Santa's Coming Back To My House Tonight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhFU70xETzc 

(copyrights 1996) by Barbara J Cheney

The above link is of a song I wrote about sixteen years ago when the first two of my now five grand-children were born.  It was inspired by realizing that Christmas was coming and Santa was coming back to my house.  This is a new arrangement and was recorded from the balcony in my living room with my phone.  It is not the best of quality but it amazes me that one can record something from their phone of somewhat passable quality.
I hope you enjoy the song especially if you are a grand-parent or hope to be a grand-parent someday.

Having breakfast with my daughter yesterday I couldn't help but notice the pendant I made for her.  The fused glass pendants are so striking and beautiful especially when they accent the appropriate outfits.  

Yellow Fused Glass Pendant

This is a melted Beer Bottle from But Light.  I love the brilliant blue of the glass.  I also beaded a bracelet type fused glass to slide on and off to add to the decorative look.

Spoon Rest Made from Melted Beer Bottle

This is a melted Dr. Pepper bottle on painted canvas.  The design represents the Texas flag which also has the Texas Blue Bonnet in one area.  The bottle also represents Texas as Dr. Pepper was originated in Waco Texas.  I love how the printing on the bottle remains after melting.

Melted Dr. Pepper Bottled on Painted Canvas

The mixed media bird bath painting below is designed to be hung low to the floor so it will appear to be standing there.  It is painted with acrylics, accented with plaster in some areas and some fused glass representing the water.

Mixed Media Bird Bath Painting

Sometimes when a bottle melts clear I like to paint a design behind it on canvas.  This was the case with the bottle below where I painted a zebra design. The red grapes are red glass.

Melted Wine Bottle With Painted Zebra Design Behind Glass on Canvas

Fused Wavy Green Glass on Painted Canvas

This portrait was done in acrylics with some splashes of fabric paint. The style was done in a modernistic, surrealistic mood.

Taryn and Chris

During my visit with my sister last week I took a photo of this mixed media painting I did for her a few years ago. I had just started working with fused glass at that time.  Sometimes when I give or sell pieces of art I forget about it and it is renewing to see it again.

Blue Melted Bottle Fused Glass Mixed Media Painting

The portraits I intended to paint have been placed on hold for a couple of months.  With much travel and having house guests my goals have been revised.  That is the privilege of being retired.  I did start a project at my house painting my terrace walkway by hand and giving the appearance of a stone look.  I have done this before using a more squared off stone look which also is very attractive. 

I first clean the surface.  Using porch and floor paint I paint the darker base color.  Then I freehand the shape with the lighter color. (while still wet)  After that, apply the first darker color using a small roller sponge over the second lighter color.  This gives a little dimension to the shape. It is best to sprinkle a little sand in the paint so your surface will not be slippery. For comfort while painting use a little one foot stool to sit on while painting.  Unfortunately, I have also put my walkway on hold for a couple of months until the weather in Texas gets a little cooler.  The good thing is that it still looks OK even if not completed.  

Painted Patio Walk Looking from Entryway

Patio Walk Painting Looking Toward Entryway

As I mentioned before I am in the process of updating portraits of my kids, their spouses and our Grand-children.  I just finished with the portrait of my son John.  I have a funny story that goes with this painting.  First of all my style of painting has a flair of surrealism.  Many of my paintings will have something a little out of proportion such as sometimes I make the hands a little smaller.  I thought I would make these paintings a little more realistic and my kids are very familiar with my style.  The other night at a gathering some people made the comment that John seemed to have big hands in this painting.  I didn't really think so but they are used to seeing smaller hands in some of my other paintings which led to the big hands story:  John walked into a room with friends and he was holding a tiny, mini beer can. Instead of commenting on the small beer can they said "John, what big hands you have!"

Portrait of John

This is something anyone can do.  You may find that you have some wall space where you want to set something on the floor but there is not enough room.  Take an oblong canvas and paint a vase on it. Hang it low as to appear that it is just sitting there.  You can also have other objects instead. Perhaps a cat or a fence with flowers in front of it. There is no limit as to what you can do.  I like to use plaster compounds before painting to add dimension, character and designs.  Even if you are not an artist you can make an oblong, round, square or rectangular shape on a separate piece of paper creating a pattern to make a vase. Don't let the word "artist" stop you from acting on your creative ideas.  Give it a try.  You may surprise yourself.     

Interior Decorative Idea

One of my artist friends and I sometimes go together in buying art supplies to save money. A few months ago she said there were some molds on sale and would I like to split an order of molds. Molds? I strive to have one of a kind unique art and I wasn't sure if I wanted to purchase molds. After thinking about it and browsing at what was available I decided to get some and make Christmas gifts for family and friends. How difficult could it be? Well, I over extended myself on who was on my list to get the glass wine racks and am still making wine racks. Thankfully I am almost finished. There was a lot of trial and error and a couple of disregarded attemps and it was more of a challenge than I thought it would be. As it turns out they are beautiful and unique. Although simular, they are all different. Everyone who has recieved one so far say they love them.

Glass Countertop Wine Racks

Wine Bottles on Glass Counter Top Wine Rack