Remembering Jack and Ann

There a lovely synchronicity when two lovers leave their mortal coils nearly together. Jack Ozegovic died on a December Saturday and Ann Carlin Ozegovic died the following Monday. Both were wicked smart, active, inquisitive, funny, social, opinionated but good listeners and wonderful artists. Their home was welcoming and their frequent gatherings were salons where you met interesting folks, discussed ideas amidst gorgeous art with a spread of delicious food on the table. Jack and Ann had an amazing cadre of friends who, at the end, stepped up to help them keep the faith that health would return, and once that was no longer possible, those same friends supported Jack and Ann on their journey out.

No longer will we see Ann out exercising, registering voters, singing in the choir or Jack calling to say they’re celebrating Tito’s birthday or to announce a meeting of his Men’s Intellectual Improvement Group. Many of us will miss them dearly.

I painted this oil of Jack and Ann Carlin Ozegovic about 20 years ago.

Exhibit, Summer 2018

Miscellaneous, Show Announcements

My work was shown in the summer of 2018 Hannibal, Missouri’s Hannibal Arts Council exhibit space. My co-exhibitors were delightful St. Louis artists, Ben Bradshaw, ceramist, and Bryan Payne, doodler and found object seeker. Their careers will be worth following.

Show announcement above designed by Laura Zimney. The Hannibal Arts Council designed the show announcement below. Thanks to the sponsors.

Hannibal show, rivers treasure e-flyer, summer 2018

Remembering George Paley

Miscellaneous

George and Nancy

George Paley died this week. What joy he brought to his friendships. Encouraging, always curious, he loved sharing his ideas and projects with others. You could join him in the journey or not. While exhibiting casualness and a wry sense of humor, he brought a vital energy and creativity to his endeavors. His efforts were full throttle forward. Many will miss George terribly, but will take a deep breath to shrink the lump in our throats, and be grateful for his love and his friendship.
This is a link to Joanna Hlavacek’s lovely tribute to George and Judy in our local paper.

Printmaker, Artist, Friend, Sally Piller

Miscellaneous

Sally Piller in the Flint Hills

Yesterday a friend updated a group on Sally’s health status, so I knew she was in hospice. But upon hearing of her passing, a somber cloud settled around me. Now her delightful presence and fun company will be only a memory. Described as a force, Sally was willing to jump headlong into whatever project captured her imagination. She was a skilled artist who produced superb work; strong, beautiful prints. One of the reasons I love and will always admire Sally, is the way she made me feel about myself and my work. She lifted my spirit with her attitude. I bet she’s pissed about dying before she was ready and, frankly, I’m a little pissed too. Sally’s work can be seen here.

An Eye for Beauty; a gift from our ancestors

Miscellaneous

An Eye for Beauty; a gift from our ancestors

Dennis Dutton, an arts philosopher, presents this Ted Talk on understanding beauty. His proposition is that beauty isn’t cultural or in the eye of the beholder, but a gift from our ancestors handed down through a million years. Beauty is an evolutionary gift that aids our survival.

Kitchen Countertop

Furniture, Miscellaneous, Woodworking

Mixed hardwoods; mahogany, walnut and maple. Inlays are maple and walnut.
Size 85.5″ x 13″
NFS

This is one of four wooden counter tops that I’m building with the guidance of Jay Hindley, the ever patient and knowledgeable instructor in my woodworking class. The wood is recycled hardwood semi-truck flooring and the maple was once a gym bench. A small amount of trim work is still to be done, but I’m so pleased with the results, I’m posting. Another post shows a dining room table using the same materials. That table began as a counter top, but after deciding not to use wood around the sink, it was redesigned and now sits in the Zimney dining room.

Spring Snow

Miscellaneous, Walking

Spring Snow

Leaving winter and entering spring in the Midwest makes for some back and forth weather while the new season settles in. We’re currently having a spring snow storm. Just as the storm was beginning I walked the river trail through the woods north of town. Riverbank Grapevine is a new plant to me. There may be one growing up one of my favorite cottonwood trees. Later this summer I’ll discover whether snuggling vine is the Riverbank Grapevine
or a very healthy poison ivy.

Illustrations for a story

Children, Drawing, Drawing Portrait, Flowers in Paintings, Gardens, Illustration, Insects in Paintings, Miscellaneous, Mixed Media, Na's class presentation, Pen and Ind, Portraits, Watercolor

Last year presented numerous opportunities for illustration. These are some of the drawings done for a writer of a children’s story about flowers and butterflies. Part of the story’s message is that all of us should take the time to appreciate the abundance and variety of exquisite life that surrounds us.