Day 314 – A Good Man

Art Apple - Day Three Hundred FourteenI have been blessed with a good man.

He is someone who I can laugh with, share my day, my successes and failures, and someone to lean on in the difficult times. Don’t get me wrong – we’ve had our times and our disagreements as all marriages do.

Doug has dealt with the ups and downs of this last year right by my side. He has been my biggest support in this; he lives this daily with me and he has on a few occasions been very concerned and upset that perhaps I’ve put too much of myself into this journey. You see, he was there when I couldn’t move, when I didn’t want to get into the car to go anywhere because every little bump caused me horrible pain, and he was there when I was humiliated by neurologist from Stanford who laughed at me when I was desperate for an answer.

So…  he watches over me and is a voice of reason for my passions and drive. He does not want to see me go back to those days if there is any way he can prevent it – he will – even if that means tough love on occasion. But I want to tell you all that Doug Visscher is my hero. He is a man who has stood by me and loved me in my worst of times and I adore him. I couldn’t have asked for a man to love me more. We have weathered some big storms and we are stronger because of them.

Today was difficult day and he brought me flowers. I love getting flowers, what woman doesn’t but I loved the ones today the most of any he’s ever given me because these flowers said “you are going to be ok & I love you.” And I know that as long as I have my good man next to me – that those flowers are right.

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 314 was created in Letraset Pantone Tria Markers and a touch of watercolor.

In The Studio

 

1. In The Studio – Photo of the flowers that inspired today’s apple image.

2. Apple Recipe of the Day – Apple Oat Bran Muffins

3. Interesting Project – Embroidered Car Doors

 

 

Day 306 – Silver Intuition

Art Apple - Day Three Hundred SixColors have meaning just as flowers do. I was drawn to use Silver tonight.

Silver is thought to be incredibly attracting of increased intuition and inspiration and you should surround yourself in this color when wanting to get to the truth in situations.

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 306 was created in silver acrylic.

In The Studio

1. Countdown – 59 days to Apple-A-Thon!

2. Apple Recipe of the Day – French Apple Tart

3. Interesting Article Of The Day – Talk about making a commitment to your art!

 

 

 

Day 295 – A Smallish Nap… or Two

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred Ninety Five”Let’s begin by taking a smallish nap or two.”
-Winnie the Pooh

Poor Pooh has been lost in the Harry Potter buzz. I adore Winnie The Pooh. Ok, so who doesn’t?

There is a new Disney animated film about the Hundred Acre Woods with the whole cast of characters – Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga & Roo, Eeyore, and TIGGER! I cannot wait to see it and get lost for a couple of hours in my childhood.

I also loved the book The Tao of Pooh – I think it would be a great time to re-read it. The book uses Pooh’s natural optimism and outlook to teach Taoism which is a way of appreciating and learning from whatever happens in everyday life. Get stuck in the door to your home, no problem, sit back and enjoy the time with a friend as you wait patiently to lose a few pounds. No need to panic, it will all sort out in time. Live in the present for heaven’s sake!

I didn’t sleep but a wink last night and my weary AS body needed a smallish nap or two today – and since Pooh begins most tasks in life with naps – how bad can they be?

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 295 was created in Black India Ink and Watercolor.

In The Studio

1. Countdown – 70 days to Apple-A-Thon!

2. Process Photo of the Day

3. Apple Recipe of the Day – Candied Apple Brie

4. Interesting Article Of The Day – RA Guy talks my kind of talk – Design/Architecture and a dream for an Autoimmune Wellness Center

5. Which Winnie The Pooh Character are you? – Take the Personality Quiz!

 

Day 294 – Paint Softly

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred Ninety FourIf you can learn from hard knocks, you can also learn from soft touches. – Carolyn Kenmore

I love painting with over the top color – except of course, for those times I crave painting softly.

When painting softly remember – carry a BIG paintbrush – just in case.

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 294 was created in ink and watercolor.

In The Studio

1. Very big news – for me anyway 🙂 – I finally uploaded all of my apples onto Flicker – makes for easy viewing of all the apples!

2. Countdown – 71 days to Apple-A-Thon!

3. Apple Recipe of the Day – Honeydew and Apple Granita Recipe

4. Amazing Spirit Award – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4HGQHgeFE&feature=player_embedded

 

Day 293 – Even A Small Key

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred Ninety ThreeA small key opens big doors. – Turkish Proverb

Choose to do something that means something to you. Choose to find a place for your energies and your passions. It isn’t about finding the right idea or the right cause or the right job. It is about unlocking a door and stepping past the threshold – that is the biggest step.

When you choose and take action it will open amazing new paths in your life. Have faith that you hold the key. It may feel small and inconsequential but it also holds the promise of very big and wonderful things.

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 293 was created in graphite and watercolor.

In The Studio

1. Countdown – 72 days to Apple-A-Thon!

2. Process Photo of the Day

3. Apple Recipe of the Day – Apple Cinnamon Brown Betty

4. Interesting Article of the Day – Five To One

 

 

Day 287 – Four Hundred Smiles

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred Eighty SevenI want to touch the heart of the world and make it smile. – Charles de Lint

So much can be found in a simple smile. Love, joy, contempt, pride, and yes – happiness! I love the site Ted.com. Have you been there? It is a non-profit with the mission to collect “ideas worth spreading.” I can get completely caught up in the amazing people who they invite to speak on a topic. Today I listened to a man speak about happiness from a very scientific approach arguing that the more choices we have the less happy we become. This sounds counter intuitive but his thesis was intriguing and very interesting. And that talk led me to hearing a man by the name of Ron Gutman speak about smiles.

I love to smile – it is my natural tendency that I’m quick to smile. Mr. Gutman discusses research into the fact that people who smile a lot become more successful. And, smiling is also healthy! Smiling can reduce stress-enhancing hormones, increase endorphins and lower blood pressure.

So – I guess I see smiles like I see apples. The more the better for our health!

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 287 was created in black india ink and watercolor on yellow paper.

In The Studio

1. Countdown – 78 days to Apple-A-Thon!

2. Apple Recipe of the Day – Apple Salsa

3. Interesting Article of the Day – Hydrotherapy for people with Ankylosing Spondylitis

4. Interesting fact of the Day – The iconic yellow smiley face was created by Harvey Ball

 

 

Day 270 – The First Wealth is Health

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred SeventyThe first wealth is health. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Doug and I are headed to Maine for the Fourth of July holiday. I’ve been furiously working to make sure I have everything in order…

Shorts, flip-flops, and fleece (it is summer in Maine)

Art supplies – check.

Someone to house sit and take care of the beasties – check.

Infusion? Humm, yes tomorrow – check!

A life with auto-immune arthritis is planned around infusion dates to ensure they line up with events in life that will take a bit extra uumph to get through. I’m thrilled that tomorrow I get hooked up to my i.v. of Remicade so that our week with my family will be a bit easier and my energy levels will survive the cookouts, fireworks, and water-balloon fights! I will happily plan my life around the medicine that allows me to enjoy these events with a bit more gusto.

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 270 was created in currency and paint.

In The Studio

1. Countdown – 96 days to Apple-A-Thon!

2. My process photo from today.

3. Apple Recipe of the Day – Red White & Blue Candy Apples!

4. Interesting Article of the Day – Your Paintings – this is so cool! (thank you to my friend and fellow autoimmune arthritis (RA) warrior Naomi Creek for the link)

 

 

Day 268 – Acceptance Of The Soul

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred Sixty Eight

A new friend told me that true love is “acceptance of the soul.”

I thought that was lovely so I googled it – lol!

We all have a tendency these days to think there is nothing left in this world that is original especially when we can check! But, guess what – nothing came up to indicate this idea was taken from an 18th century philosopher, a modern day life coach, or a lyric by Rihanna!  It is simply a beautiful statement spoken from the heart by a good and honest person.

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 268 was created in graphite and watercolor.

In The Studio With Jenna

1. Countdown to Apple-A-Thon – 98 days!

2. ***Dr. Oz says… two apples a day!

 

Day 259 – What is Art?

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred Fifty NineArt is not a thing; it is a way. – Elbert Hubbard

I’ve often pondered the question “what is art?” – as I’m sure most artists and critics do at some time. And although everyone seems to have an opinion – I see no consensus. Some days my art has meaning, some days it is strictly to feel the hand touch the paper, but everyday – it is a way.

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 259 was created with a piece of my latest test blotter paper (a place where I check colors before adding them to my pieces as well as testing and flowing pens) as well as a cut out shape of an apple shaded with my index finger prints (for my Dad) and a leaf shaped just so and “colored” with green pastels.

Day 257 – Crimson Thread

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred Fifty SevenAn invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break. – Chinese Proverb

A red string in Chinese folklore connects those who are destine to meet and in Tibetan Buddhism a red string is a “blessing cord” and according to the Kabbalah, the red string is for protection against negative forces. All of these meanings associated around the symbol of a crimson piece of string, whether tied between soul mates, around fingers or wrists, they all have one beautiful thing in common – hope.

Hope for love.

Hope for blessings.

Hope for safety.

With this hope and I will tie a red thread around my apple project – and hope for the love, blessings, and safety it contains while I finish the next few months. I have hope this virtual string watchs over me and protects me to reach my goal. Because – I put on a really good game face – but many days are difficult. I work to find a cure for this horrible disease and to end the suffering of millions of people in pain because I know what our days are like.

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 257 was created in crimson red ink and watercolor.

The inspiration for today’s apple and post came from the newly launched project The Brave Discussion. Thank you for the article they have included on their site about this project and the need for AS Awareness. A special thank you to Kathie Melocco.