Friday Friends at Towne Creek Apartments

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” — Audrey Hepburn

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Today was our monthly art day at Towne Creek Senior Apartments. It was nice that we were able to have two people at a table, a little distanced, but much nicer than separate tables all 6 feet apart,

I had so many compliments on my time-lapse video of the horse on Tuesday that I decided that would be one of our projects today. Some ladies used watercolor pencils, others markers and others regular colored pencils. All turned out different, and all awesome. Those that finished quickly worked on a 3-d flower pot drawing,

Everyone was busy with their horses.

It was great to see Miss Clair. She wasn’t one of our regular ladies until the last few months, and I’ve been volunteering here for about 15 years. she finally decided to join us. She’s pretty awesome!

Miss Bonnie is an original YAH YAH. Young At Heart artist. (So Nice we say it twice.)

Miss Dorothy’s projects were so colorful. I love it! Her flower pot looks woven, but it’s just tiny squares that she markered in a cool pattern.

Miss Kathy said she didn’t think she was going to like the horse project. When she was done, she loved it. So did I. Cool, right!

Miss RoyAnn enjoyed her projects. She’s a fairly new member of our little art group. Sweet talented lady.

Even our own dear Helene played around with some pencils. Usually she’s running around like a chicken helping the ladies, but this was a good, sit down for a while and color kinda project. Not so much running around.

Today, we were graced with a visit from a young high school volunteer, Michelle. She was so helpful getting all the tables cleared and ready, passing out supplies and running around. She enjoyed her project, too.

Another fun day with my Young At Heart artist Friends at Towne Creek.

Happy Friday, my friends.

Saturday on the Square:) Arts In Bloom 2021

“Art is in the air, art is everywhere, must be because… it’s Arts In Bloom on the Square.”

Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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It was the perfect afternoon for Arts In Bloom on the Square In Downtown McKinney today. The three day festival had a shaky windy start Friday evening, but today was gorgeous and tomorrow should be even nicer. Yay!

Helen and I met Sherri, walked around a little, then had a yummy lunch at The Pantry. The Square was packed and we ran into a lot of friends and artists on our adventures.

So many talented friends, so much to see, so little time.

Musicians performed along the streets and the wine tasting venue was hopping.

Colorful flowers, crowded streets, food vendors, packed restaurants, and artwork everywhere. Many people were wearing their masks, unless they were eating or drinking. (But, most everyone was eating and drinking) We had our masks on except for photo ops.

Of course, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to take a photo with a few of McKinney FD’s finest. A few familiar faces under those masks.

There was also a nice representation of McKinney PD officers.

A fine fun day was had by all.

Montage Monday, Honoring My Mom, and International Women’s Day

“To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow.” —Maya Angelou

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My Montage Monday… a week in a peek…

A fine week with fine friends and fine weather.

Now, a brief tribute to my angel mother on this International Women’s Day.

My mother was a hurricane with endless colors, as Ms. Angelou quoted. She had endless energy with a constant thirst for knowledge and boundless love for everything and everyone who knew her. I always remember her working two jobs, taking care of her family and friends, taking classes and learning how to do everything she put her mind to. She was the perfect role model and perfect example of an International Woman.

Trinidad Aguirre-Armenta was a self-taught artist, only to start expressing herself in her paintings after she retired when she was 65. She loved creating scenes from her Mexican heritage and Catholic Faith.

These are just a few of her paintings.

This one is my favorite. A young lady musician teaching and encouraging a young girl how to play the guitar and how to love music.

You are missed MOM. I hope you’re painting, dancing, laughing, singing, and playing music in heaven.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holidaycelebrated annually on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women.^[3] It is also a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence against women.^[4]

Saturday On The Square:) Empty Bowls 2021 Artist Party

“When awesome artist creating beautiful artwork come together for a worthy cause, that is called COMMUNITY at its finest.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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This evening was a meet the artist and view some of the awesome bowls created for Empty Bowls 2021 over at The Cove. The auction and event will take place on April 29th.
(Keep the date open. Help celebrate 10 years of feeding the hungry and providing services for our community.)

I was honored to have two of my bowls selected to be featured.

I was just in awe at all the outstanding submissions by local potters and artists. Everyone recognized my yellow roses, and my ceramic pink roses that were glazed on a hand thrown bowl made by the fabulous Steve Macias.

A few more amazing bowls.

I think this one by Minda Macias was my favorite.

JB Phipps always turns an awesome wooden bowl. This one is huge and spectacular.

Then of course, it’s always fun to run into old friends that you haven’t seen in ages. Sherri Murphy glazed this adorable floral bowl.

(DISCLAIMER-masks were worn by all at this event, but removed very briefly for photo ops.)

Wednesday:) What’s Cookin’ Miss Toni

“When the going gets tough, the tough get cookin’ and bakin’ and eating junk food.” ~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Well, we’re still in a terrible deep freeze here in North Texas. I stayed under the covers till almost noon. No place to go, nothin’ exciting to do. Just an update… I’ve been very fortunate with no loss of power, not like the majorly of my friends and neighbors. I’m just hoping to hang in there for a few more days. Feeling blessed.

When we got our first layer of snow and arctic blast a couple of days ago, the dog started barking by the front door. Strange? When I looked out the window, the two neighbor kids nextdoor were shoveling my driveway and sidewalk. It was such a kind gesture, and I’m sure the two teenagers were freezing out there.

Before and after.

I decided to bake a few brownies for my kind neighbors. Nothin’ says thank you like my famous brownies. I have been blessed with the kindest neighbors and friends.

Seeing as I wasn’t going anywhere today, or for a few more days, what to have for lunch? Hmm? Pretty much whatever I want. Let’s see what’s in the fridge. Spicy Curly fries and grapes. Sounds good.

Well, Must be time to make some more brownies and my favorite peanut butter no bake cheesecake to top it off with. That should last a few days… maybe…

Sending warm thoughts to you and yours. 🤗🙏

Tuesday:) Toni’s Time-lapse Video-Trash to Treasure Vase

“When I think outside the box, I think, oooh, a box! This can become a castle or a dollhouse or a puppet theatre. Where’s my paint?”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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My friend and neighbor Kathy lost her furry friend last week. Stan was a beautiful tabby that loved Miss Toni, and he would often walk across the street and visit, keeping bunnies and mice away from my door. He will be missed.

I decided that I wanted to do something special for Miss Kathy. I found some colorful flowers at Kroger and decided to paint a colorful vase. Miss Kathy loves orange, so I had an idea. I took one of my many thrift store vases to turn into a colorful trash to treasure vase.

( Repurposed vases, Folk Art Enamel paint, and some makeup sponges.)

After I painted this one, I still had plenty of glass paint on my palette. I don’t believe in waste, so I painted a couple more vases for another time.

Fun trash to treasure project.

Saturday:) Sharing Miss Sherri’s Studio Tour Photos

“Sometimes I live vicariously through other people’s adventures.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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My dear friend, Sherri Murphy, is such an awesome photographer and artist. She also has a keen eye for artistic detail. So, Sherri said I was more than welcome to borrow some of her photos from this weekend’s MAST, McKinney Artist Studio Tour. If you missed it today, you have time to catch it tomorrow.

Mark Your Calendar for THIS WEEKEND!! Visit artists in their natural habitat (the studio). You can download the map on our website at http://mckinneyartstudiotour.com/about-mast/

Here are some awesome photos to entice you, or perhaps motivate you.

A raku firing or a blazing kiln is always pretty hot stuff.

Artists are such creative, talented, generous, and loving human beings.

You are never too old to learn or take up a new hobby or find your artistic passion. The MAST McKinney Art Studio Tour is a great place to start and get inspired.

Thanks for sharing all the photos Miss Sherri. Makes me want to go upstairs and paint.

Saturday:) Some Awesome Artists and Poets and Writers Around McKinney

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”

― Leonardo da Vinci

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That Leonardo guy was pretty savvy. Poetry and painting go hand in hand. Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of being invited to a special after hours Blue Moon Viewing and expressive painting soirée at The Cove in downtown McKinney. My fabulous artist friend, Anne Royer , thought I’d enjoy participating in the Japanese painting and impromptu poetry gathering. Oh yah! Right up my alley. I was honored.

The Cove was featuring the artwork of Anne Royer, KD Hafley, and Wayne Batchelder. Annie and KD are fabulous artists and Wayne is an amazing potter. The exhibit was called “Under the Full Moon.”

After the show closed on Halloween evening, Miss Annie brought Japanese papers, inks, brushes, pens, tools, teas and sake for the guests to participate in creating inspirational creations and verse.

Miss Annie, doing her thing with gold ink.

Lynne Hubner’s inspirations.

Here are the works that I was inspired to create. The other artists shared their creations and poetry, and we all wandered out from time to time to see the glorious Blue Moon masterpiece that lingered in the eerie evening sky. A beautiful artistic evening in downtown McKinney.

Look at that moon. That was SO cool. There even appeared to be a blue streak whispering through the clouds that night.

Wednesday:) Well, What’s Been Happenin’ On The Square?

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”

― W.B. Yeats

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Magic and beauty and amazing adventures are happening all around us, right before our own eyes, in our own home town. All we have to do is open our eyes. Voila! There it is.

Yesterday was a very awesome day. I got up early for a long walk and to walk the dog. Then, Helene and I made plans to scoot over to Holy Family School to take our donations of snacks and goodies for the little ones. Miss Sondra and the staff are always so appreciative of our little donations and our visits.

The construction for the Community Kitchen and Garden behind the school is coming along. It will be so nice for the community to have fresh home grown vegetables and meals available to them. Cool!

After our visit, we wandered over to the Square for lunch at The Pantry. Oh my goodness. I always get the chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy and fried okra. SO much food. We always have leftovers.

Of course, I needed a phot op in front of the mural painted by our friend, Andrea Holmes, on the side of Fair and Square Imports across the street.

Then, off we went to visit Kim Guthrie at her studio on Virginia. She’s always busy at work by her window. Perfect for a photo op and a visit. Her awesome whimsical style has captured the hearts of all of McKinney and beyond.

Another artistic stop at The Last Gallery on Louisiana. We were greeted by another artist friend, Leslee Ortega. Leslee has a brilliant eye for color and composition, and has also mastered the art of painting with coffee. (Yep…coffee. It’s a blast. I love it too.) The gallery has become a fantastic artist co-op that features the finest artists in North Texas. (Most of them are friends of mine, so I’m a little biased.)

It was a great busy day, and what better way to end my day than a nice walk at dusk to capture one of God’s greatest works of art. The evening sunset. (I really need to paint some of these scenes. But, I have SO many. Where do I start?)

Have a great day, my friends.

Friday:) The Fabulous Kim Guthrie Art

“There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about.” –

~Helen Frankenthaler

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My good friend and fabulous artist, Kim Guthrie, had a one day art show at The Cove in downtown McKinney this evening. Sherri Murphy and I went down to see her wonderful work. Kim had a unique colorful and playful style that evokes smiles and joy. Her love of art is as bountiful as her talent. She is also fun and funky and silly. Here she is donning her mask with a faux $100 bill to reflect her fun philosophy of “Put your money where your mouth is.”

There were so many amazing works to see. She had a “smiley face” side theme going on for this show. There’s always a creative whimsical style in her work.

That’s Kim under the Big Bad Wolf mask. She’s so cute.

This gentleman was walking home from The Cove with an original rendering of his beautiful cottage home just down the street in the Historic District of McKinney. Sherri beeped her horn as we drove by, noticing that he was taking a selfie of himself with his new acquisition. We wanted a photo too. He was so proud. I’m sure it will find a place of honor right away.

Kim Guthrie has an adorable little studio right in the square where she can be found most days painting and visiting with friends, neighbors and visitors.

Check out her website… https://www.kimguthrieart.com/

Oh yes, HAPPY BLACK RUSSIAN FRIDAY, my friends.