What would be a good anniversary gift?

Lots of wedding anniversaries come up in June. It can be hard to decide on a good anniversary gift.

When a couple's been married a long time, they probably already have many knick-knacks and really don't need any more to dust. A pencil portrait of the couple when they first met is a nice idea for an anniversary present.

I've done portraits that were double portraits - meaning, that I drew the couple on the left side of the paper as they looked when they became engaged, and on the right side on their 35th anniversary. Another idea is a portrait of all the grandchildren, or even a portrait of the couples' pets!

If the couple is approaching their first anniversary, did you know that the traditional First Anniversary present is paper? So that makes a pencil portrait drawn from a photo (drawn on paper, of course!) a perfect 1st anniversary gift!

Art auction to raise funds for local food bank

ART AUCTION in conjunction with Snellville Farmer's Market:

SNELLVILLE GA: On Saturday, June 5th and Saturdays through October, Snellville artist Darla Dixon will be under a white festival tent, painting a colorful picture of the surrounding scene.

Dixon says the art will be different from her usual style, which is typically pencil, realistic, and black and white. "I'm either going to work in acrylics or oil pastel. I haven't decided, but I expect it will be very bright and colorful. I'm going to do pictures of the scene in front of me."

An exciting part of watching original art unfold is that even the artist herself is not sure what the art will become, until it's done. What the art will be depends on what the artist sees.

Visitors to Snellville's first Farmer's Market can watch the art be created on the spot. Art lovers can bid on the original artwork by silent auction. All proceeds from the art auction will go to the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry (the area's local food bank.)

The Southeast Gwinnett Co-op helps those in need with more than food - they also help with utility bills and prescriptions when the resources are available.

Dixon says, "Many people who used to donate to the food bank are now seeking help themselves after job loss. The need is greater than ever. That's why raising actual money for them is so important."

Darla Dixon will be at the Farmer's Market from 9 until noon. The Farmer's Market starts at 8 am and ends at noon. The Farmer's Market will be located by Snellville City Hall at Main Street and Oak Road.

Donation drums will be available and the public is encouraged to support the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op food bank with donations of canned goods, peanut butter, or grape jelly. Paper goods like toilet paper and paper towels are also appreciated.

Daughter unaware of sarcasm

[Text messages]

Daughter (age 16) : "Can you check me out of school tomorrow?"
Me: "Sure, why not? Let's take the rest of the week off, and go get tattoos."
Daughter: "YAY!!!!"

Artist Frank Frazetta has died

One of my favorite artists, Frank Frazetta, has died at age 82.

He died Monday morning, a day after suffering a stroke. He had been out to dinner with his daughters on Sunday. I'm happy that they were able to spend that time together.

If you've ever looked at fantasy books, you've seen his artwork. You've probably seen Frank Frazetta's artwork many times without realizing it. If you haven't seen a lot of his artwork, you need to know in advance (in case you are sensitive to nakedness) Frazetta would paint the human body without clothing - a LOT. They're fantasy pictures, after all, and the women are especially not the type you typically run into at Wal-Mart.

He was the master of evoking the majesty and excitement of a scene, and that really sold books. It makes me glad that he lived to be 82 and he spent his life doing what he wanted to do.

Hobby Lobby Coupon

Printable Hobby Lobby Coupon for 40% off one item: CLICK HERE