Rebecca Wachtman

Frost on Thistles (Rebecca Wachtman Artist) I don't know about you, but sometimes I get a bit depressed after the holidays.  I tend to go all-out for the holidays and decorate my house and yard as much as I can.  To me, the absolute, most-depressing day of the year (baring someone dying or major illnesses etc), is the day I take down all the holiday decorations! This year to help redirect my attention to more positive thoughts, I've been making a strong effort to see the beauty of the winter surroundings.   This winter has been a chilly one with lots of ice but not much snow (which is a shame because snow is a lot more fun - and usually cancels school! lol). Frost on Pine (Rebecca Wachtman Artist)     I've been taking some early morning walks before work and found that a new park along a river has some gorgeous examples of frosty/frozen nature at it's finest.  The frost has not only decorated all the plants, but it's highlighted the bea...

Saturday, October 1st, 2016 was a fun evening at Vision 5 Art Gallery.    Me and my two art pieces "Oh my, Camelia!" and "Sweet Lil'Tulips" I belong to the Surface Design Association (a fabulous organization, by the way) and our local group (called the Eastside SDA) has a month-long show at Vision 5.   Saturday was the opening and as always, it was beautifully curated by Crystal Edwards.  I've selected some pictures of the artwork to share.  We have a LOT of talented artists!! The artists include:   Virginia Franz Turner GJ Gillespie Louise Roby Crystal Edwards Gale Whitney Maura Donegan Rebecca Wachtman

Have you ever heard the chirpy little saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade". I've always found that saying to be rather annoying... perhaps it's because I happen to strongly dislike lemonade!    Plus it the saying makes it sound like it's just sooo easy to just turn your lemons into lemonade.  Well I don't have the right tools, I don't like drinking lemonade (even with tea or fruit flavors in it!), and I think the whole saying downplays the real-life drama and frustrations that come with receiving lemons instead of whatever you thought you were supposed to receive! SO I've decided that when life gives you lemons, you need to take a few moments (if possible) and re-imagine what those lemons could actually be! When I am stuck, I've found it best to let my mind think about the possibilities, and then augment my mind's processes with some good, old-fashioned research.  I'll look at Pinterest, my favorite blogs, my favorite F...

Applying resin As the title of the post suggests, I have been SUPER busy lately! I am working on how to set up my studio in a slightly larger space (with better lighting and more walls).  I'm trying to figure out if I can fit in all my furniture PLUS a table or two for teaching small classes (not sure it's going to work.. but I am trying!!) I am diligently working through Jacqui Calladine's Wild Creative... which I've discussed in previous posts.  I'm finding it very helpful -- but a bit distracting too (because I want to do more of it!) Of course I'm a mom, wife, and have a full-time muggle-job... that all keeps me very busy as well! And I'm working feverishly on my resin bowls (which take a lot of time, but my mind is just HUMMING with ideas!). A pink bowl at the very beginning stage Of course, the creating part is what I want to spend most of my time on, but it is hard to focus solely on that with all of my other activities! ...

Steller Jay (with gorgeous light  blue eyebrows!) Happy New Year to all my friends, family, and readers!  I hope your holiday was fabulous!! A very shy, Spotted Towhee Mine was spent watching snow fall but then it melted away (boohoo!).  Actually, mine was really spent watching all the little birdies scrabbling around my feeders.  That was a LOT of fun! And I have been thinking about my focus for this year - which is to try and paint as much as possible... so the birds fit in perfectly!!  I literally focused on them!  LOL This lovely-but-shy lady is an Evening Grosbeak! So here are a few pics of some of the VERY shy birds who were hopping around my feeders on New Years.  I am hoping to turn some (or all?!) of them into paintings! Varied Thrush (female)   I got pictures (not great as far as pictures go, but acceptable for bird-studies!) of Varied Thrushes, Evening Grosbeaks (my personal favorites!), Downy Woodp...