When your Hearts feels like it will burst.

You do not know how quickly your life or loved ones can change....February 24, 2012.

One year ago, my son suffered a life-changing, trial by fire event in his life.  On this day I felt my heart would burst as I waited for news after he was hit by a car.  I remember the my son crying, learning both his legs were broken.  I remember my friends Leticia and Audrey who sat with me while he was in surgery and the numerous surgeries that followed.  The pain; the emotional highs and lows; fear; sadness the array of emotions he experienced. From February to June he was recuperating in hospitals.

My heart leaps to my throat again,when I get a call from his father. In the middle of all this, his sister has an incredible auto accident;  flipping numerous times after the car she was driving filled friends is side swiped by a big rig.   Blessedly, everyone survives and she walks away emotionally shaken but without injuries; and her friends walk away also. The car did not make it. Seeing the photo was too much.

During this time, we received much support from friends and family in so many ways: physical, verbal, monetary, spiritual, psychological, emotional, nutritional, too numerous to count.  I remember the prayers we received. Those who held bedside vigils with us:  Alexis, Rihanna, John, Ryan, Jamie, Linda, Molly; the Swedish girls, the skaters and all the other friends young and old who visited and showed so much love; ones whose names I can quickly draw to mind and others of whom I can only see your smiles:  the mothers from Brazil bringing food and massages; Jermaine, Sandra, Zandra, Sandra Z., Sandra R. and Xochi; Shelley, Raphael, Nina and hubby, Leila, the mothers; Daphina, fathers, neighbors; the doctors, hospital staff, nursing home staff; truly a "rainbow coalition" of friends and family.

Throughout it all.  My son visualized and fought to stay positive....more so than I could at times.  "Mom don't worry so much. Everything will be fine."

Setting strong intentions and visualizing his positive outcome.  He manifested it.

Today my son called to thank me for being there and going through the fire with him.  My heart feels like it might burst again; this time with so much love, joy and thankfulness and a big smile.

Thank you God! Thank you family. Thank you friends.
We thank you all.

Gallery Hopping Westside

Did some gallery hopping with friends last night.  Wow!  I have seen some amazing exhibitions!

Check out the show at Avenue 50 Studio http://avenue50studio.org/pages/dreamsandvisions.shtml "Googie Style", the art of Armando Arreola, will take some of ya back.  Great idea for a student art project.  And everyone loves love as explored by various artists in "The Love Show."

A stop at Blum and Poe gallery. http://www.blumandpoe.com/current for an exhibition of Los Angeles based artist Henry Taylor.  Wonderful.   The gallery was packed.  It was kool to see him sitting on the floor taking photos with kids.

Want to see his again when the gallery is less crowded.

Met the artist Danny Scheible of Tapigami at a gallery nearby after noticing and asking about his interesting glasses and the elaborate form on his wrist. http://tapigami.com/mission/   He also had a roll of tape in hand and scissors.  Another wow!

Finally off to 825 Gallery.  http://www.laaa.org/
The art of J.T. Burke  "The Paradise Circus" pulled me into its kaleidoscopic landscapes;

Flora Ka's "Cocoon" installation was fun to hang out in. You'll have to go see for yourself.

Karen Sikie's "Paper Dolls" inspired me to not throw out my horde of scrap booking papers and other ephemera.

I managed to get audio interactive and bliss-ed out by the Bliss-O-Matic, of the Zen Vending Co. of artist, Gary Raymond. http://www.audiomobiles.com/inter_04bliss.html  Drop a quarter and get bliss in the palm of your hand. Here's what I was enlighten to:  "It's all a choice."  Um-m-m!  No jawbreaker!  Gary has a warm smile.

A fun evening.

More Masks

A few more student masks and watercolor paintings of students.

Dino Faire

Few weeks back students students created dinosaur artwork for a local Dino Faire.  Each student drew their own dinosaur with the aid of a how to book, colored;  cut them out and made a collage landscape background to adhere to.  Love the interesting way each student colored their project.  These are kindergarten through 4th grade examples.  

  

African Animal Masks

February is the month set aside here to remember the contributions of my ancestors. One month out of 12...interesting!!??  Everyday for me is a time to remember the contributions of my ancestors, yours and all of our ancestors.

 Here's another project worked on with children at one of the schools.  This one was challenging for me. Cutting the shapes from recycled cardboard was the hardest part.  I'd suggest enlisting help of parents; an assistant or pre-cutting. Students drew their shapes while other preferred to use templates. Some wanted to do animals and others create their own non-animal design.  Also if  provided with very thin cardboard students can cut their shapes. I envisioned the masks as large as possible so I gathered cardboard boxes.  Encourage simplistic shapes without too many angles.  They are gessoed; and painted with acrylic and oil pastels .  Additional bits of cardboard are added to make them 3-dimensional.  These were done with older students of 3rd and 4th grade.  Younger students did watercolor paintings of masks which I'll post later. Quite nice and everyone was proud of their achievement.  Enjoy! www.colasmith.com

6 Week Children's Watercolor Workshop

Just finished teaching a 6 week watercolor class at a local school for first graders. I love seeing the wonderful work children create, so I thought I'd share a few photos. I learn much from them.