A Cow Named Aromella

Raise A Glass Of Milk To Aromella!

She's done it all ... provided milk for the masses, glowed in her silky, red skin, and rang that bell of goodness that had children run from pasture to kitchen with fresh milk and cream.  She's been "moo'd" at by humans and cows alike.  And she's inspired me to create a story about her on canvas.  Meet Aromella!

When I start a piece of art, I like to tell a story (much like when I'm writing, I'm not always sure where the story is going to take me). Often times it's a quirky sort of story, filled with humor, inspiration, beauty, or mystery. It depends on my mood and who I have in mind when I'm creating a piece.

For A Cow Named Aromella, an antique cigar label inspired me when my Aunt Mary Helen sent me an envelope full of these vintage inspirations.  Mary Helen happens to love cows and paints them herself.  She's a fun and talented artist who gives personality to her subjects, as I like to do.  In this case, I imagined that Aromella was THE COW who provided milk for Opie and the crew on The Andy Griffith Show.  See, my aunt lives in a small town in North Carolina called Siler City, which is far from a city and more reminiscent of Mayberry.  In fact, once upon a time, Aunt Bee (a.k.a. Frances Bavier) actually lived in Siler City, where my uncle was her lawyer.  So linked together...you get a passion for cows, a love for milk, The Andy Griffith Show, and all that is vintage.

 

 

"Opie, you haven't finished your milk.  We can't put it back in the cow, you know." 
                 ~From The Andy Griffith Show

Next time you pour a cold class of milk to go along with a slice of Chocolate Chess Pie, think of Aromella and raise a glass to her goodness.

Chocolate Chess Pie (the way "us" Southerners make it)

 
Mix: 1 1/2 cups sugar
          3 tablespoons of cocoa
 
Add: 1 small can evaporated milk
          2 beaten eggs
          1/2 stick melted margarine or butter
          1 teaspoon vanilla
 

Directions:

1. Mix all together well
2. Put in unbaked pie shell.  Bake 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until set.

 

Pat in Pan Pie Crust

1 and 1/2 cup of flower
1/2 cup of oil
1 teaspoon of salt
1-2 tablespoons of sugar
2 tablespoons of milk
 

Directions:

1. Place the flour, sugar, and salt in the pie pan and mix with your fingers until blended.
2. In a measuring cup, combine the oil and milk and beat with a fork until creamy.
3. Pour all at once over flour mixture.
4. Mix with a fork until the flour mixture is completely moistened.
5. Pat the dough with your fingers, first up the sides of the plate, then across the bottom.
6. Flute the edges.
7. Shell is now ready to be filled with chocolate goodness (see above)

 
 
Cheers,
Mary

 

  

A Royal Place to Visit

Hear ye, hear ye...a royal baby boy has been born!  And in honor of everything English, I have included a piece I recently finished titled THE LOO.  You know...everyone has to visit the royal loo sometimes, especially after an abundance of tea.

Celebrate the birth of all possibilities, most importantly creative ones.

Blessings,
Mary

Happy Spring, friends!  I hope you are finding inspiration outside (and inside your heart) in this amazing life that's growing and sprouting all around you.

Seeing that we are in four months into 2013, I thought I should do a quick review of what happened in my world this past 2012 before I get into my "plans" for the remainder of 2013.  First, let me explain that I spent the good portion of 2012 publishing/editing a wonderful children's book by Jodi Moore and illustrated by Brendan Flannelly-King, titled GOOD NEWS NELSON. It was beyond amazing working with these two talents.  If you haven't checked out the book yet...what are you waiting for?

Between my sons' ballgames, school functions, home life (including the holidays), church, etc.  I was also able to get a little bit of art in, which definitely cures what ails you.  I was thrilled to do multiple mini pieces for two Chick's Picks shows in the fall of 2012.  This time, I showcased my mini-mixed media art on easels.  I love doing minis as they are great to use in decorating with an eclectic, vintage style.  You can see a few samples in the pictures below.

 

 

Lately, I've been finding myself wanting to do more silhouettes again.  Below are a few I did not too long ago.  One was sold at an auction (the dancer with the heart) and the other was given as a gift to my cousin.  I'm not sure exactly what I want to do with silhouettes, but I can't wait to see where my creativity leads me.  I'm also looking forward to finishing up a few writing projects.  Somehow the urge to write and create art never truly leaves me.  Whenever I start to have my doubts and feel tired and weary, it seems the Good Lord plants the desire right back in my heart.  It's kind of like Spring over and over again.  

 

So, what do you have planned this Spring?

 

 

~Mary



Chick's Picks!

Yes, it has been waaaaaaayyyyyyy too long since I've blogged here.  We all have busy lives, so I will not dish out excuses.  I'm just happy to be back.  How about you?

Recently, I've been creating mixed-media collage on mini canvases, propped up on easels.  I absolutely love doing these small pieces of art, which make unique decorations on top of books, mantels, or in bare, lonely corners.  They will be featured next week at Chick's Picks!  A must see show of local designers and artists....and always a fabulous time and place for bringing women together to shop, socialize, and support other women in their creative endeavors.  Did I mention that each Chick's Picks show supports a good cause, too?  This month the show is collecting...bras...well, just follow the link to find out more:

You don't want to miss the show! 

Cheers,
Mary

P.S. Many of Chick's Picks products have been featured in the following:

Mixed-Media Holiday Project

It's been a while since I've posted, and mainly because I was completely thrown off by the fact that I fell and broke my leg.  The house was turned upside down and my hubby and kids scrambled to take care of the caretaker.  I was in such shock that healing became a priority.  Thank the Lord for my mom, mother-in-law, and husband for their constant care.  Now, finally, I can say I am walking again...well, maybe it's a hobble, but I'm getting there.

In the midst of it all, however, I did find a little time for writing and creating a few pieces of art for a small showing at The Rich Hippie in Leesburg, VA, where I sold a few pieces.  I have included one of them here for you to see.  The pig ended up in a beautiful, white frame, which suited her best because she is quite the royal pig.

Another project I worked on with the help and dedication of my family was decorating the house for Christmas.  To me, decorating for Christmas is mixed media art at its finest.  Here is a collage of the end result:

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you!  May you be filled with peace, warmth, and joy.  And may 2012 be a good year for you!

Love,

Mary Rand Hess

When Art Takes A Backseat To Life

Some days are a bust.  Take this afternoon for instance, I washed clothes, bathed the dog, dreamed of writing and creating art, served snacks, took care of "kid-related" drama, cooked dinner, only to leave my trashcan wide open while I was cooking.  I thought I had accomplished a lot...enough to leave a little time open for me.  But the trashcan apparently whispered sweet temptations to my dog, so Little Ruby pawed her way through the remnants and cleaned a raw chicken package, among other items.  I had to then scrub raw chicken juice off the floor, give Ruby another bath, then finish cooking dinner.  Ruby was obviously not deterred.  After a somewhat peaceful dinner of correcting manners (stop chewing with your mouth open, don't smack, use your napkin...I'm not always this nagging), the doorbell rang and I left the last dish and glass of milk on the table.  When I returned, Ruby was on top of the dinning room table drinking milk and licking the last remains of barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn off my son's plate.

Now there's homework to finish, bath time, stories to read, snack, and then bed.  So I'll dream of writing and mixed-media in my dreams tonight...maybe I'll even compose a song.  I'm sure my dreams will be wild and imaginative.  Then I'll wake up tomorrow...and we'll see.

Life...

~Mary

Lately

I'm working on two pieces for the Something Hot Annual Regional Juried Show in Leesburg this August.  I'm Almost done with the first piece (I'll share pictures of it after the show) and am working out the composition for the second, which I'll complete as soon as I'm done with VBS this week.  Every year, I am the drama teacher at vacation bible school and love getting into character!  Speaking of characters...just this week I sold my Lady In Paris piece.  Most of my art work features characters real and imagined, and each have a unique story.  But don't ask me to tell you their stories.  You'll just have to imagine!

By the way, did you see the movie Midnight in Paris?  I thought it was delightful!  Maybe my piece below will encourage (or nudge) you to go see it...if you haven't already.

Peace,
Mary