The Civil War Exhibition at The Library of Congress

After checking out the Christmas tree in the Main Hall of the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, I stopped a minute to see the exhibit about the Civil War scheduled through June 1, 2013. From the Library's website, "The Civil War in America assembles more than 200 unique items, many if which have never been seen by the public, to commemorate the sesquicentennial of this nations's greatest military and political upheaval. Drawing from hundreds of thousands of items from across many collections of the Library, the materials included in the exhibition attest to the valor, sacrifices, emotions, and accomplishments of those in both North and South whose lives were affected by the bitter conflict of 1861-1865." I really like to absorb the social and every day living aspects of the time period- the children's toys, the dress, the medical care and living conditions. I belonged to the Milwaukee Civil War Round Table for many years, and went to college with a major in history in mind. Things didn't exactly go that route. But in the end, I am now living in history. Every time I step in to the Jefferson Building I am amazed at not only the building and it's beautiful interior, but all the interesting exhibits that pass this way. And to think that all I have to do is walk over from the Madison Building, where I work, to this one on an afternoon break is amazing.

Apartment Therapy Classified Ads

Having known nothing about this, my friend advised I might want to check out the Apartment Therapy classified ads website. She has a lot of stuff she wants to get rid of, and advocated using it after selling a table and chairs set. I first checked with the "owners" to make sure custom digital art would be considered appropriate. After fooling around with the process of uploading photos, double checking the content, and finally figuring out that it was me creating the glitch, I got one listing up and running. There are probably a million ways to get your business noticed, but I'm not aware of the half of it. I've used the Hill Rag to advertise, have an Etsy Shop, have a personal website, displayed art at the Library and the Clara Barton National Historic Site, mention it on this blog.....any other ideas? I much prefer working on hand painted digital art than my day job, but if this was my day job, I'd probably prefer working on something else. So if you know anyone who would like to have a pet portrait created, let me know! LITDigitalArt@gmail.com. Or just check the classifieds.

LIT Digital Paintings Etsy Shop

There is nothing more exciting than to get a request for a custom pet portrait. The last request came all the way from Australia. Before that, I had two requests from Oregon. The one thing in common about these and most of the others is that they are intended as gifts for someone else. What's also so great about actually creating the image is that it is done on the IPad that serves as the canvas, and my finger is the brush. It is a lot less messy than water colors and pastels. The jpeg image has no shipping cost, and the buyer can turn it into whatever they choose. Someone had their image reproduced on watercolor paper, another on a canvas. They look really great on any digital device too. I personally like using foam board cut to size as the backdrop for the art "photo." It's light and really easy to hang with Velcro. I always liked dabbling in art as a youngster and places like Etsy provide exposure. I've also placed a few ads in the Hill Rag. So if you're ever interested in having a pet portrait made, please contact me! Just send a photo to LITDigitalArt@gmail.com or check the Etsy site for LITDigitalPaintings. So far, the reaction has been really positive, and I couldn't ask for anything more!

Coldwell Banker Annual Christmas Window Display

Every year there is a delightful Christmas window display along Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Coldwell Banker is the sponsor. We have a connection to this place because we bought our condominium through them... specifically with Gary Jankowski. The display reminds me of the old fashioned kind, with the essential and necessary train, village, and shiny stuff. Someone or a lot of people take hours of time putting this thing together. It is simply magical and reminds me of the windows along Michigan Avenue in Chicago. We would routinely visit the windy city for my birthday that happens to coincide with this time of the year. This display is just down the street from us and we always walk past it before Christmas. Nothing can put you in a more festive mood - without the snow and the ice.

The Four Promises Storychimes

It's been exactly one year since StoryChimes published my first children's book app called The Four Promises. The story is about deployment and the conversation a parent has with a child. It was and still is exciting to see it listed in the Apple Store, and a lot of other places around the world. Unfortunately it is a story that still needs to be told whenever a separation is imminent. The idea of having not just one book, but two published, was not on my radar screen a few years ago. Both this story and A Tiny Fish Tale are based on real life experiences. And I'm not sure if I still lived in Wisconsin they would have been written. It all started with the IPad. I started to draw again, and the stories sprouted up out of the art. Though my art was not used for these stories, I've now got an Etsy shop that highlights custom per portraits, displayed digital renderings at the Library of Congress and the Clara Barton National Historic Site, and have a personal website. It is really gratifying to be able to create things, and I really appreciate all the positive feedback. Maybe as one gets older there are just more important things to think about.

Marine Barracks Event

I'm not sure what was actually going on, but it was enough to see dress uniforms aplenty, black limos and cars with diplomat license plates, and a lot of saluting. The red carpet was out at the Commandants residence accentuating the Christmas decorations. We were driving past the Marine Barracks on Eighth Street near Eastern Market and the Navy Yard. Perhaps we will hear about the event on the news this evening. I checked the website and didn't see anything highlighted for today. This place has been around a very long time. One can only imagine the dignitaries who passed this way. The neighborhood was abuzz with activity all the way up and down the street. After all it was almost 50 degrees in December, the sun was shining, and there was no wind. I can't remember how many days that happened in Milwaukee...in December?

Victor Herbert Babes in Toyland

Although the exhibit at the Library of Congress has been in place since August of this year, it occurs to me that the one thing I can associate with Victor Herbert is Babes in Toyland, and it is timely to think of him during the holiday season. The exhibit is located on the first floor of the Madison Building in the Performing Arts Reading Room. I pass by it every day whenever I walk in the afternoon. Taken from the description on the Library's website, "Victor Herbert was an Irish-American composer, conductor, and activist, whose best known work is Babes in Toyland (1903). He is the grandfather of the American musical theater, and was also the founder of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), which works to ensure that music creators are fairly compensated for public performance of their works". I had an opportunity to attend two ASCAP programs at the Library. Sometimes the employees get last minute invitations for these events. My favorite evening was hearing "Bette Davis Eyes" sung by Jackie DeShannon, who was also the songwriter. Now if and when I ever have the opportunity to attend again, I'll think of Victor Herbert. The exhibit ends on January 20, 2013. This is another reason I enjoy where I work and live. There are always wonderful enriching exhibits and events that we may have heard about, but definitely would not have had the opportunity to see - especially on a break from work.