Life

We have had a beautiful fall in Minnesota this year. The temps have been mild which is wonderful since my kids play fall sports. Anthony plays football and Becca plays tennis. We are now in the football playoffs and tennis is finished. Since Anthony is a senior, the 'senior football moms' have been busy serving suppers, making banners, doing a skit - all for our boys. It's been fun. I'm going to miss high school sports when my kids graduate!

We had a very nice summer too. I had a couple of shows so it kept me painting. I did a couple of series. The following images are my favorites of each series:

Hummingbird:

Beach:

Dragonfly:

Coffee Cups:

Drawing Post

I love birds. I know a couple of people who are terrified of them. I’m not sure why and really don’t understand it. But, I have my fears too. As I’m writing this there is a cardinal singing in a tree in our back yard. I told David that I think God made cardinals special for the winter. What a stark contrast, the brown grays of the trees and the white whites of the snow and then there in the middle of it is the beautiful red cardinal! You may be wondering why I am writing about snow in April. Well, we just had a winter storm the last two days, April 10th & 11th and have a foot or more of snow on the ground. You just never know what spring will bring in Minnesota!!!

I have been drawing a bird series. David's comment on my whimsical animal and bird drawings is that I have a strange twist in my brain. Hmmmm, I guess that's why I married him! The above bird drawing is the latest of that series. Violet

Whimsical Daydreamin' News
April 10, 2008

I love winter, but is it Spring yet???

It seems to me I said that exact same thing in my January Newsletter, and here it is April 10th and we're in the middle of another snowstorm!!! I do enjoy snowstorms and I know the snow will be completely melted in a couple of days, but it is April 10th!

We've had a couple of fun and busy months since I last wrote my Daydreamin' News. We completely gutted our upstairs bathroom and are remodeling it. We're also putting up walls in our basement. Two pretty major projects that are not finished yet, but hopefully will be soon.

We hosted a German exchange student, Tobi, for the month of March. Our son Anthony will be staying with Tobi's family for a month during June and July. We enjoyed his visit and he became part of the family. We sure do miss him now that he's back in Germany.

While Tobi was here we celebrated Easter, always a great holiday. Our kids had Easter break the entire week, so we went to the Twin Cities for a few days. Before heading to the Cities we went to our NL-S Boys Basketball Sectional Tournament game. They won (so much fun), so they were headed to the State Championship Basketball Tournament the following week.

While in the Cities, we took the kids, (Anthony, Becca, Tobi and Becca's friend Ally) to the Water Park of America in Bloomington. It is the biggest indoor water park in the US. They had a blast.

The following week we headed down to Minneapolis for the basketball championship games at the Target Center. Our van broke down (with a load of kids) on the way there. Thankfully, we were able to leave it at a gas station and rent an other van. We arrived at the game 5 minutes before it started. What a game! We won in the very last seconds. We also won the next day, which made us the Minnesota State Champions of Section AA! Minnesota has 4 section. We are in the second smallest section - AA.

My daughter also turned 16 the beginning of April. She doesn't have her driver's license yet because she hasn't been able to take behind the wheel class. I guess a kid cracked up one of the behind the wheel cars and they are behind schedule. She'll drive soon enough - too soon!

Art News...

I have been working on photographing my wearable art pins so I can get them on my site.You can check some of them out at:
http://violetdaukstudio.com/Jewelry_Gallery.html

I have also been drawing more animals. Here is a picture of my camel. I haven't named him yet. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

I have started a couple of painting series. Since I'm in the mood for spring and gardening , I decided to do a series of porch/garden paintings. I am also doing a series of moonscape/sunset/sunrise paintings. I am working in both oils and watercolors. I will be posting images on my new blog: http://violetsartblog.blogspot.com

Looking Forward...

June 21st & 22nd is our 4th Annual Lakes Area Studio Hop.
Check out our website at:
http://www.studiohop.org/artist/21/artists-21-Violet-Dauk.html

I am teaching a youth drawing and a youth pottery class this summer. I will have details in my next newsletter.

The wind is still blowing and the snow is still flying -
The grass will be green the next time I write.

Violet

Whimsical Daydreamin' News
January 15, 2008

Hi, Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! This is my very first newsletter. My intent is to send out a newsletter every couple of months with updates on what's going with my art business - upcoming shows - new work - art tips/tutorials - updates on my website - local happenings - spiritual insights - gardening/cooking recipes and tips. Whew! Sounds like a lot, but I promise not to hit you with all the info at once.

Currently, I'm preparing for our 5th Annual Art Exhibit and Wine Tasting which is held at Melvins on the Lake in Spicer, MN during Spicer Winter Fest. (Sorry I am not able to attend, my uncle passed away this week and I will be at his funeral.) I will have a little display set up with a sign-up sheet for a chance to win a print of my winter cabin print.

Friday January 18th from 5-9pm
art exhibit and sale by area artists
wine tasting
(sample local wine from Glacial Ridge Winery!)
live music by Jeff James

Saturday, January 19th from 9am-3pm
art exhibit and wine specials

* * * This event is always fun! * * *

My new website is almost ready! Look for it Tuesday, January 22nd at
violetdaukstudio.com

A new area on my site is a 'watercolor tutorial'. Even if you're not interested in learning the technique of painting, it's fun to check it out to see this painting process.
violetdaukstudio.com/Tutorial_Gallery

* * *
I love winter, but is it Spring yet???
Once the Christmas and New Year season is over, I catch my mind wandering towards thoughts of gardening. This past year we dug up a new garden spot. Our old one didn't get enough sun and this new one is in a nice sunny spot. It produced wonderful veggies and herbs that I was able to can and freeze. We are still enjoying the fruits of our labors! This fall, my cousin split her perennial flowers and gave me a ton of them! Thank you Janet!!! I planted them outside the fence of my garden and can hardly wait to see them next summer.

Well, that's it for now. Have a great month!!

Violet