Joyful Art

Finally a New Painting

2011-12-19T17:32:00.001-08:00

I painted a smaller version of this that I really liked. While I was (actually I still am) struggling to create something new and exciting, I decided to create a larger version. Unfortunately there are things I would like to change about it, but it has been accepted for the E.A.F.A. Abstract Show that is coming up soon. It will be at the Seattle Design Center January 10 - February 24. The reception will be on January 15 from 4:30-8:30 if you are interested. It is sure to be a good show.

New Pear Paintings

2011-12-19T17:28:00.001-08:00

These are the two pear paintings I referred to in my last post. The one with three pears is the one that had been sitting in the closet half finished for three years. The other is one that I painted to use an old canvas that had a lot of texture on it, and I like the way it turned out.

New Work

2011-11-19T09:54:00.000-08:00

Hooray! I am finally painting again. I have had no great ideas for a new series, but at least am able to paint the tried and true again. I finished a large pear painting that had been sitting in my closet for three years. I am also working on two 24x36 abstract paintings that are reworkings of a couple of earlier paintings. I have always wanted to see if they would translate a little larger, so am working on those now. Of course, they will not be exactly the same, but a variation of the earlier work. So, stay tuned because I am back in the studio!

Creativity

2011-11-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

This has been a tough year for me, including 4 surgeries that will take me some time to recover from. The most recent was a knee replacement on October 14. My goal is that I will be able to travel again and walk everywhere like a good tourist by October of 2012.

During this time of surgery and rehabilitation, my muse appears to have fled. I spent a little time in the studio yesterday for the first time in almost a month, and I could not find a single spark of creativity. So, I think I will just visit my studio occasionally to see if anything stirs and give myself time to heal. Or, perhaps it is time to hit the art books. Usually when I get out my books and look at them, something strikes me and I rush off to the studio to try something out. Wish me luck in finding the spark that sets me off on another voyage of exploration. I miss it!

Edmonds Art Studio Tour

2011-10-02T18:37:00.000-07:00

Well, Edmonds Art Studio Tour 2011 is over, and what a lot of fun it was. I could have had better sales, but couldn't have had more fun. We are already starting the planning for the 2012 tour. It truly is a labor of love.

Edmonds Art Studio Tour, Etc.

2011-09-13T17:22:00.001-07:00

I have no new paintings to post, but it just didn't seem right not to post just before the Edmonds Art Studio Tour. The tour is coming up this Saturday and Sunday, and I hope that you will all come visit me if you are nearby.

The reason I don't have any new paintings to post here is because I have been distracted by the mixed media sculpture business that I have been messing about with. Yesterday some of the members of the experimental painting group that meets in my studio also started related projects. I am actually starting to work on a structure to put one of the heads on. It is similar to a Santos doll. I have a long way to go on that sculpture though and am distracted by making more heads. Perhaps I should just do a mixed media project with the heads and stop struggling with the rest.

Well, wish me luck with the tour. I must get back to preparing for it now.

Icon Show

2011-08-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

I just haven't been getting much painting done lately, and that means I don't often post here. I have just two new paintings which I submitted for the Icon show at Fraker/Scott Gallery in September. The one shown above was accepted. Check out www.frakerscottgallery.com to get the details on the show. It should be a good one, with many local artists represented.

The reason I have not been getting much painting done is because I have been making molds and clay heads. For at least two years I have been thinking of making three dimensional mixed media sculptures. However, I haven't been able to move forward with it because I don't know how to accomplish it. I keep gathering materials that I imagine using in these sculptures, and I have started making heads. I spend a lot of time at thrift stores looking for dolls that I can behead and make molds from. Now I must learn how to make them stand up! I got excited because Tory Brokenshire was doing a Santos Doll workshop at ArtFest this year. Then I noticed that it is on a day that we will be away. Darn! I guess I will just have to figure this out for myself.

Fraker/Scott Door Show

2011-07-31T15:11:00.000-07:00

I have finally finished and delivered the four cupboard doors I have been working on for the Fraker/Scott Gallery "Doors" show in August. The two above were the last two and the top one was finished just yesterday and they had to be delivered today. Actually, I only found the fourth door a few days ago.

The show will be an interesting one and includes doors that were rescued during the demolition of Old Mill Town in Edmonds. Stop by if you can. More information about the show can be found at www.frakerscottgallery.com.

ARTSplash

2011-07-22T08:45:00.001-07:00

ARTSplash is this weekend at ArtWorks in Edmonds. It is on the corner of Dayton and 2nd if you are interested in dropping by. This year I do not have my own wall. I just have one painting in the show because I did not have time to do the "whole thing". The painting is the yellow and green abstract landscape in my last post.

Don and I are driving to LaConner today. Unfortunately, for the first time, my painting for the auction at MONA did not sell. Boo! So, we are going to pick it up, visit the museum and galleries and have lunch. Should be a good day, and I hear that it is not supposed to rain. That would be a nice change. I must admit that I have completely given up on summer this year. Maybe next year!

New Images

2011-07-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

While I am here I might as well post a couple of my new abstract landscape paintings. I think I am almost at the end of this series.

Edmonds Art Studio Tour

2011-07-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

Wearing my co-chair of the Edmonds Art Studio Tour hat, I visited the studio of Tere Ryder and Gayle Ketzel yesterday. The tour part was to take pictures of their shared studio space. The main reason for the visit was to visit! It is so much fun to visit other artist's studios and see how they accommodate all the materials that they use in producing their work. Some studios are absolutely organized and others you wonder how they ever find anything, but they all manage to produce their artwork. If you are interested in seeing the Ketzel & Ryder Studio, check it out on www.facebook.com/EdmondsArtStudioTour. I told them I would be posting pictures on that page, not on my blog! Also, you might want to google both artists to see some of their fascinating work. The best thing to do would be to visit their studio during the Edmonds Art Studio Tour.

Door Paintings

2011-06-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

This is the second of two cupboard door paintings I have done for the Door Show at Fraker/Scott Gallery in August. The color in the first image is wrong on the inner border. It is not that yellow. I posted a separate image of the plaster tiles so that you can see them more clearly.
You should come see this show as a number of the artists are painting on full size doors. I didn't think all my new parts were up to the challenge, so went with cupboard doors from my remodeled kitchen.

A Couple More Abstract Landscapes

2011-06-27T15:58:00.001-07:00

Today is the end of week six since my knee replacement, and I am doing well though still recuperating. Don and I have been discussing whether or not it makes sense for me to have the second knee surgery in October, since it would be my fourth surgery in 13 months. I think I may need to take some time off before having the next one! Luckily I was at least inspired to paint after this most recent one.

I continue to paint abstract landscapes, some more abstract than others. The above are a couple of the most recent pieces I finished.

Something Different

2011-06-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile I paint something unlike anything else I have done. This is it for this year.

Abstract Landscapes Continued

2011-06-12T19:53:00.000-07:00

Well, the abstract landscape idea has stuck with me, so I am posting a couple of the newest ones. I have also been working on three pieces that I am painting on old cabinet doors left from our kitchen remodel. They are something I wanted to do for the Door themed show at Fraker/Scott Gallery that is coming up soon. I only have one done and I have posted it here for you to see. At one point I dragged out my old encaustics, which I have not used for a couple years, and used wax on the door. It did not go well, however, and I had to remove all of it. Now that was a mess, but I am used to cleaning up messes.

New Work

2011-05-30T17:10:00.001-07:00

The best part of this new work is the texture, and unfortunately texture is really hard to see in these images. I had a wonderful afternoon creating these. I also produced two pear paintings and a floral for the first time in a couple of years. I had such a good time!

Catching UP

2011-05-22T08:27:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it has been a month since I have posted here. We spent the month of April in Palm Springs. All I did for a month was float in the pool, read and paint. It was fabulous. The painting above is one I completed in Palm Springs. It is a temporary jump back into a series I did a couple of years ago. Sometimes that happens!

As soon as I returned home I had the Kirkland Art Studio Tour to participate in. This year I was in the turret room at Kirkland Arts Center. I did not do well in terms of sales, but I had a very good time visiting with all the people that came through.

Next I had knee replacement surgery last Monday. Hooray! The doctor also gave me a cortisone shot in the other knee so that I can do the necessary rehab for the knee I had surgery on. I will be having the other knee done in the fall. In any event, once I have healed, I should be able to walk better than I have in years. Recovery is going very well, and I was on the stairs the day after surgery. I made it to my studio downstairs as soon as I got home, and I am working on a new piece today. It is going to be a plaster piece on a cupboard door that is left from our kitchen remodel. I am hoping to turn out something I like for a door-themed show at Fraker/Scott next month.

I will not let another month go by before I get back to this blog.

New Painting

2011-04-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is the only painting from the current figurative series that I have completed. I hope to have a couple more completed by tomorrow. I only have a couple of weeks to paint if I want to have anything new to show at the Kirkland Art Studio Tour!

Paintings in Progress

2011-04-17T11:49:00.001-07:00

Okay, here are a couple of the paintings I am currently working on. They are in the early stages. The bottom one I have only worked on once since applying the Citra Solv papers. The upper one, I have worked on establishing the figure a little more.

New Paintings & Old Paintings

2011-04-16T19:33:00.001-07:00

The first two images are of something I painted a few years ago. I recently altered the pieces by cutting them into 10x10 squares. The third piece is something I painted a couple of weeks ago, and it is titled "Abundance". All three of these paintings are currently showing at Fraker/Scott Gallery in Pioneer Square. Check out the show at www.frakerscottgallery.com. It is a great show, and I am especially fond of Pamela Mummy's voluptuous women sculptures.

My Muse is Back!

2011-04-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

She has been missing for months, but my muse has returned, and I am very happy to see her. Unfortunately I may not have any images to show you for awhile, but I am busily painting more full figured women. I am using the Citra Solv papers once again. It seems that these things are cyclical for me. I think I am finished with something, and here it comes again. I certainly have been into figures for a long while now. The style changes, but the majority of my work remains figurative. Perhaps tomorrow I will try to get some "in progress" shots of what I am currently working on.

Working With Plaster

2011-03-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

This is one of my new paintings using plaster. It is hard to see any difference in the image, but it is quite different to work on than acrylic grounds like modeling paste. I really enjoy carving it.

Busy Days

2011-03-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

I have been making a conscious effort not to let my life get too busy since my back surgery in September. However, I seem to be losing my grip on that goal right now. Between the health related things I must do and the creative things I want to do, life is getting complicated again.

I have the Kirkland Art Studio Tour on Mother's Day weekend and a figurative show at Local Color for the month of May. That involves a lot of paintings, and I have not been painting as much as usual the last 6 months. Fortunately, I have already produced the paintings for the Local Color show, but I need more for the Kirkland Art Studio Tour.

Let us not forget that I will be showing with Nancy Thompson at Matthew Robert Salon in Edmonds June through August.

As soon as the Edmonds Studio Tour is over in September, I will be having knee replacement surgery. I will then have 10 weeks to recover before leaving on a cruise! As soon as we return from the cruise, I have the Edmonds Art Studio Tour. By the way, I am the co-chair for this tour. I do admit that my co-chair, Nancy Thompson, is doing most of the work!

Are you tired yet? Apparently I have my life planned for the next eight months. After that I will be having surgery on the other knee!

Coffee Cups

2011-03-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

I just finished a group of small coffee cup paintings to display at Local Color at the Pike Place Market. It was fun to paint something small, quick and colorful.

I am still experimenting with the use of plaster on board and have done some interesting things. As soon as I get them photographed, I will post a couple of them.

Layered

2011-02-23T18:58:00.000-08:00

This is my latest effort at non-objective abstract. I am not sure I am entirely happy with it, but I did have a good time creating it! That is what it is about for me. It is 18x36.

Yesterday I started working with plaster on board. I took a class in using plaster in paintings few years ago from Stephanie Lee and didn't do much with it. Now I am interested in trying it again and am anxiously awaiting Stephanie's new book Plaster Studio.

Faux Encaustic

2011-02-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

More of the faux encaustic work I have done lately and similar to what I was doing a few years ago. I have never really gotten encaustics out of my mind, even though I gave up on painting with them a couple of years ago. I just love the look. However, someone as careless as I am should not be working with hot wax. I still have some wax that I intend to put over collages, but mostly just think about it. Perhaps I will work on making my faux encaustics look more like encaustics instead!

New Work & Art Exchange

2011-01-26T09:26:00.001-08:00

The Art Exchange was just too much fun this year. About 30 artists attended and brought wonderful art. We all got rid of pieces we were tired of looking at and went home with new treasures. Can't wait until the next one.

My latest painting is above. It is 24x24 with a faux encaustic finish that doesn't show up very well in the image. I may be moving in a more abstract direction and away from the figurative for a little while. At least the four pieces I am working on currently are in that category. I am also returning to the faux encaustic look that I played with a few years ago. That doesn't mean much with me though as I flit from one thing to another. For instance, where did the polka dot animals come from that were in my last post?

Just for Fun

2011-01-16T15:38:00.001-08:00

Art Exchange

2011-01-16T15:32:00.000-08:00

Holey moley it is time for the 3rd annual art exchange at my house. Actually it is past due. It is usually in October, but I had back surgery in September this year, so it was postponed. Now it is only a week away and I am so excited. The idea is that all invitees bring art of their own that they haven't sold, or are just plain tired of, and exchange it for someone else's art. Some people bring a dozen pieces and some one or two. No matter how many you bring, you draw a number and take a turn selecting something until everything is gone. For art lovers all that free art is irresistable. I can hardly wait.

One Happy Carp

2011-01-06T17:04:00.000-08:00

This is my latest painting, and it is currently hanging at Parklane Gallery in Kirkland. The whole gallery is hung salon style this month, meaning there is a lot more art hung higher and lower and closer together. So, there is much to see if you stop by.

I am also participating in the B & W Show at Fraker/Scott Gallery this month. As a matter of fact I will be heading off in about an hour for art walk there.

I think I have finished the production of hearts for my shows at C'est la Vie and Local Color. I will be delivering hearts to C'est la Vie in mid-January and the Local Color show will be in February and March. I wonder if anyone will be buying hearts in March!

Still Battling the Missing Muse Blues

2010-12-12T16:28:00.001-08:00

I have finally given up waiting for the next big thing to strike me, and I am just painting whatever happens. The top piece is on paper, and the dark spots on the upper part of the paper are actually holes I poked with my favorite sharp clay tool. The lower piece is a 10x10 addition to my large women doing unexpected things series. I will not be showing that series until May of 2011 at Local Color. I do have all the pieces on my website though.

Speaking of my website, I just spent almost a week with my website down because my website company had a huge meltdown. What a mess. I am glad to have it back up again. You don't realize how often you refer people to your website until you don't have it.

I just heard today that I won one of the prizes for the Pathways for Women raffle at Musings. I must get in there tomorrow and pick something out. They have something like 25 donations from Musings' artists.

Something Different

2010-11-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

I am not sure where this one came from, but I know it is a one time venture. The orange sections are cloth, which was fun to do. The faces are African masks. I am still seeking the next new thing.

Still Waiting

2010-11-14T07:15:00.001-08:00

Still looking for my muse. Where is she? So, in the meantime, here is an image of a painting done last summer at the Burridge Mentor Workshop.

Where's My Muse?

2010-11-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

I have been having a difficult time getting back into creating since my surgery. I have not gone so long without painting regularly for years. So, today I decided to try something different. I am tearing paper into little pieces and creating collages of cups and hearts. It is a lot of fun and really, really messy. I have medium all over my hands, so every piece of paper sticks to me as I am trying to place it. I will probably start painting again just to stop making such a mess. I will post a picture of one of these collages when I get them finished and photographed.

When I get stuck like this, it is usually because I am ready to do something new and have not decided what it is yet. Tomorrow is the experimental painters group at my house, so hopefully something will inspire me during that.

Art Collector

2010-11-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

I had a lovely experience yesterday that I want to share. The above vessel painting was sold at Parklane Gallery to a woman who has been collecting my art almost as long as I have been selling it. She bought the first painting in 2002. Since then she has purchased several more paintings, and the interesting thing is that the subject matter of the paintings is all over the place. Her first purchases were small abstracts. Since then she has purchased still lifes and a figurative piece. There is at least one other customer who has more of my paintings, but this collector has bought them over such a long period and because of the varied subject matter, appears to be a true collector of my work. It does not appear to matter to her what the subject is. Unfortunately, as far as I can remember, I have never met her. Thank you Geraldine.

Fraker/Scott Gallery Show

2010-10-30T19:36:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning I am delivering 30+ 12x12 paintings to Fraker/Scott Gallery for their 12x12 show. Art walk is November 4, and I will be there from 6:00-8:00. The show will be up for November and December. There are several other artists showing, including Mona Smiley-Fairbanks, Tracy Fraker, Lynn Scott, Nancy Thompson, Kate Steiger and Lisa JonesMoore. Come by to visit with us and see all the 12x12 paintings if you can. If you can't make it to art walk, there will be a reception later in the month. For more information see www.frakerscottgallery.com.

A New Painting At Last!

2010-10-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally made it back into the studio for more than a few minutes. I finished up a lot of paintings that had been sitting around for while, but have only posted one here. It is for the heart show I will have at Local Color in February of 2011 and is 18x18. It felt good to get back to work, but I am still not feeling really inspired. I think I just have to keep at it until inspiration strikes. If nothing else works, my experimental painting group meets on November 8.

I'm Still Here

2010-10-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

I hope you haven't given up on me. I am 3 and 1/2 weeks post surgery, and I am doing really well. I have painted a few small paintings, but nothing has been photographed, so I have nothing to show you. I hope to get back in the studio regularly this week. It is difficult to get back into a routine when everything has been focused on my back for so long. I am far from recovered, but I should be able to get back to painting, and will be very happy to do so.

I looked around my studio yesterday and realized that probably 80% of the paintings I have hanging in there are figurative. The other 20% are vessels. I wonder what is going to happen next. I won't know until I get back in their and start creating.

Recovery

2010-10-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

So, you have heard nothing from me since day one of the studio tour, which was ages ago. Well, two days after the tour I had back surgery. Since then I have done nothing but work on recovering from that. Today, which is 12 days since my surgery, I am going to go to my studio and attempt to paint. I don't imagine I will get much done since I have very little energy, but I won't know until I try. I actually want to get a few small things done for Musings Artist Inspired for the holiday season. Small will be a good place to start I think.

Day One of the Studio Tour

2010-09-19T07:54:00.001-07:00

I sold this 18x24 piece at the tour yesterday. Thank you Eiya!

One More Day Until the Tour!

2010-09-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, yesterday I said those were the last images, but I actually have a couple more that were just finished too. So, here they are. I am as ready as I am going to get for the tour. My husband is still doing the heavy lifting, but since I can't help with that, I am about done.

Edmonds Art Studio Tour

2010-09-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

Only two days until the tour!!!! I am still painting. Actually, my husband said he is not taking anymore photographs, so I guess I am done. We needed to put the equipment away. The above are the latest and last.

Five Days to the Edmonds Studio Tour

2010-09-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

I am getting really excited about the tour and that it is only five days away. I hope that you will all come and visit me and see all my new paintings. This is one of the newest ones.

Matthew Robert Salon Show

2010-09-09T10:05:00.000-07:00

The show will be up at Matthew Robert Salon from September 12 through November.

Eight Days to Edmonds Studio Tour

2010-09-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I only have 8 days until the studio tour. Instead of getting my studio ready, I keep going in there and painting. When I paint, that means I have paintings that need to be photographed. So, how can I put away the photo equipment that is all over, when I might need to photograph something so I can sell it? Then, after it is photographed, I need to put the hardware on it and sign it. That means I cannot put away all the hardware and associated equipment. Seems like I should stop painting, but I am onto something new and can't control it!

Something New!

2010-09-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

I am very excited about the new painting I created yesterday. It is quite different from anything I have done before. It starts with lots of textured paper. Actually it started with a completely different painting that I painted over. Since completing this one, I have created four more boards with very textured beginnings to create similar work. I feel a new series coming on! Click on the image to get a better look at the texture.

Edmonds Art Studio Tour

2010-09-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

It is time to start plugging the Edmonds Art Studio Tour. It is only two weeks from now on September 18 & 19. I can't believe it is so close. I have been working on getting ready for it, but not fast enough. I really look forward to this event. It is my favorite because I do not have to leave my own studio and can talk to people for two days about my art. It is a bonus that I also sell my art. Go to www.edmondsartstudiotour.com for more information on the tour. There are 42 artists at 21 studios.

I am very glad that I have this to look forward to, because just three days after the tour I am having back surgery. Oh no! Well, I prefer to think about the part where I can walk without pain, without numb feet and without pain medication. There is this little part where I need 6 months to recover that has me worried. I am sure that I will find a way to paint within the first month. I am pretty sure that I cannot go more than a couple weeks without painting.

Studio Pictures

2010-09-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

I decided today to take a few pictures of my studio to share with you. This was probably motivated by today's trip to The Paper Source, where I bought several stunning new papers to work with. I, of course, have more paper than I will ever use in my lifetime, but must have more. The first image is of the paints and brushes that I use everyday. The second is one wall of my studio. I have slatwall, and I hang each painting as it is finished and it eventually goes from there to a show. Or, some of them actually end up going back into a pile that I repaint. The table at the bottom of the picture is where I have pieces drying that I am currently working on. The third picture is of the shelving behind where I sit to do my painting. It has all my really good stuff like polymer clay, metal, painted papers, yarn, etc. The fourth picture is of some of the beautiful paper I purchased today. I can't wait to use it. Watch for it!

Vessels at Fraker/Scott Gallery

2010-08-03T16:47:00.000-07:00

The Vessels show is up now at the Fraker/Scott Gallery, and it will be up until August 28th. I will be attending First Thursday, and there will also be a reception on August 15th. Would love to see you there. The show is going to be fabulous. Check out www.frakerscottgallery.com. They have a slide show of their artists' work, including mine. No, that is not a halo behind my head. I have no idea why that portion of my painting decided to glow.

Large Women Series

2010-08-03T16:41:00.001-07:00

These are two in my large women series that I have been working on since the Burridge mentor workshop. The second one is "Those Who Wish to Sing Will Always Find a Song. It is on the painting, but you can't read it on this image. They are both 18x24 and $525.

Some of my latest paintings

2010-07-26T05:46:00.000-07:00

All of these paintings were started at the Bob Burridge Mentor Workshop I attended earlier this month and completed at home. I like the first one for the vibrant color. The second piece is a new figurative look I am experimenting with, and I particularly like the layers and texture. The third piece is one of those that I think will probably not result in a series, but I just like the feel of it. They are all 12x12 and $225.

ArtSplash

2010-07-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend is ArtSplash, which is an ArtistsConnect show that takes place at ArtWorks in Edmonds. I spent four hours there yesterday being artist-in-action. I will also be there today from 2-5 p.m. doing the same thing. I really enjoy doing this primarily because it always gives me an opportunity to spend time with the other members of ArtistsConnect. They are the ones who are usually observing the artists-in-action. There are, of course, guests observing as well, but more artists. I spent time yesterday getting to know artists that I had not previously spent time with, and also catching up with some I had not seen much lately. So, it was time well spent.

Last night was the grand opening reception at Fraker/Scott, which was another opporunity to connect with old friends and make new ones. The reception was well attended and very entertaining. The high point for me was the short film by Mike O'Day. I believe it was called "A Day in the Life of a Lonely Sculptor" or something along those lines. If you know Mike, ask him to show you this film.

Robert Burridge Workshop

2010-07-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

This is where I spent the last four days. I attended a Robert Burridge Mentor Workshop at his studio in Arroyo Grande, CA. There were only 7 students, so Bob was not having to attend to the usual 18 or 20, giving all of us more one-on-one time. His studio is situated on 9 acres and surrounded by open fields, trees, birds, cows and other critters. When the music is not playing, it is completely quiet, except for the sounds of birds. It is fabulous. The studio is surrounded by a deck, the walls are covered with Burridge paintings, and you have good music and good company. I couldn't ask for much more.

I have probably attended about 8 Burridge workshops of various lengths over the last 13 years. I never tire of absorbing his enthusiasm for all things art. He is truly a person who loves what he does. You cannot help but be inspired by him, at least I can't.

I started working on a body of work that is about large women doing things that they don't usually do. So far the paintings contain writing, such as "She used to fly only when she thought no one was looking." It is a series I will be working on for quite some time I think.

One of the most interesting things that occurred during the workshop was watching Bob create the centerpiece for his upcoming show at the San Luis Obispo Museum. It was amazing. He knew exactly what he wanted to do, threw himself at the painting (after organizing his space perfectly for that painting) and created a large painting in about 30 minutes.

I should also mention that Bob's wife, Kate, provided breakfast, lunch and snacks everyday, and they were delicious. They also provided a selection of California wines.

ArtSplash

2010-07-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

ArtSplash in Edmonds is coming up next weekend. It begins during Art Walk on July 15 and runs through July 18. Thirty Five artists will be showing their work and there will be artists working on site, including me. You can catch me on Saturday from 10:00-2:00 and on Sunday from 2:00-5:00. For more information on hours go to www.artistsconnect.com and click on ArtSplash.

Fraker/Scott Gallery

2010-07-09T05:22:00.000-07:00

I am going to have several paintings in the Vessel show at Fraker/Scott Gallery during the month of August. I hope to see all of you at First Thursday on August 5th. See www.frakerscottgallery.com for information on the gallery.

More New Work

2010-07-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

I also have a couple of new entries in the Three Women series. This one is 18x24 and $525. The mother of a friend gave me a bead made of jasper, which I used in the figure on the right. This painting was created specifically to use that bead.

New Work

2010-07-06T06:06:00.001-07:00

I am obsessed with painting vessels for the last few weeks. I think this is the last of the series though, as it is time to move onto something else. I may revisit this subject though. The above image is 12x18 and $295, and it is my current favorite.

New Work

2010-06-19T21:46:00.000-07:00

This is a new 12x12 piece that was the result of an experiment I attempted after reading about it in one of my art books. First, I covered the panel with pieces of printed paper, then covered it lightly with gesso. When that was dry, I added another layer of various colored papers and once again covered it with gesso. When that dried, I tore pieces of the paper off and sanded the papers until I liked the look of the piece. The rick rack was already on the panel as a part of a previous painting. It was a lot of fun to work on, but the dust from the sanding made a terrible mess in my studio and made me cough. For that reason, this will probably be a one of a kind painting. I do really like it though.

Fraker/Scott Gallery

2010-06-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out the new Fraker/Scott Gallery during the First Thursday Art Walk in July. The owners Tracy Fraker and Lynn Scott will be showing their work, and Mike O'Day will be showing his whimsical sculptures. The gallery is located at 121 Prefontaine Pl. S. in Pioneer Square. I will be participating in the August show, so I hope you will come then as well. All of the Fraker/Scott friends are very excited about this new venture.

Astoria Show

2010-06-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

The reception at Art & Cultural Exchange in Astoria was last Saturday night. It was a lovely space and Julia Carter had done an impressive job of hanging my work with that of a local fiber artist by the name of Constance. They truly enhanced each other. There was a nice art walk crowd, and Astoria seems to be a very "arty" city. Thank you to Barbara Mallon for putting me together with Julia for this show.

Julia and her husband Matt started the Art & Cultural Exchange in Astoria to serve the art needs of disenfranchised adults and children of the area. They have workshops for foster children and seniors in nursing homes, as well as on site programs for prisoners. They also offer workshops for the general public.

Arts & Cultural Exchange

2010-06-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

I have a show coming up this month in Astoria at the Arts & Cultural Exchange. I plan to be there for the opening reception on Saturday, June 12. The images above are a couple of the pieces that will be included in the show. They are showing a sample of all the work I do.

Artists Garage Sale

2010-06-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday was this year's wildly successful Artists Garage Sale. I just love this event and participate every year. I am so prolific that I cannot hope to sell all my paintings. I take those that have not sold, or that I have not painted over, and sell them for at least75% off and sometimes more. It just makes room for me to paint lots more paintings, and that is, after all, what it is all about. I am in it for the joy the process brings me. Over 50 paintings went to new homes this year. Then, at the end of the sale, I put some things on a free table, and they went home with some of the other participating artists. They were things that had been with me way to long.

Working Hard

2010-05-29T10:40:00.000-07:00

I am hard at work (you know of course that it isn't really work) in the studio today and will be again tomorrow. I am in the zone and producing like crazy. Hopefully I will have several new paintings to show you next week. At the moment they are all in various states of incompleteness. Sometimes I produce series and sometimes I only paint one or two of a particular idea. Currently I am hooked on vessels. I was working on goddesses for a few weeks, and then all of a sudden I looked at one of my vessel paintings, and I was back on vessels. Hopefully I will return to the goddesses one day when the vessel train is complete. Pix coming soon.

I met Julia and Matthew Carter of the Arts & Cultural Exchange in Astoria last Wednesday. They drove to Federal Way to meet me and pick up the paintings that will be displayed in their gallery in June. The reception will be on June 12.

Finally, a New Image

2010-05-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

The shells at the bottom of this image do not show very well, but at least it is something new to post here. It is 12x36, mixed media on canvas.

Fraker/Scott Gallery

2010-05-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I have not written a post about the gallery being opened by my friends Tracy Fraker and Lynn Scott. As noted above, it will be called the Fraker/Scott Gallery, and it is located in the Toshiro Kaplan building in Pioneer Square. They are planning a show of vessels and one of Asian influenced art, and my work will be included in these shows. I am excited for Tracy and Lynn, and am also excited about showing my work in a Pioneer Square gallery. I will update my blog with all the exciting details of the opening of the gallery in June. Check it out at www.frakerscottgallery.com.

Painting Spree

2010-05-17T06:39:00.000-07:00

After a week of not being able to get into the studio at all, I spent the last three days in my studio. It has been a long time since I have had so much studio time. It was very productive time too. I am currently working on a series of goddesses, as well as a series with fish. The goddesses are an attempt to find the figurative style I want. Unfortunately, though I like the first of the series, it is more realistic than I am seeking to produce. I imagine there are going to be a lot more painted before I find the look I really want since I have been doing this off and on for about 4 years now. I have decided that I am just going to keep painting figures until I get there. I will publish an image of the first goddess as soon as my husband takes the photos. I plan to show the goddess series for my featured show at Parklane Gallery in November. Knowing how I operate though, I could change my mind in October and have to struggle to get a show together for November. I have not had a featured show at Parklane Gallery since December of 2006, and it is about time I did.

Kirkland Art Studio Tour

2010-05-13T19:28:00.001-07:00

The Kirkland Art Studio Tour has now come and gone. It was very successful for me and for my host, Phyllis Ray. I spent the weekend in a gazebo in a lovely backyard, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I got to talk to lots of really nice people, who were interested in art, and, as a bonus, sold 14 paintings. Woohoo! The above is one of the paintings that has gone to a new home.

Another bonus of the weekend was that I actually read two art books. I didn't just look at the pictures, which I often do. I read them and took notes and can't wait to try some of the ideas from them.

Trish

2010-05-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday I had coffee with my friend Trish. The reason I mention it here is that it had been about two years since I saw her last. It was great to reconnect with her, and I hope that it won't be another two years before I see her again. Trish is a great artist and successful author as well. Her book on encaustics has opened many doors for her. She is traveling all over the country to do workshops, and is very close to earning her living through her art. That is always something to celebrate, so I wanted to share. Artists that can earn their living through their art are very rare among my acquaintances. Check her out at www.pbsartist.com.

Kirkland Art Studio Tour

2010-05-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow and Sunday I will be participating in the Kirkland Art Studio Tour at Phyllis Ray's home. I will be located in the gazebo in her wonderful back yard. I think this is the 5th, maybe 6th year that I have participated in this tour. Although I do not live in Kirkland, I am allowed to participate since I show my work in Kirkland.

If you are interested in visiting me during the tour, you can get the map and artist information for all the participating artists at www.kirklandstudiotour.com.

Here's hoping for lots of visitors, lots of sales and lots of fun.

With an Open Heart

2010-05-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

This is one of only a few recent paintings. Mostly I have been working on a piece for awhile and then setting it aside. If I don't finish these paintings, I am soon going to be forced out of my studio. I realized the other day that the reason this is happening is that right now I am only interested in texture. I do wonderful backgrounds that I love, and then I cannot decide what to do with them. I like the background just the way it is! So, the above painting was one of those that I loved the background so much I didn't want to add anything to it. Then I decided I would just put a heart on it, and that lets all the texture show. If you click on the image, you will get a larger image that shows the texture better. Now I must decide what to do with all the other paintings that are "unfinished".

Floral Paintings

2010-04-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

I haven't done this type of floral painting in a long time. I did these in a recent Bob Burridge class. It was the same class where I did the landscapes shown in a recent blog. I actually had a great time doing the very loose florals and landscapes. What do you think?

Busy Time

2010-04-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

I am going to be busy with shows for the next few months. First I have the Kirkland Art Studio Tour on Mother's Day weekend. I will be setting up in the gazebo at Phyllis Ray's home. Thank you Phyllis. If you want to come by, check the website at www.kirlandstudiotour.com for the details.

Next I have ten paintings showing at the Shoreline City Hall. They will be up from May through July.

In June I have a show at the Art & Cultural Exchange in Astoria, Oregon. My friend Barb Mallon connected me with the folks at this gallery near her home in Long Beach. Thank you Barb. There will be a cross section of my work, leaning a little toward the figurative.

In July I will once again show at Local Color in Pike Place Market. That is always a fun venue for me, and I am really looking forward to it.

I will let you know details for receptions at a later date.

Lisa Lamoreaux

2010-04-05T08:06:00.001-07:00

I attended the C Art Gallery show yesterday with Nancy Thompson. Lisa Lamoreaux was who we went to see, but then we found Marissa Motto and a couple other artists that I knew. It is a nice small exhibit space. We had a lot of fun talking with the artists. We also watched Lisa sell three paintings to one customer in the time we were visiting. That girl is on a roll. Her paintings just fly off the wall. Check her out at Creative-Legacy.com. Her work is ethereal and just connects with me.

I bought a ceramic piece by Marissa Motto. It is something new she is doing, and I just love it. It has a matte finish and is less colorful that most of her work. I have several pieces of her other work, but this one is a wall hanging that I can put on my "Artist's Wall".

Landscapes

2010-04-05T08:02:00.000-07:00

These are a couple of small landscapes that I painted in a recent Bob Burridge class. I just thought I would post them because they are different than any other work I have posted on this blog. I am off to deliver some paintings to Musings now, so will write more later.

2010-03-26T16:28:00.000-07:00

I just learned that the above piece sold at the Arts Council of Snohomish Auction for $1,000. It is always best if your work gets into the live auction, which this piece did. It is interesting that the other piece I painted similar to this one sold at the Seattle Men's Chorus Auction back in September for between $1000 and $1100. In any event I am happy that they have gone to new homes of people who love them.

More Burridge

2010-03-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent another day painting with Bob Burridge. I painted a lot of abstract landscapes which is something I have not done for years. It was great fun, and I may do more of them.

I was unable to resist the call of Burridge paintings, and I bought two of them. I do not have them yet, or I would post images of them here. No matter how much art I have in my home, I cannot stop buying what I love. Some of the art has to go in a closet, but it always comes out again. I feel so blessed to have so many friends that are artists and I can surround myself with their work.

Burridge Class

2010-03-12T17:56:00.000-08:00

I attended a Bob Burridge one-day workshop yesterday. I have been to many of his workshops, but every time I go I learn something new. There is always at least one nugget that I take home with me to apply to my future work. This workshop was about using collage in abstract paintings. Eventually I will post a couple images of my work from the workshop, but it is not truly finished yet. Tomorrow I will have the opportunity to work with Bob once again. We will be working on very loose florals and painting without brushes. Almost every time that I attend a Burridge workshop I end up painting with my fingers! My main motivation for attending Bob's workshops is the lift I get from his enthusiasm for his work. Secondly, it always helps me to loosen up my work. I have never met anyone who loves what he does as much as Bob does. He paints everyday and has for 20 years, and still he loves it. He is a very generous instructor, sharing all that he knows about creating art. Check out his work at www.robertburridge.com.

More New Work

2010-02-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

I do not seem to have much to say on my blog lately, but I do have several new paintings.
The top one is 12x12 on canvas. The interesting thing about it is the middle portion. I had put crackle paste on the canvas in the beginning. Then I ended up putting on so many layers of paint that the crackle paste didn't show anymore. So, I chipped off the crackle paste and got that interesting pattern underneath. It doesn't show real well in a photograph, but you should be able to see some of the pattern. This is what experimental painters do!

I like some things about the lower painting, but I am not satisfied with it. So, if any of my readers have suggestions, please let me know. My work is always "a work in progress" if I think I can improve on it.

Textures

2010-02-08T16:06:00.000-08:00

This is one of my newer paintings. As you can see, I am into a lot of texture again. This piece is 12x12 and $215.

A Couple of Paintings for Valentine's Day

2010-01-26T14:58:00.000-08:00

These are a couple of pieces that I just completed for Valentine's Day. I was the featured artist this month at C'est la Vie in Edmonds. I also have several heart paintings at C'est la Vie in Renton.

New Work

2010-01-16T21:47:00.000-08:00

This is the only painting I have painted in the New Year that is not a heart! I have been painting hearts for about two weeks now for C'est la Vie in Edmonds and in Renton. I think I am finished now and can move on to something new. I am not sure what that will be though as I am once again in transition. Sometimes it takes a few days and sometimes weeks, but eventually I start a new series. It may be that it is time to start some larger paintings. I have been working up to it.

Parklane Gallery Juried Show

2010-01-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

The Juried Contemporary Art Show will be showing at Parklane Gallery in Kirkland through the end of January. I am not represented in the show, but I helped to organize it. The juror was Lynn Scott, and it is a great show, with many mediums represented. There is even a 67" woman made of vinyl straps and wire! The reception is January 14th from 6-8 p.m. I hope to see you there.

Big Hearted

2010-01-06T17:36:00.000-08:00

Over the past six months I have worked off and on with a 36x36 heart painting. I didn't think I would have an opportunity to show it. Then Colleen at C'est la Vie said she loved it and to bring on all my hearts. Not only did someone want to show it, the very next day someone bought it! I am now busily painting hearts, large and small, for both C'est la Vie stores. Above is the painting "Big Hearted". There are a lot of layers and textures that are not obvious from the image. My hearts will be featured at C'est la Vie during Edmonds Art Walk, January 21.

New Small Paintings

2009-12-22T17:35:00.000-08:00

Both of these paintings I created as a result of a Barbara DePirro workshop called "Collage De-Collage". It was a wonderful class involving sanding, tearing, carving and using various mediums. The first one involved crumpled paper adhered to the paper and the loose parts torn off after drying. Then there was sandpaper involved! It was a great class.

New Experimental Painting Group

2009-12-22T17:29:00.000-08:00

I wrote earlier that I was going to have a second experimental painting group at my studio, and the first session was this past Wednesday. It is so wonderful to get together with a group of artists who share similar interests and get excited by the same things. Binky Bergsman wowed us all with a transfer method using parchment, which can be reused again and again. Tonnie Wolfe showed us embossed paper made out of toilet paper! There are an unlimited supply of new ideas out there, and we want to know all of them. We can learn so much from each other. Sometimes there are so many things I want to do, that I find myself paralyzed and unable to create anything. Fortunately, that always passes. I just have to sail into a new project and see what happens.

Something Different

2009-12-12T08:58:00.001-08:00

For some reason I just love this little 8x8 piece. It doesn't look much like my work because the colors are more subdued. I don't think I have ever used gray!

Sales, Sales, Sales

2009-12-10T13:40:00.000-08:00

Hooray! I sold the three paintings above at Parklane Gallery in November. I have had a bit of a dry spell there, so the sales were even more welcome than usual. As you can see they are all from the same series. The first one and third one were purchased by the same people from Texas.

Experimental Painting

2009-12-10T13:31:00.000-08:00

Well, I see it has been a long time since I have written here. It is probably because I only write about art related activities, and I haven't been having many. We spent the last week in Palm Springs getting warm, so no art was being created then. I have so enjoyed my experimental painting group that meets at my studio on the first Wednesday of each month that I moved it to the second Wednesday this month so that we wouldn't miss it because I was out of town. So, yesterday the group (actually three of the seven artists couldn't make it) met and had a fabulous time creating and sharing. Most of the artists that I know are so generous that no one has any problem sharing new tools, ideas, papers, whatever. Recently I have been copying everything to do direct transfers with. An old piece of loose weave burlap, a tray with holes in it, a piece of wire mesh, decorative paper, whatever crosses my path gets copied on my new laser printer. Yesterday the whole group was involved in copying and doing direct transfers. Even though we were using a lot of the same copies to do transfers, none of our work resembled anyone elses. I had a wonderful time and it inspired me to get back in the studio today.

Because there are more experimental artists than I have room for in my studio, we are starting a second group that will meet on the third Wednesday of each month. So, I get to have all that fun twice a month from now on. I think that working with other artists really stimulates creativity.

New Series Sales

2009-11-28T09:39:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to report that my latest series of paintings is selling! I paint because I love it, and I can't not paint, but it is just the cherry on the sundae when they sell as well. I seem to constantly move from one series to the next, and some sell and some don't. Some I love and some I don't. Lately I have found myself painting over the ones that I don't love and trying again for something I do love. I seldom need to buy canvas or boards anymore since I started repainting those that I do not love.

Barbara DePirro Workshop

2009-11-19T17:09:00.000-08:00

I had the good fortune to attend a three day workshop put on by Barbara DePirro last Saturday through Monday. What a good time was had by all. She is a terrific instructor and always teaches such interesting classes. All of the supplies are provided, which is a big deal because you always need a lot of supplies in her classes. The class was called Collage/Decollage. It was the decollage part that I was attracted to. It involved sanding, scratching, tearing and grinding your paintings. How could that not be a fun thing for an experimental painter like myself?

I also have big plans for the coming weekend starting on Friday. I intend to spend a good share of it at home and in my studio. Yeah!

Painting Again

2009-11-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

Hooray! I am finally painting again. I thought I was broken. I have managed to get into my studio and paint three or four times this week, and I am actually finishing some paintings. I can never figure out why I stop painting. Every once in awhile I just dry up creatively. It is usually because I am ready to start something new. However, this time, since I have gotten back to the studio, I am painting the same things, mostly figurative.

I finally had a sale at Parklane Gallery (the above painting). It was a long, long dry spell for me there. I also have sold 12 paintings at Matthew Robert Salon and have another two weeks there. What a great place, owned by wonderful, art loving people. They get so excited about the art that it flies off the walls. It is also up for three months, which I think makes a difference. When I hang my art at Parklane Gallery, it is only up for a month. Sometimes that is not long enough. I have started leaving some of my paintings up for another month to give them more exposure. You are supposed to change at least 50% of your work each month.

Today is experimental painters day at my studio, and I am really looking forward to being with this great group of women artists who are constantly discovering something new to add to their paintings. I am sure it will be a great day.

New Small Painting

2009-10-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

Art Exchange II

2009-10-22T09:12:00.001-07:00

It is now 4 days after the Art Exchange and I am just getting around to doing a post on what a great time it was. The reason for that is only partly that I have a cold and feel lousy. It was just as much fun as it was the first year, and I am already planning for next year. I was impressed with the art brought the first year, but this year was truly incredible. I think most people were happy with what they went home with, but it is hard to tell with so many people talking, laughing, eating, drinking and admiring their new art. I ended up with 7 new pieces of art. My first pick was a beautiful painting by Chris Cantu. Thank you Chris. After that I became the owner of a heart print by Tami Cole, a beautiful painting called "Fragrance" by Darlene Lucas, a tiny piece called "Swimmer" by Kim Weers, "Money Tree" by Cheryl Waale, "Neptune's Garden" by Jonlee Nunn and "Green Willow" by Marty Blu. I went for all 2D work this year, and I added 4 new artists to my Artists I Know Wall. I will write about that wall another time.

If you are reading this and you came to the Art Exchange, thank you for participating and making it such a memorable event.

Art Exchange

2009-10-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

Today is the second annual Art Exchange at my house, and I am very excited. We did it for the first time last November, and it was the most art fun I have ever had. I am expecting 32 artists today. They all bring something to eat and something to drink. They also bring art that they wish to not have in their studio anymore. It may be something they just aren't crazy about, something they haven't been able to sell, or there is some other reason they don't want to see it anymore. In exchange they go home with someone else's work that they love and that is new to them. Some people bring one thing and some may bring a dozen. You just bring what you want to give away and don't expect to go home with exactly the same number you brought. We draw numbers and start to pick out what we want and keep going until everything is gone. Last year everyone went home with at least 5 pieces of art. I bet it will be just as much fun this year. I will let you know how it goes.

Busy Saturday

2009-10-03T09:19:00.000-07:00

Barbara DePirro is presenting a program at ArtistsConnect today. If you don't know, she is the local representative for Golden Acrylics. I am sure I am going to leave the program with dozens of things whirling in my head that I need to buy right now and try tomorrow! It is very dangerous to the pocketbook to go to classes when you are an art supply addict.

After the ArtistsConnect meeting and Barbara's presentation, I must go to work at Parklane Gallery in Kirkland from 3 to 7 p.m. If any of you are in the area, stop and see me. I had the opportunity to switch my Parklane shift from tomorrow to today, and I jumped on it because now I can have a whole day at home tomorrow. I will be able to paint for the first time since the Edmonds Art Studio Tour on Oct. 19 & 20. I have been so busy that I haven't even been able to think about painting, let alone do it. I am really feeling the absence of painting in my life. I think it is time to simplify my life, but I can't seem to give up anything art related and that is mostly what I do. I think I am going to have to give up a couple boards or committees. I will let you know how that goes.

Seattle Men's Chorus Auction

2009-09-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

The last Seattle Men's Chorus JustArt Auction was held this evening. I am delighted to report that my painting, Graffiti I, sold for more than the asking price of $775. Someone bought it outright for $1088! I just love it when that happens.

It's Over!

2009-09-23T15:28:00.001-07:00

The Edmonds Art Studio Tour is now over, and it was a fabulous weekend. I just get so excited by all the people that I meet and get to talk to about my art. I also see people that I know that I do not see very often. Then there are the people that I know from non-art related venues that come to see my work for the first time. This year it was people from my water aerobics class, neighbors and my dentist. I get to stay in my own studio, talk about art with great people, share my space with other talented artists and sometimes sell paintings. What is not to love about that!

It was especially gratifying to sell "Daisies & Fire" to Carla. I hope you are reading this Carla. Carla and her husband already own a couple of my paintings, and I loved having the opportunity to spend time with her and talk about my work.

For the first time I had a discount table at the studio tour. Although some artists think that this is devaluing my work, I disagree. I love to paint, and it is the process, not the eventual painting, that really gives me joy. If I do not sell my paintings I will run out of room someday! I believe a number of people purchased items from my discount table that would not have been able to enjoy owning original art if the price had not been discounted. People are really worried about money right now, and I am happy that they are willing to spend anything to own a piece of original art.

I will definitely be particpating in Edmonds Art Studio Tour 2010.

Day One of Tour is Complete

2009-09-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

The studio tour gets me so wound up that I can barely stop talking. When we shut down at 5 p.m. I just collapse. I fell asleep on the floor before 9 p.m. and staggered off to bed at 9. Today I am ready again and just as excited as yesterday. We had some good sales even though there were fewer visitors than last year. I set up a discount table which was a huge hit and a great way to move some paintings out of my home into someone else's home. There is nothing I enjoy more than talking to people about my art in the comfort of my own studio, and if I sell something, it is a bonus. It is so much more satisfying than selling in a gallery where you may never meet the people who are enjoying your work.

Even if I don't sell a thing today, I will consider the event successful because I had so much fun.

Edmonds Art Studio Tour

2009-09-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

It's here at last. The tour begins in 3 hours and I am ready and waiting. Nancy Thompson has set up her work in my family room, and Meredith Arnold should be setting up in an hour or so. Meredith had a family emergency and couldn't get here to set up yesterday. We are crossing our fingers that she will be able to make it today. However, if her family needs her, than that is the way it will be. We will miss her if she cannot make it.

I handled preparations for the tour a lot better this year than I have the past three years. I did a little each day, slowly moving toward the tour. By the time it came, I was all ready, with no stress. What a concept!

Sidewalk Sale

2009-09-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I worked the sidewalk sale at Parklane Gallery. It was such a beautiful day. Perhaps the last beautiful weekend of the summer, but I hope not, as the Edmonds Studio Tour is next weekend. There were so many lovely things in the sidewalk sale, that I did really good to only buy one piece. I bought a small watercolor by Donna Wallace. Oops! I did buy one other thing, but it was a birthday present for my friend Nanci, not something else for me.