Cindy Wrobel Illustrator and Bead Artist Extraordinaire!

More sad news I am afraid. My friend and fellow artist, Cindy Wrobel, died after a long 10 year battle with cancer on Saturday. Cindy was a real fighter and kept working in her studio until 3 weeks before she died. Cindy was one of the most prolific artists I have ever met and when Gary and I went to her house yesterday for a memorial gathering I was reminded again of how much fabulous work she had done in her lifetime...paintings, beaded sculptures and jewelry, ceramics, pastels...you name it  Cindy had done it. And she did it superbly...she was one talented woman. Cindy had energy in spades and her spirit was a huge part of who she was. Always upbeat, looking on the bright side, telling me to go for my dreams and that I could make it as a licensed artist. I will miss her...it is hard to believe she will not make any more artwork. But whenever I succeed as an artist, I will hear Cindy whispering in my ear that she knew I could do it.
Below are some of her bead sculptures.

A Woman’s Curves

Homage to a Tree

Sad Day in my Studio

Sorry there has was no blogs last week. On Friday January 14, my beloved gerbil, Mr. Perry, died. He had been getting skinnier and skinnier and my vet Jim Scheusler of Kirkwood Animal Hospital told me he could run some blood tests to see if he had cancer but if Mr. Perry did have cancer he would not survive any surgery. Mr. Percy is still in my studio missing Mr. Perry. I get him out more and let him run around my desk so he will not be too lonely. Gerbils are social animals and get along best in pairs. I would get him a new brother but because Mr. Percy is older, he would not welcome a new brother in his territory.
Here is Mr. Perry when he was a baby.

Gary told Anna that he thought maybe I needed a pet that lived longer than 2-3 years like a dog. So although he has always said he does not want a dog, Gary is thinking I do need something for the empty nest that is coming next year when Anna goes to college. So last week I thought I would look at senior rescue dogs and see what they had. And I found Thelma.

As my friend Joyce pointed out the name alone meant she was the dog for me. And my other friend, Artist Annie, has two Bostons named Bebe and Strummer and I am crazy about her dogs. But they are super full of energy and I am not sure my cat Miss Sophie who is 12 years old needs a dog in her face. And then once Gary really thought about it he sorta said no to the idea of getting a dog now...he meant we should get one in the future. I checked and Thelma did get adopted over the weekend so at least she has a home but I must admit I wish she was here with me.

Spring Scholastic I Spy job

After doing the I Spy art for the Scholastic Weekly Reader Valentine’s Issue I got a further Scholastic job...A small I Spy Spring booklet that will go in an April Weekly Reader. Here it is....and again remember I have 99% of the items for this job in my home.

The Spring Cover...can you find a white daisy?

Gardening spread...can you find a green hose, a red shovel and five seeds?

Bird Spread...can you find a nest, blue feather, and three eggs?

Insect Spread.....can you find a green beatle, a brown snail and four flies?

Christmas decorations coming down

It always makes me sad to take down my Christmas decorations. I have so many cute things that I hate to put them away. Sometimes, since I really like snowmen, I will keep up the snowman, fur trees and anything that smacks of winter just to keep those items out and about longer.
I said I would show you the Christmas in my studio so before I take the decorations down here they are.

As I sit at my desk, I look at shopping bags and cards I have collected over the years. I loved the bubble lights on my childhood Christmas tree so I have a small bubble light tree on my desk that I light up while I work. The collection of animals is from the Martha Stewart holiday collection at Macy’s this year....I had a Brushkin squirrel ornament I bought years ago made out of bristel brush and have always wanted more Brushkin animals. When I saw Martha’s collection I knew I had to have them. Luckily at Macy’s I got all of them on sale. You can find Brushkin ornaments at www.brushkins.com

My inspiration board filled with vintage and new greeting cards and tags

I look at these cuties when I work on my computer. The elephant and two ducks are ornaments from Jennifer Murphy, a favorite artist of mine. www.jmurphybears.com The bird in the hat is a new addition this year...my mom bought it for me and I love it. The small owl my mom made and gave to me for Christmas.

This wreath I made last year greets you when you come into my studio.