Dog days

It is so darn cold here, eight below wind chill today.  Naturally I have this overwhelming urge to walk outside but of course I can't handle all the wind in my feeble ears.  Even with my ear muffs there is no way I would want to be exercising outside.  Luckily we have a warming trend coming this weekend.

The days are going fast this year.  I am accustomed to down time in January and February and this year I am too busy to even rest.  Last week I woke up during the night several times and couldn't get back to sleep cause I was thinking about all the stuff I had to do.  I am certainly grateful for the opportunities, but I am dog tired (this is my cousin's dog by the way, isn't she cute?).  

So, I plug on. Perhaps I will be able to rest one of these days, I am thinking early March or late April?

  

In the meantime, I taught my weekly Painting/Drawing class (3rd-5th graders) today; Geometric Abstract book is on Saturday; then I have 4 classes on Monday (I'm one of the guest artists at a private high school); and Painting/Drawing again next Tuesday.  In between I am working on the Library's commission........I carved the claybord and blocked in most of the color yesterday.  And of course there are a more abstracts I want to do for my solo show.  

Thinking Monday

I was raised with a strong work ethic, too strong some might say - I have a tendency to work a lot, as do my parents and my siblings.  We are all nuts that way.  

I also learned at an early age that I should do work before play.  

Flash forward 40 years.

And here I am in this place where my work *is* my play, you know?  I would rather do my art (which is my work) than almost anything else in the world.  For that reason, it feels very much like play.  Which is why I have a conundrum.  Since my work feels like play, cleaning the house, managing the biz end (paperwork, ugh) seems like work.  And if I do all my work first (which is pretty much an impossible task), I have no time to play or do my *real* work.  You know what I mean????  

No wonder I am walking around in a perpetual state of confusion. 

The Bird and the Bee

I thought everyone could use a smile on Friday. Enjoy!

Are You

This is going around on Facebook and I thought I would move it to my blog for those of you who aren't on Facebook.  It's fun and sometimes crazy, plus you can find some interesting music. And strangely enough, some of mine were dead on accurate!  

Here's what you do:

1. Put your iTunes/Mp3 Player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS (ok, I cheated if the title was either classical or not in English)!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing this (if you want).  If you put it on your own blog, leave me a comment so I can check it out, ok?

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Let's Dance - David Bowie

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Reminiscing with the Elusive Gentle Lonely Boxer of Love - Christine Lavin

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Held up Without a Gun – Bruce Springsteen

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Strange Days – The Doors

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Growing Upside Down – The Ditty Bops

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Dreams on Fire – A.R. Rahman from Slumdog Millionaire

WHAT IS 2+2?
Fortune Teller – Robert Plant & Allison Kraus

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Paper Doll – Rachael Yamagata

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Fallen from the Sky – Glen Hansard from Once

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Orange Blossom Special – Johnny Cash

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
The Inebriated Surfer - Tornadoes

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
King of Pain – The Police (HUH?????)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Who needs Forever – Astrud Gilberto

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
That Girl Could Sing – Jackson Browne

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
I am the Walrus – Bono from Across the Universe

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Satisfied – Ashley Monroe

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Now Loosen up Baby – The Fabulous Thunderbirds

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Rock On – David Essex

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Forest Hymn – Bill Douglas

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Let Go – Frou Frou

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Tap at my Window – Laura Marling

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Amazing - Seal

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Are You – Bob Seger

Snow, glorious snow

Well, it is finally here - the much talked about and predicted snow storm - and yes, I did go to the grocery to buy eggs and milk (and nuts, God forbid I would run out of nuts).  Good grief, the media has been talking about this thing non-stop for days now.  From video cameras on the dashboard of reporter's cars (come on people!!!) to emails received by our meteorologists, general insanity.  I think St. Louis is more southern that I realized, like the city seems to be completely disabled by a lil ole snow.  The schools are on their second day of cancellations, today is probably warranted - I don't know about yesterday though as we had to be out and the roads seemed fine.  Anyhoo, we have about 5 inches and it is that purty fluffy snow, lovely to look at and oh-so-bright.  It is cheerful.  

Much like my paste paints, ready for classes on Friday and Saturday.  I played with them yesterday, messing around with a variety of palette combinations.  Oh-so-fun!

Manic Monday 3

Welcome to my very first video with the new Flip.  The Flip is just so cute I can't stand it.  I've been trying to film a variety of events I have attended and such, but it is pretty clear I need more practice, yikes!  For instance, you can't film *while* you are dancing.......well, actually you can but it isn't pretty.    

What a fun filled fantastic weekend we had! It started out with work most of the day Saturday, putting the studio back together (see video) and also organizing product for shipment to my gallery in Cincinnati and Art Saint Louis.  I'm glad that is done.  

Saturday night was ArtFeast, the fundraiser for Chesterfield Arts and it was a total blast.  The "heads" decorated each table and it seemed like they were a bit hit.  The evening just couldn't have been any better......well, may it could have, like if I had won the raffle for the diamond necklace, ha, ha.  Seriously though, a great time - we had *the best* table with many friends and lots of laughs.  The entertainment was especially fun - I even danced, can you believe it!??!  

On Sunday, Heather and I went to Jeane Vogel's opening at Urban Eats.  Jeane's work was wonderful as usual and it was fun to catch up with other artists and also meet new people.  After we left there, we picked up another friend of Heather's and headed over to the Polar Wave Pooch Party which was a fundraiser for Gateway Pet Guardians.  Caught up with more people there, bid on cool stuff, had good eats and drank wine.  Then headed home where I relaxed with John and the critters.  

I can't wait to get into the studio tomorrow and try out my new easel!!   

Ok, so Beth started it, this crazy tag game.  You go into your Photos file and pick the 4th folder and then the 4th picture and post it.  Yep, I'm like Beth; I over-analyze so ended up picking 2.  I could have picked more because I have photos in a couple places, oh woe is me, I always intend to get my images better organized, but what can I say.  

The first one is a miniature steam engine that we visited with the grandkids.  It's near our house and is staffed by retired railroad engineers and these guys are terrific with the kids.  The second one is something I shot while hiking at Creve Couer Lake - it's actually the underneath part of the new freeway (I think?) that goes over the path at one area.  Is "underpass" a word?  That's kind of what it is.  I don't know, for some reason I liked it.  I snapped this right before I went (off trail) into the woods to photograph a rusted car part.  And then realized I was standing in a nest of baby snakes.  Aaacccckkkk!  Needless to say, the rusted car part photo was really fuzzy as I was airborne when the shutter clicked, tee, hee.

Manic Monday on Wednesday

It's pretty bad when the mania persists day after day.  Geez Louise, it is so busy around here I haven't had time to write.  But the good news is that I have finished 3 big paintings for the gallery show.  Yippeeeeeee!!!  They've been professionally photographed and the images already sent to the gallery for the postcard.  

Frames are on order.  

And that is when I smacked myself in the head....duh!  You see that really big one, behind the others?  Well, it is 54" x 54".  Without it's frame.  Barely fits in the truck and I do mean barely.  Which is when it hit me.....how do I plan to transport this piece once it is framed!??!!?  

Ahem.  Oh, the joy of it all.  A few pleas for help and I have a plan, but it just complicates an already complicated delivery.  Blahblahblah.  It is all good, don't get me wrong.  I am wildly excited about the show and simply can't wait to see all the pieces on display together.  I just wish I could wave a magic wand regarding the logistics.  Cause I really just dig the painting part, tee, hee. 

The rest of these pictures show some of the mess strewn around my studio after the weekend crush of fulltime painting.  Including one unfortunate sofa cushion.  Ugh, it completely bummed me out when paint got loose (gee, wonder how that 

happened) and trashed this cushion.  I used the stuff I use to clean my brushes and voila, the cushion was saved.  Whew.

The studio is now clean and I need to venture forward with my next project which is a piece that is scheduled for delivery on Friday.  Hmmmm, nothing like waiting till the last minute, huh?  

One World One Heart

It's time again for One World One Heart.  Yes, it's a give-away, but it's really so much more. Lisa Swifka started this event a couple years ago (not exactly sure, this is my first year) to help bloggers worldwide connect with one another.  A pretty lofty goal, huh!??!  But guess what????  It's working and woo hoo to Lisa.  

So anyhoo, here's the gig....I am giving away 3 (yes, that's right 3!!) gifts.  First prize is this adorable li'l bird collage painting.  It is a 6x6 with a retail value of $85.  

Second prize is a tiny claybord painting with a "floating" cradle, meaning you can hang it right on the wall and it looks like it is floating.  Value of the claybord piece is $60.  

And finally, third prize is 2 packets of papers for creating.  One packet is hand painted paste paper and the other is vintage wallpaper, topographical maps & other fun items (some of these are shown on my etsy site if you want to check them out).

To enter, you need to leave a comment on this blog entry - and I will need a way to contact you, so make sure your comment links back to your blog.  

I will draw 3 names on February 12th.  The first name drawn will get the bird; 2nd name gets the abstract; 3rd name gets the papers.  Got it?

And......as a big bonus incentive......if you feel so inclined to link me up to your blog or website, send me the link (so I know you did it) and I will enter your name 3 times instead of just once!  What a deal, huh?

And finally, you need to hop on over to the One World One Heart site to see all the other terrific bloggers who are participating.  I'm headed there right now myself.  

Paste Paper Palette Party (say that 5 times fast)

If you love the thrill of creating your own hand-painted papers for special projects, this is the workshop for you! 

I will show all my quick and easy (non-traditional) techniques including brand new ones never taught before.  This is a fast-paced class. In just one afternoon you can quickly paint a plethora of papers and build a nice supply of one of a kind materials. 

I will demo a variety of techniques from how to save your whites to mono printing to abstract design to more traditional combing and layering. You will rotate through "palette stations" so each person will have a chance to try a variety of color combinations. 

$50, all supplies included, you don't need to bring a thing!

Due to popular demand, 2 sessions now offered:

Friday, January 30, 2009

or
Saturday, January 31, 2009
12:00pm - 4:00pm
Rock Paper Scissors
833 S.Main Street  St. Charles, MO
636-724-5002 to reserve your spot

Headfest

I was painting heads again today. Did 2 more which are shown here.  Fun!  Our group diminished until there were just a couple of us left.  We finally hit the wall and finished the last batch by doing "Jackson Pollack" splattering on them.  We started by painting them a solid color, then splattered like crazy until they looked cool.  You can tell my face got some paint, lol. I will be sure to document the event next weekend, so you can see how they look as table decorations.  

I am also happy to report the big canvasses (at home) are coming along well too.  Yippee.  

It is C-O-L-D here.  My plan for the weekend (other than more art openings) is to stay home, keep warm and paint.   Sounds perfect to me. 

Orange

I am running late although I made this yesterday, but my day got away from me (seems to happen a lot lately).  This started out as a square, but I spilled my yucky brush water on it and was only able to save half.  I started with scraps of paper, then layered my own drawing on top with paint and pencil.  It got a little "murky" after the spill, don't we all, huh???

Anyhoo, I took most of the day off from painting yesterday and ran errands, went to acupuncture, picked up new paints for the class I am teaching (more on that in a sec) and other assorted things including a trip to the library which is always good for my soul.  Last night I hit the canvasses again (with paint, not a hammer, hahaha) and I like the new direction. 

Ok, so as far as classes.  If you are in the St. Louis area, I am teaching Paste Paper Classes at Rock Paper Scissors.  It's a 4 hour class where you just come on over (you don't need to bring any supplies) and paint, paint, paint.  Class size is limited and I am setting up 4 paint stations with pre-established palettes.  We will be using *brand new* paints never seen before (to my knowledge) in the STL area.  Each person will rotate through the stations so they can try all the color sets.  I am going to demo lots of new things that I've never taught before including my ceramic tile mono-printing.  It will be fun, fun, fun.  I am offering 2 sessions, one on Friday, Jan. 30th from 12-4 and the second on Saturday, Jan. 31st from 12-4.  They are the same class, just offered 2 times.  $50 includes everything, paper, paint, paste, all tools, etc.  Wear an apron or really old duds, cause it can be messy.  Call Rock Paper Scissors (St. Charles) at 636-724-5002 to reserve your spot.  

Blue

Very apropos that Misty would select blue as today's color.  I am mainly blue about my art; I am pushing too hard, trying to make things work.  June, you are absolutely right in that I need to just walk away.  Yes.  That is what I will do.  Walk away and when I come back my mind will be clear.  

In other (less whiny) news, the interview went great today.  There were some technical difficulties though and Sheri is unsure whether it recorded or not.  Thanks to those of you who showed up to listen; I really appreciate it!!

Manic Mondays 2

I painted all weekend.  Like every moment, I kid you not.  I am physically wiped as it is hard work especially with such a b-i-g canvas.  So hard to turn it and get my drips where I want them.  It was insane.  As you can see, the studio is a wreck.  Yes, those are my socks, ruined with paint.  I think I am going to keep them to wear as painting booties; my studio is kind of cold and I always manage to kick off my shoes.  And the other 2 pieces were "in between" work.

Despite hours and hours of work, the 54x54 is not where I want it to be.  It is coming along, but I'm in an ugly spot at the moment and have migrated waaaaayyyyy off course.  Typically that happens, but I feel frustrated right now.  This is part of the challenge of abstract painting for me. It is so pure - color, composition, shape, line, texture, value.  And it is so friggin' hard.  I feel like I bleed on each and every painting.  

Not really of course, but you know what I mean.

I guess I'm feeling a little down about it.  I just reviewed all my step by step studio shots (which I have never done before, taken step by step photos) and they have depressed me.  Ugh. 

In happier news, TODAY is the day I will be interviewed on Feisty Females Radio.  Sheri and I will talk about me (duh) and her upcoming book, Creative Awakenings.  I am a contributor in the book and can not wait (!!!!) to see it.  It is available for pre-order on Amazon.   

Anyhoo, if you want to hear the broadcast live (and also have the chance to ask me questions), click over here to get a pin # for the phone call. 

It's free by the way.  And will also be available afterwards, I will link it up here. 

Face Off

Ok, I tried another self portrait today.  I am still too much of a wussy girl to use paint, perhaps in a day or two.  This one was done after my workout (again, that has turned into a good journal time) and I even set the timer for 30 minutes cause I had to shower in order to go to Chesterfield to work on the heads.  Anyhoo, I was so engrossed in the drawing I didn't even hear my timer, was late getting to the showerand even later to Chesterfield.  Oh well, what can 

I say?  

Drawing myself continues to be a challenge.  I had a mirror in front of me for this one, and I 

really tried to do the right brain/left brain thing to dis-engage my brain and just draw shapes.  But it is especially hard when it's your own face.  Parts of this were blind, like that chin.  It was really jowly (is that a word?) at first and I changed it some but then decided I sort of liked the odd juxtaposition of it.  Go figure.

Anyhoo, on the topic of faces, here are my finished heads.  I am now working on two more, I can.not.help.myself.  These darn things have crawled under my skin.  I have prepped canvasses all over my studio, upcoming solo show, blahblahblah.  So what do I do!?!?!?  Paint styrofoam heads.  Oh somebody slap me already.  

But they are so much fun.  I am especially fond of the 2nd from the left, she has a 45 record on her head, I don't know if you can tell from 

the picture.  

In other news, the website and classes for 

Squam are posted.  Check it out here.

Oh my oh my, how wonderful it all looks, I can hardly wait.  

Self Portrait

Here it is.  As you might have guessed, I made several.  Drawn, painted, quartered.  Whatever.  It is hard, this drawing of your own face.  I don't think I want to look at my face that much.  I have jowls!?!?Whazzup with that!!??!?!  And nostrils like a pig.  I need a face lift or botox or something.  LOL.  

Anyhoo, here is a quick effort, done while I was cooling down from my workout.  The hand is a blind contour, which is my favorite kind of drawing - I love the looseness.  This is one I did awhile back.  I collaged it here because I was actually propping my face on one hand while attempting to draw and paint with the other.  The eye is from one of my other sketches and the flesh from part of a different painting.  

I think this actually turned out to be rather symbolic, this representation of my face.  I need to ponder for awhile and then write my thoughts.  I will try again and see if I can put all my facial parts on one drawing without the aid of collage, tee, hee.

Just another Manic Monday

Whew, crazy day.  I got so much done though.  My voice is better, but I've moved into that lovely hacking stage of illness, where no one wants to be around me.  Which is a-ok cause all I wanna do is work in the studio.

First of all, I think I am going to try to be more organized with the blog and post studio pictures every Monday.  So here they are.  That ugly one (with the hammer) is a piece I was working on over the weekend, see I didn't say how I was working on it, ha.  Actually I had been painting it.  For so long, in fact, that it was simply embarrassing.  I kept painting and painting and forgot it was a gesso board (not a claybord) so I couldn't go back in and "remove" layers like I normally do.  Hence the problem.  Also the issue of all the texture.  Ugh.  Just way too much.  It was oddly exhilarating to just slam a hammer at this bad boy.  I mean I had to hit it HARD!!!  And now it is out of my system.  Well, kind of - goofy me, I actually like some of the shard parts.  So it's still sitting on the floor.  I think it's taunting all the other pieces, "let that be a lesson to you all" or something like that.

And the heads.  Well, I am working on something for an un-named non profit group (I could tell you but I'd have to kill you kind of thing).  I'm joking but they are for an upcoming event and we're not supposed to talk about it, so what do I do but BLOG about it.  Hmmm.  I have never been good with directions.  But anyhoo, these darn heads rock my world.  I have two more of them, so four total and I am on the verge of changing my entire body of work as I have soooooo very many ideas of what to do with them, themes, etc.  I will show more pics as they develop.

And finally, I started one of the B-I-G canvasses (for my solo show) today.  The upcoming

show at phd Gallery in case you just arrived or perhaps haven't been paying attention - just feel free to snigger at me as I continue to talk about it for the next 2 months.  

This is a 54" x 54" canvas.  That is friggin' big.  Nearly as tall as me.  I put down a little collage, some hard molding paste, and made some marks on it.  Now it stares at me.  I may start to paint tomorrow.  That collage was a challenge, all in one piece no less.  I spritzed it first to loosen the paper fibers, then kind of rolled it from top down, glueing it section by section.  I am just a tad obsessive about NO bubbles, so smoothing it out was tough.  It is drying nicely though and I think it will be ok.  Keep your fingers crossed.  

Feisty Females Radio

Yep, it's back and yours truly is the interviewee (is that a word) for the 1st broadcast of 2009.  That is, assuming I have a voice tomorrow, as it is not fully cooperating at the momento......ugh.  Anyhoo, click on over to Sheri Gaynor's site to find out more information.  The call is free, but you do have to reserve a spot.  

*****update****this has been changed to 1/12/2009 because I am losing my voice.  You can still click to Sheri's site to get info.  And I'll put up another reminder.  But now I need to get some sleep.

Journal pages

Perfectly lazy happy day!

What a terrific day it was, January 1st, 2009.  I "planned" to take it easy, meaning I would not look at and/or obsess about my list; I would instead relax and allow the day to develop.  Translation: do whatever I wanted to do. 

Oddly enough, once the day was done, I found I had accomplished some things that were on the list after all.

 

Such as the Pizza Box.  Why, you might ask, did I paint a pizza box?  Well, the boxes are being used to promote upcoming classes at Chesterfield Arts and each teacher was asked to furnish one.  I am teaching a ten week painting/drawing/mixed media class to 3rd-5th graders.  The class will introduce a variety of different media and I wanted the pizza box to serve as a quasi-illustration.   I created my layers with collage, acrylic, pencil, marker, ink,  soft and oil pastel.  

And here is a picture of gift wrapping for one of my artsy friends.  I used paper "blotters" that were taped to my table while I was making paste painted papers.  They are always a mess (but still kind of cool) and I hate to throw them away.  I save them in a big bin, along with all my paint stained paper towels, deli wrap and other various scraps.  As you can see, they make excellent gift wrap. 

I even had time to read today!  Currently, I am reading a great book, The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry by Kathleen Flinn.  It's a memoir of her experience going to cooking school at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.  There are so many parts of the book to which I can relate, although I have certainly never been to cooking school.  But she also left a corporate career to pursue her passion, which of course is what I did.  Plus I love to cook and enjoy food so much it is fun to read her recipes.  I got this book at the library and already know I need to buy my own copy because I don't want to give it back. 

I also worked on my sketchbook today.  The one I am doing for The Sketchbook Project.  It is due by 2/15, so I need to get going and I did several pages today.  I am feeling a little shy about them cause they are *really* raw in a way that harkens back to some classes I took when I lived in California.  It was actually hard for me to go there, that being the raw, loose place.  But I think it is a good exercise and I am going to fight my inclination to tear the pages out because they are not perfect.  I will show pics shortly, I promise.

Out with the old?

Where oh where did 2008 go?  I suppose it's a sign of age when the years start flying faster and faster at what seems like breakneck speed.  What a glorious year it has been though - and yes, I am well aware of all the bad stuff every day in the news.  But I have decided I am not going to allow it to influence me.  Seriously.  Call me Pollyanna if you want, but I love my family, my animals, my art and my life - I am filled with gratitude for the abundance that surrounds me. Rather than worry and fall into that lonely place of fear, I prefer to live my life from a place of love.  I want to do what I can to spread some joy in my very tiny part of the world.  

These last few days I've been reflecting back on 2008 and working on goal setting.  The Universe helped me out by guiding me to Sheri Gaynor's blog today.  Sheri has been my coach for several years, however we haven't talked lately.  Her blog post blew my mind - she never fails to amaze me with her insight.  In fact, tomorrow I am going to do exactly what she suggests!  I can't think of a more poignant way to end the year.  Click here to see Sheri's brilliant idea. 

The holiday continues

Here are some pictures from holiday events of late.  The first one of our perfect(now what would you expect me to say) grandsons working on their gingerbread house.  If you look close you can see icing on Ian's face.  And Aidan has quite the big brother judgment look, doesn't he?  So cute.  These 2 couldn't possibly be any different.  It is delightful to be part of their lives and watch their personalities develop.  Today we will celebrate Christmas with them, yippee!!  

It was our year in Cincinnati, at my parent's house with my siblings and families.  We drove over there last Tuesday which was predicted to be an "ok" weather day, or at least we thought we were well ahead of the predicted bad weather.  W-R-O-N-G.  It basically sleeted the entire drive and what normally takes 6 hours took 12 including several where we just sat on a closed highway as the State of Indiana waited for the temperature to rise above freezing so the salt would work.  I kid you not.  It was utter craziness.  Luckily I had my laptop, knitting, and books which kept me sane.  I don't know how John did it though.  He was a rock (as usual) never losing his cool, and delivered us to my Mom + Dad's house safe and sound.

Christmas morning was fun with three little kiddos - my nieces and nephew (I have 2 other nephews who are older - they are too "mature" to stand longingly in front of the tree, lol).  

Fun times, but I will confess I am soooo anxious to get back in the studio and carve out massive amounts of time time for my pending projects - I feel such a strong emotional and even physical urge to paint, I am guessing this is how an addiction would feel, I don't know.  The goal for today is to be IN the day, not thinking ahead to the next thing.  Luckily the boys are good at keeping me on track.  

Families that dance together.....

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Claybord book

If you've spent any time at all hanging around my blog, you know how I love claybord.  It's slightly embarrassing to say, but I guess I am obsessed with it.  The slick surface, oh my; it's unpredictable, you never quite know what's going to happen, at least I don't because I work so wet and the paint just takes off on its own journey.   

Well.

My friend Karyl took one of my classes and, rather than making  a series of paintings (like everyone else was doing), she promptly made book covers.  

HUH!?!?  

I mean, sure, it was obvious, or seems really obvious now, except of course I hadn't thought of it, which is weird because I do make book covers out of lots of stuff.    

DUH!?!?!?

Anyhoo, I've had this hankering to make claybord book covers ever since I saw what Karyl had done.  And that is exactly what I've been doing lately.  Making books and proposing classes.  This is one of my favorite ones, probably because I love the color.  But I am also happy with the way the spine turned out, see I cut the spine from another piece of claybord and then used my dremel drill press to drill the holes.  I used Tyvek on the inside to hold it all together firmly and sort of rigged up this "pleat" of sorts so that it opens well.   

The books feel sooooo substantial with the claybord covers.  It's my new journal of choice.

Valley Ridge opens 12/15

Just a reminder that registration for workshops at Valley Ridge opens on 12/15.  I am teaching a 2 day Claybord extravaganza that covers color and composition, in addition to all the ins and outs of working on claybord.  So, if you've *ever* wanted to check out claybord while also learning about abstract painting, this is a terrific chance.  I am absolutely thrilled to be teaching at Valley Ridge as I have heard nothing but positive feedback about the beauty and serenity of the location in addition to the incredible hospitality of our hosts.  In a nutshell, I can't wait!!!!

Check it out here:

Valley Ridge Art Studio

Workshop sneak preview

Coming soon to a workshop near you........paste paper frenzy!!!

Lost Generation

Very cool video. Cleverly done with a great message.

How can it be Friday already?!?!  This week was supposed to be my nothingonthecalendarcatchup week yet it is nearly gone and I am not.caught.up. 

 

I've been busy at work creating class samples and working on numerous household tasks that are simply too brainless to mention.  Remember that unfortunate carpet incident I spoke about?  Well, nothing that an old oriental rug couldn't fix, lol.  These pictures show the gallery part of my studio (or it will be once I actually hang art).  I had recessed lights installed and John painted the room last weekend.  It's a space for framing, computer stuff, sewing and other "clean" tasks. Note my "high end" furnishings, lol.  The kitchen cabinet was found on a morning walk, neighbor's garbage of course.  The door was a discard from our remodeling - it is simply sitting on top of the storage pieces.   And John built legs under that other counter which was another garbage day find.  

If you're in the St. Louis/St. Charles area, boogie on over to Rock Paper Scissors today or tomorrow for the Bizaare Bazaar from 10:30-5:30 to see all the handcrafted goodies from local artisans (including me).  Here's a link to more details.

I will leave you with a Georgia O'Keefe view of my bloomin' Amaryllis.  It has 2 blooms at the moment and another on the way.  I'm not very good with plants, so this is wildly exciting for me.  

Silence Must Be Heard - Enigma - The Scilence of Jupiter!!!!

I finally figured out how to embed the video....so here it is.  You'll still need to read the previous post to get the lyrics and "story." 

A Day of Sharing Song

Enigma's song, Silence Must Be Heard has been one of my favorite songs for quite a long time.  I frequently paint while listening to Enigma and the painting above (30"x40") is my homage to Silence Must Be Heard.  Oddly enough, the painting sold to a couple years ago to a musician.  I say oddly because it struck me as ironic that a song about silence would sell to a musician.  But perhaps he thought it odd that an artist would use sheet music in a mixed media painting.   Anyhoo, I am proud to say that Chris Anderson of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes bought the piece for his New York home.    Chris was not even familiar with the group Enigma, but he was very intrigued by the piece and it's meaning.  

Click here if you would like to hear the song plus see a cool video. 

And here are the lyrics for you to ponder:

Silence Must Be Heard

Look into the others eyes, many frustrations

Read between the lines, no words just vibrations

Don't ignore hidden desires

Pay attention, you're playing with fire

Silence must be heard, noise should be observed

The time has come to learn, that silence...

Silence must be heard

Or diamonds will burn, friendly cards will turn

Cause silence has the right to be heard

People talk too much for what they have to say

Words without a meaning, just fading away

Silence must be heard, noise should be observed

The time has come to learn, that silence...

Silence must be heard

Or diamonds will burn, friendly cards will turn

Cause silence has the right to be heard

Click on over to The Poetic Eye to see what other people have posted on their blogs.  And thanks again, LK, for a brilliant idea.

Tagged for 7

I've been tagged by Kay.  I'm supposed to list 7 unusual things about myself.  Well.  It's actually hard to pick 7 that I haven't previously mentioned cause I have talked about a lot of my oddities before.  Anyway, here goes:  

1.  Whenever I walk outside into the bright sun, I sneeze three times.  Yep, always 3.  My husband will wait for the 3rd sneeze before he blesses me.

2.  I treat animals as though they are people.  And I'm not talking about anthropomorphizing.  I mean I *really* treat them like they are people; I talk to them, ask them their opinion, etc. I swear they respond.  

3.  I have a lot of little rituals that I follow.  Wearing my "lucky" earrings when I set up a show.  Keeping "heads up" pennies.   Wearing certain clothes for certain things.  

4.   I am pretty tuned in from a psychic standpoint.  I know who is calling before I look at the caller ID.  I can predict where I will find a parking spot.  That kind of thing.  It doesn't work all the time but I am always grateful when it does.

5.  I go through phases with food, eating the same thing all the time.  I've talked about this before, but I'm into a new food right now.....powdered peanut butter.  It totally rocks because it is good plus it is very low calorie.  The company that makes it smooshes up all the peanuts and gets the oil out of them so nothing is left but peanut powder.  You activate it with water and voila!  

6. I like for all my books to be organized so they are even with the edge of the shelf like we used to do when I worked at the library.  

7.  I secretly wish I could dance.  Not like dancing with the stars, but just a kind of graceful movement that looks like I feel comfortable in my own body.  

Ok, that was seven.  

 

The floggings will continue

What a lovely 3 day holiday.  When I used to be in the "corporate" world, I would enjoy 3 days off as pure vacation and use the time to relax and decompress.  Of course now things are quite different since I work for myself.........and I basically used this time to jam in some extra hours.  

That's not to say I didn't have any fun, because I certainly did!  We spent Wednesday night with family and friends and then spent Thursday with more friends.  On Saturday, I went to an Open Studio event held by a ceramic artist I know, Yael Shomroni.  I met her several years ago at Venus Envy,where she bought a piece of my work.  She's a total doll, just the sweetest person who radiates the most beautiful energy.  Her studio is a dream and I bought John a mug in her signature cobalt blue glaze.  It is gorgeous.  

Then a friend and I went to Craft Alliance and the Rock + Roll Craft Show.  Both events had incredible art & craft items and I got some Christmas shopping done.   I love this time of year with all the fun events by creative folks.

The rest of the weekend was spent putting my studio back together after a season of back to back shows.  Things were quite a mess.  Not to mention, I had some new lighting installed in the "gallery" room and it was completely wrecked.  John painted it for me and it looked quite amazing after I worked all day Friday organizing.  Of course today I did something completely stupid and I really messed it up.  UGH.  I am beating myself up over my idiotic actions and trying to figure out how to fix the carpet disaster I created......why I cannot leave good enough alone I will never know.  Argghhh, slaps self in head....once I get this figured out and everything is fixed, I may show photos.  For now, I am simply too mad at myself.  

I added some new items to my etsy shop.  Link is on the side.  I'm sending a free gift with every purchase between now and Christmas.

Thankful

Finally, some artwork!  I scanned these and they are a little "bright" on my monitor, but I could not get them toned down.  Hopefully you will not be blinded looking - trust me, they are really nice in person.

The pieces are a mock-up that I made for a proposal last week.  I was invited to appear before the Board of Directors of a local public library to offer my ideas for art.  I made this little quartet on claybord - they are each 6x6 - so they could see the colors I had in mind.  Plus I wanted them to see how cool the claybord is, the texture, etc.  

To say I was  wreck is an understatement.  I used to do this "presentation" stuff all the time in my previous (corporate) life, but doing it with my art just made me crazy.  I spent a lot of time getting organized and even prepared a Power Point presentation.  

Then(lucky for me), the Universe intervened and we ended up in a room with no projector, ha!  So I pretty much scrapped my whole talking plan.  It was definitely for the best though cause I got really excited (like I do) and I think everyone could see my true enthusiasm for the project.

These circles really rock my world right now.  The connections and compartments have so many meanings for me.  I feel this is an expansion of my Community series in some ways, like the Community pieces are moving toward a new Connection series.  Geez, what is it with me and all these C's????  

C.  See.  Si. 

And yippee, I got the gig!  They want 8-16x16 paintings.  

Woo hoo, I ordered my claybords and can't wait for them to arrive so I can get started. 

Life is indeed good.  To do what I love, surrounded and supported by those I love......well, it just doesn't get any better than this.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!  

Day of Sharing Song

Yep, LK has done it again, thought up a terrific idea.  And, as much as I loved the poetry one, I have to say songs might just be even better.  It will probably be more expensive though because I will find a bunch of great (new) music and have to download like a mad woman.  

So start thinking about your fave song.  I will hopefully have an image along with mine.  I am sooooo often inspired by the music I listen to, I think this will be great fun.  

Here's a link for more details:

A Day of Sharing Song  

Good one, John

My husband is a funny guy.  He is pretty quiet and some people miss his sense of humor which is why I have to rat him out.  

Here is his latest idea:

You know those credit card solicitations?  We get them from a ton of companies including one that advertises on TV with Neanderthals (Huh!?!?!? who thought of that idiotic campaign?). Anyhoo, we get an average of 5 a week for one or the other of us  We have apparently not used up enough of the credit available to us, so they feel compelled to offer more and more and more.  It is annoying, not to mention a colossal waste of paper and postage cost. 

John has decided to fight back.  He first opens the solicitation and removes the blank checks and app and shreds them.  Then he takes the postage paid envelope and seals it up (empty) and places it in our mailbox with the flag up.  That way we can easily glance out the window and know when the mail has arrived cause the flag will be down. 

Pretty good gag, huh?  Not to mention useful.

Holiday Show

(click to view larger)

ee cummings

Buffalo Bill's

defunct

             who used to

             ride a watersmooth-silver

                                                            stallion

and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat

                                                                                            Jesus

he was a handsome man

                                            and what i want to know is

how do you like your blueeyed boy

Mister Death

Paint on paper

You all know how I love to paint.  Well, making paste painted paper is just the best.  Painting with abandon, no worries about composition, just painting.  And painting. And painting.  It doesn't get any better than that.  I do it every year at the holidays as I make gifts to sell at holiday boutiques and on etsy.  

Here are some of my recent papers, ones that I love.  They have already been deployed as covers for sticky notes.  I will post the "products" on etsy shortly, but thought you might enjoy seeing the papers.  I used ceramic tile as a printing plate on these, FUN!!!!!  And webbing spray on top, cause I love the organic nature of that stuff.

Crossing lines

Well, I already did it last week (crossed the line, that is) when I talked about politics.  So now I'm doing it again.  Religion.  It's a topic we see a lot and I will confess to not attending a regular church or being part of any organized religious effort.  I do have my beliefs though.  And they can pretty much be summed up in 3 words.  Compassion. Golden Rule.  So imagine my surprise when I heard about this short video.  These are my people!  Just click over there and you will find the video.  It's fantastic; The Charter for Compassion.  

In other news, I am sick with infections in both ears, fever, sinus, etc.  Ugh, it's horrible and propelled me to the doctor yesterday.  I am now on an antibiotic which seems to be helping since I am actually out of bed, yippee.

And I made my first sale on etsy.  What a thrill.  I will try to upload more things as my strength returns.   

It's a new day

I'm working on stuff for the Unique Boutique.  This is always a lot of fun for me.  I enjoy making crafty functional items (for a change) as I tend to do this only during the holidays.  The last few days I've mainly painted paste papers; the massive assembly part will start later this week.  

Here's a preview of the sticky note/legal pad/pen gift set.  The neutral palette was fun.  

  

I've also set up an etsy shop.  Finally!  Check it out as I continue to add more items each day.  You can click the link above or there is a box in the sidebar.  And I started to twitter (never thought I would say that, huh?).  Link also at the side.  

Nature restores

I've spent so many days during the last week just thinking and hiking and meditating.  This crazy prolonged election has had me befuddled to say the least.  In some respects I've felt paralyzed, like I didn't know which way I wanted to move till our country made a decision.  Yeah I know that sounds slightly crazy.  

But at the ripe age of 48, I don't think I've ever felt so invested in an election.  I guess I've never heard a politician who moved me until Barack Obama came along.  I am just so very very thankful he is our President.  

I celebrated yesterday with yet another hike.  Breathing the crisp air of autumn, soothing my soul with nature, clearing the cobwebs from my head.  I know I need to do some work as I am so far behind.  

I'm just about re-energized and I'm feeling hopeful again.    

A hopeful sign

Walking home from the polls yesterday, John and I saw a woolly bear caterpillar.  Around these parts (ha, I always wanted to say that), the woolly bear is a predictor of winter.  If only I could remember what it means - something about the width of the brown stripe means an easy or a tough winter?  Like groundhogs, I can never remember which way it goes.

Anyhoo, this particular woolly bear was all black!!! 

I wonder what on earth that means!?!?! 

I think it was a very very special woolly bear and a sign of good things to come.  

I feel soooo happy today and proud of our country.  We have a long way to go but this is quite a amazing start.  

Get out and vote

You all probably know who I support.  

I love this video, it brings tears to my eyes.  

No matter who you are supporting, go vote.  It's your right and your duty.  

I hope and pray that we can put all the divisiveness behind us and get to work for the future. 

Falling for fall

This is my favorite time of year.  Crisp crunchy leaves, blue skies and a gentle breeze.

Perfection.

I taught all day Saturday and then Sunday John and I hit the trail.  I've been walking a lot lately, walking and thinking - thinking and walking.  

Life is so beautiful. 

Flow me to the moon

Many artists talk about the idea of Flow.  It is often described as the experience where you are totally lost in what you are doing, to the point that you forget to eat, pee, etc.  And during this process, creating art is blissful, euphoric.  We have all been there; you lose track of time, the paint moves as if by magic, you look up and suddenly there is a work in front of you and you are unsure how it even happened.  For me, Flow is a drug that I want more and more.  I wish there was a switch I could flip so I were in Flow instantly.

Years ago, as I contemplated this idea of Flow, I became interested in the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi(brilliant psychologist!).  I bought his book Flow The Psychology of Optimal Experience hoping it would explain a shortcut or some step by step process I could employ anytime I wanted to be in Flow.  Ah, yes, I really am that naive.  But the book was pretty highbrow, scientific to be sure, and I just couldn't get into it.

Today on TED, I watched a fantastic video by the man himself.  He is smart and funny and his talk dumbed it down enough for me to really get it.  Having heard him talk about Flow, I now think I am more likely in a state of Arousal.  I think my learning curve remains pretty steep.  Sure, I feel expert at certain things, but I am always (and I do mean always) still learning things about each and every part of my art making process.  It was possibly presumptuous of me to think I had achieved true Flow at this point in my artistic path.  Critics may say that it is just a label, it doesn't matter, etc.  Perhaps I have more science in me than I care to admit, but this stuff is interesting to me.  

And I also have to say, a state or Arousal is pretty sweet.  But now it reallyreallyreally makes me want to Flow.  Watch the video yourself and this will all make sense.  

and then she slept

and slept and slept.  

Geez Louise, I can not get enough.  Sleep, that is.  It's as if I pushed myself through my entire outdoor art season nearly running on empty.  And now I am getting my refill.  Of course it doesn't help that it is such great sleeping weather here in the Midwest.  Just so lovely and brisk. 

I did manage to make a little bit of art during my class the other day.  I started some pieces as demos and then kept working them along with my brilliant students.  Hopefully I will be able to post them soon.  I've spent most of this week (when I wasn't sleeping, tee, hee) catching up on paperwork, apps for next year, follow up with potential wholesale stores,  etc.  The good news is that I can see the surface of my desk again, hooray.

We gallery hopped last night in Chesterfield and I caught up with some friends (Heather!) who are in local shows - it was a lot of fun to see what people are up to and I loved the chance to relax and chat.  Tonight, it's over to phd for an opening.  In addition to the featured artist, my work is on display since I am one of the "stable."  So to speak.  

Naaaaayyyyy....snort.....snort.....

  

I'm a big girl now

All my friends in the "art fair circuit" call me the princess because John schleps all my stuff, drives the truck, puts up the tent, tears it down, etc, etc.  In fact, until recently, I didn't even know how to put up my own tent.  

That changed this past weekend when I went to a show entirely BY MYSELF.  Yep, it's true, I drove to Kentuck (in Alabama); set up my tent; staged my art; worked the entire show; calculated & paid the taxes; and then tore it all down and drove home.  

Twelve hundred miles.

One left over tent piece.  

And who knows how many sore muscles.  

I feel a great sense of accomplishment and am very proud of myself.   Sadly, sales were low for many artists, including me.  It was a very fun show though and I made solid contacts that will hopefully lead to more work down the road.  

True Confessions

I am in love with Warren Sapp.  John knows about it of course and he just rolls his eyes because he witnesses this happen every time I watch a dancing show.  It's a vice of mine, dancing shows.  Omg, I am addicted to them.  I think I must have been a dancer in a previous life.  These days I am just a private dancer, not *that* kind; I am a wannabee - I dance ALONE while in my studio.  There are certain songs that simply demand a dance break and I find my painting gets better if I just give in to it.  I was really embarrassed a couple weeks ago when John "caught" me dancing.  Geez, I'm so inhibited, how sad is that!?!?!

Anyhoo, back to Warren Sapp.  He reminds me of a Christmas ornament that I own.  It's this fabulous pear shaped bear, all dressed up for the holiday.  That is Warren to me, one big lovable dancing bear.  And so funny (for me) because I was certainly never a Raider's (or Buccaneer's)fan, ha!