Hen House at the County Faire-A Peek-a-Boo Project

Growing up in the countryside of Pennsylvania we were excited when summer came and it was time for the Lycoming County Fair, as a youth I’d spend the week there walking the circuit and seeing who I could see, strange to think of now as I am more of a shy introverted individual.

I’ve written about the Sideshow Tent or the Freak Show before in my blog titled: County Fairs Can be a Circus.

I was also intrigued  by the livestock buildings, that housed the cows, horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits, alpacas, lamas, emus, woodland creatures and poultry. We raised chickens at the homestead of my childhood but in the poultry building they had exotic breeds not seen in our small chicken coop. They are the inspiration for this artwork. 

Supplies:  GSLC Vintage Triptych Florentine, Magazine Pictures of Your Choosing, I Used Ralph Lauren Advertisement That Happened to Include Chickens, Pen, Scissors, Shades of Green and Off White Acrylic Paints, Paintbrush, Wire Cage Embossing Folder, Sizzix Big Kick Machine, SilverLeaf Run’nBuff, UHU GlueStick, WeldBond Glue, Nail Emory File, Cloth Table, Paper Butterfly Embellishments, Alligator Crimping Tool, Mini Knobs, Screwdriver, DecoArt Matte Gel Medium

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Use a Pen to Trace the Portions of the Magazine Pictures you Wish to Uses.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Use Scissors to Cut out Pieces.
   
4. On Larger Inside Picture Use a Wire Gauge Folders and Sizzix Big Kick Machine to Add Texture to Image.
   
5. Gently Rub Embossed Picture with SilverLeave Run’nBuff to give the Appearance of Depth.
   
6. Use a UHU GlueStick to Glue Larger Image to Pack Portion of GSLC Triptych.
   
7. Rub Edges Smoothly with a Nail Emory File.
   
8. Use a UHU GlueStick to Glue Smaller Images to Both Front and Back Portions  of GSLC Triptych Side Panels.
   
   
   
   
9. Rub Edges Smoothly with a Nail Emory File.
10. Use Shades of Green and Off White Acrylic Pains to Paint the Inner Frame of GSLC Triptych.
    
11. Use Cloth Tape to Form Hinges of Triptych.
    
12. Use WeldBond to Glue Frame of Inside Portion of GSLC Triptych.
    
13. Add Paper Butterfly Embellishments as Desired to Prepared Triptych.
    
14. Use Alligator Crimping Tool to Punch Holes is side Panels.
    
15. Attach Small Knobs Using Screwdriver to Secure into Place.
16. Gently Coat Entire Project with DecoArt Matte Gel Medium using a Paintbrush.
    
    
    
    
    
    

    

    
    

Final Thoughts

The only egg colors that our chickens produces were basic brown and white. Years later in a Martha Stewart Spring Issue, I was introduced to the many shades that eggs cold be. I marveled at the bluish tones, to creamy pinks, shades of green and hues of brown, and a variety of whites. It still seems so magical to me the variety of colors bird eggs can be. 

In the Hen House at  Lycoming County Fair Grounds, there were  a wide variety of chickens some looked like they were wearing wigs, much like RuPaul dressed in drag.These were Polish or Sultan Breeds. The Silkie Breed of Chickens have soft silky feathers. They look like a combo of Alpaca and the world’s most comfy sweater.  Rhode Island Reds have red-orange eyes and rust-colored sometimes almost maroon colored feather. They are stately and regal in their appearance.The Barred Plymouth Rock Chickens have sharply defined parallel lines of Black and White the jail breakers of the crowd. They have stunning bright red combs and wattles. Some Wyandotte Chickens have brown feathers that are lined in black but this variety of  chicken has eighteen recognized color patterns so you can color coordinate them for your backyard Aviary.  Many Bantam Chicken have feathered feet, the Booted Bantam looks like they are wearing chaps, they may be best suited for a cowboy themed chicken coop.

As I child I remember visiting my Uncle Bob and Aunt Margaret when they lived on the farm, deeper in the country, farther up the mountain past the country store with a bear mounted in it’s breezeway. Aunt Margaret was a tiny woman and uncle Bob seemed a giant compared to her. They had a three legged dog and a flock of banty chickens that ran wild. I always wanted to go search for their eggs but none seemed to know where they nested. They the original  free-range organic chickens. In the springtime when their babies were hatched they were so tiny and cute. The momma hen would corral them and keep them close to her. Looking back now I also realize that many of our meals were farm to table long before it got boojie.

Don’t Step on a Bee Day-A Peek-a-Boo Project

I love how everything has its own special day. I am betting this is one that many of you may not have heard of or celebrated. Today July 10, 2024 is Don’t Step on aBee Day. It is observed every year on July 10 in the United Kingdom. Bees have been around for centuries and are closely related to wasps. They are mostly found in every part of the world that has insect-pollinated flowering plants. Bees are essential to our survival and play a big role in balancing our ecosystem. They are great pollinators, produce honey, and give us food. This day marks the importance of the existence of these insects and the work that they do.

As most Americans are celebrating our freedom from British Rule this time of year I thought this would be a nice non partisan way to celebrate this little known holiday to us. This is the inspiration for this artwork.

Supplies: GSLC Little Niche Sun Burst, GSLC Honeycomb & Queen Bees ATC Sized, Magazine Images, UHU GlueStick, Scissors, Nail File, Washi Tape, Acrylic Paint, Yellow, Iridescent Blue, Metallic Gold, Orange, Yellow, Green, WeldBond Glue, paintbrush, Sharpie Pen

  

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Use UHU Glue stick to attach Magazine images to GSLC Little Niche Sun Burst Pieces.
   
3. Trim with Scissors.
   
4. Use Nail File to Smooth off Edges.
   
5. Put Bottom of GSCL Little Niche Together with Glue and Washi Tape. Secure with Clips on Edges if Necessary.
6. Add Washi Tape Details to Top Portion of GLSC Little Niche.
   
   
7. Use UHU GlueStick to Add Magazine Scraps to This Portion Also.
   
8. Use Acrylic Paint of Your Choosing to Paint GSLC Honeycomb and Queen Bees ATC size. I Used Yellow, Iridescent Blue, Metallic Gold, Orange, Yellow, Green, WeldBond Glue.
   
9. Add Details with A Black Sharpie Pen.
10. Assemble Vignette for Inside Bottom Portion of GSLC Little Niche.
    
11. Attach Top Portion of GSLC Little Niche to Bottom Portion, Securing Again with Clips to Fully Dry.
    
12. Add Bee and Crown Details Once Dry to Outside of Niche Using WeldBond.

Final Thought

Almost every day of the year is linked to its own holiday or remembrance. I like these lesser known celebrations, it makes each day a bit more magical.

I wrote about this process in an essay titled, Death of a Dignity, it was about my love/hate relationship with Martha Stewart. In Part 

“Last night I dreamt I danced at Martha Stewart's funeral. A rather odd dream if left unexamined. Most people have a love/hate relationship with their idols. I love Martha Stewart for her interesting ideas, she celebrated the eclectic. She was the first person who told me it didn't have to match. She took ordinary items and made them extraordinary, a motto I have tried to live by. She made a habit trying to look for the "good things" in life. She rescued treasures from tag sale. She celebrated the obscure occasions; traveled to exotic locales. She was an underdog who had made it big. Hers was the Cinderella story, from the one bedroom apartment to several estates in prominent neighborhoods; from the one serving the guests to being the host of her own lavish parties, having a staff that would come to her beck and call. She had become a celebrity.

I loved all these things about Martha and so much more. The joke at many of my gatherings would go something like this "Wouldn't Martha be proud?" or "Look out Martha, Jon David is in town!" or "Martha has nothing on ME!””

I admire and respect Martha Stewart; some days I even envy her. But, last night I dreamt I danced at her funeral not because I am mentally disturbed. I danced in celebration of what she stood for and what I had become. I danced for my freedom and her forced exit. I danced to remember. I danced to forget. And as I danced I was reminded that I too with her wealth, and along with her crews of thousand, I could also create her over the top magical moments and huge productions.

But, as I lay my "floral arrangement of the month" upon her graveside I was also reminded that I can turn an apple into a tart, a book into a memory, a card into a collection, a dreary day into a dawning, an eggplant into an exotic centerpiece, a fig into a fabulous dessert, a gathering into gladness, a host into a friend, an icicle into a winter montage, juice into sangria, kelp into a California roll, a letter into a legacy, a map into a mural, an ordinary occasion into a celebration, a pear can be poached and become breakfast, a quest an incredible adventure, a raven may even become my pet, a stove is a gallery, a table a conversation piece, a universe gets captured on my bathroom walls, a vase becomes a vision, a wall is turned into a wonderland, a Xerox is easily transformed into stationary, and, given the opportunity I could even find a few interesting uses for a zebra.

So come and dance at Martha Stewart's funeral. Dance not because you are disturbed, but, come dance because each of us need to know who we can become if given the opportunity.  But most of all come dance because it is time to say goodbye to all those fears that entrap you and dream once again. So Good Night my sweet Martha. Keep growing and learning because we love the way you show us to look at our world through new eyes.

The essay can be read in its full here: Death of a Dignity

If we have eyes to see let us see the bits of beauty that surrounds us each and every blessed day.

Other Blogs I have written about bees:

Bees in August

Saving the Bees 

Gone Fishin’ A Peek-a-Boo Project

A neighbor lady likes to say “Fishing is the greatest excuse in the world to do nothing” I’ve never been a fan of fishing but my grandpappies, Da, Ralph and Frank were dabblers of the sport. Maybe if the fish were a bit more colorful than the rainbow trouts we’d catch I’d be a bit more intrigued. These are the inspirations for this artwork.

Supplies: GSLC Arabian Triptych, Colorful Magazine Pictures, Pen,WeldBond Glue,Fish Images from Sticker Books, Blue HighLighter, DuraClear Matte Gel Medium, Paintbrush, Iridescent Glitter, Ocean Blue and Turquoise Stencil Butter, Green Acrylic Paints, Rangers Glossy Accents Finish

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Trace Back of GSLC Arabian Triptych on Colorful Magazine Images. 
   
3. Rip and Tear Magazine Images Gluing to SLC Arabian Triptych Back.
   
4. Find Fish and Coral Images in Sticker Books to Use in Collages.
   
5. Fussy Cut and Use a Blue Highlighter on Edges.
   
6. Use DuraClear Matte Gel Medium to Secure Pieces to Back Portion Of GSLC Arabian Triptych. 
   
7. While Still Wet Sprinkle with Iridescent Glitter Sparingly.
   
8. Paint Upper Portion of GSLC Arabian Triptych Frames with Ocean Blue and Turquoise Stencil Butter. Globing on.
   
9. Add Patina with Green Acrylic Paints.
   
10. Glue Upper Portion of GSLC Arabian Triptych Frames to the Back Prepared Portions with WeldBond.
    
11. Once Fully Dry add a Layer of Rangers Glossy Accents Finish to the Inside Frames.
    

Final Thoughts:

Rainbow Trout were definitely a colorful fish, along with its Golden Rainbow bothers, and Brook, Brown and Lake trout cousins. Each with own distinct color palate . They are also related to the salmon. They preferred the colder area of the streams hiding near the riffles.

Catfish were caught in deeper channels  and are bottom-dwelling opportunistic carnivores. We were told that catfish whiskers could stings but it might be an old wives tale.

Perch, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, a Sunfish and Bluegills, Suckers and  Crappies could also be caught if you knew the right fishing holes. On the rarest of occasions even a freshwater eel were a found delicacy.

I was more of a crick wader. I did enjoy hunting for Hellgrammites used for bait on sharp fishhooks. In Summertime we gather our wading boots or old sneaker, fishing net, a plastic bucket and off to the crick we would go. We’d head to our manmade dams, one person downstream the others picking up the placed rocks and shuffling downstream towards the nets. Our family also caught night crawlers after the spring rains and would keep them in a washbasin in the dirt cellar of our family farmhouse. 

Inside Appalachia Podcast reminds me of my Childhood Home: In Old School Fly Fishing Rods they meet craftsman who builds exquisite, handmade fly rods and shares his fishing with others.Inside Appalachia tells the stories of our people, and how they live today. The show is an audio tour of our rich history, food, music and culture.

Fishing Quotes:

"The fishing was good; it was the catching that was bad." —A.K. Best

“A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other.” —Samuel Johnson

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." —Henry David Thoreau

“I go fishing not to find myself but to lose myself.” —Joseph Monninger