Ron's Sidelight

Here is a photo of Ron's latest project. I think it turned out FANTASTIC!! The colors he chose are really set off by the colors in the room. Way to go, Ron!!

More Student Projects Completed!

Here are the very latest updates on the progress of my students. They are working like crazy, and turning out some outstanding work!


This is Sally with her "Fuzzy Little Yellow Bee" that she made for her son's graduation present. This is Sally's first project. She did a fantastic job on it. I know she is proud!


This is Karen with her first project. It is one of a pair of dragonflies that will grace her kitchen window. She used some exquisite antique cobalt blue glass in the dragonfly body. That glass came from some old church windows they found in their barn when they bought their property in Alabama. She has done a super job on this project! The colors are dazzling!!

Here is Ann with her first project. She was so worried that she couldn't do stained glass! Can you believe it?? She has shown us all that she can do a spectacular job!! I can't wait to see her next project!

Last, but certainly not least, is Cathy. Again, this is her first project. She took the design from a painting she had of a Puffin. The eyes were made from some old costume jewelry earrings. I think they really took this piece to the next level. Cathy's use of glass in this piece is extraordinary. She chose swirls in the glass to enhance the look of feathers and the shape of the birds features.

Congratulations to all of you on a job very well done!!

Sookie's BIG JOB

Here is another belated update . . . I have been boring you all to tears for the past year with the story of the "BIG GRANT PARK JOB". Well, it is finished!! The client was happy and all is right with the world!!

Here are a few (well, OK, a lot of) photos from the installation:

Sookie is hard at work!

This shot shows some of the contrasting textures of the clear glass we used to accent the bevels and bevel clusters.

Another good texture shot.

Happy campers!!

Who could ask for a more satisfying career? To be the instrument that delivers these projects from a simple concept to a solid panel of lead and glass, and then to have them installed and beautiful and to daily enhance someone else's life . . . wow. I am a lucky Glass Gal indeed.

Angela and Margaret - First Projects

Here are a couple of belated updates . . .

This is Margaret's first project:

Absolutley stunning! Great job, Margaret!!

Here is Angela's first project:

Of course, Angela is a big ole smarty pants, and doesn't like having her picture taken. Who does?? I don't understand it, because she is just as lovely as this panel she created! See what I mean?

Fabulous work, Angela! As always, I am VERY PROUD of my students! They are all stars in my book!!

Stained Glass Class - Candid Shots

Here are a few shots taken around the studio during Tuesday night classes . . .

This is Deborah a.k.a. the "Mosaic Maven" hard at work . . .

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Ron and Mary Beth are deep in concentration . . .

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Here is Ron with his project . . .

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Here's a closer view of Ron's panel . . .

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Sally foils her panel . . .

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Close up of Sally's "Fuzzy Little Yellow Bee" . . .

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Sorry, but you can't see any more of Mary Beth's panel yet . . . she is giving it to someone very special, and it can't be revealed yet!! Don't want to ruin the surprise!!!

Notable Quote

This is Deborah's mosaic bench . . .



It made me think of a great quote by W.C. Fields . . .



“Everybody’s got to believe in something.
I believe I’ll have another beer.”

Purple Coneflower

Here is the latest watercolor painting . . . I began this one in May and finished in November. Whew!! The class thought I was surely going over the edge on this one . . . for a while, I thought I might, too!!

Images Summer Art Camp 2007

OK, I know it is winter now, but I just got the photos from Deborah . . . here are some of my favorite candid shots from Summer Art Camp at Images Studio 2007. We had a GREAT time!

This is Trisha, our own little "Mockingbird of Sunshine". She was the primary instructor for our Summer Camp. She did a fantastic job. The kids loved her, the other instructors loved her, the parents loved her . . . the whole world loves her!! She is a delightful person, and a wonderful artist.

This is Bailey (who is Trisha's daughter) and Hombre. Bailey was drawing a picture of herself taking Hombre for a walk. From the looks of it, Hombre thought that she did a pretty good job!

Hombre stayed pretty busy being an artists' model during summer camp . . .

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Here he poses with the campers . . .

Notable Quote

"In every person who comes near you look for what is good and strong; honor that; try to imitate it, and your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes."

-John Ruskin

Slacker . . .

OK, OK, I know I've been a real slacker when it comes to updating the Blog. The problem is that life comes at me too fast and furious sometimes to get it all in here in a timely fasion. With the winter season comes a slower pace (for me, anyway). Over the next few weeks, hopefully I'll be able to get all the great photos and stories in here so you can see what's been shaking around the Studio the past few months.

Enough beating myself up . . . on with the show!!

Did I Mention . . .

. . . that we have some fantastic students in the stained glass classes? Here is the latest batch of finished projects. . .

This is Suzi's first project. She incorporated a hand blown rondel into the center of her panel. I think it turned out great! Way to go, Suzi!!

Ron is turning out projects like a man possessed! Here is his latest creation. Another job well done, Ron!
Once again, my students have produced some awesome work. I'm so proud of them all!

Yet Another Star Student

Pamela recently completed her first stained glass panel. She did a fantastic job with the glass selections and the fabrication of the panel. I think the oak frame really sets it off.

Here is another shot of the same panel, with back lighting . . .

Congratulations on a job beautifully done!!

Did I mention before just how proud I am of these students?!?!? WOW!

Summer Art Camp Video

Thought ya’ll might be interested in seeing the movie clip that one of our Images compatriots made during the Summer Art Camp. She says it is still pretty rough, but I think it is delightful!! Hope it comes through for you. ENJOY!!

More Star Students

More Star Students may be found shining brightly at Sookie's stained glass classes . . .

This is Shelley's first leaded panel. What a fabulous job she did on it!! I don't think a professional glass artist could have done any better.


The panel looks wonderful in her studio. Even though Shelley didn't want to have her picture taken, she looks lovely also!! (I had to threaten her with bodily harm to get this shot!!)

This is Tina with her new pride and joy. I must say that I am astounded that a first timer produced this exqusite little Volkswagen. Tina is so focused and precise in her work, you'd never know that this was her first project.

My students, I am so proud of all of them. They sure do keep me humble!!

Carpal Tunnel Surgery Update

Update on Craig's condition . . . from email sent by Craig to friends and family:

I’m scheduled to show-up at the surgery center tomorrow morning (8/16) at 8:30… probably go under the knife at 9:00 or 9:30AM. It should be very straight forward and the actual operation will only last 10 to 15 minutes. I’m expecting to be back home before noon…

I engaged an attorney to represent me with the insurance companies… After the initial interview, it sounds like my insurance company hasn’t been totally up-front and honest. Their discrepancies add up to more than just ignorance. The attorney seems to think that I have a good case for pain and suffering. They think I will probably have to sue or negotiate a settlement with the claimants insurance company to collect my out of pocket expenses for stuff like me getting home, shipping my bike, pain and suffering, etc…

The lawyers will work on a contingency bases and collect a third of the settlement as payment for services rendered. Further, they indicated that my insurance company is responsible for all out of pocket medical expense incured (according to the lawyer) and my insurance company has lead me to believe that the other insurance company is responsible for this coverage. I’m going to let them hash the law out, as I really don’t know.

My goal was to not get attorneys involved, but at this point I have no choice. I’m figuring that the lawyers will get all they possibly can, because that’s how they get paid. This company does nothing but vehicle accidents, so I hope they have they have a clue!

That’s all for now,

Craig (under the knife again) Moore

The surgery went fine. Craig is bouncing back nicely and should be back up to full steam ahead today. It sure will be nice to have all this behind us!

Star Students

Just wanted to show a few photos of works that have been completed to date in my Stained Glass Classes at Images Studio. Keep in mind, these are all beginners!!

Here's Mary Beth's first piece. She framed it in a lovely cherry frame by Northern Hardwoods. STUNNING!


Here is Ron showing off his first panel. It turned out GREAT!! Way to go, Ron!!

Mary Beth is on fire!! Here is her second project. She designed the pattern herself (with a tiny little bit of help) from the Alpha Romeo logo. She framed it in brass and treated the solder lines to match. I am so impressed with how beautifully she's coming along!! You go, girl!























Check back for more updates . . . the fun is just beginning!!

The Patient Patient

Update on Craig's condition . . . from email sent by Craig to friends and family:


I went to the orthopedic surgeon again this morning. The clavicle healing is coming along nicely and we are pleased of this fact. I’m basically on another 3 weeks of light duty… not as light as I have been for the previous 3 weeks but light duty none the less. Mainly I can’t lift things heavier than 15 pounds and not raise my hand overhead. I’m going to start driving again and this is a huge plus for me and Kay…

The decision was made to repair my carpal tunnel through surgery next Thursday the 16th. We knew before the recent testing and it was confirmed by the testing that I have median nerve entrapment in the right wrist (carpal tunnel). This probably has a lot to do with my right hand feeling strange or slightly numb. This procedure should take 14 days for healing and that will put me right at the end of my clavicle light duty as well. It just makes sense to go ahead and do it now, as it alone will require the light duty and related healing time. Do I look forward to it?? Hell no!! But, I (we) believe it’s the best thing to do and I’d might just as well get it all taken
care of now vs. waiting until later.

The decision to remove the plate and screws from my clavicle will be made later. This typically happens 6 months after the initial surgery and many people don’t have the hardware removed at all. If the decision is made to have it removed, I will have to be very careful again for around 6 weeks until the 8 screw holes have a chance to heal. I don’t really see much downside to leaving it alone and orthopedic surgeon didn’t seem to think it would be a huge issue if I were to break the clavicle on the same side again with the hardware in place.

I’m still getting better every day and with the clavicle and carpal tunnel healing I should be out of the woods by the end of September.

That’s all for now,

Craig

Louie the SEGDI Puppy

As some of you already know, we "Puppy Camped" a few Smooth Coated Collie puppies for Southeastern Guide Dogs last year. (You can see them in the photo section to the right of the screen.) In Puppy Camping, we keep the guide dog puppy for two weeks. This serves several purposes. It gives the Puppy Raiser a break from the stresses of raising a guide dog puppy. It gets the puppy used to working for a different handler. It gives us a chance to get an independent evaluation of the puppy. And finally, it gives us an opportunity to trouble shoot any problems the puppy may be having.

Since I am pretty familiar with the behavior of herding breeds, I was asked to Puppy Camp the Smooth Coated Collies who were being raised by the Georgia Puppy Raiser group. Louie is pictured at left. We just recently got word from Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. that Louie has been career changed. Seems he liked to chase motorcycles. . . not exactly a desirable trait for a guide dog!

Louie has been placed with an employee of the Dan Marino Foundation, who has an Autistic son. Louie will go to work with her and visit with the kids , one on one. He will then go home with her and be a companion to her Autistic son. When they initially met, Louie was great. They fell in love with him the minute he walked in the door! Louie was placed as a therapy dog.

I want to send a special THANK YOU out to Louie's Puppy Raiser, Jennifer, who did a fantastic job with him. She learned a lot, and always worked so hard to ensure that he turned out well. It warms my heart to know that Louie will be out there helping a lot of people as a direct result of her efforts. NICELY DONE, Jennifer!!

The Broken Old Man

Craig had surgery yesterday to repair the broken clavicle from his motorcycle accident. (Read about all the gory details in Detour Ahead.) I am happy to say that the surgery went well. He is very sore from the incision, etc., but I'm sure that things will improve rapidly from here on out.

Modern medicine is pretty incredible. They put in a titanium plate and screws, sewed him up and sent him home in a total of around 3-1/2 hours. Amazing.

Last night was pretty sleepless for both of us. I'm positive we'll be napping some today. Maybe things will go a little smoother this weekend as the surgery site settles down and starts to heal.

He said that the level of pain is greatly reduced over what he's been through for the last 19 days. Some of the feeling and strength is already returning to his hand.

Thanks to everyone out there who has kept us in their prayers. I'm certain it is making a difference.

Notable Quote

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

-Herm Albright

Detour Ahead

Well, I had a plan for July. . . it went something like this . . .

Craig was going to Chicago for his sister Karen's wedding. While he was there, he was going to visit with his brother, Scott, and Scott's family. Craig's Mom and Dad were also coming in for the wedding, so it was going to be a grand time for them all. Craig and Jeremy (nephew) had spent months planning out a trip on the motorcycle to visit 12 light houses around Lake Michigan. They were quite excited about the trip.

While Craig was away, I was planning on participating in the 4th of July celebration in Moreland. Images Studio / Gallery was giving out free watermelon, lemonade and ice water, as well as providing free children's art activities. We were going to display our art and promote our classes.

After Craig returned from Chicago, I was planning to fly to Boston for a week to visit my friend, Aileen, who I haven't seen in over 13 years. We were going on a camping trip to Mohawk State Park with her triplet teenage boys and her almost teenage daughter. We've had this trip planned for more than a year. The best laid plans . . .

All went well for a while. Craig made it up to Chicago safely. The Light House Tour started right on schedule. The first day (7/1) was winding down, when some fellow on a scooter made a u-turn right into their path. Craig did all he could to avoid the scooter, but he ultimately hit the back of it. The collision threw him and Jeremy off the motorcycle. Thankfully, Jeremy wasn't injured. The scooter rider wasn't badly injured, as far as we know. Craig sustained a broken clavicle, five broken ribs and a bruised lung.

Needless to say, Craig ended up in the hospital in Escanaba, MI. They didn't feel that their little hospital had a trauma unit that was able to care for him adequately, so they transferred him to a bigger hospital in Marquette, MI. This required a 70 mile ambulance ride at about 11 PM on Sunday (7/1) night. Scott called me around 10 PM while he was on his way to the hospital in Escanaba to pick up Jeremy. They planned to stay overnight in Escanaba. After that, Craig called and I was able to keep updated on his progress to Marquette, where they planned to keep him at least over night. Surprisingly enough, I didn't get a lot of sleep that night.

On Monday (7/2), Scott and Jeremy travelled to Marquette to spring Craig from the hospital. Then they made the 5+ hour ride to Chicago to Scott's house. Craig tried to take a shower when they got home, and quickly discovered that he was in too much pain to do that. He decided that he would just lay down to sleep and worry about a shower the next day. When he tried to lay down, he said that he heard his ribs crackling and crunching, and that on a scale of 1 to 10, his pain level was about a 13. His Dad took one look at him and called an ambulance to return him to the hospital for some more chest x-rays. He ended up sleeping in a recliner later that night back at Scott's house, with a timer and pain meds close by.

By Tuesday (7/3) night, it was pretty clear that Craig wasn't going to be able to go to the wedding. He was so uncomfortable, he just wanted to come home. Around 5 PM, he called saying, "Come get me!" So, off I go to Chicago!!

I didn't have a chance to make arrangements to board the dogs, so I loaded everyone up in the van, and my friend Mary Beth and I took off for Chicago at 3 AM on July 4th. We drove straight through, dropping her off at Midway airport for a flight back to Atlanta. (I owe her BIG for driving up there with me. I couldn't have driven straight through if not for her.) I actually made it to Scott's house in time for dinner on July 4th. Craig was as bad, if not worse, than I expected. It was obvious that this was going to be a rocky ride to get through this one.

We stayed there at Scott's house for a day, and began our trek home on Friday (7/6). We finally made it home Saturday night (7/7). The van ride wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be. He was able to get in and out of it easily enough, and didn't seem to be in much more discomfort than usual while riding. Trying to lay down to sleep at the hotel was another matter entirely! I have no experience with this kind of thing, so I'm not a lot of help when it comes to finding a way for him to lay down and get up comfortably. Painful doesn't even begin to describe it.

So, now we're home and waiting for surgery to repair the clavicle. That is scheduled for Thursday (7/19), provided the lung has healed up enough to tolerate the surgery. I'm hoping that the recovery will end up being less painful for the little fella than the last week of waiting has been.

That's all for now. Please keep Craig in your thoughts and prayers during his recovery.

Recent Watercolor Paintings

This painting was done from a photo we took at the Shiloh National Cemetery. The trip involved an overnight "Ride to Eat" with some motorcycle friends to a catfish restaurant somewhere near Shiloh, TN. It was a lovely day in May 2006. I thought the geometric patterns made by the rows of headstones was really interesting.
The next painting was done from a photograph taken by Luann Harp at another motorcycle RTE function. She took the photo at the gardens surrounding the Jack Daniel's Distillery. I thought the photo was lovely and would make a nice painting.


The last painting is of NiteStar's True Blue Moore, CGC, TT. It was done from a photo taken ringside at the 2005 ASCA Nationals, where Callie went 4th Place Altered Open Blue Merle Bitch. I was especially proud of Miss Dog that day! I titled this one "It's All About Me".