#30Americans @joslynartmuseum #art

My family went to a show this weekend at Joslyn Art Museum called 30 Americans. The museum is free to enter, but their special exhibits do cost money. They happened to have a special free weekend for the show. The show is up until May.

It's interesting...I gravitate to what looks good with color, pattern, texture, a focal point... My husband gravitates to what means more. If I think the piece isn't very aesthetically pleasing I don't even read the description.

Sorry about the glare, but I love the patterns and colors of these two!

A different artist, but still full of pattern and color!

The next piece is aesthetically pleasing, and gigantic!

Detail:

Out of the box thinking Soundsuits by Nick Cave!

These next ones have a lot of cool visual texture. It looks like a map, or cracks in the ground.

Detail:

Another Detail:

The next two are super organic - made of wood and fibers:

These are the images I couldn't get into. Do you ever feel this way about art? I think art is like music. Some pieces you like, some you don't. Same goes with food. Think of all the egg eaters out there...some people like them scrambled, some hard boiled, some soft boiled, some over easy, some poached and well you get the point. Certain pieces you can't get into. I try so hard to be open minded, but there are some pieces that either A) Don't make me feel anything, or B) Break the rules of art, and it their breaking the rules doesn't work.

The first one has a horrible composition. I hate how that bottom guy is chopped off.

The second one has a great message, but just lacks a focal point.

The last one was cool that it was a visual story, but looks like vinyl stickers on a wall, and not high end museum art to me.

Artist's in the Show:

Nina Chanel Abney (b. 1982, Chicago, IL); John Bankston (b. 1963, Benton Harbor, Ml); Jean-Michel Basquiat (b. 1960, Brooklyn, NY; d. 1988, New York, NY); Mark Bradford (b. 1961, Los Angeles, CA); Nick Cave (b. 1959, Jefferson City, MO); Robert Colescott (b. 1925, Oakland, CA; d. 2009, Tucson, AZ); Noah Davis (b. 1983, Seattle, WA; d. 2015, Los Angeles, CA); Leonardo Drew (b. 1961, Tallahassee, FL); Renée Green (b. 1959, Cleveland, OH); David Hammons (b. 1943, Springfield, IL); Barkley L. Hendricks (b. 1945, Philadelphia, PA; d. 2017, New London, CT); Rashid Johnson (b. 1977, Chicago, IL); Glenn Ligon (b. 1960, Bronx, NY); Kalup Linzy (b. 1977, Stuckey, FL); Kerry James Marshall (b. 1955, Birmingham, AL); Rodney McMillian (b. 1969, Columbia, SC); Wangechi Mutu (b. 1972, Nairobi, Kenya); Pope.L (b. 1955, Newark, NJ); Rozeal (b. 1966, Washington, D.C.); Gary Simmons (b. 1964, New York, NY); Xaviera Simmons (b. 1974, New York, NY); Lorna Simpson (b. 1960, Brooklyn, NY); Shinique Smith (b. 1971, Baltimore, MD); Henry Taylor (b. 1958, Oxnard, CA); Hank Willis Thomas (b. 1976, Plainfield, NJ); Mickalene Thomas (b. 1971, Camden, NJ); Kara Walker (b. 1969, Stockton, CA); Carrie Mae Weems (b. 1953, Portland, OR); Kehinde Wiley (b. 1977, Los Angeles, CA); Purvis Young (b. 1943, Miami, FL; d. 2010, Miami, FL).

The Oregon Trail #game @GoliathGamesUS Review

We've had many snow days this year. We refused to let our boys play video games and watch movies all day, every day.

Instead they typed up stories for a writing contest that the library puts on every year, and played board games. 

One fun pick: The Oregon Trail Game.

It took us two trial runs before we understood the game totally. Once we got it, it was so easy! 

The video on Pressman's site made it easier to set up and understand.

Game Pieces:

• 1 Game Board

• 48 Trail Tiles
• 32 Coins

• 1 Die

• 1 Hunting Stand
• Cards: 25 Hunting, 56 Calamities, 8 Wagon Upgrades, 8 Market Pieces

• 50 Small Supplies: 12 Pistols, 10 Compasses, 10 Medicine, 40 Meat

• 20 Large Supplies: 4 Shotguns, 6 Wagon Parts, 6 Winter Clothes, 4 Hitchhikers

• Player Pieces: 4 Wagons, 4 Boards, 4 Purple Family Members, 4 Yellow Family Members, 4 Red Family Members, 4 Blue Family Members

• Complete Instructions and Game Cards

Game Description:
 It's a survival game.

It’s 1844: You and your family have joined a wagon train in Independence, MO that is about to head to Willamette Valley to find your fortune in the West! Players will place tiles to discover the trails, rivers, forts, and towns ahead of them that they will move through to this new land. This scenic journey would almost be perfect… if it wasn’t for the disease, drowning, rattlesnakes and other hazards that will plague you along the way. You’ll need to hunt for food to avoid starvation, and with limited wagon space, you may need to choose between supplies and family members to keep moving along the trail. Until, eventually, you find yourself safe, in Willamette Valley. Relive your fond memories of one of the world’s most beloved computer games as you race your friends to victory in “The Oregon Trail: Journey to Willamette Valley.”

Players:

This game is for 2 to 4 players. It's for ages 14 and up, although Isaak is 10 1/2, and seemed to grasp the game.

Set Up:
  Mica watched the video, and set the game up. There are a lot of pieces. I can certainly understand why it's for ages 14 and up.

I had Dad join the boys to play a third game. Mica likes to make up rules, or change them to fit his best interest.

The look on Isaak's face says it all. Mica kept changing the rules to the game.

I stopped playing to make dinner. They are so funny to listen to!

Isaak: Aunt Angie would have died in the beginning of the game! There’s no room, for vegetarians.

Travis: You mean there’s no cannibalism? Back in the day they ate people when they were desperate!

Mica: Broke Out in Song, “Feed my family! I got some brothers and sisters with me!”

The card in the front of each player tells you the steps, so you don't forget anything. It's important to follow the steps. That's what we had problems with, with Mica. He forgot to do certain things, and wanted to go back to do them. We already had trial runs, so he knew how to play. Even though Isaak's younger he followed the rules pretty well. He did get sad when his people didn't get fed because he was out of money. That's kind of how the game works though. 

Overall it was fun! It wasn't a short, or long game. It did seem long because we played it 3 times. They got one game played in the time it took me to make dinner, and serve it. Probably about an hour. I did hear a lot of laughing. It was nostalgic for me. I used to play the game in grade school, on the computer. Travis never played it. He had a limited childhood. Ha!

Where to get it? 

Pick up this game at Target for $39.99.

Have you played any version of The Oregon Trail? 

Disclaimer: Pressmen sent me this game to help with this review. They in no way influenced what I wrote, or my opinions.

WW: $5 {Linky}

This may just look like a torn up piece of paper. It is. What you don't see is that there is a $5 bill taped to the bottom of it. 

Finder's Keepers Losers Weepers

I put it there to see how long it would take one of my family members to pick it up. 

My guess was that Isaak the 10 year old would pick it up first. 

Day 1, 2, 3 and 4 went by. The paper still existed. I even moved it out away from the sink. I was beginning to think no one would pick it up. 

I kept the trash empty, so that no one would throw it out on accident. 

Right as I was about to go to bed Travis said, "What is the fu@* is this?" He got out of the shower, and it stuck to his foot. He didn't even see it. Someone on facebook said, "It doesn't count if he didn't see it to pick it up." Well perhaps, but it was found at that time. 

When I told Isaak the next day he was so annoyed. He's like, "I saw that paper, and should have picked it up! I knew you were sweeping, so I left it be." 

Mica's always in his own world, so I wouldn't think he'd pick it up. 

The idea wasn't totally an original one. I did find it online. I figured why not give it a go? It was fun. 

#bamtape Review

Since it's been snowing like crazy, I started a new painting. I only have the underpainting done. That's the background. I sprayed a canvas black. Then used a plastic bag to paint with. 

I incorporated Bam Tape to my work this time!  

The tape comes in seven different colors:

• Purple
• Yellow
• Green
• Orange
• Teal
• Red
• Blue

I took Bam Tape, and ripped it length wise to put it across the canvas. I painted gold there, and sprinkled sand. The tape came up so well!

It ripped easily to put down, and came up off the canvas well too!

I'm going to paint some under the sea plant life on the sand. Then I'm going to paint some jelly fish in the water. One jelly fish will be trapped in a jelly jar. 

Like I said, I've only painted the underpainting. It will get there.

Uses for Bam Tape:

• To create a mask for acrylic painting
• To put on furniture
• To put on a floor as a play town
• To add an image to a wall 
• Many more uses

It goes on many surfaces. It's easy to go on, and easy to come off. Don't use it for die cutting machines.

Where to Get Bam Tape:

You can get Bam Tape on Amazon Prime http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H44DC6N for $12.88.

Size:

• 1 inch wide
• 43 feet long for each roll

I'm happy to use Bam Tape for other projects!

What would you use it for? What color would you gravitate to first? 

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Random Tid Bits

1. I reviewed a game. It took up 3 times to play before we got it. In the process Mica and Isaak argued a lot. Certainly not as smooth of a review as I was hoping for. 


2. Isaak had Doctor Seuss things he was supposed to do all week. Has he done any of them? Nope. I think he's ready for Spring Break already. 


3. I'm heading out to Mica's school to honor him for getting first place in the Science Fair. He should be honoring us for helping him. Ha! I skipped the event last year because of class. This year I was determined to go. I found someone to cover for me. Then it snowed. The event date changed to a different day I have a different class. The same person is covering for me. When they schedule things during the day it's a mess.
   
   
   
   
   
4. We still don't know where Isaak's going to middle school at. We filled out the paperwork, but haven't heard back.


5. The streets are FINALLY getting cleared of snow. It was a mess this last snow!

The Doll Maker’s Gift @RoseTheaterCo - Review

I picked the snowiest day of the year so far to go to The Rose Theater. It was so worth it. I needed a break from the house!

The show we saw was called The Doll Maker's Gift. As soon as we got there Isaak said, "I'm going to see this show with my school as well." I said, "Double the fun!" 

It was hard to get a good photo of the boys because it was so cold.

We didn't have to wait too long for the show to start. My boys love to read through the program.

About Return to The Doll Maker's Gift: 

• Book by EllaRose Chary and Fran Sillau 

• Music by Brian Feinstein

• Lyrics by Sammy Buck Based on The Doll Maker’s Gift by Sashi Fridman 

• Produced in Partnership With Deborah Denenberg 

Nora is the star of the show. She reminded me of myself. A doll lover, that's super imaginative. Nora lived in a Russian Jewish community that faces the Pogroms of the 1900s, a time of ethnic cleansing of Jews in Russia.

After their cousins' village is attacked, Nora's family is threatened, her family is forced to flee to America.

They discover at the last moment that they don't have enough funds to pay for everyone's passage. Young Nora will have to stay behind, with the threat of attacks ever increasing. She is left with a family friend, a kind doll maker who offers to care for her until they can earn enough money to pay for her journey to America.

Nora and the devoted doll maker show that all obstacles can be overcome with the help of good friends and community.

This show featured original music and an essential story drawn right from history, The Dollmaker’s Gift is an uplifting exploration of what makes humanity great.

I had a talk with the boys about how show that the show meant way more than girls and dolls. It was a feel good show. Don't tell anyone, but I cried when Nora made the voyage with her Mom and sister.

Show Dates:

The show is at The Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska from February 22 - March 10, 2019.

Members can receive 4 free tickets, non members pay $20 per ticket.

Call: 402.345.4849 for tickets.

Lobby doors open 45 minutes prior to the show starting. I certainly would get there early to get a seat.

The show is best for ages 8 and up. I can tell my boys will stay interested if it is for older kids.

Cast and Crew:

Nora – Maddie Smith
Rosa – Chloe Irwin
Soldier/Fairy Doll – Annlynn Casey
Soldier/Captain Doll – Chuck Sams
Moshe/Jacob/Boxer Doll – Noah Fowler
Anna/School Girl Doll – Dina Saltzman
Mama – Abby Gerdts
Papa/Guard – Steve Hydeen
Zalushka/Uncle Abraham – Patrick Wolfe
Pola/Aunt Rebecca/Ticket Doll – Sue Gillespie Booton

Artistic/Production Credits:

Director – Fran Sillau
Music Director – Jerry Brabec
Orchestrator – Makulumy Alexander-Hills
Choreographer – Sue Gillespie Booton
Scenic Designer – Jamie Bullins
Lighting Designer – Craig S. Moxon
Sound Designer – Christy Hernandez
Costume, Hair & Makeup Designer – Erin Bragg
Production Stage Manager – Meghan Boucher
Director of Production – Erin M. Solemsaas
Technical Director – Greg Rishoi
Props Mistress – Devon Denn-Young
Resident Costume Designer – Sherri Geerdes
Resident Stage Manager – Lisa Krabbenhoft
Scenic Charge Artist – Savannah Savick
Master Carpenter – Jackson Curtright
Lighting Apprentice – Elton Bradley
Scenic Apprentice – Austin Watson
Stage Management Apprentice – Kali Coates
Run Crew – Jesse Groff
Stitchers – Sherri Geerdes, Erin Bragg, Audio Helkuik, Jill Maenner

Orchestra:

Keyboard/Conductor – Jerry Brabec
Sub Percussion – Jeff Kolega
Keyboard – Amy Nunamaker
Percussion – Michael Pollack
Reeds – Michael Prucha
Cello – Patty Ritchie
Sub Cello – Drew Ritchie
Sub Cello – Christa Speed

The End of the Show:

They had a question and answer session. I liked that one of the main stars was there to answer questions. Then there was an autograph signing as well.

I'm really glad we were able to go! I enjoyed it, so much!

Disclaimer: I got tickets from The Rose Theater to help write this review. The Rose Theater did not tell me what to write. All opinions are my own. 

WW: Wintertime Blues {Linky}

I think about this totally at the wrong time - I need to bump up the Vitamin D! I've been feeling so blah!

The kids have had 5 snow days. I had to look up the number because I lost track!

The latest snow was the worst - 10" on top of snow that was already on the ground. I don't know about everyone else, but we're out of room to put it. Our driveway is in a hole with walls on each side.

Before the big snow...my husband's sculpture looked like this:

Right before it got dark! Everything was really quite!

Two days after the big snowfall, it took me 45 minutes to get home from work. It usually takes me 11 minutes. The streets were and are horrible. It's been a long time, since we've gotten that much snow. When the plows were out, it was in the thick of it. The wind was blowing everywhere. They have to try and clear the streets because some people like doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and so on have to go to work. The snow just drifted everywhere. The temperature dropped, so no salt was working. Everything was turning to ice. Downtown has 1 lane roads; when they usually have 2. Cars were stuck here and there all over.

Watch your step, black ice!

I have never worn my rain boots more than I have this year. This kind of ice is fun to step on.

Ice is hanging from my front porch. When I drive I hear crackling and shattering noises. It's not glass! Ice is falling to the ground. I literally have carcicles.

Ice or claws?

Has it snowed where you live? I know we're not alone. My friends in Missouri have gotten it too!