Trapping a Leprechaun

This afternoon, with the sun streaming in, my son helped our youngest set a trap for the Leprechaun.  She has grown up hearing tales of when her brother set a trap when he was in second grade... home with the chicken pox a few years back.  Thankfully, the little bugger escaped the trap (he was lured with a sparkling ring and some coins) however..he did lose a felt boot.  I love these innocent moments.  I know they won't last forever so I thoroughly enjoy them while I can.

We have been blessed with warmer temperatures and SUN, SUN, SUN!  Our days start with a pink, purple wash, then a blaze of gold.  It is delicious.

The sun has prompted this.  Which....I love, but worries me...it is a tad bit early.  I know we aren't done with snow.  It is Northern Michigan!

I haven't been totally neglecting my art...but my time has been compromised a bit, okay a LOT, by the end of the hockey season excitement.  We had a banquet and an exciting season finale with our son's team winning the Championship......very exciting over the weekend.  So...with the regular hockey season behind us and a relatively slow week subbing I have been able to focus a bit more on my art and my "artistic mother" projects.  I have been working on my goals, which I am loving this exercise more and more.  I have been reading poetry:  Why I Wake Early by Mary Oliver and Poemcrazy- freeing your life with words by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge.  The Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge book has been helpful in terms of gearing up or rather freeing up to write poetry.  It is a book I bought a few years ago to help inspire the kids to write poetry....I am glad I have it..for me this time!

I also have started to paint my papers for the to-do list project.  I have painted papers for backgrounds before, but haven't used Gesso and I am loving the effects/results.  It adds a texture and depth to the colors.  I love it.  Tonight I will start adding some details (oil pastels, stamps and words) to the papers to take them further in the project.

I stayed with muted colors for this first round.  Once I have played around I might use more bold, pure colors...but the first layer I am quite pleased.

Now to keep my eyes peeled for the Leprechaun!