Slice of Life Post for March 12, 2025 (10:52-11:23) by Barb Edler
Landscape watercolor class with Renee Donley, who has the framed design in the back row.
My mornings at the Keokuk Art Center often involve an art class. During this time of day, we are in the midst of finishing our projects, celebrating our work and then cleaning up the mess. Last week we had a landscape watercolor class. This photo includes the instructor and all the participants except for me. The landscape design was not necessarily my favorite, but I learned how to make a tree line actually look like trees by learning a little brush painting tip.
Two of my friends who took the landscape class. Connie is on the left. She’s an avid Hawkeye fan and we text each other throughout the games. We also have a trip planned in June to watch the Indiana Fever. I can’t wait. Kathy is on the right. She’s a former colleague who taught 3rd grade elementary students. Two of my sons were fortunate to have her. She is witty and fun. Both ladies also love to read. Check out Kathy’s vest. She creates these lovely pin-like corsages. They’re truly beautiful pieces. I enjoy seeing how she coordinates a variety of ones with her outfits. Dee Brown is also someone I have known forever. This photo is from a mandala art class. I miserably failed this class and gave up before painting a single dot because I couldn’t get my canvas covered like I wanted to. I had a bit of a temper tantrum. Art can be frustrating.Martha is my longest, dearest friend from Keokuk. We worked together for years at KHS. She was the school librarian and last year returned as their part-time librarian for K-12th grade which includes four schools. She is also the GSA Alliance Sponsor. She is showing her wine slumped decoration. We also learned how to arrange a charcuterie board. On the first Saturday of each month, we host an “All Ages” watercolor class. We had very few attend this one, so I was able to join the fun and painted this dragonfly. Note, I am not an artist. I am a retired English teacher with deplorable handwriting. Drawing a straight line is quite difficult for me. However, I am actually proud of this end result.
Once my morning comes to a close, I often check my mailbox which is located in the library office upstairs. Of course, I couldn’t help but admire this creative Irish display of books that Teri created.
May your days ahead be full of creative fun and friends! My haiku today is a celebration of my dragonfly art.
dragonfly wings sing lighter than the bullfrog's song
Hello, I am a retired English teacher. I live along the Mississippi River and enjoy watching birds, the river, and nature in general. Writing for me is a gateway to healing, and I love to wrestle words in hopes of capturing an emotion or image others may relate.
I love this glimpse into your friendships. I think living g in the midwest sets conditions for developing deep, meaningful relationships. Love the dragonfly and your haiku. I giggled a little reading about your tantrum. I keep my expectations for myself low when joining these painting classes. Things rarely turn out well for me.
How lovely that you have this art center and these friends. You might read Radutti today, where he draws with his son to avoid letting him start to believe he can’t draw. I really love the image you create in your haiku, where you make visible the movement of wing an of sound.
That dragonfly is amazing! And I, too, have “deplorable handwriting” (I write too fast). Every creation here is just fabulous. Such joy emanates from every face. We are born with the need to create in our hearts. Like the dragonfly in you lovely haiku, creating something of beauty helps us “sing lighter.”
Ah, Barb, what a sweet post. I love seeing all your friends and their artwork. What a great experience. I know you are planning to still be involved in the art center as a volunteer. It sounds like a great place. Your dragonfly is gorgeous, and your haiku is a lovely celebration with the wings singing lighter…
Sitting Behind the Eight Ball 
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