Like so many others, I grew up listening to and loving Michael Jackson's music; first, with his brothers, when they were known as "The Jackson Five", and later, when Michael went solo. Michael is 1 year older than me. I remember being a 10-year-old and buying songs such as "A,B,C" and "I'll Be There" at the local music store. For the last few days, as I have watched his videos on television and on the internet, it feels like my whole life has flashed by. Each video brings back my own memories that are associated with his songs and those time periods. I was trying to find a video that would do justice to his legacy. I think this 1 works. Rest in peace, Michael Jackson. What an amazing and unforgettable talent.

The last of my India journal. I have especially enjoyed working in this book. It has been an incredibly stressful time in my life, both on a personal and professional level. Maybe that is why I have been working very quickly through this book. Art always seems to "save" my sanity. Sadly, now that this book is completed, it is time to move on to a new one.

Speaking of red, the other day, I wore these red shoes to work. I had on a beige and black dress and rather than put on a pair of black shoes, I decided to take these little guys out of the closet and wear them with the dress and black jacket I topped the dress with. Well, everywhere I walked on campus that day, I got a comment about my shoes! It was like everyone was making love to my shoes! Young, old, male, female, girls, and boys, everyone looked at my shoes. My feet are very important to me and I really, really pamper them as much as I can. And because my feet are SO spoiled, I am extremely mindful of what I will put on them. I may not be your typical woman - I am not a shoe whore (!); I have about a dozen and a half shoes to my collection. I am willing to pay a fortune for my shoes, but I know that even if I spend ridiculous amounts on my shoes, they will last me just about forever. I have no problem taking a pair of shoes and having them repaired to death! And the other thing that is really important to me, I do not like dirty shoes. I like mine to be shiny and clean - must be all those years of Catholic school rubbing off on me.

The 1st picture is of Rangoli paints. My friend, Meera gave me a box of these gorgeous paints from India. Look at the pigment in these beauties! They can be used wet or dry.

Some new pages from my India journal. The pages above kind of just went together. I didn't really have to think about what I wanted to do - once I glued the images down, the rest was easy.

However, with these 2 pages above, it was a little harder getting the images and backgrounds just right. On Thursday, Meera came by my office and gave me a wonderful gift: the Rangoli paints. I opened up the box and took out 2 of the vials and started playing with them on these 2 pages. 1 of the paints I used dry, but the other, I used a little water to spread the color around the 2 pages. I gave Meera a little art demonstration since she said she didn't know how to use the paints. Today, I went back to these 2 pages and used these terrific little colored pencils that I bought, Stabilo 3 in 1 woodies. They really feel like crayons and not pencils. I bought only a handful because I tend to use the same colors and I know that if I want to have other colors, I can just mix and blend what I already have. Anyway, these little pencils do quite a bit. They are a lot of fun to work with.

The last of my pages for today. I incorporated several pieces of decorative paper, then painted this red sunflower right over the paper. Lately, I have been using lots of red, orange, and yellow in my art. I don't know if it is this journal that is influencing my color scheme or if it is my Latin roots taking over! Lol...

Some more pages from the current book I am working in. We are 2 days away from the school year ending. Tomorrow night is graduation. My year will actually end June 30th, then I should have a short break, about 2 weeks before I go back to school. I will be sharing the summer school principal position @ my school. For the last 3 weeks of the summer session, I will be principal. I am hoping to get some more artwork in during my short break. I am itching to finish this book and start a new 1. And more importantly, I am hoping to "twist" my husband's arm to take a trip up to San Francisco.

Final post for today. I absolutely LOVE peonies! They are my favorite flower in the universe! I SO look forward to May and June because that is when they are in season. Their season is such a short one! Nonetheless, I take advantage that they are in bloom; I have several vases full of peonies around our home. The colors vary from a pale pink, almost a blush color, to fuchsia, to a dark, blood burgundy.

Some new work in my "India" book. I have tried to make a concerted effort to work on some new artwork a couple of times a week. There has not been much time to do much of anything. There are 5 days left of school and then, a long awaited break! I will be off 2, maybe 3 weeks before I go back to school. Besides working in my book, I got out and worked in my garden today. The sweet peas I planted a few weeks back, are now starting to sprout. Maybe by late summer, they will bloom.

4 more pages from the latest book I have been working in. The pages above are composed from nothing other than scraps of paper and a little paint. I cut the lotus from a larger piece of paper that is from Paper Source's new "India" line. I LOVE the new line!

I am just getting around to starting my day. I have had a MAJOR headache for the last 4 days and it doesn't seem to have run its course yet. So, I plan to have a very quiet weekend - maybe 1 that includes working on my book and some new art.