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AnnaNicholson

James the Elder

Yo! Baby Power!

Black and Brown, On the Town

Me with Sophie and Early

Last Friday after work, Mikey and I took the dogs for a stroll through downtown Pittsboro. The downtown area is almost all of one block long, so it was a short walk. Pictured here is little Sophie, AKA Boo Dog, and the majestic Early (Mr. Moose). We are in front of an art installation. A local artist, I think, does these amazing mural type things out of pieces of glass, mirrors and broken ceramic and pottery pieces. In the sunlight it just sparkles. There is one more installation on a building down the road that used to be a chicken hatchery. I have developed a real fondness for recycled, upcycled, found object art. I'm trying to be more "green" in my own projects by using stuff I find around the house and office, rather than rushing off to the hobby shop or art supply store with every whim. That is not to say that I still don't spend way too much time and money at these places. Some women spend money on manicures, make-up and hair coloring. I buy painting supplies. I may look like hell, but I'm SO HAPPY!!

James One at 5 weeks

I have this same effect on everyone.

Sorry about this. I can't figure out how to rotate this picture. It worked in the paint program but it fell back on its side when I uploaded it. Oh well, if you turn your head sideways it looks just great. Alternatively, you can turn the device you are viewing

Uncle Malcolm.

with to the left 90 degrees.

Everyone is doing just great. It's amazing to watch these kids...I mean, my adult children, going off and doing all kinds of adult things, like having kids of their own. I still cannot totally get my head around it.

In spite of all the excitement around these births, we are kind of in a summer lull. Mal is taking summer classes, but the time between semesters is still kind of dead. Lila took the summer off and will be starting up again in the fall. Hannah is taking on-line courses. What a studious bunch! The thought of returning to school gives me anxiety attacks. To this day I am having nightmares about forgetting my high school locker combination.

I taught a watercolor painting class to the women's group at church. Now that was fun. I could handle an art class, but other than that, I think my days of formal education are over.

James at home

James taking a nap after dinner.

Little James, born July 2 at 11am at Womack Army Medical Center, Ft. Bragg. 8lb 1 oz. He is just wonderful. I am very, very blessed to have TWO healthy, beautiful grandsons. Moms and dads are doing well--although a little sleep deprived. James One is up to 10 pounds already and James Two has got the hang of nursing and will be picking up weight shortly. I tell you--it just doesn't get any better than this!

Oh, did I mention that BOTH my babies are named James!

Welcome, James Two!

Mikey with the new James. 

Me and my second grandson. 

Here's the little guy under the french fry warmer.

More Baby Pictures

Jon and baby James. Everyone has to sleep when they get the chance.

He eats. He sleeps. He poops. That's what babies do.

Sweet Baby James

He was actually thrilled to see me...he was just too hungry to pose for pictures.

Who's the best baby in the whole world?!?!

Diaper change. He is very serene.

Walk of the Week at Work

Beth, Cathy, Molly, Sharon and me. Diana took the picture.

BCBSNC employees and volunteers, and community members came out to the Museum of Life and Science Wednesday for the inaugural Walk of the Week program. After a brief presentation, Brad Wilson and Wool E. Bull (Durham Bulls baseball team mascot) led the group of about 100 folks on the first walk. The program, along with a $150,000, three-year commitment to help add 1.8 miles of trails to the museum's outdoor campus, will go a long way in getting children and families outside and active.

So--me and my coworkers got to take the morning off for a "field trip/team building exercise." It was really, really hot out. I totally wimped out and went and hid in the air-conditioned butterfly house with Sharon while the rest of the team walked the trail.
It's a wonderful life science museum. It has been upgraded a lot since the last time I took my kids. That would be about 20 years ago. But, the best part of the outing was the opportunity to go eat lunch. We went to Elmo's Diner near Duke east campus. 

Happy Father's Day 2014

Mike with Danny O'Day and Mike with baby Malcolm

Sweet Baby James--1 week old

Sunday June 15. A wonderful Father's Day. Mike and I made the trek to see Jon and Lila at their home. Little James is all of 1 week old now. He's such a good baby. They have no idea how very lucky they are! Come to think of it, Jon himself was a very good baby. So was Bert. Mal was the one who was so mad all the time. The dude came out screaming and didn't stop until he was about 6 months old. Then he was the happiest kid on earth.

Jon and Lila took 2 of Hal's kittens from the first litter. It was nice seeing them again. They are having to spend more time outside. Lila isn't sure how they feel about the baby yet. She doesn't want them to show their displeasure by peeing all over the baby stuff. Cats can get kind of persnickety at times. They don't always adjust to change right away.

Hannah is still waiting for her big day. She is 38 weeks now. So maybe within the next 2 weeks we'll have grandbaby number 2!

Now this happy little creature is my cousin's first granddaughter. So...my cousin lives in Japan and has 2 children.

His daughter had Maika on May 30. His son is expecting next October. This is so very cool because the last of my mother's generation passed away a few months ago. All her sisters and their husbands are gone now. So now there will be 4 great-grandchildren born to the next generation this year. Life does go on.

I'm sad that my parents didn't get to see their great-grandchildren. It would have been a thrill.

So, while all the young'uns are procreating, I've been creating...art that is. My neighbor up the road, besides being an amazing poet, likes to knit hand puppets. We would like to get a booth at the Pittsboro 1st Sunday street fair in October or November. That means I'll need to paint a LOT to have enough inventory to sell. I'll be doing Christmas paintings on wood blocks. Stay tuned!!

Grandson Number 1

Baby Boy James, 12 hours old.

 Well, it took a while but my first grandbaby has arrived. Lila was due a week ago Friday. Baby showed no sign of appearing, so she was admitted to the hospital this past Friday for induction. They put her on pitocin Saturday and still no baby, so they turned it off Saturday night so everyone could get some sleep. Sunday morning they started all over again and MANY hours later, baby boy James arrived. He is absolutely perfect, of course. Mom and Dad are exhausted, but doing well. 

All tired out after working hard all weekend.

In case you haven't been paying attention, both grandbabies will be named "James." This particular James doesn't have a middle name yet. The parents will decide on that later today or tomorrow. This was fun. I get to do it again in about 3 weeks. As a grandmother I get all the joy and none of the pain. According to Malcolm, who has carefully examined his astrology chart, this guy will be quite the ladies man. Well, we'll see about that...but he sure has captured my heart.

Scrap Town...paintings on reclaimed 2 x 4s

I've been busy getting the Etsy shop up and running. My daughter has been managing it for me since I'm so technologically inept. The hardest part of the creative process for me is coming up with ideas. The actual painting part is easy, but thinking of things to paint can be a real strain. Plus, these days I'm trying to be original and come up with exciting new products. These little houses are mixed media (acrylic, scrapbook paper, charcoal, gelatos, sharpies and some embellishments). The 2 x 4s are left over scraps from the fence we had built out back to corral the dogs. I like the idea of using reclaimed wood. So, the rest of the collection is located here:
MondoArto

KaBOOM!

This past Saturday, Armed Forces Day, I volunteered with a group from work to build a playground in Fayetteville. KaBoom is like Habitat for Humanity, only they build playgrounds rather than houses. Honestly, I had been dreading it all week because I don't do physical labor and I also don't do hot weather. I was so afraid I would get stuck on mulch duty. If I had to shovel mulch and move wheelbarrows, I would last about 10 minutes. BUT, as luck would have it--I was randomly assigned to painting! So, I spent the day in the shade painting signs. It was great. Actually the weather was more than amazing. It must have been in the low 70s all day. Just beautiful. And we got fed breakfast and lunch. Besides the crew from Blue Cross, there was a group there from Great Oak Youth Development Center, Harnett-Cumberland Parks & Rec, some Ft. Bragg soldiers and a few community volunteers. In 6 1/2 hours we build a playground, picnic area, other play areas, walking trails and a stage. Maybe someday I can take my grandkids there to show them my handiwork

I'm in the back somewhere.

.

The buzzards are circling....

This turkey vulture was perched on the window at the office a couple weeks ago. I work in a glass building, kind of pyramid shaped (a rhomboid, actually). This guy was either peering in at us working drones, or was enchanted with his own reflection. You have to be concerned when a vulture is waiting around, staring at you. Does he know something I don't know? Well, sure enough, we got an announcement that part of the operation was going to be outsourced and there would be lay-offs. My son told me I should find out what my spirit animal is...I'm pretty sure it is a slug, though, not a vulture.

Mother's Day 2014

Hannah, Lila, Lila's sister in law and Jon in the back.

We were invited to a baby shower for Lila at Lila's mom's house. It turns out that Lila's brother and his wife are also expecting a baby. So, Lila is due end of May, Hannah is due end of June and Lila's sister in law, whose name I've forgotten (sorry, I'm old) is due end of August. There's babies everywhere! The shower was just lovely. Great food. Lila's mom made an amazing carrot cake, probably the best one I've ever had. And her step mom made a smoked trout and dill dip that was just killer. And what did I bring? Just my sorry self. Hey, I'm an artist, not a cook. Lila's mother also does dog rescue, so the little pit mix in the picture is her latest addition. He's a sweetie. Not too much longer until I get to welcome my first little grandson into the world. I'm still trying to get my head around it.

Serpent in the Garden

Capt. America and Clawdia are quite intrigued by a black snake that came out to enjoy a little sunshine. It was still a bit chilly out, so he was stuck in first gear. The cats checked him out carefully, but kept a safe distance. I was more concerned for the snake actually. A puncture wound could kill him and I like having black snakes around...they kill mice. Happy Easter to all God's creatures, 4 footed, 2 footed and no footed.

Clawdia and the Captain with a black snake

2nd Friday Art Walk

Preparing a panel of Ganesha

For the 2nd Friday Art Walk on April 11, the gallery hosted a reception for the Orange County Artists Guild. They will have many of their works on display all month. During the reception, some of us were enlisted to help prepare panels depicting Ganesha, the Hindu elephant headed god. The panels will be displayed at the Hindu Temple in Cary, of which our gracious landlady, Mrs. Goli, is a member. I did the chalk drawings for 3 panels and later some other artists went over the lines in gold fabric paint. I hope to get a picture of the finished product at some point.

Of note: I have several new works on display at the gallery this month. There is a landscape in gouache that I am particularly proud of. I priced it rather high because I am not ready to part with it yet. Of course, if someone else falls totally in love with it and throws a pile of money at me--I am sure I will find the strength to let it go. I'm just sayin' is all...

Birthday!

Baby Girl is 26 today

My grandsons

Jon, Lila, Hannah and Calvin

Boy, that takes a little getting used to! I'm not sure what I'm going to be called....granny, grandma, nanna...I kind of like Gangy or Gangie (pronounced gang ghee with 2 hard Gs) which is what the matriarch of the Bluth family is called on "Arrested Development." I, or course, will not be a malevolent, evil grandmother. I will be awesome cool granny. Actually, the grandkids tend to name their grandmothers. Jon called my parents Nana and Dada. Malcolm called Mike's parents Mem and Daddy's Daddy. And those are the names that stuck.

It's Everyone

Lila, Jon, Malcolm, Mikey, Me, Hannah and Calvin

We were able to coordinate schedules and get together for dinner at Kipos in Chapel Hill. An excellent Greek restaurant, by the way. The weather was crappy...we had more freezing rain. Seems like ice/sleet is a weekly occurrence now. But, nevertheless, it was wonderful to see everyone. Malcolm made the Dean's List. As he says, he is "crushing" it in school. Lila has 10 weeks to go until the BIG DAY. They haven't decided on a name yet. Too bad it's a boy or I would be lobbying for "Anna." Hannah has about 14 weeks to go. This little boy will be named James, which is just so sweet. My niece is on the cover of the Princeton magazine this month. She grew up when I wasn't paying attention. Also heard that 2 of my second cousins in Japan will be having babies this year. The last of the my mother's generation has passed on--so all her sisters and their husbands are now gone. But there will be 4 new additions to the next generation this year. Life goes on.

Self Portrait

Portrait of the Artist as a piece of Art. 

And now for something completely different. I've been experimenting a little bit with mixed media. I have 4 pieces on display at the Weaver Street Market at Southern Village during the month of March. I needed to have some sort of bio to go with them, so I made a mixed media thing of myself. The paintings are on my other website and on my Facebook page.

This particular piece is acrylic, gouache, ink and gel pen on art board with some collage stuff going on. That bit of netting came off a bag of oranges or onions or something. I'm trying to be very "green" and do some recycling. And I'm also going for the creative use of found objects. It's a lot of fun. 

Other pieces are always on view at the Chapel Hill Art Gallery. 

This is so exciting. After 50 years I'm just now getting this art thing together. So, my advice to everyone is--hang in there. You just never know where life will take you. 

Snow Day

February 12, 2014. SNOW!! 

Awesome!



My baby girl and her baby boy.



And It's Another Boy!

And here's the first picture of my OTHER grandson. Hannah and Calvin are also having a boy.

Baby Boy due around the end of June.

This is very exciting!

Jon and Lila's baby--due sometime around the end of May.

My first grandchild, a little boy, at 21weeks of age.

I hung myself

Spent most of the day at the gallery getting my paintings ready for the SHOW. I am the "featured artist" for January. The all-artists reception will be during the 2nd Friday Art Walk on January 10. This is exciting stuff. I've never displayed my art in public before. I'm thrilled and kind of freaked out.

The Main Gallery