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 Hello!  ¡Hola!  Welcome to my blog, where my motto is always to "Read, Explore, Create."

For my first project, I was inspired by Mandy, at Sunday Postcard Art, who challenged us to respond to "Blue Monday," which is observed on the 3rd Monday in January.  I didn't know what it was, so I Googled it, and found out that in 2005, health psychologist, Cliff Arnall, declared it to be the most depressing day of the year, due to the harsh weather conditions in the Northern Hemisphere.  Anyway, It's a kind of acrostic I composed, lettered, and doodled using fine line pens and markers.  Because of the positive nature of my acrostic, I'm also linking to TIOT and Path of Positivity.

For my 2nd project, I have a Valentine's Day card I made inspired by Nancy's sketch at CAS Colours & Sketches, SOS565 Challenge "Out with the Old & In with the New," and ACB's T is for Texture.  I used a Kraft card base card, and then cut a textured piece from an old wedding card envelope to simulate the sketche's diagonal shape.  For my focal point and sentiment, I used my new Spellbinders' Tigger and Classic Mouse Love cutting dies sets; a Sizzix Tim Holtz Gift Tags Thinlits set; a Fiskars heart punch; different colored cardstock scraps; an Arteza calligraphy marker; and different adhesives.

Next, I have a photograph of my wife's Flamingo Lily plant, that is blooming beautifully this year.  She's truly got a green thumb.  I thought it was the perfect background for Karen's WAW 736-737.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 868/88

Friday Face OFF 1/23/2026

Art For Fun Friday 193

With Mardi Gras coming up in February, I decided to paint a mask for me to wear.  This holiday is also known as Shrovetide, and it falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.  Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday," referring to it being the last day of consuming rich foods in preparation for the Christian fasting season of Lent, during which such foods are often avoided.  We have a pancake lunch for the students at our parish school, and then one for all church members that evening.  I bought the Papier-mâché mask on Amazon; used acrylic paint markers to paint my original design; and then varnished it to preserve my work.

Sunday In The Art Room 1/17/2026

Little Things Thursday 1/22/2026

My friend Nicole shared one of her pieces from her private art collection.  I collect original art pieces too, so I'm sharing a picture of a Huichol men's belt.  The Huicholes are an indigenous community in Mexico, that inhabit the Sierra Madre Occidental, in the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Durango. Their traditions, deeply connected to nature and spirituality, have been passed down from generation to generation to preserve their heritage.  Huichol textile art uses ancestral techniques that include the use of backstrap and pedal looms.  The belt in my picture is worn over a sash, and features several embroidered pouches known as h+iyame or huaikuri, which do not have a practical use, but have a spiritual significance to them.

In closing, I want to leave you with a summary of my sermon for this coming Sunday, based on Matthew 4:12-23:

Following Jesus is not an ethereal act, but must happen in the context of our commitment to Christ, in all of lives' circumstances, and in our relationships with our neighbors.  That’s what Jesus expected of Peter, Andrew, James, and John, when he said, "Follow me."  We can see that throughout the remainder of Matthew’s Gospel, through such teachings as the importance of forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15); loving God above all things and our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40); and in the Judgement of the Nations (Matthew 25:34-36), regarding our obligation to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those in prison.  Every one of these teachings echos Jesus’ words, “Follow me.”

Thank you for your visit.  Gracias por su visita.  Shalom!

Arnoldo+