And the Living is Easy

Life is peaceful here today at the farm (hah! It's not really a farm but my imagination is strong). I've finished up some projects that I'll be able to share later and I've worked more on teaching hand-outs. My friends have been nearby with suggestions and support; what good and reassuring friends they are. One phoned me this morning and emailed me her latest journal pages which I loved seeing. We admired them together as we conversed. What a great way to start the day.

So that is why I'm sharing my "garden-variety" journal pages with you. Not because they are special but instead because I love to look at the pages of others myself for all the personal idiosyncrasies they hold. Obviously I don't work from a template or central idea; I just let them grow as they choose. Some people have a style but mine I think are all over the place.

Dear Hermanito had to have oral surgery this week. He is old, his gums are bad, he walks like his joints hurt and his kidneys are failing. I've written before about how his increasing fragility just makes me love him more. And more. And more.

We canned 20 quarts of tomatoes yesterday, aren't they beautiful? When I do the job alone it is all helter skelter (like I am in the studio) but when John mans the canner it's all by the book. I peeled tomatoes and then got out of his way. They are like jewels, shining down now from the pantry shelf.

If only we could put other things in jars to enjoy later. I'd save a hot summer day, a perfect Cecile Brunner rosebud, the smell of the barbecue, the sound of crickets in the evening and the feeling I get when my heart is open. What would you save?

Good Medicine

Isn't this fun? I shot a photo before placing the stencil over the background so you could see how I get the color underneath. I love working with the stencils I think because I am an old printmaker at heart. For me it's always thinking in terms of layers, plates of color underneath and then a unifying plate last of all. Of course you know this is me, my older sister and my mother in these paintings. I'm loving working with the family photos.

In looking at these pictures I am struck by how presentable we always look. My mother made us matching dresses and often she had one as well. We must have made a pretty picture marching along in our outfits.

My sister has been in fragile health for years. After we visited earlier this month she spent nearly 2 weeks in the hospital in her most recent crisis. I think about her all the time. Hi sissy.

I like the way the mother LOOMS in this one. What a responsibility mothers carry. So big and powerful when we were so little and inexperienced. My mother's early life was tragic (born in a mental institution to a mother who was a patient and a father who was her doctor) - she spent 11 years in an orphanage before she was taken home to a family. She had many sadnesses from her experiences that were never her fault and it was not easy for her or for us as her children. She passed away in 1992 so I suppose it is alright to talk about the family secrets now. She was beautiful, kind to all, cared for the sick and was so good to my friends that one of them recently told me that she had a nightmare and all she could think of to find safety was to go to my childhood home and take refuge in my mother's arms. That's a good legacy I think, to leave behind. Love you, mom.

Two Things

So my sisser shared her pile of family photos with me and I have started cutting stencils again. First though, I had to try out some found stencils (thank you, katie!) a la Mary Ann (layers and stuff). I keep thinking I should haul out my air brush if I'm going to do this but the cans are really a timesaver. Except I need way more colors than I have. Maybe tomorrow.

And just out of curiosity; do any of the rest of you who have the pink Artfest bags from last year find your cats drawn to them like catnip? Hermanito goes ape over mine; drooling and kneading and napping on it and generally acting like it's his security blanket. This has been going on for weeks now, ever since I left it lying on the floor next to where I sit at the computer. Maybe he wants me to take him to Artfest next year.

He wants to sign up for my classes and help. Hee hee.

Slow Going

I'm not at all up to speed. My lists are so long as to be overwhelming. Isn't it wonderful that on some days we fly effortlessly. But this is not one of those days. Today my little canoe has turned sideways in the stream and is in a struggle to right itself. I am being patient with myself and consoling myself with coffee and cream which I've been trying to give up.

John and I sat with a close friend on Wednesday who has had a sudden health reversal. John cooked a big pot of chicken soup while I held a hurt paw in my hand, sending love and healing. Our friend needed a hug and so we responded. We have the power to hurt or heal. We must take that power reverently and use it for helping.

We have been eating from the garden each night. Good, nurturing food. And yet my heart is heavy today. I'll recover quickly. Not to worry. I'm just saying.

This makes me smile. My bosom girlfriend of 34 years made this for me last winter. The movie star is Jorge Negrete, a civilized, beautiful human being with a voice like an angel. Most of his movies were made in the late '40's in Mexico and Spain. He was briefly married to the international movie star Maria Felix, also from Mexico. On top of the shrine are 3 match boxes that were trades from Artfest and that I love dearly. Art consoles me when I am sad.

Can you read the caption? It says, "Charm against cold, dark winter". Thank you my good friend for the strength this piece gives me today in the heart of my own heavy state of mind. It makes a difference to feel the kindness that surrounds us.

Silverton, Peaches, Balance

Another art fair under our belts for the summer. We had a beautiful weekend; after being in so many states this month I felt a little dazed by yet another big event to digest so John came with me and even offered to take over but of course I had to go there so I could file my report afterward. (that's a fib - the truth is that I don't want to miss anything. I'll catch up on my rest when I'm dead.)

The city really gets behind this fun little fair. The night before they hosted us at a party with food and libations from local wineries. The theme was tiki-tiki tropical and so we did our best to think of palm trees.

Some of the yummy food that was served. They kept coming around with the wine. Oh, yeah.

This fair has some of the best demonstrations and play areas for kids of all ages. Dont you love this display of cardboard mania? Moms, don't buy your kids expensive kits. Give them cardboard and little scissors and glue and turn them loose to make their own cities. These were really detailed and the man who was making them was so happy; art makes people smile!!

I don't know who this guy is but he was stencilled on all the garbage cans in the park. Hee hee. I said stencil.

My little friend Mia and her me-maw getting down with the glitter and glue. She made a visor and a necktie out of heavy paper. And then forgot and left it in my booth.

I bring you only one new artist this time. His name is Wolff Bowden and I urge you to visit his website and look at his materials up close. His paintings were made out of some heavy duty auto paints and resins and mystery thick stuff. They were just wonderful as I'm sure you can tell. He is a writer as well as an artist; look at the charisma pouring out of those eyes. Whew, the energy!

Calligraphy demo. There were also demos and hands on events featuring origami, resist painting, digital film making, wood carving, musical instrument making and some I'm sure I've forgotten. It was wonderful.

I wanted him so bad. What a little cutie-patootie. He never stopped wiggling.

And a couple of journal pages about the busy mayhem that has been this whole month so far. My sister in the hospital, me running all over the country wanting to be at least 3 people, John taking up the slack at home by taking care of all the things I am neglecting in my haste. It isn't true that you can have it all. We have to choose, darn it. I'm a glutton so I keep trying to digest too much.

Only my journal calms my nerves. Here I am organized, focused and slow. This is the polestar that lights my journey and shows me the way. Mine is not a book of mayhem. It is messy in some ways but when I look at it I see resolve.

Yesterday I picked the peach tree and made 8 pints of Ginger Peach Marmalade. (Guy & Wm., this is for you. Come visit. The jam got thick this time and I'll make you scones to go with.)

Finally, thank you dearest Ro for the "Nice Matters" award. Nice manners. I hope I have them even though I worry about leaving anyone out or not doing enough. I want to pass this award on to Maija and Deb Trotter for writing such kind words about me on their blogs in recent days even though all I wanted to do was express my love to these outstanding women. The more people I know, the more people I love. Really love. Oh, it makes life complete; to love deeply and well. (and yes, I know others have given you this award already but darlings, you deserve it again!)

A little crazy today. Full range of emotion. I think I'll go into the studio now and pour it out.

Small Offerings

I got into the studio for a few hours this afternoon and made these encaustics. One of them is a faux encaustic; I am exploring all sorts of approaches as I refine the surface to look more like beeswax. Some artists are fearful of the hot wax. Although I have heard of some artists getting respiratory problems from the fumes, I don't think a short exposure is dangerous.

I sort of got goofier the longer I worked until at last I painted the Prom Queen. She is really quite horrible but I like her colors and her general dopiness so ...

I apologize to all the prom queens out there who might be reading this. That all seems so long ago that it's almost laughable that it might have ever been important. At any rate, the fanciest thing I ever did in junior high was march with the baton twirlers behind the band. I'd give anything for a photograph of myself in my twirling skirt and boots but alas! none exist. Arrgh, forgive me for rambling. Back to the salt mines.

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.

Arizona and Back

Oh my. Arizona was such an adventure. I think the blogging part of my brain fell asleep though because I came home with very few pictures. I was busy watching, thinking, learning and meeting new people.

I flew up on Thursday and first thing after renting a car I drove to Mesa to the neighborhood where I grew up. My parents lived in the same small stucco house for 42 years on the edge of town. Then Mesa exploded and now the old neighborhood is a barrio in the town's center with the same tiny houses and shady gardens full of citrus and palm trees. I miss the long orange and fuschia sunsets, the saguaros, date palms and the eerie neon motel signs with ladies that plunged into swimming pools and called out their blinking promise to weary travellors. It was a different time. Imagine a world without plastic.

This building was a laundromat when I was a child with no sidewalk and only a dirt road on two sides. My mother and I used to walk with a wire cart to do the laundry in the wringer washers here and then take the wet clothes home to dry on the line. It always smelled like soap and bleach and we met the other neighbor ladies here to gossip and work. The women had strong, fat arms and sweaty faces. Everyone was big and I was little. There was an open irrigation canal that ran down this street and when I was a child at least 2 babies that I remember drowned there at different times. It was an ongoing danger in those days.

After a day of memory lane and a long visit with my oldest friend (we were Brownies together at the age of 8), I drove to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Peoria where Art Unraveled was being held. It was good to shake the cobwebs out and come back to the present.

I got to meet Deryn Mentock who came to AU from Texas. I've seen her work from time to time online and so finally meeting her brought everything to life for me. Until I can connect an artist with their work it is impossible I think to get a full picture. Her blog is going right up on my bloglines now. Check out the jewelry she makes. She is a lovely person. Hi Deryn!

The only art supplies I brought to AU was my little traveling acrylic set, a brush, an Uhu stick and some scissors. Oh - is wine an art supply? Just wondering.

And I finally got to meet Kelly Kilmer in person. Her students were having the most fun and Kelly was so relaxed teaching. One attendee took our photo together but the camera shook and I turned out looking like a blurry lopsided pygmy next to the red haired goddess so I'm not showing it.

A rainbow of colored tissue paper drying on plastic barrier paper on the garish hotel carpet. A familiar and happy sight.

I'll have more to show and tell once I get my bags unpacked. It was another experience that has guided me more strongly toward teaching and away from art fairs. When I arrived home (that's Mt. Hood in the photo above) John and I went out to eat and we excitedly discussed what might happen if we just up and changed everything in our lives after 27 years of doing art fairs and selling in galleries. I have been a teacher of sorts all this time. Sharing everything I know with the wonderful friends I've made on the road and urging others to express themselves and open their hearts to joy.

I've said enough for now. I am bubbling with hope and enthusiasm. To be continued...