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.