Home again, with goodies

Froze on the coast.    Well, not really, but the foggy chill in the mornings is something I'm not used to.     Got home yesterday to 99 degree weather.     What a shock to get out of the AC car and step out into the valley oven.

Rosemary drove for the whole trip, which  made it so nice for Cat and me, since neither of us would have braved the traffic in Santa Cruz, and winding around Santa Cruz mountain roads.      We had to get to Boulder Creek to our favorite shop.    Cat bought several things from Chris Flynn, who is so clever with her use of laces and vintage fabrics.     We also shopped at Carolines in Capitola, a shop that benefits many local non profits, run by volunteers.    We always stop there, always find something.   I bought a necklace and a beach wrap, doubles as a shawl/wrap.     Just enough to keep the cool sea breezes off my shoulders.     

Here are some of the goodies I came home with.     A chicken wire shoe for the garden, a red trivet, my new necklace and a piece of fabric.    I love how colorful they look together.

Dogs and I are glad to be home, but now every time I brush against the leashes hanging on the doorknob, they think they are going somewhere fun.       I just want to rest up for the day.   I unloaded the car this a.m. before it heats up again.  We are supposed to get Delta breezes today which should keep temp in  high 80s.     Should be wonderful day.    Hope it is for you too.

Did you notice there are no pics of the ocean, the beaches, or anything nautical.      Not this time.    Too busy doing other things.    LOL     

What's new

Hi again.   I'm still here.      I've been working like a trouper clearing my mountain retreat the sale of which will be final on Saturday.      My granddaughter took a lot of stuff for her own place, one grandson came another day and loaded, my son took the truck to do repairs and bring back a load another day.      Not much time for art.

But, I did get some gelli printing done on post cards to send to friends.   Here are a few with just the backgrounds.  

With all the donations and give aways lately, I still felt a pressing need to add a couple of the smaller gelli plates to my studio.  LOL   In turn, I got rid of lots more stuff.Last evening Henrietta Sparkman gave a demo at Lodi Art Center  on monoprinting with household objects.   She is giving a full workshop on Saturday, some of my friends are going.    I'll be in the country.  

I have been using household objects for years so think I've got it covered in my own work.  But, you know, you always can learn some new trick.    I learned last night about using acrylic  printing inks.  They were much heavier than I expected and I would have called them paints - but the labels said inks.     I always use paints.    Might want to try inks someime.

Sam and Pepe are the featured artists this month.   It took a long time to convince them to show there again, and I promised them as much space as they wanted, they could mount their own show, and set up their lighting - and use the front windows.     they did all those things, and it was such a great opening reception, with most of the people they had invited, plus the regulars and fans of their work. 













I have a new injury I have to show you  - because it is the shape of a heart.    My dog was scratching at my wrist to get my attention.  Didn't break the skin, but an hour later, this appeared under the skin.    Getting older means getting bruises and minor injuries.  

Finally, here is a pic of Frances trying to embarass Sam and a guest.     He doesn't look unhappy about it.   LOL   

 

Tripping down memory lane

Internet or obscurity?    So many things are changes, I thought I'd poke around in my past online whilst wasting time waiting to go to a friends house to see a movie.    I found on online exhibit I made years ago is still there!   Surprise!   Figured by now it would be gone.    Here it is.

Checked around some more, and found an article I wrote. http://www.sanjoaquinhistory.org/documents/HistorianNS12-2.pdf

Then looking further, heres a book talk with my friends.   http://www.sacramentobookcollectors.org/alteredbooks.html

Oh my, I'm popping up again with this collection of photographs I processed. http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt000022zq/entire_text/

And the Harmony Grove Cenetery Records. http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf8j49p2tm/entire_text/

Here's another article. http://vault.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/john_muir_newsletter/photograph_collection.aspx

that's enough for now.     Just thought I'd share a bit of the past with  you.     Once we move on to other things, the past seems to disappear.  But apparently, not on the internet.

Recycling at it's best

Our mixed media group in Lodi had a tail gate party last Thursday, where we could pass along anything we didn't want, to anyone that would take it.    We must have had more than a dozen spiffy SUVs and sedans, and just as many artists eager to either give away or pick up more art supplies and equipment.    Here are some pics from the day.   We had a barrel of fun.   I came home empty handed except for a mona lisa rubber  stamp set and a pottery bowl for my granddaughter.       Very successful day.     And now my patio is cleaned off so we can use the tables and chairs as they are meant to be used rather than a place to pile things to haul away.   LOL   

May First

Cinco de Mayo, Grandson DJ'x birthday, Jean Janssen's opening reception as featured artist at the gallery.    Lots of thing to make this day special.    Renewed old acquaintance with one of the best collage artists I know - an unexpected treat catching up.

I've been cutting up slices of cheese and salomi for tonite's reception.    Most of Jean's good friends are bringing food of one kind or another.   it starts at 6 and ends at 8:30.  We always have a few locals who "dine" at our reception.   LOL     Jean's bringing a white tablecloth.    I'm bringing some beautiful glass pieces for serving.   

The top plate is one of my favs.   Purchased at a gift shop in Capitola back in the 90s, which I could not resist. the plate is two layers thick with the floral painted between layers.    The second one is from a little gallery near Davcnport which I picked up on the way home from the coast years ago.

 

This is how they looked stacked with a Martha Stewart faux carnival glass dessert plate on top.   I think they'll look great at a watercolor show.    

I've got the camera battery pack plugged in, so hope to take some pics tonite for Jean's family that can't be with her for the event. 

Hope you have a grand day.     Feels like summer here.    

Where's the time gone?

Update on my "masterpiece".   It was sold at the show, by someone whose heart it touched.  i could not ask for more.

My mixed media group is planning a destash tailgate party  First week of May.    Good.    More things can leave my studio.    I'm excited and starting to sort - again.    Trouble is I keep finding things that would make good group projects.   I have to talk people into doing them though, and that is not always easy, as everyone has their own things to work on or their lives to lead that don't necessarily align with my destashing.    LOL       so, they will have first pick, then one of them volunteered to haul the rest away to a donation point - thrift store.     Bless her heart!   she means it too, she isn't hauling it home secretly.    

Here is a picture of Rich Allen take by Frances.    I think I'll paint him.   He is a past president multiple times of the Lodi group, and was chair of the Spring Show. 

Next month is also the month when my friend Jean Janssen will be the featured artist in Lodi, and we are busy making plans for the reception.   Her work is amazing - particularly since she works in watercolor.   some of them are so subtle, but others have wow factors, and since she has been experimenting with new techniques and subject, her work is soaring.    She's in early 80, teaches at local university senior program and also in Lodi for the community senior program.       All that wonderful energy and still learning.    I'm a huge fan.    Here are a couple pieces of her work and the post card designed for her show.   

I hope we have a good turn out and she gets some good sales.     

You've seen this before - Lost in a Memory

Back in October when I posted this picture, I proclaimed it a masterpiece.  Of course that was just my personal opinion, but I had enough faith in it to enter it in the Annual Spring Show at the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Winery in Acampo.     Judging waa on Monday with a panel of three highly respected judges.    The good news is - they unanimously liked it too, enough to give it a second place in the mixed media division.     I cleaned up the edges, mounted it on white with a buff colored mat and framed in about a 2 inch black wooden frame.   I'm happy. 

   Here is the original post site:    http://bookartsandalteredbooks.blogspot.com/2014/10/my-new-masterpiece.html