Whimsy 365: Day 26
©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved
Today is my friend’s birthday. Jill and I met in 6th grade and were joined at the hip most of our high school days. She was my maid of honor and I was hers. Over the years we have attempted to keep in touch but as we were raising our families and forming our careers, we naturally grew apart. However, the past 5 years we (along with two other high school friends, Stacie & Vickie) have been getting together once a month for dinner to stay more connected. It’s been amazing!
In July, Jill and I drove to Tennessee to visit another high school buddy, Kristin. We stayed at her house for a few days enjoying her pool, visiting downtown Nashville and attending the Luke Bryan concert. Just last week Kristin flew in for a visit. We stayed at Jill’s house for 4 days and 3 nights indulging in late night talks, soaking in the hot tub, rockin’ at the Luke Bryan concert (yes, he’s worth going to see twice in one year!), dressing up for a Halloween party, splurging on some afternoon shopping, and enjoying Sunday brunch with our Moms……all the things us girls love to do!!
I am truly blessed with many wonderful friends, but there’s such a special connection with this group of high school friends. We know each others history, family & “secrets”. I hope you are blessed to have stayed connected with some of your buddies from school, too.
Happy Birthday, Jill! Cheers!
Blessings,
Teresa
©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved
Whimsy 365: Day 25
I really don’t have a story behind this sketch, other than I love drawing teddy bears and conveying the tenderness between two souls.
Blessings,
Teresa
©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved
Whimsy365: Day 24
Well……if you don’t already know….the Country Bears Calendar that I have been painting since 1998 is in it’s final days. The 2017 calendar is the last Country Bears calendar. I must say I am extremely sad over this. My Teddy Bears have been a huge part of my success over the past 20 years. I am grateful to Amcal (ACCO) for their amazing publication of this calendar.
So, today, I was thinking about how much I enjoy creating art for the Country Bears Calendar and this sketch was the result of my thinking. Whether I license another teddy bear image or not, I will still sketch what “took me to the dance”.
Blessings,
Teresa
©Teresa Kogut, all right reserved
Whimsy 365: Day 23
Don’t freak out, y’all. It’s day of the dead….like I said, don’t freak out. Before you jump to conclusions, check this out:
Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos [sometimes called, incorrectly, Día de los Muertos]) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and acknowledged around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. (reference: Wikipedia)
I learned about this tradition a couple of years ago and I’m now seeing it becoming more mainstream. I actually saw “day of the dead” masks in JoAnn Fabrics!! I think it’s important and interesting to learn about other cultures. If you’d like to learn more about this Mexican tradition and the sugar skull, visit this site.
Blessings,
Teresa
Whimsy 365: Day 22
Happy Halloween!!!
Today I am spending with some of the most spectacular people in my life…..and I met them in high school. I am so blessed to have friendships that have lasted the test of time. We still have sooooo much fun and laughter together. Thank God for those kinds of friendships. Life. Long. Friends.
I hope you can say the same.
Blessings,
Teresa
Whimsy 365: Day 21
©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved
Do you ever think….if I could be any animal for a day, what would I be? I’d want to be a bird. I would love to fly above the trees and have an aerial view of the landscape. Birds are mentioned in the Bible quite often and I think about how God loves them, takes care of them, provides for them. Below are a couple of my favorite scriptures about birds that put in perspective how much God loves us.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” John 6: 26 NIV
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” – Matthew 10:29 NIV
Blessing,
Teresa
Whimsy 365: Day 20
©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved
I love sheep. Our neighbors have several sheep. They roam freely on their property which is about 7-10 acres. When the sun is hot they hang out back in the woods where we can’t see them but on cooler days they tend to roam in the open which is across the road from our house. I need to ask them if I can photograph them in the morning or evening sun. They bring such a peacefulness to the scenery.
They aren’t quite as chubby is the ewe I sketched today but they were certainly my inspiration. Three of my favorite things, sheep, bees and flowers. And when I say bees…I mean I like them for what they do for us and our planet. I also love them in art BUT I run like the wind when they come near me!
Blessings,
Teresa
- ©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved
Whimsy 365: Day 19
I enjoyed sketching a bird yesterday so much that I decided to do it again. I really love this one. Here’s to you, Dad!
Blessings,
Teresa
Ryan’s Senior Photos
I had to interrupt the flow of whimsy 365 in order to share with you our handsome son, Ryan. Yesterday we received a USB containing two sessions of senior photos. I. Love. Them. All!
We are proud parents of this young man. He has amazing potential. He’s quiet, deep, caring, smart, genuine, honest and handsome. His goal is to go to Kettering University for Mechanical Engineering. I have no doubt he will be a success in whatever he chooses to do in life.
The photos were taken by Emily Zuwala. She is the daughter of our very close friends. Emily has a real talent for photography as you can see.
Blessings,
Teresa
©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved
Whimsy 365: Day 18
One of the things I miss most about my Dad is our love for birds. He had several bird feeders outside their sun room where he’d sit and watch them while relaxing. If I saw a different kind of bird, I’d immediately call him and he’d look it up in his bird book. I sure do miss him.
Today’s sketch was inspired by my Dad and his love for our feathered friends.
Blessings,
Teresa
