tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53213448851018114512012-01-30T12:36:38.461-05:00An artist journal of my daily activities and thoughts as a collage/mixed media/teaching artist.Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.comBlogger261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-71747054083047166612012-01-06T13:42:00.003-05:002012-01-30T12:36:38.474-05:00

Here's some people and things who inspire me....who or what inspires you? Send me a note I'd love to hear from you.  Me and my great grandmother Julia Jackson Cookie jar doll circa 1960's created by my grandmother that sits in my studio  My grandmother Luanna Patricia Sykes My Grandmother....Luanna Patricia Sykes The bible....some of the best stories about life and people...

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-37445987626983805372011-12-25T02:46:00.000-05:002011-12-25T02:48:19.406-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I've cleaned up the last dish and put away my cookie making "stuff" and yawned way too many times. In a few hours I will get up to prepare for worship at our church this morning...no props to deliver, just helping with mime makeup. I'm thankful for the words of encouragement, wisdom, and art experiences you all have shared with me this year. Looking forward to the new

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-85354574061973815122011-12-24T08:11:00.000-05:002011-12-25T02:26:38.825-05:00

  Ihumwa village potters  During my 2010  travels as a U.S. State Department delegate for the Women's Arts Exchange with Tanzania(led by Martin Nagy, Director of the Great Lakes Arts Council in Toledo), I had the experience of my life when taken to to meet "some of the best potters in Tanzania." My time with the Ihumwa village potters outside of Dodoma, Tanzania turned out to be my

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-74772771257905740522011-12-15T22:38:00.000-05:002011-12-16T10:09:11.269-05:00

On this season's X Factor which debuts some of the best singing talent around, a young lady by the name of Melanie Amaro has been of great interest to me. It seems all the contestants have had a story to share of their lives...overcoming drug addiction, adoption, raised by single parent, separation from parents, etc. Melanie Amaro seemed like another talented young woman trying to capture the 5

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-77707675793264792522011-12-12T14:35:00.000-05:002011-12-13T04:12:16.501-05:00

Thanks to Blick art for the wonderful lesson plans provided in each of their annual catalogs. For years I didn't pay them much attention and therefore missed some wonderful opportunities to share pre-tested projects with my students. Now when it's time to toss them out each year I gently remove the lesson plan pages, insert them in acetate sleeves and store in my lesson plan binder which holds

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-7518276768374586452011-12-11T11:39:00.000-05:002011-12-11T13:28:01.531-05:00

"Each day I rise and thank God for the opportunity to make more art!" is what I found myself writing on a painted picture frame I'd prepared before class recently. Since 2008 I've been blessed to teach youngsters in grades K-6 in an after school arts program called Art in the House (AIH).  Budding artists I'm thankful for the students I've been able to share my passion of teaching and

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-71171314754357684752010-08-17T12:39:00.013-04:002010-12-11T08:18:04.045-05:00

Well, was beginning to think that if I didn't start writing soon I would need to hang up my keyboard and shut down the old blog site. But the fact that I'm here pounding the keys means it's time to share my journey. In January of 2010 I was blessed to travel to East Africa as a member of the 3rd U.S. delegation participating in an incredible exchange program with Tanzania. "ARTS EXCHANGES ON

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-49738750407409438672010-01-19T07:13:00.008-05:002010-01-19T13:03:20.113-05:00

Ms. Bettye Stull, Curator, "Evolution of the Girl Child" at the McCoy CenterWell the New Year is certainly starting off with a blast! Sistahs of the Arts collaborative is the focus of an exhibit titled, "Evolution of the Girl Child" which recently opened(January 17) in New Albany, Ohio at the beautiful McCoy Community Arts Center. There are several things that make this exhibit so special and

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-77391421254845503822010-01-08T15:14:00.013-05:002010-08-18T17:23:22.262-04:00

Told you I would try and recap some highlights from 2009, well one stand out for me was the November exhibit at Columbus State Community College. Here's an excerpt from my artist statement, "...there are Urban Warriors fighting on behalf of others who are in need. The needs are all different and the battle is daily. Some battle to keep our children off the streets, while others care for elderly

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-66683728950259981672010-01-07T08:55:00.006-05:002011-12-11T16:06:22.328-05:00

Last May represented a major coupe for the local art collaborative, Sistahs of the Arts. This was a big step for us because it was our first major show and the fact that the funding was provided by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts out of New York City, was all the more reason to give a shout. In addressing the theme as an individual artist, the inward search and sharing of what

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-181324670766530802010-01-05T22:11:00.003-05:002010-01-05T22:47:08.687-05:00

Happy New Year to everyone! 2009 was such a whirlwind but hope to recap some highlights here soon. Hard to believe that we've actually crossed the threshold over into 2010. When I was a little girl and in my "science fiction" reading phase, the year would have struck me as "far in the future", maybe even unreal.Well, the New Year is starting off with an adventure for me...on January, 26th I will

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-33465607072344769672009-12-03T11:51:00.008-05:002009-12-03T12:50:45.033-05:00

Well, it's been some time since I was able to write on the ole' blog. There's tons of things to talk about, but will first address an awesome teaching experience. On October 15, 2009, it was my pleasure to teach a workshop on "Fabric and Words" at the Ohio Craft Museum here in town. This was a special class held exclusively for 14 women artists delegates from Tanzania, visiting the U.S. More on

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-12457500731939128032009-09-18T08:45:00.010-04:002009-09-18T11:18:58.110-04:00

Mixed emotions, anxiousness and excitement combined in the same easy swallow gel cap that I threw into my mouth and washed down with a cup of tepid water over a year ago. This is how it always begins as I move towards the goal of the next exhibit. In this case, November 1, 2009, my still untitled solo exhibition at Columbus State Community College. Some anxiousness because I'm returning to the "

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-52136268900007438742009-09-16T13:37:00.007-04:002009-09-16T14:25:23.155-04:00

Well, my mother shared some insightful words of wisdom with me the other day. As I was excitedly telling her about experiencing a change in my teaching experience this summer(translation...my game was stepped up)she calmly informed me that "that's what teaching is all about." Now my beloved Mom is a retired elementary school principal and prior to that taught in the classroom for many years, so

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-81540618546266820112009-09-07T10:21:00.009-04:002009-09-07T12:10:05.025-04:00

Well, after many months away from the good ole' blog site, busy with the May exhibition and teaching this summer...things are winding down and returning to my regularly scheduled program. This summer was a blur but lots of fun with highlights being: all the children home(and boyfriends) for our nephew's wedding in Dayton, Ohio...festivals...driving to Winston-Salem, N.C. to meet friends for the

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-34884136732102942312009-04-11T09:33:00.007-04:002009-04-11T10:55:35.482-04:00

Well, guess you could say I took a little vacation from the blog...didn't mean to, it just happened. It's such a good day and I've been truly blessed as a woman, wife, daughter, sister, mother, aunt, niece, granddaughter, artist, teacher and mentor. I love being me and the life that God has blessed me with. I thank him daily for the journey and for everyone and everything He brings into my life.

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-37616328382914092342009-02-22T13:58:00.002-05:002009-02-22T14:11:26.662-05:00

Sometimes while looking at an old piece of my work I experience a moment of "what if?". Typically during this time my mind wanders to a place other than where I think I should be focused at that given moment in time. Most times the current piece of work is set aside so that the birthing of a new idea can take place. Usually this birthing requires me to "push past my comfort zone" to create

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-30135321910320760392009-02-21T02:02:00.008-05:002009-02-22T10:30:54.138-05:00

Well, last weeks reception at the Rhodes Tower for "Passing On the Torch" was great. There are so many talented artists in Columbus and around the state. Ran into some old friends and met new ones as well. Antoinette of Ancestral Blessings has her dolls showcased in the main entrance behind the security desk...check 'em out. Stephanie Matthews B/W photos are amazing and her website photos of

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-13478401752306549332009-02-07T12:02:00.010-05:002009-02-07T21:26:13.008-05:00

What's the object of my heart's desire? Depends on what day you ask me...but typically my heart's desire is to honor God in all that I do...learn to love as Christ loved(unconditionally). Thought I had that one down until the end of last year when God made it so apparent to me that I wasn't "walking in love." I'd been estranged from a family member for too long and God wanted restoration to take

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-35264788315041423132009-01-08T05:01:00.007-05:002009-01-08T06:09:57.176-05:00

Well, the cast is off and I did a rather odd thing(not unusual for me)as I was leaving the exam room...I tapped the discarded cast with the tip of my crutch, as it was laying on the floor and told it good-bye. Mind you, this piece of fiberglass had become a part of my life for the past three weeks. It continued to hug my left leg even when I didn't like it's presence and had said so out loud or

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-3503012851850085292009-01-03T21:41:00.006-05:002009-01-03T22:32:34.662-05:00

Hmmm...four more days until my next visit to the doctor to check the status of my ankle and to see if the hard cast comes off. Can't believe that I'm actually enjoying this time in a way. One of the reasons is that I've learned how much time I waste on a daily basis due to distractions, running around in the grocery and art supply stores, etc. Having these weeks of convalescence has also given me

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-38159219208462426482009-01-01T12:08:00.014-05:002009-01-01T20:10:29.459-05:00

Well, last Saturday Antoinette and Nicki dropped by in the early afternoon with a delicious Caribbean lunch from Ms. Ena's and their art supplies in hand. Nicki(artist and jewelry designer) came prepared with a beautiful black handbag filled with her infamous puff paints, while Antoinette(doll maker and seamstress) brought cowrie shells, cloth, needle and thread. Since I'm still unable to move

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-83337197416622220572008-12-19T03:34:00.006-05:002009-01-01T17:53:12.708-05:00

Two days ago, in order to heal a torn ankle tendon, a hard cast was placed on my left leg. If I had been given the gift of music, this current challenge would probably cause me to pen a tune titled, "Hard Cast Blues." Anyhow, for the next four weeks my mind is being challenged to find some means of creating art around the cumbersome cast and crutches...did I mention while keeping my leg elevated?

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-47376516728807143092008-12-15T03:11:00.003-05:002008-12-15T04:17:03.133-05:00

Well, I can finally say that it's over...or is it the beginning of something new? Did actually unveil eight new dance pieces that are funky, fun and colorful . "Dancing Divas" were received very well...hopefully will post some shots of this artwork soon. The "Divas" will eventually make it to my website and for anyone familiar with past work especially the Praise Hands and masks might recognize

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-2933571509889267352008-12-04T09:38:00.003-05:002008-12-04T09:52:19.162-05:00

Well, yesterday I realized that next weekend I signed up for not one but two days of vending at the Art-Palooza event over in Whitehall at DJ's salon. Guess I need to work a little faster. Have decided to include some of the pieces left over from last years' exhibit "Seeds of My Heritage" but also look forward to introducing some new pieces and less pricier ones.

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321344885101811451.post-67776144785666521472008-12-02T11:34:00.003-05:002009-01-01T17:59:35.598-05:00

Well, while responding to someone else's blog I end up starting one of my own...go figure!It's the 2nd day of December and the snowflakes falling outside my window are whispering the onset of what I'd like to call "Artist Hibernation Syndrome". As far as I know it's not fatal or contagious(maybe someone would like to verify that) but merely a season of creativity that I experience every year

Wepahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06242580319318888472noreply@blogger.com0