Sunday Sermon and Simply Sensational Art With Friends

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

― H. Jackson Brown

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Today’s Gospel according to Luke: Was the story of Jesus telling the parable of the servants needing to be prepared for the master to return at any time. “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.”

My take on it…You can’t expect to get to heaven by deciding last minute that you are repentant, or doing good deeds late in life or being generous only if you have extra or if someone is watching, or being kind and generous only when it serves a purpose. You have to be good, honest, loving, “vigilant” at all times. That’s what makes you a “good servant” of the Lord.

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Now, the fun art with friends part. Several of the ladies on our retreat at Crescent Moon Lodge did some painting, drawing, sketching, etc. on their own.

Sherry worked on her Santa’s. She is the queen of Santa painting. (She’s amazing!) I was painting some notecards/envelopes with bluebonnets, the Texas state flower.

I taught some of the other gals how to paint easy one stroke bluebonnets.

Michele was a natural. She painted this in about ten minutes…first try.

After our absolutely divine dinner, we painted wine glasses. I gave them a few instructions, but everyone pretty much did their own thing and they came out great. Dip dot daisies are the easiest. No skill required.

It was a wonderful weekend with wonderful artistic friends. We are going to have to do this more often. As Molly said, “How about next week?” Too bad the lodge gets booked up pretty fast. 

Thanks girls for such a fun weekend of laughter, friendship, stories, crying, giggling, and last but not least…feasting with the greatest meals imaginable. Thanks David and Michele Bernard. You two ROCK! 

Saturday:) Somemore Painting and Silly Friends

“Silly is always good, but silly  with friends is mandatory.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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“It’s okay to be absurd, ridiculous, and downright irrational at times; silliness is sweet syrup that helps us swallow the bitter pills of life.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich

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Yesterday, I painted with my senior artist friends, and today, I taught a wine glass painting glass at Lone Star Wine Cellars on the Square. It was a group of nine girlfriends, out for the day and evening. They came in rowdy and giggling, and they just louder and sillier as the evening progressed. At one point, I had to use my loud school teacher whistle to get their attention. It was a fun night, and the energy was contagious. 

   
   
The ladies had a good time. The noise level was off the charts. At one point they asked if they were the loudest group that I ever had. I told them that they were not the loudest, but they were the “funnest.” They had dinner reservations at 6:30, so they left their glasses so they could finish drying and came back later to pick them up. 

   
 
  

Tuesday:) Teaching Your Talent

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it.
~Margaret Fuller
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Give me a few hours and I could teach anyone how to paint. I’m not a great artist, but I’m a fantastic teacher.

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Last night I had the pleasure of teaching a wine glass painting class at Lone Star Wine Cellars on the square. “It was a dark and stormy night.” A little writer’s humor, but it was raining pretty hard and several people didn’t make it to the class, but six brave souls ventured out. It’s always fun to share my painting techniques with strangers. You know why? They think I’m wonderful. And you know what? I am! Ha ha! But it’s true.

   
    
   
Didn’t they do a great job? I forgot to get a picture of the glasses that one lady did because she left early. She said she couldn’t paint and she had no delusions of making anything worthwhile. She left with a big smile and two gorgeous glasses. I LOVE TEACHING!

  
I get so much and I learn so much, all the time. 

 

 

Wednesday:) Whimsical Wine Glass Workshop

” You must either modify your dreams or magnify your skills.”Jim Rohn

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One of my favorite things to do is share my blessings and talents with others. Last night, I had the pleasure of teaching a wine glass painting workshop at Lone Star Wine Cellars on the square. Deanna Ross, the sweet proprietor, is also a friend and a very talented wine glass painter in her own right.(I believe she had an excellent teacher..ha, ha, personal plug.)

My absolute favorite part of the process is seeing the pride and smiles of the ladies when they’re done and they sit there admiring their finished masterpieces. I always say, “I’m not a great artist, but man… I’m an amazing teacher.” Very true, modesty is not one of my virtues. I think the secret is cracking jokes and making everyone feel relaxed. Then the most important aspect is telling everyone what a great job they did, and it isn’t a lie because everyone creates something fantastic.

See for yourself.

   
    
    
   
Now, each lady has a pair of fun handpainted wine glasses that they can brag about. All their friends will be impressed, and if  lucky, will receive one as a gift. 

I’ll have another class at Lone Star Wine Cellars on Nov. 17th, but I can also do a workshop for interested groups in your home or mine. Just give me a jingle.