About me : Jill Berry Blog

What is a Map?

Posted on September 1, 2010 - Filed Under About me, Creative Exercises | 27 Comments

What is a map? Is it such a simple question. I am in the process of collecting diverse and wild responses. Do you have an answer? I am not going to give you examples, purposely. I just want you to find your own answer, fresh and unique, and post it here. I will pick a [...]

In the Middle

Posted on August 21, 2010 - Filed Under About me | 2 Comments

My kids are both in middle school, for a week now. They have a nice school, Manhattan Middle School of Art and Academics, but we all know what dangers lurk at any middle school. Two things are on my mind, 1) Do not share my feelings about Jr. High with my kids, and 2) Try [...]

Negatively Positive

Posted on August 2, 2010 - Filed Under About me | 6 Comments

After my rejection episode last week, gifts began to arrive. Maps and treasures from Pam and Lisa. Lovely comments from many friends I know, and some I don’t. Today, a box of horseshoe crab parts, complete with sand and the smell of the sea, my favorite, from Lynne. If I fell over dead tomorrow, or [...]

The Art of Rejection, or the Rejection of Art?

Posted on July 29, 2010 - Filed Under 2011 Workshops, About me | 22 Comments

Recently I got notice that my workshops “cannot be accommodated” by a major venue next year. While I do understand the monumental choices the organizers have to make, I do not like being rejected, at all. I am holding my beautiful baby out for inspection and the viewer peeks at it and comments “Hmmm. Not [...]

Haiku Friday

Posted on July 23, 2010 - Filed Under About me, Creative Exercises | 7 Comments

Across the nightmare You guided my boy and yours Gently back to dreams Last night my mom called, past midnight. That is never good. Sam is with her in California, he has been attending golf camp near her house, and has perfected the chip. He is treating everyone around him with gentile grace. Then last [...]

Face the Facts

Posted on June 23, 2010 - Filed Under 2010 Workshops, Artist Friends, My Hubby's Band | Leave a Comment

I am putting together new classes and old classes and writing a book, walking the dog, cooking for the hubby and headed out tonight to see his band. In other words, I am busy. Yesterday I waded through old portfolios and found drawings I had done, and actually took the time to ponder and enjoy [...]

Growing Old, or New

Posted on June 11, 2010 - Filed Under About me, Artist Friends | 4 Comments

Today I am praying for my friend Deandra, who is at the end of her journey with ovarian cancer. I am praying for grace to bless her and hold her, and her husband Luke, and her large and loving family. She told me once that she felt like the luckiest of cancer patients because of [...]

Getting Smarter

Posted on May 29, 2010 - Filed Under About me, Artist Friends, Being an Artist | 4 Comments

Last week I had a very last minute change of plans, which has historically been not a situation that brings out the best in me, control issues and all. This time I decided to take care of myself, lose the stress and turn the day into something even better than it would have been. And [...]

The Glamorous Life of a Traveling Art Teacher

Posted on May 25, 2010 - Filed Under 2010 Workshops, About me | 10 Comments

It is so easy to imagine the live of those around us; the comforts, blessings, and the sweet soundtrack of music constant in the background of their smooth and creative days. Here is my day, yesterday. Eastern Standard Time 6 am: Wake up, make coffee, prepare for class. Pack suitcases since I have to check [...]

One down, 200 to Go

Posted on May 17, 2010 - Filed Under About me, My Hubby's Band, What I am up to | Leave a Comment

I just finished designing a poster for my hubby’s band, Buffalo 5 Piece. Here it is! I am excited to be a part of their journey, and hope you can check out their site and take a listen here. This group has been convening here for years, every Thursday night for practice. They just scored [...]