The Crow and the Owl

Hello everyone,
I'm updating this post that I'd previously done, so that I can enter it in the Artist's Play Room at Just Add Water, Silly. This wonderful blog belongs to Jennifer Mcclean and I've just recently discovered it. I'm loving her weekly theme artist challenges! This week's theme is Thanksgiving. Neither of these paintings are really "Thanksgiving" themed...more so autumn. So, instead of a turkey - I have a crow and an owl!

 Most of my paintings have a nature/animals theme, and some are more whimsical than others. This first one is "Crow at Sunset" on an 8x10 canvas board using acrylics. Jennifer had a sunset theme a couple of weeks ago and this would have been perfect - however that was before I discovered her blog, so she kindly said I could add it to a current challenge to share with everyone.

 

...and this is "Baby Owl with Pumpkin," painted with acrylics on a 10x10 board. I'm having so much fun painting owls lately! This one just landed in a pumpkin patch. I hope he finds his way back home! :)  

 

 

 Next, I'll be painting a more appropriate "Thanksgiving" painting to add to the challenge. This keeps me on my toes and helps keep the creativity flowing.

 

So, until next time, everyone have a good Sunday!

Cindy

 

 

Linking to the following blog parties:

 

Artist's Play Room at Just Add Water, Silly

 

 

 

Paint Party Friday

 



Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center

Yesterday I visited the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, Ohio, which is only about a 20-minute drive from where I live. Ohio is called the “Mother of Presidents” because eight men who served as President of the U.S. were born here (more than any other state.) Hayes, who was a Civil War General and the nation's 19th President (1877-1881,) inherited the 25-acre estate (called Spiegel Grove) from his maternal uncle, Sardis Brichard. This is where he retired and lived until his death in 1893.   

The 31-room mansion was constructed in 1859.

Spiegel is the German word for "mirror." Hayes' Uncle Sardis named his estate this due to the puddles of rainwater that collected underneath the large trees on the property, creating "mirror-like" reflecting pools. Luckily, it had rained just prior to my visit and I was able to capture a little bit of this beauty.

Sardis Brichard is also to have said that the trees and thick underbrush reminded him of the German fairy tales from his youth. As I walked the grounds, I detected a bit of this magic myself!

  

President Hayes and his wife, Lucy Webb Hayes are buried at Spiegel Grove. Hayes' horse, "Old Whitey" who served with him during the Civil War is also buried on the grounds.

Some very interesting facts:
President Hayes was the first President to have a telephone in the White House.
Lucy Webb Hayes was the first wife of a U.S. President to be called "First Lady."
Lucy Webb Hayes was the first wife of a President to have graduated from college.
President Hayes began the tradition of the "Easter Egg Roll" on the White House Lawn in 1878, which continues today.

For more information, visit the R.B. Hayes House website HERE.

Linking to Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
                  Outdoor Wednesday on A Southern Daydreamer
                 Time Travel Thursday on The Brambleberry Cottage