Just Sipping the Old Year Away...

With the brittle, bitter cold weather we've been having - a nice cup of tea soothes.  Winter has caused much stillness outside and cabin fever is starting up.  (mine, anyway!) 

This drawing is one of the many I've been doing poolside as the kids swim and play indoors.  For me, drawings always mean something new is about to be made...

Happy New Year (almost) 2014!!!

Waiting for Ink to Dry

Here's the test print to the cathedral woodcut... one more printing and it's done :) 

Almost Christmas... we are pretty much ready.  How about you?

Waiting in line at the post office

This is Cordelia.... (painted woodblock print by me) she hasn't done any Christmas shopping, mailed her cards or any other holiday preparations.  The line at the post is the longest of the year.  It's too late to order online.  What's a girl to do? 

Better get busy.

Feeling like portraits...

I found this lady in a stack of paintings yesterday... she's on wood.  Maybe I should finish her!?   The thing is, I'd rather start new, fresh ones.  Maybe I need to hypnotic therapy - with an emphasis on finishing art :)

Cathedral

Happy Thanksgiving!  Since it's a long weekend, I actually have time to do a little art this morning.  Ahhhh.  This cathedral is Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane.  It's a commission for a very special friend.

 The oven is warming up... yams and the green bean casserole will be bubbling soon.  Later, off to the family table, which will not be mine this year.  (large, quiet smile as this means no fervent house cleaning and much guitar playing in front of the fire). 

Have a wonderful day and eat the potatoes and bread if you want to :)


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Winter is Closing In...

Under a quilt with snow falling outside is a good place to be...  I cut this out as I went and 'collaged' it on the black wool with felting needles.  They are like glue when using wool.  Love this process. 

No snow here (thankful) but it's 15 F this am.  Brrrr.  Time for evening fires.  Happy almost weekend!

Tea Drinking Weather

I sold this painting (acrylic on canvas... about 36" x 30"?) years ago and always wished I still had it.  By happenstance, last year I met a mom at my kid's school who bought the painting.  Her son is the same age as my daughter and the painting hangs in their kitchen eating area.  It's nice to know where she is... and that she has a good home.

 Exhale.

ps Happy Birthday, Mom!!!  xoxox

Guitar Row

Here are just a few of the wool felt and beaded guitar ornaments I am making for a show.  It's the Artist's Christmas Ornament show at the Spokane Art School on Garland street here in Spokane.  It's Black Friday each year :)  Proceeds benefit the art school.  Check it out!

Working in haste to have these done by November 15!  Happy Monday... and remember our veterans today.

Gulf

I saw an old photograph of those Gulf stations in the past and it got me thinking about all kinds of things - nostalgia vs. obsolescence.   This is a big acrylic on canvas painting (40" x 38")... its a work in progress but I could keep painting these many times over before I was 'done'. 

Now I just need to build more canvases. 

Elizabeth Peyton

Just a peek at a lovely portrait by Elizabeth Peyton... This is Keith.  Happy Monday.

Lavender Home

 A few more scenes from our week in Sequim... my home town.  Above is a scene from Purple Haze farm.  They have heavenly ice cream cones you can eat while walking along the lavender rows.

 Even at dinner, I love to doodle.  My favorite kind of table cloth is white paper and kids crayons :)  The Public House, Port Townsend.

 My little booth of woodblock love at the Lavender festival...

Bliss.  Happy weekend!  ps  sale in the etsy shop:  free shipping to us and free, small print (my choice) with purchase!

Oh Honey...

Honey Jars by Janet Fish.   I love her paintings of the everyday, but with light, reflection and a close up view, they are magic.

Just back from the Sequim Lavender Festival... it was fun.  Sold some art, talked to a lot of lovely people and even skipped out of the booth a few times to go to a few lavender farms and walk on the sea weed-carpeted beach.  Old times :)  Even walked around the campus of my high school (it looks exactly the same, save a few new buildings in the back) and my elementary school.  Walked through the playground (the swings are gone) and to the front doors.  I remember so much, standing right in front of these buildings.  Sweet memories.   Amazing what physical presence can do.

So, now I hope to start making all new pieces and share much more often here :)  Stay tuned.

Summertime...

I can actually sit and think now that it's summer.  If only it would stop raining... its been pouring for about 5 days straight.  Will post some new work soon.  Enjoy the slow of summer and take time to think and talk and sit and dream :)

(I can't remember the name of the artist who painted this lovely lady - her eyes are like heaven.  But, it's a German artist... during the Art Nouveau  period or perhaps Die Stijl movement)

The Lyrical Ones

I had the best time taking the kids to their 2 dance rehearsals this month.  It's a special opportunity to take lots of photos to draw from.  It's pretty obvious, I love the dance world and never tire of this subject.  This Lyrical Dance group had the most beautiful costumes, sequins, chiffon and lovely rust colors.  Hope I can translate it on the final print.

Big news:  I'm taking my woodblocks on the road!  This summer I will be at art faire at the Sequim Lavender Festival in Sequim, WA.  July 19, 20 and 21... 2013.  Your can read more about it here: Sequim Lavender Festival  If you're on the Olympic Peninsula this summer, come stop in and say Hi :)

Modern Mary

Thinking of Mary a lot lately... Thought this portrait looked a bit like her.  I always thought the radial engine looked a lot like a head dress.  Will experiment more with this.  Happy Wednesday!

Almost Easter...

I've been re visiting some old photographs of my work.  I painted this for my daughter's room before she was born... major nesting phase.  It hung above her crib.  Now hangs above her big girl bed.

Have a great Good Friday and a very Happy Easter!!

Vernal Equinox

This Flower Market painting hangs in our living room... it is a perfect reminder of spring.  Vernal Equinox is this Wednesday... wooo-hoooo.  Home stretch into tulip time.  Just need a little sun now.  I might be coming out of my winter coma.  Happy Monday :)

Black Cat

Is that spring coming in the distance?  I hope so.  Happy almost weekend :)

Washing Dishes...

This is what I feel like when I come home and look at the sink full of dishes. (and the rest of the mess)  I have an uncanny ability to ignore housework until it gets quite out of control.  It's the art I'd rather be doing, the board games with the kids, sitting by the fire, chatting with the 'man of information' (husband) and of course, playing my guitar. 

Now, these are clean dishes in a simple kitchen.  Whoever lives here tends to their chores.  Maybe this is my new years resolution.  Don't know if it will keep.

BTW, these simple and beautiful photographs are by the incomparable Dorothea Lange... American Photographer.  I love her stark style and subject matter.  It always makes me thankful and reminds me I have everything I could ever want or need .

Already Dreaming of Purple Coneflowers...

Ok, I'm trying to hold fast during winter.  But, I'm thinking about several perennials that died and I want to replace them... start over.  Plant more varieties, lengths and colors.  I want to get my fingers in the earth, soon.  But, that's not reality in January!  I even bought some spiky things to wear on my shoes in hopes of dog walks on the icy streets - the first pair after several years of living here. 

This is a wool purse inspired by my first purple cone flowers... couldn't believe how much I loved them.  Maybe I'll just do more flowers in wool for winter.  For now.

The Lady Who Taught Guitar

I did this painting on a wooden cigar box a few years back and wish I hadn't sold it!  Well, the truth is, lately, I've been thinking about the guitars in the background.  My husband and I have been taking guitar lessons for a few months now... it's something we can do together.  (a rarity around here).  We've been writing some songs, recording snippits on our iphones and playing them for each other.  Never knew I would love it this much :) 

I feel some guitar paintings coming on...

Cold Days of the Year...

I love this snippet of a poem by Christina Rossetti and carved it in the fall.  My daughter did the background watercolor so, this is a true collaboration!  A very Happy New Year 2013 to all of you who visit me here.  Don't be shy about leaving a note from time to time, I'd love to hear from you!
Will be putting another version of this in the etsy shop this week.