The Traveling Chicken and Her Peeps Come to Mankato, MN

A few days ago I thought there was a little pecking noise at the front door... Not sure if I was actually hearing something, I went to check. It's a good thing I glanced down! There was the tiny Traveling Chicken and her dear companions, Senor Azul and Hen right on my doorstep, shivering in the cold! " Come in, come in! It's freezing out there!" They were more than happy to escape the dangerous wind chills we've been having here in "Minnesnowta"  and come inside to warm up. After they had settled in, we got acquainted over a beverage or two and learned that we had many things in common, including our enjoyment of art communities where we can all learn and grow together. I mentioned that I had been an art teacher and this seemed to get TC very excited! She confided that, had she not chosen to be a world famous, globe-trotting artist's model, she would have liked to have been a teacher as well. TC loves to be around artists, both young and old, and loves to encourage others to find their creative spirit. That got me thinking. "Hey!", I said, "would you like to join me tomorrow when I go to my figure drawing group at the Art Center in St.Peter?" "You bet we would!", they all said in unison. The next day we went to the little town where our feathered friends posed and the artists drew them. Here you can see Senor Azul posing with Kelly, our model. Kelly was thrilled to share the stage with such celebrities!

 

 After our fun time there, we decided we would like to work with some younger artists too. Rosa Parks Elementary School kindly opened their doors to us and art teacher, Amy Muehlenhardt, invited us into her classroom. Her students were delighted to meet the famous travelers and enjoyed creating art about them in a variety of ways. So many  great ideas came from these original thinkers! Some kids wanted to sketch, others painted, some used oil pastels or chalk pastels. Many students came up with stories that would have made great books or movies. It was a very exciting time, over-flowing with creative energy! Here is just a tiny sample of the art happening that day. I predict there will be more to share soon.

After visiting and sharing with so many artists, it was now our turn for art-making. We couldn't wait! Back in my home studio, TC struck a pose while the rest of us took some inspiration from our visits with the local art communities and created our own art works. Lucky me! I was standing far enough back that I was able to capture the whole flock! We had such a lovely time together, that I will be sad to see them go. But, alas, it is time for the little art ambassadors to pack up and move on to their next destination. They told me that, even though February is a very cold month to be in Minnesota, they enjoyed meeting so many warm hearted artists and will always remember their visit to the land of 10,000 lakes.

Marjie Laizure's art can be viewed on the following locations:

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/marjie-laizure-6203/artwork

or

http://marjielaizurefineart.blogspot.com/

The Traveling Chicken visits NYC (Part 2)

'Gregarious Friends '
11 x 14 inches
Oil on Gessobord

What a group of chatty animals! After their initial introductions, Mr Jersey and Friesia the cows, TC, Mama Chick and her babies, Señor Gallo Azul and the three turkeys Bernard, Matthew and Cranberry all became great friends over the next few days.

Mr Jersey and Señor Gallo Azul just could not stop talking! At one point, I caught these four ^ laughing and having some great joke about something.

It had been raining all week in New York but on their last day, the rain finally stopped, so Ms Chick and Señor Azul decided to take the opportunity to go to see some of what they had heard about The Big Apple. Mama Chicken is not as outgoing as Señor Azul and TC, so she decided to stay home with the turkeys and her baby chicks. Besides, she was a bit daunted about all the noise and the traffic.

So the two intrepid friends set out and their first stop was Grand Central Station.



They were astounded at seeing so many people rushing about. Everybody seemed to be so busy and on their way somewhere.

There was an enormous gold clock in the middle of the station, which lots of people looked at while they checked their timetables.

It was all quite overwhelming at first, but these two fearless buddies soon adapted to the hustle and bustle and went to look outside.

Not far down the street, the two friends gasped at all the very tall buildings.

One of the buildings near the station was very shiny. A passer by told them it was called the Chrysler Building. The birds thought it was funny that it looked like there were two Chrysler buildings, but they realized that one of the buildings was just a reflection in a shop window.

A bit further on and the friends came across another building which had 'RADIO CITY' written in large letters on the outside.
Señor Azul and Ms Chick are not very tall and had to stand on a brass fire-hydrant in order to view it.

It was at this point that the intrepid travelers noticed that they were getting a lot of funny looks from passers-by.

I guess even in New York, it's not often that you will see a little yellow chicken and a blue rooster out sight-seeing.

By now the friends were very tired anyway and it was time to go home.



TC, Señor Azul and Mama Chicken had such a great time meeting the cows and the turkeys.

They are heading back to Pandalana (our marvelous 'Travelling Chicken' blog administrator) for a few days to rest before they set off again.






 'The Traveling Chicken visits NYC' - see: Part 1.

Read more about the Traveling Chicken in my blog:
http://jacquelinedavisart.blogspot.com/


Thanks for following TC and friends on their NYC adventure!

The Traveling Chicken visits NYC (Part 1)

A few days ago, a long, narrow package arrived. I had ordered some new brushes so that's what I expected to see, but as I opened the package I realised it was something far better.

  I caught this glimpse... "AHHHH!"
"What is it, what is it?" asked my kids as they gathered around.

I said they had to be patient because some very special guests had arrived. I carefully unwrapped the package. Out came Ms Chick (or TC, the traveling yellow chicken, as she is otherwise known), Mama Chick and her babies and Señor Gallo Azul - the rooster.
The birds were all very happy to be out of their box to stretch their wings.

Just then, two ceramic cows appeared, to see what all the fuss was about.

Well in no time at all everyone had made their introductions.

Mr Jersey the blue cow and Friesia the spotted cow (who looks after the butter), welcomed the traveling friends and they were all soon chatting away.

Mr Jersey is quite the talker. He and Señor Gallo Azul really hit it off. Mr Jersey told them all about the bright lights of NYC (which is 40 minutes from here) and Señor Azul talked all about their visits to distant lands and about their adventures and mishaps.

The 3 wingèd friends have traveled far and wide. Ms Chick regretted once partying too hard in her younger day and Señor Azul at one point had to be fixed up from a head injury. Sad to say that Ms Chick is also starting to show some wear and tear but neither of these two are prepared to grow old gracefully; they are still up for adventure and both said that New York City sounds great and they can't wait to see it.

Listening into the conversation were three turkeys who, for reasons known only to themselves live amongst the hydrangeas in the corner of the kitchen. A new turkey has appeared there at Thanksgiving, every year for the last 3 years.

The turkeys, Bernard, Matthew and Cranberry were also very curious to meet these new birds that had arrived, so they made a rare excursion out of the hydrangeas and came down to introduce themselves to the group.




Well for the next hour there was much squawking and clucking.

The turkeys are quite wise old birds and gave the three friends lots of advice on how to get around New York City, should they decide to visit during their stay.

One of the turkeys noticed his picture was being taken and kept his eye on me. Turkeys can live perilous lives. I think that's why they keep a low profile in the hydrangeas.





'The Traveling Chicken visits NYC' - the story continues in: Part 2.


And read more about the Traveling Chicken in my blog:
http://jacquelinedavisart.blogspot.com/

Traveling Chicken and the Cupcake

TC and the brood had quite a good time visiting Pa!!

She didn't know it at the time, but she was arriving to some huge excitement here!  We moved into a new house and studio!!  And TC was so excited to be our first guest!!

First thing first after playing with the puppy and relaxing in the spa....TC wanted to get to the studio! 

Since she was so tired from her journey, she took herself out the studio door to the porch overlooking the vegetable garden.  Senior Gallo Azure and TC again rested...and who can blame them, the view is amazing, and the sounds of wildlife forced her to spend some serious time out there.

The next morning she woke up all bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to pose.  "But first," I said, "I need to bake cupcakes for a chicken party!"  I had a feeling TC would love cupcakes and a chicken party just for her!

So TC  perched herself right up on the cupcake to pose as Senior Gallo Azure smiled his charming little smile!!

Chickens and Cupcakes

Pastel
8 x 8
Available Here

Smiles from PA!

Be sure to visit JoanneGrantART for more on TC's time in PA before TC and the Gang headed to Alaska!!!

TC Arrives With Her Entourage in Nova Scotia!!

Our own yellow bird decided to hop on the ledge to see what all the commotion was about!

The Travelling Chicken was really excited to finally land in Nova Scotia!! Her entourage were giggling with delight when they were set free from their packing. It was a chilly day, so TC and the gang decided to sightsee from my window ledge.

Ms Chicken suddenly became very excited when she spotted these little yellow finches. She began clucking saying their feathers were the same beautiful color as hers. Everyone became quite noisy exclaiming "Yes they are T.C.!!"

While I made a hot pot of tea, my visitors continued to enjoy all the new friends that were coming to visit our bird feeders. Over tea, I asked T.C. if she would like to pose for me in my studio later. I told her I had bought some beautiful pansies to keep her company. She was delighted and really excited to see my studio! It is so much fun having all the gang here for a few days!

Travel Plans

"Travel Plans - Oil on Birch Panel - 8x10
Click Here to Purchase

Wow, we had a blast!! TC and company finally calmed down from the excitement of being here in Victoria, BC and posed for me for a couple of hours. They were delighted to find on my coffee table a couple of books on Traveling Destinations and Must-See places. They spent the entire time hanging out on a pile of some of my favourite art and travel books in my studio planning their next escapades (I didn't have the heart to tell them it was all already planned out for them!). All in all we spent a wonderful week, telling stories of travels, art and painting and it was all music to my ears as traveling is one of my passions. I LOVE to discover new places and cultures and can't wait to go on another adventure.
It was quite the teary event yesterday when I put them back in the box and sent them off to their next destination: Saskatchewan! (one of Canada's provinces, the third one from the left). I did check the weather forecast for them in SK and it shouldn't be too bad (It can be very cold there!)! Have fun with them Christine, the next artist to host them :)
Not sure if the painting is finished yet, but I had had enough of it that day! I may go back in and redefine some lines, what do you think? Is it finished to you? Comments and suggestions always welcome!  Art by Marcela Strasdas

Till the Next Time TC and Company! Happy Travels!

If you are interested to see more of my work please visit my website: www.marcelastrasdas.com
You can also visit my blog or Like my Facebook Page

Chicago to Quebec, Part VI

Post From Ann Feldman, Chicago:

Here's the latest on the traveling Troop of Chickens:  They arrived here in Chicago a few weeks ago from Jill's house.  The Little Yellow Chicken (or Le Petite Poulet as she is known in Quebec) accompanied me to Quebec City and Montreal for a week of sightseeing and listening to jazz at the International Jazz Festival.  Her feathers were a bit ruffled after she got re-routed to Newark for one night when the suitcase she was tucked into went to Quebec via the scenic route!  I tried to explain to her that it was for her own good that she spent the night in a sturdy shoe.  

But all was very well after she was placed into many beautiful flower boxes for her portrait.  She even managed to be captured in a couple of toy store windows and restaurant table setups.  As her temporary host mom, I've been busy painting away, finishing up these little paintings now that we're home.  

This is a painting of our dear chicken in a Quebec flower box.  Doesn't she look happy there?  She is a wonderful travel companion, and she picks up new languages quite easily-- "Le Clucque" is her favorite new phrase!

And now she is with Karen Stitt in California.  Looking forward to hearing how she's doing!

The Traveling Chicken, Part IV

I'm Nancy Goldman (nancygoldmanart.blogspot.com) and the chicken was sent to me by Jill Polsby.  Apparently The Traveling Chicken demanded some vacation time.  I think The TC thought that because she would be going to Orange County, CA that she would get to go to Disneyland.  No such luck so instead she decided to hang out pool side since it was a beautiful, sunny 80 degree day.  She was a bit afraid when she saw the big, scary-looking black dog in the backyard but soon figured out that as long as she stayed very near the edge of the pool she would be safe because the big black dog is afraid of the pool.  She stayed very still as I painted her portrait.

Vacation time is over and she will be heading to Pasadena to have her portrait painted by Jill.  This chicken is going to think she's pretty important being such a world traveler and having everyone clamoring to paint her likeness.  She IS awfully cute!