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Letters to CheeBah- the Beginning

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How I decided to get you.

CheeBah I am writing these stories of our adventures and wanted to share with you how I decided to bring you into my life.  It started with Uncle Kevin bringing home Bigsley( a Bow Tie Black Great Dane), and Uncle Tommy bringing home Bandit (a mixed pup with a little bit of everything).  These were known at Aunties Boys, and I would spoil them every time we gathered and Grandma and Grandpa’s home for the holidays.  Then I realized I wanted a furbaby and started researching what kind of Pup I needed.  Due to my condo restrictions on dog size, I chose the Corgi breed.   After a lot of searching and finding the right breeder, I came across your mom Mia, and dad Dakotah.  Funny looking back on it now, but your mom picked me and knew she had the perfect baby for me.  So, I put money down before you were born and patiently waited for you to enter this world.  You got your mom’s ears, markings, and love of people; from your dad, you got his head, smile and OMG you are my best friend to anyone that came to our home.

Bandit and Bigsley- AKA Aunties Boys

CheeBah- Daddy Dakota- Mommy Mia



CheeBah your name came from a few places; I loved the movie Sand Lot my favorite phrase in the movie was, “You are killing me, smalls!”  and my love of my Boys – Bigsley was a large dog, Bandit, and a medium-sized so why not a small dog.  I googled Welsch for Small Dog and Chia Bach is the original spelling of your name, but Uncle Kevin kept calling you Chewbacca, so I changed the spelling to CheeBah making it easier for people to pronounce.  Well to my surprise CheeBah is known as a herbal that people wrap up to smoke and relax from daily stresses.  It took me six months to realize this and laughed at people’s expressions when I told them your name.  I don’t look like a herbal smoker.. LOL

To be continued………………..


a Tribute to CheeBah Dotti McGuire

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9-5-2024 9:45 AM

Today the sunset on CheeBah Dotti McGuire’s time with me here on Earth, she earned her angel wings, and I couldn’t be prouder!  As I write this memorial with tears streaming down my face like Niagara Falls, I reflect on our wonderful life; she’s my Soul puppy, best friend, Road trip buddy, and studio assistant I could have asked for.  It will be hard for me to start a new life without her but I know it is her time to go and I can’t hold her back from flying high to the heavens to play with Grandpa McGuire, Auntie Pat, and Geri, Bigsley, Bandit, Floyd, Stones and her finance Sarge; knowing she is going to be taken care brings some joy to my broken heart.  She loved going on adventures didn’t matter where as long as she was with me.  She loved her Dog Park friends and their Pawrents; running around playing tug of war and rolling is smelly stuff.  Lymes Disease took her body but couldn’t dim her bright light, she was a healer to those who were hurting or in pain from Cancer.

When Cheebs was just 8 weeks old I was doing an art show at Rochester Mayo and so many people came to see my art, but she was the prize- so many cancer patients were picking her up and smelling her “puppy breath” not realizing that she’s healing these souls.  The one that still sticks in my head today was a little boy in a Stroller that his dad brought him to Cheebs and he would squeal and giggle as she would sniff his little socks, giving him kisses and the little guy’s soul was laughing in pure joy, this went off on all day and at the point, I realized her talents.

CheeBah you will always be my furbaby and thank you for these wonderful 9 ½ years I only wished it was the 20 you promised me! LOL Your pawprints are forever imprinted on my heart and when it’s time for another dog to come into my life- I will know you sent them.

The Cabin Show at Dow Gallery

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The Cabin Show at Dow Gallery

Exhibition dates: august 17th through October 5th, 2024

Location: 2242 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55114

Website: https://www.dowartgallery.com/

The great news just keeps pouring in!  I have two more works accepted into the Cabin Art show just minutes from my home! 

Accepted works:

End of Day

Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens, every day can end beautifully by Kristen Butler- Go out and be one with Mother Nature; allow her to show you we are all one with the universe.  So, fill your heart with beautiful images that keep your Soul’s light shining bright!  End of Day reminds me of a symphony, where all participants flow in harmony and my camera is the composer- one of the best gifts given to me from nature. 

Beach Life

Life is like an Ocean or in this case a Great Lake; sometimes it can be calm, rough waves, gorgeous blue waters, or jet black with white caps but at the end of the day it is always beautiful.   Simple views like this help me recharge my soul, releasing creativity like endorphins after a workout so I can share my visual art to the world.

Haven: Place of Comfort & Contemplation

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Exhibition Dates: August 15- September 22, 2024

282 S. High Street

Sebastopol, CA 95472

https://www.sebarts.org

Hint of Gold

Robert Frost wrote this perfectly:  Nothing Gold Can Stay.  Nature’s first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold.  Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then the leaf subsides to leaf So Eden Sank to grief, so dawn goes down today.  Nothing gold can Stay.  This view recharges my soul, I love sitting on my parent’s shoreline watching the sunsets and June didn’t disappoint. There’s no better way to reflect on a beautiful day than watching the sunset, knowing tomorrow will be just as amazing.  I enjoy my time spent with Mom especially after Dad passed away a few years back.  It’s funny how life’s perspectives change after you lose a parent.  I know that someday my time witnessing these beautiful sunsets on my parent’s shoreline will end but they will forever be locked inside my heart.

Beauty in the Ordinary

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Exhibition dates: August 1st-31st 2024

https://www.avacenter.org

Yellow Gerber Daisy

There’s a difference between pretty and beautiful.  When someone is pretty, they have a good appearance, but when someone is beautiful, they shine from the inside out. – by Rishikajain.

Morning, Noon, Night Exhibition

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By Attleboro Arts Museum

Website: https://attleboroartsmuseum.org/morning-noon-night/

Dates: June 14th through July 19th, 2024

Opening Awards Reception: Saturday, June 15th

Address: Attleboro Arts Museum

86 Park St. Attleboro, MA 02703

Thank Attleboro Arts Museum and Lennon Hernandez Wolcott for accepting this work. 

Accepted work: Orange Watercolor – Commando photozaic

The sunset silhouettes of the islands have been like no other I’ve seen on my travels, knowing you are in borderland country (Minnesota/Canada) when you see the trees bouncing off the evening sky.  In my eyes each sunset is unique and unlike the previous day.  Colors from sunsets change just like the seasons.  Late summer sunsets have the deepest orange fading into the twilight blue.

Orange Watercolor

Commando photozaic – statement:

How can I construct an image that moves beyond the surface? Photozaics, of course!  My award-winning Photozaics are inspired by where Van Gogh’s textures meet Ansel Adam’s simplicity near the intersection of Bob Ross’ healing vibes. This series I call commando as for me it’s liberating to see the photo dancing in sync with the frame.

New Studio News flash!

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It’s official, I have studio space at Solar Arts Building, 2nd-floor #205.  I share this space with fabulous painters, and I just love the art community here at Solar. If you want to learn more about events at Solar, please follow them on Instagram or check out the events section on the website.

https://www.instagram.com/solarartsbuilding

https://solarartsbuilding.com/solar-arts-blog/

Next Event Purple Rain Open Studio June’s 1st Thursday, 2nd floor studios will be open and I will be in attendance, so stop by and say hi and check out my new digs.

Guess what time it is…. That’s right!  Art-a-Whirl!

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Just two weeks away.

I’m blessed to announce I’m officially renting studio space at Solar Arts Building, second-floor studio #205.  I share this space with 3 other artists, and I am happy to have a home here at Solar! 

Details on AAW

Solar arts building: https://solarartsbuilding.com/solar-arts-building-events/

Dates: May 17th– through 19th.

I will also have a piece or two in Fox Den – under Art to change the world.

ACW: https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/mission/

This year I’m participating in Passports on Parade this weekend too! Check out the website for more details and how to get your passport- there is a limited amount so do not hesitate.

Passports on Parade

I call it a scavenger hunt for artists’ stamps in the passport.  Why do this?  Opportunities to learn about the artist and their visions, see great art, and win $500.00 credit to spend on ACW artwork!  I know, AWESOME!

Side note:

My stamp is CheeBah approved!  Who doesn’t love a Corgi?? 

Below are some samples you will see this weekend.

Beach life small commando
Beach life small commando
Orange Water color
White daises
Danger canvas wrapped
Under the tracks canvas wrapped

Common Bond’s new Lumin facility in St. Paul, MN

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I’m thrilled to announce these two pieces sold for a great cause!  These two lovely works Golden Gate Bridge and Hill is alive with color (formal photoziacs) future home is with Common Bond’s new The Lumin facility at 830 Cretin Ave, Saint Paul, MN.  This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for Art to change the world, and I’m proud to be a task force member!  I’ve seen so much positive social change since joining back in 2020.  Below are the links to artwork for Common Bond and Art to change the world!  Join if you feel compelled, do not need to be local or an artist we have a diverse group of members with backgrounds ranging from artists, business owners, and educators just to name a few.

 I love projects like this one where everyone wins!  I can’t wait to see the faces of these women who come here and see they are worthy of great art hanging on their living walls.  I hope that some or all tenants find their creative gifts and will someday share them with the world.  So let us keep sending out positive vibes and continue to encourage others that they are worthy of a great life!

https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/acws-art-treasures-gallery/

https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/mission/

Golden Gate Bridge
Hill alive w color
hill is alive with color

Great article for Form + Content

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I was reading Cory Eull’s article on Form + Content, great article by the way, and My artwork Pine Edged Road photographed in Hewig Hotel was featured!  I love surprises like this one!  My day just keeps getting better.  Feeling blessed and humbled.  Thank you Form+ content and Cory Eull.

https://www.mplsart.com/written/2024/03/resonance-and-quietude-form-content-s-open-loop-2024

Show goes through April 6, 2024, great talent and a must-see show.

Website: https://www.formandcontent.org/open-loop

Catalog of artists

https://www.canva.com/design/DAF662najiE/2Ha9eaLYMYm57ZMhh3-0Sw/view?utm_content=DAF662najiE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer

Pine Edged road matte less