I have been relaxing and recovering from a long (or so it seemed) year of making bronze and silver jewelry.  I came to the conclusion I no longer want to make jewelry, and now am RETIRED!

I continue to give classes in making the Bronze metal jewelry pieces.  But then the rest is up to the students.  We'll be having a class this Saturday at the Off the Wall Gallery at 318 N. Main St, Bloomington, 1pm.  I have 2 spaces left, if anyone is interested.  Let me know at artjools@frontier.com.

My creative desires are being fulfilled now by painting, and as I've always tried to paint realistically, to change up and make things more interesting, I've switched to colorful abstracts.  Still in small miniature sizes, these are bright and color-packed.

This one is 2 1/2 x 3 1/2".  I haven't decided on what sort of frame as this point.  I can search all day long and not find a frame that would fit those dimensions, so it will probably go in a mat sized for an 8x10 frame.  

I do still plan to have a booth at the Farmers Market and Artist's Alley, downtown Bloomington, on Jefferson, Center, and Main Streets.  This starts the first Saturday in May, 5/4/13.  I'll be a "drop-in artist" which means...not every weekend.  But, I do plan to be there the 4th, and probably the 11th, just in time for Mother's Day!  I'll have the remaining jewelry, and some beads and unused metal creations for sale.  I'll post my location there, as soon as I know it!

The tree photo above is located at the Weldon Springs State Park, south of Clinton, IL.  I've been wanting to paint it for some time now, so may as well get busy!