Thursday, December 22, 2011

studio stuff

Well I finally finished moving the furniture around (again) in my home studio.  Now, if I can find everything again, it will be a miracle.http://www.marcia-hero.artistwebsites.com/

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better. I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches.. I really would.


I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.

And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely. On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy /girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it... And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he/she is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you. ---written by Paul Harvey.

Monday, September 19, 2011

pillowcases

The iron puffed and hissed as steam billowed out of the bottom upon contact with the embroidered pillowcases.  I thought to myself "ironing pillowcases is probably the most inherently domestic thing anyone can do"; I don't remember my mother ever ironing pillowcases, but then again, she was very practical.  A career woman early in life, self sufficient, and independant.  I smiled to myself, creating a mental image of my mother standing at the old wooden ironing board in the kitchen.  Nope, that never happened.  Growing up, we didn't have embroidered pillowcases.  But it was somehow comforting and nostalgic to iron all the wrinkles and creases out of the beautiful embroidery.  A golden butterfly hovering over a colorful garden on this one, with a crocheted lace edge all around the opening.  I had collected pillowcases at antique stores and estate sales, knowing that being an artist, and having a full time job would never allow me the time to do crewel stitchery.  Heck, I barely had time to iron them.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Thursday, August 25, 2011

some poetry

So many things go through my mind just before I get up in the morning.  Today, I was lying in bed thinking about everything...and nothing.  So I wrote it down.

Autumn's sweet scent descends, pervades,


crisp air kisses my cheek,

the serenity of the northwoods forever in my memory

Marcia Hero

Wisconsin Pastel Artists at One Way Cafe tonight

The Wisconsin Pastel Artists Opening Reception in a joint exhibition with the Underwood Photo Group at The One Way Cafe and Gallery, 1425 N. Underwood Ave. Aug. 25th 6:00-8:00p.m 

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Spring/Summer 2011

Seriously, this year has had it's major ups and downs and in-betweens.  In April I hurt my back at work, and the problem intensified until I could barely move without major pain meds and valium taken together.  A trip to the emergency room at Columbia St. Mary's was a waste of time, since they "thought" it was all muscle related and didn't even order an X-ray for a proper diagnosis.  No surprise there, since our medical schools in this country are run by the pharmaceutical companies, and have been for years--doctors are not taught to diagnose anymore, only to prescribe so the drug companies can reap more profits.  But I digress.  My primary care physician (who was educated in Europe) couldn't get my insurance company to okay an x-ray or an MRI.  So I called my insurance company and bitched at them about it--how I could barely walk and I needed proper testing for a proper diagnosis.  At last... results, and not a moment too soon.  3 weeks later I had back surgery to remove the part of the extruded disc which was pressing on my L1 nerve root.  Delay would have resulted in permanent nerve damage.  So now, physical therapy twice a week for the time being, to strengthen my core and regain range of motion in my back, and trips to my chiropractor to keep my spine pelvis, and hips in line. The upside of the whole ordeal?  2 months of recovery--my grown children stepped up and chauffeured me to appointments and came to visit despite their very busy lives.  My very good friend Debbie rescued me from lonely recuperation on days when my children and husband were unavailable.  My husband was extremely supportive and attentive, and I will be eternally grateful to all of them.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Painting Landscapes

03/25/11
I recently started to paint landscapes again, and holy cow, the results have been great. Ever since I began to take classes with Lorin Willey, my painting has improved dramatically.

The Martini Girls are scheduled to have an exhibition at the Art Bar this year in August. We’ve named the show “Itty Bitty Ditty Bites” and we’re using songs for inspiration for the paintings. Below each painting or on the painting itself we will be attaching a printed phrase from the song we used for inspiration for that particular piece.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Inundated

I can't tell if it's the cold, still snowy weather, the crap that the new governor is getting away with in Madison, or just the fact that I've been really busy, working the regular 8:00 to 4:45 day job AND planning, hanging and participating in 4 Spring art shows that has me feeling so drained.  Today I want to just close my eyes, and magically transport myself to somewhere else--a beach maybe.  Somewhere warm, breezy and sunny.  I want to have my easel set up and a drink with a little umbrella in my hand.

When my husband called earlier, I was glad to hear his voice....until he started lecturing to me about travelling.  I had to hang up. 

Friday, January 21, 2011

Barbie Doll

Yesterday, I met my daughter and grandchildren for dinner at Panera in Pewaukee.  As we were sitting there, enjoying our dinner, I decided to let them know how much I enjoy going out to eat with them, as long as they behave themselves so well.  "In fact, when we were in Boston Store a few days ago," I said, "a gentleman congratulated me on having such well-behaved children".  I told the kids, "I had to thank the man twice.  Once for letting me know how well behaved you kids were, and again for assuming I was your mother".  So Ahnna said to me, "Well, you do look young."  It was wonderful to hear from a 6 year old, and so I let her know that she would be getting a very nice gift from me for her upcoming birthday.  Then her brother, the 5 year old said "Ahnna wants a Barbie doll that looks like you".  I replied "really Ahnna, you want a Barbie Doll that looks like me?"  She retorted, "Well, they don't make old Barbie Dolls"!  Her mom and I laughed so hard, I thought we were going to choke!