Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Friendly Tennis-Art Journals

Tennis-art journal

This is the way Naieva Bookist travels. I load up all the latest things that my pals have produced and shove them in the suitcase.

When it's a tennis trip, which it usually is, I also carry an art tote to work on a tennis-art journal. This one started about four years ago and with just a few more touches it's done.

I've grown accustom to it like you would an old car, a dog or donuts. So, I'm actually a little nostalgic about it, and worried about that brand-new clean one.

There are absolutely no rules to this art - impossible to make a wrong page. The pages are anything from gluing in a pocket for ticket stubs or colored-pencil sketches of my husbands hands as he's driving (the steering wheel looks like a tennis ball).

I take photos of famous tennis players, glue them down and then paint over them, and if lucky enough to meet them at WS&F, I'll have them sign the piece.

Photo of Ferrer, painted and then I had him autograph it.
Painted portrait of Mimi

Photo of ripped ball, Gonzo and painted.

This year, thinking of getting more autographs, I carried my art journal to WS&F Tennis Open, which is a heavy task since we do tons of walking.

During Teen day, we heard speeches so invigorating that the two teens sitting next to me were doodling on the information sheet, and then one pulled out her art book to show her friend.

Should I show her my book tucked in the tote? Knowing that no teenager wants to speak to the old, I thought NO.

Ah, what the heck. I whispered, "I have an art book too." We stopped listening to such questions as, "should we drink more water?" Duh. 

I asked if they wanted to add something to my pages. They took out their colorful markers and made me a tennis art page and signed it (we don't have to just have the rich and famous sign the pages!)


Well, that was kind of fun, plus they gave us a free lunch of Skyline Chili, which was really the only reason we were hanging around. Then, I went to the tennis match because Fernando Verdasco was playing.

So, looking both ways before crossing the security people, I snuck into the better box seats right behind where the players towel off. The place is empty so what's the harm? Just before the match begins, a lady and her husband want to sit in this same row. Shucks, there goes my plans on getting better photos of Verdaso. Turns out their seats are a couple over and they don't care if I'm sitting there. As they're settling in, I notice her bag is lovely. She had it hand-made by Flash Bags from flashbagsonline .com. Their motto - carry a conversation. A friend made the art, she sent it in, and it costs less than the one I just bought at the tennis tent.

     Well, I had to take a picture of that. 
Rhonda Carpenter displays her unique art bag.


I mentioned my tennis art journal. Well, she journals too. Get out! She does water colors. She has a blog. We blah, blah, blah for so long her husband had left and returned and he was amazed we were still talking. We vowed to visit each others sites when we got back home -  rhcarpenter.blogspot.com.
This artwork is as great as everything in Somerset Studios, Cloth Paper Scissors, Artful Blogging and all the other magazines in my luggage.

The players are coming out, and oh forgot, we were suppose to come here to see some tennis.

These young ladies have purposeful art of their own to share with the crowd and especially Verdasco.
Translates: You are Hot Verdasco.

This is what the fuss is all about.
Perhaps this helps you visualize better.

Well, it was a great trip, we saw everyone from Roger to Roddick. Got some art signed, took pictures with a few fabulous tennis players, and worked on some pages on the long ride home.

Few days later, after getting everything unpacked and settling into routine, I was thrilled to get a post from Rhonda! I checked out her site, like we said we would, and she has wonderful watercolors.

Artful Blogging magazine discusses how folks make new friends through blogging, and I wondered, how that happened. Just a few months later into blogging, and it's happened to me. Rhonda would have even given me a vote for the Murfreesboro Magazine most beautiful article!

The only regret is that I painted over that  Verdasco private cell-phone number - what a shame, I could have passed it on to those girls. Ah, well, they should have purchased box seats.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Cover of the Rolling Stones! Uh, Murfreesboro Magazine.

TOP TEN REASONS TO VOTE FOR ME IN MURFREESBORO MAGAZINE!




Who doesn't want to be on a cover?
Maybe just Oprah, because she's sick of doing so many.
 
 
 
Here is a Recent Post from Murfreesboro Magazine:
Don't miss your opportunity to nominate someone who is beautiful inside and out ...for Murfreesboro Magazine's upcoming Most Beautiful People issue! The last day for nominations is August 12. http://tennessean.upickem.net/​engine/YourSubmission.aspx?con​testid=33921See More

Here are the Top Ten Reasons that you could give ME a vote!

Reason 10. Physically, as you can see by these photos, I am quite beautiful on the outside.



Reason 9. Beautiful on the inside? Well, I haven't ever really yelled or been mean to people, not lately  anyways. Not since 1979 at that casino, or that time in '81 but I was provoked in both matters. And Julien Lennon, I'm really sorry I didn't invite you to the party. I truly was jealous. But I've matured a whole lot since then.

Reason 8  My husband and/or son could give me a shout out. This could make them feel good about themselves for all the sandwiches they forced me to make for the past 14 years. Maybe I WONT pick you up from school! Have you ever though of that? Okay, just kidding, I will still make the sandwiches and pick you up from school (ON Time, even), but see that actually proves how beautiful I am on the inside.

Reason 7 My library pals could give me a shout out - I work for FREE - shall I remind you. Don't you love me? I understand that my tennis pals wouldn't give me a vote, because I beat them on the tennis courts, regularly, and this makes them in a constant state of irritation. So, they can be excused.

Reason 6. Seriously, for someone of my age bracket (with TERRIBLE HOT FLASHES that make me crazy and run around to every vent in the house and to the point that I'm putting my head in the freezer), I still don't look too bad for what I am.

Reason 5. I have former experience. I actually know the former cover model who won it a few years back. Tonja Rodgers and I went to Bible study together. And I agree that she is both beautiful inside and out. Therefore, life is about WHO you know. I even went into Hastings to try and get the giant cardboard mock up of the cover of her, but her husband had already been in there and got it to surprise her. Now that's sweet.

Reason 4.  A couple  of my most famous bookist published buddies should help a fellow Bookist in need. Ah, well, maybe I should have done a blog for the Best Looking Dog Cover. Could have won that one.

Reason 3. It's a dream! Exactly like that Dr. Hook song, if you're old enough to remember it,  "On the Cover of the Rolling Stones," except in this case, it would be me and Murfreesboro Magazine. I was going to insert the video here of Dr. Hook, but they were all drunk in it and cursing, and Naieva doesn't like that. Then, I was going to insert the newer version of Dr. Hook (who is older) singing that song, but he was forgetting the words. The original is sooo great with the whole band. Besides, I couldn't figure out how to insert it. I've just figured out photographs, so you'll just have to UTube it for yourself. It's worth hearing all their songs. I cry every time I hear Sylvia. Dr. Hook is the greatest.

Reason 2. I've lived in many HUGE cities, and I LOVE Murfreesboro and It's HOME! Not ever moving - I hope.


The Number 1 Reason to give me a Vote. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MAGAZINES! Worked for a bunch, love and want to be a part of books and magazines in any capacity. I am Naieva Bookist and my love for MAGAZINES should put me in the lead.

So what are you waiting for?


Maybe if we change the wording a little bit.

Don't miss the opportunity to nominate someone who is Kinda Okay and gets off the couch, and stops watching dance-competition shows long enough to feed the cat or take a photograph of her.
Thanks, ever so much.
By: Naieva Bookist.
Seriously Mom, wait for the Best Cat Cover.