It has been a long time since I have been in touch and I apologize for that.

On December 3rd, 2007, I was in a head on car crash that really took its toll on me – mentally and physically.

I was in shock for days, but even so carried on with my commitments. It’s only now that I realize the extent of what happened and how fragile we are. When the emotional side became calmer and all the x-rays and MRI’s were complete, the doctors found out that I had 5 bulging discs in my cervical spine and lower back. My hands and arms were hurt too, stopping me from painting.

This was difficult to deal with, but I am thankful that I am alive. I am having Physical Therapy to help mend my back, arms and hands. My emotional side is a lot stronger and I am almost back to normal (whatever that may mean for me!).

The policeman who came to the scene of the accident said that if I had not been driving my Volvo station wagon, I would probably have not survived.

My advice to anyone buying a new or pre-owned car, is to please consider a Volvo as they are rated as one of the safest vehicles on the road and I highly recommend them.

Mine died the day of the accident, which upset me greatly. I am, and always have been, a car lover and so it was difficult to lose it, but at the same time I was thankful that it was that car I was in. I have another now and no other car would come into play for me.

I am starting to paint again and may possibly be doing some singing this year. I will post any news on that later. Also, I will be a part of a very different kind of art show in May in Point Pleasant, PA. I will post all the information on my site soon. Thank you to those of you who have come to see me in the past at my art shows. I appreciate the support.

A very big thank you to those of you who bought the ‘Seal Haven’ Holiday Cards. I was dealing with that during the time of the accident but managed to get that dealt with. Actually it helped me keep sane having to get them signed and mailed. A nice size check was sent to the HSUS on behalf of the polar bears. I am making the cards available again to help benefit the beautiful seals that need help too. The card is basically an all year round card and not primarily for the Christmas season. I hope you will consider it. I will add a reminder on my homepage regarding that soon.

So now it looks like Winter is over and we got off rather lightly with the weather... apart from extremely high winds, BUT thankfully, little snow.

Please keep checking in on the site, there will be news and new art added soon. Please keep in your hearts, love for the planet and all its children – human and animal.

I am sending positive love and healing thoughts to you all.

Love and Peace,

In the spirit of my favourite season of the year, I am proud to offer the image of one of my paintings, 'Seal Haven', as my first Holiday card.
This will be on behalf of 'The Humane Society of the United States' who are actively involved in fighting against the trophy hunting of Polar Bears.

Click here to see the card.

 
Love and Peace,

Back in April of this year, I was approached by Bucks County musician Kevin Mackie (Think of 3), to donate a song for a CD dedicated to raising funds for the 'Serenity House Hospice Support of Doylestown', PA.

I was happy for this opportunity to give back to the community of Bucks county, that I am now part of, and call home.

I contacted my friend and co-writer, Rave Tesar, to ask if he would be willing to donate 'Michael' Prince of Angels to the project, and without hesitation he agreed.

I asked Kevin, who was doing the artwork for the CD, and was excited when he said that I could be a part of that too if I wanted, so I said YES!!!!!!!!

I painted the house (I mean a painting not 'painting the actual house' !!!! (which is not built yet) from an architects rendition of what it will look like, and then added my style making it half surreal and half real...the result was a warm inviting house.

I am very proud of the painting and ended up designing the whole CD package with graphic artist Krista Wallhagen. Click here to see the 'Serenity House' painting.

Giclee copies of the painting on canvas, will be available through my site in the art gallery section (scroll down to the bottom), and all proceeds will go to the 'Serenity House' fund.

 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Mackie
Cell# 215-432-4510
Fax# 215-538-7775
Email: madferret3@msn.com


INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL ARTISTS DONATE TIME AND MUSIC FOR 'SERENITY HOUSE' CD TO BENEFIT THE SERENITY HOUSE AND HOSPICE SUPPORT OF DOYLESTOWN

Kevin Mackie, from East Coast Recording Company, has put together an album called “Serenity House” to benefit the Serenity House Hospice Support being built in Doylestown, PA.  The impressive list of artists, who donated songs to the album are: ASIA, Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Annie Haslam (Renaissance), Pat DiNizio (The Smithereens), Robert Hazard, Kathy Sledge (Sister Sledge), Think Of 3, The Luck Brothers, Jann Klose, Sterling Koch (V.I.H.), Dave Renz with Bob Miles and Steve Pullara. 

Annie Haslam also painted the original artwork "Serenity House" for the CD cover, and designed the CD package with graphic artist Krista Wallhagen.  One hundred percent of the profits will go to hospice.

Nina McKissock, R.N. (founder and visionary for the house that supports those in hospice care) explains the “Serenity House and Hospice Support of Doylestown Inc. is a volunteer organization providing physical, emotional and spiritual support, without cost, to those incurably ill members of our community and nurtures those who love them. Within a freestanding residence or within someone's home, our highly trained compassionate volunteers provide non-medical care to those at the end of life. Bereavement counseling and financial services are also available.” The capital campaign will begin in the near future and, once the funds are raised, the construction will begin.

This CD was made possible because of caring donations from sponsors: Shop Rite of Warminster (owned and operated by the Brown Family) and The Albin Family Foundation.

The CD, “Serenity House” will be released on September 6th, 2007.  There will be a CD release party MC'd by Grover Silcox, television personality at WLVT PBS 39 (Tempo TV magazine) and worked ten years at The Fox Morning Show in Philadelphia. The party will be held at the Puck, 1 Printers Alley, in Doylestown, PA. For more information on the release party go to www.pucklive.com. 

You can purchase the CD at www.myspace.com/serenityhousecd.

In the album's notes, WMGK-Philadelphia radio personality Debbi Calton writes, "The music on this CD was donated by the artists as their way of being a part of the story.  All of these musicians have provided their own brand of shelter in this wonderful collection of songs: some gentle and introspective, some rousing and vigorous, all intending to tend to the human spirit."