thanks, Fred n Diana. those two very figurative ones are from the 80s, the others are more recent. Yes, I'd like to see some of yours, Fred, I got mine scanned and put them into a yahoo photo folder attached to my email account - pretty easy. I'm enjoying trying a number of different styles - and have also done some cathartic ones (not shown) - same style, heavier content.

I'm stuck in a day job too, Diana, and yes, the arty friends help. I have three old friends from art school in 70s and an artists co-op of the 80s - we meet regularly, look at each others work, go to galleries, and blabber on over coffee/dinner. The others are quite successful - they stayed full time, I sold out n got a day job. we are very close, having been through a few decades together. It is interesting seeing what the art does over time, part of it is having the courage to do what you'd really like to do.

I enjoy talking to these women and our other friends, we can think about some pretty amazing things sometime.

those poems under the bed can be fascinating.. either for your great grandchildren, or for other people who have lived through the same times, and could identify, understand and appreciate.

and yes, I like this arty thread, thanks, ellen, for getting it going. it has the capacity to have a permanent artistic life of its own.

freda