Sunday, November 22, 2009

silent night

Sitting here, doing bills, thinking about Thanksgiving and looking forward to the end of this move! Most things are packed up and Craig is putting the floor in right now. We may even get the furniture moved tomorrow. I brought my drawing home of the boy riding the tricycle and I think I'm going to put it up. I cried when I saw it here because I realized that I've never hung any of my own artwork in my home before. I don't know why... it has always been something I guess I didn't feel worthy of doing. I know that's silly. I'm thankful for the ability to be able to create drawings like this.

I love listening to Silent Night because I used to sing it to my children when they were babies and I'd rock them to sleep. It's playing on the music station right now.... I'm so sleepy!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

the wheel and some animals

(Even though this looks funky, you can click on it and it will enlarge, then print it out and have fun coloring it in! The Triad is indicating the Primary Colors: Red, Yellow and Blue!)


Holiday music is playing, chocolate chip cookies are baking and I'm printing this out for my last two drawing classes today. I got my home studio room all painted last evening so it's ready for the floor and the trim work. I'm actually in a good mood today because I realized November and December are my favorite months in the year and so what if it's not Thanksgiving yet... I can listen to Christmas music early, can't I? ;) Advent starts in a week so I think the holiday season is starting. I have to admit to a new addiction too... it started out innocent enough-- trying to bond with the kids and now I'm pulled into it: Animal Crossing. They got the game years ago for their GameCube and then Caroline got it about a year or two ago for the Wii. I've already paid off my mortgage, gotten a bigger home and am halfway done with that mortgage too! (Too bad this isn't like real life!!). Today is a fishing tournament but I really don't have time to play (maybe a couple minutes?). KK Slider is playing tonight since it's Saturday (new tuneage) and Rosetti gave me a cool design for my dress. I'm all set. Are you laughing now? I am!!! The things we do around here!!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Team Tobin

Just a few days ago there was an editorial in the paper about this. it's about time that someone was brave enough to state the truth:


WITHOUT A DOUBT

Dear Congressman Kennedy

BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN

11/12/09 12:00 am

Since our recent correspondence has been rather public, I hope you don’t mind if I share a few reflections about your practice of the faith in this public forum. I usually wouldn’t do that – that is speak about someone’s faith in a public setting – but in our well-documented exchange of letters about health care and abortion, it has emerged as an issue. I also share these words publicly with the thought that they might be instructive to other Catholics, including those in prominent positions of leadership.

For the moment I’d like to set aside the discussion of health care reform, as important and relevant as it is, and focus on one statement contained in your letter of October 29, 2009, in which you write, “The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.” That sentence certainly caught my attention and deserves a public response, lest it go unchallenged and lead others to believe it’s true. And it raises an important question: What does it mean to be a Catholic?
“The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.” Well, in fact, Congressman, in a way it does. Although I wouldn’t choose those particular words, when someone rejects the teachings of the Church, especially on a grave matter, a life-and-death issue like abortion, it certainly does diminish their ecclesial communion, their unity with the Church. This principle is based on the Sacred Scripture and Tradition of the Church and is made more explicit in recent documents.
For example, the “Code of Canon Law” says, “Lay persons are bound by an obligation and possess the right to acquire a knowledge of Christian doctrine adapted to their capacity and condition so that they can live in accord with that doctrine.” (Canon 229, #1)
The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” says this: “Mindful of Christ’s words to his apostles, ‘He who hears you, hears me,’ the faithful receive with docility the teaching and directives that their pastors give them in different forms.” (#87)
Or consider this statement of the Church: “It would be a mistake to confuse the proper autonomy exercised by Catholics in political life with the claim of a principle that prescinds from the moral and social teaching of the Church.” (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 2002)
There’s lots of canonical and theological verbiage there, Congressman, but what it means is that if you don’t accept the teachings of the Church your communion with the Church is flawed, or in your own words, makes you “less of a Catholic.”
But let’s get down to a more practical question; let’s approach it this way: What does it mean, really, to be a Catholic? After all, being a Catholic has to mean something, right?
Well, in simple terms – and here I refer only to those more visible, structural elements of Church membership – being a Catholic means that you’re part of a faith community that possesses a clearly defined authority and doctrine, obligations and expectations. It means that you believe and accept the teachings of the Church, especially on essential matters of faith and morals; that you belong to a local Catholic community, a parish; that you attend Mass on Sundays and receive the sacraments regularly; that you support the Church, personally, publicly, spiritually and financially.
Congressman, I’m not sure whether or not you fulfill the basic requirements of being a Catholic, so let me ask: Do you accept the teachings of the Church on essential matters of faith and morals, including our stance on abortion? Do you belong to a local Catholic community, a parish? Do you attend Mass on Sundays and receive the sacraments regularly? Do you support the Church, personally, publicly, spiritually and financially?
In your letter you say that you “embrace your faith.” Terrific. But if you don’t fulfill the basic requirements of membership, what is it exactly that makes you a Catholic? Your baptism as an infant? Your family ties? Your cultural heritage?
Your letter also says that your faith “acknowledges the existence of an imperfect humanity.” Absolutely true. But in confronting your rejection of the Church’s teaching, we’re not dealing just with “an imperfect humanity” – as we do when we wrestle with sins such as anger, pride, greed, impurity or dishonesty. We all struggle with those things, and often fail.
Your rejection of the Church’s teaching on abortion falls into a different category – it’s a deliberate and obstinate act of the will; a conscious decision that you’ve re-affirmed on many occasions. Sorry, you can’t chalk it up to an “imperfect humanity.” Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members. It absolutely diminishes your communion with the Church.
Congressman Kennedy, I write these words not to embarrass you or to judge the state of your conscience or soul. That’s ultimately between you and God. But your description of your relationship with the Church is now a matter of public record, and it needs to be challenged. I invite you, as your bishop and brother in Christ, to enter into a sincere process of discernment, conversion and repentance. It’s not too late for you to repair your relationship with the Church, redeem your public image, and emerge as an authentic “profile in courage,” especially by defending the sanctity of human life for all people, including unborn children. And if I can ever be of assistance as you travel the road of faith, I would be honored and happy to do so.
Sincerely yours,
Thomas J. Tobin
Bishop of Providence

color

This week in my drawing classes we are talking about color and using colored pencils. To make more vibrant shadows, it is better to avoid black and go to the darker neighbor on the color wheel. Or to tone down a color, using the complimentary (or opposite) will do that. I used to love drawing in colored pencil when I was in high school. It was never taught to me in college and I must have given it up because of that. I know I did a little when I taught school and then when I did illustration for the ad agency. Anyways... color is fascinating and I plan on reading this as soon as I get my studio set up.


Yesterday and today I've been painting the new studio... guess what color? White! Of all the choices!! But I have so much art and brightly colored pieces to go into it, I could only picture it in a clean, bright white. I chose a great warm white that reminds me of the color of milk and this morning with the sun shining in the window, it looks pretty and happy. I have one more coat to put on today and then after my last drawing class on Saturday, the floor is going to go in. I'll take photos when I think about it.

Hope you have a great weekend!
p.s. I'm waiting to see "New Moon" next week when my company comes... can I wait that long??? And Roger Ebert only gave it ONE star!!! Of course... I don't expect him to get it!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

sting

I bought this cd/dvd with my birthday money... it was sold out the first time I went to get it, but the second time, it was in. The cashier at Barnes & Noble said that Sting was doing a tv special so there was new or renewed interest in his music. Being a very longtime fan, I was leary that this album might be too commercial. I was wrong. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. I love the winter atmosphere it captures and I love the history behind some of the songs. It's not a usual December album with too many holiday songs that you grow tired of after awhile. I tend to cook to it in the evening. And even my kids like it. It's that mix of jazz, traditional music, some of which sounds like Chamber Music, and definitely Sting.

tuesday










I couldn't think of a post title for this because I think it's going to be random. I should give a warning: this post could be very long!!

I hadn't downloaded any photos since early October so I wanted to show you some pictures of a few things going on in my classes- watercolor and drawing. I loved the kids' self portraits! I think it's exciting to see what they can become aware of and what they choose to draw to represent themselves. This week is my last set of classes, so it's bittersweet. I have begun to pack things up and make my address list to send consignment things back. I've been giving advice on other avenues for creative inspiration and it led me back to some blogs that I just haven't read in a long time. It also led me back to a feeling to nest again... and a really deep longing to have more children but I know that's not in our future. I know I haven't been myself lately... I haven't had the time or energy and it's been really sad to have to end working with the kids. They are all great. I have to smile because lately, they come early because they can't wait to do the lesson! I don't mind at all because it gives us a chance to talk about their week and their interests. Kids are like presents, you can't wait to see what opens up and who they become when they're adults!

I was looking through Amanda Soule's blog today (probably why I'm wanting more babies!) and I realized how much I miss knitting and working with yarn... and creating something to wear. It is so easy to get caught up in buying things the easy way instead of putting time and love into making something yourself. So when my studio is finished being set up at home, I'm pulling out my needles again and starting something. Reading some of her posts also made me think about the differences and similarities we all have. It is easy to get caught up in differences of opinion over things in life-- beliefs mainly. I was thinking about how many times I've seen people dismiss others because of certain topics and never look at everything else about them. For me, it is hard to understand why a lot of the younger women who I respect artistically and who love being moms, can so easily accept abortion. But I know that comes from something in their personal lives that makes them hold that conviction. I also know that opinions can change, so to think that they aren't worth my attention, is to miss out on a lot of other good qualities. I also know that in my twenties and earlier thirties, it was a time of searching for truth and what to believe in. It became easy to follow things that weren't really good. I worry about my own kids sometimes and what they will be influenced by. I want to believe that people are generally good and that there is good in the world. I also have had too many times in my life where I saw people being motivated by greed and money. Or worse yet, using ministries to justify greed. It hurts a lot when people take advantage of you and sometimes those scars are hard to get rid of. It feels like I'm entering a new stage of my life where it's time to find some kind of solace in my own beliefs and what I know is true, and not depend on others so much. If you listen to other people too much, you stop listening to the voice inside you that tells you if that is the truth. I live in the middle of the Bible Belt right now and so it seems I hear so much more about people's beliefs and sometimes more judgmental attitudes. I love my faith and I'm not searching in that area at all, but I also don't spend energy trying to list all the ways that I differ from everyone else's faith. I hope that Caroline and Nathaniel understand why I made the choices that I did. I was sitting in a Youth Rally on Sunday with Caroline and the music reminded me of past mistakes I've made... being involved in churches that ended up being more like cults than churches. I had to leave... I couldn't stop crying. I got mad at myself for having been pursuaded to attend places that didn't really understand what love and faith were all about. I wonder sometimes if it is really that easy to let people influence you. We talked with the kids that evening about it. I think everyone has a need to find people who are similar and who respect who you are. I wish sometimes it was easier to know who is trustworthy and good inside. That brings me back to the blogs... I think, for some reason, it's easier to understand who people are when you read what they write and I know there are a lot of really good people I've gotten to know through my blog. I was going back and reading some old posts and I think I've changed from a couple years ago. I've found better friends and I like who I am more. I don't feel like I have to justify my choices in life. I also know that I deserve love and what I think is important. Just like it is for everyone. I think there is real love that is giving and not selfish or self-serving. I also notice the good things every day. I let myself cry when I need to and I try to laugh more... my son is always funny! I give my kids more hugs and I cherish every day I spend with them. My greatest privilege lately has been to teach them drawing. They amaze me. I know they will have their own lives and decisions to make about them, but I really hope that they realize how amazing it is to be parents and that thinking only two kids is enough, really isn't. Nothing else matters if there is no life... no new life happening. I don't think a parent's love ever runs out either. I guess I'll wait for grandchildren ;) In the meantime, I'm trying to enjoy everything I can... raking leaves on a Sunday afternoon and watching the kids drive the tractor! Listening to stories from school and talking about classwork. Letting them teach me games on the Wii and then teaching them one of my favorites: MasterMind! Making wonderful dinners and lighting the candles so that a Monday evening isn't so dreary. Seeing the excitement all over again when Advent is about to start! Like Amanda Soule writes, life is about finding the rhythm of your day and being open to it, no matter what it is... crazy busy or slow and thoughtful. I have a lot of things to do this next week. We are going to start painting the walls of my home studio tonight. Instead of feeling the stress of it all, I'm just going about my day and I decided I wanted to write... so I did! I hope you're finding your own rhythm today.
xo Bethany

Sunday, November 1, 2009

The End...

I'm sorry to share the news that Hatch Studio & Gallery will be closing it's doors after the last drawing class on Saturday, November 20th.
I want to thank each of you who supported my opening, who took classes and art camps, who bought the wonderful art and the crafts from the gallery, who gave me great ideas, and who had fun with me and others at our Ladies Night Out! Whether it was just bad timing with the economy or not enough interest in art, Hatch wasn't able to make itself fly right now. I don't regret any part of it... in fact, I'm so thankful that I met so many wonderful people-- adults and children, who I hope to see after the doors are closed.

If your child is enrolled in the Drawing Classes right now, I will still continue our classes as scheduled. If you have a Hatch Card and were not able to make up a class or we missed one because of my having to close last Saturday, refunds will be given at the last class.

As for the gallery, I have some things on sale from my previous sale: Beautiful photography
prints by Kellie Honea and Maureen Miller, Handmade greeting cards by Terri Fisher, Felt
Crowns by Rubyellen Bratcher, and jewelry by Juleann Benkoski. I also have hand-dyed and spun yarns by Linda Price, prints by Mandy Sutcliffe of Belle & Boo, and a number of other little goodies. I am not doing any deep discounting because things are either consignment items and will be returned to the artist or I own them and they will become part of my home studio.

While we never know what the future holds, my plans are to set up my home studio (which is
under construction as I write this) so that I can do my own art work, which was the first reason
I opened Hatch. I would like to offer private lessons/classes from my home, so if that is something
you are interested in, please let me know and I will keep you posted. I don't anticipate doing
anything until after the holidays.

I hope that during this time when you were receiving news, that something inspired you or that
you were able to share a little bit of the joy that I have through creating art. The greatest reward
in life is to be able to pass on joy to another, to watch the excitement and interest build in
someone else and to share seeing the world through an artist's eyes.

Thank you again for your friendship,

Beth

[reprinted from my email letter to my mailing list recipients]