As Peg said on her blog page...
"We want to share our journey as artists. Things that we think may be of interest to us, may also be of interest to others who, like ourselves are beginning or starting again their journey. I'm sure as time goes by we will find other ways to make the content on our facebook page more appealing/alluring to other artists and friends."pw

We have narrowed down our logo design for our Artful Passages Profile Pic to two or three prime candidates and will make a final decision within the week.  

We had quite a good response to our facebook page kick off. We have posted several of our art projects and will continue as fast as we are able to get them on and off our easels. We are encouraged by the likes, and comments at this early stage and feel this will continue to grow as we add content.- that is our work in progress, our inspirations our nearly "real-time" ventures, studies and experiments as we go. Including -
                                         
                                          -general "how we did it" videos, 
                                          -In progress, and finished art from our experiments
                                          -original art created by Peg or myself
                                          -inspiring quotes
                                          -good reads, articles, book suggestions and or favorite art pages
                                          -our own blog, and or links to some of our favorite art blogs

 We will continue to post our creations and encourage our current and new followers -as we gain momentum, to post their own works as they dust off their workspaces and easels our break through their own barriers, fears, hesitations to create art. We plan to share and link other artist's work, and or methods, successes and challenges along with our own. 

We anticipate lots of participation, and good things to come from this page. We will continue to invite, educate, inspire, and encourage great art from any artist, but especially those who may have lost sight of their own passion or dreams of becoming the artist they once hoped to be, or have hit a wall, self doubt, fear, etc. Or if they just need a community to get ideas to try a new technique or share and discuss their journey. We are in this together to lift and help one another and are willing to put ourselves out there as examples of going for it, breaking down whatever may hold us back. -wp

    This snap shot from BBC was just prior to the Presidents speech. It reflects probably pretty close the U.S. House of Representatives stand regarding a military strike against Syria. as of 9/10/13.

Clearly, not looking good in supporting a military strike. 

    Pres. Obama's speech was supposed to persuade Americans and Congress to support such action. 

In my opinion, the Presidents best effort to tug at America's heart strings and tap into national intolerance for inhumane treatment and atrocities, especially towards children; however urgent and real, didn't seem to pack the punch he was hoping for. In his speech he listed reasons he felt justified in advancing a military strike against Syria, but offered no hard proof behind his accusations. He offered a series of actions with no defined plan. He called for action, yet took none.  It's a bit like asking someone to sign a blank check, only there is much more significant than money at stake, with American lives, security and the like at stake here. 

     The chatter on Twitter that I monitored during and after the speech took a range of positions on the subject. About 1/2 would agree with my assessment, while others were overall pleased with the presentation and wonderful delivery by the President, admittedly most everyone was thankful we spared an actual military action at this time, and would prefer a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the problem of Chemical warfare. There however a good percentage of tweets and posts describing the Presidents speech as hard to follow, confusing and as one of the oddest speeches in the history of the Obama years. Many said he contradicted himself. 

      But in any case, the vast majority seemed to be unmoved in their stance on not supporting a military strike or becoming involved right now in any kind of retaliation towards Syria. 

The tweeting thing is still new to me, and I found it a bit overwhelming to keep up with all the comments. Or to track down the ones I really liked and would have used in this blog. Then I remembered 'screenshots' amid the fervor.
    At the end of the day, I think few minds were changed by either the president's address and position on Syria, and fewer still were influenced by what they read on social media. It's more like a forum to vent, or express opinions, but seems the opinions expressed are those already embedded and not much open or inquiring minds trying to weigh the pro's and con's of the situation. But then who want's to get involved in war and conflict? There is a lot to think about and a lot at stake.

So here I am.. after another relaxing evening of homework. 

Mission Statement

"It is never too late to become what you might have been." - George Elliot

We intend to shake off the dust of our doubts and fears to inspire, lift, support, encourage, praise and share our artistic adventures, advances and accomplishments together. We hope other artsy-fartsy friends will jump on our roller coaster ride of life long learning to master the Arts.