Merry Christmas from Olive

A Pigeon in a Pine Tree

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me "A pigeon in a pine tree!"

Two weeks ago today I was driving to West Bend to do some Christmas shopping. On the way I noticed a bird huddled by the side of the road, it was sleeting out. I pulled over to check it out and it was a pigeon. I stooped to pick it up and it didn't even try to get away. It's wing was broken, eye bloodied and blood coming from the beak. The prognosis didn't look good, but I put the pigeon on the mat rubber side up in the back of my car and scooped up a bit of snow. At least it would be out of the elements (I hate Winter, and being cold). I checked on it at each stop and noticed it took a drink of the now melted snow. I did my planned shopping and when I arrived home the pigeon was still alive. So I put it in a crate with some water and food. It drank a little water. The next day Noel, the pigeon, was moving around a bit and it's eye was mostly cleared up. I taped the wing up and hoped for the best, which would be to release it back into the wild. Noel has recovered except for it's wing. I guess I now have another pet. The pigeon is quite friendly and enjoys coming out of the crate. Time to find a bigger cage!

Etsy Shop Updated

I have been busy uploading items to sell in my Etsy shop RAEvNsNest today. Besides art I am also listing collage, assemblage and other art supplies. All of this takes so much time! I have been telling myself all year that in the Winter this will be my focus. So lets keep trying :)

New Beginnings

Did you ever read something that held so true for you personally and reasonated with your soul that it almost seems like it came from within, instead of someone else. The following holds true for me:

There are times to cultivate and create, when you nurture your world and give birth to new ideas and ventures. There are times of flourishing and abundance, when life feels in full bloom, energized and expanding. And there are times of fruition, when things come to an end. They have reached their climax and must be harvested before they begin to fade. And finally of course, there are times that are cold and cutting and empty, times when the spring of new beginnings seems like a distant dream... Chogyam Trungpa (1937-1987)

Etsy shop, Main Street Gallery, Blizzard of Art Show

I painted every minute I could for two weeks straight and below is the result. My husband Mark was out of town for much of the time so I really had the opportunity to concentrate on art. I had hoped to make one piece of art a day...not quite! I also had one more piece I was working on but it was giving me problems, so I have abandoned it for now.

After over 1 year I have reopened my Etsy shop RAEvNsNest. It is difficult for me to decide where to concentrate my efforts. These assemblages using cigar boxes and metal casting patterns have been flying around in my mind for years, so it feels good to execute them.

The cigar boxes can be used to keep treasures or mementos on a table or shelf. They can also be hung on a wall for a look with extra dimension.

Black-billed MAGPIE hand-painted on cigar box SOLD

This is an original painting of a black-billed Magpie on a wood cigar box. The magpie has found a shiny jewel and is about to stash it through the keyhole of an ornate brass plate. A combination of painting and found objects make up this unique assemblage piece. The cigar box measures 5 ½”” tall x 9 ¾” wide x 1 1/2” deep.

Saw-whet OWL hand-painted on cigar box

This is an original painting of a Saw-whet owl on a wood cigar box. The original logo hints to the shape of the moon. A metal number tag is the finishing touch for this assemblage piece. The cigar box measures 5 3/4” tall x 7 ¾” wide x 2 1/2” deep

GREAT HORNED OWL hand-painted on cigar box

This is an original painting of a great horned owl on a wood cigar box. Parts of the original lettering peek through the bird to hint of the original character of the box. Brass clock parts are the finishing touches for this assemblage piece. The cigar box measures 8” tall x 4 ½” wide x 3 1/2” deep.

OXPECKER bird hand-painted on cigar box SOLD

This is an original painting of a Oxpecker on a wood cigar box. The bull stamped on the cigar box cover was the inspiration for the Oxpecker as a subject and red trim echos the color of the bullfighter's red cape. Metal number tag and key are the finishing touches for this assemblage piece. The cigar box measures 7 1/2” tall x 7 ¼” wide x 2 1/4” deep.

For more views visit my etsy shop RAEvNsNest.

I also decided to take advantage of the gallery space that our artist guild has at the Cedarburg Cultural Center called Main Street Gallery. The Cultural Center is also sponsoring a show called Blizzard of Art (All artwork is under $200) Below are the pieces I have displayed there.

BARN OWL hand-painted on antique wood casting pattern SOLD

This is an original painting of a barn owl on an antique wood casting pattern. The aged patina of the wood makes the perfect backdrop for this realistically portrayed owl. The wooden pattern is 3-D and the owl’s feet are painted as if setting on the molding that protrudes from the back piece. The old wooden casting pattern is from Gilson bros foundry in Fredonia, Wisconsin and measures 18” x 10” x 3 ½” at the widest point. The metal number plate is original to the pattern but has been repositioned for aesthetic reasons.

Spotted TOWHEE bird hand-painted on wood box

This is an original painting of a spotted Towhee on a wood box. Antique drawer pull, keyhole plate and glass beads add the finishing touches for this assemblage piece. The wood box measures 3 1/2” tall x 5 ¾” wide x 4” deep.

RAVEN hand-painted on cigar box SOLD

This is an original painting of a raven on a wood cigar box. Old clock parts are the finishing touches for this assemblage piece. The cigar box measures 5 3/4” tall x 4 ½” wide x 3 3/4” deep.

The Nugent Zoo

I thought I would share a few pictures from the Nugent Zoo.


Here is Rufus. He is a rescue dog from Bernie Berlin. I don't know what kind of life he had before but he is obsessed with blankets. He usually covers himself completely. I am keeping his name but if I were to rename him it would be Linus. Rufus also has space issues when he is sleeping. He doesn't want to be next to the other dogs. Otherwise Rufus enjoys being around them and playing with them.

Here is Edna, Ziggy and Spanky. They obviously don't have space issues.

Picture of them from another day.

Milwaukee County Zoo

Today was a Family Free Day at the Milwaukee Zoo. My daughter Brook had read my comment on facebook about how I hadn't been to the Zoo in a long time and wanted to. When Brook found this special offer at our zoo she suggested we go.

I stopped by her house and just before we got into her car I seen a penny.

"See a Penny Pick it up, for the day you'll have good luck".

I snatched it and put it in my pocket without saying a word ;)

I told Brook if she drove I would pay for parking. Parking is $11.00 and the admission fee per adult is usually $11.75 for this time of year. When we arrived we noticed all the cars parked along Bluemound with people walking into the Zoo grounds. What a good idea, besides the cost of gas this will be a FREE outing. We turned on a side street where other Zoo attendees were parking. I glanced at the sign and it said-

We are such thrifty girls! What a beautiful Fall day. Perfect weather to walk around the zoo.

Our first stop was the penguins. They were very amusing to watch. Unfortunately I am not an action photographer so this was the best I could do.


Here we are. Our plan was to take another picture in better lighting but it never happened.

They have one of those machines at the Zoo if you insert a penny plus 50 cents it flattens the penny with an impression of the Zoo in the shape of an oval medallion. I pick the one with a peacock on it. I confess to Brook about the penny...

When we arrived in the primate building Brook sees another machine with different monkeys for the medallions. I tease that I wish that I had waited before spending my money. Brook pays to make me a monkey medallion. I plan on putting them in my journal.

It is simply amazing the variety of animals we have on Earth!


This handsome fellow was in the aquarium. I wish that I had written down the names of my picture subjects. He reminds me of the incredible Mr. Limpet.

He looks like he is trying to tell us something.

Perhaps that we are such thrifty ladies...


And reminder, we gotta stick our necks out there so people know what we do... And how we can help them!

There is a snake loose and it's not this fellow!

Caribou and

Grizzly bears. This fellow seems to actually enjoy all of the attention. Did you notice the bear in the hammock below the deck?

Camels can drink up to 25 gallons of water at once. I have trouble drinking 2 quarts in a day!

Time to leave. Brook and I comment how we each only spent 50 cents - not bad hey? Oh and I forgot that I splurged on a Pepsi out of the machine for $2.00. We get in the car and there it is...on the windshield...tucked under the wiper arm...how could it be...a ticket! We get out to look, Mr. Police Officer is driving by. He says he is sorry, apparently there were many people who made the same mistake. I walk over to the sign again and I see what I missed the first time.

After reading the green sign I didn't bother to read on. I just assumed the 1 hour rule did not pertain to Sat-Sun and Holidays. Besides the red sign was way above my eye level. No excuses!

This is how I feel...time for bed.
"See a penny pick it up, for the day you'll have good luck... if you don't flatten it's face value!"

The next Family Free Day is December 4, are you game?

Boston Terriers

Brook came over with her Boston Terriers and we had a photo shoot. Rufus is in front because he has major space issues. The rest were happy to pose together with the prospect of a cookie in their future. Left to right - Geraldine, Spanky, Gertie, Frankie, Olive, Edna & Ziggy.

Belle Amoire Jewelry Submission

Last week Monday Jill and I had another art day at her house. Our goal was to finish a submission for Belle Amoire Jewelry. Part of this required a picture of each of us. Above is our pictures with a peek at the project we are wearing. Jill's yard provided us beautiful fall foliage for our backdrop. We always look like this when we get together to make art :D

Look for our article in an upcoming issue of Belle Amoire Jewelry.

Visiting My Sister in North Carolina

For my birthday my sister treated me to a trip to North Carolina. Both my sister Jodi Hollnagel-Jubran and her husband Hanna Jubran are prolific sculptors and I was looking forward to seeing some of the work they had completed since the last time I visited.

I also met Jodi & Hanna's new puppy Zues for the first time. He is adorable!

Jodi picked me up at the airport in Greenville and we headed on our way to Asheville.





This is Jodi's recent piece for the veterans' memorial in Asheville, NC. The seated lady reading a letter from a loved one represents the families of men and women in the armed forces who must wait at home while their loved ones are serving. Jodi also made the relief sculptures signifying the different military forces of the USA.




The Art Deco styled Asheville city building is beautiful. Look at the stained glass light. Wish I was there to see it lit up!

Models are one of my many interests and I found these of Asheville's City Building and Court House.



The Phil Mechanic Studios is one of the many studios that we visited. I would love to have a studio in a building like this, filled with artists to inspire each other. I also realize that I love being at home and working at my home studio. Wherever I went would have to allow me to bring my dogs...4 boston terriers :)


I love seeing the pigeons in town. Perhaps I need some country pigeons!



Friday evening in Asheville is the place for drummers, dancers, and gatherers to be. The music and experience is was very moving.



Jodi sitting by the French Broad River.



This butterfly modeled for several minutes allowing me to get multiple shots of the irridescent wings.



We spent the third day in Marshall. A cute cozy riverfront town in the Mountains of North Carolina.



A vintage police car with the word "Mayberry" on the star parked outside of the cop shop. There is also a ruler on the side of the building to mark the flood water. We were told by one of the locals that Marshall is in a 50 year flood plain and it flooded twice last year.



The Madison County Court Seat in downtown Marshall.



Greensboro was on the way home so we stopped to see the Spartan that Jodi made. The Spartan resides at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro.


My brother-in-law Hanna Jubran is a sculptor and professor at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Pictured is a water fountain that he created, which is located outside of the Greenville Museum of Art.



We also stopped at the Library where a sculpture made by both of them is featured. Even though they usually each design their own work, sculpture for them is a team effort.



Another one of Hanna's sculptures in Greenville, North Carolina.



My sister also recently completed The Hands and Heart Sculpture at the East Carolina Heart Institute.



We stopped at the park, the mosquitoes were horrid so I only looked for about 15 minutes but was able to find all of these fossils and shark teeth in the creek. I hope to create some art incorporating these finds.