From Skilled Hands » Peninsula

My Town Monday: Plein Air Retuns to Peninsula

fromskilledhands — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:47:48 +0000

For years, artists have tried to capture the beauty of the crooked river that is called Cuyahoga. Painters, photographers and artists with sketch pads are regular sights in this Valley.

On Saturday, June 12, 2010, a group of regional artists will converge on the Village, canvases, easels and paints in hand. They will be participants in the second annual Plein Aire competition that is sponsored by Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce. En plein air is a French expression meaning “in the open air.” It is used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Plein air painting has it’s roots in 19th century Europe. The invention of tubes that contained pigments made painting portable, and the introduction of the steam engine gave painters a way to travel for their art.

If you’re in our neck of the woods or are in the mood for a beautiful drive, come on over and see us. You can watch the painters, take a hike in the amazing Cuyahoga Valley National Park (did you know that it is the 6th most visited National Park in the country?), take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and explore the Village of Peninsula. We’re looking forward to meeting you.

For more information on the Plein Aire competition, visit here.

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Spring Stroll and Faeries, Too: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:57:55 +0000

Join us in the Village of Peninsula next Saturday, May 22nd, as we stroll into Spring. We will have some faerie houses for you to discover, and a faerie marketplace too. Here are some photos of some of our faerie house builders, and a sample of what you’ll find, both at our Elements Gallery, and around the Village.

In May of 2009, the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, hosted a village-wide display of fairy houses and gardens. Here is a look at some of them, starting with those at Elements Gallery.

Wander on over to My Town Monday for a look at what other folks have to say about their necks of the woods.

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Mostly Wordless Wednesday: Mug Shots

fromskilledhands — Wed, 05 May 2010 13:02:16 +0000

On Monday, I invited you to send me your mug shot for a chance to win one of our mugs. Folks have started to send me shots of their favorite mugs. I’ve posted some below. There’s still time to be entered into the drawing. It will be one of my high tech drawings, where I pick a name out of a hat. Perhaps it would be appropriate for me to draw a name out of a mug! The contest closes Sunday, May 9, at 12:01 AM.

Send your mug shot to: from skilled hands@ g mail DOT com (remove spaces).

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Mug Shots: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:21:07 +0000

As I sit sipping my coffee with frothed, steamed milk, I cradle my sacred mug in my hands. The mug’s the thing, more than it’s contents. It’s handle, user friendly; it’s body rounded to fit in my hands. Mugs are a personal thing.

Last summer I asked what you like in a mug. Since Spring has finally really arrived in my Valley, it’s time to ask again. What do you like in a mug?

Send me your mug shot, and I’ll enter your name in a drawing for one of our favorite mugs. Using my usual high tech method, in which I draw a name from a hat, I will draw a name on Sunday, May 9, and post the winner in next week’s MTM post.

Send your photo to me: from skilled hands AT gmail DOT com.

Visit My Town Monday to see who has what to say about his or her town.

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Wordless Wednesday: What Potters Do on Their Day Off

fromskilledhands — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:58:44 +0000

Play in the dirt, and build a fire.

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My Town Monday: The Fairies are Coming!

fromskilledhands — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:15:06 +0000

Peninsula’s Spring Stroll will be here before long. It’s a celebration of spring, which is welcomed in my Valley. Our winters are long, cold and gray, and warmer temperatures and blue skies are a joy.

Last year’s celebration featured fairy houses and gardens. This year’s event will be Saturday, May 22nd and fairies will return to the Village. Here’s a look at last year’s festivities. As always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve been here. And wander over to My Town Monday, where you will find links to other folks who explore their towns.

Fairies in Peninsula, 2009 from From Skilled Hands on Vimeo.

In May of 2009, the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, hosted a village-wide display of fairy houses and gardens. Here is a look at some of them, starting with those at Elements Gallery.

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Not Quite Wordless Wednesday

fromskilledhands — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:24:06 +0000

Spring has arrived in the Cuyahoga Valley. This is our 21st year in the Village of Peninsula. It’s a good time to take a look at the beauty of the place called Peninsula, in the valley called Cuyahoga. I’ll be doing that over the next little while. Join me. And, as always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.

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Let Silence Speak: Cups of Kindness

fromskilledhands — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:40:20 +0000

You can still partner with us in supporting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank through our Cups of Kindness show and sale. Join us for a silent auction and bid on the remaining pieces of amazing art! Remember that each dollar we raise purchases $7 worth of food and other grocery items. Come on down to Elements Gallery and to the Peninsula Art Academy in the beautiful Village of Peninsula. The winning bids will be drawn on April 17, and winners will be contacted by phone or email.

We the People have proved the Power. Of. One. — over and over again. We have shown that we can, with our hands and hearts, help our friends and neighbors in a time of need. As Margaret Mead said, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

We can do this: One. Cup. At. A. Time.

photos courtesy Ron Wayton, photographer

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Words for Wednesday

fromskilledhands — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:35:24 +0000

The quality of the light has changed in my Valley. The heavier tones of Winter are being replaced by the lightness of Spring. That does not mean that the 24″ of snow on the ground won’t have a topping of more white stuff. It does, however, signify that there is plenty of mud underneath just waiting to be caked on the dogs’ feet.

Nuthatches, woodpeckers, juncos, tufted titmice, chickadees, finches and brilliant red cardinals are visiting the feeders, singing the songs that suggest that Spring is on it’s way.

My Word-A-Day calendar has brought pages of words to me, some new, others, old friends. Here’s a sampling:

**Conventicle: a noun. 1. An assembly of an irregular or unlawful character. 2. an assembly for religious worship, especially a meeting for worship not sanctioned by law. 3. a meetinghouse

**Fulgent: an adjective. Dazzingly bright: radiant.

**Parry: a verb. 1. To ward off a weapon or blow. 2. to evade especially by an adroit answer.

**Infix: a noun. A derivational or inflectional affix appearing in the body of a word

**Clepe: a verb. To name or call

**Rectitudinous: an adjective. 1. Characterized by straightness or moral integrity. 2. piously self-righteous.

**Harbinger: a noun. 1. A person who goes ahead and makes known the approach of another, herald. 2. anything that foreshadows a future event; omen; sign; 3. a person sent in advance of troops, a royal train etc., to provide secure lodgings or other accommodations.

As always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.

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About Winter

fromskilledhands — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:37:59 +0000

I love how colors change this time of year. The whiteness of the snow and the dark shades of the trees seem to amplify a monochromatic scheme. There are shades and tones rather than color. Part of that is due to the Great Lake called Erie. It gives NE Ohio cloud cover for more days than not, it seems. If one looks carefully, though, colors pop. It’s really wonderful when that happens, I think.

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