Tee Thompson Studio

Mail Call

2012-05-25T21:11:00.002-04:00

Going to the mail box can sometimes be daunting. What lurks behind the door? bills, spiders.. and yes.. once even ... a half filled, hot beer bottle. ewwwwwwwww.

Well today it was much better. There was a package is amazing collage materials from Robyn Couillard. Just incredible things like antique magazine pages, music sheets, prints of newspaper front pages, lace and a host of other things. I'll share the stash with you guys on Wednesday. Thank you so much Robyn. You really sent me some treasures

There as a note from my sister Jacqueline and her husband Huey. Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart. Love you both.

Then there was a hand made card for Bob from Gina Morley. Oh it's just yum with layers of fairies and glittery paper and .. well just LOOK:

my phone is NOT doing this justice - Thank you Gina!

Then, not mail, but certainly worth sharing.... a sweet lady Bob works with came by to visit with us and brought these cards from herself and her husband, one from the gang at the hospital and one from the Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute surgeons that he works with. These folks have been like family to us and we are so very thankful for their calls, well wishes, jokes and selfless support. Thank you guys!

These make him smile every time he looks at them.

Bobs home

2012-05-25T17:02:00.001-04:00

We got home this afternoon. Hes walked over to visit the neighbor and walked a lot around downstairs today.

Red Leather Journal

2012-05-25T06:22:00.000-04:00

Created this journal last year, but never put it up in the shop. There was just always something else to do... and no urgency on getting it posted.

Well when I was cleaning up yesterday I found it again and thought I'd snap pics.

Made from red leather that we kept from the landfill because
the owner of the skirt was going to throw it away.
A little doodling on the cover in black sharpie

Stitched in black waxed linen thread

with my crow foot pattern.

Lay flat binding can be leveled on any page
so you never have to work over a hump

24 lb writing paper can be worked as is,
or glued together for firmer page

Each page is hand torn for delicious edges.
Time consuming but so worth it.

Art Prompt A Little Birdie Told Me

2012-05-25T06:04:00.001-04:00

Art Journal Prompt: A Little Birdie Told Me

Instructions:

Put a little birdie on your page today. Realistic, a stencil, collage.. whatever works for you.

Example Page:

I painted this bird while I was sick last year. I don't remember him. Nothing. Nada. Maybe I figured I could do a bird cause everything else was failing and birds just happen for me.

He might be a study from someone else's art or a photo. He might be something I saw. I don't know.

I just know he's in one of my journal and I looked and didn't have him posted on the blog ... so I don't think I even shared him.

Supplies used today:

A Bob Update:

Debating going back to bed or doing more cleaning or even arting. I have not slept when I went back the last week... so it feels like wasted time. Bob will probably come home today. woohoo. So I think I'm too excited/nervous to sleep.

Graphite sketch

2012-05-24T14:47:00.000-04:00

Do you recognize this one? It's the model I used for the nekkid cowboy challenge. It seemed perfect to put on the back of a horse. I did it again just now to keep the practice going.. and because it was next in the book. it build the figure on top of cylinders and things.. which is what I did here.

I really like this book! This sketch is a study of one of the sketches in this book

Tee

Sketching

2012-05-24T13:51:00.001-04:00

Sketching again today. Puttung my sketches up thus morning on my facebook page reminded me how fun it was to sketch over used note pages.

This is a chunk of charcoal stick.

I really like this book! Thank you Kim and Tim

These sketches (posted today) are studies from the life drawing book. there are not really exercises in there but examples of the info they are talking about. So I'm copying the examples. Experience is experience.

Tee

Another sketch

2012-05-24T12:55:00.001-04:00

This app on my phone only allows one pic per post. Anyway this is with a harder charcoal stick.

I really like this book! This sketch is a study of one of the sketches in this book

Tee

Sharing a Sketch

2012-05-24T12:52:00.001-04:00

Trying out some charcoal sticks... I like it.

I really like this book! This sketch is a study of one of the sketches in this book

Tee

Thank you Jay!

2012-05-23T20:54:00.002-04:00

There's this Viking Master that I met and well.. He rocks. Jay is a wicked cool artist and he did this for me today. You see Darcy had me take a pic of the family together the other day.. so I did. And THIS was apparently why.

No, I won't show you what he did.. jump on over to his blog and check it out. http://moon-light-creations.blogspot.com/2012/05/for-tee.html

Thank you Jay. Blown away here man!

Walking with Dad

2012-05-23T11:57:00.001-04:00

Morgan and I went with Bob today for his first walk of the day. The lady beside him is the physical therapist.

They took him off the IV insulin. So he should be able to sleep better tonight.

Plus they said I could bring him food from home, so eating well can only help speed his recovery.

Tee

Bob and Morgan

2012-05-23T10:57:00.001-04:00

Day two post op. This is Bob's heart pillow.

Tee

Shift in Perspective

2012-05-23T07:37:00.003-04:00

Well it's happened. You probably have experienced the same thing. I've worn the letters off the keyboard of my laptop. It's not the first time either. I wear the letters off the keyboards of every machine I use, and some of them rather quickly.

Image of a USB lamp available HERE.

The first letter to give up the ghost was the I. It's completely gone, not even a smudge of white paint to remind me that it was once there. As I gaze sadly at my keyboard I wonder if this is indicative of something. Perhaps I talk about myself too much.

I is no alone in it's march to oblivion though. It's followed closely by D and N. Each of these sad fellows is half gone, like the fading photos of Marty McFly's siblings in Back to the Future.

So this morning, as I prepare to go the hospital, I am reminded by the memory of these letters to let the I go from my alphabet of life and care more about Bob, the kids and you all than myself.

What shift in perspective have you experienced lately?

Early Morning Changes

2012-05-23T05:43:00.002-04:00

I talked to Bob's nurse that was with him overnight. He ran a low grade temp at one point last night but it's back to normal now. Nothing to worry about she said because he is on and antibiotic drip.

She did remove his central line (IV) and the cath. He's has a regular IV now so he should be feeling better and his walks will be easier for him today.

The antibiotics make his sugar jump so they have to compensate with insulin and because it's not stable they are sticking his finger hourly for sugar checks. So, she said, he's not getting enough sleep and it's showing.

Now don't let that stop you from calling or texting him. He checked his phone several times yesterday to see that he didn't have any messages. Knowing you are thinking about him can help to keep depression at bay. If you'd rather call his room phone than the cell phone, let me know and I'll get you the number.

Update on Bob

2012-05-22T12:10:00.001-04:00

Good morning guys. I'm at the hospital with Bob. We are in room 4203 for today. If you want to call and talk to him, I have his phone with me (forgot mine at home).

He had a good night and went for his first walk this morning. They expected him to walk a few feet and instead went down the hall and back.

They are taking out the drainage tubes now. and then he'll be in bed for a couple of hours before he can get back into his chair.

Morgan didn't come up to see him today and Joey went back to school.

Your well wishes mean so much to both of us.

Out of Surgery

2012-05-21T13:39:00.001-04:00

He's out of surgery! They ended up doing quad bypass but he did well, came off the heart and lung machine really well. He's in recovery now. We have a bit more before we can see him, not that he will remember it today.

But.. Hooray!

2012-05-21T05:22:00.002-04:00

Up early because they came in at 4 to do his final sterile wipe down before surgery. He's back to sleep now, as are the kids. Me? Sitting in the dark looking out at the view of the city lights reflecting on the river. It's a great view and I'll snap a picture for you all later. They feel it's therapeutic for recovery and will try to get him on this side of the building after surgery too.

I've only had a few moments where tears threatened to fall. The first was when Sharon offered to be with me today. And the most recent was reading comments and posts from you guys this morning. I'm sure they, the tears, will stalk me during surgery too, but so far it's not been the time for such things yet.

I know the cardiologist, Dr. Litt, was waiting for them when he told me the extent of the blockages and damage to Bob's heart. But it wasn't the time for them. I much more of a focused, getthejobdone kind of girl. There's time for tears afterward. My Mom would have said it was a Marine thing. I can think of many times in my life she said something like that to me. I am not a Marine, but the daughter of one and the wife of another. My sisters are much the same way, strong. I'm sure it's something we got from our Mom.

We'll get through this and I'll draw on the strength of my Mom and sisters today. Even though Mom has been gone a long time and my sisters are many miles from here. I can't promise that the tears won't find me when they wheel him down the hall. No, they might catch up to me then. But if they do, then that's ok, because it would be the time for such things.

I'll try to sleep now and catch up to you guys a little later.

Almost all of us

2012-05-20T18:34:00.001-04:00

Sharing a pic of Bob, Tee, Morgan and Joey.

Tee

Friends are Amazing

2012-05-20T17:34:00.000-04:00

Robin T. is Morgan's best friend's Mom and I have thought of her as my friend for a while. She proved that true when all this happened by taking Morgan home with her Friday after driving me downtown for Robert's cardiocath. Then she brought food over to us and it was amazing to come home to a delicious hot meal that night.

Sharon Field immediately offered to act as a taxi service when we knew Bob was going to be going downtown. She took me home that first night, and the second night... stopping for grocery shopping on the way. What a blessing to not have to find time to ride the bike for groceries. Then tonight, she brought a hot, homemade baked ziti and salad to the hospital so that Morgan, Joey and I could eat dinner with Bob. Amazing and generous, Sharon will be here with us during the surgery tomorrow and will take us home after.

Eva has been out of town but she'll be here with us tomorrow too. She's sweet and thoughtful and I'm so thankful she's my friend.

Jennings.. a week ago I might have described him as a guy Bob works with, but no. Jennings is a family friend. Bob's friend first but a good friend to me as well. He has taken me to the hospital to be with Bob the last two days. He came up to talk with him today and really made difference in the way Bob feels. He's been there to offer rides in the past but tried really hard to convince me that I was no a burden to drive back and forth to the hospital during this situation.

Online friends. How can I list them all? M has been there with advice and assistance setting up and spreading the word about the fund raiser. She was also the first to make a donation and bought the family groceries for the next couple of weeks. P has been with me daily for moral support and advice. G is a bright spot in my day and has made me laugh every single day. D is relentless in her thoughtfulness and caring, A has been absent online but she's with me in spirit. S gave me a happy moment and something to be joyful about. D was the first to jump in and make a purchase to support the family and was followed by many others.

So many of you have sent well wishes, healing thoughts, prayers and or vibes. Whatever your preference is, it is appreciated.

They have started doing presurgical prep tonight and it's hitting home for him. He is a LOT calmer on the outside than he is on the inside. He knows the recovery pain that he has coming his way.. he knows what the bone saw sounds like when it cuts through the sternum.. he knows the need to keep pain meds to a minimum.. he knows everything that can go wrong with a procedure like this.. BUT he knows he's in good hands and that he has so many of you sending up a glow of healthy wishes and prayers that he will be fine.

Thank you. Each and every one of you. Thank you for being our friends.

Surgery Schedule for Bob

2012-05-20T13:54:00.001-04:00

They came to tell us that his surgery would be second tomorrow. So he should go in around noon (eastern) and we should know something by between two to four pm.

Today he's doing well and we are hanging out with him, although the kids are nose deep in electronics.

Fundraiser for Bob and an Update

2012-05-19T19:49:00.001-04:00

My friend suggested I do a sale as a fundraiser to help cover expenses while Bob is out of commission and that all donations also go toward the same thing. Did I tell you I have some brilliant friends??

So she helped me set up this page today while I sat with Bob in his room today. Click HERE to see the fundraiser page.

He is at Baptist Medical Center Downtown in room 3103.. btw. And he's well today. Tired of being in the hospital though. He dozes a lot because he doesn't get much sleep at night. They have stabilized his blood sugar and pressure and are watching his breath sounds closely for fluid in the lungs again.

The kids and I are going to go be with him again tomorrow. We are going to try to set up a video chat for any of the family and friends that want to see him. I'll post info when we get it all nailed down.

Update on Bob

2012-05-18T17:18:00.000-04:00

They did the cardiocath today but could not repair his heart. He has 100percent blockage high up on the right side.They think this is an old blockage, something thats been there for a while, because the left side is enlarged and has created it's own bypass to feed the right side.

Which has apparently been working for him for a while, but that's now also fully blocked. The left side also has another blockage that's about 60 percent. His heart created lots of little bypasses to compensate and has damaged the back of his heart.

The front has 80 to 90 percent blockage too.

So he needs triple bypass surgery. They are looking at doing it on Monday. He will be in the hospital for at least the rest of next week, and then has six weeks of physical therapy after that.

If everything goes well, he will feel like a new man. He said that to Timothy B. McNeil, on the phone today but said he would be a new man. I, of course, jumped in and excitedly said, "I get a new man?" Bob stuck his tongue out at me. heh.. then said he would feel like "xxx" (he said some guy that meant nothing to me) so I suggested he feel like Thor if he was going to get to choose. *nodding*

My friend Robin gave me a ride to the downtown hospital while they moved Bob on an ambulance. In all this, I was ok till I was sitting in the waiting room for them to prep him for the cath. I was getting nervous, so Sharon Field came up to stay with me through the procedure and helped to entertain Bob afterward. Then she brought me home to spend some time with the kids.

It's just too far away for Bob and I to feel comfortable leaving the kids alone at night. So i'm going to take a long hot shower and sleep on Bob's pillow tonight.

Figure Sketches

2012-05-17T21:06:00.000-04:00

Sharing some figure sketches that I did today while waiting in the ER with Bob. We are in room 2112 and they are treating him for CHF and it's looks like he had a heart attack. They are doing further testing tomorrow... and then moving him downtown to do a cardio cath and decide what to do from there.

sketched these into a book I made during the book making show. These are images from that Life Drawing Book that I told you about before. You can find it in the tool on the side that shows some of my favorite books.

Did I tell you that my awwwwwsome kids got me a copy of it? Yes they did. I have my very own copy.. wooohoo.. and for the first time ever actually READ the info on the pages rather than just drawing pictures I see in the book. LOL

OHHHH and while I'm at it. I have not gotten him painted yet but this was my sketch concept for the Nekkid Cowboy challenge:

Paper Making Replay

2012-05-16T16:12:00.004-04:00

We had a great time today.. but then I always enjoy hanging out with my pals. We made paper and Morgan did an improptu sketch of Jay in his viking garb. She gave him cat eyes, which he felt made it better for night attacks. Gina felt it would help with vampire hunting too. *grin* She did this one during the show for us.

So.. without further chit chat from me.. here's today's replay.

Watch live streaming video from teethompsonstudio at livestream.com

CHALLENGE --- So inspired by Morgan's sketch we decided our challenge this week would be: Embrace your Inner Viking

Making Paper Next Wednesday

2012-05-10T12:23:00.000-04:00

Early announcement for next week's live art show. We are going to be making paper next week during the live show.. plan to get messy!

When: Wednesday May 16th at 1:00 Eastern

Where: http://www.livestream.com/teethompsonstudio

You'll need:

blender (different from your margarita blender is best)
pulp: Junk mail, paper egg cartons, dryer lint, tissue paper, magazine pages or anything like that
plastic wash tub or storage bin (your frame has to fit inside it)
old wooden picture frame (or wood to make a frame)
stapler
plastic window screen
stains: ink, fabric dye, acrylic ink, food color. Plus we'll try craft paint for this too
newspapers for squishing out water
wire for a frame

The Plan:

Basics of paper making - what when and why
Creating a screen (to scoop the paper sheet out of the bucket)
Deckles - demo making and using one or more
Embedded Goodies
Building a wire frame
Making a Paper Sculpture

A Word from Tee:

This is an ambitious plan *grin*.. so it's likely to be one of the longer shows.

If you play along, you'll have one or more pieces of hand made paper, an envelope for your custom stationary and a small paper sculpture.

I will upload the template for the envelope deckle before Wednesday. (remind me if I forget!!!!)

This is, as always, a totally free workshop. Donations are welcome but not required.

Faux Encuastic and Abstract Journal Page Replay

2012-05-09T16:33:00.000-04:00

Another Wednesday.. another fun time with my friends! I didn't know what I wanted to do on today's show and when I asked the gang they said.. all of it. LOL So we did a random journal page.. just an abstract painting.. and a faux encaustic painting. Yep.. all in what.. an hour an a half? Easy. LOL

This is the (still wet) faux encaustic painting. After it dries it will look different so I'll do a post just for it then.

Here's the journal page we did.

Now, if you watch the show.. I'm quiet. Yep.. I know.. weird right? But I've been ill and still have fever and all today. Soooo I was just thrilled that I could actually DO art today. Usually I hate what I make when I'm ill.

Watch live streaming video from teethompsonstudio at livestream.com

Supplies used today:

The New Challenge IS: Nekkid or Nekkid Cowboy

Yeah.. I know right! You can do nekkid fruit, or nekkid mail, or nekkid anything really. LOL

How do these things happen? Well it's the chat you see... someone said nekkid then someone talked about the Nekkid Cowboy that prances around New York and it all went downhill from there. LOL

Won't you come play with us???