Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The month of December was the Swell Sister Show at the Coffee Garden in Sacramento. We had a great time at the 2nd Saturday reception with music and great munchies. The sister’s work was very varied and wonderful. We hope to show as a group again this year. I painted new shoes for the event. Pink!
January (2nd Saturday)I had three pieces at Body Tribe for the non-profit organization Born Free USA; AVES Show. Very busy night with two other sisters were showing independently across town. Sacramento is a great place for art. You can always find something you like OR don't for that matter.
I go back to school in a couple of weeks and am looking forward to spending time in the print lab on campus. This will be independent study in the studio. I am looking forward to it.
That brings us up to date. I am doing some work on paper. I am trying to get back to drawing more. I feel I have drifted off somehow. Many of my Swell Sisters are doing a 30/30 show. Thirty pieces in 30 days. I decided not to do the show at this time although I am trying to do the 30 pieces. Keeps you working if nothing else. I will post pictures soon.
Maybe in 2009 I will actually sell something.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
New Month
Beginning of the month and the year is almost over. This year has gone fast I think. A lot for me has changed. I have made some new friends and drifted away from old friends. Not so much drifted as dropped off. We all try to keep ourselves motivated and going forward. It may be dreams, or ideas, or activities that create that motivation. Hopefully whatever it is for you it can be shared with a friend. That is the best thing in the world.
Friendship is some what like a marriage in that it has to be nurtured. If one person in the relationship has to work harder (or thinks they work harder) than the other then it tends to fall apart. Friends make time for each other. I guess I am destined to have but a few friends at any one time. When I make plans: I make them with that person or persons. I prefer small groups of people I know perhaps not well; but I am comfortable with and can talk to. I have never been comfortable talking to people I do not know at all.
I guess at this age not much will change and I have decided that friendship needs to be a partnership of give and take. And more importantly when time is set aside to get together and visit that it should be considered a commitment with enough value that it is kept. I guess value is the operative word here. In friendship one must feel their value in the relationship.
I am off to
I am hoping to take pictures and post. Actually the last two pieces in the “Lil Monster” series I created I didn’t get pictures taken. I will take them at the gallery. I am also scheduled to paint a mural on the bathroom wall of a friend. I was supposed to go over yesterday; however both she and her husband had a cold. I didn’t want to chance it. I have to much going on right now.
The piece pictured here will be in the show in December with the Swell Sister Society. It is 100% reused materials. I love that abut it..
Quote for the day: Cherish your vision and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; they are blueprints of your ultimate achievements. – Napoleon Hill
Sunday, October 26, 2008
I LOVE MY SHOES
I love my shoes AND my shoes love me! Last Thursday I met with my quirky art group and the meeting was art to wear. We were asked to bring a pair of canvas shoes to paint. When you wear your shoes you are showing your artwork to the world around you. Anyway that is the premise.
I wasn’t sure what I was going to paint; however I decided since it was SHOES I wouldn’t think about it. It is not like I am going to prom or to an inaugural party. SO I just started painting and decided to use lots of color. I tend to limit my color palette and decided these needed to be fun.
Half way through I thought that I would never wear them since they looked like something a 12 year old would wear; however I find them quirky and fun. Wow and it was from the "Quirky Art Group" with the Swell Sister Society. Interesting!
I wore them to the grocer store today. I can honestly say I don’t know if anyone looked at them because I forgot they were on my feet. I guess feeling stupid will not be an issue.
I really like the idea of wearable art. One of a kind pieces of clothing. It is something I would like to explore more. Yeah....Like I really have time right now. BUT I will file it for later. I am thinking that a ball cap would be fun and it would be a little more visible than shoes. At any rate I think it was a great experiment and I enjoyed it. AND I will wear them. I am thinking of wearing them to work tomorrow.
Anyone who likes fun and off beat things should think about getting some acrylic paint a pair of canvas shoes (or canvas tote) and make your own statement. Who knows you may like it and it's useful.
Quote for the day: Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength. – Betty Friedan
Friday, October 17, 2008
Painting On
Well again it has been awhile since I posted. I have been painting and pondering entering more shows. I need to find out if anyone besides me finds my work worthwhile. Not the right word to use but you get the idea.
I thought about entering Freefall in a show back east; however shipping would be a bit daunting to me. I am not sure how it would ship.
I also entered the Pink show at the Tangent Gallery. If they don’t take this piece that is fine and I will keep it. I actually like it. I has been interesting having this hanging on the wall and the many comments
from friends.
I just found out we are invited to show in November at a new gallery in
Oh yeah it is the Folsom Renaissance Faire. Busy Busy Busy!!!!!!
Quote for the day: ‘When one of your dreams come true, you begin to look at the others more carefully.” Anonymous
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday Too Early!
I am finishing up a piece for the “Pink” show and hope to send in the submission this weekend. I think it is great. I haven’t heard anything from the “5x5x5” show. Perhaps they did not like my submissions. Oh well I will keep trying. There are a couple of shows coming up that I hope to enter. I am really into my reuse of materials since my cash flow is really dismal at this time to buy anything new.
Here are a couple more pieces in the “little monster” series I am doing. I so love these little guys. There is a show “In Your Dreams” in the spring in submission.
The Swell Sisters met last night and we worked on our own projects; however I just socialized with the group. It is hard for me to work on anything serious in a group of 30 women all talking at once. It was a blast though.
Our show is fast approaching and I will be showing “Free Fall” since I finally finished the piece. We open on December 13th - Second Saturday.
Recently I met few of my swell sisters and we had a concrete play date. What fun and it opens up many possibilities. For my piece I just took mannequin bodies form (actually only the front half) and covered it in concrete and
will lay it out in the garden. I guess I need to take a picture to share.
My friend Jilly is willing to show me how to mosaic. I am going to have way too much fun!
Also next weekend is Folsom Faire and the last faire of the year. Busy! Busy! Busy!
Quote for the day: There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality. – Pablo Picasso
Monday, September 29, 2008
Painting Painting Painting
Here are a couple of pieces I sent off to a juried show in
I went out on Saturday and helped a sister move from one storage space to another. She is also and artist and writer and she had some great stuff in storage. She offered me anything pretty much I wanted; however I already have too much stuff. I did take a couple of old boxes that held print type. Here is a picture of one in progress and is about 7x7x1. This is fun since I was struggling with a different piece earlier. One of my assemblage pieces was going down the toilet so to speak. I decided to put it away for now and move on. It will be revisited later.
I am also working on a piece for the pink show at the Tangent Gallery in November. The deadline is coming up and this piece is all spray paint. What fun and a little hard to control. I guess I need more practice.
These are just some of the work I've done lately and I will try to post more works in progress. Oh... and I finished Free Fall. I will post her tomorrow. She will be in a show in December with the Swell Sisters.
Quote for the day - Every Artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures - Henry Ward Beecher
I have to agree since I find that most of my work is light in nature unless I get mad at our government and then I do a political piece. Not going there!!!!!!!!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday No Work!
Anyway........... "Happy Birthday to me."
The Swell Sisters meeting was great last night. We had another Sacramento woman artist speaking about her art. She has a great sense of humor and it was very enjoyable. Her name is Gioia Fonda and she started her own holiday called Pink Week, fifteen years ago.
Per Gioia the second week of November is the week that we should celebrate Pink in all it’s glory. The holiday is to get people aware of color. However if you love green than you wear green all week etc.
Gioia is co-owner of the Tangent Gallery in Sacramento http://www.tangent-gallery.com/ and the Pink show opens on the 2nd Saturday in November.
I have been taking a basic print class at CSU Sacramento and here are some pictures. I know some out there in web-land will think these are primitive and mediocre and they would be right; however it is new skill I am learning. It keeps me in the classroom with young college students and at 62 it is invigorating because I do not understand them at all until we discuss art. Then we can all connect. We started with corks (wine and champagne), erasers, potato (the hardest by far), and we graduated to the EZ Cut which is like eraser material rolled out flat and about 5X7.
The first picture is of the corks and eraser and the second is my first print that I actually cut. I really don’t think it is to bad. I like the cutting part....the printing not so much. I really need to work on that since it is a print class.
Have a GREAT weekend!
Quote for the day: Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after. - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Sunday, September 14, 2008
Work In Progress
I was hoping to sleep in today. Unfortunately that was not the case. I was out late last night at the 2nd Saturday Art Walk in
It was really fun. I met my Swell Sisters at the Verge for the 2nd Annual Circus Show. The Circus Show was sponsored (or co sponsored) by Gale Hart a
Then we were off to see a collaborative show that one of our sisters was showing in. She did great and sold everything I believe. Good going Laurelin.
Yesterday I started some new pieces. I am back to assemblage for some reason. I promised myself I had to vacuum before I could get into the studio. I had to take the dang machine a part to change the belt. I hope it lasts as long as the last one!
So far this has bee a great weekend. Here are a couple of pictures of my work in progress.
Quote for the day: For the serious artist does not satisfy needs – instead he creates values. Values, to the world at large, have – alas, alas, and again alas – no value at all – Anthony Burgess
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Paint Paint Paint
On Sunday at the St. Ambrose Guild meeting we painted the dags on the pavilion. Yes friends I took pictures. And you say “Yippeeee.” I will also take pictures at the Folsom Renaissance Faire to see how it looks once it is up.
When I arrived at the home of a friend that stores our pavilions I saw that the pavilion was actually up. I though we would have to stand on ladders to paint the dag. The pavilion is 8 or 9 feet tall….at least at the bottom of the dag. The top is probably 15 feet maybe. After asking a few politically correct questions (not my strongest trait) I discovered it was only up to dry out from the Golden Gate Renaissance Faire. Yes friends that faire was a very drippy wet cold affair. Just like northern England and after 90 to 100 degrees here in Sacramento it was very invigorating. Sorry I digress.
Here are pictures of the ladies painting the dags on the pavilion with a wonderful Tudor Rose. I made the stencils and we are saving them to complete the painting. We only finished the front and one rose on each side. The best news is that we will never wonder again which is the front of the pavilion top.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Whew!
Hello all I haven't posted in a few days. Been so busy. I was back at work this week and sometimes after a vacation you have twice as much work at before. Well I was overwhelmed. It was a short week and didn't really feel like it. It seems like there is not enough time. Gosh it seems I say that a lot.
Today I made stencils for my Renaissance Acting Group. The stencil is of the Tudor Rose and we are going to paint the dags on the pavilion before Folsom Faire.
I agreed to make the stencils because after the meeting tomorrow, and after the pot luck, and after a couple of beers it needs to be as easy as possible. No really it is so we can get done in a reasonable time and make it look uniform. I am going to try to remember my camera and take pictures. The pavilion top will only be on the ground so better pictures will have to be taken at the Folsom Faire.
I also worked on my Swell Sister collaborative projects. Actually one is a skull I worked on by myself so I am not sure where collaboration comes in. (see the above picture) I am actually quite pleased with the look. I may have trouble giving it back. The large skull was made by my sister Jennifer out of sugar. She passed it on to me to paint. I was afraid it would melt; but I kept the paint minimal and realistic.
It was to hot to work in the yard; but I did water today since I cannot water again until Tuesday. We are in a stage 2 water alert here in Folsom. I also cleaned the kitchen floor, did laundry and I would have vacuumed; however that machine seems to have a broken belt.
Have a great weekend.
Quote for the day: Avoiding the phrase “I don’t have time...”, will soon help you to realize that you do have the time needed for just about anything you choose to accomplish in life. -Bo Bennett
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Back
At senior camp I was introduced to gourds and wood burning. I believe wood burning is now called pyrographics or something very similar. I know as a kid I did some wood burning; however this was great fun. I burned the outside of the gourd with a design and then stained it with leather dye. Now I know why people talk about the Gourd Festival in Folsom. The gourds must be amazing since I think mine are and I am novice. I am going to the gourd festival this fall to check out the artists that do this work all the time. What new fun at 62!
Quote for the day:
Aging is not 'lost youth' but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
Betty Friedan (1921 - 2006)
Folsom Gourd Festival
http://www.folsomgourdfestival.com/festival_news.htm
Check it out!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Wednesday is my Thursday
Sacramento County has a summer camp in the El Dorado Forest just below Tahoe. The last two weeks of August are senior camp. Yes friends I am a senior. We sleep in cabins and eat in the dining hall and have workshops during the day. It is really very pleasant. I take my art supplies and draw or just read a book.
The reason I bring this up is I may not get a chance to post until Friday the 29th. And you say “Oh Well So What.” Well shame on you. This blog is riveting right?
Enough about my vacation see the attached picture of my on going project called "little boxes.” True to my nature they are re-used cigarette boxes. I am trying to make them really durable so I have a proto-type in my back pack. It is wearing well. Enjoy!
Quote for the day:
He who does not get fun and enjoyment out of every day... needs to reorganize his life. – George M. Adams
Monday, August 18, 2008
Is it Monday?
Sunday was off to San Francisco to the Golden Gate Renaissance Faire. It was definitely a bit chilly there. We had drizzle in the morning and it was cold all day. However it is a really nice faire with a good selection of guilds and vendors. The food could have a bit more variety and more than one coffee vendor; but all in all a good show. I give it two thumbs up.
Now that that is over I can concentrate on my painting. The Swell Sisters have a show opening in December on 2nd Saturday. If you are reading this and not at all familiar with Sacramento, let me tell you we have an art scene here. Yes a real art scene. Every month on the 2nd Saturday all of the galleries open their new shows with some sort of reception. Some folks in town make it a mission to visit as many galleries, in that one night, as possible. However I wait and go after a week or so. I prefer to see the art not the back of someone’s head. Crowds are not my thing.
Now I can concentrate on what I want to show with the sisters. I am jazzed. I also started another collaborative project with my sisters and will post as they come along.
Quote for the day:
I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. – Gilda Radner
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Art is Collaboration
Oh yes I know. I have been at work all day and meetings in the evening. That pretty much uses up my time. I haven’t even had a chance to paint. I might need a sick day to feel better.
The Folsom Dog Park opens on Saturday and we are getting the last minute details together for the grand opening ceremonies. The committee has no idea how many people will show up with their dogs for the event. I haven’t been a part of the Folsom Independent Dog Owners (FIDO) for very long; however I am told that this dog park took eight years to complete. We may have 50 people or 500. It should be interesting.
My Swell Sister Society is meeting tomorrow and we have a speaker from a gallery in Sacramento. We are also ending the collaborative art project "Indi 1” and starting “Indi 2.” The project involves several artists that start a piece of work and pass it on to another artist to work on. We continue to pass the pieces until all have worked on each of them. I thought the process would be easy; however after several people have worked on a piece it becomes more difficult to make changes. The finished pieces I think are amazing. I will take pictures tomorrow of Indi 1 and post.
Well that is it for now. I still need to get back into the studio before I explode.
Quote for the day:
“Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better.” – Andre Gide
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Back to Work Tomorrow
On the way home I stopped at a thrift store. I had a little fun looking to find things to recycle. Unfortunately nothing grabbed me and I saved money.
Today I went to the Antique Faire or is it the Vintage Faire? It is under highway 50 and 21st on the 2nd Sunday of the month. What fun to see all kinds of things and what people are willing to pay. Again I looked for things that interested me visually. Here I did spend a little hard earned cash. I found some really old curtain rods that look like spears, a stamp for Sheila in Swell Sisters. Also a window latch that was painted white at one time and is now all scratched off. I plan to use it in an assemblage in the future. I found some very little Hans Christina Andersen books and the best of all is the cow vertebrae. Yes girls and boys vertebrae. I thought the shape was so interesting that I bought three. I think I will hang them on my deck in some way. It certainly will be a conversation piece.
I found some wonderful things that would be great in the studio for organizing (ex. an oak library card file); however I don’t really have the room. My house is very small.
The friends I went with today want me to paint a small mural in their bathroom. I will take a picture and post when it is done.
Well it is back to work tomorrow and I did not paint at all this weekend. However it was a good weekend with friends and those are rare are they not?
Quote for the day:
"When you choose your friends, don't be short-changed by choosing personality over character." – Somerset Maugham
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Almost Friday
As you can guess Friday’s at 5 pm are my favorite time. I am off work and on the light rail home. But today is only Thursday and I am at work waiting for Friday.I had a productive day yesterday. I painted on my newest piece called “forgiveness” and it is a bit of a political piece. I am struggling with not enough OR not obvious enough politics in the piece. Maybe I am too chicken and afraid to be right up in your face. I struggle because if the content is not strong enough no one will get it.
I took a break from the little boxes to do this piece. I need to get back to them since they are so easy and fun. It gives me a lift to accomplish them. I have a couple of other pieces in mind; but need to finish my current work first.
Thought for the day:
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death." - Thomas Paine 1776
For those of you that have forgotten your history: 1776 was the Revolutionary War or War for Independence. Interesting thought for today. We don’t call them a war anymore now do we?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Wednesday Already
I also renewed my driver’s license with a new picture and a thumb print. Oh Joy! I guess now the FBI will be able to find me with my current picture.
I have been tired for a few days. I am not sure if I am sick or a bit depressed. Probably the latter. I am trying to keep myself up by painting; however that gets a little dark also. I am in the midst of a political piece.
It is a bit depressing how many young men and women we have lost in the war with Iraq (and Afghanistan). It is even more depressing that most people are oblivious to the deaths. It is a world away from our everyday lives unless you are a military family. G.W. makes sure we do not really know how many have died. We have lost over 4,000 men and women so far. That is unconscionable in this day and age. Haven’t we learned anything?
Well enough rambling for today. But think of those serving our country and keep a good thought for them
Thought for the day:
“Wars have never hurt anybody except the people who die." – Salvador Dali
Sorry Salvador; but war hurts everybody, they just don’t know it! Or worse - don’t care!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Saturday was Fabulous Darling!!!!!!
I went with five of my Swell Sisters and we had a wonderful time. After the Kahlo exhibit we went to Scraps. Oh My Gosh! If you like to recycle in your art this is the place for you. Many people would see it as the ultimate junk store (actually trash). I felt like I had gone to recycled heaven. I have so much stuff already I had to contain myself. Not easy to do when I am around other peoples cast offs. I almost bought two stretcher frames for canvas; however there wasn’t enough room in the car. Sigh! Next time maybe.
I did spend a whopping $3 for my treasures. I am so jazzed about the zipper pulls and don’t have a clue what I am going to do with them. Yes zipper pulls. Not zippers! Just pulls! I also picked up some cool gold paper and I am anxious to see how it works with different mediums. I love the adventure of creating art. Especially since I make it for me! The best thing I found is a blank book that barks when you open it. That will become a book about my little dog Sadie. How fun is that?
AND then we went to the Dick Blick Art Store in Berkeley. What a day for a bunch of crazy artists. I did pick up some canvas to stretch. Man I wish I could have bought the stretcher frame. Next Time!
Well off to do the mundane chores around the house and then to the studio to paint.
Quote for the day:
“A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small, silly presents every so often – just to save it from dying out completely”. – Pam Brown
I really need to contact a couple of old friends!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Friday At Last
Ah-Natural AC: wind on sweat. Gotta love it!
I was out with FIDO again helping spread the word about the new dog park opening in Folsom. The park is close to my house and right now I drive a bit to get to any dog park. My little dog loves to run and play with the other dogs and the socialization is great. We have the big opening on August 16th.
A couple of extra volunteers showed up so I left early. I thought to my self that I could go back to the house and either take the dog out for a walk or continue to paint on my current projects. (yes more than one)
Neither happened! I was so tired I sat in the big chair and dozed off with Sadie in my lap. I know the TV was on and I can’t tell you what I watched.
I am so glad today is Friday and I have three days off. Yes three! I am taking Monday off to get my car serviced and my driver’s license renewed. My days are so exciting…be still my heart.
Tomorrow is the SF MOMA with a few of my Swell Sisters. We are going to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit. I am so looking forward to the trip that I am even willing to get up early on a Saturday.
Quote f or the day:
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. – Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC)