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Thursday, December 26, 2013

Fall is Over; a New Year Begins...

I'm back. I'm promising myself I won't let myself avoid blogging for so long again... My internet in the studio hasn't been working, which means I haven't been visiting blogs, which means I haven't been writing on my own blog! I can't wait to find out what Lynn and Rita and all the rest of you have been up to!

I've been struggling with sciatica since Thanksgiving (insert very sad face here). I've had it before and it's gone away quickly with just some special stretches. This time the stretches didn't seem to help and the pain just got worse and worse. I finally went to the doctor ten days ago. He gave me a prescription for Vicodin and I went to a chiropractor and got a massage. I'm trying to avoid an MRI, but I'm thinking I may have to do it. Katie's home now, and between her and Richard and Joel and Jenny I've got lots of help. Richard did make an...interesting...dinner the other night, and I'm thinking that the girls may be doing more of the cooking, since the only actual edible part of the meal was the frozen corn that he heated up in a pot on the stove.

We had a great Christmas dinner yesterday. I put a clod roast in the oven at eight in the morning, and when it came out of the oven at four it was amazing! Jenny peeled and boiled and mashed and seasoned potatoes--one of her best friends (a boy) got throwing knives and a blow dart gun for Christmas, and she told him that her weapon of choice was still a potato peeler!--gotta love that Jenny. She always makes me smile.

Joel is working lots of hours at the sporting goods store now that college classes are on a break, and started his reffing career. Just doing JV and Freshman basketball games, but learning a lot and enjoying himself. Making lots of money, too. Put in all his applications for transferring to a Cal State campus, so just waiting to hear on that.

Katie did a great job her first semester at Long Beach. With her AP credits, she has a year's worth of credits under her belt--Yay! Made some really nice friends, and did well in her classes. Nice to have her home for a month while she's on break.

I've got some pictures of stuff I made this fall, and stories to tell about this year's trip to the Apple Festival with my artwork--
This piece has collage (see the Braille pages?) and acrylic, watercolor, pastels, pencil and charcoal. Really totally mixed media--

16 comments:

Christine said...

welcome back Karen, this is a beautiful piece, love the idea of using the Braille too. Happy New Year when it comes!

Faye said...

Beautiful colors and texture, Karen.

Abigail Davidson said...

Lovely collage! Hope you have a Happy New Year!

sharon said...

Welcome back and I wish you healing and a happy creative New Year. I love the page.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing more post,Really i am impressed from it.
Great post can you share with me more post about it because i have many idea about this blog.

Thanks,
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Paper rainbow said...

Adorable Karen, how wonderful to use Braille paper. I have never seen this done before! Your ladies face is so expressive.

Unknown said...

Beautiful painting!:)

JKW said...

The painting is wonderful. So different and unique. I love your stories about your children. Blessings, Janet PPF

denthe said...

Welcome back! Love your mixed media piece, I like the expression on her face. Hope your backpain will go away with the massages ... Wishing you a painfree and creative 2014 ♥

Lynn Cohen said...

July to December quite a break! You mean those same kids who were chasing goats are now in college?!!
Wow! And double wow for this awesome mixed media piece on Braille paper no less!
Do get yourself well dear friend! See you more in 2014!

Joy Murray said...

Lovely mixed media piece, so serene. The braille texture is quite fascinating. If you can find a comfortable position, painting is a wonderful pain reliever. Thanks for sharing your work.

froebelsternchen said...

just amazing Karen!
Happy PPF and Happy New Year!

LiliansArt said...

a beautiful mixed media piece and can i ask, is that brail? Hitched a ride here by way of Paint Party Friday! happy new year.

Rita said...

Wonderful to see you back!! Braille ? Wow! Now that is a unique added texture. Nice! :)

Unknown said...

Love all the texture! Great page!

Sinderella's Studio said...

aagree beautiful painting. hope your pain goes away.
dana