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Showing posts from April, 2009

bleeding hearts

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I walked into the living room on Saturday and my DH had a news program on; I heard something about a professor in Georgia killing three people and I turned and walked out. I am old enough to remember when the news was a function of society rather than a self-contained industry. I try not to bury my head in the sand, but I can't take 'news' in very large doses. Later that day my son was watching another of my favorite new trends, the Hundred Stupidest Stunts Ever, or something like that. A guy was riding a bicycle down a ski slope trying to reach 100 mph. I'm not sure if he set any records though he broke a number of bones, popped a lung and sustained other injuries. But he lived. Unlike Natasha Richardson, whose death I still mourn, (she fell and hit her head while taking a lesson on a beginner slope); I shudder to think of the untold resources - the medical costs and the camera crews, production teams, air time - consumed as he captured his flight of fancy. Within 2 da
While visiting Leah at Creative Every Day , I noticed she is running a special in her gallery. I also watched this video clip of Jonas Girard in which he describes his painting process. Told at art school to find a different career he ignored them, fortunately, and pursued a prolific career in his Asheville, NC studio. What is it about art and North Carolina?!  What I like most about watching Girard work is his total abandon, lack of planning, letting the colors speak to him and decide what comes next. Leah incorporates this in her Art Picnic Class,  to help artists find and become grounded in their intuition, unblock, get creative and play. She's holding a class today so it may be too late, depending upon where you live - but check it out.   I'd planned to participate but have been sick for nearly 10 days with an upper respiratory virus that kicks a lot of butt. My son was sick this week and DH began feeling it last night. We're all holding our breath around my daughter,

Seek and Ye Shall Find

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Green is the theme for this week's Inspire Me Thursday, in honor of Earth Day on the 22nd. This collage, the third in a series of 6 x 8's, seems an appropriate response. Seek is the title and though not visible unless you click on the photo for a closeup, the dictionary definition for 'find' is pasted to the left of the hands holding the, um, bird's nest (earring).  Speaking of finding, while foraging in a thrift shop on spring break I came across several cards of Wilton porcelain roses and leaves that were ivory, maybe even white a few decades ago. I grabbed 8 cards for $2 and looked for a way to use them as soon as I got back; I painted a few of the leaves with alcohol ink before gluing them on the tree. I suppose using discarded jewelry, buttons, rusty stuff and other treasures in mixed media is a form of recycling.   Thanks to an upper respiratory ailment I've fallen behind on my swaps, forget about the laundry and other chores, but it's hard enough to b

What a difference a year makes...

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This photo was taken on April 18, 2008, for one of my first posts on my new blog.  I had just returned from Random Arts, in Saluda, NC, a haven for mixed media artists. My family spent a week in a cabin and my visit turned into a considerable amount of time absorbing tips and techniques, the warm hospitality of Jane, Jen and Joyce and stocking up on a decent share of new supplies. When Jane asked if I had a blog and I said no, she told me I needed one. So, instead of unpacking and doing laundry and chores, I took Jane's advice. It was a beautiful spring and this photo was used for my early post called View From the Altered Attic.  I didn't have a lot of expectations for this space, just knowing that my love for photography, writing and art would blend with life's realities, abundances, gifts and, well, other stuff too. Jane was kind enough to add a link on her blog and leave my first comment. Friends and family logged on in support as I learned the ropes.  Within a few shor

Paying It Forward - Wanna Play? No Strings!

While visiting Soulbrush , I saw this wonderful pay it forward post; I've seen it on Facebook too, but with the creativity involved, this seems the perfect place to join in. Here's how it works.... The first five (5) people to respond to this post will get something made by me. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully: 1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get. 2. What I create will be just for you, with love. 3. It’ll be done this year (2009). 4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. Heck, I might bake something for you and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure! 5. I reserve the right to do something strange. 6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post. 7.

when one door closes

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I've had a fascination with doors since the 80s, when I photographed with a medium format and printed my own black and whites. I saw this last week, while we were at the lake, and it called out to me. After I snapped the photograph - not even with my good camera, I started looking around for other subjects. As any of you photo-hounds know, there is never any shortage of subject matter, no matter where you are! After we got back, I was visiting one of my favorite blogs,   The Last Door Down the Hall , Elizabeth Golden is a truly gifted artist; she even gives away cool vintage images on a regular basis! Sure enough, there was a fabulous image of a door that I'd highly recommend viewing, along with the rest of her wonderful collection of photos and art.  While at the lake we were lucky enough to spot deer that were nice enough to stand still; I had to take the photo in low light from quite a distance. These days, maybe deer aren't altogether fascinating - my good friend in Min

Happy April

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My good friend and art angel, Debbie Westerfield , had her paintings printed in a CD-sized, 2009 calendar - I just love April and must say, the umbrella is most apropos! She also needs a fur coat, though, since it's supposed to snow later today!  I call her my art angel because I've known her for years; she used to have a gallery and sold several of my husband's paintings. She is an accomplished artist in many media and has sold at market in New York and exhibited in Chicago and just about everything in between. Shortly before I started dabbling in mixed media I stopped by her studio and she had a piece fresh from the frame shop. It spoke to me in a language I didn't then understand, and still have a bit of trouble with - it spoke of the longing, the need, the passion to reach, to create, to feel the exhilaration that flows through the veins when a new technique is mastered, a piece completed. I asked her the price and it was more than I could afford at the time; a shor