My twin grandchildren are now 13 and Saturday the 5^th of November they had their day in Temple  as they celebrated their Mitzvahs together.

Thank you to all of you who have been sending me email, and Social Networking messages.

Here are some links:
-  My Website   http://kaysmithartist.com/
-  The Blog        http://kaysmithartist.com/blog.htm
-  Twitter           @ArtistKaySmith
-  LinkedIn       Kay on LinkedIn

April 15 was a good day for me.

That was the day the Pritzker Military Library had a reception 11 to 1 pm for Mayor Daley to see the new library at 104 South Michigan. The Mayor spoke about education and the benefits of research offered by a military Library in the midst of our city.

The Library is stunning. I met the Mayor and had a picture taken with him.

And so it was on March 21 of this year five members of my watercolor class and I flew to San Jose, CA. The day started well

with Barbara Hardman and Gail Covotsky picking me up in Flash Cab which was a SUV in order to handle us  3 dames  and our baggage.

At San Jose the dames had a car reserved –it was a Camry.  It took genius and the help of an air port worker to figure out how to get all our

baggage & gear into the trunk. It couldn’t be done and a large and a small case plus large purse  traveled to Carmel in the back seat with me.

We took off for Carmel with Gail driving and Barbara navigating. In the back seat I had the leisure and pleasure to watch the spectacular scenery

unfolding beyond my car window. It was late in the day and the sun was beginning to slant long and low golden rays across the landscape.

The shadows of the trees on  the emerald mountain sides began to dramatically creep further and further down the steep side of the green mountains until they were long black slanting shapes of the parent trees.

We were zipping along Highway 101and missed the turn to take the Monterey Peninsula route into Carmel. Missed a turn off??? We were doubtful–Barbara had handled the arrangements to book our flights, car, taxi service, maps, directions and all those things needed to make a group trip seem seamless in its perfection of all things great and small. But doubt turned to dubious so we called,Bev Hossa, our host, who set us right and we arrived to our destination before dark.

 Bev, who is my student, was our front man in Carmel and had prepared an itinerary for our week of painting together. She and her husband have a nice house they rent every year in Carmel for the winter months. I stayed in her house with her and the others were in a couple of hotels only two blocks away. 

Bev invited all to come for wine and supper that evening. We were all in lighthearted spirits enjoying the California experience. She had a delicious meal prepared for us. It was salmon, halibut & white fish baked en papillote (prepared individually wrapped in parchment paper.) 

I chose halibut and it was delicately, divinely seasoned. She also served a delicious salad and a good dessert but I now remember only the taste of that delicious fish fresh from the sea. This was the beginning of  gustatory evenings to follow with fine wine and exquisite food. And we got painting done too.

The next day was overcast but pleasant. Bev drove me around the area to show me places to paint. They were spectacular ocean views. Point Lobos, Pebble Beach, the Carmel River and Carmel itself and such splendid trees—especially the cypress and eucalyptus trees. Many photographs later we went back to her

house. Took a little rest, showered, dressed and went out to meet the class at  a great little Greek restaurant right down town. The space was small, long and narrow and alive with life and wonderful smells from the kitchen. One of the owners swept down upon us kissing our hands as he apologized all around for our table not being ready. Those before us at our table were just finishing their dessert he said. We were mollified by his charm but apparently he did not rely entirely on charm. In a wink a waitress appeared bringing glasses of wine for us to enjoy. Subscribing  to the purpose of the wine we enjoyed ourselves  and could not tell you whether it was 10 minutes or 20 before we were sitting at our table ordering more of the same wine.

He was savagely tearing bloody chunks out of something he was holding down with one claw. This bird was larger & heavier looking than a hawk. I called  my neighbor to look out the window. “What is that bird?” He guessed an American Peregrine falcon.

I watched for a few minutes to  learn what he was eating. It was a rat. He’d tear off a bite, looking alertly to the right and to the left, then chugging it down and going for another bite. I ran to get my Natural History of American Birds of Eastern and Central North America. Okay it was a Duck Hawk aka Falco peregrinus anatum. Other names: American Peregrine Falcon, Ledge Hawk, Great Footed Hawk, Rock Hawk, Bullet Hawk.

This is the “noble bird” that was used for hunting (hawking) by the knights of old in the days of chivalry.  And there he was feasting on flesh  on my common wooden fence in Chicago,  Illinois. He was here by invitation actually—the city of Chicago introduced falcons to the city in 1986 to help control the pigeon population and help conservation of a threatened species. They put up accommodating nests  on ledges of high-rise buildings and the falcons recognized the upscale housing opportunities. They  moved in stayed and thereby saved our statues  and our own  heads from pigeon molestation…

Seeing him was a great start to my day. I hope he visits again. Read Chicago peregrine falcon on Google.

The most popular part of the talk was using the images of  the paintings to tell the story of Mr. Lincoln’s awesome life. They particularly enjoyed hearing the explanation how an artist uses symbolism, color, form and mood to illustrate an historic site or event.

Thank all of you for coming with open hearts and ready minds to hear the compelling story  of this great man.

Kay Smith

PS I am doing a workshop in Carmel, California from March 21 to March 27. Watch for images of these paintings to come.

5:30 PM – reception
6:15 PM – program