Author Archives: MarvyMaike

Perusing the Facemask exhibit at Zhou B. Art Center

When I visited the opening of Shawna Moore and Friends, Zhou B. Art Center also held the opening of Facemask: Exploring the “other” behind our social media face. Per the exhibit’s Facebook page: “Facemask is not an exhibition about Facebook /Twitter or other social media. Rather, it is a self-portrait exhibition that evolves in the […]

Anticipating a local getaway

“There is a sort of natural atmosphere of dolce far niente about the whole place.” ~ 1879 Rand McNally travel booklet: “Summer Resorts of the Northwest” Summer time is retreat time for me this year. Just after visiting my family in Texas, I’m off on another excursion. This time a short train ride will bring me to […]

Texas bugs

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

I started taking a botanical drawing class with Lauren Levato (you can still sign up this week) which has me on high alert for all kinds of insects in addition to butterflies. While I was in Texas, we visited the Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, the park […]

Texas quirks

This past week I took a respite from the daily grind and visited family. My nieces and nephew kept me company. Yes, they’re furry. 🙂 We visited longhorns  Some had interesting markings. This does require the special texas perfume. Chuy’s and brisket and sweet iced tea with a side of country music were on the […]

Roses upon roses

“As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.” ~ Ben Hogan “How cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew!” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson    “Everything’s coming up roses – for me.” ~ Ethel […]

A few links on social media

Recently I hosted a phone conference titled “Connection: What To Post on Social Media For Your Business.” I had overheard someone say that beyond events, they weren’t sure what to post, so I pulled some tips I had learned from various social media books. A nice explanation of social media I read in How to […]

A walk through Ryerson Woods

When I lived in Arizona, I was spoiled with the beauty of national parks within a few hours’ drive. Moving to the Illinois prairie I didn’t expect anything spectacular from nature. However, every time I visit a new nature preserve or park, I am pleasantly surprised. I use Illinois State Parks: A Guide to Illinois State […]

traveling

“A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.” ~ Maya Angelou I’m traveling this week, so while the blog drafts are percolating, I’ll leave you with these two lovely thoughts.  “All of […]

Professional vs. my own art photos, what a difference!

Several weeks ago I took my art work to a professional photoshoot with Tom van Eynde. I have learned that art photography is a new skillset from just taking photographs in nature or of people. There is often ‘headstone’ effect when I try to take 2-D art work pictures. The key is to really center […]

WINners at the first WINniversary

“WIN started with an idea and friends, and grew with friends we didn’t know we were going to make. You are the structure and flowers of WIN, and it is an ongoing joy to get to see this flower open.” ~ Valerie Beck Tuesday was a celebratory day for me. I was inducted into Women’s […]

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