More from The Cottages

Scavenger Hunt #75

Can you believe we are on #75? Amazing. I missed most of the ones during my surgery and for about a month after. I used to finish them all, but lately I have only finished one. That felt good. Here is my #1 something yellow and Challenge #1 something in the primary colors. I have decided to take my time this hunt and not rush thru. I like the way this one came out. This is done with watercolor using a waterbrush and my Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box.

Sorry for being absent

It wasn't planned. My absence I mean. I have had some computer problems. My computer has too much on it and is getting really slow.

I have been doing some artwork tho. I did one at my plein air outing on Wednesday. We went to a place called The Cottages. It is some small cottage-style houses that have been converted to little shops for food and boutiques. The one I drew was a day spa.

The cottages were built around 1950 and have a quaint look that you don't find in today's buildings. They aren't perfect but do have some nice details. The back of one with an upstairs has a wrought-iron staircase with blue doors top and bottom. Very cute. Very complicated with the staircase.

Here is the one I did for my outing and a photo of the blue doors. I took the photo of the spa place from a little bit different angle than my drawing but it gives you the general idea of what it looked like.

More postcards

More from the postcard exchange

Wetcanvas Problems Today

I guess Wetcanvas is doing maintenance today. I haven't been able to get online at all today. It's not just me as JoanT hasn't been able to get online today either. And she is hosting the scavenger hunt which ends tomorrow. Must have been frustrating to her as she has to use a computer at the library.

I surfed most of the day looking for free art lessons. I found a couple that look promising.

I mailed two more of my postcards for the trade project today. One to Canada and one to the US. I have only 8 more to do. But I have an Easter card to do before long. The 20th we will get the name of our recipient. I haven't even started thinking or planning what I will do for that one.

Then I will start my Masters art trade cards. Those we have a year to finish, so I hope another trade will start before that one has to be finished. I have two of those cards finished.

Here is one of the drawings I did for the postcard exchange. Some of my cards were graphite drawings and the rest have been colored pencil.

Internet trouble.

I haven't been able to get online all day. I called my server, and he said he has had calls all day. For some reason each persons computer could not read either their name or passworld when they went to sign on. We had to reinput them. I also am having trouble with Outlook Express which is the program I use for my email. As soon as I sign on to Outlook, my computer knocks me off the internet. Always something. You just get one thing figured out and something else happens. I think there are little computer bugs in each computer that sit up all night figuring something new to cause you grief.
I did another self portrait but was not happy with it. I decided not to post it and have to look at it over and over.
I went out with my plein air group today for the first time since October. We went to the Bakersfield Museum of Art. We have been there a few times. I took pictures of the trees outside the main grounds. There were no flowers blooms so no new pictures inside the grounds. It was also so cold I couldn't sit and draw. I did one really quick sketch, and then moved out into the sunlight. I wore two pairs of pants, two tops, two pairs of socks, and a sweatshirt and gloves. Still cold. But at least I made it to one outing. Now maybe it will get easier to attend. It is still so much walking so it will depend on where they go each week. And how far I have to carry supplies and a chair.

Self Portrait Day 20

Here is my latest. I did it tonight. I'm pretty happy with this one. Finally, hubby said it looks just like me. I agree that it looks like me except for two things. I smile more than these show, and I don't wear glasses except when I read or am on the computer.

Back to Self Portraits

I finished another self portrait today. I didn't want to sketch my hair so decided to work on it after my shower with my hair in a towel. I like this one ok. Better than the last one.

No progress

I haven't done any more self portraits. Hopefully tomorrow. I did work on two postcards. I didn't really like either. This one is growing on me a little. I don't like the different colors on the rocks. Not sure it will get traded or not.

Another of the same

Day 18 turned out pretty good, but I did a lousy job on the hand. I still like yesterdays better than this one. But they both do look like me.

Self Portrait Day 17

I think today's self portrait looks the most like me. Of course hubby will probably say no, but to me yes. I shaded some with a stump but the shading does not come thru very much on scans. If I darken it in my picture program, my face starts to look dirty.

Sunday

Today I finished two more of the postcards for the exchange. I can't post them right now. I have to wait until they are received. I don't want to give anyone an early peak at what they will get in the mail.
I have signed up for yet another project. This one is a little different. Painting masters 200 A.D.-1970. We study them, do a copy or interpretation, then mail then to one of the 20 participants. And we have a whole year for this.
I did one that lasted a year. It was way too long. The thread got really lonely. Even the one who started the project had forgotten about it. Then there was a lot of scurry right at the last minute for everyone to finish.
I will try again this week to go with the art group. We will go to a local mission/church. If it is raining, our fallback place to meet is at the art association gallery. There we will set up a still life or work on whatever we want.
I haven't done my self portrait yet today. Will have to do two tomorrow. I think I will have to do that a few times as I am behind most of the others. Some of them have only two more to do.

Doctor's office

I was at the doctor's office yesterday and drew the lady across from me. She was talking and moving a lot and never noticed I was sketching her. I did show it to her later, and she liked it.

The specialist said that the surgeon may just be right about a more surface infection. He said he sees no redness. He requested more blood work before the next visit. I take the remainder of my meds, then see both doctors two weeks later to see if something more flares up. But I did like that he is thinking maybe the infection isn't as bad as first thought.

Homeless

My self portrait today makes me look like a homeless person. It's not my best but by far not my worse.

Scavenger Hunt #71

I wasn't very happy with my self portrait tonight, so will post one of my scavenger hunt items instead.

This is the second time I have sketched my hand with this symbol of peace. I did one as an ATC for the Thankful for..exchange.

SP Day 11

I think the self portrait that I did today is my best so far. Not just for this portrait challenge but the last one I did as well. It lost something in the shading when I scanned it. I used Derwent Drawing Pencils (brown ochre and black)

Friday had to have surgery today. She had an ear hematoma (I think that is what it is called). It was drained two weeks ago but was swelled again. The draining was like a bandage. This time it needed a more permanent fix. The vet goes inside the ear and sutures it back together so the blood doesn't just pool inside the pocket it had made. Now my credit card balance is worse than ever, but I will have a happier baby who has had ear problems all her life. She should be home tomorrow.

Sketchcrawl #17

My mini Sketchcrawl.

Drawspace Forum

I belong to a Valentine ATC exchange at the Drawspace Forum. We had 9 ATCs to do and mail. I haven't mailed any yet as we still don't have the addresses, but I have been done about a week to two weeks. Here are the results.

Day 7

Well I missed the plein air outing. I ran some errands yesterday and overdid it. I decided to stay in today and not irritate the knee and my ankle any further. We had rain last night and having lots of foggy days. I don't need to get out in weather like that. I really am disappointed tho as this outing would have been an easy one for me. Hopefully they will have another easy one in the next week or so.

Here is the sp for yesterday. I used Derwent drawing pencils. I can get more depth from shading using these than I can with graphite. Have no idea why. Maybe because when I shade with graphite, my face ends up looking dirty.

Another mouse caught in a sticky trap. Found it in the living room, so I guess the dogs found its hiding place. At least they didn't eat it. Now I get to "worry" again about having mice in the house and hubby out of town for a few days work. Drats.

I joined a Postcard Pen Pal group with Anita Davies. Anyone who wants to join and send her an original art postcard will get one back from her. Nice idea and will get me a piece of her original artwork. I am slowly getting pieces from most of the artists I have long admired. Now if only I could get a trade from KatherineT....

I joined a postcard exchange project in Wetcanvas. There are two separate projects. The first one filled fast. Now the second one has only 3 more spaces. Wow. I guess this is a popular project. I have been in several exchange projects and love them.

I do find I prefer the ATC size exchanges. For some reason I have no problem filling an ATC but when it comes to the larger postcard, I can't seem to come up with ideas on what I want to do. I have completed only 3 so far and have 21 left to do. And one for Anita. Must give it more thought and come up with something fantastic.

Day 6

I did two self portraits today to make up for yesterday. Day 5 was awful. Day 6 ok. Not according to hubby.
I have done 3 postcards for the trade on Wetcanvas. I haven't really liked any of them. The third one will get mailed. Not sure about the first two. I am off my game at the present time. I guess I had better get back to basics and do these in graphite.
I will go out with the painting group Wed. It will be my first outing since before the surgery that was 11-6-07. We are going to the house of one of the group. I will be able to stay inside and put my foot up.

Day 3 Self Portrait

I did two portraits today. One to make up for none yesterday. I did a self portrait first, then a portrait of my hubby. About 5 minutes or so and you would have thought his neck was broken. He moved once to talk to the dog, but luckily he got right back into the original position when I complained.

More Waiting

Well I still didn't get a definite answer about my infection. My two doctors don't agree on the kind of infection. From the sample they took from the knee, no culture grew. But the infectious disease doctor said he still thinks the knee will have to be removed. And instead of the 6 weeks the surgeon said it would be out, this doctor said the knee would be out and I would be treated for 6 months to a year. As if I wasn't scared about that enough already.

For now, I will continue on the antibiotics for two weeks. Then they will stop them. After that, we wait and see if the infection flares up. I guess the 2 weeks is to see if a lesser infection clears up. Then when they stop the meds, if there is an infection in the bone, it will get worse. He said it could be days, weeks, months. He still thinks that no matter how long it takes, it probably will happen.

So now, I wait. I will be praying very hard for a miracle. And they do happen. It is in God's hands. At least he will be walking with me thru it all.

Day 2

Self portrait 1-10-08.

Another Month of Self Portraits

I started another portrait challenge of one a day for a month. The last one helped me improve my self portraits immensely, so I will attempt to make some more improvement.

Wetcanvas WDE 1-4-08 Wonderful Woody

I drew an ATC of Woody for the WDE on Wetcanvas. He is lisilk's step dad. His photo was one of the 16 she posted for everyone to draw. A strong and sensitive man. Devoted to taking care of his wife who has Alzheimer's.

Alzheimers

I woke up today a feeling of terror
Got up, walked by, and looked in the mirror
Who is that person staring back at me?
Where did they come from, who do I see?

Changes are expected, they are the norm
But what the heck happened, that can’t be my form
Where is my picture, please let me see
Where are my thoughts, where can they be?

Living with strangers, why am I here?
Looking around me filled with fear
Don’t I have loved ones, none come around
I only see empty, I only see frowns

I woke up today, a feeling of glee
Looked in the mirror and what did I see
Staring back at me my shining face
Feeling so peaceful, no need to race

I see my beloveds looking at me
Filled with sadness, why, what do they see?
Can’t they see that today I am here
Not so tomorrow, no memories held dear

I woke up today, a feeling of terror
Got up, walked by, and looked in the mirror
Who is that person staring back at me?
Where did they come from, who do I see?......

Jeanne Grant 1-29-06

Hello

I'm still having medical issues. I saw an infectious disease/internal medicine specialist on Friday. He is taking tests and will consult with my surgeon. I should know some more tomorrow.

Still not doing much art. I did an ugly self portrait for the scavenger hunt and used the challenge of using a marker. Not a pleasant look but a little like the way I feel right now. I am very tired and very tired of dealing with all this medical stuff.

Drawspace.com

Drawspace.com is another forum I belong to. We had a secret santa project exchange in December. I was the secret santa to Brian. Here is the "present" I gave to him. It was one of the items on his list.

Still not well

I'm still not feeling very well right now so may be off the computer a few days. Happy New Year and hope to be back soon.

Not Well

I am not feeling well. The infection is making me have cold chills, then hot spells. I did see the doctor and am now on antibiotics. I am still doing my therapy but even the two pain pills I take, there is still some pain. The infected area is sore to the touch. But hopefully all will get better soon. But because of this, I am not getting any art done. I just don't have the energy.
So everyone, keep on doing your art and hopefully soon, I will too.

Day after

Well today is the day after Christmas. A day of sadness but a day of renewal. Today the few decorations I put up, will come down. I usually do that Christmas Day night. But I wasn't feeling well last night.

I think my leg has an infection. The scar is all healed but the infection is under the skin. The leg is really red and has been for several days. But try to get to a doctor during a holiday. And I didn't feel like sitting in the emergency ward for hours waiting to be seen.

I have been taking a few of my hubby's antibiotics, using ice then heat packs. And keeping the leg elevated as much as possible. But today I will call the doctor and hopefully see him. Get some antibiotics of my own.

The leg is sore to the touch which is uncomfortable. And I have been having chills and then hot flashes. I will feel better once I have seen the doctor.

Well I hope everyone's Christmas was very nice, and safe. We had Christmas dinner at hubby's sister's house. Just 4 of us but a very nice dinner. She served prime rib and tried out some new online recipes for vegetables. The cream corn was to die for. We got some leftovers to bring home and a care package of goodies she had made. Fudge and coconut macaroons. Yum. Hubby's brother and his wife and grandson stopped by later so we had a very nice visit.

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law Are health nuts. They take vitamins and watch what they eat. But these two have a verrrrrrry fat cat named Tommy. Well as we sat and ate dinner, Tommy decided he wasn't getting enough attention. He nipped my leg just at the crease of the knee (thankfully my good knee). They said he usually reserves those bites for just the two of them. I guess I am officially family in his site. Before the night was over, I was the recipient of two of those badges of honor. Quite a character. Really a sweet cat. Quite roly-poly. And he just gloats in satisfaction when you scratch his back or his stomach. When I get a yearning to have another cat, I get my fix at their house.

Barn

A few days ago I did a colored pencil drawing of a barn. I found it in the RIL at Wetcanvas. I don't remember who was kind enough to upload it. The file name was barn51. This is one of only 3 colored pencil drawings I have sitting here at the house that I have framed. They usually sit in a folder. I am trying to be better about framing as I go.

Only 3 days left until Christmas. Hubby is making an out of town trip. He had to pick up something at the LAX airport this morning and take it to Las Vegas. Along with millions of others going to Vegas. He just called me and when he made the turnoff to Vegas, the traffic came to a dead stop. He won't be home until tomorrow some time. Depends on how slow the traffic gets. Lots of crazy people out there and in a hurry.

Penny is pestering me today. I usually keep the door open so that she can go in and out at will. But today is cold and I have the heater going. I don't want to waste the warmth by opening the door. But I may have to turn the heat down and let her have her way. She can be the most determined dog I have ever known. I used to feed her at 5 pm but since Daylight savings time, she gets fed at 4. You can't convince her the time has changed. Her internal clock says it is still 5.

Scavenger Hunt #67

Well we are in the middle of Hunt #67. I have done more items on this hunt than any for the last couple months or so. Feels good.

I had to call the veterinarian today. My cockatiel was laying on her stomach on the wire at the bottom of her cage. She was perching at night, eating just fine, and jumping up and chasing us when we came near her cage. But I didn't want to let her get sick.

The vet said to wrap saran wrap around 3 sides of her cage and put a heating pat on medium under the bottom. He said this time of year they get cold. I keep a towel around the sides and back during the day and cover the front at night, but apparantly this year it wasn't working good enough to keep her warm.

Since I did what the vet said, she has been on her perch and singing and carrying on all evening. Poor little thing was just cold. I need to be a better mama.

Seed Catalog

My mom had a seed catalog last week that she gave me. It had a really nice flower in bloom that caught my eye. It was a Coneflower. I couldn't resist drawing one on a greeting card. For some reason I liked the way the center was pushed up toward the sun and the petals were drooping below. Here is my version. The size is about 5x5 and done in colored pencil.

Scavenger Hunt #66

It is my turn this week to host the Scavenger Hunt. We are at #66. Who woulda thought we would have this many done. Now I am anxious to get to #100. I worked on some sketches for the hunt today. I am farther along than I have gotten in the last few hunts. I finished number 10.

I didn't feel too perky today so I slept quite a lot. It is nice to be able to be lazy once in awhile. Hubby is out of town tonight for work, so I didn't have anything that had to get done. So it didn't. I am trying to take less medication as I am almost out of pills. I don't know if my prescription will be renewed but hope so. I am trying to stretch them out, so the leg was a little achey today.

Yesterday I finished up addressing my Christmas cards for family and friends. Mailed them out today. A few were handmade but most were from the store. After the Christmas Card Exchange Project, I didn't have it in me to do that many more originals.

The dogs are a little pesky tonight. Maybe missing their papa. But Penny keeps coming to me and waiting for me to figure out what she wants. They have been fed, pottied, and petted. Beats me what she wants now. Just my attenction I guess.

Life

Well I decided Life would be my last thankful card. After all Life is what we start with and what we end without. This one will be the cherry on my sundae. I got this one in the mail, so I am officially finished with all my cards.

Jeanette wondered how I could do it all. Well it helps when you don't work a full-time job. And don't teach classes. And don't have a farm and critters, and plants to take care of. Plus I'm still recovering from surgery and can't do a lot around the house. My part is easy. I am in awe of what you (Jeanette) accomplish with all you have on your plate. I will call you Wonder Woman.

ATC Project

I finished two more ATCs tonight. One for Chocolate and one for Maturity. I won't post them until they are received. Now I have only one more to go and I will be finished. I just have to figure out one more word. So far the items I have been thankful for are: nature, peace, wisdom, curiosity, silence, comfort, prayer, rainbows, loyalty, love, freedom, trust, faith, smiles, innocence, maturity, and chocolate. There are many more things to be thankful for but I only get one more.

Week's End

Well here it is another week gone. Christmas is coming fast. My days are spent quietly. I haven't been shopping at all for gifts. Thankfully I don't have many to buy. This is probably the latest I have left my shopping.

Most of the years before and after I got married, I was always making gifts. Crocheted mostly. I remember one year everyone (female) got a crochet and leather-like patchwork shoulder purses. Other gifts were, crocheted brandy snifter candles, crocheted dogs that covered a bar of soap, crocheted rug and lid covers for the bathroom, crewel/needlework framed pictures, crocheted and beaded jewelry, crocheted table runners, arm covers for couches and chairs, and crocheted afghans. Whatever was my art project at the time, ended up being the gifts I made. Oh yeah and dozens and dozens of crocheted slippers. I still make crocheted slippers once in awhile but now it is more of a chore than a pleasure.

Working a full time job and getting older just made life get in the way of handmade gifts. In between jobs, I had a couple of times where I didn't work an outside job. I was able to be a homemaker. That was pure joy. I took classes. Didn't matter if they were craft, sewing, accounting, or painting. I just love to take classes. It is always fun to learn new things plus it keeps your brain sharpened.

Now I just don't have the motivation. I would rather be doing my art. Here is another of my project ATCs.

Innocence

I worked today on two more of my Thankful project ATCs. I did one for Wisdom and one for Innocence. I am really enjoying choosing the words and then doing a picture for each of the words. So far I have been pretty pleased with my results. And I am enjoying doing a theme.

There are 19 participants. I have already done 9 of my ATCs. Half are done.

Since I am taking medication for pain, I have stayed pretty close to home. My parents have been taking me to my therapy sessions. I did make a trip to the grocery store today. Hubby has been doing the shopping and he has been working really long hours. I wanted to take some of the load from him. I made it pretty good but was very tired and my ankle and leg were really sore afterward. Just going thru the store is bad enough, but when I got home I had to unload and put away everything.

ATC project

I worked on two more ATCs for the project at Wetcanvas. That is 7 completed. So far 17 people have signed up. I don't know how long until they close the project for new ones. Any way I have a good start. Now more thinking of words and pictures to go with them. The ones I did today are for Trust and Loyalty. I don't have them scanned so can't show them.

Happy Birthday Connie

I made a birthday card today for one of the teens across the street. I used a reference photo that I took at their next door neighbor's house of one of her roses. Connie's favorite color is pink. You would know that if you saw her bedroom. It is painted hot pink. I used colored pencil and pen and ink on a blank greeting card. And "Happy birthday" she gets to clean my house this evening.

Hubby decided it was time for more deep fried fish. He went to Costco today. On a Sunday. And on a day right after the first of the month which is really bad. People coming from the woodwork.

I am usually the one who goes alone and has to deal with all the buying, loading, unloading, and putting away. This time it was his turn. But he did it after working today. So he is really tired. Now he is also doing the cooking. When my uncle gave him the little deep fryer, he made a monster. I am trying to lose some weight and hubby is frying.

EDM

I have spent the last day or so sketching some of the EDM items. I have had the list printed out for awhile but had not tackled it. I even had a new sketchbook labeled just for that. Well I finally started to use it. I have done 11 of the items. No particular order. I just pick one I want to do and do it. I have 143 items on my list, but I am sure there are more on the website by now.

I am devoting a page per item and labeling them similar to what Anita does in her book. But not so nice as she does. I don't have anything scanned yet but will post one or two when I get them scanned.

Another cat

I seem to be stuck on cats this week. This is one of my cousin Sheila's cats. I took the picture when we were there for Thanksgiving.

I am still trying to get my therapy set up. I don't know what the holdup is but I am still waiting. I am ready to get started on it so that I can get more motion. I will still have a limp as my ankle doesn't have much movement but at least I will have more than I do now.

I have received 10 Christmas cards from that project in Wetcanvas. They are all so nice and pretty. Such a nice way to end November.

I am planning to concentrate on getting a few things drawn/painted and framed. I have a couple small things done that need framing but I want a few different subjects all ready and framed for showing if the opportunity comes up. I also want to work towards having some items for the County fair next Sept. They have to have been done in that year so I will start planning a couple items. Not sure of the subject yet but have some time to ponder. I will probably do onsite art next year with the few who did it this year. I think most of them sold their paintings the same day they did them.

Sunday afternoon

Today has been a lazy day. I did do two Christmas cards in the last two days. Relatives have requested original ones this year. Not sure how many I will do and mail but I will do a few.

We had Thanksgiving dinner at my cousin's house. Her dad gave us some catfish he had caught and a little mini deep fryer. So hubby had to have fish last night. Pretty good even if I am not a fish person. Not fond of fish or seafood. But it was good and not greasy or fishy tasting. Pretty bad not to want the fish to taste fishy.

I will be glad when I can stop the medication. I don't like the lala land they put me in but can't stop them while I am trying to work at therapy. And that will be painful. I should be starting next week.

Now it is the hectic month before Christmas. They started playing Christmas songs just before Thanksgiving. And they are nonstop. Once in awile added in to regular music would be plenty, but no they have to saturate us in it. By the time I hear it for a month, I start hating it. It would be nice to have the saturation the week before Christmas but not a month. So for now I will not be listening to the radio much. Thankfully I have cds.

Quilted Cat

Here is drawing I have been working on. The reference photo is from a pet portrait exchange in WC. I will probably leave the cat in graphite. For some reason, I like the mix of the graphite and the color.

I am still doing ok. Trying to work some more movement into my knee. Will start therapy next week.

Sorry

So sorry I have been absent for such a long time. A few bumps in the road to recovery from surgery. Everything went fine. I see the doctor tomorrow and hopefully the staples will be removed.
Right now I am having trouble sitting for any length of time. The leg is just not comfortable hanging down or being propped up. When the staples are gone, maybe the relief will be better.
I haven't done much artwork. A few sketches here and there. Nothing really at the hospital. The drugs did their job really well. I just enjoyed some la-la land time.
I will try to start posting daily from here on. Happy Thanksgiving for all in the US who celebrate.

I Am Lion, Hear Me Roar!

Surgery is reset at 1:00 pm tomorrow. But I had to redo my labs about an hour ago, so hopefully those will be ok. I just hope that my potassium level is up where it should be this time.

I have been having a hard time staying awake. I sleep the night, get up and fall asleep at my computer. After doing that a few times and waking with a neck ache, I took a nap. The hospital called and woke me. At 2:30 pm, they wanted me to retake my labs. Don't know why they didn't call earlier. Anyway I got all that done and now just more wait.

My husband is happy he gets to sleep in tomorrow. Just means longer without food and water for me. And probably no dinner either. My cousin said that is a new weight loss program, no food for a couple days. lol

I also had to change my hair appt. It was set up just right if the surgery had gone off last week. (I can only wait 4 weeks between "washing that grey away"). Well I have to wait now for 6 weeks. The hair dresser may not even recognize me. My hair grows about 3/4 inch a month. I will look like a skunk with a white stripe going sideways. Nice look and for Thanksgiving holiday too.

The weekly Wetcanvas challenge was posted last night, and it was a beautiful lion. I just had to do it and only had today to get it done. Here is my drawing.

Birds

Tonight I worked on my WDE entry. I did a picture of two ravens. The reference photo was really a good one. The two birds were sitting on a wooden fence and looked like statues. I did it in graphite.

The other bird I worked on was from the Wetcanvas reference library. Photo by digigrl of a bird named Gizmo. I did that one in colored pencil. I was not happy with the background and wish I had left it out. But the position of the bird was odd and without the curtain on the left side, he would have must been hanging in the air.

Good News

I got some good news yesterday. Two of my pictures I did for the Guild House were sold at the silent auction. The two colored pencil ones (chair and settee). I don't know the price or any other particulars. It gave me great pleasure to know someone liked them enough to purchase them but a little sad that I won't see them again. And a great sense of accomplishment that the first event with my art association that I participated in produced results.