the trade show at the HOOT convention in August (Booth 526). So stop by and see me! Life is good...I just need to learn how to catch up and manage it!

Had to share this photo with you today. Instructor, Paula Bailey (front & center, with headphones) not only taught my published Yellow Coneflower design, but converted it from Grumbacher's Finest Watercolors to Genesis. They are all amazingly beautiful! Paula did an excellent job and looks like everyone had a wonderful time! I am so proud of them!

It has been a long time since my last entry, mainly because I've been busy painting and teaching and trying to live a "normal" life. Well...my husband retired last November and we have been busier than ever. Don't know how Craig managed to do it all before he retired! Anyhow, I'm entering this tonight because I want to have a record of the day before and after I took a class on website building. This is being taught at Riverside Art Center on Saturday morning, November 14, 2009. I'm really looking forward to finding out why I can't catch on! I'll report back after my enlightenment, thanks to Jerry Sommerville!

There is quite a lot to report, but I'll try to thin it out so you don't get too bored. I know how windy I can be!

Website Changes
Vera Collier joins me in the site!
My friend and fellow artist, Vera Collier, will have her own category in the site! We will be loading her packets and products in the next few weeks, so please go in and check them out! Vera has a similar style to mine and designs a lot of wonderful lighthouses and very cute characters in acrylics. Vera is my co-author for the "Shivering Heights" book. She and husband, Denny, now live near Bear Lake, Michigan, after spending most of their lives near Lima, Ohio. They have two grown boys, Mike and Ryan, who live in Columbus. We met more than 30 years ago and became the best of friends. We've watched our children grow up together and shared many family events, over the years. Look for "Vera Collier - Packets and Products" in the Shop! Her things will also be found in "What's New?" Also look for a her latest design in the October issue of "Painting"!

Vera Collier, Rodney Ann Bensman, and Karen Hamilton on our recent trip to Bear Lake.

Re-Organizing
In the website, I've consolidated some old categories and added a few new ones, such as: "Longaberger Products" and "Antiques and Collectables". As usual, all new products (of every kind) can be found in "What's New?"

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Hi Everybody! Here is where I let you know what has been happening on this end since my last entry. Well, there is a lot of info., but I will only mention some events and won't eleborate since there is so much. Details get pretty boring sometimes.

First, I'm happy to report success in winning four awards at various fine art shows in the area! As I looked through the FrogBlog archives, I realized this info was missing! How dare I forget! Ha! The awards are as follows: Views of Auglaize County Photography Show at Arts Place, St. Marys, OH - Best of Show for "Rustin' Piece" in Professional Category

Annual Photography Club Show at Art Space, Lima, OH - Second Place for "Over There" in Animals Category

Annual Wassenberg June Art Show, Van Wert, OH (Open to the public through the end of June 2007.) - Art to Art Palette Magazine's Paint Box Award for Contemporary Art for an acrylic transparency called "Hot and Cold Running Colors"

and Laurie's Nature Scape Award for a watercolor entitled "Royal Iris"

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Hi Everyone! Just a few notes on what has been happening in my artworld for the past few months.
Riverside Art Center, located at 9 West Auglaize St. in Wapakoneta, has had a good start! They have receiving their 501c3 and have been awarded a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. RAC members are painting and doing some general fix up so they may open the gallery to display member artwork throughout the months of May and June of 2007. I am proud to have been a part of the planning and conseption of the new center. But, I have had to leave the board and join the ranks of the general membership. I've had some health issues and time limits that forced me to take a back seat. The good news is that now, I will have more time for designing and enjoying my artwork more. I really need to be on the helping end, instead of the planning end at Riverside, so I will help on committees from time to time.
I didn't realize that working on the tiny details of the by-laws and writing grants could be so time consuming and a big drain on creative energies. I'm afraid my poor little brain had a spasm equal to cardiac arrest! That's why I hadn't added much to the site in several months. But, I am determined to put something in the blog and something new in the site on a weekly basis, beginning in May 2007. I hope you will tell your artsy friends that I am back and will add new packets, new products, and artwork for sale during the next several months.
I want to thank God for his love and blessings in my life. I also want to thank my friends for their prayers, support, and advice during the past several months: Vera Collier, Karen Hamilton, Cindy Dietz, Rodney Ann Bensman, and Cindy Vitale. Thanks for putting up with me...letting me ramble and bend your ears, more that a time or two. You are the best friends anyone could have!

Gold Leaf Creative Arts
Ceramics and Art Studio
Route 98 North
Lakeland, Florida 33809
Phone: (863) 853-4779
E-Mail: goldleaf1@verizon.net

I'd like to introduce you to my brother-in-law, David Cooper and his wife, Kathie, who are the owners of Gold Leaf Creative Arts in Lakeland, Florida. I will be letting you know a little bit about them from time to time, and will also let you know about classes and any good sales they might be running.

Please think of them as your new source for ceramics. From greenware to the finished product, they have what you need! Kathie is a retired high school art teacher and is offering all Kinds of wonderful classes in fine art, ceramics, jewelry making, and more. She and Dave work very hard to make this family run business a success. Here are a few things that Kathie writes about their store:

While most ceramic shops in our area have either gone out of business or are readily dying, Gold Leaf Creative Arts is surviving due to our diversity. We offer drawing, painting, & sculpture classes as well as traditional and contemporary studio classes. We've checked out the up and coming contemporary studios trend, and have found that we offer so much more than they ever could.

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I'm sure many of my friends have been wondering why I've been away from the FogBlog for quite some time. The reason is a good one and really very exciting! I've been helping a group of local artists form a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to promoting fine arts. Here's an update on what we have accomplished in the past few months. We have formed a Board of Trustees and named ourselves the Riverside Art Center or RAC. We've become a registered corporation, have a Federal EIN, and have filed our Code of Regulations with Form 1023. We may have a long wait to receive the not-for-profit blessing of the Federal government to become a 501(c)(3). These things take up to nine months! (It has been similar to having a baby, come to think of it! Ha!)

We conducted a logo contest in May and chose a very elegant design by Professional Graphic Artist and Illustrator, Angie Elshoff. The logo is being used in all areas of advertising. I'll see if I can get it up in the Blog sometime soon. The RAC also found a building to rent in the heart of our downtown business district: located at 9 West Auglaize St., in Wapakoneta, Ohio. We are currently painting and sprucing it up for our September 1 opening. We would like to buy the building if funding comes through. A Grand Opening is being planned for later that month.

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Don’t forget about the BIG “Christmas in July” Sale
the week of July 24th through the 29th.
25% off
All Christmas related bisque.
(Choose from items in the store No special orders!)

Gold Leaf Creative Arts
Ceramics and Art Studio
Route 98 North
Lakeland, Florida 33809
(863) 853-4779
E-Mail: goldleaf1@verizon.net

My nephew, Dale, came through and sent a sample of the Artist Trading Cards he is designing for his Cub Scout Troop. It is painted on a card from an old deck of playing cards. A God's Eye is on the front and a blessing he wrote is on the reverse. I thought both sides were very nice so decided to scan and load into the blog.

Dale is very talented. He writes wonderful poetry and children's books. He is currently trying to get his first book accepted by a publisher. Thanks for sending this Dale! It is great!