An Invitation to Share Art-Love

by Jim Carpenter

Artist Nanci Hersh invited me to be a guest blogger in her “Artist as Collector Series.”  I like the idea of it – inviting another artist to write about another artist.  The gesture is generous, allowing for a rush of gratitude from everyone involved.   I chose to write about one of my favorite artists, Sandra J. Hadley, and one of my favorite paintings by her, seen below.  Here is the link to the blog post.  

Artist: Sandra J. Hadley

Title: It’s All About Me

Medium: Charcoal on Paper

Size: 20” x 16” matted and framed

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall: An Irish & A Polish Blessing

The house renovation and the conversion of the carport into a studio space has taken me from the comfort zone of blogging about my own work, because (I say somewhat guiltily) I haven’t painted since I packed up the “porch – studio.”  But today I re-turn with a beautiful piece of art made by artist Ellen West.    I asked Ellen if she would spin her magic spell on the mirror that came from my mother’s solid pine 1950s dresser.  I planned to hang the mirror over the new vanity in our renovated master bath.   I asked her if she could put the traditional Irish blessing on it and if possible the Polish blessing “Sto lat” which means 100 years.  For this project Ellen used antique embossing letters to spell out the blessing, starting at the top left and working its way around to the top right.  

“Sto lat! Sto lat!” is centered at the top.  

I imagine that whoever looks in the mirror will be blessed with the hearty and joyous Polish blessing “100 years” and the beautiful Irish Blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And rain fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.