Autumn Vineyard- Virginia Landscapes

The vineyard at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia

It's funny how if you make a dream board and really focus positive energy into putting your work and your story out into the universe, it eventually comes back. This past summer I reached out to several publications about writing articles or publishing my digital art and slowly but surely those seeds I have planted months ago are coming to fruition. In October, one of my digital art pieces landed on the cover of a local newspaper. Then, over the course of about three weeks, three different Instagram hubs have featured four of my creations. Every time I am notified it is like Christmas morning and I feel so honored that people are enjoying my work. But what happened last night was a dream...

Last night I received an email from Somerset Digital Studio magazine.  This is a well respected publication in the digital art world and it's 144 pages are just delicious to read through every issue. Here is a description from the website of the magazine:

Somerset Digital Studio showcases some of the best digitally created artwork around, and these breathtaking samples of scrapbook pages, ATCs, and collages will have readers joining in this growing trend of creating digitally altered artwork in no time. Each of the 144 lush, full color pages found in every issue contain captivating feature articles, a full gallery of digital eye candy, a digital dictionary, software comparison chart, digital tutorial, and more. 

The email contained 6 of my images that an editor for the magazine saw on my website and wanted to publish. In addition, they asked me to write a feature article for the Spring 2017 issue, describing the artistic process and techniques I use in my work. I was so honored and thrilled!  This magazine is only published twice a year so it is highly competitive to have your work featured!  My deadline is December 12 and the issue will be on newsstands on March 1, 2017!  I know I can rise to the challenge and do this and I am so ecstatic for the opportunity to be a part of such a great publication.

In addition to this wonderful news, I found out that I will be the Featured Artist at Arts By the Bay Gallery for the April-June 2017 show! This means I have prime wall space in the gallery and can hang as many pieces as I'd like in that space! I am hoping this opens more opportunity to be published in local publications and be interviewed with local media. My goal in the exposure of my art is allow me to tell my story about surviving Chronic Lyme disease in the hopes of helping others in the process. In addition, I am working on setting up a fun event in May 2017 for Lyme Disease Awareness Month at the gallery where a portion of the proceeds from the sale of my art will be going back into the local chapter of NatCapLyme, which runs a support group for Lyme patients and their loved ones in my area!  There is so much going on I feel a bit overwhelmed, but it is a delicious drowning...

Thank you so much to all of you out there who support me day in and day out. Friends, family, artists, patrons of my work, and other bloggers. You all help me have the confidence and drive to do what I do and I am truly appreciative. When I reach wonderful milestones in my career as a digital artist, I love to share it with all of you because I feel like you all have helped put me in a position to reach my dreams. Thank you.

I am heading out of town tomorrow morning with my oldest daughter to visit my cousins in St. Louis whose children were in a tragic, horrific car accident about three weeks ago. I've been needing to get there to support my cousins and do what I can to encourage them. I may or may not be posting during this time. If I have time, I will set up a few pre-posts to go up each day, but if not, I am not going to stress over it. I will see what I have time for.

Sending Happy Thanksgiving love to everyone now just in case I don't have a chance to blog this week. Be safe and have a wonderful time with family. Please pray for a safe passage for my daughter and I...it is a long drive from Baltimore to St. Louis. And please continue to pray for my cousin's children who are recovering from devastating traumatic brain injuries.

xo

The Road to Poplar Forest- Landscapes by Tracey Grumbach

The Road to Poplar Forest, VA

Since this is the view looking back down the road at one of America's great patriots, Thomas Jefferson's, country home, Poplar Forest, I thought a quote from him would be appropriate.

I never considered a difference of opinion

in politics, in religion, in philosophy,

as a cause from withdrawing from a friend.

-Thomas Jefferson 

I am hoping that on this special day, Veteran's Day,  the United States can come together in some sort of unity and harmony after the election. I have a hard time watching Americans rioting and protesting the democratic process. Time to buck up and get on with it! I am unplugging somewhat from social media because I just can't stand the negativity. So, instead, I will plug into nature, where harmony reigns.

Happy Veteran's Day to all of the people who serve or have served our country. Without you we could not enjoy the freedoms we have today. Thank you.

Have a wonderful weekend to all of you out there. Be safe and be kind.

xo

Thomas' Barn- Landscape Photography by Tracey Grumbach

Thomas' Barn was taken at Poplar Forest, VA

As I mentioned a while ago, my digital art piece, Four Pillars, was selected as one of the displayed images in Havre de Grace library's juried exhibition (there were 77 entries for only 13 spots, so that in and of itself is an honor).  I am so excited to announce that Friday night, I attended the artist's reception with my family and discovered that out of the 13 entries, Four Pillars won honorable mention! One piece of art (a beautiful watercolor called M.I.A.) won grand prize and three others were chosen for honorable mention, mine being one of those three. I was so shocked and pleased that other artists saw value and talent in my work. The show is on display at Havre de Grace Library during regular business hours now through December 7th if you'd like to see all the entries.

Here are a few snapshots from the event:

Four Pillars (top) is on display at Havre de Grace Library.

My beautiful children (including my oldest son's gorgeous girlfriend). From left to right:
Me, Brenna, Zachary, Natalie, Leah, and Tyler.

My husband, Brian, and me.

Also, I will be working at Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace this Saturday. Stop in and see me before we switch shows.  This is the last time my current pieces will be hanging there before the new show goes up! I will be there from 11:00AM-2:30PM. Hope to see you there!

A Letter to My Father After a Dream

I woke with a shortness of breath that you had stolen from me in my dreams. You were sitting at a cafe table across from me, al fresco, in the middle of a lush green field. The metal table and chairs where white and fragile. The sun was shining warm on our skin and you were smiling. You were younger than when I last saw you, healthy with no signs of illness. Your form was still broad and tall, but you were much thinner and more comfortable in your body than you were in those last years. We were talking comfortably and you were giving me advice and inquiring about everyone. I had a feeling of contentment and although it should have shocked me you were there, it didn't.

I woke up slowly, suspended between consciousness and a dream trance, and I remember thinking...wait, what are you doing here? You are gone from me. You are gone from this world. You have passed to the other side of forever while I am still here on this side. As I became more aware of my waking, you smiled warmly and waved. Vapor and air and fog filled in where you were sitting and left me there alone again, the sun behind a cloud and a chill in the air.

I wish I could remember our conversation. I am certain this was an encounter and not just a dream. You were there, I am certain of it. Until our next visit, I will hold on to the warmness you filled me with. It was healing and reminiscent of the days you used to wrap me in your huge arms when I was scared as a child. Always there to protect me, watching over me.

Until next time, Dad...

Country Corner Store- A Little of This and That

Happy Hump Day, everyone. This digital painting was created using several brushes and techniques. After taking an iPhone image of this colorful, beautiful country store on a corner somewhere in Virginia for reference, I edited it for contrast and color in Photoshop. Next, I used Painter to paint the sky with oil brushes, the trees, road, grass, and dirt with a watercolor brush, the building and porch with an acrylic brush, and the signs and window screens with a digital colored pencil. I am finding that I really like using different techniques in different areas of the painting, depending on how many or how little details I'd like to show.

There has been so much going on here that to be honest, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. Between homeschooling my own kids, preparing the co-op Photography course that I will be teaching this year, getting ready for my solo show in October, negotiating a renewed appearance in a gallery I used to show in, office/studio/house construction, taking care of my daughter who is very ill with mono, and negotiating/preparing for a possible television appearance (which I can't give details about due to contract reasons), it has been crushing! I am so glad the magazine article and artwork is finished or I would be a mess right now. At least that was one thing I could get off my plate before the deadline. The only quiet time where my mind can relax is when I am painting or collaging. It truly does bring me such peace.

I have a new idea for a collage, so I am anxious to get started on it...now to find the time! Yesterday I was so looking forward to judging the 4H photography contest that I do every year, but when I arrived at the venue, I was very sick with a stomach bug and a migraine. Unfortunately, I had to turn around and come back home. It seems I am the third person in my family to get it...thank goodness it is short lived. I hope the coordinator asks me back next year as I was so disappointed to miss it. Speaking of health, the time is drawing closer to get my bloodwork to see how I am progressing with Lyme recovery. I am anxious to see what the numbers say as I know what my body is telling me. We'll see.

As I was typing this post this morning, my youngest daughter asked me, "Mom, do wishes really come true?" My answer..."Yes, honey, they do...but most of the time we have to work really hard to make our wishes come true." Her response...a very dejected "Oh." It's tough being 7 and realizing fairy godmothers are not floating around granting wishes. To make our wishes come true we have to be our own advocates, get off our tushes and fight for them. But every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears is worth it.

Have an excellent day.  xo

The Sacrifice of War

As I mentioned before, I have been catching up on many movies during this "down time"

I am having with Lyme Disease.

Last night I watched the movie "Lone Survivor" with my husband and teens

(the twins were in bed, of course, I would not let them watch this).

I don't even have words on how this movie affected me.

It moved me and tore my insides apart on many levels.

It is mind boggling to me how brave these men are and how simply they are 

willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for us, our country, and each other.

I was also blown away by the Afghan village who ultimately saved 

Marcus Luttrell and returned him to the Americans for rescue.

There were many times throughout the movie when I wanted 

to get up and leave the room because I have trouble watching 

the blood and gore associated with this type of movie,

but I stayed because I believe EVERY American should see this movie,

especially teens who sometimes have a false sense of war

through video games and other glorified movies.

War is not a game.

So, today, I am thankful for all the men and women,

past and present who are brave enough to fight for our beliefs and freedoms.

I am awed by each one of you.

Thank you.

This image is from my 2009 archives,

taken during a visit to the D-Day Memorial in Virginia.

If you read my blog way back then, you might remember this image 

was originally posted on a Veterans Day post.

xo

"There's a storm inside of us. I've heard many team guys speak of this. A burning. A river. A drive. An unrelenting desire to push yourself harder and further than anyone could think possible. Pushing ourselves into those cold, dark corners, where the bad things live. Where the bad things fight. We wanted that fight at the highest volume. A loud fight. The loudest, coldest, darkest, most unpleasant of the unpleasant fights."

~Marcus Luttrell