San Damiano tutu shots

Monday I took the red tutu to San Damiano in Danville for a photo shoot. It was a gray day and not ideal for picture taking but I didn't care too much. You gotta go when the mood strikes regardless of lighting, and I had a chunk of time so I drove on up and wandered around. Here's San Damiano in a nutshell....."OUR MISSION is to provide a peaceful environment of natural beauty where spiritual renewal and growth may be sought by people of all faiths and backgrounds. In the spirit of St. Francis and guided by the Franciscan traditions of joy, hospitality, compassion, peace and simplicity, we offer contemporary and challenging retreats and programs in response to the changing needs of God's people." This retreat is in the heart of downtown Danville at the top of Highland Dr. and many people go there for retreats, gatherings, spiritual healing and quiet. Not many people are there taking pictures with tutus but then again I am kinda quirky....
I envisioned a tutu shrine shot and mine is ok, nothing exceptional but not every photo shoot produces the epic shot. But the point isn't always to get the perfect shot but to have fun and see what happens. I had a few curious looks for sure but no one seemed to mind the silly girl and her red tutu....it is a place to embrace all people and all spirituality. My tutu is a form of spirituality, it brings me peace, happiness and joy. It also brings many people peace, happiness and joy so this encourages me to keep playing with it.
Today Ben my husband decided to tackle our hairy beast of a dog, Chester. He is a combo German Shepherd and Poodle and one big ball of fur. Kinda like a Rastafarian dog when we let his hair grow long. It gets all matted and clumpy and NASTY. Being we are kinda cheapskates and don't want to fork over $100 to tame this hairy beast, we have the home job kit. Scissors and a electric razor. Ben is the groomer and he does surprisingly well with it. When it's cattiwamus well that just gives Chester that unique hip look that you just can't get from a professional groomer..

Flying first class

A miracle occurred, out of the blue, and rocked my world. For the first time EVER the pilots wives were invited on the Global by Ellen (bosses wife). She was going empty to Boston and NY for 3 nights, four days and I jumped at it. We had to get up at 4:30 AM Saturday, this was the only bummer of the whole trip, but who cares when you get there and it's all first class livin'....We took off in seconds, that jet gets up fast, and I kicked it in my plush leather seat, and was served a hot towel with lemon for my cleaning pleasure. This was the way of it, I got a meal served on white linen, crystal glasses and sterling silver cutlery, I had choices for what to eat, I chose split pea soup and a caprese salad. I had a television as big as what we have at home and I could get up and do whatever I wanted for the whole flight!! This was the best part, you see I'm not actually into flying, AT ALL. I am quite the opposite, if I never had to fly that would be just dandy but unfortunately it's the main mode of transpo to get places. Especially as my hubbie is a pilot! That being said, I loved the contact I had with the flight crew, I got to chat with the guys in the cabin and even sat in the co-pilot seat, learned about how the plane works, good to know info, and chat up Susan our lovely flight attendant. Before I knew it we were in Boston and we walk off the plane and into our rental car....SNAP...just like that. Ahhh the ease of it.
Boston was chilly and beautiful, we had a family trip there about 5 years ago so I was familiar with it's charm. We ate dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, "Giacomo's" where you just line up outside for a table and they always have a line as they are that good. The next day we wanted to see some fall foliage and I wanted to bring along the tutu as it had been awhile since I had a fresh tutu shot. Got some by a lake we stumbled across and then we headed to the Colonial Inn for a "Lobsta Roll" , a Boston tradition, heaps of lobster with some mayo on a hot dog bun.....YUMMY! After lunch we found my dream store called nesting, full of Hip Chick style items, I bought a few and was happily satiated as we left Boston to fly to NY that night.
All corporate jets fly to Teterboro airport if they are going to NY due to such high volume of traffic and it was my first time at this FBO (flight based operations) the FBO was SWANKY like a fancy Elle Decor magazine interior and a grand piano in the corner, there was a huge pilot's lounge and all the celebs and the richey riches go through on a regular basis. I was in heaven....so this is how the other half lives.....NICE! Our flight was only 45 mins, that's my kind of flying and then we drove about as much to get into the city, Times Square was our destintation. It was on. It's always on in NY and at Times Square. And this day just so happened to be Halloween. Thank God I thought to bring my tutu's and a mask in case I was feeling feisty....they were quite popular. Ben and I walked around Times Square and tourist stopped me and asked if I would take a picture with them, it was hilarious! And fun! Of course I was more then happy to oblige and then I took pictures with various costumed folk, it was hoppin! We heard there was a rockin parade in Grennich Village so we headed down and it was so packed we could barely see a thing. But everywhere we went there we people dressed up, having a good time and that made it worth the trip. Note to self, Halloween is HUGE in NY....
Next day was mellow, our only full day of non travel so we soaked up the concierge lounge and set off walking the streets. Had lunch at Eataly which is a huge Italian compound of little restaurants and markets. We bought some fresh pasta to take to Jeff's house for dinner (Ben's oldest friend) and it was a smash hit. We watched the Giants win the World Series and it was all good.....Tuesday was our last day and we ran in central park where they were setting up for the Marathon, it was a chilly, clear day and I love running in the park. Later we went to Chelsea and had a lovely french lunch and walked on the highline a new above ground walkway, very chic, artsy and scenic, in an industrial area of the city. I even squeezed in a thrift shop and felt like things could'nt have been better.. But there was one big finale after all that waiting at the teterboro airport. I saw Zach Galifianakis from The Hangover and Robert Downey Jr. a few minutes later. Robert was with his wife and I didn't want to bug him but Zach was alone so I asked if I could take a picture and he said sure. I want to camp out at the FBO and see how many celebs I can count in a day....so that was my trip, a real whirlwind of first class travel, fun sights, quality time with Ben, and unexpected pleasures...sometimes life has a way of just surprising you and exceeding all of your expectations..

India Collage

India Collage

I made this India Collage for Kat, my friend and best customer.  I previously made a Paris collage and she saw it, and bought it and loved it.  After wards she decided she needed two side by side and she came up with the India idea as it's spiritual place she has always wanted to visit.  Both collages are meant to manifest her journeys to Paris and India and they will hang above her bed where she can dream of her trips....I absolutely love making collages, they are a breath of fresh air in that they are new and fast and I like the aged quality they convey.  Sky is the limit when it comes to the creativity in collaging and I am only just discovering the possibilities.  The only thing I am using is paper, Elmer's glue, photo's and glitter, the finale is my new favorite sealer, triple gloss.  I love the texture and depth it creates and it really sealed everything solid.  These collages can be custom made and are only $45.00 for a 11x14.  I hope you like them as much as I do......thanks for checking in on my happenings....

Homecoming and stuff

Saturday night was the homecoming dance for SRVHS and Abby my daughter went with her friend Jeff McGill. All the kids went to Kendyls for pictures and there were about 50 couples all looking smashing in their fancy clothes. I drove Abby and her friends to the dance and after I dropped them off I reminisced about being a freshman. Many people think it's such an awkward time and yet it was a fantastic time. Everything was fresh, new and exciting. Just as Abby is blossoming so it happens, the high school years are actually quite a fun time, sadly I wasted mine on partying. My children are much smarter than me and they seek out friends who make smart choices and have fun naturally. My son made it through high school without any problems, now we will see if we're so lucky with our Abby. So far so good. She shines and radiates happiness, high school agrees with her. It's full of activities and friends and she loves these things. I love seeing her happy of course and it made my day to take her picture for the homecoming dance.

Last week was SLOW at the shop, I did some painting to keep busy and tried some different techniques which I share in the slide show. I layered paper and images for the Paris art and I like the vintage look it achieves. I also tried my hand at a self portrait of me when I was about 7 and I still need to work on it to get ME in it. I had a lady say "it looks like he's older than he is in the picture." I laughed because I used to get asked if I was a boy or girl as my hair was so short and it always annoyed me. I don't get asked that anymore thankfully!
hahahaha....

Daily Meditation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LIkB5E56Ak

Today I begin a new practice, one of daily meditation.  I have never consistently meditated and yet I have always aimed to.  By acknowledging this, I strive to implement this into my daily routine just as I do my morning cup of coffee.  I have admired the discipline of meditation as it takes great devotion to quiet an active mind.  It's one of those things I mean to get around to.  You know how it is, I'm too busy to meditate.  But am I?  No, I make time for things that are important, as we all do.  If I make meditation a priority then I will have time for it.  It's difficult to commit to because it seems frivolous.  And yet it's benefits are proven effective for better health overall.  I am trying this for 30 days as this is a reasonable time to acquire a new routine.  Whose with me?

Bareback rider

Yesterday I worked on my bareback tutu painting, I reduced the mountains and added more sky.  I was inspired by an article I read in American Artists magazine lent to me from Bob my studio mate.  The article was on an artist named Victoria Adams whose work I admire and got to see recently when we were on a road trip to Idaho.  She has giant paintings in the Gail Severn Gallery, a very posh place and her work is captivating due her use of light.  She uses 70% of the painting as sky and her dramatic use of clouds is envious.  I love wide open spaces, and the feeling of them so I wanted to incorporate it more into this piece.  It's still in progress, I am struggling with the horse, I have never painted a horse before and I am being challenged by it.  I will preserver and post more pictures as I continue working on it.  I took some pictures of the shop to update my website and I am too rushed this morning to post them.  Garage sale day today, you understand.  I will post them soon, Miriam my helper and I edited out things and opened up the shop for better flow and gallery viewing.  Gotta go or everyone else will get the goodies..................

Arts Benicia Gala

Friday was the Arts Benicia annual Gala which is its biggest fundraiser all year. This was my first time going and I really enjoyed it. My friends Terin and Gary along with Patrick and Laura all came and we shared a table together. Everyone got dressed up and it was held at the Iron horse warehouse on Grant Ave in the Arsenal, a huge industrial building with lots of funky charm, mixed with local Benicians and Artisans. There was art for sale, art to be auctioned off and various other items such as fancy wine etc... I was just happy to be there among my fellow artists representing Arts Benicia. I feel so grateful to belong to this organization of talented people and I loved seeing how the town of Benicia supports it's artists. There were well over 200 people there, and all of the proceeds go directly into the Arts Benicia program. First St. Cafe catered the food and it was tasty, we had appetizers, pasta, salmon or chicken with potatoes and carrots, salad, dessert...There was wine for those who drink and for those of us who don't there was Diet Coke or sparkling water. We had a professional auctioneer help sell the donated art and my friend Gary walked away with a prized vagina lucky guy....it's actually a present for a friend and we all cracked up over it. I walked away feeling grateful there are communities like Benicia who honor and support what art brings to the community. In fact I was so inspired I thought we should probably move there when all is said and done....just an idea mind you, but I do love water and art, and they have both.

I have been remiss about blogging and for those of you who check I thank you for your patience. It does take time to download pictures and write out the text and usually this is my pleasure. Then there are times like in the last week or two when it just seems like another 'task'. I only want to blog if it's fun so I put it off. So I am happy to say I enjoyed posting today. I hope you enjoyed reading it and as always I thank you for your continued support. Julia Cameron my hero, talked about the importance of artistic support in her book, "The Artist Way". It's vital for an artist to feel useful, needed and appreciated. If they have this they have all they need to produce good work. Its true of all people and professions of course but artists need it even more as art has an unusually bad rap as being frivolous. And yet where would we be without it? So with that I say go hug your nearest artist and you will be giving them all the riches they seek.......