Okay, somehow I think I am just to weird to unleash myself on the "Altered Art" world. This medium is just way too much fun and sends my poor warped mind into the far reach of the crazy lady universe. (which in my case knows no bounds) I already have so many ideas for things I'd like to create, I'll be busy into the next decade. (and it's not pretty folks)

Okay folks here it is my first ever attempt at "Altered Art" so be kind, cuz I know I have a long way to go. I am calling this "Whips and Pigeons" it is dedicated to my ever lovin hubby because we have a 37 year on going joke about whips and pigeons.

February is almost gone but there is always time to pass along a little love. Here are some charming Valentines I came across in my Grandma's photo book. She is an on going blessing to me because she saved everything. The top card was mailed in 1907, the middle card in 1909, the bottom card wasn't mailed but it was made by the International Art Publishing Co. and was printed in Germany, my guess at its age based on the author is between 1915 - 1925.
Beth I hope you enjoy these I remembered them after looking at your special cards. I have quite a few that I will put on my blog as I go along. I am happy to share with anyone who loves them, feel free to click and save. After all what is a Grannie for if not to share the love.

" There was a little girl, who had a little curl

right in the middle of her forehead,

and when she was good

she was very, very good,

and when she was bad,

she was better."

Mae West (you go girl)

A Friend's Greeting

I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me;

I'd like to be the help that you've been always glad to be;

I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day

As you have meant, old friend of mine, to me along the way.

I'd like to give you back the joy that you have given me,

And could I have one wish this year, this only would it be:

I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me.

- Edgar A Guest -

"But I don't want to go among mad people" Alice Remarked. "Oh you can't help that," said the Cat, "we're all mad here, I'm mad. You're mad." "How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here." Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Have I mentioned my inexplicable fascination with the Cheshire Cat? There are days when he starts to make perfect sense to me, scary huh. Like the quote above, some days I feel that way about the whole world. And when he disappears except for his smile. I have often found myself in a group of people, smiling, as my real self disappeared and all that was left was my smile. Can anyone else understand that?

My favorite scene in Disney's Alice in Wonderland the Cheshire Cat says "Can you stand on your head?" as he removes his head and stands on it. The Cheshire Cat he just makes me smile.

Stephen Hansen
Simon Boses

The Painted Garden is my place to enjoy and share the things I love. Art, Music, Poetry, Quotes & most of all Friends. It is a place where I like to celebrate diversity which is something I also love.
The Slide show above is an example, everyone of the twenty pictures is titled "Birds of A Feather" yet every picture is unique. I celebrate that no two people see things the same, I like to know were you're coming from and how you see things because it creates understanding, and that's a good thing.
Thank you for visiting my blog, I would enjoy any thoughts, incites or advice you would like to share, or answer any questions you might have.

Birds of a Feather

My eggs are all hatched
the babies have flown,
now to create
a dream of my own.

Seeking new a song
birds of a feather
free of the nest
we all struggle together.

On crape paper wings
we take to the air
strength from our friends
in kind words they share.

Seeking new a song
birds of a feather
lifting each other
we can all soar together.

DSW 09

I'll lift thee, and you lift me, and we will rise together.

Swedish proverb

This post is especially for Jann

HAPPY VALENTINES!

I hope you like it.

I love collage, in the past I have only done it for my own enjoyment because I like to use pictures from calenders, cards, magazines and catalogs that were created by artists whose work is fun and detailed. James Christensen, Mary Engelbreit, and Charles Wysocki are some of my favorites. I like to do intricate collages, put in a lot of surprises and detail. These are four of my favorites. The top three are quite large pieces, the last one is an ACEO titled "Birds Of A Feather" I made in honor the blog party theme.

I love art and I enjoy working in many mediums. My cartooning is one of the ways I enjoy using both the quotes I collect and my drawing in a way that I hope makes others smile.

Images that illicit two different emotions. I love how art and music can effect the way you feel. Especially this time of year when I'm on my seventy-sixth chorus of Paint it Black.

These are just some of the pictures that I love to collect, things that touch me I some way, that is what this blog is for, it's a room in which to place the things I love and share them with friends, or possibly to showcase what a flippin psycho I really am.

ABOU BEN ADHEM

by James Henry Leigh Hunt

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight of his room,

Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And to the presence in the room he said,

"What writest thou?" - The vision raised its head,

And with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"

Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,

But cheerly still; and said "I pray thee then,

Write me as one that loves his fellow-men."
The angel wrote, and vanished.

The next night It came again with a great wakening light,

And showed the names who love of God had blessed,

And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

Soul Journal is having a Valentines Day Blog Party doesn't that sound like fun. They said anyone could come (I signed up and no one has complained yet??) So if you're interested just click on my Soul Journal link under the Places to go People to See list, head on over to Soul Journal for the details.

A Red, Red Rose
by Robert Burns

My love is like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June :
My love is like the melody
That’s sweetly played in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in love am I :
And I will love thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry.
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun :
And I will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only love,
And fare thee weel a while !
And I will come again, my love,

Thou’ it were ten thousand mile.

FEBRUARY LOVE TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

The Subject is Angels

It never ceases to amaze me how we express ourselves in art, in music and writing. That you can give a subject to one hundred different people and they will express that idea one hundred totally different ways. I find it absolutely fascinating and wonderful.

Love it, love it, love it!!!!

BEFOREAFTER

Inversion:

The view before and after.

(Hey, where have all the mountains gone?)

illustration by Daniel Merriam

If it isn't spring soon I will be forced to call out the flying monkeys.

There is beautiful artwork to express almost everything, need I say more.