A Few Good Reasons To Be An Artist...

Time Flies!

In honor of my 1 year blog anniversary I did a drawing with the names of all my Followers. I can't believe it's been a year already! My youngest son & grandson were the Masters of Ceremonies! Looks like I may have 4 drummers on my hands pretty soon! Perhaps I will do another drawing soon just for fun! Cathie at MagicMarkingsArt was the winner! Check out her wonderful art & blog!


Yes that is 2 liter bottle is another one of my white trash redneck toys! Who knew a bottle with red food coloring in it could be so much fun?! haha JJ is getting his brave on. Standing up holding on to the table and then letting go. He can stand alone for a little while. He tried taking a step today but it didn't work out. It won't be long and we will be chasing him around the house! He is growing up so fast it will soon be his 1st birthday! Time does fly by!

Watch Out For That Step It's a Doozie!

Remember Ned... Ned Ryerson. "Needlenose Ned" "Ned the Head" from the movie Groundhog day? (Stephen Tobolowsky) "Watch out for that step! It's a doozie!" hahaha My hubby used to get so aggravated when I'd want to watch that movie again. He can't grasp why I would want to when the whole movie is nearly the same thing over & over. I love that movie though. He rarely watches a movie twice. I thought of it today as I almost took a tumble at the grocery store. Of course I looked around to see if anyone saw me. I'm sure someone did but I didn't hear anyone laughing. Thankfully I didn't throw my back out, so far so good anyway. Darn flip flops that I live in. Many times I watch a movie over again to notice the set/props/decor, or the lighting , or to pay more attention to costumes, or the camera man/angels or for the sheer pleasure of escape. I watched the movie Gattaca last night. I am surprised that I had passed that one over for so long. It was really different and I loved the costumes and set. I enjoyed it but it's not one I would watch a bunch of times even though Jude Law is easy on the eyes.

I have been painting with oils. It's been a while. In the past I always painted with oils, then decided to give acrylics a try. At first I didn't like them but I have grown to love the convenience of their fast drying quality. I have 2 days to complete them to submit them for the Marco Fuoco Gallery show in June. Here is a little one that I am working on.

I have gotten all the names of my wonderful Followers written down with my crazy pen and I'm getting ready to cut them all out. My little JJ is coming over tomorrow. I think I am going to let him be the master of ceremonies & do the drawing! Stay tuned it could be you!

Celebrate, Honor & Remember

Wishing you a safe & Happy Memorial Day!

To The Angels That Follow Me

In honor of my first blog anniversary I will be putting all of my Angels that Follow me in a hat (or bowl) for a drawing. I will be doing this on Tuesday or Wednesday. The name that is drawn out will be gifted a print of your choice! I really can't believe it's been a year already.
So as I sat reminiscing over the past year, where I was, and where I am now; I decided to post a few of my memorable moments or silly& goofy posts in the past year. There are a lot in between, I just picked one from each month, except this month...
May 2008 - Life Outside The Cubicle - My first post
June 2008 - They Say It's Your Birthday!
July 2008 - Ok Wednesday Wasn't It...Friday Is!
August 2008 - If This House Is A Rockin'...Come On In
September 2008 - Life's Just A Wild Ride (this still makes me laugh)
November 2008 - A Day At The Beach
December 2008 - Oh What A Night!
January 2009 - Tagged & Tickled (my first time being tagged)
February 2009 - Tuesday's Altered Thoughts
March 2009 - One Won't Do It
April 2009 - Cross Country Country Music
I love blogs & blogging and have met so many wonderful people. All of your support & wonderful comments this past year means a great deal to me! Thank you for being an Angel of mine!
P.S. If you've already read these posts just ignore them and start thinking of a print you'd like in you win! haha

Painting Willy Nilly

I've been painting a lot this week and I must say it has felt good. This little painting I did with the left over paints I had on my palette. Just painting willy nilly, she came to life and I love her. She makes me smile. Her eyes follow you & she seems a little mischievous don't you think? So I named her "Willy Nilly". I almost hate selling her. I listed her in my Etsy shop.

I went to my QAG (Quirky Art Group) meeting last night. It was lots of fun hanging out with a few of my Swell Sisters. We laughed a lot! We painted rocks with the intent on leaving them anonymously around town or keeping them for our gardens. I may now be hooked on painting rocks! My favorite is the round rock that I painted like the world with hearts "love makes the world go round". I am going to keep that one and I am thinking I will make a wire cage to put it in, with little hearts dangling from it and hanging it from one of my oak trees out back. I plan on taking some down to the creek just down the street. I will put them in strategic places so that people might spy them when they walk by. I may put a crawdad net in the water when I go too & see if I can catch any! I took this picture before I varnished them. The varnish really makes them look better.

Sentimental Journey

Just listed in my Etsy Store. I had a lot of fun painting & creating this Angel! She is painted on Side 2 Of a mint condition 12" vinyl LP record. "Sentimental Journey" is the 4th song on Side 2 of "Aurthur Murray's Dance Music. The song on the label was left untouched and shows through her hair and was the inspiration for this piece.

The 2 different expressions on each side of the Angel's face give her unique character & evokes emotion. She is bright & cheerful or somber & reflective. The moon represents a journey through time. The pretty flower in her hair represents the bright side of life & eternal optimism.

I'm "It"!

I was tagged by Suzi at Art With a Touch of Whimsy Thank you Suzi!
This is how the tag works: 1. Name and link back to person who tagged you. 2.List 6 things that make you happy. 3.Tag six bloggers and let them know they're it by leaving a comment.

Six Things That Make Me Happy

(besides my family, friends & poodles, not necessarily in order & not listed below)

1. Kisses & Hugs

2. Fluffy towels

3. The smell of turpentine

4. Making perfume

5. Antique stores

6. Hot Sauce

Tag You're It...

1. Sandy Petals

2. The Joeness

3. Groggy Froggy

4. Allow Me To Show You The Way Which I Adore You

5. Barb's Craft Therapy

6. Stroll Through Storyland

Looking At Art With Sister Wendy

Many years ago I happened to catch a series on PBS with Sister Wendy. I was lucky to catch it on a weekend and I spent one entire day doing nothing else but watching her. I don't even think I ended up getting dressed that day. Her descriptions, meanings, definitions, & things she pointed out made me look at art in a way I had never before.
Today as I was roaming around Youtube looking for something interesting to share with you I found Bill Moyers' fascinating interview with Sister Wendy Beckett this afternoon and could not quit watching. I was completely enthralled by her once again and watched all 6 parts and wish I could find the 7th. Watching every part is lengthy but watching them in order is certainly worth your time even if you are not an Artist. After this post I'm going to be shopping for some of her books & videos.
I feel Sister Wendy hits it on the head when she suggests looking at a few things & studying a few things at a time. Looking at image after image even though it can be fun at times, (easy to do on stumbleupon or flickr) I find kind of squashes my own creativity. I spend hours thinking about all the things I've seen and wanting to try new things, go off in different directions, instead of concentrating & working on my own art. I love her opinion that art "deepens our awareness of things that matter." In this conversation Part 3 Sister Wendy talks about looking at art.

Dirty Dog!

Roadie! Dirty Dog! He decided to have a little salad & ate my new lettuce sprouts! He's still my angel no matter what he does. He was not in trouble but doesn't he look really guilty as I'm taking his picture?! haha

I bought the most beautiful fresh artichokes this morning for only $.88 each. I was all ready to make some artichoke soup for supper when my hubby reminded me that he has another gig tonight. So I will be making that for Sunday supper instead. I also bought some raw peanuts to make boiled peanuts. They don't have them at the store often so I grabbed a bunch of bags. My son is going to be so excited.

I have been wanting to paint more vinyls and started one yesterday. It's on an old RCA Victor record. Authur Murray Music For Dancing. The jacket still has the plastic. The song that I left in tack & that will be the name of the piece is "Sentimental Journey". I have a lot of work to do on the eyes, face & wings. As you know she may change several times before I'm finished. I plan to melt the edges like I did the last ones. I will post a picture when she is completed. This is a picture of the beginning stages...

Arichoke Soup Photo courtesy of Pinch My Salt at Flickr.com

I've Got The Fever?

Maybe spring fever has been my problem lately for the lack of painting I have been getting accomplished? Maybe but I've been painting this week and it feels good. I have lots of new paintings in the works and surprise! they are not all Angels!

I have been hearing about Artfire so much that I have decided to list my new little sprout paintings there and give it a try. If there are any of you out there that sell on Artfire I would really like to hear from you.

These little paintings were inspired by my new sprouts that I grew from seed. Yes you heard right. I did it. Now if I can remember to water them... Sandypetals shared with me the easiest way to start seeds. You put some soil in plastic ziplock bags, zip them up and in a few days WA LA! Sprouts. I carefully transferred mine into some old plastic 6 packs that I had. I really wish I had saved more of these. My house sits on 1/3 of an acre which is way too much for my gardening ability. I have lots of room for plants and I am really motivated now. Maybe I can do this! I just started some more yesterday, lime green zinnias, if they are as pretty as the picture I am going to love them!

I'm going back into my studio then later I'm off to Sacramento for a Swell Sister meeting. I've missed the last few and it will be nice to see all my "sisters" and get a good shot in the arm. They are all inspiring, interesting, creative, artistic, talented & supportive women.

A Little Word on Wednesday

When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. (Psalm 138:3)

Show Me Some Love

And that my family did! I had a very nice Mother's Day. My hubby made a big wonderful breakfast & tasty coffee to start my day. It was so big no one felt like dinner so I ended up eating a can of Chef Boyardee ravioli for dinner! Haven't had that for years and believe it or not it was tastier than I remember. He bought me a beautiful stalk of orchids that are white with a touch of burgundy color in them. I went outside and picked some red tips out of my yard and covered the base of the vase then added a touch of yellow broom which really set the orchids off. Martha would be proud. haha I also got a beautiful bouquet from my kids. All the flowers & being in the yard got me motivated. I transferred my seedlings that Sandypetals told me how to start in plastic zip lock bags to little pots. Yes I am patting myself on the back because my thumb is not green at all. Now all I have to do is remember to water them and re-pot them pretty soon and hopefully I'll be making some great pickles and salsa later this year. I even bought some lime green zinnias & nasturtiums to start. Woo Hoo I'm on a roll!

While on Twitter today Oliveshoot shared this new video. I love the song and doesn't Rueben look so handsome?! She has some sweet tweets.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful Mother and to you & yours!

Hope you have a lovely day!

I'd Like to...

...runaway today but travel in this. Who wants to go with?

It doesn't happen too often that I'm in a funky mood/borderline bad mood but today is just one of those days. It is usually on one of these days that I do something drastic and regret it later; like cutting mega inches off my hair or dying it brown or red-which is not my natural color & not at the beauty shop either; starting a project while convincing myself it's only going to take an hour but truly it's gonna take days to finish, or groom the poodles myself... you get the picture. I have so far resisted the urge. I even drove to the corner store without my seatbelt on just to stick it to big brother. hahaha That's about as rebel as I get these days. haha I have to admit it felt good to be a little naughty.

I tried to paint today, ugh, nothing is making me smile or happy. I have been in a painting funk for weeks now. I need a muse. I am sure part of it comes from so many stressful family things that are going on lately. It may be finally getting me to me, loved ones hurting or sick, the lack of sales & phone calls tempting back into cubicle life with a big juicy paycheck. I know it's rough for everyone right now and I do honestly feel blessed that I am working from home, doing what I love and can be here for those who need me so please forgive me I'm just whiny.

I drove my son around today to put in more job applications. I have gotten him behind the wheel a few times this week so I'm making progress there. While he was filling out an application I popped into the local thrift store. I bought a hole punch for $.50. What I wanted to buy was a beautiful grand piano they had for $400. Well it could be beautiful with a little elbow grease. It was huge. My living room is huge but it would have taken up 1/4 of it and I couldn't even play it properly. I'd need some John Thompson books & lessons. Again I resisted the urge. Talk about one of those drastic things that I would later regret! haha

Wordless Wednesday

I'm Driving In My Sleep!

I've been having dreams I am driving almost every night since I've been home.
Many Thanks & Lots of Love to my Wingman!

CD of his band - $Free

Atlas Road Map - $20

Gas, Food & Motels with scratchy towels - $1000

Laughs with Loved Ones - Priceless

Only Elvis...

... could make Cheetos a tastier snack!

Sunday Blessed

I had some exciting news yesterday. I received a call from Teri Martin letting me know that she is now selling some of her Pop Art jewelry with my Angels on them at 2 galleries in Downtown Disney in Florida! Way to go Teri! The galleries are Pop Gallery & Hoipoloi! Teri also makes beautiful colorful boxes. You can check her work out here and more necklaces on her myspace page here. Thank you Teri! I love them!

A big shout out goes to a few people for featuring my art in their lovely Etsy Treasury's! Check this heavenly & colorful collection here by Phantomheart11. Also to Abbasgirl who included my Sunday Morning painting in her eye popping Treasury last week. Sorry Abbasgirl your Treasury is expired and I can't show it off but it was a great one! Can't wait to see your next.

So I am counting my blessings this Sunday. A year or so ago I would have never dreamed I would be doing what I love and meeting such lovely supportive people. The friendships I have made online are priceless. I appreciate all you "Angels" that follow me, send me wonderful emails, comments and keep me pumped!

My Man & The Movies

Sorry for no post yesterday I had a sweet friend come spend the day with me. I had so much fun. We went out & had a nice lunch, watched "The Wrestler", then I whooped her in a couple of games of dominoes. Slam! It was a good day even though my allergies were so bad I sounded like a drag queen & went through a box of kleenex. It poured down rain too and you all know I love that!

Today is dark & grey, no rain yet, but it looks like it's gonna bust out soon. I'm still a little under the weather. With the shade screens we have it seems even darker than it actually is. I'm not going to paint or finish anything today. I'd be forcing myself and I've learned that when I force myself I just end up making a mess and wasting good canvas or wood.

I cut my hubby's hair this morning. Yep I'm a beauty school drop out but I have 30 yrs of hair cutting experience! He looked so handsome it motivated him to shave off his beard & mustache! Yippee! He looks so much younger & hunkier! He's playing the drums at Vega's in Old Sacramento tonight. So I am gonna snuggle up in his leather recliner (best view in the house of the big screen) with a blankey and watch another foreign film.

I watched a foreign film earlier today. "Caramel" It took me several hours to get through it because I would have to pause it or rewind it everytime someone talked to me, called, or needed to do something. I love foreign films but have to watch them alone because no one else in this house likes reading the subtitles. When "Shall We Dance" came out I thought why can't Hollywood come up with something new without stealing foreign films? But it was a good cast and I thought it was ok. Then when "No Reservations" came out I thought Not again! I am sorry to say that remake was awful, well sorry Katherine, you made it awful. She was so unbelievable & really didn't do the part justice. No chemistry there either. I thought it was horrible. Go rent the original foreign version it's so much better. Since I'm doing some movie reviews haha I'll tell you what I thought of "The Wrestler"... I liked that it was different, not the same old story, liked the camera angels, lighting and the parts where I didn't have my eyes closed were ok. "7 Pounds", also liked it because it is different, however, by the end I thought I might like a bath too. I needed to watch "Yes Man" to shake off the funk and have some fun!