All the Things I Don't Want

Springtime Stroll in the Suburbs

by Cindy Morawski

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All the Things I Don't Want

Oscar Wilde once said, "If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want." When I look at my life like that, things start coming up roses. (Imagine Ethel Merman on stage belting out that song.) OK, I just had a mean case of the flu, and I recovered, but I haven't had any debilitating diseases, hospitalization, or the debt that might go with it. When I also examine the bleak and tragic life of poverty that affects millions all around the world, I again can consider myself pretty lucky. No, I haven't won the lottery--big-time, nor do I have a vacation home in a far- off place, but living with a fair amount of security in Middle Class America, I know I'm doing all right. Unless, of course, on the other hand, our state government collapses and takes away my teacher retirement. Or, social security goes missing-in-action for Paul when he's ready to start collecting. Hey, if you are paying attention to what they're saying in the news, it could happen! But, hey, I'm getting sidetracked. I'm trying to remain positive. Getting back to Oscar Wilde's quotation, there are other things that I don't want, and I have a fairly good idea that I'm not going to get them. I don't want drug addiction; I even hate swallowing aspirin. I go out of the way to avoid drugs of any kind unless I absolutely need anti-biotics. I don't see myself ever getting trapped in a room full of my friends and family, then looking around, and discovering that it's intervention time, followed by rehab! It's something I don't want, and I'm not going to get it. Unless, of course, you count my addiction to chocolate. Hmmmm.

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Recently, I've been reading some travelogues that have been coming through by way of email. They get forwarded to me by a friend of a friend. I'm absolutely fascinated with the young gypsy couple who are going on the cheap and visiting third world countries with exotic sounding names, food, and modes of transportation. On the otherhand, I'm glad I'm traveling by way of my armchair and laptop. Even though I've always had a passion for traveling and have done a good bit of it myself, I balk at the idea of risking life and limb while in a foreign country with an unstable and corrupt government. I'm elated at the notion of not rotting in some rat-infested prison, not getting tortured with burning filterless cigarettes or a buzzing electric current, or not starving to death on gruel and dirty water. I can hear my stomache growling already. I hesitate when I think about risking my health by getting bitten by something that could kill me in seconds flat or lead to a long, cruel illness that would end in a parasitic nightmare. Too weak to lift a finger to do anything about it. I've read about those places. You know where I'm talking about. Just thinking about what I don't want in traveling, thrills me to the core. Because, I can choose not to go to those places! And, believe me, I won't spend the time or money. Boy, I can see a pattern here. I could be a lot happier if I just paid attention to all the things I am not getting, and that I don't want. This is having a rather calming effect on me.

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Now, when I think about all the things that I don't want, and that I don't have, I feel enlightened. I feel strong. I feel reassured. What was that expression I noticed on someone's t-shirt at the Gap? Life is Good! It could happen . . .

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Getting back to my artwork and painting, the scene of the above landscape takes place in one of my favorite places on the planet, Braun Station, the neighborhood and communtity where I live. I chose this as a subject worthy of painting because it's a place that's near and dear to my heart. The landscape is taken from the Braun Station Greenbelt located between Tezel and Lavenham. In fact, I found through my BSW Book Club selection for March, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, something that lit up a lightbulb in my head. This book discusses how success happens to people. Sometimes, it's not in the conventional ways that you would assume. The book started out with a case study of a town of Italian immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. The people named their town Roseto after their birthplace in Italy southeast of Rome. The American Rosetans later became well-known in the medical community for their good health. Rarely did the folks from Roseto, Pennsylvania, die on account of heart disease. After a great many exhaustive studies and research, they also found that there was no suicide, no alcoholism, no ulcers, and little crime in their community. People in Roseto were dying of old age. And, that was all. What was the cause of all these good things in Roseto? Diet and Exercise? No. Genetics? Nope. The secret to Roseto was Roseto itself. The Rosetans had created a social structure and world that was powerful and protective. Their success was built on the community that they had created. When we as humans are a part of a solid family, a friendly and helpful neighborhood, or a caring and integrated community that helps us build positive relationships and protects us in a positive and healthy way, that in itself can have a profound effect on who we are. It can build SUCCESS. Understanding some things can help foster a better life.

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I hope you'll consider purchasing my painting, or a reproduction of it by way of a print or art card. I'm a phone call or email away. Plus, I hope you'll branch out your reading with a self-improvement book. You could start with OUTLIERS.

~~Happy Pondering!

Cindy

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MORAWSKI FINE ART

ART EVENTS CALENDAR

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1. Texas Pastel Society's All Members Show at the Carver Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry, San Antonio, March 2 through 15, Open Reception to the Public next Thursday, March 3rd, 6 to 9 p.m

2. TXPS Bright Shawl Gallery Exhibit, 819 Augusta St., San Antonio, February 12 - May 6, 2011

3. Corpus Christi~~Festival of the Arts, March 26, 27, 2011, 10 to 7, Saturday and 10 to 6 on Sunday

4. Starving Artists Show, SAHA Park near the King William District in downtown San Antonio, April 2, 3, 2011, 10 to 6 each day, Booth #125

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Cindy Morawski

http://www.cindymorawski.com/ cski02@sbcglobal.net

210.522.0706

Looking Homeward, Texas Landscape Paintings

Cattle Guard at the LBJ Ranch

by Cindy Morawkski

Texas Homestead
by Cindy Morawski

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Looking Homeward
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While recovering from the flu and trying hard to take it easy, I thought of similes for this dreaded illness. I didn't want to completely succumb to becoming a human vegetable. So, I started with this. The flu is like hot sauce. It stays with you longer than you'd planned. It works on your sinuses. Have lots of kleenex handy! It can take away your appetite when applied in large doses. The list continued. The flu is like Alaska. Its fever's chills make you feel like you're in a cold and dark winter place. After several days with the flu, you not only resemble a grizzly bear, an Alaskan beast in the wild, but you have an attitude like one too. Hear me roar! Blue from the flu. And that was only the first week. Week two made me fantasize about being granted only one wish by my magic genie. Guess what that would be? Good HEALTH!

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I also started thinking about what I'd like to paint when I got over the flu. I decided to start at home with Texas. The above scene is taken from Johnson City. If you visit the LBJ Ranch, there's a 19th century homestead that you can visit. Living history is available through volunteers who dress and recreate farm life from the past. Chickens, pigs, cows, and sheep are also a part of the domestic scene. A vegetable garden provides food for the farm. Volunteers make lunch using the fresh produce right out of the garden. Everything's organic and homegrown. Sounds familiar, huh? Good ideas often get recycled.

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Another familiar scene at the LBJ Ranch involves the familiar wide open spaces of a working Texan ranch complete with beef cattle. The LBJ cattle happen to be Herefords or whitefaces. I recognized them right away because I grew up with white-faced Herefords on our farm. Curly white hair on their broad heads and dark rusty-red, stocky bodies help them stand out when grazing in a green pasture. The Hereford breed originated in the county of Hereford in England. I also remember how adorable the young calves were on our farm. Their pint-sized spunky bawling kicks and head butts gave them a lively air. And when they affectionately licked my fingers and looked into my eyes with that dark-blue steady gaze, I was hooked. I didn't even try to resist them. The calves on our farm had two kinds of mothers--their loving whiteface mother and their human "mom"--little 'ol me. Getting hugged was just part of getting mothered as a calf by this farm girl.

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If you would like to purchase these Texas landscapes, just check out my website gallery. The sizes and prices will be listed. www.cindymorawski.com Better yet, come by and see them in person. Just call ahead for an appointment and you can visit my home gallery. 210-522-0706.

I'm back at work now and will be glad to give you a tour.

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Wishing you good health!

~~Cindy

Cindy Morawski

Mockingbird Studio and Gallery

Morawski Fine Art

cski02@sbcglobal.net

8603 Waldon Hts.

San Antonio, TX 78254

Snow Holiday in San Antonio, Texas!

Sled Dog in Training

Yes, that white stuff is snow!

Ice Formations in our Front Pond

San Antonio Neighborhood~~Snowy Street

Icicles in our Backyard Fountain

Greenbelt Snowy Path

I'm a Lab and I say YES to Snow!

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Photo Essay of Snow in San Antonio, February 4, 2011

by Cindy Morawski

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Yes, it can snow in San Antonio, Texas! We're having a holiday today because of cold weather, ice, and snow. The schools, workplaces, and roads are closed. The weather forecasters are doing a marathon weather report on our local TV and radio stations. "Don't go out on the roads. All the major interstates and highways are closed. It's dangerous!" I've been hearing that reported all morning long on KENS-TV, a local San Antonio TV station. I heard the laughter of children when I ventured out around 8:00 this morning. They were excited about their school's closure, and some were trying to make snowballs and even sled ride with garbage can lids on the icy streets. Our dogs, Phineas and Rusty, weren't quite sure what that white stuff was on the ground. They sniffed, licked, and finally bit it. And, then the next thing was to initiate the final test . . . making their mark . . . yellow snow!

I don't know about you, but I plan on having an extra cup of hot chocolate, taking in a home movie, and catching up on my third Stieg Larsson novel. Hey, isn't that what a winter holiday is for? Hope you all have fun! Stay warm!

~~Cindy

Photo Essay: A Winter's Tale of Ellwood City, PA

Tracks along the Beaver River

River in Flux from the Koppel Bridge


Home for the Holidays, Welcome Wreaths

School's Out Forever, Past Ellwood Ewing Elementary School



What do snowmen eat for breakfast? Frosted Flakes.
Ewing Park Holiday Display

Connoquenessing Creek, a Tributary to the Beaver River





Off Main Street

A Walk through the Park

Nature Trail, Ewing Park in Ellwood City

Misty Morning near the High School

Koppel Plant, Industrial Might: Past and Present

Lincoln High School, 8:50 a.m.

Snowy Path on a Winter's Day

Pine and Ice


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Photo Essay: A Winter's Tale of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, December 29, 2010

by Cindy Morawski

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Here's one person's perspective through photography. My focus~~Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, December 29, 2010. I also wanted to explain that I didn't try to capture everything about Ellwood, but I was interested in what I could see outdoors in the way of cityscapes, landscapes, buildings, and bridges. I didn't grow up here either. It wasn't until my brother and mother moved here from the Enon Valley area awhile ago that I even took special notice of it. Now it's a place that I visit for birthdays, holidays, and vacations. I get reconnected with my family here. I've adopted this place so to speak. It's on my geographical and social radar.

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Ellwood City is located in Western Pennsylvania. It's about an hour north of Pittsburgh and about an hour east of Youngstown, Ohio. Its past speaks about steel and manufacturing. It's present tells a different story. It seems to me like a place that is trying to reinvent itself for the future. I hope it will not only survive but thrive in the 21st century. Like a lot of small American towns in our post-industrial era, it appears a little fragile from someone on the outside, looking in. Although everytime I visit, I meet lots of strong people who love their city and will not only stay in Ellwood, but they'll work to make their home strong too. I have a great deal of respect for that. My hat's off to you~~Ellwood!

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www.cindymorawski.com

Winter Landscape for January 2011

December River, Water and Ice from the Koppel Bridge

Winter Landscape for 2011
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Traveling back to Western Pennsylvania in late December was like tripping into a past time tunnel. When my jet plane banked and headed into the Pittsburgh area on December 28th, I couldn't help but stare out at the cold and stark landscape. The cityscape's lights and snowy features below winked up at me, a reminder of where I would soon be landing. After gathering my bags and picking up the keys for my rental car, I headed out the door. Blast! Cold teen temperatures assaulted my warm cheeks. Wisps of cold air blew through my mouth like I was chain-smoking. Whew! It had been awhile since I had been this far north in the winter. Brrrrr! Looking around for my Mazda 3 rental, I clicked the trunk open, deposited my suitcase, and hurriedly jumped inside. Searching frantically for the car's heater, I momentarily slid back to a remembered time when I was sliding sidewise down a steep hill on the way back to college after a weekend home visit. The icy slope held no traction for my car's tires, and I free-wheeled in reverse all the way back down the hill. After taking a deep breath for a second run, I made it to the hilltop, relieved that I hadn't ploughed into any oncoming traffic. Yes, winter is not for the faint-hearted in these cold climates!

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On the second day back for my holiday visit to Pennsylvania, I decided to travel by foot across the longest local bridge, one that connected the towns of Koppel and Ellwood City. I wanted to have a good view of the Beaver River, a waterway that eventually flowed into Pittsburgh and the Ohio River. I noticed that the river had been frozen, but it was melting and in transition with huge ice floes floating around like lily pads in a pond. The sun sparkled off the water and ice that afternoon, the mist banked into corners farther back into the hills and woods. The effect seemed ethereal and magic-like. Dressed warmly, I lingered and looked at that December River, a scene I didn't want too soon to forget. The snow padded the riverbanks and gave fresh touches to dreary tans and grays. The bare trees stood like sentinels in place, guarding the river's flow in time and space. I photographed the river as I sludged through the snow on the pedestrian's walkway. Judging by the amount of snow on the path, the bridge was crossed normally not by foot but by car.

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After getting my mother returned home safely, visiting with family and friends, and taking in the local winter landscapes, I headed back to Texas. I couldn't wait to look at my photographs and get started with a painting. The painting materialized from a couple of edited photographs. I started with an underpainting of pastel and mineral spirits. Then I sketched in my design and composition. After that, I worked on my values, complimentary colors, and details. I wanted to give an impression rather than a realistic view of the river. I also wanted to provide a real feel for the chilly side of a blue winter landscape. For practical matters, this painting's image measures 11 x 14. The price mentioned in my gallery also includes the framing.

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I hope you'll come by and see my new landscapes. Please call ahead for an appointment and I'll put the kettle on as well. For 2011, I also have art calendars available for sale that feature landscapes that celebrate the seasons. Please put your order in soon, and if you mention this blog, I'll take off 20 percent. Hope you have a happy and healthy new year in 2011!!

~~Cindy

www.cindymorawski.com

Mockingbird Studio

8603 Waldon Hts.

San Antonio, TX 78254

Phone: 210-522-0706

Christmas Comfort with a Painting about the Past

Early Winter at the Old Mill

~~Cindy Morawski

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At high noon last Saturday, I started my painting demo for Old World Christmas at the Comfort Crockery. The town of Comfort outside of San Antonio was celebrating Christmas in high style with the local shops getting into the Holiday Spirit in various ways. At the Comfort Crockery, one of the shops/galleries for some of my artwork, the holiday celebration began with artists' demonstrations and ended with entertainment featuring the River Pickers. Wine Tasting and appetizers by the Bending Branch Winery were also at hand.

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My presentation included a talk about the History of Pastel and a painting demo. I explained the technique of underpainting using a wash of pastels and mineral spirits. Next, I showed the materials and tools I use to create a pastel painting. Then, I launched into the painting itself while describing the setting for my winter landscape, McConnell's Mill in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The finished work is pictured above. The framed painting measures 11 x 14 and is currently for sale. For more details, see my online gallery at http://www.cindymorawski.com/.

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Neighborhood Christmas shopping will be available this Saturday, December 11, 2010, from 9 to 3, at Coke R. Stevenson Middle School at 8403 Tezel Road, San Antonio, TX 78254. Stevenson's Holiday Arts & Crafts Show will feature as many as 40 different vendors with a variety of shopping possbilities for your Christmas gift list. Please look for my holiday display in the school cafeteria this Saturday. I will be selling a new Christmas item this year, Snowman Soup, along with my winter landscape art cards in gift- boxed sets, individual art cards, framed miniature paintings, and art gift bags. My above featured painting, Early Winter at the Old Mill will also be available for purchase. Hope to see you this Saturday!

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HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOPPING!

~~Cindy

http://www.cindymorawski.com/

Getting the Christmas Spirit with Winter Landscapes

Cold Country Christmas

Winter Blue Jay

Blue Ice at Cold Creek

Stopping by Reichert's Woods

A Chill Wind

Winter Solstice

Christmas Blue Jay

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Getting into the Holiday Spirit!

~~Holiday Invitation~~

Announcing the 22nd Annual Wolfson House

Christmas Arts & Crafts Show

Visit, tour, shop, and enjoy holiday refreshments at San Antonio's Historic Wolfson House

415 Broadway in San Antonio, Texas

Monday, November 15 through Friday, November 19, 2010

10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Saturday, November 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Free Admission, Free Parking, Free Homemade Refreshments!

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Please join me at the Wolfson House. Look for my Christmas display and items upstairs by the fireplace. I'll be a hostess on Thursday afteroon from 2 to 6. The show will be open all next week from Monday through Saturday. It's a great way to get into the Holiday Spirit and to do some early Christmas shopping too. Plus, if you are interested in sending original art cards for your holiday greetings, consider ordering one or more of my winter or holiday landscapes this year. You can buy them individually or in a box set. Individual cards cost $3 each. Boxed sets vary, depending on how many you order. But, the more you buy, the more you save. Please call or email me if you want to order for the holidays. (Phone: 210-522-0706) (Email: mfa09@sbcglobal.net) Thanks!!!

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Morawski Fine Art Calendar Events:

• Texas Muse: Juried Art Show Exhibit at San Antonio's Emily Morgan Hotel, November & December 2010
• Think Pink! SAVA's Fundraiser for Breast Cancer at the Downtown River Center Mall's Gallery, November 2010
• Wolfson House Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, third week of November 2010
• Old World Christmas at the Comfort Crockery in Comfort, Texas, December 4th, 2010, 9 to 4, with my Winter Landscape Demo from 2 to 4 pm, same day

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

~~Cindy~~