tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66152687719520843782011-10-12T01:47:03.794-04:00A journal of the mysteries and tinkerings going on around me.Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.comBlogger731100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-22306700604468789262010-08-27T20:41:00.000-04:002010-08-27T20:41:33.571-04:00

Pardon my recent obsession with graves... but here's another update. Yesterday was my grandmother's birthday. And although I love Harry Potter as much as the next 40 year old with the reading level of a 12 year-old, I did not celebrate Gram's "Death Day" with a party this past spring. In my mind, she is still the funny, silly, brave, ALIVE woman whom I admire and miss so much. Not the

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-4084631975972998902010-08-13T17:52:00.000-04:002010-08-13T17:52:08.520-04:00

 It's been over a year since my grandmother died (read the post about her here). Her grave finally has a gravestone! It seemed a bit... well, I'm not sure what the word would be. I mean, she was buried in a tote bag for goodness sakes. I kept bugging my mother about getting a nice stone, but it wasn't until this spring that inspiration struck. We stopped over in Paris on the way to our Holy

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-58938408263779473242010-06-19T00:31:00.000-04:002010-06-19T00:31:16.579-04:00

I have been cleaning up and re-organizing my studio these past few weeks. It's the only way to get at all those dust bunnies, but it also gives me the opportunity to rediscover forgotten (lost?) projects, and to remove the stuff that is no longer useful. While shuffling junk around, I unearthed a painting I did in art school (20 years ago!) It is actually my most-favorit-est oil painting I have

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-53509953361702409722010-06-08T14:26:00.000-04:002010-06-08T14:26:31.007-04:00

Animal attraction? I came home one day to find this strange creature on my door stoop. My mother-in-law did some research and said it is a partridge. I think it is one strange bird. It just stood there. With my husband gardening nearby. With kids running past. Me taking photos. It's like it was posing. It showed up a few days later standing right behind my car. It didn't want to move. If I wasn't

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-23599717145065210462010-05-31T01:47:00.000-04:002010-05-31T01:47:13.324-04:00

I got home from Art and Soul (Virginia) on Wednesday and crashed into bed. What an exhausting, amazing... exhausting...  experience it was! We drove down with a car packed full of supplies for my classes - I taught two on Thursday, and for Vendor Night on Saturday. Teaching was an incredible experience - the classroom had such a variety of students: artists, crafters, cancer survivors, art

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-42384130285762313862010-04-27T16:46:00.001-04:002010-04-27T16:49:45.861-04:00

As the plane touched down on the runway, I had a disorienting moment of pure panic: I had no idea where I was!? The airport looked the same as the others I'd seen recently and my mind actually had to run through the itinerary to figure out I was home. This was Logan Airport. Home. Paris - Amman (Jordan) - Petra - Aqaba - Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt) - The Red Sea - Hurghada - Luxor - Cairo - Suez -

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-29397739210230096202010-04-05T14:46:00.000-04:002010-04-05T14:46:18.825-04:00

I finally got around to reading some of the books in the monstrous STACK next to my bed! These two books blew me away: Shaun Tan has the most haunting, beautiful, pencil drawings. His work reminds me a bit of Chris Van Allsburg's (Polar Express, Jumanji), but with more detail and realism. It's this realism that makes his work so creepy! The Tales from Outer Suburbia stories are a little like Van

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-35240438293534183612010-03-17T14:48:00.001-04:002010-03-17T14:50:33.068-04:00

My grandfather, Manny Steen, came to the US from Ireland when he was 19 years old. He is the voice of Ireland at Ellis Island and his story is part of a Broadway play. He died about 12 years ago, but he lives on forever in literature!     Ellis Island: The Dream of America: Words of Manny Steen, emigrated from Ireland in 1925, read by Barry Bostwick It's a shame they didn't have my grandfather

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-4579886071526503132009-12-03T12:17:00.000-05:002009-12-03T12:17:40.014-05:00

Phoebe's the kitten (6 months) Dexter is about a year old And Charlie is 3 years I know looks aren't everything, but cast your vote for which fur-baby you think we'll pick! :-)

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-25850673517608499842009-12-02T21:11:00.000-05:002009-12-02T21:11:22.720-05:00

It is my habit to try and create some kind of art when a fur-baby dies. So I made two for Rum Tum. The first is her memorial angel-cat piece and the second is kind of like a portable mural. I will probably make a mural piece of my still-living cat, Lilo Bean, as well. The memorial/shrine piece is mostly acrylics and the background shrine part is black gesso with colored pencils. It is much more

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-83079037587794073402009-11-24T17:29:00.000-05:002009-11-24T17:29:23.362-05:00

Studio Cat and Golden-Eyed Muse I will miss your purrs and your sage advice: "All things seem better after a snack and a nap in the sun." I am heart-broken to let you go. But there is no cure for a Jellicle cat who cannot purr. Goodbye.

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-33374043308852961372009-11-13T13:22:00.000-05:002009-11-13T13:22:23.003-05:00

There are a few really fun benefits to owning a 12 year old boy who adores Star Wars. Really!! Here's one: Alex's grandparents gave him three tickets to the "Star Wars in Concert" show at the Verizon Center as his birthday present. And he let me have one of the tickets. This show was so amazing the only words I can think of to describe it are...  laser beams, fog machines, pillars of fire, 3-

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-64136012214211013032009-10-30T11:25:00.000-04:002009-10-30T11:25:32.399-04:00

Here's the Bruins crown my dad made. Felt, paper, stamps, charms. Very manly - nice job dad! Who says real men don't craft? And just in case you need MORE proof... check out the crown Ken made - using the same materials! Very art-y Ken. Nice!

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-8819648413680664822009-10-30T00:49:00.002-04:002009-10-30T00:54:31.737-04:00

We were so lucky to have an art party on Saturday with Tracy and Sue from Artgirlz in Rhode Island. Artgirlz is (are?) known for their pewter charms and felt beads and things. I personally am in love with making little people using the charms - arms, legs and crowns especially. For this event we made big, paper crowns! They started us off with pre-splattered watercolor paper - ingenius really.

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-64117663415159686612009-10-15T11:28:00.002-04:002009-10-15T11:48:45.618-04:00

"When your sole purpose in life is to entertain the gods, there's nothing to do but put on a good show."So, yesterday I was (whining) about how I need an Alice, right? Here's how the universe plays with me... I've been reading this excellent book called "The Red Book" - I'll post more about it later - but I was reading a section about how the universe/god/etc always answers our prayers, always.

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-27586551815322211792009-10-14T13:02:00.003-04:002009-10-14T14:11:48.269-04:00

I woke up thinking about that movie, "Ghost Town" where the dentist, who just wants to be alone, has a near-death experience and can suddenly see ghosts. And they want his help. Kind of like "Sixth Sense" but not as scary. That ability would be a blessing and a curse. Sure, you would have the chance to help put things right for people so they could move-on - and heal some wounds they may have

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-30670328830896360922009-09-28T13:14:00.003-04:002009-09-28T13:26:11.261-04:00

Well, I've been home for a week now - and I still feel jet-lagged. The first few days, I kept feeling like I wanted to cry - the states seem so strange to me. Everything seems so new and modern and product oriented. How weird is that? We live in a 200 year old house... and it suddenly seems so new and flimsy to me? I guess I really bonded with the ancient houses all squished together with amazing

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-28837082371981380212009-08-05T21:55:00.003-04:002009-08-05T22:32:11.466-04:00

There are so many incredible artists at the League of NH Craftsmen Show in Sunapee, NH this week. I always leave the show feeling almost deliriously-desperate to get into my studio and MAKE STUFF!! If I could only actually create the stuff that I plan to, then I would become very famous and successful and then I'd have the money to buy all the pieces at the show that I crave. The other (lazier)

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-2917191810418860292009-07-29T22:12:00.002-04:002009-07-29T22:17:30.798-04:00

I belong to the NH chapter of the Womens Caucus for Arts. There has been an interesting discussion lately about the differences between commercial art and fine art. I wanted to post the response that I wrote with my own opinions, here on my blog with the hopes that some of you readers might offer your two cents. I think this subject is really fascinating - and of course, has no answer. But I'd

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-50312812127726037422009-07-22T20:25:00.004-04:002009-07-22T20:37:49.906-04:00

Would you believe that the ground FINALLY feels stable again? For the week after I got home, I kept feeling like the floor was tilting. I went from a bus, to a train, to a boat, to an airplane!! I don't really want to go anywhere for a while now... actually Ken and I are going up to Bar Harbor tomorrow morning to get Alex. He's been up there all month at an arts camp. His sister misses him

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-34810203158113438452009-07-09T20:38:00.002-04:002009-07-09T21:07:10.142-04:00

That's what it says on my mug. I'm sitting here in the CyberCafe on the Norwegian Star. We are docked in Prince Rupert and I am wading through my email and remembering that I actually have a life waiting for me back home. It's funny how unimportant the "important" things seem when they aren't staring right at you. Perhaps there is some wisdom to be gleaned from that... nah, I'll think it through

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-28971066135841915762009-06-24T20:37:00.003-04:002009-06-24T20:58:38.805-04:00

A Cautionary Tale in 6 Pictures Proving That Two-year-olds Will Fall For the Same Trick Over and Over.Also, this proves that girls who kick butt can still look good and appreciate a pretty dress and stylish flipflops. This is a lesson that Lilah learned from her babysitter, Kayla, who is starting boot camp very soon! (Good luck, Kayla!) By the way, the pretty dress or, rather, "pwitty dess" - is

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-36260650070848911552009-06-14T15:20:00.005-04:002009-06-14T18:02:18.278-04:00

A few years before I got pregnant with my daughter - ah, now I see what happened - well, anyway - before I got pregnant, I found a little retreat on Blaisdell Lake in Bradford/Sutton. It was only about 15 minutes from my real life and I thought it would be perfect as a place to escape to and make some art. I did escape and I made some art. I also sat on the dock and splashed my feet in the water,

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-89080861901962210472009-05-31T16:42:00.003-04:002009-05-31T17:14:51.729-04:00

I am running away this week.I will (try) to bury my feet in the sand and screw my head back on. Sometimes life just moves too fast around me and if I try to keep up... well, what's the point?I figured I'd pack today and then try to relax, play some wii with my husband then take off tomorrow morning. But the cat's in the cradle, the kids have the flu... there's an important retailer's meeting

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-12101898277500299592009-05-26T12:37:00.005-04:002009-05-27T16:32:30.731-04:00

My Grandma Magda died yesterday.It was such a beautiful weekend and so many great things occurred, but they seem rather distant now. I'll write about those things on my studio blog.My head is full of so many confusing thoughts - I've lost people before, but I've never felt so much guilt and... loss... before. I keep hearing people say "she was old" "she's been gone for a while now" "she's in a

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-2666527903467001082009-05-10T23:05:00.004-04:002009-05-10T23:14:55.728-04:00

On May 16th, the town of Warner, NH celebrates Artists... and Fairies. There are lots of free and low cost events like fairy house building, a kids' play, dance demonstrations and lots more. Artists are to be found all over town selling and demoing. And I will be having an Open Studio (in the Belfry, above Wingdoodle) from 10am to 1pm. I hope lots of people visit me so I won't have time to gaze

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-3298922978502653732009-04-27T16:54:00.003-04:002009-04-27T17:12:11.371-04:00

This weekend, everyone, I mean EVERYONE!, helped put my new trike... er ahem... Adult 3-wheeler... together.It's actually pretty cool. The proof being that I never get a chance to ride it because someone else is always on it! I wanted something to ride to the studio and be able to lug along some "stuff" (nice big basket). Also I got a cool front-mount baby carrier for Lilah and it is a lot more

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-47564410434644003202009-04-19T17:02:00.003-04:002009-04-19T17:15:58.263-04:00

The Gnu was varnished and then taken off by truck to be clear-coated. The Gallery at Wingdoodle is SOOOOO empty. Boohoo. But the Gnu looked so lovely. I am proud of the work all 9 artists did! Here are a few more shots.

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-89121633535254929302009-04-13T10:21:00.003-04:002009-04-13T10:44:43.508-04:00

If we forget about the grouchy boy, high-fever-girl and cranky Gramma at the nursing home... this was a really nice weekend! It was nice to have Kayla helping out too - weekends always go smoother with someone else watching the baby! Kayla is, technically, Lilah's babysitter. She started out as a mother's helper and progressed to personal hairdresser, jungle gym, big sister and bodyguard. She has

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-85966178810419215822009-04-10T16:10:00.003-04:002009-04-10T16:36:28.652-04:00

People have been tangling like crazy! I was at Wingdoodle til 11 last night working on the shading. The nose needs some color, then the whole thing gets varnished and then it's farewell! There will be a big Gnu Preview party at theNew London Inn on May 24th at 5pm. It will be very exciting to see all the decorated Gnus in one place! If you'd like to see more photos of the tangled gnu and the

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-5989880842115298202009-04-06T21:50:00.003-04:002009-04-06T22:07:34.891-04:00

I posted a schedule of Zentangle workshops I'll be teaching this spring, on my studio blog - Beez in the Belfry. Click the link, above, to see the post. Well... I won't be teaching them on my blog, the list is there, the classes will be in my studio space - The Belfry (above Wingdoodle). It was hard to make a schedule - there are so many things happening in the next few months! In a few weeks,

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-87507037629251748482009-04-02T20:07:00.004-04:002009-04-02T20:57:56.886-04:00

The gnu is almost completely tangled! Next we have to add a bit of color, then the shading. And I need to take some more photos!Meanwhile, I carved a gazillion stamps for the Gnus of Gnu London grand tour to take place this summer. This photo shows them partially carved and not cut apart yet.If you would like to learn to carve your own rubber stamps, I will be offering classes in my Belfry Studio

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-71877831187396701172009-03-30T19:36:00.004-04:002009-03-30T20:00:27.595-04:00

Just saw this You Tube video called "Everything is Amazing, Nobody is Happy"It's very funny, but also brings up a good point. We roll our eyes when our parents (grandparents) say things like "when I was a kid..." And now I find myself saying the same thing with my children, except that it wasn't so long ago that we did these unthinkable things. "When I was a kid, we didn't have cell phones or

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-61825830821583246712009-03-09T12:30:00.004-04:002009-03-09T12:43:35.374-04:00

I just watched a wonderful movie called "Ballet Shoes". Here's the short description from Netflix:An unusual explorer named Gum (Richard Griffiths) and his kindly niece (Emilia Fox) adopt three orphans -- Pauline (Emma Watson), Petrova (Yasmin Paige) and Posy (Lucy Boynton) -- and raise them as sisters in 1930s London. But when Gum doesn't return from one of his adventures, the girls must fend

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-17833079870796882052009-03-08T00:14:00.002-05:002009-03-08T00:32:02.694-05:00

We have begun!I've been working on all four knees (gnees!) down to the hoofs. My inspiration is Mendhi henna tattoos.Deb's been working on the gnose, eyes and forehead. Very cool. Some of the face will eventually be in color too.Liz has been working on the shoulders. And on the opposite shoulder there are raised areas for the hair (mane?) and her tangles follow along those lines. Cool idea.Carol

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-25938795050020357022009-02-22T19:18:00.004-05:002009-03-31T18:08:57.894-04:00

House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne JonesMy reviewrating: 4 of 5 starsI just finished this last night. Great book, I think I might have enjoyed it more than "Howl's Moving Castle". But my memory of that book was spoiled by the stupid "anime" movie done of it a few years ago. blech. I love most of DW Jones' stories and this one has all the good stuff. Good characters, magic, hidden rooms, magic,

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-78339320916770035152009-02-19T18:39:00.002-05:002009-02-19T18:41:11.091-05:00

You may have noticed the banner ads over on the edge for Artella. This is a very fun website to explore. Lots of collage-y artsy projects and downloadable "e-books". Here's some incentive to surf: Download a FREE copy of the Artella eBook, Artella Mae's NEW Altered Ancestors!, a 58-page eBook overflowing with ideas and techniques for using vintage photos in your artwork. Download your copy here!

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-26338628884695822922009-02-16T23:07:00.004-05:002009-03-16T20:05:36.397-04:00

Well, I may have unleashed a monster, but Alex now has his own blog! Called Juego con mi Jugo. Here is his description of the site:¡Bienvenido! Hi, my name is Alex Bee. This is my blog all about me. I look forward to telling anyone brave (or foolish) enough to enter this webpage about my personal book reviews, conspiracy theories, ideas (the realistic ones), *and secret plans*.And here is his

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-85929087565492129402009-02-10T12:34:00.000-05:002009-02-10T12:35:07.407-05:00

OPEN STUDIO on February 14th from 10am-2pm.I'll teach you to carve a heart rubber stamp too!The studio is above Wingdoodle at 19 E. Main Street in Warner, NHYou can call 603-456-3515 for more info or directions. See ya!

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-35172730616879363332009-02-09T12:06:00.003-05:002009-02-09T12:16:36.109-05:00

The gnude gnus are very shy and a little hesitant to step out onto Main Street.Coaxing, coaxing... he seems to like being outside. We try backing him in the door.Shelley takes control, but ends up with a bum deal.A little wistful, but I think he is adjusting to his gnu (new) home.

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-84636777713577368572009-02-03T15:54:00.000-05:002009-02-03T15:55:12.157-05:00

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak My review rating: 4 of 5 starsThis is a very sad story - but really amazing too. It took me a year and three lame attempts to really get into this book. I just didn't get it. After the third attempt, I understood. Also, I've been watching "Dead Like Me" - that might have helped... Anyway, the story is about a young girl in nazi Germany - as told to us by - Death.

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-56948073137973553512009-02-03T00:01:00.004-05:002009-02-09T12:16:00.500-05:00

OK, I admit I'm getting a little tired of all the "Gnu" puns! But tonight the artists and sponsors for the "Gnus of Gnu London" had a party and we got to see our gnu friends. It was pretty exciting to see the gnude gnus lined up on the porch of the Gnu London Inn. (Starts to get to you doesn't it? OK - enough!)I'm one of about 8 artists in our WCANH group who will attempt to Zentangle a gnu! Our

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-51421059778444094192009-01-29T15:41:00.003-05:002009-01-29T15:54:11.953-05:00

Snow, snow and more snow. BUT! The sun was out and as I walked along Main Street, I was cheered to hear the gentle sound of dripping. Dripping! Dripping meant it wasn't as cold. Heatwave! This is a picture out my studio window before yesterday's snowstorm. That overhang of snow came down last night, a few inches from my snow-blowing-husband! Now, there is twice as much snow and the snow ledges

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-42930785254610669422009-01-21T18:35:00.006-05:002009-01-21T18:51:25.232-05:00

I made this piece for a show at the NH Institute of Art. I didn't get accepted, but I was glad to have the motivation to create something new! Ironically, the show is called "Figure It Out" - and I couldn't quite figure it out! Abstract, expressionistic nudes are not really my thing. But this piece was a blast! It's called "Create/Creation" and I was thinking about the female form as two, almost

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-27308315173557923002009-01-21T18:04:00.003-05:002009-01-21T18:52:52.978-05:00

Have I mentioned (lately) that I have a... rather dramatic son? If I call him a drama King, he says "I prefer dramatically gifted."He was recently in a play called "A Midsummer Night's Midterm". Not only a take-off on Shakespeare, but it attempts to explain it (very funny) to kids. My English teachers will be horrified, but I've never liked Shakespeare. Actually, I can't stand it. No, not

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-29151351963532475262009-01-21T17:43:00.006-05:002009-01-21T18:53:06.826-05:00

Some late Christmas pics.Yes, the baby and I have matching sweaters! Who would have thought?Well, there is a bright side to the messed up economic situation.Shopping! lots of companies that "never have sales" are having some pretty awesome sales. Hanna Anderson is one of my favorite kids' clothing companies, but I never seem to be able to afford the stuff.A "Sweater Sale"?Yeah - "me too, me too!"

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-55835886933743437372009-01-19T16:49:00.005-05:002009-01-19T17:17:43.128-05:00

Years ago, my son and I were waiting to cross a street in Santa Monica and I noticed an "Obey" (Andre the Giant sticker) on the crosswalk light pole."Alex! I went to school with that kid!""He's ugly", said Alex."No - that's Andre the Giant, I went to school with the artist who made the image."He wasn't impressed.When we repeated this conversation in relation to the Obama "Hope" sticker on his

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-49057552799996895602008-12-21T23:06:00.003-05:002008-12-21T23:13:11.665-05:00

I "found" these two photos of my son interacting with the Star Wars mural I did this past summer. (See earlier post). He is such a ham. His sister is too. Last night, he was the narrator for the Sunday School Christmas pageant. When the music started, his sister broke out of the pew and RAN up on stage next to Alex and started shaking her hands in the air and stomping her feet. It was such a hoot

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-1957738171261721542008-12-17T13:32:00.003-05:002009-01-21T18:53:26.986-05:00

Maybe I'm a whiner, or maybe I am just a truly introverted person who doesn't enjoy having my personal space invaded for days at a time. Five people (2 kids) holed up in a hotel room is not much fun. YES! I AM grateful that we had a hotel room available to us - with heat and TV and warm showers and a pool. Our house was freezing cold and I felt terrible for the cats. The whiny, ungrateful part of

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-51932625369226077292008-12-02T17:09:00.004-05:002008-12-02T17:46:46.594-05:00

I think my baby girl is a balloon head! She celebrated her 2nd birthday this past weekend and the best part of the party (for her) was the "forest" of balloons. Twenty-four blue balloons with long spirally tails floating around the dining room. It was like the scene from "Ice Age" where the squirrel finally gets to heaven and it's paved with acorns... balloooooons! By the next day they were down

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-45458763234536810572008-11-23T19:11:00.002-05:002008-11-23T19:14:20.133-05:00

Guest blogger for today: my son Alex, age 11. Actually, he had to write a "persuasive" paper and chose to write about Art in the Olympics. I thought it was a hoot! And he said it was fine if I posted it. I particularly love the last line!Alex Bartholomew11/20/08The Artistic Resurrection From 1912-1948 artistic competitions were held in the Olympics. Events were in architecture, literature,

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-47075290992817504232008-11-20T15:34:00.005-05:002008-11-20T15:57:26.333-05:00

I have work up at the Mill Brook Gallery in Concord, NH and at Interior Additions (also in Concord). Both are shows for the WCA/NH (Women's Caucus for Art) and both run through the middle of December. The Mill Brook Show is called "Vision Keepers" and the IA show is our annual 6x6 Show (all works 6" square and $66).These pieces are all available for purchase from the galleries (mosaics - Mill

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-27070362847015451322008-11-20T15:17:00.005-05:002008-11-20T15:34:33.884-05:00

My Halloween post - posted really late:Halloween is not only my favorite holiday, but it is also my wedding anniversary. Sixteen years. Amazing. Why did I think that this would be a good day to have an anniversary? We get hundreds of kids banging on our door and any idea of celebrating on our own goes kablooey. I LOVE carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating, but the idea of asking neighbors for

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-56643811522219757192008-10-01T12:08:00.004-04:002008-10-01T12:16:43.644-04:00

We all went to an amazing FairyHouse garden Tour in Portsmouth, NH recently. My mother-in-law shot this picture of my daughter - and I'm having urges to paint it with oversized flowers in the background......and perhaps you have always wondered, how a fairy gets around with those filmy wings?

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-32003521096511861052008-09-18T20:07:00.003-04:002008-09-18T20:26:46.280-04:00

A few months ago I saw an ad in the local paper about an 11 year-old boy who had suddenly been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. He was having chemo and radiation and his family was asking for donations to help out. I ripped out the info and begged my husband to write a check (he did!). But I wanted to do more. The story struck a chord with me on so many levels. Not only do I have a son

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-11211890166686821302008-07-18T19:37:00.003-04:002008-12-10T01:16:19.191-05:00

Well, that one Parent Visitation Day came and went. I do think summer months move faster than other months... anyway... we were SO excited to visit the kid. There was a mad rush of parents towards kids and kids towards parents. It resembled some battle scene from the movies, but with smiles and boxes of donuts and gifts instead of weapons. The baby was sitting on her daddy's shoulders and

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-53261623351372468602008-06-30T20:46:00.002-04:002008-12-10T01:16:19.497-05:00

OK... Did I blink or something and miss the entire month of June!!? Yikes.I ran off for 5 days to the Foxwoods Casino for a toy store retailer's conference. (It was AWESOME!) I told everyone "I'll deal with IT when I get back." Everything, yes, I'd take care of everything when I returned. When I returned I was deluged. And I took care of nothing. Then my baby got sick (high fever, ER, ear

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-31041136016782043082008-05-10T15:45:00.004-04:002008-12-10T01:16:20.333-05:00

Here are a few more things I made at Art & Soul. Prepared Journals and Metal Mesh collages. When I have a chance to take better photos, I'll add them to my website.

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-88454243760891204012008-05-10T15:28:00.006-04:002008-12-10T01:16:21.063-05:00

I had such a great time at Art & Soul!!! My classes were: Perching Pixies with Stephanie Rubiano (I perched them on a canvas), Vintage Metal Treasure Deck with Leighanna Light (I turned the cards into a book), Master Metal Mesh with LK Ludwig, Fabric Persona Journal with Keely Barham (I converted the book into a panel) and The Prepared Journal with Traci Bunkers.

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-21506466064675395892008-04-29T14:14:00.002-04:002008-12-10T01:16:21.290-05:00

I just finished this piece for Art & Soul Virginia. Just. I'm flying out tomorrow. That's cutting it a bit close! Now, I just have to PACK! I need an art retreat so badly. My kids have been a great help in getting me psyched for this. I had been feeling mommy guilt pangs about leaving my kids for a whole week! (Bad mommy!) But little one has been up teething and howling almost every night for the

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-91062829817596888862008-04-10T17:38:00.004-04:002008-12-10T01:16:22.299-05:00

I made this "painting" as a gift for a little girl not yet born. My sister-in-law is expecting in May and she got enough baby clothes to start her own store. I wanted to give a gift that would last more than 6 months. This painting has lots of interesting textures to keep the baby's eyes and hands busy. Alex (my kid) and I made a painting like this with his fairy characters for his sister when

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-81184746115808372282008-03-18T16:54:00.005-04:002008-12-10T01:16:22.491-05:00

Here's a look at a few of the pages I made for the Hampton Art & Soul FatBook. I've never worked on a FatBook before, but this was a lot of fun. I usually don't like having to make multiples of something (I hate repetitive tasks!). In this case I had to make 28 - 4x4" pages. I used a huge sheet of watercolor paper and embossed the fish designs (stamps from Fred Mullett) with clear embossing

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-83376728105314820742008-03-02T12:45:00.004-05:002008-05-10T16:03:57.823-04:00

I just finished reading two really good Young Adult novels. This is my favorite type of book - much better than adult stories.  TUNNELS by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams is about an ancient civilization deep within the earth and a boy who loves to dig. Strange concept, but it is a wonderful creepy, adventure story that reminded me of Jules Verne. It also made me think of the old Infocom

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-28573525696546769232008-02-28T16:41:00.005-05:002008-12-10T01:16:23.177-05:00

Oh I had fun doing this! It was hard to keep my hands steady, but I managed to Zentangle a MUNNY from KidRobot. I used a Pigma Micron black pen and it took a few days for the ink to dry to a non-smearing state.

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-54019815256763202122008-02-24T20:56:00.004-05:002008-12-10T01:16:23.353-05:00

I have been working on the "Red" book in a round robin with some other women artists. Called  "Hues'n Views" -  12 artists each have a month to work on an altered book before sending it on. There are only a few books left. Then we'll do a big show. I haven't seen my original book ("Jewel Tones") since I sent it off! I was excited to have the Red book for February - seemed like a no-brainer to do

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-57655418106115670852008-02-13T16:33:00.003-05:002008-05-10T16:03:57.823-04:00

    I'm going to ToyFair. I'm going to ToyFair!! I've wanted to go for 20 years. When I was in art school in NY I walked past the Toy Showrooms and the toy building and dreamed of seeing all the cool new stuff inside. (I LOVE toys!) I don't love the electronic plastic, big box, ooh & aah-then-toss-it kind of toys. I love German toys, cool figures, action figures, original dolls, weird underground

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-13406266837834713882008-02-05T20:23:00.000-05:002008-05-10T16:03:57.824-04:00

Sometimes it is hard to shake a dream. A dream as in a nightmare type thing or a goal-type dream. A few years ago I started having dreams about a little girl with reddish hair and blue eyes. Even though I had been sure that I only wanted to have one child - who was 8 at that time - and even though my family thought I was insane, and my friends thought I'd not been "careful" - I knew this little

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-39688669581645070952008-01-28T20:42:00.000-05:002008-05-10T16:03:57.824-04:00

A glitch... but it goes back to a glyph (mystery). I'm being advised (coerced?) by husband, lawyer and other friends to give up designing rubber stamps. I'm not going to explain "why" here because it makes me SO ANGRY I COULD SCREAM!!!! Ahem... so, this is the only successful business I have ever had for such a long time - although not so successful in the past few years. I'd really rather "do

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-56301758781234499842008-01-16T10:11:00.000-05:002008-05-10T16:03:57.825-04:00

A new "glitch". Daycare. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful babysitter to watch my baby daughter a few chunks of time each week. But she has two kids in school and another  18 month old she cares for and between them... the colds just keep circulating. I have a damaged immune system and I've been sick since October. It's very frustrating. But I am supposed to be starting work again,

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-25257319519670479362008-01-11T10:04:00.000-05:002008-05-10T16:03:57.825-04:00

Without realizing it, I have been collecting people. For years, since childhood actually, I have loved figures - especially Lego and Playmobil. My studio is filled with them. The tops of all my windows are lined with mini-figs. Fisher-Price, Holly Hobbie, Strawberry Shortcake, R2D2, TMNTs... does Godzilla count? But lately, I've been collecting people. For a while, it was female business owners.

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-42769271048193880692008-01-10T10:57:00.000-05:002008-05-10T16:03:57.826-04:00

I'm on Day 6 of a 21 day online Journaling Class. I stumbled across the site www.cre8it.com while I was surfing from bed a few weeks ago. I was down for a few weeks with strep AND mono (what a combo) and feeling sorry for myself. And cabin fever, too. I had never taken an online class and figured this was the perfect opportunity! I have been having so much fun. I try to take the assignment a step

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-57233919041163500932008-01-09T15:57:00.000-05:002008-05-10T16:03:57.827-04:00

I had a really strange dream the other night that I keep thinking about. My son had described his own brain as having filing cabinets in it and a very complex, but logical filing system. So I guess I must have been mulling that over. In my dream I could see the workings inside my head and they were all like big, colorful balloons floating around. As I explored between them I saw some deflated

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615268771952084378.post-70952438448842887362008-01-04T16:36:00.000-05:002008-05-10T16:03:57.827-04:00

Life seems to be a lot of puzzles and problems to be solved. Good thing I'm a problem-solver. Biggest problem lately has been a feeling of isolation - loneliness. So I thought it might be time to start a new blog. Take a chance, put my thoughts out there and see where it all goes.

Sandy Steen Bartholomewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02979547420298040620noreply@blogger.com0