we are working on our second straight day of sun here in tulsa... although it is a bit cloudy right now... i don't know what the forcast is...

the carolina zanelli workshop at the chicago mosaic school was fantastic! carolina is a wonderful teacher, and a very sweet person, as well. i am still working on my photos from the workshop, and will hopefully get them posted later today.

i am a bit in between mosaic projects right now. after returning from the workshop, i have been busy getting my oldest son enrolled in college. he wanted to take a clep test... which he aced... for information systems and computer applications, which will relieve him of some prerequisites, and hopefully count for some credit hours. also, he just got his driver's license... which means that my car insurance more than doubled... ouch! he is now officially a driving, college freshman!

i am still working on my design for my next piece in my music to my eyes series, which will be a rhapsody... it is coming together in its own time, which i have no choice but to allow. i have the red, orange, and violet gold sorted, and they are informing the design on a daily basis. for added inspiraton... and also for just plain enjoyment... i turn to the piano. i have a great solo version of rachmaninov's 18th variation of rhapsody on a theme of paginini that i love to play... and the entire rhapsody is a joy to listen to... as is just about all things rachmaninov... also, there is a brahm's rhapsody in g minor... not so much passionate as it is dramatic... and kind of energetically constant... which i have been revisiting. to me, any music that picks me up and carries me away on waves of passion and emotion is rhapsodic...

i have a start on my next above and below piece, with 5 planes at 3 levels, and 12 shades of orsoni gold... still waiting for the background to volunteer... still a bit experimental with this series.

for the last year or so, i have been ... investing... in marble and other natural materials, in the hopes of creating some fabulous pieces like sophie drouin's, or at least my own version of some abstract, organic and powerful work. so, i have quite a collection, but have not done much ... i just can't quite get my head around this... but i really want to! it is, of couuse, not my style in so many ways... i tend to be very precise and ordered... i have not figured out how to cut these rocks THE WAY I WANT! (just let go... just let go...)

anyway, i am ready to give it a try! i have been working out a design for a small piece using an ammonite fossil, marble, pyrite, and a few other materials. this will be my first serious attempt... so ... don't expect too much! ... how to find my voice here... to let go of my need for precision... just a bit... and still achieve a harmonious work... I AM SO INTIMIDATED!!! (just let go.... )

i have to plug mosaic rocks! here... that is where i buy my marble and a lot of the other natural materials that i am too afraid... (until now, that is)... to use. seriously, bill has some wonderful offerings, and great customer service. he also very generously donates his time to SAMA... doing computer stuff... and who knows what else! thanks, bill!

ok, this has been a kind of long, rambling post... i didn't know i had it in me. i haven't even talked about our upcoming vacation, or the other piano pieces that i am working on, or... i just realized that this is really all about me, isn't it... that is the very purpose of this journal... to be all about me... what a concept... to indulge in just talking about me... me... ME! i may get good at this!