A quarter of the year has already slipped quietly by.  Well, maybe not so quiet for me, lol....  A lot of stuff that life is made of has happened and I have managed to reach some of the hefty goals I set for myself in 2009.  Slowly....ever so slowly, I am harvesting some of those stars from the sky and making my own little constellation in my own dimension (too deep, lol!).  However, some of those stars are many millions of miles away....a very long way off (i.e., my goals)...  But, you have to reach out and grab them once in a while so you're own little star can shine!

In my personal life, I've managed to:

• Clean out some of the stacks of paperwork I had piling up and realized how many opportunities slipped right on by cause I did not know about them.  However, I still have a few piles of papers left to sort and organize. 
• I've cleaned out a few junky drawers and one closet filled with things I don't use anymore. 
• And, I am in the process of organizing my wall space to include some of my photography.  I can't wait to see how they look on my own walls!
• My garden is looking a little less "weedy," lol.  I still have more work to do though.  However, I've managed to plant 100 caladium bulbs, 16 gerber daisy plants, a flat of pansies, 16 tulip plants and transplanted a few lantanas and a small elephant ear plant.  Now that the warmer weather is here, hopefully I can find the time to keep up with the weeds!

In photography I've reached several goals: 

• I have an exhibit of five works currently displayed at the Louisiana State Museum in Patterson, Louisiana.
• I have a rotating exhibit at the Everett Street Gallery, (Artist Guild Unlimited) in Morgan City, Louisiana (on going throughout the year, rotated monthly).
• I'm a cover girl, lol!  My photograph, taken by Aimee Dugas Photography, is on the cover of POV Magazine for the month of March, 2009.  "SNAPSHOTS OF LIFE" is the title of the feature article written by Terry Trahan, Jr. about my chronic illness and how I overcame that adversity to achieve the level of success I have with my photography.  You can pick up a copy at many establishments in Houma.  A list can be found on the POV web site and for those "out-of-towner's" that can't get a copy, you can read the article on the web site at:  http://www.povhouma.com/current_issue.htm.  It was an honor to be featured and very unexpected.  My grandson now considers me famous, lol!  After the month of March you can always access the article in the archives.
• I have an upcoming exhibit scheduled for the month of May at the Ochsner Foundation Hospital on Jefferson Highway in New Orleans.  It will be displayed the entire month in Art Walk I which is the main corridor on the first floor.  The exhibit, entitled Louisiana Wildlife and Scenics, will include over 20 beautiful photographs.
• I have restructured my web site for easier navigation of categories and added a new category entitled, "What's New."  All new photographs will be inserted into this category, staying there until the end of the month at which time they will be recategorized into their respective category with the older photographs.  New photographs may be added at any time, so check back often.

In oil painting and sculpting my goals are being reached a little slower as I still have a huge learning curve ahead of me for some time to come.  However, I have reached some goals I have set for myself.

• My sculpture entitled "Cycle of Life" has been accepted into the 7th annual Juried Art Exhibition in Grand Isle, Louisiana.  I sculpted a sunflower sundial which depicts the beginning the ending of time with the Alpha and Omega symbols and the word time.  At the end of the gnome, there is a flower with a tiny bee collecting pollen.
• Five paintings were displayed in January at the Terrebonne Parish main library as part of an art show for works completed in classes taught by Gail LeCompte and Doris Beaudean, two of my teachers.
• I am currently attending a six-week pottery class at Nicholls State University; ongoing until April 13th.
• Three paintings are hanging at the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild through March 31st.
• The same sculpture "Cycle of Life" won "Outstanding use of Sunlight" and Honorable Mention at the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild Art Show.

Of course, many of my goals would not have been possible without the help and/or assistance of other fine human beings and the good Lord above.  I'd like to recognize those who have helped me in some way to accomplish these goals. 

Needless to say, I've been extremely busy.  But, I'm lovin' every minute of it!  Now go check out the new photographs I've uploaded.  And, don't forget to check back soon for more new pics.

Oh, and did I mention I write poems too?  Here's a little Haiku poem.  And if you don't know what a Haiku poem is...google it.  They are fun to write.

                                                    Reaching for the stars
                                                    feels like leaping into space
                                                    without a tether.
                                                                     ~Darlene Martin Eschete~

Keep on clicking!

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"
                                      Let the Good Times Roll!

~Darlene~