My Life in China....and now living in the U.S. as an Artist

Yesterday we had a major downpour ~ between 4-6 inches of rain. The river is up around a foot, but everything really needed the moisture. It is so hard to believe that we are in the middle of August. I am still waiting for summer to arrive in Minnesota as it has been very cool compared to most summers. We get a few nice, warm days and now it is back to below normal temps. I sure hope that this is not a sign of what this winter is going to be like. Anyway, I really do not mind the rain as everything seems to come back to life after such a major storm.

Last week I just finished up a workshop with an artist who teaches in Stillwater, MN. Wouldn't you know it that we had the hottest days of the season that week along with the humidity. We were all troopers though and enjoy each and every minute of painting outdoors. First we spent a couple of days along the St. Croix River at the Boom Site. Thankfully, the river has a cooling effect and the temps were better there. The last day we headed to the O'Brien State Park - another beautiful area top paint.

Soon I will be heading to Grand Marais, MN for a paintout. What fun! I did this last year and the area is absolutely beautiful. I promise to take some photos and post them as well as all the paintings that I complete. There will be a plein aire competition at the Art Colony in Grand Marais. Lots of fun.

Check out my latest newsletter on my website. It has some really interesting information on seeing color! Here is the link: Spirit River Studio Blog. If you like the news, sign up for my newsletter. I send it out once or twice a month and there are a few extras that I save just for my subscribers.

Back to the easel to paint......MaryAnn

Last Friday night, the River Rats Dueling Pianos showed up at Sidelines - my neighbor's bar and grill in town. It was a fun night out and the piano players were great. Not much goes on in a town of Cambridge's size. All night they took requests and played most of them!

One of the piano players is heading to Shanghai for a visit. His first time there. The piano players will be back in Cambridge the middle of July for two days. Hopefully, I will be in town to see them again. Definitely worth it.

This week I am going to attend an art workshop put on by an artist in Stillwater, MN. It should be fun and hopefully, I will learn something.

Check out my new website...I switched servers again. I wanted something easy to update and hopefully, I will now. I also plan on sending out a newsletter on a regular basis. I looked into several ways of doing this and finally, I think that I will use one constant contact. It looks professional and I can also keep track of my list. If you want to get in on the first one, sign up for it at my website or I am going to try to put a widget on my space here.

Montana next week!!!! I will take lots of pics. I really do miss the mountains something terribly and the big blue skies of Montana. Most important though, I will get to see my grandkids!!!

Love ~ M

Arizona desert flowers in March


Teagan, my little granddaughter in AZ


a sunset in AZ

Well, I have another email address on hotmail and it seems that I just posted to a blog there....duh. I thought that I was posting here!

Anyway, I am a grandmother again. This makes three grandkids so far. Little Annabelle was born on April 3rd. She has a big brother, Nico, who is her protector. My daughter tells me that when they are in their car seats, he reaches out and touches her hand or seat. He is just a wee one himself at 18 months.

This week I find myself in Arizona enjoying the sunshine and getting to know my beautiful and sweet granddaughter, Teagan. What a delight! She is four months old now and full of personality and vitality. She is a shaker and a mover ~ constantly on the go for one so small.

I am also enjoying the gorgeous sunshine after spending neverending days of winter in Minnesota! I really am beginning to wonder if summer is ever going to get there, let alone spring. The day that I left a major storm was thundering through the Minnesota area and getting ready to drop a foot of the fluffy white stuff. After that the temps were also supposed to plummet to a -6 degreeF. Sunshine in Arizona could not have come at a better time.

While I am here, I am also looking for the possibility of employment since my life savings seem to have taken a major dive as many others also find themselves in a similar predictament. I also continue to work on my artwork, but it will still take some time to gain momentum. The economy certainly has not helped that situation either, but I believe in myself...hopefully others will too.

The wildflowers are blooming here...gorgeous. And the sun is shining every day...wonderful. All of this certainly has helped with eliminating the dreadful winter blues and cabin fever!!

On October 27th, I became a grandmother to a beautiful baby girl, Teagan. My son and his wife live in Arizona so it will be a month or so before I can get down and see them. She is beautiful though and I have heard her voice (really crying) over the phone. My son also did a video tape of her! What joy!

Teagan Rylie ~ one day old

My grandson, Nico, also is a year old now. He is a little charmer and I was blest to have him and his parents come for a visit in September. The kids helped with doing some work on the outside of the house and I got to spend time with my grandson. He is such a good baby and so mellow and easy going. My daughter made a Halloween costume for him and it is so cute and so different.

Nico in his Halloween costume