Our January

We have had some fun chances to spend time with others' little ones. This is our nephew Jack, he is adorable and so sweet. I hope he comes again soon - it's great for Bennett in particular to learn to share with younger kids.  

I had to post this pic because I can see the resemblance in Jack to his father, who is my brother. Hopefully Jack doesn't also get his teasing and mischievious genes. Growing up with two older brothers has it drawbacks!

My mom & I were lucky to take a quick drive to St. George to see the exhibit I was invited to participate in, and we got to visit Jaylene. The show was all pastel paintings and it had some nice variety. Those three hanging on the darker wall are mine. Since I'm relatively new to pastel painting, I loved seeing how other artists work with them. As with most art, viewing them in person reveals so much more than any other way can.

Julie Rogers is the artist of this piece, and she has a much more loose and painterly style that I really admire. She works fairly large and had good variety of colors within her pieces. I also like how she works with more muted tones as well, like in this closer up photo of a larger piece. There were several other artists that I admire who had work in the show including: Marilee Campbell, Robert Barrett, and Carol Harding.

These pieces are gourds that were carved and painted by artist Kolene Granger. It's a particular kind of gourd that grows larger. I'd love to try to grow some myself but I fear we don't have a long enough growing season. One year I had a great crop of bottle gourds but I haven't had such good luck since.

This was the other reason I HAD to head south. Jaylene's newest little one is named Cambria. Jaylene is now mother to two little girls and she's doing well. In all the photos I took, I always managed to catch Cambria pulling some kind of silly baby face. But she is beautiful regardless!

Jared has continued his pottery hobby. He made this vase the other day which measured 12" tall, his tallest yet. I am trying to encourage him to try other shapes... not that I don't love the homemade bowls, but the teacher in me knows he needs to expand his skills.

I have started some pansies and "Johnny Jump Ups" from seed. These lights are just flourescent shop lights hanging close. I learned from a gardening class last year that the plants don't care much about what the light looks like as long as they get enough.