The Final Work of 2008

New work, the last work of 2008. These Angels are all on 5.5 x 5.5 rugged wood. I will be listing these on Etsy or Ebay. This year has been magical and I am making plans & goals for 2009 and getting excited. Thank you for all of your support & visits to my blog this year! The wonderful comments and new friends I have made this year have meant a great deal to me! Many Blessings & Happy New Year!

Shaking It Off

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I took a week off but I'm back at it today. I painted all day and it felt great. At Christmas time I always get emotional. I reflect on the year, the past, on people, it all swirls around in my head, like a black & white film that's turned to a foggy sienna color, it makes me feel a little gloomy, but the fog is lifting, I'm shaking it off and now getting excited about the new year, a new chapter.

One of my gifts for Christmas was a DVD my dad made for us, a video collage of our family growing up & pieces of my childhood. *It was in color* I laughed and I cried. I cried some more. I could hardly talk to my Dad when thanking him without my voice cracking. It was so thoughtful a gift and truthfully he's not famous for being so thoughtful. Under that rough & gruff exterior is a big loving heart though. My younger brother Eddie is gone now and it was so good to see him but it made me miss him terribly. Eddie had no idea how much he was loved. Do any of us really? I don't think so. To quote a line in the movie Pretty Woman, "the bad stuff is always easier to believe". Watching it made me realize how very lucky & privileged I have been. I am. I've have been blessed to travel to so many beautiful places, some never get to do that, and I've met so many great people, heard so much great music. It also made me realize that even though I hate having my picture taken that I really should try to get better about that. Grin & bear it.

My husband picked up 4 paintings from a gallery today for me which I will be listing for sale but not sure where yet. My camera is broken and I may have giclees made of them, which are more expensive but worth the extra money. I needed a new camera but it was really an inconvenience breaking down now. All my Christmas pictures are on there and honestly I have no idea how to get the memory card out to save them. The paintings I started today are small so I will be able to scan them to list them but the paintings from the gallery are large.

A big thank you goes out to Ellen Morrow for featuring me in her beautiful Etsy Treasury! Check out her fabulous colorful art!

I'll Might As Well Consider Myself...

... On Vacation! I haven't been painting at all, I miss it, I think about it, but I haven't made time for it lately. I have too much on my mind. It's even been hard to sleep. I have doodled some things I might like to paint and they are right on top of "My Things To Do" list. haha

Today I am tired but happy because I got a lot of shopping done. Next is the wrapping...ugh...(oh yeah I've posted about my bad wrapping) I stumbled upon this Japanese method of wrapping and found it really interesting... don't forget to pause my playlist to listen...


I have one more excursion in the morning and I'm finished! Yippee! I must sound like a Scrooge but honestly I'm not. I am just a procrastinator and overwhelm myself. Every year I say I will buy something throughout the year for someone when I think they will like it and every year I don't do it. So when I do go out I am on a mission. I pretty much know what I am getting, I get it, and get out. My husband shops the same way and he occasionally accuses me of "window shopping" but he's never been shopping with my Mom! I am not a Window Shopper!

My husband & his band made it back from Lake Tahoe safely but had to put chains on to make it home. He said that the snow was about 5 ft high and it was so dry their fingers were splitting & cracking from playing music. They went and bought Krazy Glue and glued their fingers so they could play the last night. Seriously OUCH!

Every Picture Tells A Story ...

I'm still shopping.

Photo by Kristen Wilson. Please check out her beautiful work & shop on Etsy.

A Little Alone Time!

My husband left this afternoon and won't be back until Sunday. The Spotted Dogs are playing 2 shows at The Tahoe Biltmore in Lake Tahoe and another at Northstar. Chains were required today but he got up there without having to put them on.
I have the house all to myself! It was great the first few hours doing nothing but watching tv. The next few hours I slowly made a list of all the things I need to do, while watching tv. Then I realized I'm just sitting here still doing nothing just thinking about doing something! It's one of those days.
I felt a little naughty watching tv. We normally don't have the tv on at all during the day. I happen to catch The Bonnie Hunt Show. She's such a doll, so sweet and so funny! I hope her show will continue. So many good shows are being canceled lately. What's up with that?

Christmas Day And The Nest is Empty

33 years with not one Christmas Day spent alone with just my husband until this year. (I was a teenager when I got married!) It feels strange and I will miss my kids but we'll have a good time together. We talked today about what we could do. We didn't decide. Go play in the snow with a piping hot Thermos of something good? Take the light rail to Old Sacramento? Go to the movies? We have never gone to the movies on Christmas Day like so many do. Stay in our pj's all day, watching Christmas movies & order Chinese food? Walk by the river all bundled up with the dogs in their cute little sweaters? Go have some crab on Fisherman's Wharf, ride the cable cars & soak in some of that wonderful San Francisco's Christmas spirit? ...hum...

Fat Chance...

I thought they said there'd be snow! Everything was frozen this morning, it's cold... but NO SNOW! The sun is shining!

Thank you VinK for my new "Blog Bling"! It's always such an honor and surprise to get a Blog Award. They mean a lot to me and I will proudly add to my bling below. I will post my nominees soon to pass it along soon.

I made paper clay this morning but it's still super wet so I don't know if it's going to turn out or not. If it does, I will post my recipe and picture of my creations. So stay tuned...

Let it Snow!

Told ya I'd say it again......I hate shopping! I am on a mission now. I pretty much know what I am shopping for and that is actually a good feeling. It's when I don't know what I'm buying, running down the isles, with my eyes wide and crazy on Christmas Eve that I really hate. So I talked myself out of going out today and instead I packaged gifts to mail to my family in South Carolina. I love flat rate boxes! It is cold today too! Jim was headed to Walmart to buy wood pellets so he even mailed them for me. We have a pellet stove in our fire place and pretty much heat our house with it throughout the winter. A bag of pellets cost approx $6 and lasts for 2 or 3 days. This year the pellets are plentiful but last year they were hard to find. People were buying them up like crazy because the news media said that the supply was low. If the media says something is running out then people run and gobble it all up which makes it worse. Remember the rice several months ago? The news said we may get snow tonight in this case I hope they are right. Our regular heater may come on because it's cold cold cold out there! It does kick on if the stove it's keeping it warm enough. I live just below the snow line, 9 miles up the mountain in Placerville there is always snow but we've only had it snow at my house only handful of times in the last 13 years. It's always exciting but never lasts long enough. This picture I took in January while Jim was taking the chains off my car. We were on our way back from Lake Tahoe. I'm looking forward to a snow day!

Oh What A Night!

The Swell Sister Society gallery opening at the Coffee Garden was awesome! There were so many people that came you could hardly move around! It was so much fun! I've mention before how I am always forgetting my camera or batteries for my camera ...well I did it again! I got a few pictures before my camera pooped out. My oldest son Joe (plaid shirt)managed to get one picture of me hugging my youngest son. All you see is the back of me so I guess I'll remain a mystery for now. I hate my picture taken anyway! I was super proud of all my "Sisters" and grateful to all of the collaborative work from each to make this a great night.

I got a little shopping done today, 2 paintings mailed to Italy and 2 crocheted cuffs to Florida. I have lots more shopping to do. My husband is going to be playing 3 shows in Lake Tahoe this weekend with the Spotted Dogs so I will get the rest finished when he's up there.

Little Time? Delegate the Christmas Decorating...

My husband put up lights on the front porch this year and I didn't have to delegate! Retirement may not be all that bad!

I'll Fly Away...

I have been working for days on this moving Gypsy Bird Box. I have been fascinated with kinetic toys lately and decided to work on something a little different.

When you turn the crank the bird goes up & down and a bell knocks and rings. I started it for the Tangent Gallery bird show but may list it on Ebay I haven't decided. It sure would make a unique Christmas gift!

It is made with found objects and bits & pieces, glue & glitter. The box is an old cigar box, the mosaic is made with eggshells, the legs are bottle caps, the top is covered with old buttons, black feathers and the crank is an old wine cork.

A Few Things I Forgot I Was Thankful For...

... Jeans & self tanning products. I think the Devil made panty hose. I can't tell you how much I hate the thought of putting on a pair. Just the thought creeps me out now. Back in the day, while working my way up the ladder, I added it up once and determined I spent approx $1000 on them one year. I wouldn't wear the cheap ones that really feel creepy and crunchy. It doesn't matter what they cost they all run. Even the ones that say they won't run do or get holes. Mandatory suits, Dress to Impress seminars, getting your "colors" analyzed and high heels, pearls & pumps. Ugh. How did I do it? Most companies are business casual now or have dress down days on Fridays. I don't know what happened or remember when it all changed I just know I was thankful when it did. Now I hardly have anything to wear that doesn't have paint on it and I am perfectly happy and comfortable with that! But I have to go shopping for something nice for the gallery show. I hate shopping. I know I have said that before and I'll probably say it again. One of my Swell Sisters suggested we wear a cocktail dress and I was the first to scream with terror in my voice NOOOOOOO! Whatever I wear there won't be panty hose underneath. Many kudos for those of you that endure them.

What's A Girl To Do?

Tonight is the last big Swell Sister meeting before the show. I am finishing up my donation pieces which we are calling "Little Treasures" that are due tonight. The proceeds will be going to the Women's Wisdom Project of the Sacramento Food Bank. I painted these on 5 x 5 recycled wood. I am debating on whether to get the glitter out & glue mass quantities to the sides of the wood for something different. I have fallen in love with glitter. I used to think it was cheap and slutty. haha (see previous post) Nice glitter, however, is now costly.
I just listed 2 pieces on Etsy today. One is "Angel in My Rose Garden" on 11 x 14 canvas panel and the other is on 5 x 5 recycled wood with sides painted called "Good Morning".

I am picking up my Pink Aura Angel from Tangent Gallery today. Another SS that was also in the show told me that none of the art sold. This was surprising. There was some fantastic art on display. Gallery vs selling online... As a full-time artist I can't afford to have a lot of original paintings in galleries at the moment. Hanging there waiting for the right person to happen to walk into the gallery and happen to like my art and buy it. I have to sell online and I love it. I get to meet people from all over the world and the wonderful emails I get everyday are priceless. I love the gallery experience too. So what's a girl to do?! I am trying to build up a portfolio of originals for the galleries because I have been approached by several more galleries *very honored* but it's hard to resist the urge to list them online to make ends meet. I am selling prints on Etsy & Ebay of them though. If only there was more time in a day! Next week I will be able to concentrate more on painting originals to sell online. Prints are great but it doesn't compare to owning the original. Everything will be pretty much taken care of for the Dec 13th show on Saturday after I drop off my pieces. I will be listing the Pink Aura Angel for sale on Etsy or Ebay or I may even decide to keep it for myself because I really like it, however, none of my art actually matches my home decor. Surprised? From my art you would think that my home would be full of contemporary pieces (which I love) but on the contrary it's rustic, woodsy, cabin like, warm and a bit masculine. There are some originals that are hard to let go of, a little piece of you goes with them, however, judging from the wonderful buyers & collectors that I have met so far, I think all mine live in happy homes!

If The Sauce Sucks...

I found a new activity to keep me busy next time my husband's blues band plays at Lucille's!

Tahoe on My Mind?

"Day of the Race"

I finished this painting today that I almost put in the bone yard but she wasn't gonna beat me. I kept at it. The look on her face is almost like she's going from being afraid to bring it on! Don't ya just want to reach over and pull the hair that's stuck to her face off for her? I listed a print on Etsy.com

Totally Busted!

My face is still red. I went to have some prints & scans made today and while waiting, a man noticed my paintings. He started the conversation by asking if I painted them. He asked if I could paint a mural *would love to* and said that he was going to check out the galleries! He got me all twitterpaided when he compared me to Diego Rivera *blushing* and asked for my card. That feeling of dread began at the top of my head, went through my whole body then radiated throughout me. I'm sure my face turned red because it does that easily. Busted! Yes I committed the cardinal sin... out in public without a card. I fumbled and fumbled, going through my purse then finally pulling stuff out. Maybe he was thinking geez lady what have you got in there!? It was awful. I finally gave up and gave him an old card, which was bad enough, but something possessed me to grab a pen and proceed to mark it all up. It looked so bad I had to apologize! hahaha I gotta laugh uncomfortably about it now but I won't be caught out in the world again without cards. Whether he will go to the galleries, commission me, or ever make any purchases, he was put in my path for a reason... to teach me that lesson!

Thanks again to Liquidilluzion for the blog award! Here as promised are a few blogs that I have found to be fun, entertaining, creative, informational.... not necessarily in that order.

The rules are:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit This Post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List.That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!

5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog. So I am passing along the award to the following...

http://suziblu.typepad.com/
http://www.hillbillyartist.blogspot.com/
http://www.kalapohl.blogspot.com/
http://cherriesrockmysocks.blogspot.com/

http://geelizzie.blogspot.com/

I have to have my little paintings that I am donating finished by Thursday and my final gallery piece finished and delivered on Saturday. I decided to put "Garden Party" in the gallery as my 2nd piece instead of the angel in the meadow. I haven't finished my 1st large gallery piece yet or even started the small ones. So I will be locking myself into my studio this week. I had to fill out a card for the pieces and I didn't really have a name for the large one yet, so I put a stupid name on it. If I can think of something better today I may have a chance to change it. I have quite a bit more painting to do then varnishing. I will post the final picture when I'm finished. Any name suggestions are welcome!

Oh yum! Look what I did with the turkey leftovers last night! Turkey Tiki Masala. It turned out awesome! I almost like it better than chicken!

Blog Bling!

I got some sweet bling for my blog today... a new blog award from my favorite blogger & blog! Thank you Liquidilluzion & congratulations to you for receiving it! You are fabulously talented and facinating. I definitely will hook up for a margarita *haha* next time I'm in Mississippi! I will pass it along to 5 others and post those tomorrow.

I played on my blog today. Hope you like it!

Life's a Beach...

I have so many people & things to be thankful and grateful for this year.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Count your blessings and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A Day At The Beach

How nice would that be, a day at the sea! This is the 3rd in my "Ladies in Hats" Series and the prints are now listed on Etsy.com.

Today in My Studio...

I painted all day with pretty much no interuptions. I finished the 2nd painting in the "Ladies in Hats" Series and started another. This one is called "Garden Party". A print is now available on Etsy.com.

I worked on my large gallery piece and everyone agrees with me, I need to change the background once again. This change will be the 4th. I'll get it right eventually. I should be taking a picture of all these changes!

Beautiful Recycling

Yesterday afternoon 4 of my Swell Sister's came over and we made beautiful cake/cupcake servers for our gallery opening. That's TJ doing a fine modeling job of all our wares! LOL We will be serving bite size cheesecakes on them. Initially we had planned on mini cupcakes but those are hard to find. Maybe not the "in" thing anymore ? None of us wanted to bake for over 250 + people! We bought plates, candle sticks, glasses, & vases from Thrift Stores and used an assortment of old craft bobbles, beads & stones to embellish. The sky's the limit on embellishment. We used a 2 part epoxy that dries clear to glue the pieces together and nothing is budging. It was so much fun! I wish I had a picture of all the finished pieces. Some servers had ribbon with sequins, pearls, and dripping beads. These could be really fun for tea parties and special Christmas gifts or Christmas servers and for just a few dollars. The Thrift Stores have lots of Christmas plates out now and Christmas doodads to embellish with. It's a fun way to spend the afternoon!
For a little refreshment I served a curry dip that I had never made before. I know that's brave serving something you've never made before but for some reason I do that a lot. I made it the night before just in case it was awful. The recipe said to let it chill for several hours anyway. I ran across the recipe online and it was so odd that I had to try it. I didn't follow it exactly (something else I do a lot) but I used all the ingredients. To my surprise it was super good and everyone liked it. It's a keeper and I will definitely be making it again. Here's the recipe...
2 C sour cream
1/2 C light mayo
1 Tbsp curry powder
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp horseradish
2 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp of Zerguts Red pepper Relish (recipe called for ketchup)

Nice to Be Noticed!

I was just featured in another Etsy Treasury...http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=22318! Thank you Her Gyspy Soul !

Thank you Kim for my blog award! My blog award nominees are:

http://rosieposie.typepad.com/mousetales/- Art that's too cute for words!

http://enchanted-eye.blogspot.com/ - Fun Fun Fun

http://weight-watchers-points-recipes.blogspot.com/ - Like to stop by to see what's cookin'

http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/ - Aunt Purl is Crazy fun!

http://chickenlipsfolkart.blogspot.com/ - Just fun to look at!

http://www.beaderjojo.blogspot.com/ - Love to check out the beading

http://liquidilluzion.blogspot.com/ - Always entertaining & intriguing!

http://time2cre8.blogspot.com/ - Love to check out the beautiful bead work

http://www.always-amy.blogspot.com/ - Fun Stuff

http://ixela-thoughts.blogspot.com/ - Unique needlework

Here are the guidelines for receiving this award.1. Put the logo on your blog (check)2. Add a link to the person who awarded you (check)3. Nominate 10 other blogs for this award (done)4. Add links to those blogs (done)5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs (done)6. Give a reason why you consider their blogs cool (done)Here are the 10 blogs I have chosen to receive this award!

A big thank you shout out to Enchanted Eye for featuring me & my "Lady in Roses" painting as "Eye Candy" on her wonderful blog and encouraging me to continue with the new series of Ladies in hats!

It's so nice and I feel honored & blessed that people are enjoying my blog & my art! It's nice to be noticed! Thanks to all!

Wordless Wednesday - Everyone Needs Wagons Like These

Did I do that? I Can't Remember...

I was given a new blog award! Thank you Kim! Be sure to check out her wonderful blog and folk art! I will give a list of my nominees to pass it along on my next post. It's hard because I love so many!

My best friends' daughter Lauren finally has her SAG card (Screen Actor's Guild) and can start getting speaking parts now. I was very excited to see her in Kath & Kim which aired on Thursday night! If you watch the last episode look out for my beautiful shopper in the electronics store scene. She is also going to be on Saving Grace when the season begins and that's one of my favorite shows! Lauren is so pretty & sweet on the outside as well as inside and I'm super proud of her. Congratulations Lauren!

I made the salsa with cactus and if I say so myself it was good! It's all gone already! I used 1 jar of Dona Maria Napalitos drained, 1 seeded habanero pepper, 1 clove of garlic, approx 1/3 of a yellow onion, the juice of 2 small limes & 2 tbsp of white vinegar and a pinch of salt. Blended it all together. My limes were a little dry so I popped them in the microwave for about 10 seconds. It made a little over 1 C. It was medium to hot but didn't leave you burning, just burning for more! LOL I think it would be really tasty with serrano peppers too. I will definitely be making this again!

I have been so absent minded lately it's starting to scare me. Is it Alzheimer's setting in? Is it because my husband's home now and upsetting my routine? My mind on too many things? Too many brain cells killed from Grey Goose in Long Beach last week? Whatever it is I have got to get a grip, buckle down, and start making lists to stay on track. I forgot I volunteered a meeting at my own house next Saturday, I am misplacing everything, I mailed a Bee Happy Zine to England without the envelope. That one caused a panic attack! I think I'd lose my head right now if it wasn't attached.

I haven't painted in a few weeks but will be painting tonight! I am looking forward to it. Jim is playing with the Spotted Dogs and I will have the house to myself. I am going to finish up an angel painting that I am working on, put together 3 Bee Happy Zine cards that are sold for mailing and maybe work a little on my gallery paintings. My Bee Happy Zine Cards apparently were on the front page of Etsy while I was in Long Beach. I would have loved to see that. I need to take a better photos! Coz ya never know do ya?

My adorable grandbaby had his picture in the Sacramento Parent Magazine this week! He has the sweetest spirit. He rarely cries, and is all smiles and ooos and awwwwws. I am running out to get a copy...page 31!

New Drug of Choice

Marie Sharp's Hot Nopal/Prickly Pear Green Habanero Hot Sauce

My closest friends just came back from Belize and brought back 4 different hot sauces for me! Yes they know me well. They visited the factory and had a picture taken with Marie. The bottle says it's hot but to me it's medium. It's a party in your mouth and all your buds show up! hahaha I may have to ask Santa for some other of Marie's creations just so I can to try them all! I had to go buy a big bottle of this one! Lucky for me they carried it in my favorite hot sauce store down by the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Every time I go down to Long Beach I stop in there and load up on my favorite hot sauces. I myself make a lot of hot sauces. We go through a lot around here. Can't go a day without a little spice & heat. I even add canned jalapenos to my pickle relish in the food processor. It's great on a hot dog! This sauce is made with cactus and that's inspirational. I'm going to get some and play around. Try making a new recipe....in my spare time or when this bottle is gone!

Rain!!!!!!

Awwwwww it's finally really raining!!!! I'm in heaven today! It smells so good!

Yesterday was my husband's last day at work. He's now officially retired. He's a young 53 so he will be working part-time with the county or somewhere else and booking more band gigs for sure. I will get lots of "honey-do's" done too! The kids are coming over tomorrow for a big celebration dinner then we pack for Long Beach.

I will be in Long Beach for the week. Wednesday night we are going to see Leo Kotke. We haven't seen our friends this year so we are both excited to see them and get out of town. It's a good 8 hour drive from our house to Long Beach. I have to take a painting to the gallery at noon so we won't get there until evening. Going to their house is always like a vacation and we always have a wonderful time. They live in a huge old historical Victorian home that is haunted. They found a head stone in their yard shortly after moving in. The woman was on 40 something when she died. Not much is known about her. She may haunt the place or it may be others. A young girl fell from the staircase and died as well. Things happen there all the time and they are used to it. We are not used to it. Once the ghost turned off the electricity to our room shortly after my husband said he was going to stay in bed and watch football. LOL The ghost decided he wasn't. The guys checked everything, went under the house, nothing was out of the ordinary. They were going to call an electrician when we left but, poof, it came back on as we drove away. Another time we were all in the living room and I got up and walked to the dining room. 2 steps in I was instantly frozen and every hair on my body was standing up. Fear just washed over me. I couldn't go forward and I was afraid to turn and run. After a moment I got up enough nerve, turned and ran back to the living room. They all thought that was amusing. I wasn't amused. I made my friend go back with me! There was no doubt in my mind that there was something in that room with me. It was a very strange experience. The ghost often takes things off the table in there so the dining room is a hot spot so to speak. Oh I could tell you lots of stories of things that have happened there, maybe another time. I think they should call Taps, the Ghost Hunters, but they won't because they say they know it's there, no need to confirm it. We are staying in the same room this time maybe Jim will get to watch his football this time.

I spent the day listening to the rain and painting this girl in a red hat. I love hats and wish more people wore them. I may start a series of girls in hats. The kids say her head is too little but that's what I like about her. It makes her a little odd and I personally like the oddness.

The Ultimate in Industrial Chic Decor!

Exciting news... November 8th my work will be in 2 galleries! I will have 4 paintings at the Marco Fuoco Gallery and the Pink Angel at Tangent Gallery. I will have to divide my time between both openings that night. It's going to be crazy fun! I'm so excited!


A stairway to heaven? No. It's a section of the original Eiffel tower that is going to be sold by Sotheby's on November 26th as part of their 20th Century Decorative Arts & Design sale in Paris. So here's your chance, a rare opportunity to own a piece of Paris and a piece of history! For more info about the Eiffel tower and this sale you can visit www.artdaily.org. I wonder what the shipping cost would be...

If I were to go to Paris you wouldn't catch me going up the Eiffel Tower. I am terrified of heights and not too fond of elevators either. This video even makes me woozie. I don't think I'd be able to walk up either. I think the iron work is amazing and would be happy just to gaze up at it in awe. It is truly a large piece of art.

Reflection & Vision

Today I went to see a financial planner and put some things in order. When he wrote down that my profession was an Artist the reality of it hit me. That was the first time I have legally been identified as an Artist. My identity for the past 25 years has been Sr. Mortgage Underwriter. That's who I was. Oh sure people have told me that I'm an artist for years when they saw my work, or gifts that I gave them, etc... but it wasn't my profession, my job, my livelyhood, not really who I was or how I made my living. That simple little action made me feel strange and uneasy. After I left I began to reflect on my journey this past year. How much I have changed. How much my life has changed. How much I have learned. One year ago I had no idea what a widget or html was. How much I have grown as an artist finding my own technique and style. How many wonderful new people I have in my life as a result of my art and putting myself out there, and how rewarding life outside the cubicle can be. I'm actually living my passion which is something I never imagined I would be able to do or had the guts to do. I make only a fraction of what I am accustom to, but I am rich. I am blessed.

I will share one thing that I did this past year that I thought was wacky and didn't really think it would work, but maybe it does. I saw a portion of an Ophra show about making a Vision Board. Wish I had seen the entire show. The gist of it was to create a Vision Board, which is based on the Laws of Attraction, that is full of things you would like or like to acheive. Well I had to make one! Honestly when I set out to make it, it really was because it looked like fun and I love to cut up magazines and collage. It may have worked for the people on her show or maybe it was coincidence, I didn't think that it could really work for me but what could it hurt? I set the board on the wall to the right of me where I paint. I see it out of the corner of my eye when painting. I look at it every day. I don't always read everything I have on it but it's there and not easily ignored. Mine is mostly words and quotes. God in large letters is in the center of my board. I do have a few pictures, for instance I have a picture of Florence, Italy, somewhere I would really like to visit one day. Sorry I won't post a picture of my board because it is personal and that would feel a little bit like I was showing you a picture of my underwear. But as I reflected today on this past year, I have to say that it may have helped. I know for a fact it certainly didn't hurt. Try making your own Vision board. It's fun. Check out eHow for directions or google Vision Boards. I plan on making another one soon. God will be in the center of that one too. I guess when all is said and done, Vision Board or not, you can become who you want to be. You are who you want to be.

I Have Plans!

My Pink Angel will be in the exhibit in the Pink Week Show at Tangent Gallery Nov 8th! I am also taking a painting to The Marco Fuoco Gallery tomorrow. I'm so excited & honored to be chosen!

My husband and I had planned to leave for Long Beach on Sunday but will have to postpone until Monday afternoon. I have to take the painting over to the Gallery on Monday. I am truly a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl. If I had some vacation, I wouldn't have to plan anything out. I could get in the car and where ever I end up I'm fine with that. I'll have fun where ever I am. I don't like big planning. It's hard enough for me to plan out my day! I like a general idea of a plan. Nothing ever goes as planned anyway. Ever notice that? You plan, you create fantastic scenarios in your head of how something is going to be... does it ever turn out that way? Nope. My husband on the other hand inherited his fine planning abilities from his mother. She was a planner and he's the planner in this house. He doesn't get as disappointed and upset as his mother did when things don't go as planned, but he does get a bit agitated, then he makes new plans. I don't. It's all an adventure. I do hate being late for anything though, so if something is planned at a certain time I don't like to be late, however, if I'm there on time and the plans fall to pieces, I don't care. I must say that when our children were little it was nice having him be the planner and they are better for it too. He's planned lots of adventures for us, not all went as planned but were fun anyway. Are you a planner? or do your fly like me?

A Little More OCD Wouldn't Hurt

If I could pick OCD for more things I don't think that would be a bad thing for me. I have a touch of OCD when it comes to my alarm clock. I have to check it at least 3 times before I can relax. Once to set it, next to make sure I set it, and next to make sure I didn't bump it and unset it when I checked the last time. haha But that's about it for me. I don't read horoscopes but I do know that I am a Gemini/Cancer right smack dab on the cusp. So what they say about both really does apply to me. My husband says I really do have almost 3 personalities at times. What that adds up to is a little bit of chaos and oh yes I can be moody. I make a list of things I want to get done for the day and it is so hard sticking to it. I typically run off task and do other things instead of sticking to the list. I do accomplish at least some of it per day, just wish I wouldn't get sidetracked as much. I'd like to have OCD when it comes to sticking to my list and working out. Jackie Warner and I haven't been friends lately. LOL If I mention that to my mother she might tell me the story that I have heard nearly all my life about how she lost a ton of weight by eating just popcorn one summer living at the beach, which reminds me....

I happen to catch an episode of Alton Brown's Good Eats show last week. I don't normally watch his show because frankly he's just too goofy & corny for my taste, *little pun* however, I was really glad I saw this one. I have lots of stainless steel bowls so I went straight out and bought some regular popcorn to try making it his way. (Not on the list of things to do, went anyway) Not only was it fantastic, it is much more economical that microwaved popcorn. My family loves it and it's time for a new bag already. What is really cool is that if you eat it straight out of the bowl you popped it in, the bowl stays warm and so does your popcorn. So get out your stainless steel bowls, run to the store and pick up a big bag of popcorn, then click on the link and watch the video! Maybe stop & get a movie too it's Friday night....wait! Better make a list...haha
(Please pause my playlist below to listen to video)

One Trick Pony...Not My Bubba!

Hitting a blog blank today, I asked my youngest son what should I blog about. He said me! Then showed me this video that I had no idea he had made and put on the internet. Not only is he an awesome drummer & guitarist, he's also pretty awesome with a deck of cards. When he wants to learn something he hits it with a determination that few ever have. He practices and practices, it becomes almost an obsession, until he perfects it. Growing up I never had to tell him to practice, more often I had to tell him to stop! Now I've seen almost all of his tricks, so what do I notice while watching this? My antique tablecloths nicely scrunched over to the side of course! hahaha Gotta love the baby! Bubba Mom thinks you're amazing! This is an art!



*Please mute the playlist below to listen to the video*

Brainstorm or Storm in Brain?!

Wow it's been almost a week since I've blogged! Time is flying by so quickly! I've been busy painting, loving on my kids and dealing with horrible headaches the last few days.

I've painted a totally of 2 ACEOs in the past for a Swell Sister trade and so I decided to do some more to possibly sell. Well it's hard for me to hold the little card in hand and paint so I thought I had a brainstorm. I traced the card onto canvas paper 6 times, painted them and then cut them out. The dilemma is that I can't color within the lines! I cut them a little larger for framing but I think they look a little messy. I then decided I'd put the card over the painting and paint black around it. Well that didn't work out well either. So I will end up cutting them out exactly to the ACEO size with no border. I don't collect these and really don't know what people do with them but I do know people seem to buy & love these little paintings. Here are a couple...

I liked the yellow so much I decided to do a yellow on wood and started one on a large canvas too. Since my brainstorm didn't work out as well as I thought it would (I did have a headache) I will have to go back to holding the little card in hand or attaching it to paper or canvas so I can paint them. I will be listing for sale the following paintings on 5 x 5 recycled wood tomorrow. Haven't decided on Etsy or

Ebay. These are different than my normal Aura Angels. I decided to challenge myself, have a little fun and use no more than 3 colors in each not counting black & white instead of every color in the rainbow.

I also finally finished the funky little farm paintings for my adorable little JJ's room. I still have to do a horse of course!

I have also been doing more work on my gallery pieces for the December show and started painting a fun winery painting. It's not finished but I'll share a picture anyway. This painting reminds me of a wonderful Port Release Party at Madrona Winery in Apple Hill a few years ago. The weather was beautiful and the tables were elegantly set up in the middle of the vineyard around a big oak tree. The port that we bought had that oak tree done in 23 carat gold on the bottle. The food was fabulous and wine was flowing all night long. They had a great band and we met a lot of really fun people. It was a little uncomfortable at first sitting with people you don't know but after a bottle or 2 they were like best friends! hahaha A couple actually followed us home and we drank even more wine sitting on the patio listening to music until the wee hours of the morning. The next day wasn't as much fun that's all I'm saying.

**Update Wednesday...Paintings now listed on Ebay