It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~ Charles Dickens

Join me welcome spring this week, share a smile, a seat or even a coffee with someone who needs it. - Michele

My piece for Winter is titled: “winter’s gift”. For more about why and how I got there  click here.

My piece for Fall is below, titled: “wind,pluck,rich.”

Visit the Holiday Card Shop today and pick up 1 or a set of 10!

Puppetry is an ancient form of performance. Some historians claim that they pre-date actors in theatre. There is evidence that they were used in Egypt as early as 2000 BC when string-operated figures of wood were manipulated to perform the action of kneading bread, and other string controlled objects.

Above is a marionette I stumbled across one day in the French pavilion in Epcot. Her character was undeniably so fun and flavorful I simply had to draw her.

Here is a reportage of where she resides in the pavilion.

and a thumbnail for a stamp design I thought could be an interesting way to feature the flavor of Paris.

p.s. If you’re into it, check out this blog I came across, diary of a genuine marionette maker. Tony is an artist working the craft today. It’s very cool and totally worth the read.

ding,dong … goes the door…next stop…42nd Street                                                     The train begins to crawl, a microcosm of New York life journeys on silently, patiently           intent on their way.

Suddenly, a chord strikes, the silence broken…bold, bright, voluminous sound fills the car, jolting the all too familiar hum into a excited fury of motion.                                But from where? THERE! I see them!          It’s the mariachi, swaying ever so to the rhythm of the train, commanding attention as they play.

Ahhh….the sound, the melodious sound that so easily stirs the soul.                                     Yes, something has changed. 2 minutes have passed, the train begins to slow…a new ease is in the air … next stop 34th Street.

A few minutes spent warming-up for the day as I sat enjoying my morning tea.     Have a pleasant day.

I thought it worth mentioning this week the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is hosting a series ofexciting events associated with the United States Air Force from August 24th through August 29th.

The mission of the event is to bring together the Air Force and the general public and illustrate the incredible mix of services the people of the Air Force do.

It’s always a treat whenever I go to the Intrepid. The energy and movement available to draw is incredible. The planes are beautiful..the river is beautiful, so simple and complicated at the same time.

Air Force Weeks were established in 2006 by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Hope you too will take advantage of it.

My opinion is just that, an opinion. Whether or not there’s ‘a right’ or some think it ‘wise’ to build a mosque two blocks from where the World Trade Center crumbled – the timing is awful.

There are pivotal moments in history that require time and space for those who experience its chaos to process, accept, and heal from suffering caused by the choice of others. If the 9/11 Memorial was already established and there was confidence restored in the system ‘the right’ might be easier for many to acquiesce. But does that actually make it ‘right’ ?

Ironically this is a drawing I did six years before 9/11.

Who knew then what it would mean to me now? Michele

It’s hard to believe just 5 days ago Chris and I were each standing in prayer at one of the holiest of sites, the Western Wall in Jerusalem, otherwise known as the “Wailing Wall”. At times tens of thousands of people gather here from all over the world to pray.

Although separated by a partition respectfully dividing men and women, we came back together afterwards and shared that we both experienced something truly indescribable, a moment sure to be treasured for a lifetime. Here is a drawing done as soon as I returned to our hotel in an attempt to capture the essence in time. Standing in gratitude, Michele