Exciting NEW Studio Space ~ "Studio 8"

It all started with a friendly call from one of the local ladies who'd attended my "Women's Mexico Retreat" for Journaling and Watercolor Sketching. We'd kept in touch after we both got home from Mexico and had had coffee and I'd attended her gallery's "Grand Opening". Bonnie was calling to tell me she is gathering, hopefully, four women artists to share a 255 square foot working studio space.

This space is on the second floor of the newly acquired Provost Building, by the Ashland Art Center (http://store.ashlandartisangallery.com/prostores/servlet/StoreFront) for a fantastic art hub for Southern Oregon. I've been first onboard Denise Baxter's (now the Executive Director) trail when she invited me to show in her gallery around two years ago. Shortly after Denise began representing me, she launched off into her dream of starting up non-profit that benefited artists, community and patrons alike. Over many months of hard work, finding an appropriate building, raising funds (in this economy!!), this dream moved into this old furniture building, Spring of 2009, and began refurbishing. October is the Grand Opening but, it's up and functioning n-o-o-o-o-w!!! Part of the income guaranteed to the Art Center will come from the entire second floor where somewhere around 13 different fantastic artists have rented the working, open-to-the-public studios. That, my friends, is where Bonnie comes back in!

I'm initially tentative with Bonnie's invite to hop aboard creating this foursome but . . . Cody (our sweet golden retreiver) & I take a drive (about 25 minutes worth) into Ashland to take a look at the space. The energy is quiet, warm and positive. I'm pleased to see how Cody responds to the place (see photo) by spreading out like a "puppy rug", completely relaxed and at peace. Next, the full foursome planned to meet, to talk over space division. I felt comfy with two of the three ladies, those two I'd met and had warm, mutual relationships with before. One I'd not met before.

The signing of our lease was hurried up, when Denise told us others were looking at the very same space. So, all of us, Bonnie, Thalia (http://www.thaliakeple.com/), Lindsey and I, gathered last Sunday, August 23rd, and we signed in agreement. Here we are gloating new owners of "Studio 8". I have to admit, this is the first time, in any photo, where I've been the tallest in the group. Well, just another new experience coming my way. I'm really excited and the more "neighboring" artists I meet, the happier I am with my decision. These are all devoted, talented and warm people aiming at making this space physically, creatively and financially a success.

At this stage, we are furnishing and deciding necessary working, storage, display and teaching space, lighting and furniture. Lindsey and Thalia are amazing jewelry artists and will work hand in hand, sharing tools, storage and display space. Bonnie has a plethora of extra furniture for our half (the painter side of "Studio 8") and I was struggling with finding a work table. But the Universe has a delicious way of answering needs when you take that "leap" (haven't I talked about that "leap" somewhere here before?). So, just last Thursday, when I was at my monthly Critique Group, one of our members, who has lately experienced some big health challanges, announces he's going to be getting rid of furniture and books in his studio. Everyone, first-come, first-serve, is welcome to come check it out. Long story short, I got my beautiful work table: a 36 x 55 inch drafting table!

So, I can't wait to see what else the Universe has in stock for me. I'm envisioning swarms of sales, full and delighted classes and a new dedication to committed, longer, more focused hours of creativity. Join me in turning around the verbage and outlook for artists in this economy. I'm ready - - how about you? Think about what "leap" you can take, knowing you are deserving and guided. It's an amazing ride . . .

Escaping the Heat

We have been having a run on "hot" weather, like five consecutive days over 100 degrees and the two previous days were 99. So, we began to seek out the cool coastline of Oregon, now in the 60s or low 70s, for refuge.


My hubby had researched some camping sites and we hooked up the camper and were off. When we got to the city of Brookings, the temperatures were f-a-a-a-a-r-r-r-r-r more comfortable. Unfortunately, many other people, either in retreat from heat or on vacation, were occupying the camping sites we'd hoped to fill. So farther up the coast we meander. Once thru Gold Beach, we turn right just before the bridge spanning the Rogue River and head upstream. Of the several campgrounds available, none were what we were wanting and we made a U-turn back towards Gold Beach.

I prodded Roland to turn into the odd little campground named "Secret Camp" and it turned out to be a charming, privately owned place! Well kept, nicely landscaped, personalized (yes, nature posters framed in the bathroom) and some privacy for each site. We jumped at site #16. We were backed up to a fern forest, delighted with sprinkles of sunshine most of the day and humored by the "No Parking, Except for Donna" sign by the registration office. For a treat, we took to the "city" and happened upon a delicious dinner (recommend by Donna, the camp owner) at "Spinners". And enjoyed the next episode of "Big Love" on the laptop before we curled into crisp, refreshing night air for slumber. Even Cody, our sweet Golden Retriever, got chilly enough to join us up on the bed before morning.
We woke to hazy fog and delicious temperatures - exactly what we'd desired. After breakfast, we'd planned to go swimming in the river, so headed upstream a bit more for sunshine. Well, we got excited and launched into this mission to go see the much talked about town of "Agnes". This took us upstream, past lovely river curves, tee-pees along the bank and, I know you'll laugh, back into temperatures of 100 as we reached "Agnes"!!! We relished a fruit smoothie, caught the mist from "mister" on the porch of the local store (the ONLY building in town besides the post office!) and beat feet back towards cooler surroundings. About half way back to the coast we spied a pebbly beach and dawned out swim suits. For probably and hour we lavished in the cool water, watching the grey heron across the river from us, waving at the "tour boats" that travel up the river and savoring our quiet, pleasant spot. Along the winding road next to the river we glimpsed many Osprey nests high in the dead trees, as well as their young inhabitants.


Once back to the coast, we headed to the coast hiking trail, part of the Pacific Coast Trail, which can be accessed many places along the drive around Brookings. We turned at the first one, since it was getting early evening, and caught views like this on our short trek. Our evening nourishment was sandwiches and reading aloud of a sweet lil book (one of my honey's favorite, shhhhhhh, don't tell him I told you) entitled, "I Heard the Owl Call My Name". And we drifted off to dreams of living among the native peoples and nature.


Ok, our escape from the heat had come to an end . . . we needed to head back inland . . . but postponed it as long as we possibly could. We stopped up Highway 199 at the "Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park" where Roland swam, Cody snoozed in the shade and I did the above sketch in the afternoon sun. It was a calming preface to the oppressive heat (we saw 111 degrees on a bank sign) of the Illinois Valley and Grants Pass. Pleasantly, we rolled into our dear J-ville, where temps were only 99 and heading into evening cooling.

A Missed Appointment = Artist's Playtime

My how time flies ... I have been busy AND painting too. Here's just a quick entry from my journal for July 23rd.

I'd had plans to meet one of the fun ladies who'd participated in my Women's Mexico Retreat (see: womensmexicoretreat2009@blogspot.com) just to catch up and talk artist talk. Those of you artists out there know what I mean :) ! We've been having such hot days (five consecutive with over 100 degrees and the two previous days were 99 degrees) that we wanted to meet early. So I arrived around 9:20 and got my Chai Tea, nestled into a comfy table with a charming view . . . and waited . . . and waited . . . and waited. About 9:45 I decided to pull out my trusty journal and start a sketch while I waited.

I'd picked a enchanting view of ole' feeling and cozy, stuffed furniture, skirted by the oval table. I got along in the sketch well . . . in the interim, I'd called my second appointment to see if we could meet early . . . and when she called back, I had to conclud my sketch. I'd just started some watercolor washes, so let them dry, finished up my tea. And trotted on my merry way.

I did finish up my sketch later at home (luckily I had my swell digital camera along with me and had shot a couple of images) and, yes, my artist friend and I DID finally get to meet a week later and had a delicious time rambling and cajoling for over two hours. "What do those women talk about", the guys ponder! :) They will never know!

Just a plug here for A-L-W-A-Y-S having your journal (or some creative potential) tucked along with you when you go anywhere. My dear journal made this missed appointment turn into a lovely memory and a chance to work on my still life sketching skills.

Happy trails are you delightful, life-enhancing creatives!

Three Day Camping Escape - Finally!

I can't even count how many times my very patient husband had asked, "When can we go camping?" Nor how many times I had something on my "plate" that just wouldn't give me a three day break and still have me give full measure to commitment. But finally, I knew I just had to skip a planned 'plein air' paintout with PASSO, http://www.pas-so.com/, "Plein Air Society of Southern Oregon", in addition to a memorial service for a dear artist friend. Besides, I knew my friend would have preferred me out living life more fully by being out in nature, than staying inside telling her how much I respect and love her. She knows that already. Ok, we're going camping!!!


My husband had been researching this divine area up just past Diamond Lake heading towards Roseburg along the North Umpqua. With many lakes, numerous waterfalls, plentiful hiking trails and countless camp grounds, it beckoned with all we love. He'd settled in on Lake Lemolo where our campsite was right on the lake. Arriving on Wednesday gave us the pick of sites and a quiet seldom present during weekends.


Our full day's stay had a mile and a half hike planned, with the reward of the spectacular 72 foot Lemolo Waterfall at the end. The hike in was a shade sprinkled decline and about three quarters of the way down, we could hear the roar of the waterfall. When we turned to corner, we began to get glimpses of it thru the trees. I immediately "knew" what I was going to sketch. There was only one prefect "sitting" rock and I landed, pulling out my journal. Roland got a sweet shot of me painting. The 'boys' went off to go play down under the waterfall in the full rush of the mist. After about a hour and a half I'd finished my sketch. I'm pretty pleased - for a quick sketch! I joined 'my boys' down at the foot of the intense waterfall, chilly mists and taiko-like drums pounded at the base. It was breathtaking! The hike back to the truck was more difficult but went quickly. Along the trail I picked up a fallen Azalea. Yes, wild Azalea's I'd been flabbergasted to see along these rugged trails, and brought her home to be honored in my journal.

Our afternoon was more touring of the area: the Lemolo Store and several campgrounds around the lake. We took a left turn after going over the Lake's dam, checking out the other 'higher' trail going to the Lemolo Falls but found a warning sign that it was flooded, waist deep, farther down. Never mind. We leisured at our campsite and dinnered on a fruit salad and a good book we enjoy reading to one another. During the night we were awoken a couple of times by dancing rain drops on our roof. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, nature!

It was hard to leave this perfect scene - but our plans for our return home day were to sample 4 or 5 more waterfalls and peruse other potential campgrounds en route to Roseburg. The first we stopped at proved to be our VERY FAVORITE - Clearwater Falls! It's a wide water tumble over green rocks and fallen trees - that is beautiful in itself - BUT - above it were extensive shallow, clear pools (much like beaver dams form, but this was a result of the ridge of the waterfall), with a lovely diverse 'painting' in each. We wandered for quite awhile ... then on to all the other waterfalls and many, many campgrounds. My husband has voted for his favorite - the one with hot showers and he has offered to stay for a week. Now you and I are witnesses!!! So if he backs out, I'm calling you, k?

We had a strange deli dinner in Roseburg and an ice cream treat just before we hopped back on Highway 5 to head south back to our Jacksonville. When I got home, I proceeded to finish up my journal page entry, with this view of the Clearwater Falls. Here's the full double page spread, with a zippy sketch I did the first night of camping at Lemolo Lake off to the top left. Love having a full, wide spread of an event or scene, it encompasses me again, much like being back at the site. Hope you get the feel too and enjoy even half as much as I did.

Don't we live in paradise?

Birthday Portrait

I'm especially pleased with this small entry into my journal. For my husband's birthday, it's always a challenge to invent or surprise him - he's just TOO aware. So, this year I'd plotted dinner reservations at a nearby, yes, only about 7 blocks from our doorway. Now I knew he knew I knew, (whew!) that he badly wanted to eat there. So how in the world can I make this a surprise him?

Days before, he was talking to his sister and was bragging about the one time I'd blindfolded him to drive him over 2 hours over mountains, to a surprise weekend at lodging on the California Coast. Ah-HAH!!! The ole blindfold trick! So that is exactly what I did and blindfolded, I drove him in a huge circuitous route, finally ending at the Carriage House at the Nunan Estate. They have exquisite food, by the way, here in Jacksonville, Oregon!!

Anyway, to remember that fun evening I did a small sketch in my journal and - poof - one of those "muse" magical moments - it turned out exact, quick and charming! Here's the beginning watercolor sketch and the finished project. Also, I'll share the full spread where this lil' fits onto the page.

Love to hear your feedback - as always. See, sometimes that lil' quick piece turns out to channel the perfect energy! Again and again, I understand why I love journaling.

Mt. Shasta Lavender Farm

We started early in the morn, to get all the way down to the Mt. Shasta area by 9-ish. The recent class I taught (an 8 day time period, with 3 meeting times) had opted to go paint out at the blooming lavender fields rather than meet in the classroom. When we left Ashland, Oregon it was a grey, cool day, but as soon as we passed into California, the sun was brilliant. The perfect day for outdoor painting.

We arrived just after the Lavender Farms opened and toured the area, snapping photos and envisioning where we'd what to start our plein air sketches. In the charming French style shop, we were greeted with the smell of lavender filling the room and a cup of lavender-lemonade, with a lavender swirl stick!

On the walls they have showing various renditions of other artists images of the purple fields. One was a photo which may have used filters for it's effects, but I devoured the deep orange earth color and the late evening shadows - they were so strong and vibrant. And although the day was bright, light and breezy, you can see the sketch I ended up with mimicked those colors AND time of day.

We settled about center of the lavender rows and savored the bees humming and birds flitting from spot to spot. The magnificent Mt. Shasta pontificated over the entire scene and each of the class participants got varied renditions filled with self-expression and use of varied media.

And although we'd planned on leaving around 1pm, it was after 3pm when we'd finished our second cup of the lavender-lemonade and eaten our treat, a shared bag of shortbread cookies.

The day ended with weary artists but, many terriffic images, both mental and digital, to proceed with other paintings. I'm chewing on returning to the Lavender Farm to catch the lavender more full in bloom and to see it late in the day. I mean, how many times can one visit a goregous place? My answer ... endless times!!!

Siskiyou Field Institute Area

With many other commitments completed, I'm playing in my journal. This catch up is especially delicious ... just hanging in my studio on these hot (yes, in the 100 degree arena) days re-living joyous trips and events of the past couple of months.

This one is from a trip we took up towards Cave Junction to camp. Our campgrounds were adjacent to Lake Selmac. Initially, the lake appeared lovely but with time, we found the mosquitoes and the dead fish (in the lake and on shore) didn't created a scenic walk. But that didn't spoil our trip. We had seen an article in the Medford Tribune just the previous day, mentioning a "Siskiyou Field Institute" and the wonderful things they were doing near Selmac, Oregon. So, shoot, where is this place - and - we finally find it. Just up the road a bit from our camping site, we are introduced to this fabulous facility. Currently they are hosting a small conference but, they accommodate other local activities and nature oriented classes. Not to mention the amazing valley that spreads wide it's arms, encompassing this warm, modern facility with dormitory-like, yurt and tent camping offerings. I just had to pull up a chair and paint the huge meadow and gaping blue skies. What a refreshing afternoon.

I gathered the names and contacts for future use, just in case I get the opportunity to teach one of my "Journaling Classes" there. It does pay to think ahead.

Later in the day we took a drive, in the direction of cooler temperatures, more near the coast, to Cave Junction where we checked out the Oregon Caves National Monument (http://www.oregoncaves.com/). The thirty mile drive up to the caves is cool and green as you climb upward. A curving, shaded drive, where we dropped into several other camp sites (for future possibilities) gave us glimpses of the Illinois River. The Lodge there is fascinating - a real glimpse into history and charm. And it's still in use, with a clear, tempting pond just next to it.

If you get the chance - check out the caves. Although we didn't take the tour (dogs aren't allowed and Cody was with us), we did get the feel of the cool cave just standing at the exit from the cave. On a hot day - nothing could be better. Happy trails!

A Day at the Vineyard

I'm in two plein air painting groups, one of which, named PASSO (Plein Air Society of Southern Oregon) had planned a paint-out, show and sale at the local Eden Vale Winery for the 7th of June. We arrived early to thinly veiled sun, got set up and by the time we started painting, the day was gorgeous. You can see here, my peer artist, Linda Evans, an amazing pastel artist, painting in the foreground, just in front of my lil' green booth that I'd set up.

We'd visited there weeks before and for the paint-out I had a plan - to try out this NEW idea I had that bounced up from doing my small 5x5x1.5 inch watercolor paper wrapped stretcher bar pieces. I'd purchased a similar sized 5x5 stretcher bar format, only it was 3 inches deep. I'd envisioned wrapping the entire "box" in watercolor paper, having the image go all around the piece with it sitting on a table. More of an "art object" than a hanging wall piece.

With that in mind, I laid out the format before arriving, plotting where I need paint my visuals, and where would be folded around the corners. Here's the piece I completed that day, with which I was pretty happy. But I needed to create the back side of the "box" and later designed this sketch, another view at the Eden Vale Winery, to fit perfectly on the back space.

So, ok, I have all the images complete and materials ready to wrap the watercolor paper around my box. It's stressful doing this first time thing, especially because I had to wet thoroughly the back of these two paintings in order to stretch the paper over the box. When the paper dried, it would contract, making a nice firm fit over the stretcher bars. I work meticulously and as fast as I can . . . and here's my resulting piece.

Overall, this turned out satisfactory. I learned alot about wrapping this shape, placing the 'feet' and forming a continuous image around a piece. I'm hoping to do more, especially for specific venues. I think perhaps these are charming momentos for travelers as well as quality art work.

What's your opinion/feedback? You know I'd love to hear . . .

Next New Lil' Painting

The continued work on small pieces has given birth to this strong piece. I thought perhaps this painting would be good to use as an example of how effective liquid frisket is and how it is softened and finished.

Here, on the left, I've already applied the liquid frisket ("Pebo" is my favorite brand). In fact, applying the frisket is what I do right after finishing the tracing or sketching of my image. I've already painted, glazed and completed a good level of detail at this point and am ready to pull off the frisket. You can see evidence of a few places I've just begun to remove the frisket (it's a mid-value gray color) in the top right quadrant.

In the finished piece you can see where the frisket has been removed. The hard edge whites that are revealed have been softened with a mildly damp brush edge and many whites in dark areas have been glazed in Aureolin Yellow to create glows.

The final stage involves darkening shadow areas and balancing colors. In greens I've put sparks of red (the compliment to green) and along the closed poppy pedals, I've used green shadows to bring the pedal tips forward as well as bring some green into the dense orange areas. This helps unite and balance the piece.

This dynamic image was inspired by my neighbor, Pat's, parade of orange blossoms that dance in front of her home all the month of May. There may be another parade of paintings coming because I really enjoyed the simplicity with such striking results. Hope you enjoy her too.

As usual, would love your feedback - AND - again, I'd love ideas for a title. So far, all I've come up with is "Pat's Poppies". Too many "p" sounds for me. Let's keep thinking, ok?

Latest Lil' Painting

I have been back to work. I smile as I say that, "work" sounds so heavy and daunting. My work is a joy and a privilege - so let's re-define that word, ok?!? I began this lil painting on site, "plein air" with my group, PAS-SO, Plein Air Society of Southern Oregon, (http://www.pas-so.com/). We went to the lovely Eden Valley Orchards & Winery (http://www.edenvalleyorchards.com/) where the beautiful Voorhies Mansion is located. This painting is from the vantage point offered by standing on the mansion front porch in the morning sun. It was gorgeous!! And, of course, I've exaggerated color and value! That's the speciality of being the artist :)


I'm painting for a local show in Ashland, "Art in the Garden, Art in the Home" coming up June 12- 14th. I visited the venue last year and was charmed by the two home sites, perched atop one of Ashland's mountain hillsides and offering magnificent vista views. The show moves between the two houses with artwork in both interior and garden portions. I'll be inside, looking out windows that peer out upon the entire valley.


Right now, I'm focusing on smaller pieces. I just yesterday finished this watercolor/wax crayon piece on watercolor paper stretched over 2" deep stretcher bars with 5 x 5 inch dimensions. I love these small pieces, especially the way the image wraps around the sides and top. Painting the pieces is rather delicious too! It's like holding a tiny world on your fingers (because I hold the piece up to rotate by inserting four fingers of my left hand into the small square box formed on the back by the thick stretcher bars) and maneuvering the piece as I paint on the different planes. Not to mention the bleeding of the pigment around to the back - you won't believe how much paint I get upon myself :)


Anyway, here's the lil gem. I'm toying with titles, so if you have a suggestion - just sent it to me. AND - by all means, give yourself the gift of getting out into this gorgeous Spring!!!

Beloved Friend's Passing

Some things aren't my favorite to talk about, and although this is one I'd prefer left out of daily chatterings, I want to converse about this one . . . a friend's passing. One of the most painful times on our lives is at the death of a dear one. At best, it occurs when our friend is not well and we can console both ourselves and the memory of our loved one, that, at least they no longer are uncomfortable/in pain.

So if I can begin this on an upbeat, it would have to come from that angle. My dear friend of over nearly forty years (yikes, I did meet her when I was maybe nineteen!?!), had suffered with MS for the past twenty years. She was a brave, spirited soul with, this is her husband's word, a streak of "hardheaded". But in the end, Ovarian Cancer, far advanced when it was discovered (she probably thought it just another symptom of her condition) and she went quickly.

I was saddened not to get down to see her physically before she left, but, I drove down for the funeral ceremony. I'd not seen her nor her husband or family for several years. Moving away does that. But I was SO glad I went.

I felt awkward at first, coming at a time of such intimate feelings, yet having not seen the family in years. But friendship and love soon took over and dining with friends and my friends' sister brought me very much present. It was like being with wonderful ole friends - with a bitter sweetness in the air.

Her sister and I collaborated to finish up a photo collage of Debra's life. It really did rush in a flood of memories - even some so full of love I tear up thinking about them. Some of their honeymoon in Paris, I'd never even seen - she looked so very happy. The collage turned out perfect (although the tablecloth will never be the same), ready for the gathering the next day after the funeral. But the being there, being able to share in those delicate moments putting the photos together, going thru her l-a-a-a-a-r-g-e collection of shoes to give away or the quiet, emotional conversation over the next morning's coffee and helping with rides, touched my heart.
For friends and for the love shared in a friendship, the essence of being there, being present, being together furnishes some kind of healing salve. In no matter how painful the situation, the presence of love calms, cushions. I was so blessed to have been there, and I'm surprised to say, I wouldn't have missed it.

The next few days after I arrived home were difficult. I kept repeating and reliving the sad moments during my visit, even though my heart felt a quiet calm around the transition of my friendship. My personal memoriam came with the entry into my journal, painting my favorite image of them in Paris. A couple weeks later I received a sweetly settling "thank you" note from my friend's husband. I'd painted a commissioned watercolor for Debra, of a rose, her favorite flower, many years ago. And in that "thank you" note, the revelation that he would keep the painting, as well as keep it hanging in their bedroom, let me know again, how much he loved my friend. And there again was that magical "love" word. Amazing the power of that energy given the name "love".

In the end ... that word, rather, that energy, that feeling was all that mattered. And that's all.

The Trip Created During a Lifetime

This adventure has been a year in the planning. Birthed from a dream I've gestated for nearly 10 years, I am NOW making my dreams come true (hint,hint: you can do it too!). I'd mentioned to a friend, who I'd watched grow thru the pain in her life to graduating with a professional degree in counseling, that I'd like to do a tandem workshop. Finally, all these years later, with both of us having much more experience in our fields, we undertook fulfilling that dream I'd seen in my heart's eye 10 years previous.


April 10, I left to instruct my first international "Women's Mexico Retreat" in Manzanillo, Mexico. The aforementioned friend, Damaris, and I converged the next day and detailed the presentation, placement and logistics of our co-instructed class. I'd focus in the journaling, watercolor technique and design aspects, Damaris would present Mandala exercises and introspective perspective generated from the mandalas and Buddhist meditation. It was going to be a delicious intermingling of creativity & self-exploration.

The week plus retreat began with a "Welcome Dinner" on Sunday evening and continued thru the week, ending on Friday. We included painting techniques, creating stamps, adding WC pages to your journal, abstract emotion painting, and a sampling of mandala creations. Three of our days were spent away from the classroom at: a local Mexican beach, local bus ride to downtown "Centro" and a chauffeured trek north to a smaller town for market day and beach sketching. Our evening shared a variety of dining experiences and coffee/dessert back at the condo was when we took our "talking stick" time to share our own individual stories. All these activities wove a beautiful connection among all of us women. In fact, on my "Retreat Critique" sheet, one participant commented what she liked best about the retreat was that she "connected with everyone and didn't want it to end".

My aim was exactly that, to weave an intimacy, coupled with experiencing "real Mexican" life and dedicated creative/learning self-expression. Although I felt a ripple of resistance to walking a--l--l the way down the beach to a day among Mexican families celebrating Easter Weekend on the beach or taking a bus ride (when a taxi could have been so much more comfortable) to "Centro", I did hear one participant say she was pleased to have "gotten" the feeling of the different culture to which she'd been exposed.

Don't get me wrong, I got my share of lessons too. One was around a situation I could have never predicted and - just had to let go of any expectations (you know those things we get into trouble with if we haven't made everything we'd like people to understand, understood beforehand). Next class/retreat I know to make agreements and confront any mixed messages ahead of time. The other big lesson is around setting boundaries and sticking to them when they are healthy. And that one is hard for this "people pleaser" but, I am learning and growing. AND - I never what to stop doing that. I also had some problems with art materials that I couldn't have predicted and was reminded to allow more time for mingling and conversation that always seems to occur (thank goodness) with women.

All in all, my adventure of watching, visualizing and affirming has paid off. Not to mention a year of planning advertising, contracts, art material and class preparation, of course. But I can't tell you the rewards ... I'm still discovering them. I feel more powerful, have a direction I'm loving and have some measure of the work and dedication with which I must muster up.

I can only encourage you, to take chances, follow YOUR dream and leap into a new world that's been waiting for you all along. AND - if you'd like a day-by-by walk thru the actual "Women's Mexico Retreat" go to: http://womensmexicoretreat2009.blogspot.com/

Obama as Our New President

This is my second stab at an Obama portrait (see 6/14/08). This one was to honor our new President. So I chose an image of him in a moment that epitomized, to me, his character. Once I got started, I realized the child could be a challenge (well, not that Obama wasn't), with his big bald head. Even once I painted it, the round object seemed to project forward, as you see in this First Stage. But I've learned to tell myself, "Just keep painting and see how it all rounds out once it nears completion." So I continued.

After laying down Aureolin Yellow, it warms up and brings to life human body parts, over all but my highlight areas of Obama's face, I begin to layer in other warm colors. I know some of the pinks and intense Quinacridone Burnt Orange look VERY garish, but I need to remember, when I layer over with darker, shadow colors, that brightness will vanish and merely whisper thru as glowing color. That's the beauty of transparent watercolors (bless you Quinacridones! Did you know they originated from car paints?). I continue to layer in darker shadows mixed from my Thalo Blue and Brown Madder, in some receding areas the mix was Carmine and Thalo Blue.

It took me alot of time dealing with the detail areas, his eyes, mouth, and neck. Layer after delicate layer, working to keep him 'glowing' yet needing to get darker. His hair has various values and differing colors too - sparse some places, dense others. His expression of joyful surprise was part of what captivated me and finally, I felt like I captured it! Background was more to bring him out and I chose optimistic colors that don't necessarily recede. I'm still pondering the baby's head size. Some days it looks proportional, others, I want to paint it darker. Then I realized this isn't going on the White House wall and I could just let it be. Love to hear any of your opinions, feedback and/or suggestions.

In the end, the painting made me smile and it reflected how I felt on Inauguration Day - joyful, optimistic and hopeful. And that was enough. The moral - don't be afraid to attempt difficult images, we can only learn by painting them. Happy creating!

Movin' Out of December in March? What?

It's been an experience the last two weeks. I had hoped to have the nice month of March to catch up in my Journal, think of details for the Women's Mexico Retreat I'm teaching in April and have time to pack leisurely. Well . . . thought I had a bit of a cold but beat it. Then about a week later, it revisited. This time it brought luggage and moved in - for a week. An icky week! I surrendered and just gargled, took naps and expected it to "go packing". On the sixth day, I woke dizzy, nauseated and with a fever. I did not pass "go", I went directly to the clinic - and was diagnosed with a Respiratory Infection! I'm just not liking this as in about eighteen days I LEAVE FOR MEXICO!!!

But in between, I have taken advantage of some painting time . . . to catch up my Journal from way back end of December. These few pages and images are from a lovely trip we took up to Sisters, Oregon for a kind of "holiday gift" to ourselves. As we traveled en route, we were stopped, turned around by a road block and ventured through some adventuresome country to finally arrive at Sisters after five hours. My hubby had made our reservations at a rustic but opulent lodge with private little cabins called "Five Pine". It was magical.

Our next morning we coffee-ed at a local place. It was called "Sisters Bakery", charming, warm and the yummiest pastries and baked goods I've seen in a long time. We reserved a rhubarb (our favorite) pie, on the spot, to take home with us. Our attempt a show shoeing up near Camp Sherman on the Metolius River was detoured by the horizontal snow blizzard. But we dined in Bend and the next morning, picked up our pie and headed home.

The day was brilliantly clear and the fresh snow glistened as we drove by. But my favorite site along the trail home was actually in the rear view mirror . . . as I looked back at the magnificent Mt. Theilsen. With it's fresh coat of whiter-than-white snow now facing the sun and the azure blue sky above it, only to be framed at the bottom by the rich evergreen forest. It was like a crowning jewel for the end of our trip.

Can you tell I am finally feeling better? I swear to the amazing cure antibiotics are . . . but I'm in appreciation of the quiet time I've had to revel in my journal and travel to wonderful places in my pigments - - - and to share it with you. Happy trails and - STAY HEALTHY!

A New Redhead in Town

I'm just so excited about Spring approaching ... peering out my kitchen window this afternoon I finally captured "the new redhead" in town. She's (well, it's actually probably a 'he' since he has such bright colors) has been around for about a week now. Her bright red-orange head just stands out next to the other dark hooded finches we usually see during the Winter. With my trusty camera I caught her (him) before he flew, but also caught some other new smaller birds, new in town with lovely striations in dark and a yummy yellow too. Isn't Spring a joy to watch slowly overtake the chill and grey? I haven't pulled out my bird book to find out the proper name for these lil fellas - anyone want to take a stab, see if you can guess right?

That's all - just a silly, happy lil post I wanted to share with you all. Celebrate Spring!

Snowman When Daffodils Are Out?

Seems like a silly celebration - but I'm celebrating getting un-chained from the computer and back to the creative dance of painting in my journal. Yippee!!!!!

After nearly a month of working on my Women's Mexico Retreat Handbook, the over-fifty-page handout is printed, page numbered, collated and ready to pop into binders. I'd wanted to prepare a detailed explanation of all the instruction that my co-instructor and I will be presenting. So that after the Retreat, the participants will be able to look back for reference on how to do things. I've been typing out explanations, importing photos to help with details and finally numbering the pages in sequence. Damaris, my co-instructor, who is doing mandala presentations, mailed me her over-twenty five-page insert. And I finally got the pages scanned, enumerated and in order. Being sure to save out pages that involve exercises we want to distribute only after the process, I finally have THIS - the completed handbook!

And yesterday, I luxuriated in an afternoon painting a sweet Christmas illustration in my journal. I know it's w-a-a-a-a-a-y-y-y-y past December, but that's where I need to go to update my journal. I had the image sketched in and only had the fun part of layering and adding dashes of pink and alizarian paint over the top to make it pop. This is an adorable lil' holiday ornament I acquired last year (I'd purchased a set of six, sending the lil' fellow's brothers and sisters out to friends for gifts). So, he's the sole survivor of his family to reside here with us. Even thought the holiday season reeked with weird situations and disappointments (I know, "no expectations, no disappointments!"), this lil' smilin' snowman was one of the joys of that season. So, I'm wishing you - a happy holiday moment, even thought my daffodils are blooming!

Hey, you can ALWAYS find something to celebrate!!!

"Emotion" Entry

I've been experimenting with some new and dramatic approaches with my journal entries. This one I've honestly been a bit afraid to try. Most of you know my work is usually representational, working from plein air, photos or "found objects". One of my dear artist friends told me about a painting she'd done in response to a very volital situation in her life - and it triggered a memory of a recent situation in my life. One that I'd not completely resolved. And it sounded like a very interesting opportunity to try something new - and express my feelings. So, oh boy, here we go.

I re-read the folded "private letter" that I'd written to the party I was having this situations with, which fired up my emotions all over again. And I was ready to start. I took some big, some smaller WC brushes - just splashing and dashing patterns onto my journal page. Next, I dipped my brush into black Indian ink, then into the wet pattern. I loved watching the ink spread and dance in granular patterns. With thick pigment, strong values I poked and exorcised my feelings as I repeated words I was feeling as I struck the paper. The "words" part just kind of came to me in the process. I'd ripped out images and text before I started painting and once the pigment and ink was dry, I arranged those around the pattern. Then glued them down with "Yes" glue (an archival, water soluble glue). I wanted to have that letter I'd written included, so I painted the photo holders black and glued them into place, adding text and painting on the letter to include it into the design.

I thought I was done. I wrote in my experience that had created the situation for me and left the journal for a day or two. But I kept thinking of it . . . I wanted to add something that felt hard and unfeeling, something with pointed edges that could hurt like I had felt that day. STAPLES! So they were added to page, completing the design - and apparently my emotional expression. I've not thought back about it now for days. It felt good to express, it felt precise in expressing where I was.

Perhaps you might try it around thoughts or situations you have strong emotions about. I'll do it again . . . be brave and explore your expression and yourself. You'll be astonished at the beauty you find there.

Life Perspective

I've been working on a variety of projects lately. As mentioned a couple of post previously, January 22, 2009, to be exact, my two artist friends and I have this delicious project. It keeps us connected even though one lives in the Bay Area, one in Bodgea Bay and I, in Oregon. We mail it to one another and create a single sheet piece about 6 x 7.5, either responding to previous pages - or - in statement to where we are in our life right now. This time I approached the project wanting to say exactly where I was and what I was feeling in my life.

I'm usually "the delinquent one", taking a month or more to 'do' my page, even though I usually have a 'flash' visualization of what I want to respond with - right at the moment I open the envelope and view the new pieces. My newest piece also took a bit of time to do layers of matte medium. I wanted to use actual eggshells, hoping to build up enough cushion to keep them from being crushed in the mail. Layer after layer, I created this pad of matte medium holding together the eggshells. That piece I attempted to adhere to the 6 x 7.5 sheet of water color paper which I'd collaged with magazine and newspaper images and text. I applied several more layers of matte medium to seal it and then, using gouache, I applied paint where I wanted. To place the glistening little reflective orb, I cut out a hole in the paper (so that light could shine through) and again, using medium, stuck the 'gem' in it's place. To keep the medium which flowed behind the hole from sticking to my table, I place a plastic bag (which easily pulls away when the medium is dry).

This was my finished piece . . . pretty wild and expressive for me, painter of beautiful nature images. But like I've mentioned, these small, free expressions really let me try new ideas, mediums and expressions - not concerned with how they will look framed up.

I'd love to hear your ideas on what exactly I was expressing with this piece. It will be fun to see how it reads and what each individual reads into it. Please enter a comment if you have a guess . . .

Obama Bread!

Intrigued by the headline? Well, it goes back to Inauguration Day (oh yeah, I'm a tad behind) - so close your eyes and pretend . . . I was just completing my morning yoga and hubby turned up the volume on the ceremony going on. Quickly finishing up my final stretches, I hopped to the living room and seated myself on the green couch next to our morning wood fire - cozy.

I proceeded to listen to the music, the swearing in's (is that a word?) and the prayers. Intermittently, I tear up and feel the trickle down my cheek. I couldn't believe how blessed it finally felt. Just lil' moments of hope, or truth - finally from Washington. Not to mention the magnitude of people just wanting to be "there" - they didn't even care if they could see the ceremony.

It was the feeling that was present - it was palpable. And it stirred my insides, like probably some other times in history where us citizens REALLY needed to be moved by our elected officials. I trust it's a ripple effect, that maybe started with the "miracle on the Hudson" days earlier, and will continue in D.C. as well as in citizen's cores. Yep, call me a "dreamer" but, that's how things gather momentum for change.

So, oh my, I'll stop waxing . . . and get to the Obama Bread! That evening we'd been invited up to a friends to share the celebration. We were to bring champagne and our smiles. When we got there, the soup smell filled their home with thick richness, and hugs and eats proceeded. Along with the other delectables was an odd looking bread I was informed was "Obama Bread"!

A nearby bakery, in Ashland, Oregon, I believe named "Mix Bakery" on the square had prepared it. The texture and make-up so replicated, well, at least to me (and I am writing this) our new President! The crust was firm with black seeds and other textural grains (sorry, this is all from memory) while the inside was wholesome, gentle with warmth and flavor - and of course, shaped in an "O"!

While we munched, we watched videos of earlier Obama speeches and finally, the Inauguration. I was surprised I didn't cry then, seems the virtual, actual happening held something for me earlier. And too, I know I was distracted by others comments etc. It was a fun evening, breaking up for each of us to do our evening "things". But it felt final and solid - like I like a day to feel.

So you see, Dorothy, there really is an "Obama Bread" and it was good!!!

Journal Updating Frenzzzzzzzie

Have done a flourish of marketing and "PR" for my upcoming Women's Mexico Retreat (for more info check out: womensmexicoretreat2009.blogspot.com/) - sorry, I'm still sort of in that mode - but, I have taken a creative dive (no, not negatively) - but, deep back into my sweet world of Journaling.

I'm still filling in small watercolor sketches, business cards and other found memories from my Colorado trip way back in late August. Oh my! But I'm having sooooooooooo much fun and wallering around in thick juicy wet watercolors as well as delicate portraits.

These adjacent pages were from the Labor Day time period, which I spent with delightful friends in Fort Collins. Our major aim one of the days was sampling and drinking in galleries in the area, but much of the time was leisurely just enjoying beautiful weather and comfy companionship. Since I'd last been in Fort Collins they'd integrated a charming Old Town Square that now serves as a central hub for gathering for families and visitors. We laughed alot watching children with ice cream cones and playing in water fountains.

The second page was my farewell day to Colorado. We drove down from Fort Collins into Denver where I got to visit with one of my few living relatives - my favorite Uncle. He's in his late eighties and seems pretty happy as long as he can watch his football! It was a joy to see him getting around but, reminded me of my mortality. The draped little paper flags was a fun solution to "what do I do to preserve the seven tiny love notes my dear husband tucked in my suitcase - one to read for each day?". I strung them on a piece of raffia twine, attaching each with a small bit of ATG double sided tape at the fold, then tied a know on the back of the page after poking the twine thru the paper page. I like the solution because it makes the notes accessible to read, yet keeps their privacy too.

The last page seen here is from a trip my husband and I took to Weaverville, CA. We'd stopped in Redding, CA at Turtle Bay to see the "Bodies Revealed" exhibit, an amazing show of actual interal human body parts illustrating the amazing and intricate reality of our bodies. My sketch was from an evening walk we took thru town enjoying the coolness of the day. It was at the last moment that I added the paper punched stars along the bottom . . . it really references the next page . . . where I did feel like a "star". You'll have to tune in again to see what that entry is. Don't worry, it will be soon - once I get into my journals it's hard to pull me away.

Happy creating - oh - and enjoy the journey there!