Copper Crow Studio

"The Art of Communication"

2012-01-13T16:42:00.000-08:00

100 Artists Show - 2012 - Mary Lou Zeek Gallery
This years show is a bit different. Mary Lou partnered artists together to create a multi level show and experience. I was fortunate to be partnered with Ruth Armitage. She wrote me a beautiful letter that contained thoughts that were in both of our minds - that it is much easier for us to create an art piece than draft a letter to someone we haven't had a personal relationship with. She also wrote an exciting tale with the events from one of her days. I was immediately drawn in and endeared to her as our sensibility's to nature, solitude and wildlife are so similar. I could see the events of her day take place as if it happened in my own garden.

Here is an excerpt from Ruth's letter...
"Should I write about the weather it's touch upon the trees and fields or should I write about more dramatic shocking events here today.
As I lay reading in the bath tub, my sweet young hen was sunning her self below the south facing window beneath the tub. Suddenly I heard a ruckus of screeching cackles flapping there, and looked out, saw a cooper's hawk fluttering over the lawn in hot pursuit of Snowflake the hen. I tapped on the window and rushed to dry off, throwing on a robe and running out to the lawn in my robe and bare feet with the dog at my side. The hawk flew off and the poor stunned hen hobbled to shelter beneath a weeping hemlock bush. I couldn't get her out without more trauma, and the dog threatened to intervene. I decided to let her rest and investigate her injuries later. When I came back latter in the day, she was still beneath the hemlock and I thought perhaps she had died. But when I touched her she sprang to life and ran off to join the rest of the flock."
Below are a few photos of the process....

Sketches to build ideas on...

Snowflake perhaps...

the final sketch and first of many cuts.

Don't mess up now, keep in mind what is black and what is white....

On the finished piece I enlarged a portion of Ruth's letter to replace the all white back ground.
Bidding opens Feb 1st. See Mary Lou Zeeks web page for details and I hope you can join us at the artist's reception Feb. 2nd - Salem's First Wednesday.

A whirl wind

2011-12-13T21:09:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos from the show, it was so much fun and at the same time tons of work. A big THANK YOU for all of you who came out to support us.

The set up and some play time.

Melissa brings the crew coffee at the show, baby in the sling coffee in the stroller.

My table

Fran’s mirror reflects some of our shoppers.

Dayna’s space gets some smiles.

Natalie finds and keeps one of Tammy’s birds.

Part of our sales team and they are still smiling, what a team.

Here are some random shots of part of the group I wish I had the rest of the gang.

Now on to Christmas…..

It's This Weekend !

2011-11-28T22:41:00.000-08:00

I have the good fortune to be in one of the best holiday art shows in the Portland area. What show is that you might ask? Open doors 2011, held this coming Friday and Saturday at the Multnomah Art Center in Multnomah. Here are a few photos of some of the items I will have in the show. And visit the Portland Art Collective blog to see what some of the others will be showing.

My Art is also being shown at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery and Guardino Gallery this month. I hope you can get out and visit one of the gallery's or come to the show this weekend.

Day of the Dead -and a -Trip to the Coast

2011-10-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday on Alberta St. was a party. Stephanie Brockway above on the right curated the "Day of the Dead" show at Gaurdino Gallery.

Janet, Steph, Tory, Dayna, Melissa and little Olivia.

From the street

The dead danced that night.

The show will be up till the end of November drop in there is a lot of great art to see.

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Beach trip with Suzanne, Debi, and Dayna

First stop Astoria and a quick visit for coffee, art supplies, and as always the odd junk shop.

Not so much junk but antiques in the old John Jacob Astor Hotel. The walls and ceiling are missing parts and paint but so wonderful to look at. I would love to go back for a real photo shoot.

Most of our time was spent doing art in Suzanne's lovely beach house. Dayna and I did get out for a short walk and some goofing around.

We had a rule to stay in our jammies all day.

My PJ's are under my clothes.

Dayna did a wonderful post on the beach trip and Day of the Dead. Visit her blog if you want to see more.

There were so many birds out on the beach I want to return with a long lens.
Today it's gray and cold but I'm thinking how lucky I am to have such friends and fun things to do.

Salem Art Group

2011-10-19T22:02:00.000-07:00

The Salem Art Group met today at Kathy's house. We met there so we could enjoy her beautiful garden and do a little art but the weather had us stay inside. Above Kathy shares a piece she is working on at our show and tell time.

Katy shows a wonderful painting that I just fell in love with. I wish my photo was better of it.

Dayna explains the process of this piece.

Joanna brought some of her fabulous quilt work, I can't wait to see it all put together.
Jami and I didn't bring anything this time so we lucked out with no photos, (hee hee).
A few photos of Kathy's garden.

Kathy's garden is so beautiful even on a dark drizzling morning.

This is a candle near a sitting area but from far away I thought it was a flower.

Yummy color.

Before I left Kathy gave me a bag of pears to share with my family this weekend at my Mom's 80th birthday gathering. They will really enjoy them, wonderful fresh Oregon fruit.

This last shot is of Kathy's work desk....I wish I had looked in that book.

I DO NOT LIKE TAN

2011-10-08T22:58:00.000-07:00

So I started to paint.

Norm and I have been remodeling our house for two years. Well not exactly remodeling the entire time, more like we tore the house apart and then were over whelmed and have been dragging our feet for two years. My bathroom is one of the only spots to survive demolition and a place I could paint and decorate a bit. It is so nice to go in a room that has all it’s parts.

Below is the same corner with it's new coat of paint on.

The turquoise heart is by Stephanie Brockway and the mixed media Madonna by Suzanne Reynolds.

I started collecting religious art and items a few years ago and they seem to fit in this little room very nicely. Over the tub hangs a vintage bird cage with a chalk Madonna and above a string of prayer flags.

When I use the hair dryer I can see the prayer flags moving in the mirror. I can pretend I'm looking out a Tibetan window in the Himalayans. Hey I'm an artist with a good imagination.

There is a candle in the cage I lite at night. The shadows cover the entire room, wonderful.

I found this dish in Mexico the colors are perfect.

A little reading.

This frame has a foam core backing covered by fabric. I use push pins to hang all my necklaces on. And the mannequin arm can hold rings and a few bracelets.

I think I need to run a tub of warm water and lite a few candles...ummmm I'm loving this room.
Soon in a few weeks the entire house will have new floors put down...joy of joys!!!

Hi I’m still here.

2011-09-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

Boy it has been a time between posts but not between doing art and getting out on a few art dates. I have been to my nieces wedding and a family reunion. I had a week in the beautiful coastal hills at Sitka and two camping trips. Here are a few photos from my time working near Sitka. I was a guest of Dayna's, she was taking a painting class and offered some peace and quiet. I jumped on it. Follow this link to see her work.

Assemblage skeleton for Guardino Galleries “Day of the Dead” show

Beatrice Beale bird watcher. SOLD

In her bird watching disguise

Colonel Mustard retired.

The Colonel would love to have lunch but Beatrice only has eyes for the birds.

I also watch for birds…this is a Wilsons Warbler that was just feet from the cabin.

More soon, my injuries physically and mentally are almost all healed I feel strong and am looking forward to the fall season of gallery shows and classes, but most of all doing art with my friends. Thanks for reading.

Belted Kingfisher

2011-07-27T21:35:00.000-07:00

I have been making a slow return to the studio, I can’t stand in the wood shop for very long so I pulled out some water colors and old field study photos of birds.

The Belted Kingfisher has always been a favorite of mine. Funny little dive bombers that makes a rattle sound as they fly. This is one of very few birds that the female has more color than the male. The male does not have the rusty brown band, so you can see I have painted a female.

The kingfisher builds a nice little burrow in the ground near water. And because of people digging gravel pits and opening dirt banks the kingfisher’s population has grown every year, good news for once.

This is the finished watercolor with pen and ink.

This one I did first with acrylics and some paper elements. I would like to try making one with fabric. This may end up as the great Belted Kingfisher study.

It's Time to Sign Up! And why I have been gone for a month?

2011-07-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

An Artful Journey registration opens today. Five instructors with five great classes, I will be teaching the best ever Santos class yet, check it out with this link. This retreat is all about you. Cindy Woods O’Leary has made sure you will be pampered in a unique and beautiful setting. Served outstanding meals and have the opportunity to work with one instructor throughout your stay. She has an open studio policy that lets you work at your own pace as long as you like. I just love this plan, an opportunity to work with students on a quiet evening, visiting with each other and really getting into our art or if you wish you can enjoy your evening under the stars with a glass of wine, it’s your choice.

Why have I been gone for a month?

I was returning home from The Dalles art show opening with my mother, daughter that was 9 months pregnant and her husband when we were involved in a horrid auto accident. My van was hit by a fully loaded log truck and totaled on the spot. I’m happy to say my passengers were not severely hurt. I took most of the impact and broke a number of bones that I am still recovering from. My daughter has given birth to a beautiful daughter named Olivia that I hold as often as possible and thank the heavens they are all right. I’m beginning to feel like creating again so as soon as possible I will be up to no good and hard to find outside of the studio.

Beyond Iconograph

2011-05-31T23:08:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-05-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-04T10:57:00.000-07:00

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.

Corazon

2011-04-29T23:21:00.000-07:00

The latest Santos for the June show in The Dalles has a mechanical heart made in the style of a Corazone.
The two below are carved from pine, one with paint and the other is burned with a copper cross. I wasn't sure which one would look best in the box body.

Recently I took a class from Michael deMeng called “Lonely Hearts” and as the title says it was making a heart, placing it in a box, then deMenging it, not a word but if you know his art you know what I mean.

The class was great, Michael has such enthusiasm and energy that flows into his students. He is funny and has a clever wit making the day go by all to fast. I have admired his work for years and wondered how he went about creating rust and attaching plastic to wood making it look like it was done by nature. I bought his book and enjoyed reading about a third of it before I miss placed it in my house. I have been looking for a week, dang I hate that!

Wondering about the origins of the“Sacred Heart” I sat at the computer and read for hours and took in a ton of information.

I believe it started in the 11^th century by the Benedictines , I found an interesting article and would love to condense it but would not be able to do it justice so here is a link if you would like to learn more.

Standing tall on very large feet this Santos not only has wings it has a heart.

Sparrow

2011-04-27T22:47:00.000-07:00

Today as I worked in the studio I heard a great bang on the window and new at once it was a little bird, one of the many Sparrows that live around my house. This time of year they nest under my windows in the low bushes, they scratch at the ground and sing the most beautiful songs you have ever heard. So you can imagine how I felt to find this beautiful creature dead at my door step. I wanted to honor it in a small way. The English daisies grow in the grass and the poem was suggested by a friend, it’s odd how the little things can touch your heart.

Sparrow

Who will love a little sparrow?
Who's traveled far and cries for rest
"Not I", said the oak tree
"I won't share my branches with no sparrow's nest
And my blanket of leaves won't warm her cold breast"

Who will love a little sparrow?
And who will speak a kindly word
"Not I", said the swan
"The entire idea is utterly absurd
I'd be laughed at and scorned if the other swans heard"

Who will take pity in his heart?
And who will feed a starving sparrow?
"Not I", said the golden wheat
"I would if I could but I cannot I know
I need all my grain to prosper and grow"

Who will love a little sparrow?
Will no one write her eulogy?
"I will," said the earth
"For all I've created returns unto me
From dust were ye made and dust ye shall be"
Simon And Garfunkel click to hear lyrics
PS.
Not to worry I'm not hung up on dead birds it was just a coincidence.

Walking Raven

2011-04-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

This piece was inspired by a crow I lived with for many years, her name was Copper she was named after my studio. She talked and went for walks with me in the woods. She tolerated the dogs that lived with us and made friends with the family but her heart belonged to me and mine to her. The only time I was not chosen first was when there was a bright and beautiful object in sight such as my wedding ring or a new red bead.

When I made the leash for this piece I thought of Copper and how she might of grabbed it and made horrid noises to and frighten me away, she didn’t share well.

Waiting for dinner.

She tried to take Thomas the Train back to her nest.

"Walking Raven" stands almost 4 feet tall.

Her crown not only has a bead Copper would love but is made from an old metal tape measure.

Body detail and assemblage necklace.

Her cloak is made from cotton and bright colored silk strips.

This piece will be at the The Dalles Art Center show in June.

This has been nice thinking of my old friend Copper.

Feast or Famine

2011-04-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

I have not had the time to create any art since I got home from AF and was feeling the drought. I had the best time with all my family, my youngest daughter and her husband are going to have a baby at the end of June and was home for a visit and a baby shower. They will be moving home in a few weeks but that is another store as I will be driving a U-haul from Alabama to Oregon. Hummm how many junk stores are in-between?

Breaking the drought- 12 hours of Art

For over a year my friend Dayna and I have wanted to create a Salem art group of women. We wanted to keep the group small so we could be mobile and visit all the interesting sites an artist might want to see. Yesterday was our first gathering, we met at Dayna’s studio jumped into a few cars and headed for Mt. Angel Abbey.

We had an appointment with Brother Cyril at 11:00 to visit the rare book room nestled in the basement of one of the brick buildings. The room is climate controlled at 30% humidity and 60 degrees. As the lights were switched on rows of the most beautiful books were revealed.

This one is from the 1600s

Br Cyril takes time from his duties to also show us old hand written sheet music.

We had some time in another room to look at books on our own.

Here are a few more photos from our day.

this is an image from one of the art books on icons.

Taken in the main chapel.

We had our lunch in the old book binding building.

The grounds of the abbey.

The monks cemetery.

The abbey has the best view in the valley.

It was a rare feeling to hold these very very old books.

Our first outing was a success I know I enjoyed it.

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Then just a few hours later the Orange Dream Monkeys met.

I started a board above and a two page spread below. They are not finished I was just having fun playing with paint and glue.

Each month we have a theme this time it was " Lime green heavenly dream pants" Don't even ask. Its all fun. the drought has been broken and it feels good.

Home from Artfest

2011-04-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

It will be hard to describe what a great time I had at Artfest. I will start by saying I had the privilege to teach some of the happiest, artistic, energetic students ever. The first day was Wire and Clay sculpture the students had such wonderful imagination and created their own and unique sculptures that surprised and really pleased me. The second class was Santibelli Saints (Santos) we had a big project to complete in one day but the work that was turned out was outstanding. I will let some of my photos tell the rest of the story.

Thank you to everyone who took my classes and to all the Artfest participants and your infectious energy.

ARTFEST or BUST

2011-04-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

Dayna, Steph and I are riding together to Artfest in a few days. We are packing for 9 classes, 3 each and 2 of them I will be teaching so I need to pack enough supplies for 25 people x 2. Well that's the excuse we are using to explain why we need to take Howard's, Dayna's husbands utility trailer. And being crazy artist people we couldn't just put half our studio in the trailer and cover it with a tarp...oh no...we decided to...art it up.

We started at 1:00 pm Sunday afternoon...

we had a plan and some rattle cans, those taggers don't have anything on us.

Well maybe they have a bit more practice. It took two of us to hold the stencil and spray. We had a few over sprays and more than one drip but we learned fast and figured out how to fix our mistakes.

I even tried to touch up Dayna's hair for her....what the heck it's the same color.

By now we breathed in quite a bit of paint and were laughing and thinking our handy work was looking pretty darn cool.

I love the colors, it is my palette! But these are my first trailer flames.

Time for the punch line...

5:00 pm same Sunday afternoon and we are done. What a fun day, this is the sort of thing I live for. A few hours laughing with a friend mixed with paint and a little creativity. I could live on that energy for a week.

Watch for us on I-5 next Wednesday, here we come.

Saints Preserve Us

2011-03-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

Remember the vise I found a few weeks ago?

Here it is as the body of this long legged angel faced beauty. She has big feet but as they say “she has a good foundation”. Her charm is accentuated by the fact that she wears her heart on the outside for everyone to see, it is part of her saint like qualities.

I have been working like crazy getting ready for Art Fest here are two new Santos.

It never ceases to amaze me who comes out of the clay.

I thought this time I would use colored fabric to dress her and was happy with this look. I also tried to get away from the traditional gold crown and painted it black. I think it looks good on her.

I felted a wool pinafore to go over her clothes, I think it gives her a cool medieval look.

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Here are a few more photos from Mexico

Orchids hang in a variety of colors and shapes from every surface at the botanical gardens near Puerto Vallarta.

In the back ground my Mom and sister are coming out from the welcoming shade, funny words for an Oregonian to say.

A fight broke out between two Boat Tailed Grackles

They are tail to tail here.

The fight went on and on.

The police had to be called in.

Getting ready and Mexico

2011-03-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

Two weeks till Art Fest, I’m getting very excited as it all comes together and each chore is finished and put in a tub for transport. Today the Santos frames were checked off the list. They look like a row of soldiers, just wait to see what they will be transformed into.

A few photos from Mexico

It was hard to leave the sun, flowers and flip flops I tasted summer and it was good.

The first stop from the cruise ship was Puerto Vallarta. I headed for the town square and oldest church, after that I ask to see the cemetery but was told that it was moved up the hill to make room for a parking lot. “Oh that’s too bad”- “No no it was a dead cemetery all the people that came and knew the people there are all gone. There is no one to come visit the dead”. I did find the new cemetery and people came to visit the dead, it’s a beautiful place and very much alive.

The cemetery

Grandmother and child stand at the edge of the sea watching Grandfather work.

It boggles the mind to see these misshaped rocks precariously balanced next to the crashing waves.

He told the on lookers how he does it and had a bowl for tips.

You didn't think I would go on a trip and not share a bird picture.

I got some other nice shots but they will have to wait till next time.

An Artful Journy- Great News

2011-03-10T20:39:00.000-08:00

I was invited to teach at An Artful Journey Feb 23 - 27 2012. This retreat is held at the Presentation Center in the redwoods of Los Gatos, Ca. I will be teaching a three day Santos class. It will be absolutely fantastic. The reason I can say that is because we will not only be making one Santos on a wooden frame but we will also be constructing an assemblage Santos out of wonderful antique and other found objects. The students will be bringing home 2 very different but beautiful pieces. I started to collect bits and pieces today that will go into a bin for the retreat. Yahoo an excuse to collect more stuff! Here are some shots of what I found today, these will be bodies or wings or ?

This will be a body of an assemblage Santos, can you see it?

This is an example of a wood frame Santos

This is an example of an assemblage Santos

I leave for a weeklong trip to Mexico on Sat and you can bet I will be looking for that rare find to bring to class. Cross your fingers I hope to find something great.

adiós amigo de arte

Cloth Paper Scissors and Journaling

2011-03-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

I had the privilege to be able to write an article for Cloth Paper Scissors March/April issue. The magazines assistant editor Barbara Delaney was so helpful it made the process a pleasure.

After my article on page 70 there is a reader’s challenge called “wild wire” you should check it out and maybe give it a try.

....................................................................................................

I have had the urge to do a little journaling lately. This first one started as a drawing of a Blue Jay then morphed to what it is now.

I think it’s funny and one of the best parts of journaling is that you can break all the rules. Look at the shadows the light is coming from everywhere.

Just simple playing with ink and paint can be so relaxing.

Emerson new the truth!

Teesha's journal.................

This next journal I learned from a U-tube tutorial by Teesha Moore. It was fun to make, I love her process of techniques and her bright colors. I tried to stick to her instructions to the letter on the big one and then went off to make the small one a bit of my own.

I will be taking them on a vacation soon because they are light weight and not so big that you feel you need to journal in the same book for the next 20 years. Thanks for reading my blog, I do appreciate it.

WEIRD- GRUNGE-ART

2011-02-24T13:52:00.000-08:00

It’s officially a snow day and to me that means play.
The other day I made a new facebook profile picture in photoshop, I wanted to play in PS a little more so I decided to teach myself a new technique by way of a tutorial.

- think WEIRD – think GRUNGE, think ART! Is what the Holga camera effect tutorial tells you, you then take a pin sharp photo and funk it up.

I started with this photo. A 1912 rail road bridge that was converted to a pedestrian walkway near down town Salem. Next photo is after the tutorial.

I know many people who have the application on their I-phones or in photoshop to get the Holga effect. It’s very popular right now and I think over used but hey give me a band wagon and I'll jump on.
It took me forever to add all the layers and learn each step. I did learn a few tricks that I can apply to other projects but not sure if it’s worth the time.

This is the new profile picture. Last year I did a post on pop art portraits I used that method here. It's not exactly what I want but was fun to do....then I tried this.

I like how the hair looks but not the color on the face. I think with more time I could cut and soften the lines. I use Photoshop 6 only about $70, well worth all the things you can do with it.

Snow on the curly filbert a few hours ago.

After photoshop a few minutes ago.

This summer fountain is frozen and attracted me because of the jagged lines of the fern and the round line of the fountain.

Do you know the saying “Give someone enough rope and she’ll hang herself ” well…

I think it is the beginning of a story I’ll tell my grand children about the winter fairie's hiding in the garden.

The ferns looked so nice coated in snow the contrast against the dark soil was striking.

I will use this last one as a background for future work. Fun snow day!

This is riveting

2011-02-22T11:11:00.000-08:00

Learn how to make an easy rivet.

I put a tutorial "Tips to Try" on the Portland Art Collective blog, see how easy it is, follow the link.

Whoop’s look at Oliver, how did that cute baby grandson of a certain artist slip in here?

This piece was ment for a necklace. As you can see I also riveted the tin type to the tape. It's hard to stop after you start attaching items.

Little Tins

2011-02-17T20:07:00.000-08:00

I have been collecting small tins for several years mostly because I just like them. I used a few as hats on my little story people and now I’m playing around with them as jewelry. I have paid $5.00 for a few of them but the majority were only 1 or 2 dollars.

This poor little fellow is a bit of a hypochondriac.

He should be safe with his menthol hat and band-aid body.

It's fun when you have a collection to choose from.

This first necklace was made with one of my favorite tins that use to hold 200 English gramophone needles. The old leather watch now has a tin type of a young boy instead of a crystal and the chain is made up from a mix of vintage necklace chains.

This one is an old tobacco tin and the domino's are vintage Drueke bakelite. As you can see they have the most wonderful warm color to them. I attached the domino's to the tin and the chain with the eye part of a hook & eye. The chain is plain black and small, you don't have to be overly bold to wear this one.

2011-02-14T11:25:00.000-08:00

Junking and PAC

2011-02-11T11:53:00.000-08:00

Above art work by Paula McNamee- click here to visit our blog.

Once a month The Portland Art Collective gets together to share their art, plan events and enjoy the company of like minded friends. After the meeting we cross the road to The Lucky Lab for pizza and to visit a bit more, you might think by this time I would be ready to go home…not yet…

Four more hours of junking is about to take place.

Steph and Dayna my partners in crime and I can't wait to get into the first shop. Only it was a senior citizen discount bread shop. And it was closed. We then ask an old man outside if we could just look in the window still not knowing it was a bread shop. I can just imagine what he thought of us, three grown women begging to get a peek at day old bread. This picture is of the girls after we discover our mistake. The junk store was a few yards away.

Back on the road we traveled so far the mountain elk could be seen.

However the location of our destination cannot be revealed we were all sworn to secrecy in order to obtain the address. I can tell you it was a strange and yet wonderful place. Here are some of the images we saw.

I came home with these nice little tins.

Lesson learned today beware of bread shops disguised as second hand stores, have a great weekend.

Time for hearts

2011-02-07T15:58:00.000-08:00

I made a streamer of hearts with the intention of cutting one heart off at a time and giving it to someone from now until Valentine’s Day. The one rule I made for myself was, that I must tell that person something I admire about them. I would like to give one to someone I don’t know, but I’m not sure how that will work yet, only 6 days to figure it out. I have 11 hearts on my streamer with one that is a bit more special than the others that’s for Norm. I will let you know how it turns out.
The other streamers are for some friends in my journal group. I will ask them if they would like to do the same with theirs. It would make good journal fodder at any rate.

I made a very short tutorial on making a valentine paper cut card and put it on the Portland Art Collective blog take a peek.

Kennedy Creek Pottery - part 2

2011-02-02T13:47:00.000-08:00

In the last post I said we had good food, I should elaborate just a bit. Friday night Maggie made a beautiful chicken salad and beside it sat an apple crisp Dave put together along with a loaf of homemade wheat bread. The next day a crock pot sat on the counter teasing our taste buds with a delicious pot roast and Sunday morning Suzanne made tasty French toast and on the side I had more apple crisp. Memories get cemented in when you involve all the senses.

This was a photo at Dave's wheel, all the clay clippings.

Out in the studio I got to make a whimsical and wonderful bird house. The pattern is a Kennedy Creek original with texture and many surprise elements. This bird house is for my garden and will attract someone next year. Maggie generously will take it though the rest of the process for me then I will show you the finished piece sometime in the future. If you are like me and have to own one you can order it here take a peek.

We also made little houses tall and small. It all started with a magical tool called an extruder. In goes the clay and with a pull of a lever a hollow tube of clay comes out. We cut it to length and were shown how to roof it. Maggie and I made some towers that are cut to hold a small tea light. I made my house the same way. I love candles and can hardly wait to see it flicker to life.

Maggie shows us how to get started.

She is holding the hollow tube. Can you tell this is NOT a candid shot, sorry girls.

We are all working hard. I had to photoshop myself in - I get the good smile hee hee-.
My little house candle holder below will be a nice dark blue with a natural roof and door, the bird will be black.

Spud took Maggie and I for a walk to the creek at the bottom of his property.

This tree exemplifies perseverance. It was cut down a very long time ago, you can still see the spring board notches and yet out of the top of the stump grows four or five new trees. And the color of moss and lichen are outstanding.

Spud accidentally rolled this little Salamander, Maggie set him right and in a safe place.

We worked the rest of the day and into the early evening, we were so excited about everything we had learned we just couldn't stop.

Some of Debi's house's

A shot of our fun tipsy village. After they are finished and the glazes are fired they will look altogether different. It will be a little while but I will show you the results latter.

Kennedy Creek Pottery- Part 1

2011-01-31T22:41:00.000-08:00

How do we judge if our time spent is worthwhile? By money in the bank or the size of the house we live in or how we spend our free time and with whom. By my measure it couldn’t get much better than this last weekend. Good food, good friends, good art and I might add a very good dog.

After Suzanne, Debi and I met Maggie just outside of Olympia Washington for a few groceries we went to a second hand store to find treasures. I found a box of what I thought was old tops but now I don’t think so, I don’t know what they are.

I also picked up some old brushes with nice color on them for a wall piece I'm working on...

and some stencils and other odds and ends... a great start to the weekend.
That night we made some fun clay monsters to warm up to the clay then the next day we started on so many fun projects it will take several posts to tell you about them.

One project we did was “Sgraffito”.

Sgraffito is a technique produced by starting with an unfired clay tile (white in this case) then painting on at least two layers of contrasting slip, black for us. You then scratch or carve into the top layer to reveal the white underneath.
“Sgraffito Pottery was once considered to be the vessels of kings. From the Byzantine emperors to the Russian czars, Sgraffito has been the earthenware for the "blue-bloods" of Europe's finest houses. Sgraffito Pottery is defined by the intricate designs that have been actually scratched into the surface of the clay before firing. This sort of pottery is often made with bold colors and coated with a lighter liquid clay for contrast. It is at this point that the designs are scratched into the pottery showing the base color underneath. Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

This is Maggie our host rolling out a slab of clay.

White tiles with black slip.

Suzanne is working on a wonderful sgraffito Madonna and child, Debi is building a tent city (a later story).

This is our work before it is fired with a clear glaze on top.

From top left to right, Tory-crow, Suzanne-Madonna, Debi-tree
Middle row, Maggie- turtle, Suzanne- flower, Maggie- Celtic chicken
Bottom row, Tory- crow, Debi-flower, Tory- bird on bamboo.
I'm so pleased with the success we all had, Maggie is an excellent teacher organized and articulate she makes learning a new project a real joy.

This is Spud he sleeps in the studio visits the house, cleans up spilt stew and makes everyone welcome, a very good dog.
http://kennedycreekpottery.com/

Playing with clay

2011-01-25T12:35:00.000-08:00

I’m going to a friend’s studio this week who is a full time potter. Maggie and her husband Dave own Kennedy Creek Pottery inc. They live in the most beautiful wooded glade sorrowed by trees and are visited by all sorts of birds and wildlife, my kind of place.

Maggie ask me and two other gals to spend the weekend so we could learn a few techniques and have some fun, I couldn’t wait and had to mock up a little house from Sculpey that I might try to recreate.

I had a good time painting them then rubbing it off painting it again and sanding it off. Adding a few highlights and rubbing it again. One is never enough and had to make one more. Now I want to make a village.
If you are wondering about the lovely green couple on the right they are from a red rose tea box, Noah and his wife Ms. Noah. Poor woman she didn't get any credit or her name recorded for her part in the boat building and taking care of all those animals. I bet she would have a few things to say on a blog.

Look what is popping up, only 4" tall and so full of what spring promises.When I went out to take this photo a bird was singing the most beautiful song. But are they premature it is only January 25? Are your flowers coming up?

Sisters having some fun

2011-01-24T12:04:00.000-08:00

As a person interested in art design and technical aspects of building with different materials Disney is unbelievable. The first thing that hit me was the size of the place. 47 square miles it is twice the size of Manhattan or about the same size as San Francisco, California.

We headed into Asia to go on the Yeti roller coaster and this view shows how they can transport you with a large as life view.

This is the view from the top of the coaster just before we plunge to the bottom. The large tree in the middle of the photo is all man made with a theater inside.

The next day we are off to Epcot and space.

I heard behind me a kid saying why would anyone want a picture of that? I turned and told her I was an artist and could use this in a collage or on a card but I’m not sure she could get her mind around it, oh well.

Who knows?

It was nice to see the sun. But the way it came through the leaves was beautiful.

The lilys made a nice pattern.

We had a long trip home with a delay of 3 hours in Kansas City due to a broken plane and our luggage was delayed. To be delivered the next day and coming home our bags went to Vegas. It was funny they got lost both ways and it gives us a good story. It probably wouldn’t be funny if we didn’t have so much fun the rest of the time.

Alligators

2011-01-19T06:32:00.000-08:00

The Florida sun shines today. Yesterday I was on my own, my friends had to go home and my sis is still in meetings (no worries I like being on my own). I was dropped off in front of Gator Land about 11:00 am and could see wild birds perched on top of the buildings, paintings through the window. Hurry take my money let me in!

This painting is by M.S Barry a water color on canvas.Barry's work fills the gift shop walls and are very tempting with all the rich color and humor. But out in the real world.....

the birds move as if on a moving side walk only this one might have you for lunch.

Cute little Gray Catbird just a little smaller than a Robin.

"You lookin at me" Boat-tailed Grackle

Yellow-rumped Warbler gave me a great view for identification.

It was so fun to get up close on some of the birds for great shots. National Geographic here I come.

I loved this painting.

This is a beautiful boardwalk in the swamp. Almost no one was out there and I felt very alone and at peace. The trees made a different sound than at home a deeper hollow sound. The birds still moved around the same and did a great job of hiding from me.

They say that this is the headwaters of the Everglades 170 miles to the south.

I was thinking if I jumped I would fall into the ski.

The water is not deep but the soil under the water is black just perfect for reflection. I learned all about swamps today very interesting, I would love to spend more time in them poking around in a small boat well maybe a medium one to avoid snakes and alligators.

A great day in Florida

2011-01-18T06:30:00.000-08:00

We flew all day, over 12 hours in and about planes. Landed in Florida about 7:00pm to find that our luggage went to D.C. It turned out O.K. they delivered them to the hotel the next morning . I meet up with my old and dear friends Ray and Kath who live about 3 hours south. They drove up for a visit and to give me the best bird tour ever.

It rained and poured, I found out latter that it broke a 1948 record of over 2" in the area. We would open the car window to shoot the photo and before we could close it we were soaking wet. I had to take great care last night to dry my camara. Regarless of the rain it was a blast.

This heron stands with his back to the worst of it.

Beautiful Egrets do the same. I'm starting to think this day will be a bust, little did I know...

Just around the corner .....more birds of every sort were waiting ....I nearly died....

These are Roseate Spoonbills. I have never seen such wonderful birds.

A small cattle Egret watches the Spoonbills

Then we come upon this Wood Stork OMG.. a birders dream!!! First time birds everywhere.

He is fishing and being successful. It was fun to watch him if he turns he puts out one wing a spins around it.
This is the short list of birds, I have some wonderful photos to share but that will have to wait... I'm off today to find an alligator.

Out side the hotel last night, beautiful. Did I say I'm having fun!!!

A fun and colorful day!

2011-01-14T21:39:00.000-08:00

At the give away table we all wanted to get to Suzanne's beads.

The Portland Art Collective (PAC) meets once a month to share art, ideas, and a huge amount of friendship. We also have a give away table of art items we don't need any more. Then we got the great idea to pay a bit for what you picked off the table with all the money going to hire a few boys to move our doors at our annual art show. Well we are all healthy women and like a deal when we see it, so it should not have been a surprise that we made enough money and then some to hire the boys. It is so nice to have the young men do most of the hard work for us.

After the PAC meeting a few of us went to Boarders for a small book group discussion and coffee.

It was fun to see the new publications and talk about the art we liked and what trends we may see in the future.
Dayna and Steph had their eyes closed so I had to photo shop some green shades for them and cut and paste myself in. We got silly and turned a few heads but hey it's not a library it's a coffee shop with a very large amount of books..

THE CURE FOR GRAY RAINY DAYS - and our next stop was....

I went along with the others and was in no need of art supplies (say what) I just enjoyed all the color.

I did start to get a hankering to bring home a rainbow.

And a girl could always use a new pen....

but I stayed strong and saved my penny's.

This piece was on the wall and I couldn't find the name of the artist but it was a beautiful sight on a gray wet day. Stay tuned I leave for Florida Sunday and I will be sending pictures and stories from there next week (I hope I can find some free wi-fi) see you then...stay dry.

Giveaway at the PAC blog

2011-01-12T11:28:00.000-08:00

January's Portland Art Collective giveaway is a fabric journal made by Cynthia Mooney. The cover ties together and is held by a red button.

This is a wonderful journal, just use this link to jump over to the Portland Art Collective blog and leave a comment, that's it, you could win!

It looks like it will be ready for a trip.

Good luck...go win.

I love all the birds.

2011-01-11T09:43:00.000-08:00

As we drove over the Independence bridge for breakfast Sunday morning this was our view. Two beautiful Bald Eagles, I pulled the car over and walked about a half block to get the shot only the eagles didn't like me looking, I only had time for one photo before they flew away.

After breakfast at Andy's our favorite little restaurant we went to pick up some home grown eggs and was greeted by one of the girls.

I bought two dozen they are so beautiful I want to just look at them in a bowl.

Monday I was suppose to be working at my desk and was watching the bird feeder from my window when I saw a beautiful little Townsend's Warbler, I grabbed my camera and got this very blurry shot.

This photo is from the National Park Service - from someone not running.

As long as I was out there I might as well get one good photo. If you click on the photo you can see the color in the eye of this little Chickadee.

Back in the house and at the desk I had to paint a wee little bird.

Mixed media sparrow or as a friend of my father calls them- LBJ (little brown job).

2011-01-06T20:47:00.000-08:00

Hello world, it’s been awhile. I have been sick for about 3 weeks but at last I’m feeling better and ready to get back at it. My family and I had a wonderful joyous holiday. The trip to the Polar Express was magic. Christmas with all my children and grand children was the very best present on earth. We even got a trip in to the Zoo lights with one more train ride. I’m going to add a page at the top for some family photos I just have to share those cute kids and pretty lights.

Last week I spent a few hours at Alley Art Studio with the Orange Dream Monkeys (a journaling group) for fun and art. I mostly had fun. Apparently I need to ease back into art even though I have been missing getting paint and glue on my fingers.

I didn't get a picture of everyone....

i will make sure next time I do better....

I did get a shot of the fabulous chocolate....

and a few photos of our journal pages...

It was a fun and relaxing evening. I will miss next month because I get to take a trip to Orlando Fl. lucky me. I hope to do a bit of bird watching and see some art gallery's as well as Disney. I have a new Notebook (laptop mini) so I will be able to blog on the road, YAHOO. I will see you all soon I have more fun days and art to share.

Christmas elf

2010-12-23T08:07:00.000-08:00

It's getting close sleeping elf's are starting to show up. Merry Christmas....

Naughty and Nice List

2010-12-14T18:42:00.000-08:00

I started a naughty and nice list this year and decided to think about how to make some of the naughty a bit nicer. The nice pretty much takes care of its self. For example I love spending time with little kids who believe in Santa, and rain hitting the window at night so I can hear it from my warm toasty bed. No need to change any of that, but...Here it comes the naughty list.
Brazil nuts. They come in a can marked “less than 50% peanuts” because it's 51% Brazil nuts. They taste wrong in fact I think they taste a bit like mold. The challenge now is what can I do with a naughty Brazil nut.

Have them stay over for the holidays?

Let them help trim the tree?

Go out and play with them?

We all know they don't clean very well.

Or just chop them up and put them in a cookie. NO! Remember they taste like mold.

I say just set them free and send them all back to Brazil.

Please leave a comment with something from your naughty list. It would be fun to do a post about it.

This post is an example of what happens when an artist is in full art mode from our resent show and attempts to stop abruptly and start cooking and cleaning too fast. I do have faith it will all level out soon.

Getting Ready

2010-12-14T12:10:00.000-08:00

It’s time to make it all come together. The tree is a small little thing on a table at the edge of the kitchen. It holds special ornaments made by some of my art friends and is sheltering a few gifts to torment the grand children.

I found these magnetic bugs last summer, perfect for a metal Christmas tree.

My art group had a Christmas party last week, such a happy celebration after the busy show. We draw names and exchange gifts, visit and share a feast beyond compare. This flaming heart was my gift from Stephanie Brockway. Steph knows my sense of humor hence the words. I have wanted one of her hearts for a very long time, lucky me, thanks Steph.

We started baking yesterday, Jen made wonderful butter scotch cookies and I made some sugar cookies to be decorated by the family with great quantities of sprinkles, icing, and hot coco.

Apple pies for the freezer waiting to be baked Christmas eve.

I had some help emptying the cupboards and tasting cookies.

The parents of Natalie had new carpet installed so everyone including Nat must wear slippers in the house, a good rule. Her fathers shoes size 14 and her shoe size 4 &1/2.

I think Winnie will not be invited over, poor dog.

Winnie will be staying in today warm by the fire. She and I have had enough wet dog days for awhile.

Stay warm friends and enjoy the holidays and everything they offer you.

A Huge Thank You

2010-12-05T14:33:00.000-08:00

We opened the doors Friday morning to our own winter wonderland, our guests came in to see silver and white decorations gleaming around our art. I had front lobby duty the first hour of our show to help guide everyone back to the gym. I was not prepared for my feelings. It was like Christmas morning and your mom called out "Santa Clause came come see" only you are told "except you, you need to wait an hour", that is when it hit me just how excited I was. It was not a let down when I got in there, there was a burst of natural light coming in the windows accompanied by laughter and people enjoying everything we had done, Thank you.

This piece was named "Flight", she found a great new home.

I sure enjoyed talking to everyone.

A little Christmas shopping...

I loved her coat...

Two high school friends meet up after 60 years.
Thank you everyone who came and who encouraged us. The show was a great success we could not do it with out you.

Winnie

I was cleaning the frig and dropped this parsnip before I knew it Winnie was on it and gone, a good move for a Newf.

It looks like I need to feed her some veggies.

Getting Ready

2010-11-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

Last April I did a felted soap tutorial and now is the time to try it. Here is the link. Give it a go it really is fun and they make great gifts.

If you don't have time to make your own you can pick some up at the show next Friday and Saturday.

I have also made a few more characters.

I have a very little story about them on the PAC blog.
And speaking of story's, my sister saw last weeks post and named the character with the dots on her arms and wrote her a story, here is is.
Penny Polka Dot

One sunny afternoon while Penny was strolling down the path a very large leopard came up beside her. Although quite frightened she struck up a conversation with him. It seems he had just returned from a wild adventure and was anxious to share the events of his trip with someone. Calmly she walked beside him as he explained just how he had come to be in her part of the forest. She had never imagined that a leopard could actually fly much less navigate from one continent to another. Skeptical of his story she began to ask questions and challenge him on parts of his tale. He was a little taken aback by her attitude and felt that she was disrespectful. She was determined to get the truth out of him and he was just as determined to finish telling her about his adventure. So he began speaking in earnest to get done before she interrupted again. The third time she stopped him he became quite angry and began to run in circles around her. Faster and faster he went until he was no more than a blur. Soon she was caught up in the whirlwind of activity and she herself flew into the air. When she finally stopped and came back down to earth she was covered with little red poke a dots. Alarmed she demanded to know what had happened, the leopard simply turned and walked away. When he was nearly out of sight he paused, looked over his shoulder and winked. Now, he said, tell everyone how you got your spots and see if they believe you!

Thanks Becky that was fun!

Cast of Caracters

2010-11-20T11:38:00.000-08:00

I have been working on these people for a few days now and several story's have come to mind about their life's and personality's. It is not until I paint there faces that the story's begin. Some of these characters will be in the Portland Art Collective annual art sale and some are going to Gaurdino Gallerys Little Things Show. I hope you can come meet them in person, follow the links for dates and time.

I'm not sure what Colman is holding but it is like a syringe made from glass.

Al has just trimmed his mustache for the show.

Yoga is getting ready for a workout.

What a good man Dart is ready for action.

I don't need to say anything about Art.

I don't know her name but I like her hat.

J.G. worked hard for many years.

Look at the move Yoga is putting on good old Dart.

You can never get everyone to look at the camera at the same time.

This is my dear friend Winnie, she is happy the weather has changed so she can spend the day at my feet. She is a Landseer Newfoundland named after the artist Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, who featured them in many of his paintings.

10 Days in Alabama

2010-11-13T08:14:00.000-08:00

It was so sunny in Alabama with temps almost 80 degrees what a difference as I look out this morning to dark gray skies. But before you all move they don't have the flowers we have.

I stayed at my daughters home in Huntsville in the north of the state. I was surprised to see almost every house was made from brick with VERY large lawns but no flower beds.

Red clay soil can be seen at every turn, this could explain the bricks. It was hard to see what crops had been planted but there were cut fields of cotton and corn.

We drove past cotton bales as big as a house and I couldn't help jumping out of the car near a field to pick this piece.

The mixed woods are beautiful and so full of color. We took a picnic to this nature park and sat in wood rocking chairs overlooking the lake.

A trail of red chips and confetti colored leaves surrounded the lake with a magical covered bridge to transport you back in time.

I took some arty shots of the kids and fell in love with this one as they are trying to make a serious face.

I had great plans to bring home loads of old rusty stuff to do art with but for the life of me we couldn't find much. I did buy an old white wash paint brush but that was about it. This old home looked so rich with color, the red walls against the yellow fall leaves, brick and rust yummy my palette.

Drinking from this sink you can feel the history flow into you.

Women's Christian Temperance Union - click on image below to read the sign.

After talking to several local artists it became clear I was not in the north west. How lucky we are to have the arts in abundance here. One glass artist told us about Lowe Mill a huge brick building with wonderful light and three floors of mixed arts.

If you don't take the stairs you ride in an old fright elevator operated by this young man.

I wanted to take lots of photos but was almost tackled and told NO photos (sorry).

We did spend some time visiting with a puppet artist and learned the history of the artist cooperative. When I go back I will have to spend some more time here. I would love to take a workshop from her.

As every trip when you are visiting loved ones the time passes to quickly....

So much fun!!!

2010-11-02T19:50:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE

It has been a whirl wind of activity the past week and a ton of fun.

Actually it started over a week ago with the Portland Art Collectives biannual art retreat that is never a let down. What came down was plenty of rain.

As soon as I got home it was time for the Day of the Dead show at Guardino Gallery.

That was Thursday night you can still catch the show it will run for the month.

Friday night was story telling at the fabulous John Palmer house with my Mom and sister Becky. It was a fund raiser for nest share read more about it here. You will have to go next year it was a wonderful why to celebrate Halloween.

Then Saturday we had an early birthday party 1 is such a great age!

Yummy cake...

Sunday was Halloween with a Ladybug infestation

A six week old monkey came along....

as well as Dracula, he does have a reflection.

In the morning I'm off to Alabama my daughter is setting up a studio and I can't pass that up. We will be soldering and playing with clay. I also heard that there are plenty of antique stores with the kind of stuff I like to make art out of, I will be posting pictures.

Day of the Dead

2010-10-21T22:46:00.000-07:00

I just now finished my three pieces for Dias De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead at Guardino Gallery 2939 NE Alberta St. Portland.The reception is Oct 28 from 6:00- 9:00 pm.The show will be up till Nov21 but you will want to come opening night for all the fun.

This piece is Saint Cecilia she is the patron saint of musicians, the main body of the piece is made from an old accordion. The bellows are yellow and lean out from the wall, Cecilia is painted on canvas in the back and on the front I framed it with molding.

This next ones title is "Religion on the Level"

It is a wire and clay sculpture that is mounted on an old level- yes I'm sorry I couldn't help it.

I love his peaceful face.

And this one I'm not sure what to call her I have till Monday to come up with something.

I did find out I don't like making sculls and trying to work them into my art, I didn't know that about myself because I love all the day of the dead stuff I see everyone else make,hmmm maybe next year.
I hope many of you can come to the opening night it really is a party.

Giveaway

2010-10-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

I have a giveaway at the Portland Art Collectives blog. All you need to do is follow the link over to that blog and leave a comment to enter to win the most wonderful little chandelier glass journal.

They are fun and make a great gift. Journaling made easy you don't have to write much.

Good Luck!

Third installment-Your Personal Santos-

2010-10-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

Last but not least was the Santos class on Monday. Oh my goodness the beautiful Santos that came out off this class were incredible.

It started out a bit brutal getting our heads ready but soon enough we are modeling a new head with clay.

Next came the paint and clothes, lace, beads and the best little items any one would love to own. We were able to all sit facing each other and that made for inspiration and conversation.

One by one the Santos personality's emerged.

I'm sad I didn't get a photo of every Santos because each one was great.

I made many new friends this week, something wonderful happens when like minded women create together.

I would love to see the Santos with all the little details sewn on so if you have a photo please send it to me and I will post it, thanks.

A special thank you to Destree for helping us with the class sign in and all her wonderful photos.

“Can I do that Michelangelo” installment #2

2010-10-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

Thursday was “Can I do that Michelangelo” a wire and clay sculpture class. Boy was that fun and the art the class made was fabulous. This smile sums it up for me the entire day was like that. Unfortunately the wire is hard to photograph but my Aunt Talie who made the long drive from The Dalles to help me for the day did a great job. It was so nice having her that day to sign in everyone, hand out materials, take photos and as always being the best cheer leader on the planet, thank you A. Talie.

her wings will be filled in later

I think for the next class I will bring a black back drop for the photos because the sculptures are fun to see, they all did such a good job.

Tomorrow the Santos class...

installment #1 “Yes I want that drill press and more…” at Art & Soul

2010-10-12T21:27:00.000-07:00

I see the benefit of blogging as you go because I have so many stories and photos that I would love to share with everyone, I think I will try to make several posts in the next few days to cover as much as possible.

I headed for Portland last Tue the 5th and spent the night with my friend Suzanne in Vancouver she put me up for several nights and the other nights I stayed with Dayna on her boat. Both Dayna and Suzanne took classes and have made posts about them so when you are done here check out their blogs.

Wednesday was “Yes I want that drill press and more…” a shop class loaded with tools. We built a shadow box from new lumber and decked them out with objects the students brought in. I could not have done this class without the help of Maggie and Gil. Maggie manned the chop saw and was safety guru and Gil was on the circular saw, jig saw and all around tool master. Suzanne was nice enough to come into this class and take the photos.

I love how the art goes with the artist.

Here we have above the sander, jig saw and drill press being put to work.

Maggie and Gil help the class get the boxes together.

the final projects turned out GREAT!

I really think in the next few weeks a few tools will be purchased and put to good use. Thank you class I really had a great time !

Tomorrow will be “Can I do that Michelangelo” a wire and clay sculpture class.

October Starts Great

2010-10-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

I flew into Silverton for first Friday and was greeted with a party.

This is the door of The Stone Buddha.

And a beautiful window.

Just inside the door all sorts of goodies.

Treats everyone enjoyed....if you ever get the chance to Silverton do it on a first Friday.

This week I'm teaching at Art & Soul in Portland the Santos class, a tool class and the wire sculpture class so I have been packing for a week.

in the house...

in the van...then I got the good idea to dye my hair....

Did I say it is October

Second try a bit better...I'm off to Portland ...with seasonal hair.

This is great!!! #2 of 2 news posts

2010-09-28T22:52:00.000-07:00

Attention Art & Soul attendees and everyone who will be going to vendors night.

Here is an opportunity to really help and get some art in the process.

Some of the teachers at Art and Soul were ask to take a tea pot and alter it in the medium of their choice. Then that piece will be entered into a silent auction at the event next week. The auction will be held near the Art & Soul office at Embassy Suites 7900 N.E. 82nd Ave. Portland, bidding starts Tue 10/5 and ends Sat evening at 9:00 pm. All the proceeds will go to CHAP . Here is a clip from their web site....

CHAP works with over 10,000 children and their families each year in our partner facilities: Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children.

Please click on their link above and read all about them I think you will be impressed.

Poor little crow has really got himself into a pickle this time. You can see by his expression he is a bit worried.

His wings are pined and just three tail feathers have popped out of the spout.

I think this silly crow will be just fine and hopefully he has learned a lesson....

I would love for my tea pot to go home with someone and help CHAP at the same time. Thank you in advance, Tory

First Friday at the Stone Buddha - #1 of 2 news posts

2010-09-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

The little town of Silverton is big into art! I was invited to participate at the Stone Buddha 216 East Main Street for their First Friday (that's this Friday) 6:00 till 8:00. The entire town will be open and welcoming to all comers, they will have food music and plenty of art. The main theme for the Stone Buddha show is Ravens and Crows contributed by several artist and the murder (a group of crows) will be show in the main window.

Also included will be several of my Santos. This very large one stands over 5'7" and wears a rosary or my artistic rendering of one that is made from scrabble tiles. It reads the first lines of the Lords Prayer up to "on earth as it is in heaven". I have told you before how I never know what the face will look like till it is there. And I was surprised and happy with this one, he looks like a nice person.

There are so many little lovelies in the store it takes time to see it all.

Beautiful hand made jewelry, clothes, tea sets, and so much more.....

The show will be up for the month of Oct.

This was my second large Santos if I don't watch out I might need to build a monastery.

The clouds moved as if Picasso was painting them in front of me.

2010-09-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

It is 7:30 pm Saturday, the night sky is Payne’s gray with the tall firs black in silhouette. I’m working on an art piece that is due Monday. I’m sitting at my work bench next to a large open window with cool wisps of the night air drifting in. I just heard the call of a large owl. I envy what he will see tonight flying quietly over the trees, fields and river. A few nights ago as I sat in the same spot I saw the moon rise behind the firs and went out with my camera and tripod. The clouds scuttled across the sky on winds I could not feel and the colors drew me in, the owl I bet he loved that night.

The edge of darkness is so active with the changing of shifts I wish it lasted a little longer.

Once in a while I get to see the Herons looking for their night roost. He is sitting on the top of a very very tall fir tree over looking the river.

I wanted to share these paintings by art students at Lincoln Elementary School in Woodburn it is part of their art appreciation class. The art is hanging in a Starbucks, I was very impressed with their work.

I really like this last one and the third one down as well.

Photo Opportunity

2010-09-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

I met my friend and fellow artist Debi Koenig in Woodburn last Saturday to take some shots of her art for a new page on the Portland Art Collective blog (this is the page 2010 Open Doors Art Show and Sale ) it shows what kind of items we will have for sale at our annual art show and sale in December. Debi is known for her super bright colors and whimsical nature, I ask her to tell me about the piece above and below. She told me she was inspired by a class she took from Traci Bautista at Artfest last spring, I can see Debi's unique touch and in these piece's she used some of her beautiful hand colored paper.

The books below are covered in Debi's yummy multi layered art paper. I think they are note pads, journal and a calender.

These beauty's would be fun to have on any desk.

Debi also makes cute little felted balls.

Here is a plain black and white doodle......

and with a little color...

it will be fun to see what she will be doing with these.

I may have to rethink rust all this color looks good.

I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns.
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British politician.

Oliver

2010-09-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

Sunday Sept 19th at about 7:00 pm Oliver Norman Brokenshire took a deep breath and met his parents.

On Monday morning I drove to Portland picked up Oliver's big sister and we headed north to meet him.

I don't even have to say anything... she likes him.

Papa and I gave her a baby doll that was stripped down and given a bath in a matter of minuets. We all went to the little family's home said good night and left them to rest. Mom did a great job, it will be hard to get her to rest. My son is taking three months maternity leave to stay home and with their remodel he may not rest either.

Norm and I stopped in Woodland for dinner, we did rest and our rant was all praise for our new grandson.

A very large Raven and first Friday

2010-09-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

What is this?

A very large nest for an over sized raven, it is made from yard sticks, rulers, folding and metal tape measures. It is attached to an old wood tripod and stands about 3'6" but could go higher.

Here she is Corvus corax or the common raven not a very fancy name for such a wonderful bird. This raven measures over 29" long the real bird is not much smaller at 24" in length with a wing span of 53" thats almost 4 1/2 feet. This bird and nest along with some smaller crows are going to be displayed at the Stone Buddha in Silverton, Oregon. I was ask to be a featured artist at the Stone Buddha for the towns first Friday in October. First Friday happens to be Oct 1st the display will stay up for the month.

I put this photo of the large Santos so you can see the scale of it's size. The Santos stands 5'4" almost as tall as me. I will be adding some eggs to her nest this next week. It has been fun working on the large items, I might have to get a bigger house.

Did you know if a raven is lucky it can live in the wild to a ripe old age of 40.

I almost stepped on this little fellow the other night right after the rains started. I'm not so fond of slugs in fact I wish I never saw them but I do like snails carrying it's little home on it's back.

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered— not a feather then he fluttered
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "other friends have flown before
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said, "Nevermore."

Super Santos and my laptop died.

2010-09-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

I have spent the better part of a week working on this over sized Santos. Stephanie Brockway the curator of "Day of the Dead" show at Gaurdino Gallery in Portland invited me to make a special extra large piece for a window display and boy it has been fun. It started with the torso that is a antique phone box two little bells included. The torso gave me the dimensions for the head, I was not sure if it would be a male or female and I'm still a bit fuzzy about it but I'm leaning toward male.

Here it it photographed on white and at an angle for the show card.

His legs are 1940's split wood crutches with size 10 wooden shoe stretchers, the base is a piano stool top. I made the rosary out of bingo balls and his arms are legs from a claw foot stool. There is a small shelve to light a candle and make your day of the dead prayers. Hie crown was fun to make and Steph's idea to make it from an old metal tape measure that I riveted together and soldered a copper cross to the top.

If you click on the photo it will enlarge so you can see the details, I had photos but last night before I got them into blogger my laptop got a bug a died. I think it got me as well because it made me just sick I hope I can retrieve all my paper work and photos. I will be posting the dates of the show and address as soon as I'm back up and running.

Busy, busy, busy but having fun!

2010-09-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy time for me in the last few weeks I have been getting in the last of summer every place I can. Sunday before last the Portland Art Collective had the best time dressing like pirates and going out on a dragon boat practice vessel.

Stripes are in every pirates wardrobe.

If laughter is good medicine we are all in good health.

The day ended with pizza and a nice visit.

Monday my grandson George and I went to the fair. We took the tram to see the animals then walk back for the rides.

George had made a wish to see the baby pigs. He was not disappointed.

So cute the miniature donkeys.

We did go on a ride together but mostly G did the rides and even won a few toys to take home to his baby sister.

Thursday it was off to look for metal assemblage parts...

But Stop! you must cover your toes so we had to run to the Goodwill for some lovely foot ware.

The digging was good but next time I go back with some tools.

And this last Sunday I headed to my friend Debi's. She was cleaning and purging with the help of her super organizing sister Terry. Debi wondered if she had held on to this Daisy Kingdom bag long enough? She was very generous and invited all her art friends to take home anything they wanted( I think I just heard our friend Vay faint)

I got to see an old friend, Molly a rescue dog that stayed with me for a short while waiting for her forever home with Terry and her son.

And got meet Debi's new kitty Copper who kept an eye on all the doings outside.

The rain started today and the children went back to school its the end of summer but not the fun, thanks for reading my blog and thanks to all of you who leave your comments I love them.

Friday Desk Polka Dots

2010-08-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write a fun and witty story about the polka dotted scarf but writing is an art and takes time with trial and errors and I just don’t have time for that so I will have to tell you the truth.

Once upon a time not so long ago (4 months I think) two artists hit the road for an art retreat in a magical land called Fort Worden. These two artists are not so different from one another and being well raised girls they are always kind and polite in public. This is a very fortunate thing being polite because about a week before the trip one of the girls found the best ever in the world polka dotted scarf. And the other girl didn’t even grab it or scream or even roll her eyes at her friend’s excellent purchase. She did however think of that scarf tied around her friend’s neck flapping in the wind as they drove north. She imagined how it would look as they greeted their other art friends and how everyone would say “OMG what a totally cool scarf (apparently my imagination is a valley girl) and she was right, everyone who saw the best ever in the world polka dotted scarf thought it was “lovely”.

As the months passed she mostly forgot about the best ever in the world polka dotted scarf and life went on as usual. That is until she was making items for a future art sale and thought of making scarves out of the antique sari strips she had bought in the magical land. She made one scarf and then it hit her like a polka dotted brick – yes, yes, yes! Make your own best ever in the world polka dotted scarf, make them for everyone, make them for the world! Well maybe some people in the world can get one of the best ever in the world polka dotted scarves. By now I know you figured out it was me the one with scarf envy. I just love the polka dots, and I hope to make more.

The End