Business Thank You Card by THASC – Key Biscayne Lighthouse by Novella Duke
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After seeing a program on PBS’s Nature series on how penguins stay warm, Marlene’s greeting card has given new meaning to the word “huddle”. The only other place I hear this word regularly is when I watch football. Emperor penguins are like no other penguins, even though there are others of different shapes and sizes who don’t even live in Antarctica but in other
places like Madagascar and the Galapagos Islands. Did you know that larger penguin species like the Emperor are found in colder climates while smaller ones are found in warmer climates? One has to wonder, when temperatures reach 40 below zero, isn’t there a point where even Emperor penguins get cold? The answer is yes and the way they handle it is even more phenomenal. Huddling for them is a matter of life and death. Collective movements rather than individual ones are a necessity. The penguins on the outside row are reshuffled to the center without a single one getting crushed! The secret is they move very slowly without changing their position and do not use force in or out of the huddle.
Marlene Schwartz’s watercolor painting is so accurately detailed that it could easily be a photograph. Penguins are flightless and she shows their distinct tuxedo-like appearance which helps keep them safe in the water where they catch their food. Their young are raised, however, on land. Each penguin has a distinguishing call allowing them to find their mates and their chicks in large groups. The female Emperor lays one egg during spring and summer but it is the male who covers it with his brood pouch with which he keeps the egg warm for 65 days through icy cold temperatures. After about 2 months, the chicks are hatched and the mother returns from her fishing session at sea with food for the newly hatched chicks. In her painting, Marlene shows you the large penguin with the newly hatched chick in the brood pouch. The males now leave for their session at sea while the female takes over caring for them.
Both male and female Emperor penguins take very good care of their young and procure anything they need. This comes across to us immediately in Marlene’s watercolor. We can learn a lot from these social aquatic birds. Knowing that their lifespan is about 20 years it is pretty safe to say that these creatures will be around for a long time.
Thank you, Marlene, for your amazing depiction!
See you on Tuesday! Have a great weekend!
-Maria
THASC is a unique small American business producing cards & other promotional products.
www.thasc.com
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Although most of us “four-season people” try hard to avoid the inevitable of summer coming to an end, there are some signs that finally bring us to the realization that summer is really fading and fall is near. THASC artist Carol Marquardt hints at some of those things that we dread to admit are starting to happen, but at the same time, tells us there is still more time to enjoy it. The trees are starting to shed their leaves and some branches look more like twigs now, as Carol shows in her painting. I must say my yellow dried-up lawn, which has suffered from an especially hot summer, has begun to look more like a hay field as well.
Her sole basket of flowers reminds me of how I wait until late summer to see my delicate roses of Sharon. They are the last flowers to bloom but are still accompanied by a very green pine tree in the back yard and some greener holly bushes in the front yard. The summer beach days are not ready to give in to Fall just yet. In fact my favorite time to visit and walk the beach is in late afternoon, when most of the crowds have dwindled and only the serious beachgoers are still lingering in the sunset on their lounges or throwing the last crumbs of their lunches to the patient seagulls.
Sand Hill Cove Beach at sunset
Carol’s gray watering can has not lost it’s purpose yet and looks lovely sitting on the patio (with the matching gray grout) where it is ready to revive the nearby flowers, even though at this point, hope is lost for the dried grass. Carol’s painting of “Summer Afternoon” reminds me that there is still time to warm my skin in the sun, still time to water and enjoy the last summer roses of Sharon, and still time to walk the coastal beaches at sunset.
Although I dislike admitting it, I actually DO get a bit anxious for the arrival of Fall’s Fashion Show, but until that time, Carol’s painting keeps me in my favorite season, summer, with her wonderful THASC greeting card. I hope you all have a delightful end to summer and enjoy these last days. Wishing you a pleasant Labor Day weekend. See you next Tuesday.
-Maria
THASC is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.
www.thasc.com
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This greeting card was reproduced from an original artwork by George Everett for THASC Sales Co. who has employed a unique group of handicapped artists who create art to help rehabilitate themselves. They gain self-respect and pride through their artwork.
With the approaching passing of summer George Everett brings us to that place where we transition into the peaceful ending of the scorching sun and into the tranquil resting place of sailboats which, with their lowered sails, helps us to relax after the hot temperatures of the days we’ve endured for the past three months. As a native New Englander, and a Pisces, being close to the water is part of my soul and I yearn to search out these little harbor villages which put my mind at ease and, at the same time, retain the beautiful memories of the warm season I love.
Life is almost forced to slow down here and leave the hectic city behind where you can either enjoy lunch on an open porch, search in the numerous little shops that are usually close by, have a refreshing beverage or just plain meditate and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. In little Rhode Island we have many such coastal villages to enjoy. My favorite is the quaint village of Wickford in the town of North Kingstown.
Wickford is the home of painter Gilbert Stuart who was born in 1755 on the outskirts of Wickford village named Saunderstown. Stuart’s famous portrait of George Washington hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Gilbert Stuart self portrait & portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart
Wickford is also is the home of the Wickford Art Festival which attracts thousands every year in July to one of the biggest events of its kind on the Eastern Seaboard.
THASC artist George Everett’s “The Harbor” also draws me to another village located on scenic East Bay between Providence and Newport called Warren.
The well-known Wharf Tavern famous for it’s delicious seafood is where we are headed today. Nothing like dining on the harbor of the Bay.
Hope you are enjoying one of the pleasantries of our American harbors as the summer brings us to a relaxing way to enjoy the dormant boats and the inviting waters. George Everett brings us there with his lovely greeting card which you can find on http://www.thasc.com
It is wonderful to be back with the THASC family after a vacation which brought me back to enjoy the harbors in little Rhody after visiting so many across our great land.
See you next Tuesday!
-Maria
THASC is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.
www.thasc.com
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This greeting card was reproduced from an original artwork by Robert Mauro for THASC Sales. Co. which has employed a unique number of handicapped artists who create art to help rehabilitate themselves. They gain self-respect and pride through their artwork.
For me, there is no other city that has a skyline like New York. I love the way Robert Mauro lights up his city with the glow of the moonlight and keeps it “The city that never sleeps.” The last time I was to go to New York City was tragically on September 11, 2001. We were to celebrate my sister’s 60th birthday, but it was never to be. The lights went out on Broadway.
After fourteen years I am going back to New York. This time I plan to visit Ground Zero and pay my respects. It will be a very emotional trip for me. My sister is no longer with me, but my cousins from Sicily are, so part of the excitement is still with me. In fact, we are leaving today, July 23, 2015, and in addition to seeing the wonderful things that New York symbolizes for our country, like the Statue of Liberty, we are also going back to Broadway. So as you read this blog, we will be visiting this magical city and getting ready to see “Aladdin” on W. 42nd Street.
There are so many things that I am in love with in New York, but Robert Mauro’s bright colorful watercolor makes me continually think of the excitement of New York’s night life, particularly in Manhattan. Nothing can stop this wonderful City from drawing us into “being a part of it, New York, New York!“
I personally prefer musicals and comedy to drama, but there is nothing really that can hinder me from seeing live theatre no matter what the theme. In fact, I always secretly wanted to act. I suppose I did everyday in a way in my own classroom. They say teachers are always “on stage!” Since the universal language is music, I always incorporated pop Italian music in my lessons, wondering how quickly kids learn the words…even if they aren’t sure what they are saying, they certainly can sing the songs!
I’d love to read your comments on what your favorite things to do in New York are. I could never leave out the many museums, sky-scrapers, Cathedrals, temples, restaurants, neighborhoods, opera houses, hotels, stores, parks, TV shows, entertainment, fashion, monuments and on and on. For me that famous skyline has no equal and THASC artist Robert Mauro doesn’t let us forget it with his pink, orange, blue, green and yellow buildings along the Hudson River.
I hope you all get to New York and Broadway at least once in your lifetime and if not soon, put them on your bucket list.
See you in late August!
-Maria
THASC is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.
www.thasc.com
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When I see paintings of cats, it is so easy for me to think happy thoughts, as cats have always been my pets of choice. That is, they are the domesticated pets I’ve personally chosen to cohabitate with. We always had dogs as children, but once I lived on my own, I chose cats. Actually my first cat, Tesoro, which is the Italian word for “Treasure” or “Darling”, lived almost 20 years and was so difficult for me to say goodbye to, that I didn’t get another cat for a long time, a VERY long time, almost 20 years later. Her name is “Sofia” as in “Loren”. The classic beauty, the dramatic poses….they are all there.
Gary Lapelle’s painting reminds me of her charismatic personality, although Sofia’s colors pale to those of Gary’s. I wonder if he’s had as much success with his cat actually sleeping in her cat bed as I. In fact I’ve had practically none. As you can see from my photo below, her bed has become a haven for her countless number of toys rather than herself.
Even though cats literally sleep their lives away, I don’t remember one time that I’ve actually seen her sleep in her bed. She really preferred much more to sleep in her perch when she was a kitten and even as she grew older. Now at almost 4 years old Sofia sleeps either on top of my legs or draped right beside me on my bed.
Do you know how much cats sleep all day? They sleep an average of 15-20 hours a day.
The reason is that cats become active around twilight. I can verify that, as Sofia jumps on my head every morning about 4-5am to wake me for breakfast. After that they wind down for a long day of sleep. Cats are still predators but give chase and hunt mainly at night, but even housecats still retain that wild streak. Kittens and older cats tend to sleep more than the average adult cat.
Just like us, it should come as no surprise that cats are affected by weather and like to sleep more on rainy or cold days. I know many cats, like Sofia, who adjust her sleep patterns to feeding schedules. I almost get the sense that THASC artist Gary Lapelle’s CAT in “CAT BED” is anxiously waiting for her bowl to be filled too! Just look at those big, green yearning eyes!
I hope you all find time for a “catnap” during your busy day. I’ll see you on Thursday and then I’m off on vacation until August 17. In the meanwhile please continue to read our blogs for some scrumptious treats and sweets on our blog: http://www.preciousartbypreciouspeople.org Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
See you at the end of summer!
-Maria
THASC is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.
www.thasc.com
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For the many THASC artists whose subject is flowers, I must say each one of them speaks to us in a different way. Most flowers have a specific seasonal time to bloom and it wasn’t until late last week that I noticed the beautiful tiger lilies that abound in my garden. Each day now there are more and more and when I looked at Paul Bailey’s marker painting it immediately reminded me that these lovely flowers were about to bloom in my back yard. It is not until they spread their wings fully that you can capture the glory of their lovely peach color and the length of their reach.
Tiger Lilies
Most of my flowers are already bloomed and gone by the end of Spring but my Summertime bloomers remind me that there is still more to come. Paul’s dot by dot method is not only incredibly precise but captures each leaf with remarkably, explosive color
changes. It is only when a flower reaches its pinnacle of growth that do we realize nature’s beauty at it’s peak. As I looked around my Summer garden, I captured other wild flowers at their “full bloom” and would like to share them with you.
Summertime flowers in full bloom
While visiting my cousins in Sicily this past month, I went into a local florist in town and was amazed at the bouquet of fresh flowers he put together for me as a gift for them upon our departure. They were a beautiful combination of fresh flowers as you can see, all newly bloomed and the best part is that he charged me only 25 euros (about $30)!
Bouquet in Sicilian florist
Thank you to THASC artist Paul Bailey for reminding us all “Nothing says it like Flowers!”
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your full-bloomed Summer flowers and fruit trees. See you on Tuesday.
-Maria
PS. Thank you to a wonderful friend who graced my aunt’s birthday table last year with a gorgeous bouquet!
THASC is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.
www.thasc.com
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I don’t know any other bird that gets me to jump off my chair to run and see it than the North American male cardinal. In fact it is one of the most well known and favorite birds in North America so much so that seven states honor it as their state bird: Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Illinois. The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and the MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals, as well as many other universities have made the Cardinal their mascot. A cardinal is distinguished by it’s bright red crest and bill and it’s black “Lone Ranger” mask and a shade of red that can only capture your attention and hold it. Since cardinals don’t migrate they are as conspicuous in winter against a snowy background, and in summer for their musical whistles. Both the male and female sing. Not many North American female birds sing, but the female cardinal does, often while sitting on her nest, probably an indication of when to bring food. Being the romantic that I am, it makes me happy to know that males and females stay together for life, perhaps why Teddy Wayne Smith depicted them above in a pair. They have a life span of up to fifteen years.
I found this beautiful Haiku by Christine Kelly written coincidentally on my Dad’s birthday Feb. 2, 2013 that says it all I think about devotion and love:
Cardinals
Pair of Cardinals
perched together in the snow,
one warm, beating heart.
My mother was a great lover of cardinals and all my life I still have her favorite knick-knack of a musical cardinal that she left. It plays “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”, probably because in summer their whistles are one of the first sounds in the morning.
Many people think that cardinals are a sign of their lost loved ones and that they are a symbol of that person visiting them when they appear. According to this myth, they usually show up when you most need or miss your loved one. They also make appearances during times of celebration to let you know they will always be with you.
My friend Rosaleen who was very close to my parents has gifted me with some lovely reminders of my mother in the form of cardinals. One is this lovely snowy globe and recently she gave me some delicate cardinal hand-painted cups. Since I bought my childhood home back a few years ago, she is certain they will always be poignant reminders of them.
Cardinal snow globes
Cardinals are easily attracted to backyard feeders with sunflower seeds. They measure about 8” in length and have a wingspan of about 10 -12 inches. Although the male brings the nest material to the female, it is the female who does most of the building! They have a global breeding population of 120 million with 77% in the U.S. For those who choose to hold the Cardinal dear: you are a special person: energetic, vital, rare and always willing to care for those in need.
Thank you, Rosaleen.
See you next Tuesday. Have a warm almost summer weekend. Hope you see a cardinal.
-Maria
THASC is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.
www.thasc.com
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Living on a Street named “Poppy” most of my life always brought special meaning to Memorial Day for me. I grew up when people often wore silk poppy flowers to remember the fallen. After World War I, a poem was written by a Canadian physician named John McCrae called “In Flanders Fields” which may have been the beginning of wearing poppies. The poem talks about the poppies that grew among the soldiers’ graves in Flanders. Two years later in 1920 the poppy became the official symbol of remembrance adopted by the National American Legion. Here is part of that poem:
“In Flanders Fields”
John McCrae
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Many veterans or those still associated with the Armed Forces sell silk poppies on the corners of most cities and towns during the weekend while others place flowers or American flags at the stones of the fallen or attend parades with marching bands following servicemen and veterans from various wars.
The original date chosen for the holiday was May 30 as the perfect date for flowers to be in bloom, but was changed to the last Monday in May when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968. Whatever day it is celebrated, I thank all of those every day, past and present, who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be free. Novella Duke is right. Freedom is Precious. We should remember that every day. Thank you to the Precious Art by Precious People. Novella is one of them.
See you in June. Next Tuesday, that is.
Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Birthday, Scot!
-Maria
Precious Art By Precious People 