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.

Black Mountain Side

Here is one of the carvings I've been working on for quite some time.  It needed to be just right as it was for a special friend of mine.  They are big fans of 'yurting' in the wilds of Montana... This is not the final cut - but my favorite version.

Were are all trying to recover from a horrible flu/cough that has been going strong for a week.  Seems to have started up at the beginning of Christmas vacation.  UG!  I have 2 large commissions to finish, many Christmas cookies to bake and decorate with the kids and of course, shopping and wrapping.  I'm going to try to rally today and take the kids for a horse carriage ride.  They've wanted to do it forever and it's time to deliver!  Maybe hot cocoa after?  How's your merry-making going?

Gingerbread House

This princess castle was from a few years back at the majestic Davenport Hotel.  Every Christmas, they host a gingerbread contest sponsored by a local charity, Christ Kitchen.  The results are always magical!  We are hoping to go this week as today is the last day of school until January. 

I have some new work to share and hope to do more posting during the Christmas holiday.  We have lots of cookies to bake, horse carriage rides to take, sledding etc.  We are hugging our children extra hard these days in the wake of yet another heinous school shooting.  Those teachers, families... Those kids.  Same age as my daughter.  I'm praying for all of them in Newtown.  We need brand new gun control.  Like no guns.  Period.

Sounds...

 both images are detail of 'Take 5' - a woodcut in my etsy shop!

Music is in my heart and was all around me from the beginning.  Even in the womb.  My dad was a high school music teacher... and a musician/symphony member.  When I make art, music is always present.  So, I wanted to share a nice little write-up about one of my woodblock prints over at Martha Knox's blog about the art of woodblock printmaking.  Here's the link and many, many thanks, Martha!