"Saint Hermenegildo" by Corrado Giaquinto

I am working on a large (to me) painting trying to improve my skills.  I decided to copy a piece I saw when my museum had an exhibit called "Heart of Spain" several years ago.  I fell in love with "Saint Hermenegildo" by Corrado Giaquinto.  I have been studying the works of the old masters and when I read that all of them would copy other artists' works when they were starting out, I decided to do the same.  If it's good enough for the masters then I should follow in their footsteps, relatively speaking, of course.  There is someone that has been giving me inspiration, I am having so much fun!

Stage 1 - Roughed in the major areas, always checking placement

Stage 2 - Start filling in major blocks of color

Stage 3 - Adding more blocks of color

Stage 3 - Close up

My Dad 6/15/1928 - 9/21/2011

Col. Robert (Bob) E. Howard, Jr. USMC (Ret.)
15 June 1928 - 21 September 2011
(picture: 'Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame Award Ceremony' Nov 2010)

A memorial service for Oklahoma City resident, Col. Robert E. Howard Jr., USMC (Ret.), is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 22, at 11 a.m., at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Oklahoma City. Col. Howard died Sept. 21 at the VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City. He was 83. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a date yet to be determined.

Col. Howard was born in Tulsa in 1928 and later moved to Oklahoma City, where he graduated from Central High School.  He enlisted into the U.S. Navy, was selected for Aviation Navy ROTC and chose to attend Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State University.  In 1949 he became a midshipman in the Navy and commenced flight training.  He received his wings and commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and began his 29 years of military service.

During the Korean War, he flew 105 combat missions with VMF-122, Marine Air Group-13; and during the Vietnam War as Commanding Officer, VMFA-122, Marine Corps Air Group-13, he flew 330 combat missions.  His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with Combat V, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, seven Air Medals, 24 Strike/Flight Air Medals and the Navy Commendation Medal.  He participated in the technological revolution in flight operations that followed World War II.  He was a test pilot at Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, California, from 1957 to 1960 as part of the development of the Sidewinder missile.  He earned master's degrees from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Ft. McNair and National War College in Washington, D.C.  After retirement he served as President of the Board of Directors of Meals-on-Wheels in Vista, California.  He was selected for membership in the elite Early & Pioneer Naval Aviators Association (the "Golden Eagles") and in 2010 was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.

He was active in the Episcopal Church and served in a variety of capacities and held several offices including Senior and Junior Warden, Treasurer, L.E.M. (Lay Eucharistic Minister), and Lay Reader.

Survivors include his wife, Rodella (Peg) Howard, of the home; a brother, Monty Howard and wife, June, of Oklahoma City; three daughters, Lisa Buchanan, Carolyn Coombs and Mary Hollas; a son, Monty Howard; his aunt, Helen Helt of Stillwater; grandchildren, Shannon Vaughn, Nick Vaughn and wife April, Dallas Coombs, Calin Hollas, and Carly Hollas; and great-grandchildren, Samantha Mills, Wyatt Harlan, Maegan Vaughn, and Cassidy Vaughn.

The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 13112 N. Rockwell Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73142;
or to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH, 45250-0301.

He was a terrific father, a friend to all that met him, he will be sorely missed.  I love you, Dad.

An Art Epiphany

I attended a three-day workshop last week for oil painting by a painter I have followed online for quite some time now - Pat Walker's homepage.
She is a wonderful teacher in many ways. She taught techniques along with words of wisdom during her painting demonstration, she is a little dynamo that has a great sense of humor and doesn't take herself too seriously.  A breath of fresh air!  Then it was our turn. The class was comprised of beginners and established artists, so the finished pieces were all interesting and it was fun to learn about the artists themselves and get to know each other.

During the class, I had an art epiphany. I have idolized the Dutch Masters my whole life and always wanted to know how they painted so beautifully in rich, warm colors with a point of interest that always 'popped' out of the canvas. Pat taught me their technique - chiaroscuro - which means the piece is characterized by strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition . Needless to say, it is also 'representational' art. There are rich darks and a bright color reserved for the point of interest or center of attention, and voila! That was what I needed! She pointed out that most paintings out there are nothing but middle values and we don't understand why some pieces don't hold our interest. Ah, now I understand.

We all set right to work on our still life's, we each had a black box setup with a light and whatever props we brought with us. This was mine:

"Still Life With a Lemon #1" on canvas 8x10in

I was so stoked the rest of the workshop that I didn't even attempt a landscape along with the class, I started on a portrait and finished it in THREE days, which is incredible for me considering my "God" painting took me six months!

Here is my grandson:

"Wyatt at 18 Months" on canvas board 11x14in

Here is a close up of his face:

Here is the photo I based the painting on:

I have been so excited using what I learned with Pat that I couldn't stop painting once I came home, so I painted my granddaughter:

"Maegan at 2 Years Old"

Here is the photo I based the painting on:

I know it looks like my colors are pretty "out there" but they seem to be exaggerated on the computer monitor.  I wasn't going for realistic skin color, though, I was looking for what the skin colors look like to ME in my head, hence the term 'representational" art.  I still have a lot to learn that can only be learned through practice, practice, practice, just like a musical instrument (I play piano).  My pieces aren't perfect but I wouldn't expect them to be at this point.

I love this new technique.  I have started another portrait and a still life.  I love art epiphany's!  Go create something, we don't have much time!  Run and set up your paints, I'll wait...

Art Show - 30 June 2011 at Gallery House, Alexandria, Louisiana

Glenda from the gallery just called:  I'm in a show she's having THIS Thursday night so I have what, 5 days?  I haven't touched a brush since I started working 6 weeks ago... sigh.  She also told me that Frances is doing 5 television commercials and to keep a lookout because I will be one of the featured artists.  I don't even remember which local cable station she works on but I can look it up easily enough.  All that keeps running through my head is panic-I-can-do-this-panic-don't-sweat-the-small-stuff-panic-panic-this-might-end-up-being-okay-yeah-right-panic-panic...   

I think I will quit biting my nails worrying about it... and just do it!  Smaller pieces should be okay.  I can't wait to see what the other artists will be producing.  Hot diggity dog, another show!

Painting - Elizabeth I, Younger

This is the third in my women series of mixed media paintings - 
This is "Elizabeth I, Younger" done in mixed media - acrylics, assorted papers, Prismacolors.  My favorite part of this painting was adding the beaded crown.  I love to throw people off guard...

Altered Cribs for the Grandchildren

This is a port-a-crib I painted for my own home so the kids could sleep over.  It is an assortment of pastel colors done in a wavy pattern that is very bright and cheerful.  What fun!

Wyatt's crib - I painted stars on one end and moons on the other end.  It is totally different than anything I have seen before but it turned out beautifully!  I am really pleased.

Allied Health Building & Conference Room at LSUA Dedicated to A.C. Buchanan, III

My daughter Shannon and I are in the front of the plaque on the Allied Health Education building on Jackson Street downtown Alexandria, Louisiana.  I have to say, it was exciting and felt a little strange to drive down the street and see the signage with AC's name on it for the first time!   It is very humbling to realize that I was married to a man who was loved and respected by so many people in the community and that they wanted him to be remembered for his work in the healthcare field.


ALLIED HEALTH CONFERENCE ROOM AT LSU-A NAMED AFTER A.C. BUCHANAN, III

I received a letter from Chancellor David P. Manuel PhD. of LSU-A that said in part:
"At the July 16, 2009 meeting of the LSU Board of Supervisors, a special request was made by LSU-A and approved unanimously; the Conference Room (Room 101) of Coughlin Hall on the LSUA campus was renamed the A.C. Buchanan, III Conference Room.  Coughlin Hall is the primary home for the Department of Nursing and the Department of Allied Health.  Thus, it is particularly fitting that we mark A.C.'s legacy on campus by naming a meeting space in this building after him.  This will remind us of his desire that we always pursue high quality healthcare education in Central Louisiana and of his care for the success of LSUA students and faculty."
I am so humbled by their generosity.

LSUA Allied Health Center Building Dedicated to A.C. Buchanan, III

I am so proud!

The Article in The TownTalk newspaper:

A bronze plaque was placed at the LSU-A Allied Health Center building, 807 Jackson Street, today dedicating the building to A.C. Buchanan, III. Buchanan died August 5, 2008 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston from complications due to leukemia.  Buchanan was involved in creating many of the Allied Health programs before his death.
Buchanan was the Rapides Healthcare System's president and chief executive officer when he lost his battle with cancer. Buchanan had been president and chief executive officer at Rapides Regional since March 1999.  In 2002, he was named president and chief executive officer for the Rapides Healthcare System, which is composed of RRMC, Alexandria; Avoyelles Hospital, Marksville; Oakdale Community Hospital, Oakdale; Savoy Medical Center, Mamou; and Winn Parish Medical Center, Winnfield.
Buchanan moved to Alexandria from Arlington, Texas, in 1999, where he was executive director/administrator of Vencor Hospitals, Tarrant County, a 260-bed facility.
Shortly after accepting the helm of RRMC, Buchanan told The TownTalk that the Central Louisiana community helped sell him on the job. "I love the community, and the hospital is exciting," Buchanan said. "I've heard of Rapides Regional for a number of years, even over in Texas, so it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up." While in Cenla, Buchanan did much to further the Rapides Healthcare System hospitals' standing and became an intricate, involved part of his adopted community.

The plaque on the A.C. Buchanan, III LSU-A Allied Health Center building reads: "In memory of our visionary friend who understood the importance of healthcare and healthcare education. Though greatly missed, his vision lives on."

The plaque unveiled at the LSUA Allied Health Center building dedicating it to A.C. Buchanan stands next to a picture of the former C.E.O. of Rapides Regional Medical Center.

Lisa Buchanan (left) and LSUA Chair of the Department of Allied Health Haywood Joiner along with LSUA Chancellor Dave Manuel applaud after unveiling the plaque dedicating the LSUA Allied Health building to A.C. Buchanan on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. Buchanan was involved in creating many of the Allied Health programs before his death last year.

Lisa Buchanan smiles as Dr. Tom Armstrong talks about working with her husband A.C. Buchanan who died last year. The LSUA Allied Health building was dedicated to him on Tuesday, February 10, 2009.

There were several speakers, men that were the chairs of the different boards, Cheryl the COO at RRMC and yours truly. I wasn't nervous, but was very excited that a building was being dedicated to my husband, what an honor! It is a wonderful feeling to know that others in the community thought enough of him to dedicate a building to him. Thank you to everyone involved!

A Week After the Funeral...

It has now been a week since the funeral, which was perfect - dignified, solemn yet beautiful.

The bagpiper played several songs - during the funeral itself and at the burial site. The choir sang our favorite songs and Richard sang "On Eagle's Wings" which was so befitting the service. I don't remember a lot of details, only that I survived 2 hours of visitation at the church the night before and another hour of visitation before the service. It was exhausting but worth it. I will never forget it.

AC would have been so pleased. It turns out that I remember what everyone has had to say, maybe because unconsciously I knew I would want to remember all the wonderful memories people had of him so I could play them back in my head later, who knows. It was very encouraging to hear what an impact he had on the community and personally in people's lives.
I am learning an important lesson in all this grief - if you think your phone call or card won't matter, place the call or write the card anyway. Every single message is important. I have received the most beautiful cards and letters and am ashamed I haven't written more of them myself to others in times like this.
I am not ready to be online like I used to be and can only answer email at this time. The crying doesn't stop. My daughter and sister make me laugh, we share funny moments, and they don't hover when I need to cry. They understand that grieving is healthy, if I need to cry, I just do it, and I feel so much better afterwards. The night time is the worst, but in talking with other widows, this is natural.
I had to go to AC's office to clean out his personal stuff and did well until the last minute. That last look around to make sure I had gotten everything did me in. I also realized that his work colleagues had spent 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week with him constantly. In fact they probably saw him more than I did my whole married life to him. What a shock that realization was! They are nearly as upset as I am. That was a real eye opener.
I don't have any idea when I will get back to my art, I know it will be cathartic, but right now I am just concentrating on letting the tears fall where they may.
Thank you to everyone that has left phone messages, written cards and RAK's, and have been praying for me. It means the world to me. I have them all here on my desk, so I don't forget a single thank you, they are all so special.
Thank you.

Rapides Regional Medical Center's Obituary for AC: 

August 7, 2008

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
Charla Ducote, Vice President of Marketing, Public Relations and Business Development
Rapides Healthcare System
(318) 769-3157 
AC Buchanan, RHS President and CEO, dies at 56
 

Alexandria, LA - Rapides Healthcare System’s president and chief executive officer, A.C. Buchanan, died Tuesday at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from complications due to leukemia. He was 56.

Buchanan served as president and chief executive officer at Rapides Regional Medical Center (RRMC) since March 1999. In 2002, he was named president and chief executive officer for the Rapides Healthcare System, which is comprised of RRMC, Avoyelles Hospital, Marksville, Oakdale Community Hospital, Oakdale, Savoy Medical Center, Mamou and Winn Parish Medical Center, Winnfield.

Buchanan’s leadership of Rapides Regional Medical Center and the Rapides Healthcare System were a testament to his long career in healthcare administration. After earning his bachelor’s degree at Texas Christian University, he was a medical platoon leader in the U.S. Army. Buchanan went on to earn a master’s degree in public administration from TCU and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Trinity University.

He served as an administrator and CEO of six hospitals across Texas and Louisiana including a four-hospital system before taking the helm of Rapides in 1999. He also worked as a managed care consultant in Texas.

Visionary

Buchanan’s years in central Louisiana anchored an extraordinary career in which he continued the tradition set by those before him, growing RRMC into one of the top hospitals in the state. Through his leadership and strong interest in women’s and children’s services, RRMC became home to the area’s largest neonatal intensive care unit and the area’s only pediatric intensive care unit. He also was instrumental in recruiting pediatric sub-specialists into our community providing access to these rare specialists for those in need.

Providing the highest quality patient care was Buchanan’s top priority. His respect for the nursing and ancillary staff was recognized by many. A.C. also understood the importance and value of an exemplary medical staff. Along with over 200 dedicated physicians already serving RRMC, one of his proudest accomplishments included the strong recruitment efforts of more than 40 new physicians to this community.

But the accomplishments didn’t stop there. Under Buchanan’s leadership RRMC achieved the top five percent rating nationally from Healthgrades in multiple specialties, for many years, was awarded as a Top 100 Hospital, as well as awarded the Louisiana Quality Award for hospital excellence. He developed and expanded many new services in cardiology, oncology, surgery and other ancillary areas. His most recent achievement was the completion and opening of the $50 million expansion accomplished earlier this year.

Community Involvement

Buchanan was a dedicated member at his church, St. James Episcopal. He served in many capacities such as Senior Warden of Vestry (Executive Committee), Finance Committee, Property Committee, Investment Oversight Committee, Lector, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Eucharistic Visitor, Life in Christ Leader, Mission and Outreach, Christian Education Director, Diocesan Executive Committee and the Diocesan Council for The Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana. He was a recent graduate of the Education of Ministry program, which involved a four-year commitment in training.

Also, in the community, Buchanan recently served as Chairman of the LSUA Foundation Board, LSUA Chancellor Search Committee, Alexandria Museum of Art Board, Alexandria Business Foundation Board, Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA) Board, Cenla Advantage Partnership Board, LHA Central District, Past Chair, and the Canterbury House Board.

Buchanan previously served on the Chamber of Commerce Board, American Heart Association Heart Walk Chairperson, LHA Legislative Regulatory and Policy Council, the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board and the Region 6 Health-care Reform Consortium, and the Rapides Primary Health Care Center. He was a Leadership Giver of United Way, as well as involved with the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, and a Leadership Central Louisiana graduate.

Services/Memorial Contributions

Visitation will be on Friday, August 8 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church Parish Hall. On Saturday, August 9 visitation at the church will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Pineville. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of John Kramer & Son.

His family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to support his nephew Scott Peacock who is running the Houston Marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of AC, his “Uncle Buck.” Donations may be made at http://www.active.com/donate/llshoustonmarathon/4unclebuck or in the name of A.C. Buchanan at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.

My Beloved AC is gone...

My beloved AC is gone. He had a massive stroke and bleed-out of the brain due to the Leukemia. I leave for home today and the funeral is planned for Saturday.

I meant it when I said we need to hurry up and create art, we don't have much time. My AC was only 56 years old.

I hope that friends will donate, if so inclined, to the Leukemia Society at the website mentioned below where my nephew, Scott, is running in a marathon to raise money in AC's name, it would mean the world to me. We are working even harder now to get a cure.

Thank you for your prayers during these last 3 months, there were times when I could feel them at just the right time.

Go hug your loved ones for me. Kiss them and tell them you love them, then go create art!

Off to MD Anderson...

It is official, we leave for MD Anderson on Thursday for labs, tests, and Dr. appointments all day Friday. I am packing for a longer trip, we have no idea if they will want to check him in or not, especially after they told us to stop the super drug he was on. I probably won't go online to my sites much the next couple of days. I don't seem to have much tolerance for people that are complaining about (to me) little things that are so insignificant in the whole scheme of things. Normally I would try to help them in whatever situation they were in, offer advice how to fix whatever, yada, yada, yada.
I have started a blog on wordpress to vent, no art, just typing. I started working on an art journal I have and the only colors I used were deep red and black and boy, was it ugly! Composition? Point of interest? Nope, I didn't feel better after doing the spread, so I decided I just need to type what is going on to myself, and if I want to cuss I can and no one will hear me or be offended. I'm pretty smart, eh? Well, I thought so at the time.

Back to Houston... Marathon News

Well, shuckins, it looks like we are heading back to MD Anderson in the next day or two. AC is producing "blasts" which are an indicator the cancer is back. His labs last week showed 6% and the labs today are at 24%. He feels lousy, poor thing. I am trying to remain chipper, but it is like a huge dark cloud hanging over us.

I tried to spend some time painting yesterday and today, but just can't seem to keep a thought in my head and find myself staring at the canvas like a moron. I did get an email from AC's nephew-in-law in Houston that he is running a marathon in January and is going to be running in AC's name and he set up a website for donations and to keep folks up to date with his training:

http://www.active.com/donate/llshoustonmarathon/4unclebuck

We were so touched! To think that someone thought of that... would I have been so kind? I would like to think so, but... it is an incredible gift to see people react to AC's illness in a manner like that. It would be so easy to just wallow in self-pity, but to know that there are people getting involved, trying to do anything that will help, just makes me cry. Big time. Wow.

I think I will bite the bullet and watch HGTV with AC tonight. I can't stand watching other people work on their homes when I could be doing something, preferably art, but I want to snuggle with my honey and just hide from the world for a couple of hours, even if it's just watching someone else paint. A bedroom. Or a bathroom. An awful color that lacks imagination. *grin*

Rolodex Art

Besides painting crows all day long and moderating my sites, I have fallen in love with trading rolodex cards on ATCsForALL.com . The fact that this kind of trade is "useful" helps me justify my new addiction. I am exchanging names and addresses of members of the site, so when we trade art, I already have an original 3x5 inch piece of their art style. I love that - here are some I have made:

I bought a new tray holder for my rolos because the round one kept getting hung up with all the fibers and chunky stuff. Of course, that meant I had to alter it! So I did. I used a bunch of layers of acrylics with tons of varnish so it would look like it had been made of ceramic. I am pleased with how it turned out. It sits next to my monitor so I can see it 24/7.

I love my rolos!

Ode To Blogging

You know what? I am thoroughly enjoying getting back into the blog routine. As I attack this site with renewed interest, I am reading others' blogs as I add them to my list and it is fascinating, fun, and the art has been terrific. For the last couple of days I have read how to cook, who was juried into a show, who loves the color purple more than anyone I know, who is trying a new art technique and the list goes on. I consider these blogs a great way to get to know people on a more personal level, people I have "known" for 2 years now and would happily fly to meet them for a 'slumber party artfest' if given the chance. Talk about having your cake and eat it, too!
Ahh... life is good when you have friends.

My Crows Art Opportunity...

I have an opportunity that doesn't come along every day...

I got a call from the gallery owner that has my work here in my city (Glenda at Gallery House) and she said an agent/rep walked in, walked straight to my 'crow series' paintings and told her to call me. He wants me to submit larger pieces, at least 24x30 or 30x40 inch (since mine were smaller), and he would take them in to review and see if the company would represent me. They sell giclee's on canvas of the artists' works that average $800-2,300 a piece. I recognized a couple of the names of some of the artists because we were all members of CAG (Contemporary Artist's Guild) at the same time.

                      

I went back to the gallery the next day to talk with Glenda personally and get more info on this agent. (You can never have too many details, right?) It turns out he stopped in front of my wall, said "hmmm" a lot, then when she asked what he thought, he said "I like the painted pieces a lot, but I don't like the other "stuff" on them (my altered pieces glued to the canvas). She told him I was playing around with altered art and he replied "well, I like this style (the crows) and her illustrative style (my pen & ink & watercolors) and I can sell her work like these (the crows) if she would just stick to it". Um............... I don't have to be told twice! lol 

I guess this means I have finally found my niche. The crow series were some of the quickest pieces I have ever done ('God' took 7 months) and I was in such a state of frantic bliss when painting them, if you know what I mean? Is this my big break?
 
 I have started working on the paintings already and am really enjoying myself. I love slapping paint on the canvases and just letting my muse take over. Edit to Add: I just found out from the gallery owner that my "3 Crows" just sold! Woot!!!!

Life Has Been Busy With A Diagnosis of Leukemia

Life has been busy!
My husband was diagnosed with (CML) Leukemia in April '08 and to say it has been life altering would be an understatement. For 3 solid months I was never in my studio, just taking care of him as best I could, living at MD Anderson and traveling back and forth. My forum friends were a real comfort to me during this really hard time, sending RAK's, phoning me to find out how we were doing, and generally keeping in touch. It made a world of difference in my world. Because I was never online, I had no idea what was going on, so they were my link to the outside world. Inky, PurpleRealm, Jean, Seraphic, ArteDar and Adriayna kept me updated or just called to give a hug over the phone, and that was a good thing. My close friends at home have been great, too, calling or emailing to see if we need anything, not wanting to be in the way or interrupt us. I need that hand reaching out to remind me not to hibernate so long in my studio. I get on the computer or start a painting and hours go by and I need to start thinking about making dinner. I am as shocked as anyone that knows me, I am cooking? I know, right? Of course I fry too much, but that is what I am better at... He is on what I call Super Drug #2 which is more specific to his type of leukemia and seems to be working on a chromosome level. We still travel to MD Anderson on a regular basis but he has started going back to work for meetings a couple of days a week when his stamina enables him to go. Life is nearly back to normal. Well, more like life is calm.

I had been consumed with helping set up and manage/moderate my new site that I am a co-owner of. The old ATC trading site that I was a moderator on was closed very suddenly by the owner, so a few of us scrambled to get another one set up. It took hard work, little sleep, countless hours and devotion of the old mods (and some new ones) to get the new place up and running. We managed to keep folks in communication in a Flickr group while we were setting it up, and now we have over 1,000 members! The name = ATCsForALL.com. We trade ATC's, altered art, Inchies, Chunky Book pages, postcards, recipe cards, rolodex cards, journal and altered books, you name it, we trade and swap it! I trade art at another juried ATC site that is mainly hand-drawn-painted called IllustratedATCs. The artists there are spectacular, and many of the artists on my list of fav's are there. Check it out!

The Start of Our Life-Changing Journey

21 April 2008, a day I will never forget.

My husband A. C. was diagnosed with CML (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia) on Monday, 21 April 2008 by our dear friend, Trevor From, M.D.  A. C. hadn't felt well for several weeks thinking it must be a bad case of the flu.   After traveling to Houston for Mimi and Scott's new baby's baptism and his only getting worse by the minute, I insisted he see our friend and A. C. called the office and was seen very quickly.

Trevor saw him, drew blood, then shortly diagnosed him. What a shock! We sat there in disbelief.  He said that was all he could tell us, it was not his specialty, and asked A. C. which oncologist he wanted to take care of him.   I think that is when it hit me over the head, hard. Oncologist?  What? A cancer doctor?   Are you kidding me?  This isn't happening... just kept running through my head.

Trevor immediately admitted him to A. C.'s own hospital, Rapides Regional Medical Center, where he underwent tests for several days.  A. C. started swelling up, his legs, his stomach, his arms, everything just got huge.  They said his spleen was 3 times its normal size, his blood pressure was getting higher and he would not eat much of anything.  It turns out, he doesn't remember much of anything, either.  He acted coherant, but 10 minutes later he wouldn't remember a conversation he had just had.

It was only when on about the 3rd day (I don't remember details like dates very well during this time) my rector, Fr. Fred insisted I talk with the oncologist about moving him to MD Anderson in Houston.  I assumed docs would do the next step on their own without prompting.  I talked to A. C.'s COO Cheryl Wilson and an RN that I adore, Beverly Lowentritt, who counseled me and said they would set up a conversation for me with the oncologist. Apparently they talked to him at length, he walked in and said "I think we need to transfer him to MD Anderson".

That next Friday they transported A. C. by ambulance, he was too sick and swollen with edema to fly on his back in a fixed-wing aircraft (plane or helicopter) so a dear friend, Bulldog (John) went with him because I had to stay and wait for my daughter Shannon and my sister Carolyn to arrive at the airport that afternoon and evening.

Here is what I have been doing lately (this is the original post, I have added the details of A.C.'s illness at a later date):

I started my own Etsy shop where I make and sell Acrylic Stamps - it is a blast! I either use my own drawings or vintage photographs from my hubby's side of the family - there are a ton of them. I have made several sales. Check it out - www.LisaBuchanan.Etsy.com



The little girl is my grandmother, circa 1893 when she was 3 years.

I also sell note cards of my work and just started selling Art Pins that I make. I joined an Art Pin swap and fell in love - I could not stop making them, I was hooked!

Journal - Fabric Honey's - Fabric Journal Cover

"FABRIC HONEYS"
Fabric Journal Cover
I joined a new Round Robin for Fabric Journals. Our name for our specific group is "Fabric Honeys". We limited our sizes to 8x8 inches and have folks from as far away as England and Australia. My cover consists of fabric that is sewn in a picture and has felt interiors with buttonholes to attach each separate page's fabric ties. This is all so new to me! I haven't sewn in years, but I am loving (nearly) every minute!



"Sign In Page"
Fabric Journal
This is the page where all the different Artist's sign their name, much like a Table Of Contents. I used Fabric Paper and printed this out on my computer. I love this stuff! It is so cool - I plan on printing out tons of images on it.






"Title Page"
Fabric Journal
I used the Fabric Paper again to print out the clip art I found of an old treadle sewing machine. It is perfect for this page. I used ribbon to cover all my sewing machine mistakes, such as uneven bobbin tension, etc. I admit, it's been a while since I have sewn and it shows!









"Kitty"
Fabric Journal
Collection of vwozniak at ATCards.com
My first official page for this group. I had a blast making this. It presented a lot of challenges, like working with pom-pom ribbon! It was very time consuming, but that was only because I didn't know what the heck I was doing! The girls in the group have been so helpful, answering all my questions and even gave me directions on how to use the glued-paper-backing stuff so you are literally glueing the pieces using an iron before you start all the sewing. Who knew? I didn't!!




"Stop and Smell The Roses"
Fabric Journal
Collection of Adriayna at ATCards.com
Adriayna's journal was round, which was a real challenge. She had included some vintage buttons to add to our pages for her journal. I loved sewing this page. I printed the winged cuties on fabric paper, cut them out, then adhered them with iron-on fusible backing, then attached all the other elements. Isn't it cute?




"Flower Babies"
Fabric Journal
Collection of Pippin at ATCards.com
I used the same technique with this page for Pippin. Printed out the images on fabric paper, fused them, then added stitching to all the elements to make sure they stayed attached.






"Cutie"
Fabric Journal
Collection of Barefootchef at ATCards.com
I had some lace that once adorned my daughter's nightgown when she was little, so I decided to use it to trim up this adorable face.









"Artfest Slumber Party January 2007"
Fabric Journal
Collection of Seraphic at ATCards.com
I had a slumber party dedicated to art and a couple of my online friends came and stayed a long weekend at my house - Seraphic, ArteDar, and Sopranospirit. For 4 days all we did was paint, play, eat, got a little sleep, altered items, painted some more, spilled micro-beads, went shopping at Hobby Lobby, ate crawfish, pizza, slept a little more, ate bienets (sp?), and created until it was time for them to catch their planes. We talked by video chat with PurpleRealm, who lives in Perth, Australia every night so she could feel like she was participating. It was a hoot!

Altered Tin - Mardi Gras Altered Tin

Altered Tin:

"Mardi Gras"
Altered Tin
I joined a swap at ATCards.com for Altered Tins. I had so much fun! Darlene Mariano was my inspiration. She taught me how to rust them and said that I should just envision what I would like to be surprised with finding inside. Living in the Mardi Gras state makes that easy!

Altered Tins

Altered Tins:

"By The Sea"
Altered Tin
Top and Inside View
I love taking a plain tin, rust and paint it, then turn it into something else. This one called out to me to be vintage with goodies inside that might have been found at the beach.

Journal Spreads - My Angel, Tuscany Landscape and Woodland Fair Journal Spreads

Journal Spreads

"My Angel" Circle Journal Page
I loved painting this for Magpie. It is done in acrylics and was a true joy. I based this off an image in my head of what my personal guardian angel might look like. It went so quickly, I was almost sorry it was over.


"Tuscany Landscape" Circle Journal Page
This 8x8 inch piece was done in acrylics for Seraphic at ATCards.com. I had several pictures from my trip to Italy with friends a couple of years ago. It was hard to pick which image to paint. Their scenery is so incredible!


"Woodland Fairy"
The theme of the journal was "Fantasy". It is 8x8 inches, done in acrylics after a children's book illustration for Amerasu at ATCards.com.


"Woodland Fairy" Circle Journal Spread
This is the descriptive part of the spread on the left side.