What Inspires You?

Pratt Fine Art Auction

2012-02-11T18:58:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased to support the Pratt Fine Art Center here in Seattle. They give so much to the community and aspiring artists in the Seattle area. This year I made a piece inspired by my time at the Leatherbarrow glass studio in Canada. I call it..."Snap, Crackle, Pop!"

Preparing for my next painting

2012-01-28T11:07:00.001-08:00

I'm almost done with the lily pad painting (in real life it is 3 foot square) and now I'm starting to think about my next painting. Like the last one, I sketched this out on the i-pad and will work with the sketch to paint the painting. Like the lily pad, it will be 3 foot square. I also will begin by gessoing my canvas with Daniel Smith's gold gesso, to give it a warm underpainting.

Repetition

2012-01-12T10:51:00.000-08:00

I've been working on bubble pieces for a long time and have figured out through repetition what works and what doesn't. I'm finding that repetition really is a valuable activity when working on improving skills. It's not always exciting to repeat things over and over again, but in time I see how much more insight I gain about some of the finer details. And really, it does seem to be all in the details.

Beautiful Eastern Washington

2012-01-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

This wonderful place truly inspires me. Any time of year it is so beautiful. The utter quiet is magical. And then to have a place as lovely as Sun Mountain Lodge to stay in is icing on the cake.

Why I love non-repeating patterns

2011-12-19T10:31:00.000-08:00

When I make my stringer (long strands of glass that I lay side by side) pieces people often ask me why I choose to have a non-repeating pattern in the glass. It is a thoughtful choice on my part to do so. I think all art (and really, I'd generalize that to life in general. Perhaps I am getting too deep here?!) is much more interesting when is varied and sometimes the unexpected occurs. It also shows that it is hand-made and not made by a machine in a factory.

This particular piece was made for a dear friend and neighbor to match her beautiful new kitchen. She's hosting a New Year's Eve party where I'm going to bring it with appetizers on top. I was thinking of doing some little skewered pickles, salami and cheese.

Saturday Glass

2011-12-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

Every time I visit the Bullseye resource center (where I buy my glass sheets) I look to see what is in their special run productions. Sometimes I find the most interesting things. Last time I visited I saw a run of "Saturday glass" that they made in red and green. Normally, I use the glass and create my own designs, though this time I let the glass speak for itself. I really enjoy the whimsy of the piece. It now is living at Clover House in Seattle's Westlake area where it should find a home in time for a holiday party.

New Glass Necklaces

2011-11-29T17:32:00.000-08:00

Another thing I learned in Canada at the Leatherbarrow Studio is a technique called freeze and fuse. It's a great way to make glass pendants. I really like this design and often use two different colors of glass in each pendant to give it more visual interest. These are currently at Clover House in Seattle.

Candle Light

2011-11-21T11:57:00.000-08:00

It's the one of the best parts of the dark winter months--lighting the candles! Nothing is as romantic (or flattering) than candle-light. I've been making these votive candle holders now for several years. I love the iridescent glow and the variations of color in each one of them.

Using "Brushes"

2011-11-14T19:25:00.000-08:00

"Brushes" is an app that my friend Diane suggested I try. I've been borrowing Steve's i-pad to do some "paintings" that I am planning to create on canvas. This piece is going on a rather large canvas (3" by 3"). I'll post a photo when the painting is done.
Oops! The painting is on its side! Not sure how to remedy that. Perhaps turn your computer?
:)

It's Time To Twirl!

2011-11-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

I would never have guessed hula-hooping is such fun and a great work-out too. It is! Betty Hoop (the gorgeous blond) and Birdie (the beautiful brunette) teach and inspire at their classes both on Mercer Island and in their studio in Pioneer Square. Check out their website at
hooptothebeat.com for information and class schedule. It's wonderful!!!

Paper Orbs

2011-11-09T17:41:00.000-08:00

It has been a quiet day around the house (with a quick lunch out with my dear friend Gayle) today. I worked on making some orbs with the paper I printed in case SAM needs some more at holiday time. It's been especially fun to make them while listening to podcasts. (My favorite is The Moth--love hearing all the great stories!)

Crackle, Crackle

2011-11-09T08:47:00.000-08:00

I was lucky to be able to visit the Leatherbarrow Glass Studio on Salt Spring Island in Canada. There I learned an amazing process that brings a whole new dimension to my glass work. This piece is a large salad bowl and was recently purchased by a dear friend/neighbor for a good friend of hers.

It's Been a While!

2011-11-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

Time has passed quickly. My new love is now my tried and true love. I still enjoy creating glass and the style and finish of my glass has evolved over time. This is one of my favorite ways to use up bits and pieces of stringer. It's a bit labor-intensive, but every piece is so unique. Making these reminds me of doing a puzzle--looking at what fits and how each piece completes the whole.

Spinning pinwheels

2009-03-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

I have to say that Tommer outdid himself when he did this photograph of the spinning pinwheel Tastie Pasties. It is one of our best selling items. Perhaps it has something to do with their kinetic nature.

The next event that Terri and I will be at is the Northwest Women's show at the Quest Exhibition Center the last weekend in March.

My new love!

2008-01-15T09:06:00.000-08:00

I've been doing kiln-formed glass for about a year now and have found my medium. This is one of my first pieces from last year. I really like making platters and also have done quite a few pendants. The results are surprising every time. There is so much to learn. I took the huge leap and got a kiln this month and am going to start working in my own studio space. I still enjoy spending time at the Pratt studio as there are so many talented people to share information with.

Our Whirlwind Trip To LA

2007-04-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

Terri and I just got back from a whirlwind trip to LA. It was two nights and three jam packed days of activity. We went to promote our business. I'm guessing that the presentation that we made for the national sales opportunity won't work out, they pretty much said we were a little too risque for them, but we met some really great people. One of the more comical moments is that we were placed between an adult diaper product and a woman's leakage product. (As an aside, I would have to say that the woman's leakage panties have a really good chance at being selected. Not my own personal experience, of course!:0) Our big celebration happened after we found an amazing rep at the LA Mart for Tastie Pasties. She is going to rep us in California, Arizona, Nevada and parts of Hawaii. We are delighted!

Monkey-ing Around

2007-03-09T08:21:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading a book about the importance of playing in staying young. As I move through this time of my life and really reflect on what it means to be vibrant and alive, I keep coming back to play. I believe this to be true. The book that I just finished cited studies where it is not only just a nice thought to consider, but that it actually does physically make us stay younger. Regular laughter makes us less prone to heart disease too! Good to know, don't you think?

Alto!

2007-03-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

I think the best part of being on a vacation is really getting to stop the everyday bits of my life and look around at what I am doing. I can see my experience in a totally new and distanced way and it gives me a perspective that is really priceless. To me, that is the the great value of a vacation. Yes, it is great to see a new place and meet new people too. This photograph was taken two weeks ago when Nick and I were in Mexico.

Ah, Children

2007-01-13T16:51:00.000-08:00

How can one describe a typical day as a parent? Many (most) moments are nothing as you imagined when you were dreaming about what parenthood would look like. At least it is far, far from what I imagined. Maybe other people have the experiences we see on movies and in tv commercials. You know what I mean, long walks on the beach with the baby up on dad's shoulders with the child looking oh-so-cute in the perfectly knitted cable sweater (handmade, of course). Then there are lots of little glances back and forth between the mom and the dad as the baby coos happily while the sun sets.

Yes, yes, there are moments (teeny tiny fractions of moments) that look a little like that. I don't want to say there aren't. Our moments tend to be more colorful. I suppose this is to be expected as my son nears adolescence. And it is not to say that I don't enjoy it, because I do. For example, today Nick wanted to make a cake. (It is baking as I write next to fire. That is a lovely image, isn't it?) While he was cracking the eggs and measuring the ingredients he was singing his "new" song that he learned--We Are The Champions, by Queen. Remember that song? I hadn't expected to hear it again at this point. I think he might have learned it from watching ESPN with his dad, though I'm not sure. But what I am sure of, is that I will hear it a lot in the coming days as he tends to really enjoy singing new songs.

The photo I included today was one that I took last Halloween. Nick had received from his paternal grandmother a shirt that was handcrafted out of puff paint and halloween decals. (I believe she found it at a garage sale.) He thought it was a hoot and thought it would be great to pose in. I have a lot of pictures like this. My son loves being goofy. (Hmmm...funny, but his mom does too.) And although it wasn't exactly what I expected when I thought of having a child, it is more than I ever dreamed it would be. Yes, it is more challenging, but it is also a whole lot more fun.

Community

2007-01-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

Working in a community can sometimes (ok, often) be very challenging especially when we have a project that needs to be completed. I say this because I'm feeling a bit resentful about how little people are willing to put forth their energy, time and resources. And then, there's the few (always the same ones it seems) that are willing to do much more than their share. If you are one of the ones that contributes it's suddenly easy to find yourself saddled with the duty of the whole project when you hoped (assumed) that other people would pitch in when needed. And then they don't. And then you feel used. So how does one balance this? Some people use the excuse that they are busy and don't have the time. We ALL are busy and don't have the time. In frustration today, I found myself writing (and sending) and e-mail that ended with the often quoted "many hands make light work". So far, it doesn't seem to have motivated many. But, at least I feel better after having said my thoughts on the subject.

Trying Something New

2007-01-08T17:55:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I was intrigued with a book I found about drawing with chalk pastels. I haven't done much before with them, but am now really enjoying them. The key to using them is to spray the paper along the way with a fixative. That way you can add more detail while keeping the parts that you like on the paper. With this flower (I have no idea what kind it is), I started with a dark grey paper and then layered many colors with fixitive in between each layer. It's a fun process and so different than working with paint.

Knitting Again

2007-01-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

It's been a really long time since I've knit anything more than a scarf. (About 16 years ago!) And now I've decided to begin again. I've been inspired to knit again since our neighhborhood is starting a knitting group that meets down at the Village Pub. (3rd Tuesday of the month 7-9 pm)

This project is going to be a cardigan. I found an old shell button from my grandmother's button box to use for the clasp. I'm hoping it will turn out.

One of the things I've found really inspiring is all the knitting resources on the web. I really like the site Knitty and the blog Crazy Aunt Purl.

Groovy!

2007-01-07T10:03:00.000-08:00

This is a picture taken at my 40th birthday. It was a lot of fun and we had a great time dressing up and re-living the 70's--with music, food and even a key exchange. Wink, wink.

Yellow Magnolia

2007-01-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

I'm drawn to Magnolias these days. Perhaps it could be because I live in a place called Magnolia. This painting was inspired by a photo by Jen Gray. It was done in acrylic and oils on a board that I covered with gold gesso and polymer medium.

Willamette Valley

2007-01-02T09:51:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty happy with this one. That's saying something as I'm pretty critical. It's done in acrylic and is about 2.5' long and 1.5' tall. I started it at my painting class and then finished it up at home. In real life the horizon line is straight, but in the photo it came out a bit tipped and I couldn't figure out how to fix the photo. Oh, well. See...I'm letting go of some of my perfection! (That's one of my resolutions!)

Wabi Sabi

2006-12-24T08:50:00.000-08:00

The idea of Wabi Sabi is hard to define. And, in fact, it is said that defining it with words diminishes it. (Which made me think about how many other things in life probably are diminished by talking about them too much. But that is a topic for another time.) Wabi Sabi is a way of seeing beauty in an object due to the imperfections. For someone like myself, a perfectionist, it is a wonderfully refreshing concept that imperfection is not only tolerated, but revered. The somewhat equivalent word in the English language is "rustic". But, it is so much more than that. The concept can be applied to art, music, poetry and in a larger sense, to a way of living life. As I move into the new year I intend to celebrate the Wabi Sabi in my life and appreciate it's beauty. I invite you to do the same!

Looking For Mary

2006-12-22T13:20:00.000-08:00

This week I just finished a book that I would recommend. It is appropriately called Looking For Mary and is written by Beverly Donofrio. (She also wrote the book that later became the movie--Riding In Cars With Boys.) She writes about her search to see the sightings of Mary on a trip to Italy. She is a skeptic and a lapsed Catholic. I don't want to say much more and give away the contents of the book, but it is an inspiring book to read...especially this time of year.

Much love and many blessings to all of my friends & family!

Libraries

2006-11-03T17:47:00.000-08:00

"Tongues in trees.
Books in running brooks.
Sermons in stones.
And good in everything."
~carved in stone outside the Portland Public Library

There is something sacred about libraries. It amazes me that we have places where we can all go (regardless of income) and have access to the bounty of books, information, films, music and computers. Some libraries even loan out art and have toys. It is truly astounding. I often go without knowing what I am going to look for and then the pleasure comes in the discovery. Sometimes I go with a clear idea and then there are people there who help me find the book and suggest other ideas as well. If only private organizations could have that kind of customer service! Lately, through my discussions with Julie, I've also learned about the social work role that libraries play. Librarians and the libraries they work in satisfy many needs for many kinds of people.

Le Pichet

2006-10-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

Some places just seem right. From the first time I walked into this charming little restaurant I knew that I had found a new spot where I could feel at home. One of the things I like most about this place (besides the amazing food) is the atmosphere as it is not fussy as so many French restaurants are. It is open at all times of the day, from morning breakfasts (with juice squeezed moments after you order it) to late night snacks and desserts. Of all the things I love to eat here, I would have to say that their soups are extraordinary. People watching here is wonderful as it draws people from all walks of life. Sometimes on weekends jazz musicians perform in the tiny restaurant. I never know what to expect when I visit. Almost always though, it is magical.

Anemones

2006-10-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite flower of the season. It is a flower that appears both vulnerable and durable on its flexible stems. The airy flowers move so gracefully and gently in the wind of this changing season.

You can't say "You Can't Play"

2006-10-18T09:38:00.003-07:00

This is the title of a book that I often quoted when I worked with children as a teacher. On the surface this idea is one that most would embrace as fair and just, but living it is harder than it would look at first glance. And, really embracing this concept forces people to take risks, suspend judgment and sometimes sit with discomfort. But really it is the only way to go when we aspire for honestly loving our brothers and sisters on this planet and ultimately finding peaceful relationships. Inclusion and not exclusion is what it takes to truly find a common ground in our ever increasingly divided world. This applies to 5 year olds as it does to 80 year olds. I see it in the day-to-day experiences for my son on the play-ground and sometimes even in my own life. Each time it happens to me I am reminded of the pain it can bring to the person being excluded. I suppose one of the gifts in the experience is that I can vividly recall the discomfort that my child often feels from the playground culture. From the small school playground to the larger arena of the many divided countries around the world--inclusion, understanding and compassion is key. I hope to keep that in my mind and heart today. I hope that you will too.

Knowing When You Are Done

2006-09-26T13:18:00.000-07:00

I have a hard time knowing when I am done. I find that rarely the painting feels "just right" or "just right enough" to let it be done. Often times I find that I can see that it is done only some time later after I have put it away for a while. Why is that? I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Am I done on this one? Predictably, I would say that I'm not sure! But I'll give it some time and decide later.

I'm getting there...

2006-09-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

I've decided to send this large painting off to Steve's office for a rest. I have been working on this one for months (it is 4 feet square). I need to let it go and move on to something else. I'm not completely satisfied, but happy to revisit it later when I am not so sick of looking at it. Parts of it I love, and other parts...well...I'm just not sure about. Just like my life!

I'm inspired!

2006-09-21T20:18:00.000-07:00

Julie and I took a day driving around the Willamette Valley of Oregon on Saturday. I took lots of photos to use for reference as I want to paint a series of paintings of the Valley. And yes, we visited some beautiful wineries along the way! Here is a view from one of our favorite wineries--Anne Amie.

You Never Know

2006-09-19T16:31:00.000-07:00

We Are All Fine Here
by Mary Guterson

I love reading books and finding little gems of wisdom hidden within them. Here is one paragraph that I couldn't let go of...or hope that I don't let go of.

"You never know. That should be written on a little card attached to a headpiece that sits in front of my forehead so that I can read it over and over as the days progress, and never, ever forget its message. Because the thing is, most of the time you think that you do know, or that you mostly know, when in fact you never do."

In the future I'll be easier to spot--as I'll be the one with the sticky-note posted to my head.

Acquiring Experiences

2006-09-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a holiday to Portland with my friend Julie. The day before I left I was reading an article in the Buddhist magazine called Tricycle. (Thanks Diane for suggesting it!) I happened upon an article in the recent issue that talked about holidays and what one is "buying" when planning for a trip.

"Could there be something of the sacred left in the tourist's experience today? As well as the similarities in scale, modern-day mass tourism maintains some of the metaphysical connotations of the pilgrimage. After all, one does not actually purchase anything physical when planning a trip; rather, it is a means by which we can acquire experiences. This the sheer intangibility of the modern holiday (and one should not forget the religious provenance of this word) hearkens back to its spiritual predecessor. similarly, while a secular world may allow tourists to create their own holy places, sanctified by natural beauty, good weather, or physical challenges, the idea that one returns from sacred journeys with a changed perspective is still implicitly the case. Tourists, like pilgrims, seek recreation in the fullest sense of the word."

Did I come back with a changed perspective? Absolutely. I found the sacred in meeting new (and old) friends, stumbling upon street fairs alive with song and dance, as well as having our ritual meal at the Burgerville on the way back home.

Don't Grab

2006-09-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

The idea of not grabbing seems like the perfect thing to tell a child when there is candy in a bowl to share or to be careful when touching delicate items. But really, adults can benefit even more from the advice. I first ran across this statement when reading one of my favorite authors--Annie LaMott. And just recently, it appeared again in very different words, though really the same concept, while I was reading an article about Buddhism.

Recently I was walking down the street on my way to a friend's house for tea and I said hello to two boys packing their car on their way to college. The boys (young men really) had sweet boyish faces and man-like bodies. I could easily see my own son in their faces. A pain shot through my heart as I imagined my own son taking the same journey off to college. As much as I enjoy seeing my son grow up, there is a part of me (sometimes a really big part of me) that just wants to hold on and not let him go. And yet, I see that by releasing him, he and I gain so much more. I believe that holding on (or grabbing) is human nature, but if you are able to (in my case, force myself to) let go the freedom and well-being that results is so valuable.

Recently, I have found myself grabbing onto all sorts of things....
my age (about to turn 40...yikes!)
my friendships
money

What do you grab on to?

Abundance

2006-09-11T17:38:00.000-07:00

This is the season of abundance. I am always amazed each fall at the beautiful flowers and vegetables that find their way to the farmer's market here in Seattle. But I also want to direct my gaze at the abundance in each of our lives; the friends and family that touch our spirits and hearts. I am truly thankful.

Risk

2006-08-29T16:22:00.000-07:00

Risk is not my middle name. In fact, it is about as far from that as could possibly be. But I know that to truly grow I need to face the fears that keep me sitting on my comfy couch and go out and explore more of the world. I know I am not alone in that feeling and so when I read this I knew that I had to share. I hope it inspires you as much as it has me.

To Risk
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement.
To express feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who asks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Chained by their attitudes, they are slaves.
They have fortified their freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.

The Self Made Woman

2006-07-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

I love this purse. The name says it all. That's what I want to be.

A Must Read!

2006-07-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Gilbert's book resonates with great insights and very funny moments as she travels through Italy, India and Indonesia. She truly transports you along on her journey by sharing authentic thoughts and feelings that are often joyful and playful as well as some of her more painfully intimate experiences. It's a great summer read!

She TRIED To Be Good!

2006-07-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by a recent trip to Archie McPhees where I found some reproductions of old paperback book covers. I also found some great vinyl and dingle-berry trim that seemed to go so well with the postcards. Voila! The hand-bags were born. My friend Rebecca helped by showing me how to stitch on this fabric. Thanks Rebecca!

Tastie Pasties

2006-05-31T20:41:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last posted. I have been working hard with our new little business--Tastie Pasties! Last week we had our photo shoot with our model. Here's one of her photos!

Yes, it's a pear!

2006-05-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, everybody does pears. What makes them so attractive to paint? The other day I was in the kitchen and noticed the most beautiful blushing pear sitting in the fruit bowl. It was a gorgeous sunny afternoon and so I grabbed the pear, my paints and a green napkin. (Oh, I also brought out a glass of sparking wine and lit some incense for ambiance.) It was a magical hour painting in the sun.

Painting of Hawaii

2006-05-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been painting, making pasties, jewelry and lots of gardening. The lawn and the weeds are growing at a rapid pace. I just finished putting a top coat on this painting and hung it in my living room. It's a place in Hawaii (on the big island) and it felt so peaceful there that I wanted to capture that feeling. I'm pretty happy with this one. I notice that I seem to pick the same colors as I approach a painting. Right now I'm really enamored with green-gold. The pigment is so intense and it makes for a really nice wash when diluted with medium.

Our First Show

2006-04-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

Terri and I had our first show and sold our Tastie Pasties at the Urban Craft Uprising at the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle. It was great fun and we met lots of interesting people!

Painting In Progress

2006-03-29T16:38:00.000-08:00

I've got a few more layers to go. Under the colored layer there is a thick medium that was scratched into with a different image. Both have a flower & leaf theme.

First painting in oil

2006-03-29T16:23:00.000-08:00

I have to say...I love working with oil paint! Acrylics are good for some things. (I particularly like underpainting with them.) But, all in all oils are just better. The colors are more rich, they have a glow that acrylics don't and the open drying time is so much better. (I found myself frustrated rushing to wipe-away or blend colors in acrylic even when using medium.) With oils, I have time to blend colors and get exactly what I want. The edges can be smoothed out. There is a natural rhythm to oils that I enjoy. Because the drying time is measured in days and not minutes, I have to really think about what I am going to do before I do it and then I have time to think while it dries what I'll do next. I anticipated that that would have been the thing I like least about working with oils, but it is one of the things I like the most.

This painting of a pear was my first attempt. It feels a bit static to me but was a good experience just seeing what the paint can do.

"Great artistry comes AFTER you give up worrying about whether you suck or not."

2006-03-28T09:37:00.000-08:00

This quote from a good friend came out of a recent conversation that we had about the very human feeling of wondering if one sucks. As a person who spends a great deal of time creating, I often bump against that feeling of inadequacy. This weekend I felt particularly unsure of myself after spending a great deal of money at the art supply store. (Unsure is a rather tame term since my feeling was a little more raw than that.) I'm venturing into painting with oils (a new medium for me) and am learning as I go. I waffled back and forth about whether or not I should return the paint. I wondered if I was worth the expense. In the end, I kept the paints and had a rather exciting day on Sunday playing around with them. (I'll post my new work after I am finished. Oils are a slower process.)

In A Dark Time, The Eye Begins To See. ~Theodore Roethke

2006-03-20T18:06:00.000-08:00

Here's another photo from my recent trip to Hawaii. It certainly wasn't a dark time (not sure if the quote really fits the photo, but I like both!). The light makes me think of what my husband called as a child "Jesus rays". It was not a term entirely sanctioned by my m-i-l, but it seems apropriate!

Sunrise In Maui

2006-03-20T08:50:00.000-08:00

Maui IS beautiful. But one of the things I love about travel is that I come home and appreciate where I live that much more. I enjoy the differences of each place while I am there. In Hawaii the air feels so moist and warm, the colors are more intense, and the pace is slower. In Seattle, the air is crisp, the city is fast-paced and the colors are more muted. Both are so gorgeous!

A Quote From Wendell Berry That I Love!

2006-03-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

"It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work.
And that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey.
The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
The impeded stream is the one that sings."

2006-03-06T16:42:00.000-08:00

"Each day, and the living of it, has to be a conscious creation in which discipline and order are relieved with some play and pure foolishness."
May Sarton

This photo was taken last fall on a trip to Canada with my dear friend Julie. I had recently broken my foot and had already planned the trip so off we went. My crutches were difficult to sightsee with so I rented a wheelchair and we decorated it with sparkling stars, pink fuzzy dice and larger-than-life butterflies. We learned a lot about the challenges of getting around in a wheelchair.

Reflections On Valentine's Day

2006-02-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

"Today is a day for being. Be with those you love, be kind to yourself. Be quiet and call forth the dream you buried long ago. The ember is still glowing in your soul. See it in your mind, hold it tenderly in your heart. 'The dream was always running ahead of one,' Anais Nin confessed. 'To catch up, to live for a moment in union with it, that was the miracle.'"

An excerpt from the book Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

A Valentine's Bouquet

2006-02-12T11:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to a wholesale florist supply store to find some packaging supplies for my business. As much as I felt I ought to just buy the necessary items and then go on home to work, I spent a few extra minutes to wander among the fresh flowers laid out in tightly packed rows. There were flowers from all over the world and the variety was exquisite. It made me to want to create something beautiful for the holiday that I love most. I wanted to fill my home with an exotic scent and flowers that were not readily available at the grocery store. I limited myself to a white and pastel pink color palette and mulled over the different options. Should I get Plumeria or gardenias or snap dragons or stock? The choices were endless. I happened upon some exceptionally fragrant white stock, some soft pink tulips from Holland and a flower I'm not familiar with--Genestra. (I think Genestra sounds like a kind of prescription medication, but it is the flower on the weedy stalks). My heart was light as I walked out of the store with my bundle of precious flowers.

An Amazing Blog

2006-02-10T17:03:00.000-08:00

Recently I came across a fabulous blog from a writer/artist. Her name is Keri Smith. She is witty, authentic and just plain inspiring. Go see for yourself!
Click here to go to Keri's site

I found a quote from her that resonates with me today and wanted to share it.

"Could insecurity and self-doubt be a good trait? God, I hope so. If so I'm on the cutting edge."

Kindness

2006-02-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

"Before you know what kindness really is you must lose things, feel the future dissolve in a moment like salt in a weakened broth."
Naomi Shihab Nye, "Kindness"

Going To The Ball!

2006-01-29T19:43:00.000-08:00

I went to a masquerade ball this weekend with my husband and had a wonderful time!

Silver and Shades Of Green Stone Necklace

2006-01-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

It's a terrible photo, but I wanted to snap a picture before I took this to my son's school auction. It's a whimsical design that blends several different types of stone with sterling. I think it turned out well.

A Reflection From Martin Luther King Jr.

2006-01-15T10:04:00.000-08:00

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

Winter Walking

2006-01-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

It is easy to believe that all is still and lifeless on these short and dark winter days. Just going outside in the cold seems more of an effort than on a balmy summer morning. I find that the reward for the effort is that I get to see the plants and trees in their abstract simplicity and also get to view (when I look very closely) that life is still moving forward. There are smells and sounds that are only present in winter that I would miss otherwise. The quiet and peaceful quality of a winter walk allows me to go inward (just like the plants and trees as they are building strength towards spring) and reflect on thoughts and plans that I might have otherwise never had.

One Of My Favorite Books

2006-01-11T13:07:00.000-08:00

I read and re-read The Artist's Way by julia Cameron and find new things in it each time. One particularly beautiful jem is this passage:

Creativity--like human life itself--begins in darkness. We need to acknowledge this. All too often, we think only in terms of light: "And then the lightbulb went on and I got it!" It is true that insights may come to us as flashes. It is true that some of these flashes may be blinding. It is, however, also true that such bright ideas are preceded by a gestation period that is interior, murky, and completely necessary.

Cactus Flowers

2006-01-11T12:54:00.000-08:00

The inspiration for this painting was a flower that I saw last year when I went to Arizona with my family. The desert flowers are so intensely colored and beautiful.

Jacqueline

2006-01-10T17:14:00.000-08:00

Recently, we got our kitten Jacqueline (Jackie or Lena) at the humane society. She's a bit of a rascal! She is a great companion as I paint and write.

Valentine's Day Necklace

2006-01-09T19:39:00.000-08:00

Softly colored freshwater pearls are paired simply with garnet glass beads to create a simple necklace and earring set for the most lovely holiday of the year.

Volunteer Park Conservatory

2006-01-09T19:30:00.000-08:00

On a cold winter's day, few places in Seattle are as beautiful as this warm little oasis in Volunteer Park.

Ocean & Sky Necklace

2006-01-05T11:09:00.000-08:00

I just finished making this necklace that reminds me of the pale winter light. It is handmade from sterling silver, Amazonite and abalone shell. It is January's design for the Vixen store (a women's clothing store and spa here in Seattle).

Willamette Valley

2006-01-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

Another one of my most favorite places is the gorgeous Willamette Valley in Oregon. It's just a skip away from downtown Portland but world's apart in feel. It feels so tranquil there.

Methow Valley Painting

2006-01-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

The Methow Valley is one of the most beautiful places to visit.

Puget Sound Sailboat

2005-12-30T11:45:00.001-08:00

I've been discovering all the amazing things one can do with Daniel Smith's luminescent paint. I have to smile when I see this picture as it reminds me of the Christopher Cross song "Sailing". I recall with fondness hearing that album played over and over again during my childhood.