"Cool Hand Luke"....................

I'm not much of a TV person; especially as of late. I just can't seem to find anything, program-wise, that really holds my interest for very long.

I do enjoy the old movies that are offered on a cable station, here in my area, and once in awhile I will treat myself to one of those. I always look for movies that star Jack Nicholson, Paul Newman, Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly to name a few.

I was saddened to hear about the passing of Paul Newman. What an icon! I thought he was such a terrific actor, and oh, so handsome, and while I never knew him personally, it just seemed, to me, he was a really good person, too. He was so charitable and really gave back to the world. He founded a camp for children who suffer from terminal illnesses, eventually these camps have spread all across the country. All of his products sold in the stores; every cent was promised to go back to his charitable causes. I purchase his products because of this.

Paul Newman didn't seem to fall into the "Hollywood lifestyle" role. He was able to keep most of his personal life out of the limelight. I've always admired that. He remained married to the same woman (Joanne Woodward) for years; all of these things that I admired in him.

If I had to choose one movie that was my favorite of his, it would be Nobody's Fool. It was based on a book written by Richard Russo and was filmed in Bath, New York. It was a dark movie, but very powerful and Paul's performance was outstanding! There was a scene in the movie where he went back to his childhood home and there were very disturbing memories, there, for his character. The scene lasted for almost 10 minutes and Paul didn't speak one word throughout. It was all about his expression; it was like I could get inside his head and really feel what he was thinking. Incredible!

So; this post is my small way of saying goodbye to a very wonderful man, who I didn't know, but offered me, and so many others, hours of enjoyment watching him perform on screen and stage.

It's funny; when we don't know a celebrity but we admire them for the way they have effected us. There's something comforting knowing that they were still in the world with us.

For those of you who are a Paul Newman fan, what were your favorite movies of his? I'd love to read in your comments.

I wish you all a safe and happy week ahead........................Much love, Marilyn

St. Agnes Cemetary Field Trip................

This past weekend I had the privilege and opportunity to organize a field trip through my Collage Clinic at the Albany Art Room with some very special artists who happen to be my friends :)

I've uploaded a few pictures, here, of our experience at St. Agnes Cemetary in Menands, NY. This cemetary is on a New York State Historical Register and is one of the most beautiful cemetaries that I think I've ever seen. It goes on for miles and our day was blessed with beautiful weather to experience the lovely grounds and gravestones.

I shared, with my friends, my technique for doing gravestone rubbings. We each came away with some very cool rubbings that can be applied to our artwork. The last two pictures are some samples of the gravestone rubbings. Thank you for visiting and I wish you a safe and happy rest of your week. Love always - Marilyn xxoo

My self portrait collage......................

This is a picture of my self-portrait collage from my Blog Challenge. (SEE POST BELOW FOR PICTURES OF OTHER PARTICIPANTS).

I guess I didn't realize that I cannot upload any more than 5 pictures on one post on a Blog. Does anyone else experience this or is it just my lack of knowledge :) ?

Have a great day! Love, Marilyn

Pictures of Self-Portrait Blog Challenge :)

Well; I'm back! I got a lot done, last week, and thought I'd start out Blogging, again, with the results of my most recent Blog challenge. It was to create an 8 x 10 collage using a photo of ourselves when we were children. There were six, of us, who participated and I want to thank all for meeting the challenge above and beyond. These are all gorgeous and so very meaningful. I couldn't get mine on this first post as I could only upload 5 pictures at a time it seems. I will add mine after this on a separate post.

Here are the names of the participating artists in the order that they appear:
Laura Jones
Roberta Partridge
Elaine McCallister
Karrin Hurd
Heather Robinson
We get to keep our original collages and mailed 8 x 10 prints to exchange out along with 3 ATC's of same. I will exchanging out our prints and ATC's this week and mailing out with a thank you gift.

I hope you've all been well and happy. I will catch up with everyone's Blogs this week. I've missed your art!

Much love, Marilyn

"A Day in the Life".................

Just felt like popping in, here, to wish you all a good weekend. I have a couple of friends who live in Texas and am keeping positive thoughts, for them and all there, that they are safe and out of harm's way of Hurricane Ike.

I'm also going to take a little break from Blogging, this week, as I am realizing I've been running around like a chicken with my head off and need to calm the body and mind down a bit.

I have missed the creative process of working on some art and feeling the void of not being at my art table. I miss the smell of paint, the white gesso on my hands and clothes :)

I want to resume working on a recent painting that I need to finish. This picture is of it that I have altered in Photoshop. It's on a huge canvas.

All be safe and happy! I'll be back soon.....................

Love to all - Marilyn

A "Blue Ribbon" Day ........... :)

This weekend I was an exhibitor at our local 57th Annual Villagers' Outdoor Show that is held in our historic Stockade District. This was my first outdoor art show and it was one of the most exhilarating days of my life! We weren't sure it was going to happen due to terrible weather we had on Saturday from effects of Hurricane Hannah coming up the coast. However, Sunday turned into a beautiful day and the show was on!

I am sharing a handful of pictures, here, with you; which includes my display area (picture #1), my son, David Lippiello, his friend James Doig, my friend Melanie Phillips, and my loving husband Ted (picture #2). The 3rd picture is of James, me, Melanie and Ted. The 4th picture, here, is of my friend Karen Schupack who is the founder of the Albany Art Room where I have the privilege and opportunity to teach, I'm in the middle and my friend Nancy Casso is on my left. I had lots of help and support from family and friends. I feel so blessed and fortunate to have such a support system; I think this is the true reward for me.

I want to thank all of my friends who came down to visit with their caring and supportive words; I got lots of hugs and kisses! I would love to name them all, but you all know who you are :)! I'm good for a very long time :)

I grew up in the Stockade District of our city and it was meaningful, for me, to be part of the art show where I used to live. It's filled with memories, for me; some good, some not so good, but that's life. I think we can all relate to that.

I felt very good about the day, personally, having my loving and supportive family and friends around me.

Art-wise; I couldn't have asked for a better day! I sold some paintings, I had lots of feedback, made great connections. A person who is involved with a really neat museum, in our area, asked me to be part of an art event coming up soon. She felt my art was very unique and would like me to have some paintings in the museum for display and sale. I was thrilled!!

To top, off the day, I had my juried piece "Uprooted" get an Honorable Mention award and received a blue ribbon with a monetary reward! When I heard my name called, I just about passed out, and felt like a little kid at Christmas!

The last picture, here, is me with my juried entry and blue ribbon!

My memories, of this day, will stay with me for the rest of my life!

Thank you all for your visit, here, your wonderful comments you leave and know I couldn't do what I do without you! You all give me wings!

Much love and wishing you all a safe and happy week! Marilyn xxoo

More Student Works.........................:)

I so enjoy teaching at the Albany Art Room. It is artsy, fun, warm and a caring environment that allows artists of all ages to express themselves in their own way.

Last night I had the opportunity of teaching a beeswax collage class. The first three pictures are beeswax collages from artists, starting at the top,: Brenda Seckerson, Karen Schupack, and Lori Stachnik. The last picture is of an acrylic painting by artist Jim Summa. This was from my "Two for One" acrylic painting class which we created an abstract painting using just two colors of acrylic paint. I'm so thrilled with what these artists are creating. They learn the technique, and then take off to greater heights creating with their own talents and visions! Kudos to them!

I wish all, of you, a safe and happy week! I can't believe it's school time again - WOW! Thanks for visiting........................................Love to all - Marilyn