Sunday Sermon and Some Awesome MAST Artists on the Square

“Your life is a beautiful blank canvas. You have the choice of splashing it with the most gorgeous and spectacular colors, by doing what you love.”

~ Hiram Nagda

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Woa! It was freezing out there this morning, literally. It was only 30° when I got up for church. That’s the bad news. The good news is, it was a perfect morning to wear my sock monkey hat while greeting before Mass.

I caught Helene on her way inside. I received a lot of compliments on my hat this morning. 🤦‍♀️

Today’s Gospel was the story of Jesus telling the people not to be deceived and not to follow false prophets.

From the Gospel according to Luke
Lk 21:5-19

While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”……

My take on it… there was a lot more to this lengthy Gospel, but the gist of it… we won’t know when the last day will come, and there may be false prophets, persecution, wars, and mayhem, so all you can do is be ready.

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After Mass, we stopped at McD and Tom Thumb. Then I scurried home so Sid and I could get over to the Square to check out some more MAST artists.

Our first stop was Jump Into Art Studios to visit my dear friend and awesome artist, Sherri Murphy. (I even wore my black beret to feel more artsy.)

A few more cool artists displaying and painting in the cool art building.

A few fantastic potters and a pet portrait artist.

Wayne and Valerie have fantastic individual studios behind their home. A “She shed” and a “He shed.”

Then, The Last Art Gallery for our last stop of the day. McKinney certainly has so many awesome artists.

I feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing art community and to be friends with so many wonderful artists.

Happy Sunday, my friends.

Saturday:) Some Super Cool Art and Artists

“Sometimes you just have to create to feel alive.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I made another super quick time-lapse video to show how to paint snowy trees on a maple leaf. It’s quick and fun and has glitter. Who doesn’t love glitter.

Check out the video. It’s just a few seconds long. 👩🏻‍🎨

https://youtube.com/shorts/CtUJKzv0Mr0?feature=share

Then this afternoon, Sid and I went over to Leticia Herrera’s house for our first stop for the McKinney Art Studio Tour. (MAST) She and Teresa Krieger were displaying their art work. And… her house is just down the road from me. Win-win.

Beautiful artwork and awesome studio.

Teresa does stunning abstracts, colorful painting, and resin work.

If you’re interested in some beautiful art and meeting awesome artists in their studios, check out MAST. McKinney Artist Studio Tour for maps and details.

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:) St. Gabriel Holiday Boutique and Some Artist Friends of MAST

“Clean out a corner of your mind and creativity will instantly fill it.”

~Dee Hock

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I have so many talented and creative friends. Today was a good example of just how many. I bumped into several artists and crafters and friends at St. Gabriel’s Holiday Boutique.

Helene and Pat met me there and we shopped, finding many adorable treasures and gifts for the holidays.

It’s always great to see my friend Mary. She was working at the Pro-Life table. I found a beautiful crucifix from Jerusalem to add to my cross wall there. Oh, look at this cute reindeer towel holder.

The St. Gabriel’s Women’s Club puts in so much time and effort in making this annual event such a huge success.

After the Boutique, Helene and I had a quick lunch and then stopped by the home studios of a couple of artist friends who were on the MAST TOUR (McKinney Artist Studio Tour)

Leslie Ortega (middle) is a fabulous artist. It was so interesting to see her studio and learn about her inspirations. She has been working with several natural and organic painting mediums, including coffee, beets, and other plant based sources. Every artist has so many creative tips and techniques.

Our next stop was the home studio of Alex and Sandy Forbes. Their home is like a walk in museum with paintings everywhere on every wall and every space, there were dozens of paintings from trips and travels and several collaborations of paintings.

I got home in time to take a nice long walk and enjoy the rest of my evening before it got dark.

Tomorrow is another artsy day. After church, there are so many more artists to visit on the MAST TOUR.

https://www.facebook.com/events/500274067448709/?event_time_id=500274070782042?ti=icl

Sunday Sermon and Studio Tour~MAST

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”

― H. Jackson Brown Jr.

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Another fine Sunday at St. Gabriel’s. Today’s Gospel was Jesus telling the parable of the ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to wait for the bridegroom. Five were Wise and brought flasks of oil, and five were foolish and brought no oil. They waited a long time and fell asleep. When the bridegroom was approaching the five with oil lit their lamps, and the five foolish asked the wise women to share their oil, but they refused and told them to go and buy their own. The wise went to the feast with the bridegroom and the door was locked behind them. The foolish women went to the door and asked, Lord, open the door for us.” His reply was…

‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’

Therefore, stay awake,

for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

My take on it… You have to be prepared, ready, at all times. The wise will lead a good moral life all the time, and always be ready. The foolish think that they don’t have to prepare. They worry only about themselves and are selfish, expecting others to bail them out all the time. Then, when they come to the end of their lives, they expect all to be forgiven, and expect to go to heaven. That’s when God will say, “I do not know you.”

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After Mass, I stopped at the store, went home, changed, and scurried off to the Square to meet a couple of friends at Lone Star Winery. I just visited with them a few minutes, then went off to check out some of the wonderful artists on the McKinney Artist Studio Tour, MAST.

There are too many names and faces and places to describe, so I’ll just show you in pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words, and saves me a lot of time explaining.

I’m proud to call all of theses fine artists FRIEND. McKinney ROCKS!

Saturday:) Some Seriously Talented Artists

“There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into sun” 

― Pablo Picasso

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Today was he first day of MAST, the McKinney Art Studio Tour. Local artists opened up their working studios or displayed their work at local galleries. The best part of the two day tour is visiting with many of my artist friends or making new ones.

My good friend and fabulous watercolor artist, Lynda Kingsley, recently opened up her new studio space above her garage. It’s an expansive room complete with all the amenities of home. Lynda also teaches classes in her studio.

Steve Macias is a wonderful potter. Here they are working on some outdoor firing and raku demonstrations.

His daughter, Alex, is a talent in her own right.

I always pick out a special crucifix made by Alex for my collection.

So many artists, so little time.

Most of the artist also demonstrated and worked on projects, answering questions. A group of curious Boy Scouts were mesmerized by the wood turning.

Jeni Tomlinson captures wonderful portraits and animal subjects with her masterful brush.

Lynne Hubner is a superb printmaker, but also a great teacher. I’ve taken a few classes with her at The Art House.

Soona Knox, founder and owner of The Art House can creat magic with a lump of clay.

It was an enchanting experience, but we (Me, Bonita, and Sherry) didn’t get to see half of the artists on the tour. It’s a good thing that MAST resumes tomorrow noon to 5. 

For more info, search mckinneyartstudiotour.com   There is also a magnificent silent auction on the website. Bidding ends Sunday at 3. If you didn’t get a chance to attend the tour, you can find some amazing artwork on the auction site.

Montage Monday and MAST

“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” ― Henry Ward Beecher

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This past Saturday and Sunday was the annual McKinney Art Studio Tour. Local artists opened their homes and studios for visitors to experience their work in a hands-on manner. Personally, I find it more rewarding to own a piece of artwork from an artist who you have met and have seen where they work. And, the best part for me is, I happen to be very good friends with most of these talented folks. How lucky am I?

  
I purchased this beautiful cross from Alex Macias, a very young but extremely talented clay artist/potter. (I think the apple doesn’t fall far from the talent tree.)

  
Sherry Joplin has the most glorious holiday Santas, trees, and holiday gifts. (I am the proud owner of several keepsakes.)

  
Hi Steve Macias! What ya got cookin’? Oh yes, raku firing wonderful pottery.

   
 
“More” amazing artists. Yessss! A Laura Moore visit. We miss you Laura. 

Sherry, Laura, Lynda, and Lynne.

  
Elaine Adams does architectural renderings and paints homes that are so detailed, precise, and did I mention so reasonable. 

   
    
 
“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” 

― Henry Ward Beecher

Second Saturday and MAST

The highest art is always the most religious, and the greatest artist is always a devout person.
Abraham Lincoln
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Another fun Saturday. Writing group, lunch and walking around the square in downtown McKinney is how I love to spend my day. This weekend is also MAST, McKinney Artist Studio Tour, where local artists open their homes or studios for visitors to see how the artists create. Ed Hernandez had his wonderful water colors on display at the McKinney Wine Merchant.

Over at The Art House, several artists were set up and displaying work.

Sona Knox had fantastic pottery and paintings.

Julia Forsyth and Lynne Hubner are amazing printmakers and teachers.

K.D Hafley is also a fabulous printmaker and painter, but I couldn’t resist taking a picture of her taking a picture of me.

Lynne W., Karen D., Lynne W. and yours truly. Just four of the TOTS- Table of Talent Sisters! Awesome friends!

Another day of friends, fun and art coming to the rescue.