Sista' Luv!

Aint having a sister the best thing in the world? I'm very fortuneate because mine is totally AWESOME! I did these names for some sisters that have May birthdays. I love to be able to put in little fun details that make it personal for the reciever (like a thumb sucking habit!) Enjoy! I'm on a mission to get some mother's day artwork done! Don't forget to be cre8ive today!

happy place

One of my dear friends told me about Nico, a little boy with cancer. It's just not fair that someone so innocent has to learn about one of the most devilish sicknesses out there. Hopefully these little robots will help him find a happy place for a couple of minutes at least. Meanwhile I'll keep praying for you Nico!

Come on Spring!

It was fun to put together a collection of planes for my little friend Simon's name. I love that I could incorporate a plane that really is super beneficial to Idaho in the summer when it's wild fire season.

This name REALLY made me jonesing for spring. I want to see flowers again! Come on sunshine!

Finally!

Ok, so I haven't been gone on vaca since the middle of February. I just have been so very busy that I haven't been able to post on my blog. This photo was taken in Barbados. Man oh Man, you have GOT to go to the Caribbean. It is so very beautiful. The colors! Wow! I was amazed that I swam in the ocean in February and was totally comfortable.

I've been crazy busy with commissions! Thank you all!!!! Here is one of them...

It seemed a bit weird to draw snowmen right when I got back from splashing around in the Caribbean but it was still a blast! The gal that ordered this one also got one for her hubby...

Vacation Time!

I'm off to find new inspiration for my art. It's a tough job but someone must do it. I'll be back from cruisin' the WARM Caribbean on February 25th and once I get my land legs back, I'll post something new! Meanwhile, take a look at our groups last art show. It was another great event!

This is Ginger Vogt's wonderfully colorful artwork. If you are interested in seeing more of her work check out her web site at http://www.wildwildwestart.com/.

Let me introduce you to a beautiful lady named Lee Blackwell. She is a "cowgirl" that has perfected the endangered art of horse hair hitching. It is gorgeous work! If you are interested in seeing more of it check out her site at http://www.cowcampcreations.ws/.









This is one of our talented photographer's booths. Jerry Kencke is an amazing photographer that has photos hung in our Govenor's office! He is such a dedicated artist that he was at our show with a neck brace and cuts and bruises all over his face from a terrible automobile accident that luckily he survived but his truck did not. To see more of his fantastic work check out his site at

http://www.jerrykenckephotography.com .

There were plenty of booths with lots of varied artists! If you missed this show, you can always check out my web site at www.brendaraub.com for upcoming opportunities or the Mountain Home Arts Councils site at www.mharts.org for all art events in our area.

Are you afraid of color?

Maybe it's the gray days of winter or the death caused by our President's lies, I feel whatever colors make me smile I want them around me. I just completed a series of paintings using color that demands my attention away from the real life ugliness. If you like the idea of getting away from reality, look at art, surround yourself with art that takes you to another reality, cre8 art that makes YOU happy.

Last night I had 3 art students of mine go to a closing art reception at Boise State University. Out of 110 pieces of high school art we had 5 pieces chosen to go into a show that galleried 60 works. My students were so proud of themselves as they should be! Their work was very strong and I imagined they could bring home a prize of Best of Show or such. But subjectivity was not on our side and another student won. What I did get out of the show was that even though I appreciate the jurors opinion, I felt very confident that my student's work was among the very best at the show. So, remember, art is indeed subjective. What makes one person happy doesn't neccesarily make another one smile. My mom always has told me that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am constantly reminded of that.

I'm very proud of my students and their artwork. I won't change the criteria I expect from my students even though it did cross my mind after the jurying process was over. I will however, emphasis to them that they need to find that happy place in their art. That is our journey as artists.