Thursday, May 29, 2014

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY MAY 30

Hi Everyone!
 
Wow this has been a wild and crazy day. Everything seems to be just a bit off. Ya know you are 1 minute late and the bank is closed for lunch, or you know you called in your meds but the pharmacy doesn't have a record of them. Your Hotmail doesn't work today and  your phone is dead. A few other weird things too. REALLLY???? I am NOT KIDDING. All I can do is laugh about it.
Tomorrow will be better. (big smile)
So I am posting for Paint Party Friday along with some other very talented artists who join in each week. A big thanks to Eva and Kristin for making sure we have a place to show off our skills.
Be sure to visit PPF and take a look at who is creating what. It is so much fun.
Tonight I have two paintings.
 
The first is an abstract done on a 12x12 gallery canvas.
 
The second is another abstract that started very different from how it ended up. I took a cue from artist Pat Lambrecht Hould and added some Variegated marble leaf. I really like the effect it brings to a painting. Real life shows all the shine much better, but you get the idea.
 

 
 Hope you enjoyed the paintings
 
 
 
Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

THE KENAI FIRE PHOTOS

Hi Everyone!
 
Thank you for all of your comments, emails and most of all prayers for the firefighters including my brother. Kenai got a bit of rain and cooler temps, that helped a lot. The smoke is still horrendous. I know some people were allowed to go home. Here are a few ire photos.
 
gruesome beauty?

 
 smoke
 
 one last stump holding onto the fire
or
 is it the fire holding onto the stump?
 
photo source
Anchorage Daily News

Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Monday, May 26, 2014

WILD FIRES TOUCHING HOME PRAY FOR THE FIGHTERS

Hi Everyone!
 
We all know there are lots of fires burning right now across the US. The Alaska fire is hitting home for me. My old home town of Soldotna and Kenai is burning crazy. My brother Tom and his family still live there. Tom is out in the field helping to fight the fire. My SIL home all packed and ready to evac.  Please keep all of the fire fighters in your prayers.
I am so worried for my family.
 
These are photos taken over the last 24 hours.


 
 No this is not my brother. Just some of the best fighting the fires

Linda, my SIL says the smoke is unbearable.



Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

MORE ART

Hi Everyone!
 
 Last week I had a visit from a dear friend that brought me a birthday gift. She knew I was down with lupus during my real birthday time and didn't want to bother me until I felt better. Donna arrived at my home and in her hands was a pastel picture. She handed it me saying, " I was going through some of my dad's things and came across this. I knew it was yours as soon as I saw it."
How honored I am to have a piece of art that was created by my friend's father. Then I saw the painting. ARE you kidding me? This is as if Donna's dad knew me.  As I inspected the painting I noticed that  he created this the year I was born. How fortunate am I to have a friend like Donna?
Thank you again dear friend. I am making a frame for this and placing in with my other skulls and skeletons.
A 62 year old painting just waiting for me.



Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY MAY 23

Hi Everyone!
 
I have been so busy this last week trying to get over the lupus flare and get every-day things caught up that I was afraid I didn't have anything for this weeks Paint Party Friday. Hurrayyy I dooo. LOL
First off a big thanks to Eva and Kristin. With out them we wouldn't have PPF. So be sure to click on the link and see what artists from around the world are creating. hmmm maybe you will even join in.
 
I am working on a painting but not ready to show it yet. So this abstract I did a month or so ago.  It is two 8x10" canvas with acrylics. This was just a fun painting. Lots of color and movement. Don't know what those things are flying around but they were sooo much fun to make.
Happy PPF


 

Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

BEADWORK BY LYNN LINDLEY

Hi Everyone!
 
Most of you know I am unable to bead due to lupus hands. But that doesn't mean I still don't dream of beading. I miss beading, I miss putting all the elements together to create something beautiful.
I am happy to see what others are doing though. One of my favorite artists in beading and painting is Lynn Lindley from ARTiCREATE
Lynn has a way of combining colors and texture to create some magnificent pieces.
Here are just a few.




 
Stop by Lynn's blog to say hello and tell her Nicole sent you.
Happy day everyone!
Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Hi Everyone!!!

  NBB machinery is fixed and up and running. We have all 16 colors in stock!
 We have had some pretty nice things happen this month and we would like to pass the joy onto you.
Sooooooooo
Nicole's BeadBacking
NBB
is now on sale in both sizes. 12x9" just $1.95 each and 9x6" just $1.00 each!

Only through our Beadwright Website

This is our biggest sale at these prices ever!!!!
This includes all 16 colors in both sizes and these prices are good through
May 24, 2014 In addition with every sale in the next week we are taking the buyer's names and putting them into a hat

th22


 May 26, 2014 we will draw three names. Those people will win a great surprise!
No no no.... not going to tell you what it is.
I am terrible at keeping surprises to myself so the Beadwright Team WON'T tell me what the prizes are.
Can you believe that???? Seriously they will not tell me. LOL
I will email the winners after May 26, 2014.

So now until May 24, 2014 NBB is at the lowest prices!
Hope to see you at the sale.

use this9

Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

AND THE GIFTS JUST KEEP ON COMIN'

Hi Everyone!
 
Most of you know that last month was my birthday. I received some really wonderful gifts, great e-cards from a lot of you, out to dinner, and really just a wonderful birthday. My brother, Steve and I don't live close to each other so he would phone and tell me my gift was in the mail. Ha Ha yeah... OK. He would NOT tell me what it was. Well yesterday I get a box from FedEx. (DO NOT DROP) is written on the front of it. I open it, carefully removing the bubble wrap. OMG!!!!! and OMG!!! again.
My brother bought me a piece of art that when I saw it I sat down and cried.
It is a stunning piece of Native art created by Pat Lambrecht- Hould. If you don't know her work then click Pat's name. She has a process where she embellishes gold and silver leaf into her paintings. Her abstracts are stunning as well. It turns out the two of my brothers are friends with Pat. Hmmm think I need to go visit my brothers and meet this lady. LOL
So ya wanna see what Steve sent to me???
 
15x20" Soul Dancer
Pat Lambrecht-Hould
 
Remember my background and that half of my house is Native design.
 
This painting is so bright and in the right light the gold and silver leaf "pop"
Plus all of you know how I LOVE red!!!
 
Thank you Steve, I will cherish this forever!
 
Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY MAY 15

Hi Everyone!
 
First off can you believe that the month of May is half over? 
I am feeling better from lupus and hope I can stay this way for awhile. That was a hard hitting flare.
I hope all of you that are going through similar set backs are doing better as well.

A big thanks to Eva and Kristen for hosting Paint Party Friday. Also to all of the artists who join in each week to share what they have created.  Please click on the link to see all the great art.

I have two abstract pieces that I have done over the last two months.
 
 
acrylics on 20x16" canvas
A Walk into My Dream
 
another 20x16" abstract in acrylics
For my brother Steve
The Colors of Life


 
 
Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

SNOW WHTIE AND POWDER BLUE NBB

Hi Everyone!
 
Yesterday and maybe today it feels like summer! I mean a real summer day where the cold ocean wind doesn't blow the warmth away.  Even though the sun and lupus don't go well together,  I lounged out on my back deck. It felt soooo good.  I just needed to feel that warmth. It gave me a bit of energy that I need right now.
 I have a load of work to do. Happy work.
Yaaaaayyyyyy after a very long time the machines are repaired and I have Snow White and Powder Blue Nicole's BeadBacking in stock!!!!  To all of my loyal and beyond wonderful customers, thank you for your patience.  We now  have all 16 colors in stock at new lower pricing.
As I mentioned in our Beadwright NewsLetter we are going to keep these prices for the entire year with periodic sales.
Sooo one more cup of coffee and I am off to cut NBB.

 
Wishing everyone a happy day
 
 
Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Hi Everyone!
 
Wishing all the moms out there a very nice day.
 
This is my Mother's day gift. My great grand daughter Eva Marie




Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY AND I HAVE A NEW GREAT GRANDBABY

Hi Everyone!

NEWS NEWS NEWS
Had to add this to my PPF post
Cause you just can't beat this kind of art
Just a few minutes ago my Son phoned and sent these photos I have my first great granddaughter


My son Troy and granddaughter Koral Marie


Koral Marie and Eva Marie

 
Yeahhh it is Paint Party Friday. I so look forward to this part of my week.  There seems to be an excitement in my spirit to see what all the artists have been working on. This party also gives me a place to show what I have been working on as well. It is so much fun for me to have started painting again after a life time of NOT painting. I am relearning some basics, remembering what my Nan taught me and learning some new ideas from great friends. So happy Paint Party Friday to all who join in and to those who come by to see what it is all about. A huge thank you to Eva and Kristin for taking time each week to host this wonderful event.

This week I have two piece. Both acrylic on canvas.
Yeah I know, I need to hide my red paint. LOL

This is a small canvas 8x10"



                                                   This canvas is 24x36" It began like this








And ended up here. I might do a few more things to it but this is where I am with it.


 Wishing everyone a happy weekend

Nicole/Beadwright 
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH P-O-P MAY 16

Hi Everyone!

I receive several emails each month from people asking me why I have stopped beading. Believe me beading is still in my soul. The simple fact is, due to lupus I can no longer create the designs I have in my head. Sitting for long periods of  time, like I use to with beading, is just not possible any more.
Also, thanks to lupus, my hands don't work like they use to.  I beaded  for over 46 years, contributed to the beading world in many venues, and paid my bills with my designs. So to loose this to a disease is very dissappointing. I am trying to be nice, it is sssoooooo much more than dissapointing.

What I am about to write is NOT for you to feel sorry for me. 
Not me not at all. I don't feel sorry for myself . This is just to make people aware.
People look at me and say, "you don't look sick"
Ohhhh please come live in my body for awhile and give me a break from it. LOL

Making people aware of  how lupus effects lives is part of  knowing what the disease is. Lupus effects people differently but the results can be the same and they can be devasting. Over my life I have had 5 surgeries removing internal organs. I have brain and central nervous system problems leaving me, at times unable to walk or just function. I am in pain EVERY day. With flares I am in even MORE pain. There is cronic fatige and digestion problems and sometimes I just can't get things right in my thought process and my skin breaks out in a lupus rash, haaaa more like an explosion. LOL
 I tend to hybernate during these times. I don't want people to see me like this. In my mind I am still healthy. I am  hiking up mountian sides, bow hunting, camping. I am working, dancing, laughing and just being strong. And that is why I fight. Why I keep as positive an outlook as I can. Why I take care of myself. Why I do what I can to get up everyday and to be as healthy as I can. When I can't do it on my own I have a really good doctor.

 Making people aware and then taking action is what will bring a cure to this. 
There is a lot going on in the month of May for lupus. Support us in anyway you can.
 If you have lupus or any other autoimmune leave me a comment. Let's make people aware!

 http://www.lupus.org/

May 1. Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body.
May 2. In lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs. The result is the production of autoantibodies that cause inflammation.
May 3. Ninety percent of the people who develop lupus are women. Men also can develop lupus and their disease can affect some organs more severely.
May 4. Most often, lupus develops between ages 15 and 44.  However, between 10 and 20 percent of cases develop during childhood and these cases can evolve into serious health complications more rapidly.
May 5. African Americans, Hispanics/Latinas, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans are diagnosed with lupus two or three times more frequently than Caucasians; however, lupus affects people of all races and ethnicities.
May 6. Factors that may trigger a lupus flare include infections, ultraviolet light, stress and some medications.
May 7. Lupus can affect any organ system of the body, including the heart, kidneys, lungs, blood, joints, and skin.
May 8. Lupus is not contagious and cannot be ā€œgivenā€ to another person.
May 9. First degree relatives of people with lupus (parent, sibling or child) have six times the risk of developing the disease.
May 10. Many symptoms of lupus imitate those of other illnesses, and can come and go over time, making diagnosis difficult.  Consequently, it may take three to five years or more to diagnose lupus.
May 11. Successful treatment of lupus often requires a combination of medications.


Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

WORLD LUPUS DAY MAY 10

Hi Everyone!
 
Just a note to say lupus sucks!!!

 
 
Most of you know that I share my body with lupus. For the most part I have lived a pretty normal life. "MY NORMAL" lupus has taken a toll on my body and the older I get the harder the flares are. This flare that I am in now is really trying to kick me around. I am a fighter and even though I won't win the lupus war I will win as many battles as I can.
 
For those of you who share your bodies with lupus you know what I am talking about. For those of you who don't know what lupus is; well in the easiest terms lupus is an autoimmune dis-ease where the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, central nervous system, female organs and of course blood.  This happens because a body with lupus can't tell the difference between the good and the bad. Your body actually attacks itself. 
 
May is lupus awareness month and May 10 is world lupus day.
There are a lot of things you can do to help find a cure for lupus.
If you are interested please visit these sites.
 
 
 
 
These are some of my favorite lupus banners
all from google search
 









 
If you share you body with lupus we are in this boat together. We can take turns paddling.
If you know someone with lupus do something nice for them.
If you are a care giver for someone with lupus be sure to take care of yourself first.
If you would like to help find a cure for lupus contact lupus.org



Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY LUPUS AND THANKS

Hi Everyone!

Now that is a heck of a title. I am up for a bit while Mike puts the AC in the bedroom window.  Wowowowo Flornece, Oregon hit an astouding 91 degrees yesterday! My kind of weather and I was out of commision. eerrggg.... That hot weather is not good for lupus or ms or other autoimmune dis-eases but we get that so seldom here it would have been nice to enjoy it. 
So lupus is really kicking my butt this time around. Still not able to use my right arm. Went in to to do some blood work this morning and since my doctor is off on Thursday and Friday I will go in to see him on Monday. If things get too bad I can always go to the ER. I am pretty tough when it comes to this lupus crap and I will deal with it. I don't want some ER doctor trying to upset the rythum that my doc and I have. Hey I think an ice cold blended Margarita with a splash of mango would fix me right up. LOL No I don't normally drink but that sounds so good. "giggle"


Again I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful comments and emails. Just makes everything feel like it is going to be OK.

I am posting early for Paint Party Friday. The weekly gathering for artists to show what they are creating. There are some truly wonderful artists in several venues, so stop by PPF and see who is doing what. Thanks to Eva and Kristen for hosting Paint Party Friday.

The first two are 8 minute warm ups from last week.
All three are acrylics on canvas


Playing around and having fun


This is another practice piece, just trying to find movement
 



http://www.worldlupusday.org/



Nicole/Beadwright 
Honor and integrity in art, in life.