Tagged and tagging back!!!!

I have been tagged by a very talented artist over there in California, Marian Fortunati. Check out the beautiful paintings on her blog. http://marianfortunationdailypainting.blogspot.com/
Thanks Marian! The part I love about tagging is that I get to tag 7 other fine artists. There are more I would like to tag, but that's the rules. I apologize if you have been tagged repeatedly. It's a compliment! And this way others will get to meet you (through the blogosphere) and appreciate your wonderful blogs. So here they are:
1. Jala Pfaff- an amazing artist whose paintings range from a small still life to magnificent portrait to a calm Rothko -like abstract in pastel. SHE can make an avocado into art.
http://jalapfaff.blogspot.com/
2.Brian Eppley- what juicy landscapes and produce he paints! Thick yummy paint! http://brianeppley.blogspot.com/
3. Bob LaFond- a pastelist with a hankering for his towpath and canal. (I can sure understand that!) Vibrant color!
http://markandremark.blogspot.com/
4. Karen, A Visual Journey- Karen has become a master right before our very eyes-amazing work! http://phippsart.blogspot.com/
5.Casey Klahn-Now I realize most people know his famous blogs about art, moley sketching and pastels. If you don't you should...so here's your opportunity. While he spends a lot of time promoting and helping others you should really check out his pastels! Wolf Kahn is his hero, need I say more? http://thecolorist.blogspot.com/
6. Dori Dewberry does it all- figures, landscapes, interiors, portraits and even a still life or two.
http://dewberryfineart.blogspot.com/
7. Brian Mcguran- who does beautiful work with the moleskin exchange- cool project, check it out
http://bmcgurgan.wordpress.com/


Now comes the harder part and tagees this is for you too, You must list 7 things about you- something we don't already know.

Here are a few from me.
1. I did my first plein air painting at age 10.
2. When I was young and lived with my Mom, my brother and I would swim across the lake and back each morning (during the summer). My best memory was one morning when the fog was so thick we could barely see our arms. The silence was broken only by the rhythmic stroking of our arms.
3. I did the polar bear plunge in frozen Lake Michigan, twice.
4. I met my husband, Paul, on Valentine's Day 10 years ago. I knew it the minute I saw him.
5. For years, each summer, I would pack my bike in a box and take a plane to a European city. With only tent, sleeping bag and a few clothes I would cycle 70-100 miles a day (till I finally tired or got somewhere good). I never had an idea where I was going- only that I was going. I would buy a map when I figured out. It was a great time in my life. I met so many wonderful people and saw fantastic things.
6.My sister is an amazing person. She has a big heart. She has been my biggest supporter throughout my life. Even when I doubted she always believed in me. Thanks Toni.
7. When I was young I insisted that people call me LuluBell. Now where did that come from??????

Tag!

This week I had the honor of being tagged by a gifted artist, Melinda, whose blog site inspires me and many other working artists. It really is great to be part of the artist/blogger community. At any time of day or night you can find inspiration and camaraderie in the thoughts and works of fellow artists. It is truly a banquet of food for the soul.

These are the rules for being tagged.

You need to:
1. Put a link in your posting to the person who tagged you. Check out my tagger Melinda's blog.
http://melinda-momentsofclarity.blogspot.com
2. List 7 unusual things about yourself.
3. Tag up to 7 other bloggers at the end of your post and comment
on their blogs to let them know.

Here are some truths about me that some may find unusual:
1. Me and my artist friend, Barbara, were once treed by a pack of peccaries (wild boars) in Costa Rica. We were hiking to our painting site in the jungles when low and behold the stink of peccaries was surrounding us. In the next moment they were racing towards us. We dropped everything and climbed the nearest trees, in which we sat for over an hour!
2. I broke my first bone at age two when my sister decided the red high chair really was meant for one occupant. Guess who had to go?
3. I am addicted. Addicted to Starbucks soy chai. I am trying desperately to kick the habit but no luck yet. Any ideas?
4. My brother and I inspired each other to new heights. One time I convinced him to go sledding off "the rock." The rock was a very tall (about 30 ft. vertical drop) rock near our home . We had to stop when Mom noticed the bumps and holes in our flying saucers and wanted to know why?
5. My best friend in the world, Leah, moved back to Nova Scotia. I still miss her and think about her daily. Secretly I hope she will return.(or maybe that's not such a secret)
6. I love cats. Every time I see one I get all soft inside.
7. As a child I spoke with a Swedish accent and called myself Lulu Belle. Now where did that come from?

The inspirational artist/bloggers I am going to tag:
1. Karen, a talented painter, in the impressionistic style http://www.karensblog.com/
2. Brenda, a very accomplished pastel painter. http://brendaboylan.blogspot.com/
3. Gretchen,a versatile, amazing figurative painter, http://www.gretchenkellyart.blgspot.com
4. Takeyce, fantastic landscape (oil) painter, http://www.takeyceart.com/blog/
5. Elizabeth, a talented painter from Maine who uses the square as her format, http:paintsquared.com/
6. Heidi, an oil painter who uses thick luscious paint, http//hmalott.blogspot.com/
For quick links see my side bar with these artists plus many other talented artists' web and blogsites (I must confess I do not know how to embed links into text. :-)
If you have been tagged already I apologize. The game of tag keeps it going round...you're it now!