Bear Bluz Art

well, it's been forever....

2011-06-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling a bit guilty for staying away from my blog for so long. Clearly, going back to work has forced me to give up certain things that I enjoyed as you can see since I've not posted since November! It's incredible to have so much of "me" time taken away, can't get used to that.

But all in all I have enjoyed my job very much! It's a very creative store and the management encourages the creative mind wholeheartedly. For example, on my 'to-do' list yesterday was to do a two page art journal spread for a sample journal to display. And to develop a workshop to teach, anything as long as i'm using our products. Next week I will be putting up our window- sock monkey pirates that I designed. How can I complain about that!

Still I am mentally drained trying to get anything done around home, including groceries and dentist appointments for the teen. My dog never gets his walk anymore :-( I can't visit my old dad as often. My house is a mess.

So I was going to try to get to Michael DeMeng's workshop in Pasadena but it's sold out. Or would love to take Kelly Kilmers journal class (any of them, she's wonderful!) but schedules collide so far. Anybody have any suggestions (southern california) ?

Changes

2010-11-08T19:27:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been more than 4 months since I posted here. It's always been difficult to keep up with All Things Internet. It's rewarding, but takes time. And now will be even more difficult because big changes are underway in my life. After being a stay-at -home mom for 14 years I am now back to work 30 hours a week! That, I would say.. is a significant change to the way I use my time each day. And though I love my job and feel so lucky to have landed in a spot where I can be amongst friendly, creative and amazingly talented people and be challenged to be creative myself, AND get paid for it! How lucky is that! But I can't pretend that I don't miss being in charge of my own time, my own schedule, and letting my instincts lead me through my day.

The good thing is that I was worried that I would "lose" my art due to having no time to work. But since my job is all about creativity I still feel the inspiration within me to create. And though these first few weeks I'm still adjusting to the new schedule I know that I will be happy to pick up my art materials and tools and spill creativity out into my world perhaps with renewed inspiration. This is the beginning of the next phase of my life. Time to reinvent myself.... again.. and again.. and again.

Help Bernie! Help the Dogs and Cats!

2010-06-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

If you're reading this I'm sure you know of Bernie Berlin. Rescuer of dogs and cats, caretaker and queen of pet love. A new collaboration of mixed media artists work is being auctioned off, the proceeds going to help fund Bernie's rescue efforts. It's jam packed with beautiful artwork and I can't think of a better way to give charitably at this time.

The link to the beautiful book being auctioned on ebay is http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110549148205

To find out more about A Place to Bark visit here: http://www.aplacetobark.com/

Bernie works so hard traveling all over the country to rescue dogs from shelters that would have otherwise been put down. Any donation you can give will surely be appreciated.

Thank you Renee Troy for letting me know about this latest auction!

Papa's Garden

2010-05-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

My father has a garden that is very dear to me. We've always worked on this little garden together. It's just a tiny plot in his big back yard and has been thru many , many transitions in the 38 years he's lived there. When my mom was alive the back yard was alive with green grass, plants, vines, roses, potted plants. But after she died 10 years ago the house and the garden has settled into a depression of miscare. After she died my sisters and I each planted a rose for her. But with busy lives and distance only one remains. The little plot of dirt nearby layed there, refusing to be ignored, remembering what happiness it represented in the past. When I moved back to California, overwhelmed by the disarray in my mothers absence, the garden was there calling me. The one surviving rose showing the strength that I needed, I knew what I needed to do. I dug out the weeds of the little rectangle and brought over the lumber for a raised bed along with compost and plant food. I brought over tomatoes and artichokes and zuccini and my father and I, side by side, dug and planted and staked up that little plot of dirt. And, lastly, I pruned and fed and welled up that good strong rose, thanking it for remaining as my inspiration.

My father was so happy with his garden, though he did grumble about using water during California's water shortage, but he did take care of it and was so happy to harvest the prolific vegetables produced. After all, he is forever the teacher, me, forever the student in his eyes. I have designed and completed 4 big gardens in my life but I am very happy for him to tell me how to dig up a weed.

This year my father turned 88 years old. The garden, as you see it here, does contain a new tomato plant and possibly an artichoke but when these calendulas took over the raised bed it was them that made my father happy. And so they remain, as unconventional as it might be to have flowers mixed in with your veggies, they will stay and what will grow will grow. Last week my father picked all the roses from that happy rose and we brought them to lay on my mothers grave. Now everyone is happy!

The sign that sits in the little garden plot reads "Papa's Garden". I made it for him when I was just a little girl. I love my father and I'm so glad to bring him this little plot of beauty.

Catching up

2010-03-05T23:11:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted for a while but for the two people that ever read this, I'll share my latest. :-) This is a collage with additional pastels, transparencies and charcoal. It was done for a collaboration among 21 artists --an Exquisite Corpse Exchange. ... meaning that all the pieces will be cut in three pieces, head, torso and legs, so the pages can be flipped around exposing different body parts in each section. This collab was arranged by Red Scott who is brilliant at these kind of artistic collaborations. http://www.capolan.org/ Anyway, I have received wonderful artwork (prints) from the other artists and now I need to make my little book of some sort to house this 'game'.
And here are my constant companions, my sweets. Only missing is Tucker, my golden retriever who is under my table. The kitties are Gypsy, Barker and Benji and they're watching the birds outside.

Beeswax Collage

2009-11-19T10:40:00.000-08:00

This is one of my latest pieces, a beeswax collage on canvas board. The images are from Anna Corba. I recently taught a class using this technique and it was a great success! And the studio smelled so wonderful, too! I'll be offering a class in beeswax collage again after the holidays so if you're interested and you live anywhere near Westlake Village in California, please leave me a comment with your email address and I will let you know what the class schedule is.

Pretty Crow

2009-11-12T17:53:00.001-08:00

Neat! Look what my Iphone can do! It's amazing what you can do with a camera without really knowing how to use it (well). Anyway, I suppose most people wouldn't call a crow pretty but I think they're kind of magnificent. They're so smart and brave and to watch them fly, especially when they're close to you, it's like having little airplanes flying around you. Oh, this I know because I feed them in the morning and then send them back to their own little world.

It started with just a sweet couple and of course they had to go tell all their friends. Now I have some 20 crows waiting for me every morning. They wait, they eat, they go. The whole thing lasts maybe 10 minutes. The noise lasts about one minute! And there are begging stragglers who see that the squirrels seem to get the best food of all , and that it's protected by me. Otherwise the crows would be happy to eat everything.

Yes, my mornings are like living in a zoo, (I didn't mention the ducks, did I). But I love all my visitors. It's nice to be important to someone.

New Book, New Bookmark!

2009-10-25T16:12:00.000-07:00

Here's my new bookmark for my new book: What The Dickens by Gregory Maguire of "Wicked" fame. I've read less than one chapter and can see I'm going to love it. And these few pages inspired me to begin my bookmark. If you know me, you may know that I make a new bookmark for every book that I read and I make it before I read it. So it's interesting to see how and if my artwork has anything at all to do with the story when I've finished.

Maguire's subtitle is "The Story of a Rogue Toothfairy". And the first few pages have to do with some kids at home who have run out of food due to some kind of world disaster. So on my bookmark I've included a little doll who's fallen, a ticket food for 1 drink, a narwhale (whose long horn is sometimes considered a tooth) and a piece of the word 'museum' incomplete and falling off the page. There's also a tiny dove of peace with an olive branch in his mouth but poor thing has been smeared, totally by accident but , hmmm, lets see how THAT plays out!!!

Wild Wings

2009-10-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

Art is everywhere. Even in a sad situation. No, I didn't draw this.... this is the imprint of one of the many sparrows that mistakenly fly into my window. This happens alllllllll the time and don't worry, they nearly always live! I have left the window dirty so they will see that they can't fly through it but there is always one that will still try.

Anyway, look at the beautiful dust print! I will use this in my art somehow so that his misfortune won't go to waste. (this one was fine and flew off alright.)

A journal page

2009-09-26T11:32:00.001-07:00

Another journal page. The photos are not the greatest. "She didn't even know what to wish for."
There are so many directions and possibilities in life. Stuff you truly want but might be totally impractical. Wild dreams. Sensible choices. Achievable in theory but not quite attainable. The first step is to decide what you want. But is that really such an easy question?

Friday Friends

2009-09-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

Time again for photos of my garden friends. These are my preying mantis. If there can be such a thing as a sweet bug, this is it. This one is guarding my roses, thank you. I love this shot, the fading tunnel effect which my camera knows how to do, not me.
I'm so fascinated with these guys. There are litterally hundreds born each spring but only a handful make it to adulthood. They start out so teeny tiny and here it is September and this one is about 5 inches long and still growing. Occasionally they leave me butterfly wings for my artwork. Nice.
Look at my sweet, honey-dog Tucker. I just love him. He's 6 now. I think sometimes we stop taking photos of our dogs after puppy hood. I definitely have tons of puppy pictures but I don't want to forget my loving dog in his adulthood. Definitely my bestest friend.

More portrait practice

2009-09-08T16:31:00.000-07:00

Here's another effort at face painting. She is basically Prismacolor pencil, acrylic paints, acrylic inks, collage, and stamping. OH and modeling paste which is stamped into. I'd love to know what you think!

Sister Day

2009-08-27T16:48:00.001-07:00

By god, I think I've started a new tradition! Sister Day. The date: anytime your husband is out of town. The atmosphere: totally casual, comfy clothes, super easy food, but lots of it. No kids, (or at least send them upstairs and forbid them to come down.) This is the holiday I've created for just my sisters and me!Of course, being me, I had to infuse art into the situation somehow so I put them all to work. I brought out my hefty supply of rubber stamps and we made these wonderful banners.
My sisters are all very creative in all different ways so I don't think it was a big stretch for them to send a little creative energy to the paper, and, indeed, they created some great artwork! My sister, Cari is a musician and singer of her own band The Black Rose Band. My sister Teresa is a very talented writer and equestrian chic, and also likes to make stuff with polymer clay. And my sister Tomoko makes jewelry, draws, is a superb cook, and all around creative soul. I have one more sister who couldn't make it to Sister Day.
There is nothing quite as fun and relaxing as just talking with my girls without worrying about anything else. Eating without guilt for one day, going on garden tours in my backyard. We even stayed up and watched a great sister flick, Practical Magic (Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman).
All around a fun day, fun art, and a great retreat from our stressed out lives. I'm sure we will make Sister Day an annual thing, or maybe monthly!! ha. Who knows!

Ah,, nice.

2009-08-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been hot, hot, hot here in CA this week, near 102F. But we're overdue for the heat since we had some very mild weather the previous two weeks (90's). But right now it's 7:15pm, the sun is just beginning to go down and the weather is just beautiful! It's about 75. I absolutely love it when it's just warm and comfy and cozy like this, can hardly stay in the house at all.

So I'm on my patio , getting ready to watch the next Suziblu video for my workshop and I'm being visited by all kinds of sweet critters. The photo above is my sweet CooCooMa who is really like a puppy, runs up to me to give me kisses and beg. A russet hummingbird just whizzed by and the California towhee is hop, ho, hoppng by unafraid.

The ducks aren't here now, they're morning visitors, but you can see that even they get along with my crows. The crows come for 15 minutes in the morning and that's it. There's one who will follow me when I walk my dog. I must think of a good name for that smart guy.
And these sparrows and doves, titmice, nuthatches, and goldfinches are all regulars. To me there's just nothing better than being trusted by a wild thing. I love my cats and dogs of course, they're family, but it's so nice to spend some time with my outside friends.

2009-08-23T22:30:00.001-07:00

These beautiful lovebirds showed up one day 3 weeks ago. They are always together and though I seeked advise and attempted to get them to go in a cage (long story, not that interesting) but they seemed to be pretty wild. They have learned from the other birds to be afraid of all the appropriate stuff and I thought they'd be ok in the wild afterall. They came everyday to my feeders for food and I bought special lovebird food for them, too.
But this week there was only one. And two days ago I stopped hearing him, too. I'd like to think that they just found better food than I had to offer, but I have to acknowledge that this is a popular strike zone by the local hawks, and I did see one just the other day. Sad, they were fun to watch every day.

More Suzi drawings

2009-08-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

Here's another one of my drawings from the online class I'm taking with SuziBlu (www.suziblu.ning.com) Definitely looks better full size and not a thumbnail like this because that butterfly takes over the entire face. So many things I would change and do differently next time,,, but, what can I say, I'm learning.

Bookmarks are fun!

2009-07-31T17:14:00.000-07:00

Do you like my bookmark? I usually make a new bookmark for every new book I read. It forces me to work a little faster (cause I'm a real slow poke) and since it's "only a bookmark" I don't intimidate myself right out of finishing it. This one is a lot bigger than most bookmarks, no good reason. It's for The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane"

Sketching with SuziBlu

2009-07-20T17:24:00.001-07:00

This is a sketch I did in the first lesson of Suzi's class "The Goddess and the Poet". She is teaching many classes and I highly recommend one! Suzi is an amazing teacher, especially because she doesn't just put up a video and disappear. She's on the discussion boards, she answers emails immediately, I don't know when she sleeps! And she's tough with us,, shaking rulers at us thru the computer screen, " no cheating! You must do your grayscales!" I did mine! And what a really nice bunch of people who are taking the class, very friendly and supportive and fun! Her 'school' is called Les Petit Academy , here's the link: http://suziblu.ning.com/

Tucker wants to paint!

2009-07-16T18:33:00.000-07:00

My Tucker wants to paint with Suzi Blu!!!
He'll have to wait because we're just using pencil right now!

Taking class, Giving class and Harry

2009-07-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will be fun! I am taking an online drawing class with SuziBluhttp://suziblu.ning.com/groups

called The Goddess and the Poet. She'll be teaching more of a realistic style of portraiture. I could use the practice..,, a lot!

then late in the day I'll be teaching a collage class at Storojev Fine Arts,John Storojev - Home

Looking forward to that, although I have no idea what the intentions of my new student are. So we'll do some playing, gluing, drawing, painting and have fun.

BUT FIRST. tonight at midnight, my son and I will be seeing Harry Potter!!! I HOPE I can stay awake!

Just wondering....

2009-07-06T19:30:00.000-07:00

I was just wondering... I've been asked to teach a class in altered books and was wondering if anyone is in the Weslake, or Woodland Hills, Agoura Hills area and is interested in taking a class like this from me? It would be at Storojev Fine Arts Studio in Westlake, CA. If so, email me! Lilbear768@gmail.com or leave a comment.

Handmade book with copper inlay

2009-07-06T19:06:00.000-07:00

A new book for me!

Here's a little book I made for a workshop and then decided to keep it for some other purpose. For this book I carved out the curvy lines for the copper wire and then covered it with this beautiful handmade paper and then glued in the copper in the grooves. I have no idea if this is truly the best way to do this but it seemed to work.
It's a coptic stitch and signatures are various papers, drawing paper and watercolor paper.

On the back I unraveled the wires and glued them down like this,, kinda spooky!

Country in Camarillo

2009-06-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

I went to see my sister and her hubby perform in Camarillo the other day at Leisure Village. Her band is called Cari and the Black Rose Band http://carilumusic.com/Services.html and that night they were sharing the stage with the Rick Tucker Band. My guitar wielding sis was awesome and we love to hear her sing all our favorites. She was practically born on the stage and she certainly still looks comfy up there! And Jimmy, her guy for more than 30 years, is a master at the steel pedal guitar. Cari and Jimmy and Rick and his band all made beautiful music together and had the crowd hoppin'. And let me tell you .... those old folks at Leisure Village were kicking up their hills!! I mean the Texas two step, ten step all those dances that I don't know how to do,,, they were doing it in style all night long. And we were all amazed when my Dad walked in with us and was surprised by an old friend whom he hadn't seen in at least 30 years! He tried his best to get my little sister and I dancing (that's sister #2)and we just hope we didn't step on his toes! Fun night. Great music.

My Joe page

2009-06-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

One of the people that was in the Michael De Meng class was Joe Carrion, whom you may know from his beautiful rubber stamps and even more beautiful artwork, collages, and assemblages. Here is a little page in my journal using one of his fab stamps. Color is done with Sennelier pastels.

A Michael de Meng Treat

2009-06-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally treated myself to a gift I thought I'd never get.... a class with artist extraordinaire, Michael de Meng! Michael de Meng website You know him from his book Secrets of Rusty Things and from the wildly amazing and slightly devious assemblages de Rust that he creates. What a cool guy, what a generous teacher, what a great day I had! It was absolute heaven for me just to spend the entire day doing art, but being taught by someone I admire so much was so great.

The class was held at Zinnia www.zinnia.biz in south Pasadena, another huge treat! I've been wanting to go there for so long and it proved to be every bit as wonderful as I thought it would be.

Anyway, these are the photos of the piece I created. I started right off with an original cab card (daring for me right off the bat because normally I would use a copy). The significant pieces of this are the little clock in the upper corner because it was made by a favorite cousin long ago.

I made the polymer clay head, and have saved the tiny soldiers that guard "Little One" since my days in the Berkshires. The dominoes are really, really old, maybe bakelite, And I'm sorry that you can't peer thru the big round metal finding to see the transparency of a face in side. The whole piece was overpainted with Michael's secret ingredient called "uszhh"---you'll have to take the class to find out what that consists of! ha . But it does magical things!
I had so much fun creating this piece. And even though I was a bit slow to get going in class, once I got going I knew just where I was headed and finished it quickly at home. I love it not only for the accomplishment of doing it but for the memory of a wonderful day.

Olde World Faire

2009-05-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

So these are the shields that my son and I made for his school event called Old World Faire. They were used to barter with other students in trade for what ever they made. We used about 5 layers of acrylic paints, crinkled up tin foil that's distressed with acrylics, some paint pen and the black doo dads are actually teddy bear joints from my days when I used to make vintage style mohair teddy bears. Base is foam core.

We made 25 of them!

Mr. Teeny Tiny

2009-05-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

Here is my favorite part of the summer garden!! My friends. Here's one of many teensy weensy teeny tiny baby preying mantis!! Oh, they are so cute. If you don't already know, this guy will get to be as big as half my hand. Welcome little ones!This beautiful pom pom of a flower is, believe it or not, an onion! I don't eat onions. But I grow them for their beautiful blooms. Please click on the photos for a larger view, these little pictures don't do justice to the subject.

A little journaling

2009-05-19T22:40:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a little journaling but haven't gotten to the journaling part yet. As my friend in one of my groups said, I seem to be a "backgrounder". I love doing the backgrounds of pages and then get totally stifled when it comes to what to write. I'm getting better but still love this step of the process. So here are a couple that I've done. One of them is from a journaling class I'm taking with Pam Carriker , who is a wonderful teacher.. http://creativeworkshops.ning.com/

Collage Class!

2009-05-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I've added a new class to the line up for May. Beginning May 20, for three Wednesdays I'll be teaching my Artzy Relatives class. Basically collage using your photos or those of old forgotten folks from antique photos. We'll work on canvas and use papers that we've painted or printed with rubber stamps, doodles, etc. No previous art knowledge needed.

Class is held at Storojev Fine Arts in Westlake Village, CA. (818-735-0700)

or email me, Gina, at Lilbear768@gmail.com.

Other classes you may find interesting are Altered Books, in which we take an old book and turn it into a new artpiece.

And also Artful Folded Books, make unique little accordion, flag, star, and all kinds of folded books using paper that we collage and paint ourselves.

If you're interested in any of these classes please inquire at Storojev Fine Arts (818-735-0700) or email me, Gina, at Lilbear768@gmail.com

New classes offered! Please come!

2009-03-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

I am very happy to announce that I will now be teaching classes in mixed media and altered art! My classes will be held at Storojev Fine Arts Studio in Westlake Village, CA (818)735-0700.

We will begin with Artful Books, which are handmade structures like star books, accordion books, flag books piano hinged books, lots of fun expressive ideas infused with your own creativity and composed with your own thoughts, prose or quotes. Begins April 1st. 4 Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm

On Saturdays we have Assemblage Using a base that you bring in, perhaps a birdhouse, a box or anything sturdy we will collage, paint, assemble and adorn your item with an array of memorabilia, paper, text, game pieces, the possibilities are endless! Begins Saturday, March 28th 11am to 2pm

Then, have fun with ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) in this class which is full of fun techniques like rubber stamping, embossing, collage, watercolor, transparencies, inkjet transfers and more. You'll leave with several cards that are like miniature art pieces to keep or to trade. One day workshop, April 17th 10am to 1pm

More classes are being added all the time including Altered Books in May, and Assemblage Shrines, and more Artful Books classes, too.

Please call the studio (818(735-0700 or email me Lilbear768@gmail.com for a copy of our brochure which includes even more classes in clay sculpture and drawing classes taught by the very talented and well known sculptor, John Storojev, whose work is in private and public collections across the world. A brochure can be emailed to you in pdf. format.

House on a Hill

2009-03-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

A little drawing , has all the ingredients for my ideal house.

Lost

2009-02-15T16:13:00.000-08:00

A journal page, from a prompt from Blissfully_Art_Journaling Yahoo! Group

Am I LOST inside and wanting to go out the door and into the light? Or am I LOST outside in the unknown trying to get back home? Hmmmm. Maybe both.

Cartwright Shadow Pics

2009-02-04T13:40:00.000-08:00

Move over Angela Cartwright!! Just kidding. I love Angela Cartwright's work. And love her new stamps , too. I've always taken shadow pictures, mostly of plants and non-people things. My son actually took these two photos at the beach. I think he's caught the photography bug.

Crystals

2008-12-16T16:27:00.000-08:00

It seems that great minds think alike! Ricë Freeman-Zachary (Voodoo Cafe

http://tinyurl.com/5jtpa7 (Hi Ricë !)

has wonderful prisms and crystals from her window so I thought I'd share mine, too. I've always hung shiney, rainbow-y stuff from my windows. Here's my current stuff. And , agreed, it's really hard to photograph inside a window looking out.

Wish for Time

2008-12-10T20:42:00.000-08:00

Sigh,, here we are in the midst of the Christmas rush wondering what the heck to give the kids when you don't have any money to spend, and feeling a bit overwhelmed at all the decorating that should be done. Hmm I used to enjoy that so much. Maybe once I get the tree I'll somehow find my Christmas spirit. But instead I only wish I had time to myself to "art". This is a birdhouse I made last year and it's one of my favorite pieces. It's sometimes helpful to me to be reminded that I CAN make a decent piece of work when I have the time and the peace of mind.

Ten Two Studios

2008-12-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

Here's a wonderful site full to the brim of wonderful things. Ten Two Studios is having a giveaway in which you can receive images to use in your artwork. I love Lisa's site and always have a hard time tearing myself away! Check it out:

http://countdown.tentwostudios.com/

Teaching!! A Giant Step!

2008-12-03T12:22:00.001-08:00

Well, the universe is watching over me evidently and a door has opened wide. And I've decided to jump right in and see what happens. I've been given the opportunity to teach classes here in Westlake, CA, through a wonderful artist and sculptor named John Storojev at the Storojev Fine Arts Academy. I'm so excited and have planned two holiday workshops that take place December 5th and December 12th! The photos above are for the first workshop, a sweet little ornament made from an altoid tin and collage, paper folding, and 3d elements. The second will also be 3D , more of a table top or mantle decoration.

There are some wonderful workshops planned for the Spring in collage, altered arts and mixed media so I hope, if you're reading this you will be interested in coming to class, telling your friends, getting mixed media back on the map in the valley! Email me if you have any questions or suggestions. The studio is at Storojev Fine Arts Academy home of the California Sculpture Academy 31143 Via Colinas , Westlake Village, CA 91362 (818)735-0700

We are right across from The Four Seasons Hotel , near Costco in Westlake. Please leave a comment or email me if you're interested in these classes or any future classes.

Christmas cheer

2008-12-03T12:15:00.000-08:00

Here is my contribution to Christmas cheer! I've been teaching myself how to solder and why not do a big project at the same time? So this is one of 12 ornaments I made for a Christmas swap. I drew the goose (Six geese a-laying) and collaged all parts, added little bits here and there and voila!

29 days of giveaways---Chrysti

2008-12-03T12:03:00.000-08:00

Art by Chrysti is having a great give-away! Not just once .... she's calling it 29 days of Giveaways! How can you resist?? Go check out her blog and maybe you'll get lucky.

http://chrysti.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/29-days-of-giveaways-for-you/

The Holidays are on my mind...

2008-11-23T13:28:00.001-08:00

Here is a bit of what I've been working on for the holidays. I'll post the final piece(s) after the recipients receive their pieces. The goose is my own drawing, and this also includes stamping and collage.

Cool Hawk!

2008-11-16T21:30:00.000-08:00

This is a gorgeous photo that my son took in Santa Barbara. I think it's a Ferrugunous Hawk but please feel free to correct me if you know what it is. Maybe just a redtail, none the less- gorgeous! He said it had just been riding the air currents, just hanging in the air without soaring. Then decided to come down for a meal.

Amazing Nature

2008-11-13T22:03:00.000-08:00

It just amazes me to see such humble beauty in the world! And I feel so lucky to have been able to capture it with my camera. This was taken from inside the house through a dirty glass window. I think it's a painted lady (???) And it is a very lucky lady because about 8 inches away is a preying mantis just wishing he had a butterfly for dinner! Don't worry she escaped safely!

Paper Traders Calendar

2008-11-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

If you want a really FANTASTIC calendar for next year check out this link.

http://www.cafepress.com/PaperTraders This is the calendar done by the super talented artists at the yahoo group Paper Traders. I am so proud to be a part of this group and so happy to be constantly inspired by their beautiful work! Check it out, you'll love it.

vote!

2008-11-04T16:06:00.001-08:00

I voted, did you?

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T11:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!!

Lucky Kitty

2008-10-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

I can't decide if I'm the lucky one or my new cat is the lucky one! On the left is my new cat, Gypsy. She was a stray that was happily visiting my yard. When I started petting her (instead of chasing her away from my squirrels and birds) I saw that she was as skinny as a pencil! Obviously starving, probably abandoned, but sweet as could be. I immediately started feeding her, she was so grateful. But after my &*&^%^& neighbor threatened to dump her in some far off neighborhood I decided that she was comin' in ! Well, as you can see in the photo, there couldn't be a better match. After careful introductions, Gypsy is as happy as can be with my two cats (who were 'official rescues' and with my dog, Tucker. She's now spayed, has her shots and is just loving being part of our family. What a happy ending! ... or beginning?!

Everything but the kitchen sink!

2008-10-12T17:12:00.000-07:00

Since the topic was brought up in one of my groups I thought I'd add this piece. This collage incorporates acrylic, gesso, foil, mesh, modeling paste, salt, sugar and sand!!! The photo does not show the intensity of the color nor the wonderful texture. It was so fun to do and though it would make a great background I think it looks great just like this!

2008-09-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

My dear sister is always trying to "get me out there" (wink) and she has asked me to send some of my photos to the National Geographic Photo Contest. And so I obediently have done so. The pic here is one of 7 that I've sent in. If you'd like to see the rest --please do! and give them high ratings!---you can go to this link:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/gallery/67459

and from there you can get information on the contest in case you'd like to join yourself!

Playing with my Head!

2008-09-27T17:23:00.000-07:00

My sister is learning to sculpt with polymer clay and the other day I decided to give it a try just for fun. This guy is done all by hand and not using any molds. My first attempt at making a head. I must say, I surprised myself!! I know he looks a little evil because his eyes aren't painted but really he's just a nice dude!

Sketches

2008-09-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

When I pick up my son from school I go very early in order to snag the only shady parking spot near the school. Especially because my dog always comes with me. So I bring my handy bag of art supplies, my sketchbook, and my faithful Dr. Pepper and draw.

Listen

2008-09-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

Here's a journal page. I've been trying to get myself to journal more often. I usual do a cool background and then don't want to wreck it. But I'm determined to write! hard for me. Anyway, Teesha Moore's style make it a little easier. And using all these bright colors is a fun departure.

What a Surprise!

2008-09-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a wonderful surprise!! My little composition notebook was chosen by Cloth, Paper Scissors to be in their online newsletter! This is the first time EVER that I've submitted work to anyone anywhere and of course, the first time I've ever been chosen! I am so very grateful to the people at Inspire Me Thursday http://www.inspiremethursday.com/ . It started with their weekly challenge titled "notebook". Then they sent out an email suggesting that "we" enter the Cloth Paper Scissors challenge. A week later, there's my little book!! So awesome! A small victory for moi.

Four Hands

2008-09-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

In my efforts to do art everyday, here's a spread in my journal inspired by this great stamp.

Powder Room Entertainment

2008-09-05T16:14:00.000-07:00

Well, In my house, anytime you go to the bathroom this is what you will see. My cat loves to keep you entertained by playing under the door. And if there happens to be a cat toy that you can kick to him, he will kick it back and play and play! Silly cat.

altered tiny composition book

2008-09-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

For Inspire Me Thursday,...... the theme: "notebook"

My First Soldered Pieces

2008-08-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

These are my very first attempts at soldering! I know I have a lot of learning to do but....what fun! Thanks to VolcanoArts.com for their great tutorials and supplies.

Here's a really cool slideshow of my work!

2008-08-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

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I saw a cool slide show like the one above on JoAnna Pierroti's blog .. http://www.mosshill.blogs.com/ She shows many photos of the wonderful ZNE convention which was held this past weekend. Wish I could have gone. But thanks for the pics, JoAnnA.

Beginnings

2008-08-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

Hmmm,,, thought I'd give this blogging thing a try. I love checking out other blogs and have learned so very much from other artists so , why not?! Leave me a comment.... like "good idea" or "are you out of your mind"......

Here's a little sketch from my journal . Oh, and if you can tell me how to make the banner smaller I'd appreciate it!