Flying Home

Hello! Long time no blog!

Hopefully my "Flying Home" is worth the wait.

I know, I know. BATS!!! Not everybody's favorite creature of nature.

For centuries bats have had bad publicity. "Count Dracula" certainly hasn't helped.

Okay, they're not our idea of cute. Fortunately they find each other attractive and this results in one offspring a year (for most species). A newborn bat clings to its mother or the ceiling of their "nursery" for 2-12 weeks. Then young bats begin to fly. No they won't fly into your hair!!

Bats benefit us in many ways. Some feed on insects. The average bat eats 600 mosquitoes in 1 hour!! Some species pollinate flowers and seeds dropped by fruit bats may sprout into plants.

I've actually held a bat that flew down our chimney. He (She?) was warm and the hair was very soft. No, I wasn't bitten but I certainly don't recommend you try this at home. If one gets in your house, open the door and use a towel to shoo it out. Bats use echolocation so it will fly away from the swishing sound.

I hope this blog helps you to feel a greater appreciation and respect for this unique creature. This is their planet too.

'Til next time.

Florence van de Ven

http://www.devensartstudio.com/

Contented Contemplation

This older gentleman appears to be quietly amused by what he sees. Could it be us he sees?

Frantically we rush around, cramming in as much "fun" as we can; obtaining some brass ring, only to throw it away and immediately obtain another. Around and around we go!

Maybe he's learned how to "stop and smell the roses," and that contentment comes not by having what we want, but wanting and appreciating what we have.

Florence

http://www.devensartstudio.com/

Bunny in Hand

I am an incompetant photographer! But I am a very fortunate artist to know someone who is. Besides my daughter, Melissa Cross, I have two friends who are experts with a camera. A great deal of my work is based on ideas I got from their pictures.

"Bunny in Hand" is an exact replica. It was my first attempt at painting anything human. I was quite excited by the result!

The friend holding the bunny has an incredible report with nature, as does his wife who took this shot.

They have given me another photo of him holding a chickadee. I hope to paint this sequel this year and of course, it will be entitled, "Chick-a-dee in Hand.

Enjoy!

Florence

Visit my website: http://www.devensartstudio.com/

It All Started Here...

The launching pad to my artist career started with one painting.

This painting of a chocolate lab is where it all started. It was the one that fueled my love of painting to new heights.

After retiring, I started building and painting on bird houses, butterfly houses, miniature dog houses and small carving boards. I even tried my hand at bat houses! Fortunately, people seemed to like my efforts and many of those items sold.

However, my work room was a disaster!! I knew I had to make some decision or be condemned by the "Neatness Police!" Besides, it often happended that while I was painting, someone would call and order a butterfly house or one of my other wood items. I was happy to do it but it meant putting away all my painting equipment and get out my saws and wood.

So, in 2005, I bit the bullet, stuck my neck out and entered my chocolate lab painting in the local Ameliasburgh Fair for judging. I was as nervous as a turkey at Christmas time. Imagine my thrill (and happy tears) when my lab won me "Artist of the Year!"

It took two full weeks to clear my work room of craft and building supplies (OK, I might have kept a few things...) and replace them with canvases, paints, brushes etc. etc....

Is my room neater? Well, it is MUCH improved but I'm still glad my work area is upstairs and the Art Studio is downstairs.

You'll understand why my Chocolate Lab painting is not for sale ;)

Florence

www.devensartstudio.com