Discover Me Wednesday

So if you've been spending time here in the Meadow, then you know that fairies and elves abound here. I am always on the lookout for little homes or things to decorate the meadow with. I was searching ETSY for "terrariums" and discovered this fantastic shop called Betty's Fantasy .

Jessica is the talented artist who creates these little fantasy worlds. Her inspiration is her Grandma Betty.




"Betty was a sweet little lady, the kindest little Grandma you could imagine. With her little rosy cheeks and pink sweaters, she was simply angelic~ She now lives in the clouds in a beautiful little house where she makes her famous chicken soup all day and waits patiently for everyone to come for dinner. In the meantime, her Granddaughter has built a little shop in her memory and hopes it makes her proud~" (direct quote from the Betty's Fantasy profile page).




My Grammy sounds a lot like Jessica's Grandma Betty. Grammy passed away when I was 25, but it seems that I was the one person in the family who was born with her eye for all things creative.





Jessica has an obvious eye for detail and all the items in her shop will instantly transport you into a world where fairies roam, hummingbirds hum, and deer and other creatures can be your friend. This shop is a perfect addition to the Discover me Wednesday family. Every whimsical piece is a one of a kind creation that will bring the beauty of nature and imagination into your home.

Once you are done looking at all of the fantastic details of each item in Jessica's shop, you can visit her Blog for beautiful pictures, crafty tutorials, and fun stories that will make you laugh out loud, and inspire you to create something magical yourself.

Discover Me Wednesday

I know I am posting on Thursday this week, but these summer days just seem to get away from me. It is important to me to feature one artist a week so here I am on Thursday morning to share this weeks Discover me Wednesday artist. I found something extraordinary in the Meadow and I just had to share it with you.

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Spring Hues

I have recently discovered the art of mixed media and while looking around on ETSY I stumbled upon a shop called Art Essence. The artist of this fantastic little shop is Marty Husted. Marty is a freelance illustrator and fine artist living in Columbus, Ohio. As a child Marty loved to play in the woods , dream, and imagine herself in far-off fantasy world places. Looking at her art can transport you to the imaginations in her fantasy world and it is a place that you could stay and roam in for hours.

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Watercolor River

Marty has a B.F.A. in illustration from Columbus College of Art and Design, and she has collaborated with authors Carole Gerber, Diane and Joseph Donnermeyer and Jane Hoffelt to create some beautiful children's books. All of these books can be found on Amazon.com

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Old Friend

Marty's art can be found in her ETSY shop Art Essence, as well as the Studios on High Art Gallery in Columbus, Ohio. Her website MartyHusted.com is filled with photos of her illustrations from the award winning books that she has worked on, her oil paintings, and mixed media artwork. You can also contact Marty to visit your school to speak to the children about her beautiful illustrations.

Drying in the Tuscan Sun

Floral Fireworks 2010

The Fourth of July always invokes in me a sense of Patriotism and joy in the Freedoms that we all share as citizens of our great Nation. One of my favorite quotes by John Adams is this..."I must study politics and war, that our sons may have liberty to study
mathematics and philosophy. Our sons ought to study mathematics and
philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture,
navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children
a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary,
tapestry and porcelain."



I am thankful that my grandfather served in the US Coast Guard during World War II and fought to protect my freedom....and that my father served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War to protect my freedom. They are citizens and Patriots deserving of the highest regard in my mind. Because of them and many others like them in this country I now have the right to study painting, poetry, music and whatever else I would like to enjoy.









One of my favorite things to do is to take pictures. I am not an accomplished photographer but merely someone who likes to capture the world around me in still frames. I can look back at these captured moments and remember the feelings, scents and emotions that I had at the moment I took the photos.





These photos were taken in my yard yesterday among the sounds of firecrackers and children's laughter, with the warmth of a summer sunset on my shoulders and the scent of the flowers in my nose. I hope that you will get a warm feeling when you look at them and be inspired to create something beautiful this holiday weekend.



You have been given the Freedom to create. Exercise this right every chance you get.

Happy 4th of July!