Friday:) Fun Ladies of the Owl Forum Club of McKinney

The wailing owl Screams solitary to the mournful moon.

~ David Mallet

***********

My friend Jan Johnson invited me to teach a painting wine glass class for the Owl Forum Club of McKinney today. I hadn’t heard of the group before, even though they also meet at the Heard Craig Carriage House in downtown McKinney, just a different day. I looked up the origin of the group. There are so many interesting women’s groups around town.

The club, which is an invitation only club, was created in 1933 as an offshoot of the McKinney Owl Club — the city’s oldest social club. Like the McKinney Owl Club, the Owl Forum Club began as a literary club and was created for the daughters of the members of the McKinney Owl Club. Comprised of all women, the members meet on the first Friday of the every month from October through April, and usually have a summer party and the Christmas party. The club’s motto is “Your future is the result of today’s accomplishment.”
I arrived early to set up, and several ladies were already there decorating and preparing the table with snacks and drinks. There were going to be anywhere from 20 to 30 members, and only about 1 1/2 hours or less to work on the project. I was a little nervous about the time allowance. So, I talked really fast, did a quick demo and brought a lot of examples for them to look at.

I tried to walk around and get to everyone, but with 21 painters, not everyone got my personal attention. A few ladies were already pretty talented and self sufficient. Others, I held their hand, literally, so they could feel the pressure and movement of the brush stroke. The roses are most difficult for newbies.

Everyone had a good time and learned a few things about painting on glass. All the women were very sweet and several stayed after to help me pack up and load my car, making my exit a lot quicker and easier. 

A fun group of lady OWLS. Next month they are going to have a wine tasting for their meeting and bring their handpainted wine glasses. That oughta be a “HOOT.”

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.Benjamin Franklin

***************

Last night was my fun painting on wine glass class. I was well prepared, hauled bags and bins of wine glasses, paints, and probably 50 or more painted examples for inspiration. After a short demonstration of one- stroke painting of roses, bluebonnets, trees, leaves, etc., it was time to practice a while on paper , then  ” boldly go ” onto the wine glasses. A few ladies even practiced on empty wine bottles first. (We were at Lone Star Wine Cellars. Plenty of empty bottles)

What I love about teaching this way is, everyone practices, experiments, loses that initial fear of painting, then they create something wonderful and totally unique. No two were alike. 

I always say, “I ‘m not a great artist , but I sure am a great teacher.”

   
    
    
    
   

Saturday and a Special Friend

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. ~Douglas Pagels

**********

My mail order of champagne flutes finally arrived Friday. I couldn’t find them in the stores, and I wanted to paint a dozen glasses for my dear friend Kathy. She’s getting married next week, and I wanted to make her a special gift.

I stayed up till after 1 am painting so I could let them dry and cure over night, then bake in the oven in the morning. Yes, you have to bake them. Helps their durability.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGptaB2kSZE

   

   

All painted and ready to wrap.

   

 

A special gift for a special lady! 

   

 

Mom and I went over to a Sweet a Spot Bakery on the Square to see Miss Kathy and give her her gift before her wedding next week. 

Congratulations Kathy and Tim!!! You are wonderful friends and a I wish you a zillion years of happiness.

  

Mom and I celebrated with some ice cream and a selfie. Delicious!  

 Thanks for the ice cream Miss Kathy and Miss Elizabeth.

  

Saturday: Sit Back and Do Something Special

“I think people who are creative are the luckiest people on earth. I know that there are no shortcuts, but you must keep your faith in something Greater than You, and keep doing what you love. Do what you love, and you will find the way to get it out to the world.”

Judy Collins
*********
Another whirlwind of a day. I got up early and walked about three miles, then went to Saturday Zumba at 9:30-10:30. I didn’t have my usual writing group, so Zumba was a special treat. Then, scramble home, shower, straighten the house for a showing, and get out the door by 11 am. Can you say, “Run around like a mad woman?”

I decided to hang out on the Square, have my yummy yogurt parfait at Snug, visit Dana and Judy at Art on the Veranda, and then paint champagne flutes at Sweet Spot and visit with my buddies there.

Painting glassware is one of my favorite creative pastimes. It is so gratifying to take a plain ol’ glass item and turn it into a work of art. I haven’t painted in so long, mostly because I don’t want to make a mess in the house, but really, I just haven’t been motivated. I’ve been wanting to work on a project for a special gift, and I knew that I could grab my paints and go over to Sweet Spot Bakery, and just hang out and paint. (It’s great to have friends everywhere.)

I sat by the front window, painted champagne flutes, chatted with friends, and watched people walk by.

A few hours later, here is the beautiful finished product. Now, do you see why this is so much fun? I’ve painted hundreds, if not thousands of items. I’ve taught many, many people how to paint wine glasses, vases, ornaments, etc., when they thought they couldn’t. (I’m just a darn good teacher.)

(Close up)
Yes, I think creative people are the luckiest people on earth. I’m going to keep doing what I love and find a way to get it out to the world. Art on the Veranda has dozens of my painted glassware items for sale in their shop. They display work of many local artists, and offer many fun jewelry, painting, and creative classes, including my wine glass painting workshop. Somewhere down the line, after I get my act together, I’d like to offer some in-home painting parties. I think it would be fun to have a bunch of girlfriends over, drink wine, eat snacks, and learn to paint your very own wine glasses. . “I’d like to teach the world to paint, in perfect harmony…” You knew there’d be a song in there somewhere, didn’t ya?