Beyond Iconograph

Today I drove to The Dalles to help hang the Beyond Iconography show. We arrived at 10:00 am and I met for the first time the two other artists Natalie Hassel and Jerry Fenter. I also met the executive director Carmen Toll and her wonderful group of volunteers that included my own Aunt Talie. It is always so nice to meet (as my friends call it) people from my own tribe. People who understand what I do and why I do it. The communication comes easy and I find myself relaxed and wanting to stay with them and learn more about them. But we better get to work and get on with the day.

The show card

As you enter the feature show area. 

Aunt Talie sets to work on title cards.

Natalie and her husband decide how to hang her art.

Jerry I’m sorry I didn’t get a good picture.

Carmen is multi tasking.

The volunteers decide what looks best where.

Some of Natalie’s icons in the background

My Santos

 
 Jerry’s art is on the walls.

I took these shots with my new Android phone with a fun photo app.

If you drive up the gorge you will get more than an art show you will get views that are some of the best in the country.

And finally if you would like to learn how to make your own Santos I will be teaching a class at the The Dalles Art Center on June 11^th. Call the art center and reserve your spot 541-296-4759. 
There is some more information on The Portland Art Collective blog about some icon presentations and lectures you may like.

Weekend at Menucha

This past week end the Portland Art Collective gathered at Menucha for our annual spring retreat. On Sunday I took time to walk some of the 100 acres with my camera I was drawn to the flowers.
We each worked on individual projects but came together on Saturday night for the funniest sing along I had ever heard. We always learn from each other but this time we all learned we are not singers.

Here are some photos of our weekend.

 I worked on the town houses.

 We look like we are all working quietly..... it's unbelievable the noise we can make.

 Tammy made this amazing textile piece.

Diane had a head tingling thing that she gave us all a sample of. Ohhh so nice. 

 Cynthia

 Dayna

 Diane

 Z'anne

 Judy

 Debi

 Jan

The flowers made me think of Gibran and his poem Song of The Flower. Follow the link to read the entire poem.

here is my favorite part.

I drink dew for wine, and hearken to
The voices of the birds, and dance
To the rhythmic swaying of the grass.


I am the lover's gift; I am the wedding wreath;
I am the memory of a moment of happiness;
I am the last gift of the living to the dead;
I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow.

I'm Home with photos and there is news!

Here is the news....
The class descriptions are up for An Artful Journey…this is going to be great!

Winter 2012 Retreat - February 23-27 Join artists Flora Bowley, Tory Brokenshire, Katie Kendrick, DJ Pettitt and Albie Smith for three days of non-stop creative bliss! We hope you'll join us for an intimate gathering of creativity and soul restoration at the 4th Artful Journey retreat; registration opens July 12, 2011.

If you want to learn how to make a Santos this is the retreat for you.

 
Here is a link to Santos Sensations.
And the photos...
Here are some photos near my daughters home in Alabama after the tornado. She and her husband are now relocated here in Oregon and I'm so happy they will live near me.

 They do all pitch in and help each other.

 You just can't believe what you are seeing.

 There are some things you don’t think about if you are not from tornado country. Like this pharmacy that was blown to pieces. It made me think of it like a giant piñata and the tornado the bat to bash it to pieces. The recipients would be every junky in town if it had not been for the local police force. They surrounded the area and the clean up was a priority.


I can't go on a trip without a little bird watching.

I was afraid they all would have been blown away, how could any small bird survive this.  But the next morning little flowers bloomed and the birds sang. You just shake your head in confusion.

 This was my first Cardinal a little female just outside the window, beautful.

 And at the end of the drive she meets up with Mr. Handsome

These three beauties we saw on the way home in Utah.

Have a great weekend and hug your loved ones.

Off to Alabama

I'm on my way to get my daughter and son in law we are driving back to Oregon so I will see you in 10 days with tornado stories. Happy Mothers Day

Chocolate and Tulips

 The shadows were almost as attractive as the flowers we haven't seen them Oregon lately.

People were out in force to capture the color, I would love to see his work I think he had been doing this for awhile.

Check out her coat I think it is tulip camo.

 

 This is a chocolatier named Pam she owns the Chocolab in Portland. I met Pam in her booth she was giving away a variety of samples including ,chocolate covered bacon, chocolate covered potato chips (very good) , milk chocolate with malted milk and a delicious dark chocolate with a smoked sea salt (my favorite). We talked for some time and I knew I was talking to a fellow artist she has the same passion for her creation. Read her words below.

“Our modern confections, created in our very own kitchen+laboratory, expand the potential of chocolate…we don’t design our confections just for the sake of chocolate…but what can be done with the medium of chocolate. Chocolate is an amazing conduit for so many scintillating natural flavors and textual sensations.”
You can find her at the Chocolab follow this link to all her information and a map to her shop. If you are in the neighborhood drop in and try some chocolate art.

I also visited the Mt. Angel sausage company for a Bratwurst covered in onions with a mild curry sauce.

 Yes it was good!

This farm didn't have any tulips but was so beautiful with the waving green grass. I find myself thinking it is more attractive to me aesthetically than the rows of bright color. That thought was a surprise.