sydmead-amazing

click on sydmead--wow

cool art and music-hot backyard

So- here are a few pics of the backyard faire. It was so hot-(102) which we are not used to here-however- we had one hundred plus people dare to go down the easement and into the backyard
Thanks to all who came and bought-and artists and family who played, supported and hung out eventhough it was sooooo very hot.
tarehna brandon finny preston nate brian jr joe joley brian hope judy jacob aleysha and especially tedarling- i love you all

Faire flier

Here's the flier for the faire.
Hope to see ya there.

Rainy Day Box

Yet another box for a rainy day.

Gearing up for Backyard Urban Faire

So- I have been working on a few things. The "box factory" is all the recycled cigar and chewing tobacco boxes I have been painting, collaging and whatever else-ing.
Then, I got into a Sculpey mode. Never done it before and it was kinda fun- roll it, and pat it and mark it with a "design" and bake it in the oven for jewelry for me-or somebody-
THEN I found a huge canvas at Goodwill-actually a bunch- but bought two. LOVE- I know is the symbolic sculpture we all remember from our youth-'60s and '70s children-and I'm not stealing it but rather using it as a symbol and personal reflection on an idea i had-
the whole idea of this painting was for me to-
1. paint larger that I have for a long time-
2. get it done in a day--because I approached this project thinking like this: big giant canvas- intimidating- must put an incredible work of art on it -after all -it's trees and stuff -ok- get over it-
think-quickly-simple think
What would I do if I found out I was going to DIE tomorrow? kind of a motivator for me to paint and not be intimidated by the canvas creature- so I thought- what would I do- what would I want to say and do-- and make it simple(for everybody)
I thought what would I want my grandsons to know and remember from abuelita?
Simplify in a visual statement LOVE ...LIVE, love
-always -now and -forever-
--- just like the Beatles say --we all know "love is all there is."
some may think it - well whatever "they" wanna think-it's still my agenda and that is my message- it means something to ME-
Oh and then I have a skirt -that I thought it said 14 and it actually said 1.(point) 4 --WHAT? anyway - it is being turned into a collage kinda thing (work in progress) using the lid of a cigar box with the fabric glued on and a little song about catching stars and puttin' 'em in your pocket-actual pocket from front of skirt.
All for our Backyard Urban Faire (in my backyard) on Aug. 16th in conjunction with Hawthorne Day in my "hood."

sumpter sights

The beauty of the natural reservoir that is the source of the Powder River-just up the road a piece from our little cabin in the forest.
This is the "stump art" that my husband loves to work on-all objects he finds on the "property" around our cabin.
This is the lemon who makes sure we stay hydrated while searching for treasures at the Flea Market.
This is Clyde- he makes sure we know what the temperature is while we are in the forest.
These are our neighbors in Sumpter-actually they live under the deck and are usually annoyed by us human types that come and disturb their home.

sumpter-woods-joe cocker

We're off to the little cabin in the mountains. Sumpter, located in the beautiful Elkhorn Mountains along the refreshing Powder River.We'll be gone over the fourth of July long weekend and am looking forward to being out of the city during this time. May we all have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. Peace out with Joe Cocker (thanks T-I laughed out loud!) check it out.

Personalized Gift Boxes

More boxes! This one is for my oldest grandson for Christmas. I decided the time it takes to do one of these that it is truly a labor of love -so why not make them for the people I love?! This one has his name -of course- and some of the images of what this 4.5 year old has liked so far in his life. Pirates, ugly dolls and bugs--oh and don't forget the robots! I love you Pdub and now on to another box for another love. Who will that be--only I know-as this is STILL my OWN AGENDA!

green cigar boxes

Boxes of the cigar variety, now ready to be used in whatever way you so choose. Treasure boxes with secret items or just your full on booty box with ---well you get the idea.
Anyway I am finished with these. They are fun to do. The orange and red one is fake mosaic. I used some old photos that I didn't want anymore and cut them into tiny pieces to look like tiles that somewhat match the trim of the box. I doubt I will do another mosaic one because it was kinda tedious to do and time consuming, but I wanted to try it. Been there done that -check it off my list.
I am trying to keep the integrity of the box, as I personally love the trims and the inside lid has the original motif of whatever type of cigar was stored in the box. Back in the "day" when we would do these we would try to cover every part of the box-so as to try to make it like it wasn't a cigar box. What were we thinking? Although I kinda wana make a really cheesy '70's one with velvet and Peter Max kinda paper or design with satin and Stevie Nicks flowy kinda material--I am still doing my own agenda.

cigar box monkey

My latest project. I was using Sharpee markers on the gesso base and finding it doesn't really work with the colored ones, anyway. So I am going to just finish with acrylic paint - as I know that will work. I love Frida's monkey. I really like the boarders of the box with the jungley background. It's still my own agenda.

sun moon solstice peace love

..and so ...a cigar box for the summer solstice. the sun and the moon loving each other. my agenda. i am now working on yet another cigar box with frida and her little monkey...cuz i wanna..having your own agenda is fun!

Mushroom decoupage to Frida portrait

Once upon a time in 1972 they used to do this crazy thing (well actually there were a lotta crazy things)-but one was decoupage-taking a picture of some polka dotted mushrooms or some cutesy thing and gluing it to a perfectly fine piece of wood.
Well-that's cool- however I am into this oil painting adventure right now and don't want to spend a bunch of dollars on new wood- plus that just doesn't seem right. Goodwill has a plethora of these little wood plaques with all the old funky stuff on it. 99cents-a little gesso and I am in business. The size is small and just perfect for me to experiment with the oils-but not break my bank with using so much paint.
I am still in my Frida mode and decided that instead of the wacky kitties that everybody wants-I would have my own agenda (a la jafabrit blog inspired) and paint a portrait of someone I believe to be worthy of such recycled wood.
I am very pleased with how she turned out, and learned a lot in the process--I need new brushes and I need to get new glasses!!-I had to take them off and put the work up really close in order to tackle the small size.
As my own agenda is seeping through, I have started a portrait of my grandson on a little block of wood. I think about who or what is the most meaningful to me and has purpose for me to paint and spend time with that subject. Right now it is people I enjoy looking at and who mean something important to me.
Somewhere back in art school I remember one of my drawing teachers saying-whatever you are drawing should be something you like to look at and is emotionally pleasing to you-for beginning drawing or painting that is so true. The more I already know and like about my subject, then I can concentrate on the techniques or medium I am learning to use. So that is what I am doing with the oil paints.
My next project- painting and drawing on recycled cigar boxes. talk about 1972-sheeesh- I know that was a thing we did then, too, however-since this is MY agenda for what I want to do as an artist-I'm gonna paint suns and moons and peace signs on 'em, too--so there!

IMAGINE PEACE

babies and kitties--kitties and babies

OK a Gramma has to brag once in awhile-this is my time.
Finn-the new baby brother-with big brother Pdub- was not so small. He came the weekend before Mother's Day-10lbs90z! and 24" long--and Mom is doing great. We are very proud and happy--just a geeky-cool side effect that comes with grandparenting. It is so fun!

The kitties are for the masses of people who are feline possessed. I have some work up at the corner Starbuck's on Hawthorne again and we went into get our morning java and my husband noticed the "Kitty Dreams" piece was missing- we thought someone had stolen it! What negative dark sides we have--ha-- it was purchased!
sooooooooo the two kitties here are for sale-of course and will go up as soon as they dry. I went to the Goodwill and bought old wooden plaques, gesso-ed them and tried my new oil paints- that clean up with soap and water. I spent all day out in the sun on my front porch and even put some art out for sale in the front yard. What fun -those oil paints -I had forgotten how blendy- and buttery they are. I am happy with how they turned out - hopefully someone else will too. Everyone wants a kitty and has a kitty story.

Remember and Waiting

OK- there is a lotta stuff I should be doing instead of this. Cleaning, laundry, detailing my Yari, but I went blogging instead and am now caught up in the retro world of 60' and 70' big eyes- thanks to Jafabrit and her awe inspring abilities to distract me (happily).
I, however, do not have any sketch books- or anything for that matter, left from the beauty days of 1972. I do have some memories (they can't burn) and so- in reading and looking I remembered a silly drawing in one of my sketchbooks that I did awhile back. My cousin and I would draw these big eyed faces over and over-with kewpie lips and different hairstyles. Sort of Precious Moments scarey!
Meanwhile waiting for Finn (my second grandson's) arrival. He was due May first, but is delaying his arrival , for I am sure, a good reason.

colour with pencil

I have been using some inexpensive coloured pencils to play around in my sketch book. I want to paint a sign for the front area in front of the fence of my house--because we found some lovely deposits that somebody forgot to pick up! @#*! euw! don't do that!
Then I grew up with peacocks roaming around on the farm ---sort of a butterfly/peacock idea in my head. ..what with the bones and all .

Illustration Friday-Homage

Homage to my Dad--he was born in the Fall and died in the Spring. We remember him and love him all the seasons of the year.
Illustration Friday theme Homage.
Photo,acrylic,glitter,marker on canvas-collage

butterfly bones

Just a doodle from my drawing pad- "poke you in the eye with butterfly bones"- lyrics from a song by this musician who is classically trained- however- has made his own unique instrument and music. . we saw him on stage last week...Had to get an image down. THAT ONE GUY- check him out, he is very unique and entertaining.

Spring in your own backyard

Sometimes all ya have to do is go in your own backyard. A sweet little pansy leftover from last spring- I think- as I have done nothing in the yard. Practicing with my close up shots and steading my hand. Happy Spring!

picture worth a thousand words

This collage has a picture of one of my students at Reed Collage gallery. We had a guided tour of Jacob Lawrence prints. I always liked the picture of Brent as he walked across the room. So --a picture is worth a thousand words sometimes and this says it all for me - yep there are a thousand words. I used some pastels over the photo and blended into the already painted recycled canvas. The J.L. print is the barbershop. I am happy with how it turned out

no hearts and no curtains

OK--well there's hearts, but it's not a curtain. I really don't like traditional window coverings and I have two windows on the side of my house that have a delightful view of the easement that goes between my house and the next building--eeuuw.
So I was inspired last weekend by all the artistic bloggers out there who are heart happy. Even though I shy away from the heart sometimes-I tried to hide it (not so subtly) in this cut out.
I used black tag board and overlapped and attached tissue paper. I cut out the design and hole punched at the center top, took some clear fishing line and tied to a skinny expandable curtain rod. I covered the back with clear tissue, so it would look o.k. from both sides.
The one on the top is a variation in experiment- dimensional tissue pieces sandwiched on pipe cleaners and embellished, coated with shiny modge podge and then tied into the cutout in the board.
I quite like it...as it fits perfect in the bottom window and leaves the top window open for light.

Movin' on-from Frida to faces to letting "old friends "go

So here is my tribute to Frida and Diego-just in time for Valentine's Day-ha-. Anyway- it may not be at the exact place I wanted it-,but I feel satisfied enough to move on and be done with it, for now...and that's good. I was kinda experimenting with the clay attached to the canvas- and then I REALLY got into painting with glitter..that was an hour or so of WOW look what a piece of wire in glitter can do and WHOA -I'm mesmerized by the shiny stuff and then I coated it with the high gloss modge podge so it wouldn't lose it's glittery seduction. Got a little OC with the glitter!

Anyway-I moved onto a quick collage with faces and a couple of favorite photos, one on a light poles in the neighborhood-I AM THEREFORE _I THINK and the other a girl at a local pub this summer-- I guess I was just pondering the idea of how people can get so-o-o into what they are and sometimes forget who they are in an everyday way..or something like that- It was a quick and happy creating moment with a fast turn around of , what I call, "instant artification." I just like to start it -see it. and have it done in ONE day-sometimes.
Last , but not least, a little grouping of some pieces I put up at the local Starbuck's. Tried to pick pieces that show the diversity of what I do (and ones I need to let go of and need new homes.) I will add F and D and the faces collage to the side wall sometime this week to join the group. Really boring photo-but it's out there-

Oh my gosh -we all wanna go to Delaware. Delaware? Anyway- check out today's Artdaily- it's all about Frida. No coincidence , I finished my tribute piece for F and D today! Am hanging some pieces for a mini show at Starbuck's today, too. I know- Starbucks, but they have a lotta foot traffic and it's only a half a block away. Maybe I could start a fund to go to Delaware in March!

One year anniversary

"Our house, is a very very fine house.." the first time I heard that song was in Amsterdam in like 1970-71? at a concert in which that song was the only one sung in English. Little did I know, that one day I would be living and creating in one such fine house. I always loved the song , from the first time I heard it (child of the 70's that I am). I hope I don't sound boastful, but am simply glad and thankful to be in this space. Others also appreciate and recognize the colorful regeneration of our 103 year old house and studio. We have been here a year now and enjoy being a part of our eclectic and vibrant neighborhood. Thanks to all-- and check out this flicker pic to see other spectacular houses in our neighborhood. (thanks Brandon)

Interesting link-

This link is one I found on Jafabrit's blog-- the question is -would you wear one of these suits? I haven't answered yet- but like to read how others respond and seem to really know which one they would wear and why. I'm still thinkin'.... Check it out.....interesting link

Frida and Diego

Just wanted to put up another post of something I feel better about, as far as combining media. I have been working on and off with this Frida and Diego piece and am much more pleased with where I stop and start with it.
I am using photos, painting, tissue and clay pieces, along with the shrinky dink material I was into during October. In progress- but unlike the piece of my Dad- when I am away from this one- I return and am pleased to look at many parts of it.