New French Bulldog Notecards

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If you enjoyed the image of the little French Bulldog with a flower hat that I posted a short while ago, you’ll be happy to know that you can now send her adorable little self out to friends, family or anyone with whom you’d like to share a smile.

Yup, this is the image that first appeared in Just Frenchies magazine and earned me a spot as a finalist for excellence in Illustration/Painting in the 2011 DWAA (Dog Writers’ Association of America) awards. (Read more.) This was big news! So I thought you might enjoy a visit from this little pup. She’s ready to travel!

10 adorable notecards with matching white envelopes for only $15.00 plus shipping, and you can buy them right here!

Note: All illustrations, drawings and photographs are © Jeanne Balsam and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission. Thank you!

Catching the Light – Part II (the Cats)

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Although spaced much further from the earlier Catching the Light post than I’d intended, here we have, not what … but who … was catching the light.

What is so wonderful about making art is that chance or happy accident that occurs during the creative process. Now we’re not talking about that flash of inspiration which takes us in a new direction in what we’re writing or painting, but the unintended change in direction from what we’d planned. I suppose that could be the same thing in some cases, but right now I’m referring specifically to capturing an unexpected moment in time, and the excitement of it happening in photography. (Hmmmm …. I am suddenly remembering an e-mail filled with moments such as those, but that’s not where I’m going today.)

Back to that warm morning sunlight streaming through the front window. Claude, pictured above, often takes this position in the morning after breakfast and basks somewhere along the back of the sofa, though this particular spot is preferred. I took a bunch of shots of him, always marveling at how elegant and sophisticated he appears in his photographs when in fact, he is one of the goofiest animals I have ever known. I had a nice selection of Claude, the sun worshipper, to choose from.

The unexpected shot came when Gypsy Rose wanted to see what was going on. Happily, I was able to quickly switch gears and capture that moment of cat curiosity. Not much time to adjust camera settings, to account for the darkness of her coat, etc. but then this was about the moment.

Even if we have no intention of taking photographs, our eye can easily be trained to find and appreciate those amazing moments where, in just one second, the view changes. Camera not needed; call it a memory.

It’s National Potato Chip Day!

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I learned from a commenter on my friend’s blog earlier that today is National Potato Chip Day. How could I not celebrate? The thought that there might be thousands – no, millions – of chips out there, waiting hopefully for someone to take them home and celebrate … well, it was more than I could bear. It would be like living around the corner from a good friend and not taking them out for their birthday. Sacre bleu! Did you know that Americans consume 1.2 billion pounds of potato chips each year? It’s the nation’s favorite snack food!

So I took a stroll at lunchtime and selected a bag of eager celebrants, and off we went. Knowing it’s their special day just seems to make them that much more delicious, but piling a big handful on a plate with a yummy veggie cheeseburger really made their day. It’s not too late to celebrate National Potato Chip Day if you’re reading this post today, March 14. Literally millions of eager chips of every flavor are waiting for a chance to party with you. Don’t let them down ….

As for the history of the potato chip? According to Punchbowl, an Irish chef named George Crum invented potato chips in Saratoga Springs in 1853. One day, a picky customer kept sending his fried potatoes back to the kitchen, complaining that they were too thick and soggy. Crum responded by slicing the potatoes so thin that they couldn’t be eaten with a fork. The customer was so pleased with Crum’s crispy creation that they became a regular item on the restaurant’s menu!

Now should you be disappointed because you’ve read this post after National Potato Chip Day, take heart – you can still celebrate food. March 18th is Oatmeal Cookie Day, the 19th is National Chocolate Caramel Day, and March 23rd is National Chip and Dip Day. Why, it’s an endless cavalcade of feasting! Sláinte!

Returning to Creativity

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I know I am not alone in having dreams and goals. And just like you, I experience periods of seemingly endless challenges and/or loss in which those dreams are so far on the back burner, the stove isn’t even in the room.

There are numerous ways to find our way back, and one of them that I resurrected this morning is the book The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Greater Creativity by Julia Cameron. I read the book awhile ago and did a number of the exercises, but I think, right now, checking in with artist/writer/teacher Julia will help me get back on the path to my dream. While I have never stopped being creative, I’ve not had the energy, focus or desire to pursue what I most want to do with it. I’m seeing a spark again, and I want to grow that glimmer.

Feeling stuck artistically? I recommend The Artist’s Way for any creative person who is struggling with getting their show on the road.

Stronger

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I was first consciously aware of this song when I saw it on Glee, though I’m pretty sure I’ve heard it before; it must not have registered. Then it came on the radio as I headed out in the car the other day. It just lit me up – and I was dancing in the car. Maybe a version of “when the student is ready ….” What a great, upbeat song.

This video of Kelly Clarkson doing Stronger also features a flash mob or two and even has some mermaids under water!

It’s Monday morning … why not start on a happy, dancing note.? Go on … get up and dance. You know you want to.