Orange TV

United Arts pARTicipate program on Orange County Government TV in Orlando, FL
click here to view my interview on blubrry

Many thanks to Emma Krutch for inviting me to be the featured artist and Cory Warren for doing such a great job hosting the show. pARTicipate is yet another way United Arts of Central Florida brings art and culture to the Central Florida community.

If you remember, I also received a Professional Development Grant from United Arts for my solo show at Maitland Art Center in 2010. I appreciate all UA have done for me in helping me to grow as a professional artist. You are eligible for a Professional Development Grant once every three years and 2010 was my SECOND time qualifying. My first Professional Development Grant in 2006 helped to fund my very first solo exhibition in Jasper Indiana at the Jasper Art Center.

Cherie's Progress

Me and the Birthday Girl, February 2, 2011

Today got out on the FL Turnpike in my smart car and made the 2+ hour trip to Vero Beach to visit Cherie for her birthday. Got stuck behind a couple of big HUGE trucks carrying citrus on route 60 in Vero and could not help but wonder how the ones on the bottom do not get totally crushed. Then I figured, they probably do since FL citrus is primarily for juice anyway....

Cherie has been home less than a week and they are still trying to work out a system for her care, but overall she seemed really well as did her sister and sister in law. I finally got to meet Milla (say mee-lah) the cat subject of many awesome portraits! She stepped on my iPhone and almost sent a text from the kitchen table.

Cherie's tracheotomy has been surgically closed and should be healed soon, hence the gauze you see at the base of her neck in this photo. Doesn't she just look great with her big smile and her new hair cut? She is in a temporary wheel chair here until her custom made ride is ready.

We spent the day eating, drinking tea, and talking -- just like the old days! We had a very nice visit, her sister Sue and sister in law Alison took advantage of my being there to run some errands and gather up some birthday surprises. The plan is that the family will have order-in Thai food tonight in celebration of Cherie's 43rd.

I'm was really touched at one point when Cherie choked back the tears to tell me that all the cards and letters she has received as a result of this blog have meant more to her than I could ever know. She said that she could never thank me (and all of you) enough for that. She told me that she was amazed at the ripple effect that I had caused, all over the world, by throwing in that stone and asking people to reach out to a stranger in need.

So thank you she says. from the bottom of her heart on her 43rd birthday.

Stylish Blogger Award

This past weekend I received this Stylish Blogger Award from long-time blogger friend Rhonda Carpenter. Rhonda received her award from Peggy Stermer-Cox who told her that it came without strings and that she did not have to do anything but accept it, Rhonda chose to share it with me.

Rhonda wanted to share with her readers about Cherie, she told Cherie's story and about my quest for cards. Rhonda also talked about Art With Heart, my fundraising book for Cherie, and the website my husband and I put together for her family to take donations.

I'd love to ask you again to consider sending Cherie a card for her 43rd birthday which is February 2nd, Groundhog day. On this day, throughout our childhood, I called her "Hoggatha" all day. You may address your card to her this way, and she'll know I sent you!

Cherie Stannard
c/o Sue Merrick
515 11th Court
Vero Beach, FL 32962

Rhonda's card and small paining are in the mail, on their way to Vero Beach, FL where Cherie will be cared for permanently by her sister Sue and her brother Rich and their spouses. This car accident has altered all of their lives forever.

Thank you Rhonda for helping me to spread the word to YOUR readers too. We can all make a difference in our own way by opening our hearts and sharing our talent. Rhonda said it perfectly "Give love away and it will return to you ten-fold!

Rhonda, I did run my first half marathon after the age of 40! I'm currently training for an Olympic distance triathlon which will take place three days before my 43rd birthday. When I am tapped out and I think I don't have anymore gas in my tank, I think of Cherie, and I push harder, farther, than I think I can.

Fruits and Veggies

Onion Red, 8x8, collage on cradled panel, ©St.Hilaire Nelson

I posted the album on my Facebook fan page today, these 8x8's wold make great kitchen art. They were produced for giclée prints, the photos have been taken and now the original are available. These are on cradled birch panel with the paint wrapping around the 1 5/8 inch deep edges, no need for framing. They are wired and ready to hang! How about the gift of fine art this Valentine's Day?

Four of them are going to the Florida Museum for Women Artists' shop, they include the pepper, radish, banana, carrot. This beautiful museum is located in historic downtown Deland, FL.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the other originals, they are each priced at $120.
email me.

Monica Paints Milla

© 2011 Monica Dahl, sketchbook project and detail, watercolor

Yesterday I received an amazingly heart felt email from Monica Dahl who told me that she had come across Cherie's story via Kimberly Santini's blog when she did the painting of Milla, Cherie's cat. Monica wanted to do the same.

This is a watercolor study that Monica included in her sketchbook project. This little book and the portrait of Cherie's beloved cat Milla, will tour the country and be on display in five cities. Check out the project here: www.arthousecoop.com

Monica asked me to forward these images to Cherie, which I did through her sister Sue. I also wanted to share it with you. The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze me. Whether it's Kim Santini mailing me palette papers I can use in my collage work, or Aurore Brunet sending me hand-painted papers, or all of you who have sent Cherie cards, notes, donations, and purchased or submitted artwork to Cherie's art book "Art With Heart" (click here to learn more about how to buy the book or donate).

Thanks Monica for sharing this with me, and with Cherie. Since Cherie just arrived home from Spinal Cord Rehab YESTERDAY, these images could not be more timely!

If you are interested in learning more about Monica's artwork, you can email her:
greyhound8@yahoo.com

Cherie's Progress

Cherie (right) and I, somewhere in Spain, 1984

Cherie is making the long trip home to Vero Beach today from Atlanta! She's all finished at Shepherd Center for spinal cord rehab. They are driving 10 hours, stopping every half hour for her to reposition. She is returning to her sister's house and I encourage anyone who'd like to send a hand-made or even a store-bought card to welcome her home! The family has used donated funds from www.cheriestannard.com and the book I produced, to help pay for a manual lift, installing a ramp, and widening doorways in their home.

February 2nd is Cherie's 43rd birthday, won't you consider sending her a note? I'm planning to drive down and visit her. I'm sure that embarking on this new year of her new life is overwhelming, and I know that our thoughts and cards can only help.

Thanks for caring about Cherie:

Cherie Stannard
c/o Sue Merrick
515 11th Court
Vero Beach, FL 32962

Girl Scouts Seek Inspiration and Perspective

Our local Girl Scout Leader Sandy Bloom contacted me again this year about helping her troop earn their art badge. Last year I went to their meeting, this year they came to my studio.

The girls were excited about my studio space, I heard a lot of "this is so cool" and "I want a room like this" and "I love to draw!" I told them the story of how the studio was a shed and that my brother and I built it together from the ground up on the old concrete slab.

We talked about art licensing, I showed them canvas print reproductions as well as my art on Flashbags. We talked about the fact that all the graphics and patterns on their shirts were designed by artists, the girls went on to other examples like wallpaper and fabric and books. I am always so happy to inspire kids about a career as an artist. When they come and see my studio and then I point out to them the addition on my home that is our graphic design office, I think it helps them to see that art can be a successful and fun career.

Then we talked about deadlines and pressure to be creative even when you don't want to, and juggling work and a family and how work comes and goes when you are self employed. A little reality never hurts! I reminded that that art is a job just like any other.

In the end I gave them some one-point and two-point perspective, this was part of their badge requirements. Overall, I hope the visit to my studio gave the girls a little MORE perspective than just about the vanishing points!