Unfortunately, this Saturday’s sketch class at the Little Red Schoolhouse will be cancelled due to illness.
It seems that I am the last in my family to have the stomach virus and it’s stronger than expected. 
One by one everyone got it, but I thought I had beat it. My turn just took a little longer than expected hahahaha.
Anyway, I’m sure I’ll be back to normal in a week or so.
I hope everyone has a joyous Thanksgiving with family and friends!
Keep painting in your journals everyone!
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Student Jackie sketches nature
Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow is the last Saturday of the month and if you’re in the Chicago area, feel free to join me tomorrow at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Willow Springs, Il, for a hike and a sketch from 9AM – 12PM. We will meet in front of the schoolhouse. Click here to see supply list. This is a free event, I’m trying to promote the love of nature throught art!
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There is no doubt that humans have contributed to the out of control rise in carbon dioxide especially within the last 100 years, unless that is, you are a business man or politician. Scientists say right now the atmosphere contains 387 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide. That’s too high! Glaciers are melting, sea level is rising, and the climate is beginning to become unstable. What is a safe upper limit level according to scientists is 350 ppm.
Don’t forget to participate in Earth Hour this Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 8:30pm-9:30pm. What is Earth Hour? It’s a collection of households and businesses turning off their electricity for one particular hour. Many buildings did so last year and the Chicago skyline was changed! Pretty neat. It’s also neat to see data from the electric company on how much energy was saved. Green is good.
My love affair with nature will never end. I often think, “What will I do if my vision fails me as I age? Will I fall out of love?”
I think not.
You see thankfully nature is not just sight. It is smelling moisture in the air before a storm, it is hearing the wind rush through tree branches in the distant as it quickly gets closer, it is the touch of slippery algae covered rocks in the pond, and the taste of wild chives growing in spring. I don’t know why I worry so much but I do and I need not to. Thank you God.
What would become of my art should such a fate befall?
Limited but not destroyed. My friend and co-member of the LaGrange Art League, Lloyd Bradbury has overcome this limited vision obstacle. He did not let such a problem paralyze his creativity but continued on. He gives me great encouragement.
I learn to love nature by all senses real and maybe a little manipulated for fun:
This picture I took has been touched up on the computer. Not because it wasn’t beautiful on it’s own, but just for the fun of it. The picture seems to exaggerate the bare twigs against the sky, one of my favorite winter features.
This picture I took yesterday is real. Can you find the hawk hiding in pine camouflage? I saw him fly at great speed and land right in the middle of the pine.
All of us in our own way can enjoy what was made for us. I will never take that for granted.
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Verse of the Day
