Ideals Magazine

I have a few old issues of this wonderful magazine but it is no longer in print. 
Taken from www.thenewmagazinecity.com they said "Ideals Magazine has ceased publication. Ideals enriched life with inspiring stories, beautiful poetry, and touching reader contributions. Each issue of Ideals Magazine offered page after page of spectacular full-color photographs, wonderful drawings and paintings, as well as heartwarming scenes of seasonal celebration".
Now I know I could go onto ebay and find more Ideals magazines but I just like to stumble upon them every now and then.  I would like to share with you a poem taken from the January 1956 Old Fashioned issue of Ideals:

How Grandma Danced By Mary Mapes Dodge


Grandma told me all about it,
Told me so I couldn't doubt it,
How she danced, my grandma danced:
Long, long ago.


How she held her pretty head,
How her dainty skirt she spread,
How she slowly leaned and rose -
Long, long ago.


Grandma's hair was bright and sunny,
Dimpled cheeks, too, oh, how funny!
Really quite a pretty girl -
Long, long ago.


Bless her! why, she wears a cap,
Grandma does, and takes a nap
Every single day: and yet
Grandma danced the minuet -
Long, long ago.


"Modern ways are quite alarming,"
Grandma says, "but boys were charming"
(Girls and boys she means, of course)
"Long, long ago."


Brave but modest, grandly shy;
She would like to have us try
Just to feel like those who met
In the graceful minuet -
Long, long ago.


When I read this poem it reminded me so much of my grandmother.  She lived to be 100 years old and she was a wonderful woman.  She would tell me stories of how she and my grandfather would dance the night away at the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach; oh how she loved to dance.  She went to be with her one true love, my grandfather, in heaven in 2007 and I believe they are still dancing up there too.

Fun, Fun, Fun

These are two of my favorite watercolors I've done in the past two weeks.  I've tried other subjects but I seem to get the most satisfaction from painting flowers.  My style is still evolving.  I want to try different techniques and styles.  And by that I mean more abstract or loosen up a bit.  In the past I've tried to paint like other people, or have tried to be a realistic painter, but that's not me.  I think my work is somewhere between realistic and folk art.  I like it and to me that's all that matters.

Black Eyed Susans

size 2.5" X 3.5"

Morning Glories size 5" X 7"

Selling on Etsy again!

I am so excited to be selling on Etsy again.  I love creating art and anything and everything inspires me.  There is so much great talent out there and Etsy is definitely the place to find one-of-a-kind pieces.  I am still in the process of uploading my watercolor ACEO's and button pendants to sell but please take a look-see: www.kimagination.etsy.com