sad to post..

Hello Guys..just a quick post here..I am sad to have to post that my Grandafather passed away on my visit here. He had fallen and broken his hip..and there was no way they could fix it..His health just declined rapidly and that is that. We will all miss him Terribly.
When I get back home ..I will post my favorite picture of Grandpa Frank. He was such a great guy.
Oh..one more thing..I have been here in Corpus for about a week, and there is absolutely NO way for me to check my firehorsestudio email. It behooves me why I cant..but for some reason it just wont download here..never has. So you guys will have to wait until after July 4 at least for me to come home..and July 6th we are leaving for Oklahoma for Grandpa Franks service. I can am going to try to mail about 15 packages from here this week. I wish I had gotten to them before now..but dealing with Grandpa's death just frankly put it on the back burner. But I will get to them asap.

Thanks Debra

Bit's in Pieces..

All kinds of Tidbits and goodies to share this time. I wish I could force myself to get into the swing of posting every other day. Maybe you all would get sick of me then lol? However, as seems my nature is to Horde and purge lol, here goes!

First order of Business..bunnies bunnies. Oh..so cute. Bounce and Talon have grown by hops and

wiggles! Shiela (Mom) is ever the protectant thunder thumper. Elvira, our Black Otter Mini Rex

is fond of the new babies, but prefers Humans to Lupus : )

Some neat sights on Renaissance Drive, the Living and Camping Quarters of the Texas Renaissance festival. I Love visiting friends here..It feels like a Gypsy Camp! I will take more soon, but I prefer to get permission from the owners of each site, So as I get to know them..more interesting pictures!

Now on to Detail brushes. I hate to say it..but., It has been over a month since I replenished my Detail brushes. I have been eeeking along with what I have. Cutting and chopping and Frankensteining the best I can. I have several pieces that just need a teeny bit of detail and then they are home free. So , in the meantime I have been enjoying pencils and washes and dry brush Techniques. I am slowly doing hair and pencil work on "Prada and Pearls" (Matriarch) and successfully enjoying the process. I am trying to capture that Roany, striated color transition "look". (Hey I never said I make "sense" when I try to explain these techniques :)

Also in the works is a beautiful soft Dappled Gray Eberl Almonzar! For the Brave and Fearless Elephant "petter" Susan Parker (Just home from an African Safari you lucky thing) I am enjoying executing such soft soft dapplework. He will be so very soft and pale, His Dapples have to be Pristeen and perfect! right up the Alley for me to Hyperfocus on : )

Next is the Debbie's adorable little Eberl Foal Scampolo. Debbie has been wanting a Buckskin Tobiano, and after finding just the perfect Reference Foal, we came up with this darling. He is still awaiting me to purchase those Detail Brushes, poor baby has no Pupils or super fine detail done yet. But he is going to be a darling. I do so love the soft color transitions in Dilute faces.

This little Darling has been completed for a while. And I actuall FORGOT about him? I know..chastate all you want I have just been under extreme pressure lately, I forgot I had almost completed him in April, and I put him "aside" to Wait for some gloss for his eyes and hooves. Imagine my surpise, finding him this many weeks later. His poor mama! Send me an Email and I will send him home to you! excuse the contrast on his photos. He is MUCH cuter in person! He is a very soft, very Dilute appaloosa. These photos do not give his face justice at all, he has an adorable soft Dilute muzzle in person!

Elizzy! Your York is Ready to come home to Bastrop LOL! Elizzy owns "3" of our Late White German Shepard "Athena"s puppies. She is a brave woman taking on all three. Send some pictures of Sam, Merry and Pippin Elizzy so we can see how they have grown! I really enjoyed creating this peachy, soft Dun. I really enjoyed the movement on the Resin, and enjoyed the Dun factoring on that fabulous Mane. Still just needing the tiniest of detail..(grrrr wish I had an undending supply of Detail brushes) I have obviously been on a Dilute Kick lately. I am not far enough along on a Dun El Emosco as well as a Champagne Trad. Indy..but they are up and coming! Then a Batch of Bays..then a batch of greys!


As of Wednesday June 19th, Myself and the Girls will be going down to Corpus Christi to be with my father, (Whom had a bit of a setback but were deailng with it) and hopefully go on a mini-vacation of sorts. I am taking a few horses to actually work on, mainly Prada and Pearls, and finishing up these recent commissions, but the main thing I will accomplish down there is mailing out over 13 pieces. I am so excited, It will feel extraordinarily good to get my studio clean of these stragglers and pieces that just needed a thing or two. So there will be several of you guys recieving some wonderful treats in the mail! Please do NOT mail anything to me though, until after July 5!

I hopefully will be able to access my Email from down there..But now that the family has closed the office, It may be difficult. I will post on FHS Yahoo group as to my online status down there!

Happy Summer All!

Happy Stuff!

Happy Stuff! Boy..it seems like ages that I have been able to Post, and have actually had GOOD News! So much to share..I am going to have to do this in small installments though as time is precious lately! I am going to start off with a big Thank -You to all of you that have been so kind. I recieved so many wonderful cards, letters, gifts and sweet momentos etc! I will truly cherish all of it! The picture on the left..is myfavorite spot in my room, to sit and read, write letters, It is my dormer window seat..I have put together just a small assortment of some of the wonderful thngs people sent (All the cards are hanging in the Kitchen..will have to snap a pic of that too)


But just look at the sweet little Unicorns..((Hugs Debbie) sent to me AND My Girls! About 50 Issues of Horse Illustrated (WHOA Nellie..talk about great references!) , some Flowers, some candies. (I think I ate those before I took the pictures.) And a WONDERFUL Set of wooden Cigar Boxes for my Pastels. Let me tell you, those boxes are Priceless! Now I have enough for just about every color range! Thank you SO much Irene ! I just can't thank all of you enough for your support, well wishes, Prayers. And I have the BEST News to Share. Although my father's cancer is still there..still back, We did find out..that the huge Mass that was growing so quickly, was misdiagnosed..(Actually the lab results were confused) and that mass was actually Scar Tissue! We were so petrified by the quickness and largeness of the mass..that the idea of it being cancerous was truly frightening..and would probably have meant, well..it would have been very grave. So now..My father has some Hope..things are not "As" Dire! I truly believe it is on the miraculous side! Those Prayers worked! In fact..mom and Dad are currently in Alaska..on the Cruise of a Lifetime. I am so thrilled they are doing something special! They certianly deserve it

I wanted to share a few more photos of things around here. I love to share with you all, what is going on in my life (Obviously..probably a little too much lol) As many of you know..I am the epitomy of an Open Book : ) I cannot get stung by a bee without proclaiming to the world my Bee- Encounter. One of the many idiosyncracies that is my personality. Sometimes I worry I share way too much..and I know my Husband..(The closed book) Definitely feels I share too much with everybody. But Hey..I simply cannot help it lol! It's a Firehorse trait!

Anyhooo..see the Beautifully remodelled studio? I now have my Fathers old Business Desk, along with my Drafting Table and all my Art supplies completely Organized? James refurbished the Bathroom and Closet for my Business..It looks just great in there. The Problem? I cannot seem to "Work" in my Studio. Right now, I am preferring to snuggle up in my big comfy chair in my room upstairs..and surround myself with resins and all my art materials..and THAT Is where all my painting has been done lately. My poor Husband..He is not allowed to touch my stuff..so I get to hear him grump every morning while he tries to get ready, tiptoe'ing around all my Art supplies and horses! Oh well..: ) Whatever it takes to be Productive! Poor James, I needed a little TV in the Studio..so he got me one..ran cable too it..but yet..that still does not entice me as much as the comfy chair. I think I am liking the "Hiding away" aspect of it. I come down here to do research, try to make this horrid computer work for emails etc. I guess the good thing is My Studio stays clean and organized! (I just dont work in it right now lol) I think I tend to sit at the desk, stare out my big front window at the front property , and think about all the gardening, planting and etc I could be doing hehee.

And I just have to share photos of Bounce and Bambi. These are our Lionhead "Shiela"s little bunny babies. Two males, the grey is Bounce..the fawn is Bambi! We could not be more thrilled. I will keep taking pictures of thier growth, as they are sooo stinkin cute lol!

Next I want to talk about the "Wyakins"! Michelle Platt's new Traditional sized Resin. I completed two, one for Michelle as a Guest Artist piece..and the other for me. I just listed "Daisy Mae" on Ebay and she did very very well! Thank you all for your support and bids and Praise on these gals! She was such a soothing mould to work on during a turbulent time! Both pieces were done as similar'ish appies..but the actual coat color..and the technique were quite different! Daisy Mae was pure pastels..with Ink and Acrylic washes..Michelles was pastel and TONS of itty bitty Pencil work..and Lots I mean LOTS Of gneadable eraser blending and smoothing. Then more layers of pastels..more pencilwork..over and over! Daisy, I worked very hard on trying to emulate the mottled, pigmenty look on those High sweat areas that Appies get! Soo..the result was actually pushing my Techniques to different creative levels..and I do believe my dwelve into techniques unyet explored (By me anyway) was a success! If there is enough interest..I might do a simple "techniques and Tips" tutorial. Just let me know if this is something you guys would be interested in..I think I have it set up so you can post comments on here. My poor Email is already so oversatuated..and I tend to lose so many emails... maybe p0sting on here will be easier for me to recieve messages and gage interest?

I am feeling so much better about things..I really do have a renewed interest in painting and sculpting! But as good as I feel, and as much as a relief that I now have regarding Dad

.. we as a family have a LOT to overcome. This last 6-9 months put us in a tailspin both in the Studio and with our Finances. Up until about a week ago..we really though we might have to declare Bankruptcy. : ( Things have gotten that stressful due to my slow progress, no sales pieces ..and just the financial strain of all the traveling etc..not to mention downsizing going on at my Husbands Workplace. So things are rough here..But Thank Goodness for Daisy Mae..as her Proceeds will be funneled directly into our Way overdue Mortgage and Truck Payments. I usually try to complete 3 commissions before each sales piece..but for the next few months..I may have to alter that formula to allow me a few more sales pieces..Just until I get caught up. And I really apologize for not being able to extend Time Pays on Daisy Mae. Several good and reliable customers, as well as new customers with great feedback requested time payments..and I do wish I could have extended that..but we really needed to try to pay these by June 1st, And now due to Daisy, we will be able to swing two payments which is honestly..a Godsend. : ) Seriously! I am hoping, that after I get one more sales piece in..The next few after that I will be 1. either able to extend time payments on..or 2. extend FHS Credit onto a Sales piece! You commission holders may be aware of that plan..I will discuss this option more as things get rolling.

But Right now Commission wise things are coming along quite well. I do want to share a photo of this darling little Eberl Scampolo..which I think will turn out to be quite charming! I have many more commission pictures to share..so stay tuned.

As for the next immediate sales piece..It will be a Reverse Dappled..Buckskin Blanket Appaloosa Fabrizio! (Progress pic below) I am hoping to offer him up soon, I dont know if I will do an offers type scenario..or put him on Ebay..The Ebay fees are about killing me..so..we will see. I have not tried the Auction Barn, Shallons new site..I have heard it is really good though! I may consider a pre sale if the price is right. I am hoping to swing purchasing some of Sara Mink new adorable smaller resins...Have you all seen them? So adorable!

Obviously I am on a run of appies right now..lol..I have some other appie commissions in progress...but next will be a batch of Bays..then Greys! But as always..I have several pieces going on at once..some moving fast..others poking along. Wish I could work more structured..but as many of you artists know..this is a very "Inspiration based" business! I am just relived that I seem to be getting my excitement about painting back. For trying to paint without feeling Enthusiasm..is the same thing as trying to Dance to a song you just dont like : )

Well Gee Golly..I have once agian rambled forever lol..I am hoping to get into the swing of posting smaller postings..much more regularly. Jenn Danza is awesome at it..I aspire to be like her and do such wonderful blog posting. i just love reading hers and others blogs. : )

BTW..if anybody with thier own blog..has figured out how to post simply from email..will you share how you do it? I am cornfused as usual lol!

Well..Im going to go feed my bunnies and take some more pictures..I cannot believe how fast they are growing! Wait till you see!

Well..thank you for reading this latest installment of "As the Art Turns" lol..for yes..My life does often feel like a Soap Opera!

Wednesday.

Well, It's a fair Wednesday, Nice and cool, the chance of showers is high. So it feels good today. The last few days were bordering on HOT. : ) Not ready for that yet.

I want to share just a bit that we did get the results of my Fathers MRI after 6 months of Chemo. It does not look good, and due to the circumstances I will be stepping away from the Hobby a bit to Deal with this Issue. The main thing I am stepping away from is correspondance and Hobby involvement. The re-hashing of my Dads health, and my inability to focus on that right now is pretty clear. The wonderful Terra Pennington will be recieving emails for me if you need to get ahold of me. Terra will update me about once a week or so. I am sure I will also be doing quite a bit of Traveling, and will be visiting Corpus Christi alot to be with my Father.

I am going to do my best to continue Painting,as Painting always soothes my soul.. But I just need some time, to both figure out how to deal with this, and also to just spend some pure free, fun time with my Father.

I am doing my best to stay productive in the Studio, We have re-designed my studio with my Dads Office furniture, and still we were able to keep his Old Drafting table in there as well. It is soo nice. Look at all that storage! Finally somewhere safe for my horses and supplies!

It really is nice. I have dust free storage, and I managed to get rid of all the unsightly clutter. However, having a great big picture window is really nice..but I tend to drift off and daydream while looking outside, which is not terrilby helpful : ) But it feels good. so there.

I certainly have not completed a great deal this last week or two..but there is a bit. Nice progress was made on Commissions...and then there is this Gal! This is "Wyakin"! a Guest Artist piece I am doing for Michelle Platt the sculptor of this sweet Old Gal. There are two of these I am finishing up on..The other one is just not at picture stage yet. But she will also be a Varnish Roan,..just a little different. I call this girl "Betty". Betty is still getting her eyes, muzzle and face worked on, As well as Mane and Tail. But you can get the idea I have for her. I have done much pencil work on her since these photos too. I can't wait to take pictures of them both together! Hopefully that will be soon.

Here comes the School Bus. Time to play with the Girlys!

Sticking my toe back in ....

Whew..WOW..whoa Nellie. It has been waaay too long! As many of you know, due to my emails and Group Broadcasts..we lost two close family members over the Holidays. Two "non" health at risk family members..out of the blue..bam. It was very difficult for our small family to bear. But we are back on track now..Dad is doing "OK" now.. He is now in the most aggressive term of his Chemo, but had to take a small Hiatus during the Funerals due to all the stress. So..thank you all so much for your kind words..phone calls, mail, letters, postcards etc. So sweet, and thank you all so much! I am glad to say that Aunt Judy is back home now after her Heart Attack, and Grandpa Frank is doing MUCH better! So Lets Pray for a much better "08"!

Anyhoo..I am Back home now..(On strict orders from Dad whom I believe was getting really sick of me loitering around and worrying all the time lol) Things are better, and my Studio is Clean and tidy and organized and I am cranking things back up! I want to thank all of my customers for thier Patience and understanding! without going into too much detail as to what all is currently being worked on..Let me just say that it feels incredibally good to be painting agian! And I intend to come back blazing..so stay tuned for all the goodies. I also DID manage to finish a few pieces during that really hectic time I would like to share..

One is this lovely Traditional Liver Chestnut Ziryab for Terri Gellin! I had the pleasure of taking this Preggars Lass to Two shows, and she cleaned up at both! Reserve Grand in the Arabian Class at Magnolia Live..and she did well at Bayouland Live as well! here is a quick shot of her!

Next completed was this sweet little Custom AA Fresian (New Mane and Tail by Tony A of Pony Ex-prep Prepping) This little Doll also brought a bucketload of winnings Home for his new Mom! (Sara) Including but not limited a Grand Champ in his Pony Class! I believe he also got a Champ in Workmanship!

I have some really exciting Commission pieces To work on right now..One is this Kicking Mule by J. Reid, He is going to be a stunning Red Dun!

I have many more new commissions that have just been starting, but I am not releasing any details until I get some good photos etc.) Plus it is just more fun that way..(Irritating I know..LOL..but fun!)

So watch this Space..You may see your piece soon! Just know that I work very randomly, inspiration based..so it is very hard to predict whom I will pick up and work on!

Ok..Now onto the "For Sale" section! We had some neat pieces come up this month! Gail Aspinwail! Bless her heart, She is having a rough time this year as well. My heart, prayers and love go out to her and her mother at this difficult time. But she is cutting back on her Showstring and showing this next year..so some really great pieces have been offered. First was the Fabulous "Texas Playboy" Many of you know this fella, he is a favorite of many, he was recently offered and sold to a new Happy owner! Here are some great pics of Playboy..and You New owner out there? If you ever want me to send you the disc of all his pictures..(easily hundreds) just LMK, as he takes great Pics!)

Next Gail had to let go of little Flitwick..He is now owned by Diana Parker! Congrats Diana, (whom is a very popular "Horse Handler" for many )

Then..Fresh from Firehorsestudios, was a LOVELY Little Grulla Filly (PDD) s he turned out stunning! I offered her at a VERY low price on MHSP to the quickest buyer LOL..and boy did she get a lot of wanters! I want to thank you all for your interest in her. Had I not been in such a need for Mortgage money I would have taken offers , Allowed Time Pays etc. But not many folks got to see her ..so here are some more pics!

(Don't look at her mane though..LOL..Havent detailed it in those pics..It is now much better rendered with the tiny little guard hairs and bleached ends..)

Other Sale Items: Many of you guys Know "40 Dolla Ho" that is the Hey Mule by P. Sinnot owned by Amber Boardman. I was allowed to take "40 Dolla" to NAN, And local shows around here and did he clean up! There is a very funny story behind his name too..LOL..Amber will have to share that tho...; P But..Amber needs to stay a Co-Ed so we decided to sale him..He comes with both his NAN top Tens, His assorted bunch of Grand and Reserve champ Rosettes, all his NAN cards for this year too of course. He is on ebay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180208194005

I was also able to finish quite a few Repair jobs..One was a Doozey, Two Legs..Forelock, mane tendrils..all had snapped off at the customers house.. and I had the lucky task of putting Humpty Dumpty together agian..! It was Dubious at first..lol..but eventually he was as good as new! So on the upside, I was able to get some nagging fixer-uppers finished! And after seeing Diana Parker at NAN, I asked if she would allow me to take an old custom of mine she owns....and "Freshen" it up..It was one of my first customs, and is a Classic sized Mulan in a wild Paint Pattern. I couldnt bear to see him without doing some touch-ups..so Wa-lah!! He looks SOOOOOOOO much better..still a few tones to add into his pastel colors..but he is like a new beastie now lol! Thank You Diana for giving me the time and freedom to clean this guy up for ya!

Now..rest be assured..Of course lol..That I am behind due to the last 6 weeks. So there is going to be a lot to catch up on but I am working like a fiend! So just hang tight! The biggest hurdle right now is to ship out all the fellas that are here. Easily about 15 horses, I got the first batch out last week, The little Grullas proceeds are going to help me ship out the rest. And that will be available on Monday. So blech..Monday will be load em up and ship them out. You guy know how much I hate shipping? Blech..ALOT LOL. It is very difficult for me to let these guys leave my studio, mainly for I am SUCH a perfectionist, also It just has something to to with ADD I am sure lol. But I am getting better!

Coming up on the Next blog will be pics from the New Commissions in progress! Oh we have several..a little Kjelsius foal, another wee dini..a Mythos for Michelle Cox, a Constantin for Stacy Tumlinson...Several assorted different Trads including a LOVELY Champagne Tr. Indy! Its a jumbled up happy mess of stuff coming!

Also, I want to share with you guys a very interesting area I spend time in. I have several friends that work at the Renaissance festival..now the Renaissance festival Fairgrounds is literally about 15 minutes from here..and i have dear friends that live actually in the Renaissance village. I was over visiting thier camps a few days ago and snapped some great pictures of the CampGrounds where many of them live year round. Talk about neat pictures! Going over there reminds me of what it is/was probably like to visit a Gypsy Camp! Anyhow..I think many of you would enjoy the pics!

Oh..and folks are already asking what the next Sales piece will be..Well..Next will be a Matriarch (No Shallon not your LOL..Yours is in the mail out batch for next week lol) this one is going to "I THINK" be either a Palomino Overo with pretty Dark eyes, or a soft Buckskin Tobiano. I am seeing her in very soft colors, with just the prettiest Dark eyes for some reason. Any ideas of what you guys would prefer? Just LMK I t hink you can post here..or just send me an email!

And Deb Wright I want to thank You SO much for our trade so I actually HAVE something to Paint LOL!!

Some more tidbit news..Sadly, I turned down my Invitation to do a NAN Auction piece this year. I have always wanted to be asked, Have always wanted to Donate..but Unfortunately, I am afraid if I did accept the offer, I would spend a lot of time on doing one. For of course I would want to do something Spectacular! and after lots of thought and trying to juggle books in order to do so..etc. I decided it just would not be fair to you Commish holders whom have been so patient. So..Next year hopefully I can contribute!

OK..that it for now..So sorry it took so long to get this silly thing published..This is actually like 3 different seperate posts..I was RE-typing it over and over..for days. weeks even lol Didnt realize that I actually WAS saving my Drafts. Sometimes I am so DAFT LOL. and I think I have even done this same mistake before..AYE Carumba..never said I was the sharpest stick in the shed LOL

Love Deb