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Friday, July 31, 2009

Hippie Queen Rules Over Woodstock!

I am just an old Hippie at heart, so this opportunity to play with a psychedelic art application was just my thing! You can make yourself into a sixties style poster in just a few minutes time. As promo for a new movie called 'Taking Woodstock' starring Dimitri Martin they created this bit o' fun. In addition you can have the poster made at Zazzle. Enjoy!

The Painting Queen started a Zazzle store but then had to concentrate on the 'Wedding to the King' and my 'Fairy Grandbaby'. Now I am slowly getting back to working on my store and will be designing new products for Painting Queen's Boutique. There is a photo gadget to my store at the left side of this blog as well.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The King Speaks

In December 2007, when I proposed to Crystal, it was a huge moment of happiness and joy between us. Even though we already knew that we were truly soul mates, it was still very powerful to make it official that we would indeed get married.

Now, a year and a half later, we got married, and had that same feeling of being filled to overflowing with blessings and joy. The wedding was simply an outward expression of the commitment we had already made. It was so meaningful to do it in the presence of our family and friends!


The preparations for the wedding and reception were fueled by Crystal’s artistic genius. She has truly brilliant insight into how to design and create things and environments that are beautiful, warm, peaceful, imaginative and playful. Just like her!

There was an aesthetic thread throughout all the items purchased, all the designs conceived and produced. It is a style that she has always had, and it is something I have resonated with from the first day we met. What she creates just feels right to me. I always trust her judgment completely, and support her efforts to the end. All who came to the wedding saw the results. Our house, driveway and garage were transformed. The decorations were gorgeous. It was a stunning setup, yet not stuffy or formal. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, which was what we were aiming for.

All the guests got into the spirit very easily, meeting, interacting, and having a great time. That’s just the kind of friends and family we have, and we are so grateful for them all.


Crystal also had a vision for herself, and when she came out of the house and walked down to join me for the ceremony, she literally radiated. She was the embodiment of spiritual joy, romance, fantasy and classic beauty. At the heart of it all was that wonderful smile that captured my heart on first sight. I, along with all our guests, felt the deep love and happiness that lives within that smile.

Even though I get to see that beauty every day, this moment was so special, and I was so filled with emotion, I was literally choked up and could barely speak. I have never had an experience like that, where the emotions of love and joy literally took my breath away.


Our ceremony was put together from spiritual sources that were deeply meaningful to us. This was between us and God; we were not going to be worried about what anyone thought about our unconventional readings. Fortunately we found a minister, Rev. Toni Fish, who was not just willing to work with us, but was in fact perfectly in tune with what we were trying to do. She totally got it and loved it, and supported and encouraged us.

Toni was relaxed, funny, and to top it off, she’s a Lord Of The Rings fan! She delivered the readings with tremendous feeling. We were grateful to discover that our ceremony held a lot of meaning for many of our guests, who told us how much they appreciated it and agreed with the thoughts expressed.


Just before the ceremony, I was talking to Crystal’s son Sean, and he asked me how I felt. My answer was the same as it has been from the beginning. With Crystal, I always feel two things – first, amazement and elation at how beautiful our relationship is, and second, a calm and relaxed sense of rightness. How exciting to find someone who I resonate with on every possible level! And at the same time, ahh, what a relief to have set aside all doubt and worry. We revel in the joy of sharing all the moments of our life together, going forth with a unified sense of purpose, interest, passion and fun. We also encourage a peaceful feeling in each other by loving each other completely, and by accepting each other exactly as we are.

I believe there is no greater way to learn spiritual truths than in relationships, and Crystal and I have done our homework. We were ready to find our true soul mates, and that is exactly what happened. We are willing and able to look past egos and see the Spirit that has always been there, to recognize it and say “yes!” That is why I will love her forever; I believe I always have!

Wedding Photos By Robert Smith Photography
Editing by Crystal Visions Art
Rev. Toni Fish Frederick Unity Church

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Hay Bales In The Shire


As part of our Wedding day visualization we wanted fields of gold as part of our backyard view. They materialized as ordered! Thank you God! Our neighbor said it was the first time the farmers had ever grown barley in that field! Cool! Evidenced by our gorgeous wedding photos, we had Stings' version of 'Fields of Gold' for real. Day and evening! The barley was green with a glowing yellow cast shimmering within the field. The golden light of the sunset was amazing! They peaked for our Wedding! Our photos were so good they looked fake! haha! When we got back from our honeymoon the fields had dried.

I knew that soon there would be hay bales in those fields. The questions for me were... which type, how many, and how long would they sit in the fields? I had lived on a farm in the past when my children were little. The hay bales where huge, round and glorious! Bigger than my kids! Golden hay bales remind me of old medieval paintings.
As it turns out I did not have to wait long for my answers. Within two weeks the machines were in the field cutting down the straw and following up later that same day with a baler. I watched the next day as they continued into the rest of their fields. The farmers seemed extremely efficient. I had the feeling I needed to take the photos that day or miss the opportunity. The sky was grungy and gray.

It stayed overcast and dull all day. Yuk! Not great for exciting light filled photographs. Near sunset hour I could see that a small slice of sky would open up soon. My daughter had arrived to pick up the baby and was busy using my computer. I informed her that I had to go outside, as the God Sky was coming, and I was going to shoot me some hay bales!
There was only a ten minute window before the sun returned to the clouds. I took a few shots running quickly about the spiky field. The next morning I awoke to find the hay bales were gone! It sure is good to follow your intuition! Maybe in three years they will plant beautiful golden waves of grain once again for us to enjoy!

Photography by Crystal Visions Art


Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Our Classical Guitar Prelude

Our Wedding began with elegant Classical Guitar music played by Ben Sherman himself! His refined playing gave our wedding his own personal touch and set the tone of our day. Trained as a Classical Guitarist, Ben performed two selections: "Horizons" by Genesis and "Scherzino Mexicano" by Manuel Ponce. (You can hear clips of Ben performing these pieces on Ben Sherman Classical Guitar .) The sound of this lovely music called the guests to come out of the tent, and gather around the tree where we would be married. I waited inside our home and could hear Ben's touching music drifting into the open window. Peeking outside I was thinking about how pure romance is in the air when your Love plays guitar for you on your wedding day! Wow! Truly a beautiful thing! How cool it is to share the gift of creativity with one another! And how lucky am I to have the number one instrumentalist in the Baltimore area playing at my wedding as well?!!

It was certainly emotional for Ben to play classical music at his own wedding ceremony.
This was Ben's musical gift to me, his bride. For me, there is no other when it comes to the guitar. He is the man... and he is my man. He is the King...for real. I am thankful I am part of his musical universe. I love you Ben Sherman! You made our day sing!


My Ben Sherman is amazing whatever style guitar he plays. Classical, Acoustic or Electric. Our Wedding guests got to enjoy all of his talent including his voice. We wanted everyone to be a part of a very love filled musical celebration. Music speaks to the soul and Ben knows how to connect to peoples emotions and create excitement too. A true professional musician he sets his personal standards high. As a person his kind spirit sings and touches us all. As Ben's wife I get to appreciate everyday who Ben is, and I was happy he was able to share with our guests, family and friends his joyful expression in music. A blessing.

Ben Sherman performs Classical Guitar for weddings, receptions and special events in the Baltimore/Maryland/D.C/ and Virginia area. You can read about Ben Sherman on the website we designed together : Ben Sherman Classical Guitar.

Photos by Robert Smith Photography
Editing by Crystal Visions Art