I am a substitute teacher and homecare provider (a starting artist has to have a day job . . .) and regularly work with the very old and the very young, and commonly notice how many characteristics these two groups share. A need to be helpful and independent, a desire to be part of the world around them, difficulty with hand coordination and their sensory skills, etcetera. Joining the two makes perfect sense to me. Hopefully we can get something like this started in Kentucky!

http://www.edutopia.org/grace-learning-center-prekindergarten-community
(title quote taken from this article)

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/seattle-preschool-nursing-home-transforms-elderly-residents/story?id=31803817

http://www.gu.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=ziHIXWiyhJw%3D&tabid=157&mid=606

My original plan tonight was to make thumbnail sketches for an oil painting I'm about to start of my gorgeous, fat, spoiled pony, Pepper. However, I'm so tired from the craziness of 2016 thus far to go find my nice sketching pencils and a skecthbook that isn't full yet, and my computer happens to be cooperating tonight, so typing about it will have to do.

I haven't made an oil painting in about 5 years, (not including ceramic sculptures) so sketching it out first seems like a good idea. She's sassy, unsociable, curious, and loves a good brushing. I think I'll sneak my camera out at the barn soon to catch a few shots of her sniffing the brushes and combs in her stall window as though they might jump up and bite her. Pics coming soon.