Catching Up and Plowing Ahead

This is why you should promote your art on the internet. Last week I was contacted by an author from Argentina who saw my website and asked to use one of my images on the cover of her new book of short stories. The thing that makes me so happy about this is that it was also one of my favorite paintings and that she selected it because it had the right emotional tone for the writing which is a compilation of stories about women. Something about this sits perfectly with me. This is what I want to do with my one precious life. I want to support, uplift and contribute to the well-being of women. So I am very happy about this. I'll be sure and share the book here on my blog as soon as it is published. In the meantime, don't hide your light under a bushel. Promote your art. It's good for you and good for the world.

This is the precious necklace I purchased from Jane Wynn at Art Unraveled. It is as if she made it especially for me. The aqua color - represents turquoise and the time I've spent in the tropics. The pearl-like beads - remind me that I am a girl of the water, a mermaid. The tiny bones - remind me of my beloved father-in-law who was an ornithologist and who spent many hours hiding in blinds high up in barns to photograph the families of barn owls and record their nocturnal habits. John also participated in these inquiries and was the first one to share with me the beautiful rodent bones that could be found in the owl pellets. I treasure and honor the creatures in my new necklace. To me every creature that walks the earth has the same intrinsic worth and beauty. No one is better and no one less precious. Thank you Jane, for creating such a treasure to remind me of all these things.

And now I have a stunning Anne Grgich original in my collection and she has one of mine in hers. Anne and I attended the same art school back in the early 80's and we have close mutual friends. All of us in my little local art community have watched with pride as Anne's reputation as a fine artist has rocketed. She has had shows in Europe (wow, that's so cool) and been featured on the cover of international magazines. She is such a super goddess, can you tell how much I admire her? I've taken classes from her twice and she has taught me wonderfully. So bringing home this work of hers has given me something to look at every day that connects me with her spirit. Thank you, thank you, beautiful Anne.

Speaking of gurus. Hermanito is acting like it's no big deal but we are going to tour the garden a little today as a way of planting ourselves back home. He's been extra clingy since my return and won't leave my side. What a loyal little pal he is. Let's take a walk.

The peaches are ripe. I think they'll go into Peach-Ginger Jam and Ice Cream. The tree is loaded this year. The variety is Frost.

Pretty color. The promiscuous artichokes crossed but that's okay because the flowers are so beautiful.

We'll have cider this fall.

I thought it was a salvia but John says that this coral flower is from Peru and something else. Can't remember the name but the color is melony-yum.

Do you love garlic? I do. Loads of it. It is an anti-bacterial in your body and extremely good for you.

Isn't the kohlrabi strange and amazing? I love to eat this guy raw. Just peel and slice. Mmm.

Federle tomatoes. They are pointy, meaty, yummy. I just love their odd shape.

Echinacae for good health. And I do wish each of you good health. I am almost caught up anwering emails but have another show this weekend so I expect to get behind again. I can't look at Mary Ann's blog yet because I know she will make my heart break with all the stencils she has made and will make me want to make. All in good time. For now my little nose is flat to the grindstone.