Musings – Art and Musings by Marnie

Empty nest cometh

September 11, 2019September 11, 2019 Art and Musings by Marnie2 Comments

Another summer has passed, making me wonder where the time has gone. Did I do enough with my daughter? Did we make lots of memories? Why did I not do this or that? And the answer to all these questions is, It was enough. Because it has to be. Regret is one of the worse things for me, and I tend to let it go as fast as I can. Because if I cannot change it I have to let it go. Otherwise these things will just harm me.
This summer flew by not making me think about its importance. The importance of being my daughters last summer of high school. The importance of being the last summer before college. And an almost empty nest. When I started this journey of mother hood, I never once gave a thought to my children growing up. Not once. I traveled through my daily tasks in ignorance of the sorrow I would feel once they were no longer under my roof. The daily tasks of making meals for them, clothing them, chores, blinding me, instead of savoring these moments. I was at a party the other day with a Mom going through the same feelings. She said imagine if you knew the last time you would carry your child? The last time they slept with you in fear of the night? Or the last time that they lived with you. Of course the last one is much more obvious, but the other moments pass without you knowing. And how thankful I am for that. I wish that this empty nest would also pass without me knowing…..
So this summer was bittersweet, as my Daughter is shared my studio with me. She is taking an AP art class in school, and ever the procrastinator, she had a few pieces left to do. (Thankfully not many) So instead of doing some tradition, or making a new one, we passed this milestone doing something we love together. Art.

I am passing what I can, to her, in hopes she learns, enjoys, and maybe helps her decide what she wants to do for her future. She is already feeling the pull of the easel, and the need to create. And I am working on holding onto these last moments, because if I think the first day of senior year is tough, I am going to be a true mess dropping her off to college next year. So to anyone struggling like me, I tell you that you are not alone. And that although these moments are torture, thankfully we still have them. It is like the Dr Seuss quote, Don’t cry because its over, be thankful it happened. And that is precisely what gets me through most of my life’s trials. Gratitude. How lucky am I to have my two wonderful children, so different but still so important to me. And although they may not both be living with me, they will be loved and cherished until I leave them. It is never too late to savor a moment, if you have not been. It is such an easy thing to start. And the sooner you start, the easier it will be when the time comes to let go……..because you have those moments to be grateful for.
Photo is of my daughter at my easel. 🙂

Sunflower fields and Plein Air Painting

creating beautiful, personalized centerpieces for any celebration.

July 20, 2019 Art and Musings by Marnie

I am not a fan of plein air painting…. there I said it. It is very hard to do for me. I typically get a rough painting on the canvas, let it dry overnight, then work on the painting till its done. Unfortunately if you keep mixing paint, you end up with what artists refer to as “mud”. So moving wet paint around a canvas can be pretty difficult for me. So Plein air has always been daunting. Nevermind lugging all your equipment, dealing with the elements, and being on display while you paint. All tough for me!

But it looks like the universe was giving me a push this year! My daughter is starting an AP art class for her senior year, and on her list of things to do this summer is paint plein air. Plein Air painting would be a much different experience with my daughter. So we packed up our art supplies and headed to a local farm that has stunning sunflower fields.

If you have not painted plein air, one tip I have always found helpful was to cut the canvas shape out on a piece of paper, and use it to frame your painting. So helpful!

After picking her view, my daughter sat down at her easel to paint, and I immediately was inspired. Why not paint my daughter?

I did what I could at the site, and will add a few more details once it dries. Overall it was a great painting day, with only a few casualties of bugs flying into my painting. So if you are an artist, and thinking about painting Plein Air, I encourage you to try! It is always great to step out of your comfort zone, and I certainly did today!

If you would like to see these sunflower fields, there is a festival this weekend, July 20-21st. It is located at Buttonwoods Farm, off of Rte 165 in Griswold. They sell bouquets of sunflowers, and the proceeds go to the Make a wish foundation. As an added bonus they also sell delicious ice cream! So if you are local to Griswold, Ct, you should make the trip!

Reaching an epiphany

June 26, 2019June 29, 2019 Art and Musings by Marnie

Most artists struggle with comparing themselves to other artists. I try hard not to do this, as it can be very damaging. It can even make you avoid painting. I enjoy reading and living by quotes, and one of my favorites is one by Theodore Roosevelt.

That quote is so true! When I am working on a painting, I will sometimes look at other paintings to see how other’s have created their art. And I always wish that my art would look more like theirs. Today though I thought more about that wish, and realized that maybe I don’t want my art to look more like theirs…. maybe I want it to look different. Like the style I have. I have heard my art described as whimsical, and I think that is a good thing. Especially when you want your art to be an escape and to make people happy.

So maybe I should embrace my whimsical interpretation. I have always liked being different, and I think it finally sunk in today, that I should enjoy my interpretation, and listen to Teddy Roosevelt. And enjoy my colorful art, rather than compare myself to others. As usual, I find that this lesson also should relate to my life as well, and I should not compare myself to others. I feel as though the older I get, every day life’s experiences and podcasts I listen to are enlightening me. So please take my little epiphany today and learn from it as well. Don’t compare yourself to that person that seems to have it all, or is thinner than you. Or has more than you. Because as Teddy says, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. I for one will be embracing my whimsical side, and enjoying being different. And I hope you enjoy it as well!

What the interior designers don’t tell you….

reality in decorating your home

February 17, 2019February 17, 2019 Art and Musings by Marnie

We all do it… we watch the beautiful decorating shows on tv, look at the stunning magazines, and walk into furniture stores and see the beautiful way the designers have decorated. Everything looks so perfect, gorgeous and not realistic at all. Why do you say that, you ask? Because the items they decorate with are all generic, and similar. They don’t take into account that you have lots of items that are sentimental, lovely and not at all stylish. So how do you incorporate these wonderful items with today’s decorating styles? I do it as much as I can in my home, and wanted to share my own hutch.

We purchased a lovely hutch a few years ago from Jordan’s furniture. Oh how lovely it looked in the showroom. All white dishes, with a few similar items, tied in with yellow flowers throughout. Just lovely. And unrealistic! It sold me anyways, and we purchased the new hutch. Then I got it home and struggled to make it work. And struggled. I finally think I got it, and wanted to share with you. Instead of getting rid of all my lovely sentimental items, I grouped them together.

Yes I realize it looks a bit cluttered. And it proved my point how their styling is unrealistic. How many of us live with items from stores perfectly styled? Most of us have knick knacs, inherited items, gifts and most importantly, items from our family that we cannot just hide away. So I kept them arranged this way, but put them on the ends of my hutch, so they are not center stage. I put a bunch of farmhouse styled items in the middle, to take center stage. As shown below.

And I think this worked in my new hutch. But honestly, even if it does not work, I am fine with that. Because they are all beloved items, which make me happy to see, rather than generic ones to make my hutch look stylish. This means much more to me.

So below is my personally styled hutch. With items from my parents, grandmothers, children, hubby, sister, and friends. And that means so much more to me. It may not be featured on a decorating show, but it takes first place in my home. I hope this gave you some ideas as well!

Hello my name is Misspelled……

November 27, 2018November 27, 2018 Art and Musings by Marnie

Growing up with an unusual name wasn’t easy. I can’t tell you how many times it has been mispronounced and misspelled, and still is. I absolutely hated it.
My mother found my name while watching the Alfred Hitchcock movie, Marnie. She loved Sean Connery, enjoyed the movie, and wanted something different. And she got it. But I longed for an ordinary name. One that I would find in stores, where they sold name plates, signs, hair barrettes or any one of the tons of accessories with names on them. I would always eagerly look for my name. I did find it two times. Once was a roll of stickers with rainbows, and then the other was a name plate for a room, which is still on my bedroom door at my parents house.

I remember winning an art contest at a local church one time. I eagerly waited to see who had won, and heard that “Mamie Reynolds” was the winner. I was so disappointed! Lucky Mamie. A few minutes later I found out that I was the winner, as they had mispronounced my name. And so it began…..
I remember asking my Mom to change my name, and her reply was to do it when I was an adult. Go to court and pick something else out, she would say. Life went on and I started to realize it was nice to have a different name. One that not many others had. I liked being different. And I was thankful my Mom had picked it. I called her out of the blue one day and thanked her for picking such an unusual name. That I loved it and was happy with it. She was shocked, laughed, and was happy that I had called. I am so thankful that I did that, as I am very grateful. So grateful to sign such a unique name to my art. And its all due to her. Thanks Mom!

A few years ago a few other Marnie’s put together a facebook page called Marnie Squared. They worked hard to join Marnie’s of all spellings together. You see not only is Marnie an unusual name, it has tons of spellings. Some are like mine with “ie” at the end, some are just an “I” and some end in a “Y”, or even an “E”. I am now friends with 172 Marnie’s. Which took some getting used to… as when I opened my news feed I would see updates from Marnie and wonder what I had posted, or done! Now I do not panic! And if I come across a new Marnie, I friend request her, and she accepts. It is like the Harley motorcyclists that wave every time they see another rider. If your name is Marnie, of any spelling, you are accepted. We post misspellings that people do, and even have our own hashtag, #thingsonlymarniesunderstand. After being a single Marnie my whole life, I am now in a community of them, and love it. Thanks to Marnie Kay, and Marnie Grundman for getting us all together! As for the Shakespeare quote “”A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”, but it would not be as different! Here’s to being unique!

The art of embracing Failure

November 14, 2018November 14, 2018 Art and Musings by Marnie

Who determines what failure is? How is it determined? When it is determined? I recently had a conversation with a family member who had packed their family up, moved across the country, following a dream. We were, and are so proud of them for chasing a dream. Even if it seems to have stalled at the moment. Speaking with them, reminded me of my own dream. And how difficult it can be. For every success, there is doubt and frustration that follows. Through these struggles, I find quotes very comforting. After my talk with my cousins, I came across a quote I had saved from an artist that I follow online. She is a southern artist, named Mary Gilkerson. Mary has a wonderful, bold brushstroke style, with tons of color. She makes videos with tips, and has a lovely southern drawl while speaking. I am telling you all about her because she said something that has stuck with me. What she said is “Failure is your First attempt”

failure

Almost every new discovery, new record holder or great work of art started with failure. And if they gave up, we would not have the medicines we have, cars, phones, art, I could go on, but I think you get the picture. Artists, business owners, musicians, and anyone else that take chances, improve our world. So its not a bad thing to put yourself out there and take a chance. And if you do fail, remember Mary’s words…. It is your first attempt.

To see Mary’s work please click here

Visiting Disneyland for the first time

August 3, 2018August 3, 2018 Art and Musings by Marnie

It has been a dream of mine to visit Disneyland to see where it all began. When I spoke with people, very often I was told how disappointed I would be. Its much smaller was what I heard, or does not compare to Florida. Hardly a positive comment ever. But I did not change my mind, and kept my plans to visit.

I was lucky to visit this summer, and even luckier to visit on my birthday! What a present!

Anytime I enter a park I always get goosebumps at my first view of the castle, and this was no exception. But it was definitely different… seeing a pink castle at the end of Main Street! But there was no disappointment. Only excitement that I was finally visiting the park where it all began.

I had done research on things and rides that I should not miss, so I did my best to see it all! The park was not officially open yet, so people were lined up at the end of Main Street. So we took this time to look around. We found the “Test Wall” where legend has it Walt tried different bricks out. If you are facing the castle, its the little side street to the right off of Main Street.

If you look at the photo, you will see a few different styles of bricks.

I found the park to be a bit smaller that the Florida Magic Kingdom, but I liked the cozier feel. The feeling of the smaller walkways, and mature plantings over the paths. I especially loved the teacups. Especially at night with the glowing lanterns.

I also loved the walk through Sleeping Beauty area in the castle. It was nice to see something other than an expensive restaurant within the castle. That is one of my favorite Disney Tales, so I could be a little biased….

But seriously how could you be disappointed with this sight? I know I certainly was not.

There are also some rides at this park not in Florida. Such as Mr. Toads wild ride, Pinocchio, Snow Whites Scary Adventures, and the Matterhorn to mention just a few. Its a Small World has never been a favorite of mine, but I actually enjoyed this version. Its a more grand display at this park, and has its own versions of Disney Characters throughout the ride.

Another thing you must see is the Fire Department building. At first it seems like an ordinary building, until you know the symbolism. Walt and his wife had an apartment on the second floor, and legend has it that when he was in residence, the light would be on. So the light is left on in tribute. I loved seeing this in person. It seemed surreal to me, to be in the park where it all began, and to walk in his footsteps.

Overall I loved my visit to the original park. Yes, it was different from Florida and yes it was smaller. But it made all of that up with its unique rides, and nostalgic features. Being an artist I thought of this as Walt’s first try. Whenever an artist creates, they are always striving to make changes and get better with their future work. You learn from mistakes, and successes. I can only imagine the parks that Walt would have created had he been around longer. I think that the company has done well without him, but you have to wonder how different the Parks would have been had he been here to direct them. We will never know, but I am thankful that someone took over the reigns and did their best, as the Disney Park legacy is a wonderful one. One that I enjoy visiting with my family, and keep going back. Because I love the creativity, the escapism that they provide. Thank you Walt!