SAYING GOODBYE

This collage was inspired by those two words which were on a scrap from a magazine.    Hmmmm....   chose to use blues again as separations can be sad.   I finished this before I started watching Bobs.  Blasts.    Now I notice two of his first decisions are the concept and colors.    We are on parralel paths it seems. 

I first built up a textured background.  Then I added the figure on the right.  I thought that was done, but after a few days I decided to add the figure on the left.  And left center empty.   

 Im not sure where the focal point is.  Or if it has one.   I like the tension of the space between the two as they part, leaving unsaid words and unfinished business there.  

This is painted over an old painting I never cared for.  Only bits of it can be seen through the scratches and layers.      All done.  

Little Moments

I finished this collage I showed previously.  The poem by Julia Carney is the inspiration.

Little drops of water,
little grains of sand,
make the mighty ocean
and the beautious land.

And the little moments,
humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.

 This is in honor of my mother, a woman with so many good qualities.   She took motherhood as seriously as she did everything else.  She was an extraordinary teacher.   Mom had little time for fun in her life.  She didnt have girlfriends to go to lunch with and to laugh with.  She was all serious business, although she did have a keen sense of humor was kept under wraps most of the time.

The picture on upper left was taken when I was about 14. It was a family outing to a lake in the high Sierras where we camped for the night.

Poor Mother. She didnt really like to camp, get dirty, or sleep in a sleeping bag.    She was always chilly and usually ended up bundled under blankets in the car while we explored and goofed off.

My brother had constructed a makeshift boat from inner tubes and bits of wood.  It could seat two.  Dad and Bob managed to put it on our camp trailer and this is the day it was launched.   Its the only picture I have of Mother  sitting out in the sun for the big event. 

Bob and I paddled off - not far as there were serious design and construction flaws/challenges.  Mother was convinced we would drown, so we stayed in a small inlet where we could walk it out if it went down.  It didn't sink but was impossible to maneuver.  Hardly sea worthy.  Lol.  We never used it again.

 This little moment is precious to me.  I'm all that's left of our little nuclear family.   It deserves a memorial.   Life is made up of little moments isn't it?

Bob Burridge paints

I recently found the Bob Burridge web site and his You Tube videos called Bob's Blasts. (Check it out) He is delightful.  Jack Lemmonish, quirky and personable.  I love how colorful and free his work is so I am indulging myself with watching one or two segemnts a day.   And I bought three of his dvds.  Today I tried my first piece following his formula.  I wasnt using  good quality paints so didnt like the colors, even though I mixed and layered etc.   I will make it a point to invest in some better acryllics.  Most of my old ones were dried out so I was limited. 

 Im ready to jump into this to see if I can do it.   Concept, colors, composition, and commitment.      His formula sounds easy enough but I have never planned an abstract collage painting in this way.   I may have a concept and colors, but never think about the composition, letting it lead me wherever.   But they are always disappointing.  Perhaps this is what will help me get results I like.   We will see.   It will be fun trying. 

Peace on the porch

A pair of doves decided the wreath on my front door might make a good nesting place.  Fortunately I found them before construction got under way. As I removed the wreath they sat on neighbors roof watching me and discussing their options....then flew off looking for a more hospitable landlord.   Much as I like birds, this was not the right place for them.   

It appears not to be the best place for lizards either.   Lulu caught a tiny one and stood guard over it for ages.  I think she was hoping it was faking so she could chase it again.

Puzzlement update.

We poked a hole in the wire trap bottom and laid it on the side.   He figured it out and left.  Im so glad he is

free again.

A puzzlement

Lulu my little terrier/terror hunter would not come inside after her walk.  I was busy and figured she was basking in ghe sun. Or terrorizing local lizards. I finally went out to look as she did not respond to my "do you want a cookie?" Call that is always the sure fire way to get her to come.     I spotted her by seeing her tail wagging near a group of flower pots.  But her head was not sniffing at the bases. Instead she was sniffing and licking at the top of a stack if bait traps which are there for decorative purposes. 

The sun was so bright i could not see what was there. Must be a bug was my first thought.  Looking more closely I saw this.   

 Poor little lizard fled from Lulu and got itself wedged between cages which have been stuck together for years.    It went down from the top through a small opening then crawled upward.

I am not sure how it will get out, but i hope it finds its way.  I moved it into the carport where Lulu cant harass it.  My nature watching has added a new experience to enrich my life.   

Earlier today I had Canadian Geese land on my roof, not uncommon where I live.     But noisy.   

Marbeling play

Our local mixed media group played with some marbelling techniques and products yesterday.  I had set up work stations in my carport as we expected to get messy.   We had some last minute cancellations so there were only five of us.  It wirked out well as we could sit together and see what everyone else was doing and getting immediate feedback and hints.  Easy Marble hy Maribu was what generated the project as Julie Fei Fan Balzar had put up a YouTube video showing how easy it is to use, and what striking results can be created.    Here are some pics of results on paper and fabric.

the product sets up really fast on the tap water so we could not get lots if swirls, but it is strikingly beautiful. Im going to experiment with it more now that Ive gone online to the company website and read all their hints.  

The second part of our morning was spent playing with the shaving cream and inks on paper and fabrics.  These will be incorporated into collages.