North Cobb Arts League

The Georgia Arts Exchange emailed me an art listing update. Contained within was a blurb regarding the North Cobb Arts League (NCAL).

While researching the organization, I was invited to meet members on Saturday, August 23rd during the Melodies of the Meadow concert series featuring the Army Ground Forces Jazz Guardians. NCAL was providing food service for the musicians being held at The Art Station - Big Shanty in Kennesaw, GA.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the employees of The Art Station and members of NCAL while helping with buffet prep. I learned about art classes being offered through Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, NCAL events and viewed the current gallery exhibit at The Art Station. (Visits are free and open to the public, Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm.)

Upon evaluation, I joined NCAL and am excited to participate in upcoming classes and events. Yippee!

Boy Scouts of America Interview

Recently, my neighbor, Adam, who is a Boy Scout, interviewed me to learn about my small business, Good Girl Designs. He asked numerous in depth questions about my company including my business plan, product development, marketing, selling, etc.

Adam interviewed me, with Lucy there in the picture getting a butt rub--ha!, for over an hour. Afterwards, I gave him of a tour of my studio and stockroom showing him my art supplies, original art, reproduction items (prints, cards, magnets, list pads), packaging, displays and more.

Adam, here's to earning your merit badge for Entreprenuership on the road to your Eagle Scout. Hip-hip-hooray!

Bathroom Renovation--Laying Tile

I learned how to lay and grout tile a few months ago. Here are a few pictures of my newly tiled bathroom sink area.

I purchased various white ceramic tiles from Home Depot and Lowe's and created my design on a paper template. (The red tiles are broken china pieces.) I hand cut the tile to fit where necessary and glued them in place with mastik. I mixed and slathered on the grout and wiped it smooth (what seemed like a million times, mind you!). I painted on sealer and caulked a few days later.

Fortunately for me, I sealed the tile including the existing floor. When I pulled off the blue painters tape, three sections of paint came off along the perimeter of my newly tiled area. Time to patch and paint. I brought in a can of paint for touch-ups. Can you guess what happened? Yes, you are correct, the can of paint spilled all over. Ugh!

I did a "Steve" and screamed the "F" word from the top of my lungs. My electrician came running asking if everything was okay. I showed him the spill and promptly said "Well, I'll see if that tile sealer I painted on the night before works." It did. Yippee!!!

While wiping up the paint, suddenly a "light bulb" moment occurred. I grabbed the roller and started using up the paint from the floor. Why waste paint, right? Lesson learned: Always seal your grout, makes for easy clean-up.

The following week, it was time to decorate. The two small red framed prints (1st pic) are from Utah artist, Jamie Johnson and the larger one (2nd pic) from StoryPeople artist, Brian Andreas. (Earlier this year I watched HGTV's Green Home Show building Brian's new eco-friendly "green" home in Santa Barbara, CA.) While hanging Brian's print, the hammer slipped. Ugh, again! It fell on my new tile job. Fortunately, there weren't any cracked tiles. Only a small piece of grout chipped out. I love lightweight tack hammers!

Looking back, I've come full circle with my tile laying. Best of all, I have a really cool looking bathroom that satisfies my creative muse within.

Project Runway Challenge

Fashion Designer, Jonelle, recently sent me this photo of her latest fashion creation for Oxy-Jen. Jonelle created the outfit seen here of her home state football team. Go Buckeyes!

I think this should be a challenge for the designers on my favorite television show, Project Runway, as seen on Bravo TV. I've watched every episode from the start. (Jay is my all-time favorite designer. Laura is my 2nd favorite designer.)

Hey Heidi and Tim! I think it would be a very unique and interesting challenge to have the designers create a weeks worth of oxygen tank outfits for people like Jonelle. I know it would lift her spirits to have designer oxygen tank clothes--ha! I can Jonelles's laughter now as she reads this. As they say on the show, "It's sew time....."

Meet My Fashion Designer Friend, Jonelle

This is my good friend, Jonelle, with her good friend, Oxy-Jen. Jonelle lives on oxygen 24/7. She uses her artistic talents to create new outfits for her baby, Oxy-Jen, whom she pushes along in a stroller.

Check back soon for new fashion designs by Jonelle!

Calvert Uses Art to Show Appreciation for Animals

By Mary Prickett, Paulding Neighbor Staff Writer

Artist Susan Calvert rarely has to look very far for inspiration. It usually follows her closely, on four legs.

When Ms. Calvert was diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, she said she also found a purpose for her art.

This disease, which left her allergic to most chemicals and synthetic products, affects her neurologically. But, she said she is not allergic to dogs.

When she was diagnosed and could no longer work, Ms. Calvert said she began spending more time with her Labrador Retriever, Lucy. Ms. Calvert said she began painting Lucy and when she ran across a flier for the humane society's Doggie Dash, she felt she and her loyal companion could make a difference.

"I thought my dog has given me a life and it was time I gave something back for all animals," she said.

After speaking with the society, Ms. Calvert set up a booth and displayed her artwork. But, she said, that was just the beginning.

"I wanted to put up my own Web site and sell it on eBay," she said. "I wanted to give a percentage of what I sold to the Paulding Humane Society, because the euthanasia numbers are high here and there is so much over populating and fighting. I thought this was the way I could finally give something back."

After months of preparation, Ms. Calvert said she has finally launched the site and has posted numerous paintings online.

"I have 40 matted photo prints on sale on eBay right now and they are being sold for $24.99 through a program called Mission Fish," she said. "Whenever one is sold the donation is $5, or 20 percent, whichever is higher, and I have sold two so far, but I don't make any money on this."

The Web site, www.SusanCalvert.com, also has a store, she said.

Now that everything is up and running, Ms. Calvert said she is glad to be able to help.

"This was the right thing for me to do and it felt great to sell my first two paintings," she said. "Lucy gave me a life and I know many people who couldn't live without their pets. We need to save more animals, spay and neuter and adopt, because they are beautiful souls and they give us so much."

Wanted - Domestic Fairy Godmother

Oh my goodness, where does time go? This past week was so busy. Hubby was working from home and Lucy (dog) tore the ligament in her knee. I am continuing to build my website and work on my new line of greeting cards entitled "Good Girls".

I created 6 funky paintings of women last year and thought they would make a fun line of cards. I brainstormed this past week for the inside copy. I was waking up at 2 and 3 am searching for a writing instrument and pad of paper in the dark next to my bed. Hubby was upset because my jostling was waking him even though the light wasn't on.

I didn't want to lose my ideas. You know how it is when something is on your mind: Quick, write it down! I grabbed the pen and notepad and wrote. To my surprise, my writing was actually legible during daylight hours--yippee!!!

I'm a bit tired from the late night hours. It seems my best creative genius comes in the wee hours of the morning. Perhaps, I am part owl?

As usual, I am behind on my projects: taxes, gardening (phlox, crocus, daffodils and pansies are presently blooming here) and the ever loving, housework--ugh!

My very favorite card and verse in my new line of greeting cards is: "Wanted - Domestic Fairy Godmother" (see image above). Suits me to a tee! I'd love to have my housework magically done for me. I'd have more time to create art, garden, and play with Lucy--much more important and interesting in my book than mundane housework. Perhaps subliminally, that is why I chose the image from this card last year as the cover picture for my website?!

Fortunately for me, I have a great imagination. I just close my eyes and POOF, my house is clean. HA--only in my dreams! Remember, dreaming is good for the soul! :)

How about you? Blog me back your favorite card from my new line of "Good Girls" greeting cards seen here: http://www.susancalvert.com/greetingcards.html.