Next up and currently on the “ponder table”, Carla’s stuff! Some very cool textiles including dyed cheesecloth, cowhide and lace edging. The glasses I might snarf for myself.

Only four more days of the Tour and then I’ll be back in the saddle again … the training [...]]]>

Check out the coolio glasses!

Next up and currently on the “ponder table”, Carla’s stuff! Some very cool textiles including dyed cheesecloth, cowhide and lace edging. The glasses I might snarf for myself.

Only four more days of the Tour and then I’ll be back in the saddle again … the training saddle that is, as my knee feels ready to start tackling something other than walking. The last set of shots has taken longer to get over so I’m hoping those ligaments are finally tightened up for good.

Have a bunch of new projects to whet my appetite … an altered shoe show courtesy of Tricia’s Ten Women Gallery and my interest in canvas work has been peaked too. Took this photo of Granddog Figs & Stella hanging out watching the world go by and I can just see it as one of my scenics. Time to haul out the Epson to the studio!

Dog Days of Summer

Artist: “Nourish & Sustain” – 100 Artists Show

Show Date: Tuesday, February 2nd – Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Opening reception: First Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 5-7pm.

SALEM, ORE — For the 7th consecutive year, during the month of February, the Mary [...]]]> It’s that time again … 100 Artists Show at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery.

Artist: “Nourish & Sustain” – 100 Artists Show

Show Date: Tuesday, February 2^nd – Saturday, February 27^th, 2010

Opening reception: First Wednesday, February 3^rd, 2010 5-7pm.

SALEM, ORE — For the 7^th consecutive year, during the month of February, the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery will be presenting their annual 100 Artists Show.  Benefiting the Marion-Polk Food Share, the theme of this year’s show is “Nourish & Sustain” and appropriately, the 100 participating artists were each sent a large empty food can through the mail and were asked to use this as their starting point for their piece of art.  Each can was sent “as is”, and was not packaged or boxed, but rather processed directly by the postal service firsthand.  The stamps and addresses on the cans remain a part of the artwork for identification and for evidence of the actual mailing. Each artist, starting with the exact same object, has had over three months to transform, build, infuse, reduce, paint or reinvent the can into their own unique work of art.

The exhibit will open on Tuesday, February 2^nd at 10:00 am pacific time.  The public will be invited to bid on their favorite artwork via a silent auction that will run through Friday, February 26^th at 5:30 pm pacific time.  Beginning bids are $50.00 with minimum increments of $5.00 and a maximum purchase price of $300.  The entire show will be posted online at www.marylouzeekgallery.com.  Bids can be made in person at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery or by calling 503-581-3229.

You really need to head over to the website and check out some of the amazing pieces that have been created with a tin can. I find it interesting that so many artists this year went with a folk art vibe. Does the raw material affect the end result? Seems so!

We got a Royal Sh*tkicking aka old-fashioned snow storm that started on the 1st of January and didn’t stop until sometime in the wee hours of January3. Two full days of snow, wind, some rain and more snow. We started to dig out on Saturday the 2nd and realized it [...]]]> 1. Winter weather

We got a Royal Sh*tkicking aka old-fashioned snow storm that started on the 1st of January and didn’t stop until sometime in the wee hours of January3. Two full days of snow, wind, some rain and more snow. We started to dig out on Saturday the 2nd and realized it was pointless as the white stuff was coming down almost as fast as we could plow/shovel. By Sunday, the temperatures were hovering around the freezing mark making for some VERY heavy snow and within 10 minutes of shoveling my pathways I’d put my back out. Niiiicccee!

2. Back to routines abandoned – morning walks

I’m becoming less enamoured with holiday excess. Even though we’ve cut way back in recent years – starting our celebrations on Winter Solstice(Dec 21) and pretty much winding it up by my birthday (Dec 28 – my 50th this year!) – a week of overindulgence is probably 6 days too many. As such, I’m thrilled beyond belief when school goes back and routines return to normal. Wrecked back notwithstanding, I’ve jumped back on the exercise/nutrition bandwagon and am much happier for it!

3. Sticking to resolutions – more photos

Part of the reason I don’t post as often as I’d actually like  is that I feel somehow that I’m cheating you all if I don’t have pretty things for you to look at while you’re reading. Maybe that’s silly. Maybe you really like reading what I write. But just in case you need shiny things, I feel it necessary to accommodate. Even though I’m not getting quite as much studio time as I’d like (read: studio=COLD; Stella=attention span of a gnat) I can still show you my world. So one of my intentions in 2010 is to take my camera with me more often.

4. 100 Artists Show – this year the theme of  Nourish & Sustain

As I wrote in my Artist Statement for this piece, titled “Teach A Man To Fish”, I explored my whimsical side when creating this. Each artist was sent a tin can (tomato or apple juice can size … 16oz??) in the mail with something sealed inside. As soon as I realized the contents were 2 bean seeds, the Chinese Proverb: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” immediately came to mind. I also explored a technique I’d seen in Art Jewelry for the fish giving some movement to the piece. I don’t know if I’ll do anything else like this. But it sure was fun exploring my less than dark side!

And just in case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve posted “One Heart ? One World“‘s banner over there on the lefthand side. I hope to have something special made for the giveaway by the time it starts on January 25. This will be my first time participating. It should be fun!

Another one for the Barbie Redux show starting this week in California. Thanks to Tricia for supplying the photo which I forgot to take before packing/sending them westward.

The other 3 are one’s I’ve shown here before:

Sea Angel - Barbie Redux

Fembot Angel

Fembot [...]]]>

Fembot - On My Mind

Another one for the Barbie Redux show starting this week in California. Thanks to Tricia for supplying the photo which I forgot to take before packing/sending them westward.

The other 3 are one’s I’ve shown here before:

Sea Angel - Barbie Redux

Fembot Angel

Fembot Queen

If you get a chance to visit the show, please take photos and send a link or send them to me. I’ll send you something in the mail for your trouble!

If you’re in the vicinity of  Venice, California on Friday, August 7th join in the festivities:

Bring Ken, Midge, Skipper and the crew and join us for an evening of plastic fantastic fun, including a treasure hunt, Barbie Look-alike dress up contest and cupcakes!

August 7th, 6-10 pm

View more [...]]]>

Barbie Redux Show

If you’re in the vicinity of  Venice, California on Friday, August 7th join in the festivities:

Bring Ken, Midge, Skipper and the crew and join us for an evening of plastic fantastic fun, including a treasure hunt, Barbie Look-alike dress up contest and cupcakes!

August 7th, 6-10 pm

View more information at the Ten Women Venice blog.

Along with my Sea Angel prominently showcased on the postcard above, I have another 4 altered Barbie’s in attendance. If you’re able to go please send me a photo – Tricia has assembled a phenomenal contingent of participating artists!

Sea Angel - Barbie Redux

It took me a long time and many, many washes to get her face just right. That “Barbie” look does NOT want to leave easily. I underlaid with some golds – bright and cheapo shimmer craft paint – to give a bit of iridescence which certainly [...]]]> She’s done!

Sea Angel - Barbie Redux

It took me a long time and many, many washes to get her face just right. That “Barbie” look does NOT want to leave easily. I underlaid with some golds – bright and cheapo shimmer craft paint – to give a bit of iridescence which certainly doesn’t come through in the photo and very subtly in RL.

And she kept staring at me blankly. I knew I needed something for her face/eye. I tried mirror and bead and coin and glass but I then stumbled on these stud-type things. Perfect size. Perfect shape. A swash of paint or two, to really build foundation and Voila! Perfect.

I’m pretty pleased with how she turned out and now she’ll be heading to the West Coast for the Barbie Redux show at the Ten Women Gallery.

On another [...]]]> My good friend and artist, Sue Pieper was kind enough to invite me to participate as a guest interviewee over at MMCA Marketplace. It’s always weird to read these once they’re up as so much time has passed but this one actually sounds okay I think. I dunno. What do YOU think??

On another note, BIG thanks to Sally for emailing me photos from the collaboration book. Here’s my part in its entirety. The scan was low-res so I’m sure it looks much better in print!

Deryn Mentock Collaboration

1. Patricia Anders (aka Tricia to me) graciously invited me to include a doll in her Raining Art Dolls show being held for the month of [...]]]> When it rains, it pours … always. Not that I’m complaining of course, I just wish for a bit more …erm… BALANCE (Universe are you listening?!?) So three things…

1. Patricia Anders (aka Tricia to me) graciously invited me to include a doll in her Raining Art Dolls show being held for the month of September at the Ten Women Gallery in Venice CA. Here’s mine – being sent out "Get there NOW" post as we speak – I hope it doesn’t freak out the clientele!

2. The always amazing Seth Apter is creating another edition of The Pulse that will start on Monday, August 18 first with the participants (me! me! me!) and then our answers to his 7 questions. His questions are always thought provoking and provide a wonderful insight to how we as artists think, create and live. Be sure to check it out!

3. And finally, as I’m quickly running out of "month" to do an August challenge, I thought I’d throw the ball into YOUR court. What would you like to see from this fall’s challenges? Techniques? Projects? Guest Challengers? Does it matter if there’s a prize at the end or are you content just to participate? Do you like it when I participate too? I want to hear your thoughts. All of them. And just in case that isn’t incentive enough, I’m giving away some of the projects that I made in June’s Challenge … 6 of them to be exact, so there’s opportunity for lotsa winners. To whet your appetite here’s what you’re playing for …

So, same deal as a regular challenge, you have until August 31, 2008 to post in the comments  below. You can post as many times as you want. I’ll be choosing my favourite responses and hopefully, some great ideas for challenges to come.

Okay. Let the games begin!