What in the WORLD was I thinking?...

Want to re-do the art room. It is torn up and boxed up and a huge mess~I really need to purge some of this stuff...
these are my new shoelaces-a birthday gift from a friend-Ramones shoelaces....woohoo!

What a Pain!

Blogger changed over to google and i had to go through hoops to get signed in again...
will update later on today-just finished some yard work and off to meet the old work friends for lunch...

Power-less

Wed night some nasty thunderstorms blew in-and blew out our power-the tornado sirens were going off-the winds were nasty-nathan,myself and the dogs spent a bit of time in the hall closet-we ended up without power for 30 hrs. The first night it was raining all night/all morning so there was a cool breeze coming in. The next night-i stayed at my parents' house. :) Power's back on, fridge/freezers are cleaned out. I've begun the slow process of re-stocking..thank goodness insurance will help with that :)
so, needless to say i am very behind with projects i intended to do this week.

Last Comments on Vegas

While reading some reviews online of our hotel-probably good that i didn't see them ahead of time! One person whined about how dark it was-all the art and mirrors creeped them out and it wasn't on the strip.-well duh, didn't you look at the info online when you booked it-or the fact that it WASN'T on the strip. they complained about the slow draining tubs-yes they were-but that and the fact that we didn't get our bathroom "serviced" w/new towels got us a $50 gift card that we gladly spent in the bar-the dark bar w/mirrors all over... the BEST part of it all-that i didn't know about until we were home-is the fact that alot of the strippers that fly in to work the nearby clubs on the wkends-stay here. Gosh-missed that fact-although there is a good chance the woman we saw in the elevator fri afternoon was one of them...

Vegas/Red Rock Canyon

On friday we went out to Red Rock Canyon. It's really beautiful out there. The red is from iron being in the rock and oxidizing-it only takes a small amt, but don't remember what it was. There were alot of areas you could hike-we walked around quite a bit, but were not prepared for hiking. If i ever go back, would like to do that. The top pictures shows an area that is white at the bottom-that is a wash-we walked down it a bit too-. There were clouds out so it wasn't terribly hot that day-it rained late afternoon-after we were gone so i wondered if any of the washes filled up-there was no rain in the city where we were, but it looked like it rained all around. Would have liked to see the rain come down there. I took more pictures-but won't post them all-who wants to sit through "vacation photos?" If you're ever in vegas, it's worth the short drive to see-$5 well spent. Back in the 90's we went out to Valley of Fire that is about an hour away-it too is well worth the drive. Got to see real live petroglyphs there.

A bit of Art for Good Measure!

Thought i would throw in some art i finished before we went out of town. I'm taking an online class with KC Willis as i've mentioned a few times. Loving the technique-and her style. It's been fun and got my creative juices running again. She is about to host 3 more classes that are sure to be great too. I'm taking another one for sure! You can check them out on her site under workshops.

The Trip

I won't post alot of pictures of Vegas-too many of those online/tv etc... so i'll post what you haven't seen. The Artisan Hotel was very cool. Off the beaten path-quiet (until fri night) It's got an art deco feel on the outside-you pull up to these doors (and valet only parking)
The pool area was lovely-but i never made use of it.
The inside was dark, but very neat. Black floors, walls and ceilings. There are paintings, sculptures and mirrors everywhere-even the ceiling! Chandeliers and crystal light fixtures abound. Each room is done in an artist theme. We had the Andy Warhol room. This was the hallway from our room tto the elevator-the elevator doors were all painted red~as i said, a very neat place-unique. The pictures really don't capture the feeling. If you ever go to Vegas and want something different-this is the place!

Home Again

We are back-saw the town-at least as much of it as i wanted to-saw my good friend who moved from here 8 yrs ago-she works for the govt-and "undercover" for her position. so i'm not mentioning her name-but it was good to see her and the family! Stupid me-and her, forgot to take any pictures-duh. blonde. Went to Red Rock Canyon on fri-it is beautiful. Should have spent more time there. Grand Canyon on the way home-even saw Elk by the side of the road grazing-i think the pictures turned out blurry though-time to go upload and will post more when i am caught up around the house.
Will post more KC Willis class photo's too~

When Life Makes You Mad...

say" the hell with it" and go to Vegas!
so, til next week...and what a photo gallery there will be when i return :) Found this cool
boutique hotel-The Artisan something different this time~looks great from the website, let's hope it
is just as cool in person~

Finished Art

Here are two pieces i've worked on for my class with KC Willis. The first one is the one i showed earlier in progress. The second one is just that, the second one i've done-i have others in progress, but won't show them until done.

In Between

Normally i just post "stuff" on here. I haven't spilled secrets (not mine anyway) or really showed what a smart ass sense of humor i have. It's just kind of "there." (the blog posts)
Today i find myself "in between." Mon i went to work as usual. I have a job. not a career, just a job. One i took to help my mom out-those few wks turned into almost 3 yrs. She ran the kitchen/household at the Catholic Seminary for 23 1/2 yrs. I have helped there in the past when she needed it. donna to the rescue. :) Last May there were big changes. Our head priest was named Bishop and sent to Shreveport. Throughout the yrs, the priests were kind, the office help friendly-until the woman that had been up front retired. Enter some new women. Backstabbing (in the name of Jesus i guess) :) The last yr really sucked. Tension, rudeness beyond belief-from a priest no less- Us girls in the kitchen liked each other-and the girl in the household position, but were sick of the BS going on up front. Keep in mind this is a small operation. The student population was down to 30-with 3 priests in residence. They were given 21 meals a wk and our personalities~ We were scheduled to have a mtg on mon the 18th. We thought that *maybe* the guy in charge was finally going to meet with us-like he wanted to do a yr ago and chat. There were some renovations being made this summer-maybe discuss that. Little did we know that they would herd us-and our boss (mom) into one room to tell us-you're outta here. Sorry, we need to cut back, we've hired a service to take over and here's your paperwork, sign it, collect a check and get out. Oh, but i forgot, they "prayed on it for months"
No, they hired a big HR guy for the diocese and we were the expendible ones. Not even a thank you for all your years. The others had worked there for 22 yrs, 16 yrs, 14 yrs and 8 yrs respectively. Not even the decency to tell the boss first then us-and hovered as she cleaned out her office-of 23 yrs. He wanted us to hurry-didn't say it but felt it. I'm so done with the Catholic church-
So today, i am in between. Many say, what will you do now? don't know. geez, give me time for my pity party. It's like a death-the shock, the anger, the sick stomach. It wasn't a place i intended to stay at forever-it was a stopping place, but you don't expect to be treated like second class citizens. (whatever that really means) My mom and us 3 girls went to lunch mon-on our own dime of course-and my mom says let's start a business, what can we do? I said "strip." We got a good laugh. That is what i'll miss-laughing with the other 2 "girls" every day. and the 7 wks of pd vacation i'll now miss out on~ :)
maybe i'll move to santa fe and become a starving artist. yea right.

Giant Dog Bone

Ok, i try to mostly post art on here, but the puppies get mention too. There was a banquet at work last wkend and i got a remant of that for the dogs. They love me.
This is a piece I am working on for my KC Willis online class. Will post a picture when it's finished-should be this wkend.

Life this past week

Gary went to vegas mon night and took my camera, so no pictures this wk. I've been taking an online class w/KC Willis (of lipstick ranch) and really enjoying it-the desire to create that it has
inspired! All i have done is prepare some fabric, but once i've actually done something with it i'll post it. I did spend last sat. junking and arting with a friend. Took her by a cemetery i like to photograph where we were able to get a few photo's in before the rain. That's about it for now~

Disintegration Revealed

original reveal day
Today is the day we all reveal our paper bundles that were left out for nature to disintegrate.

A nasty windy thunderstorm took mine down one night and i had to find what i could of it and staple it together, then reattach to the tree. We've had quite a bit more rain since then, but it stayed put. it has seen hail, rain, thunder and lightening. Sunny days and cloudy days. I photographed it today, took it down and brought it inside. I put it on the kitchen counter and left to run a few errands. When i returned i found ants all over the counter and the paper bundle-yuk! immediately had to douse it in water-alot of water to get rid of them. It took about 20 min and i think i got them all. Once the paper dries, i know what i want to do with it since we are now to make an art piece with them.
fast forward a few hrs: still finding ants! they are hiding in the recesses of the papers...

So Many Pictures Not Enough Time

Went to see Jimmie Vaughan at the Art Festival sat night. Not a great picture-but it's him. have others but this is the closest one. Gary couldn't believe i didn't take a picture of the girl that danced the whole time-all over the place-flinging the long blond pony tail. (and no, she was not cute) she thought she was the show. We just attract that when we are around. All the weird ones gravitate to our space:)
Fri i made this banana french toast at work-gary was bummed that i wasn't making it at home so i said i would show him a picture-thoughtful person that I am!
I also took my sister her traditional gooey butter cake for her birthday fri night. Of course, i asked for a piece for my efforts. Again, thoughful. Sun finally made it to one of my art meetings! We had a great time discussing topics from Oprah, eating and making these fun earrings. These are not all mine-just a sampling of what was made~

Main St Art Festival (Ft Worth)

This is my favorite art festival in the area. Gary and i headed out to see what was new this year.
http://www.stvictordiaries.com/ This guy had some cool paintings. Look at Chaos-the colors are sumptious- love the look in the eyes of his subjects-each painting has a story AND he donates a % to Good Dog Mountain for the rescue of death row shelter dogs!
John Petrey does a great job of recyling-to make the coolest dresses. (non-wearable)
Katherine Allen Coleman-these are sooo much more impressive in person-they're dimentions don't show up on the photo's-nor can you see they are in deep frames and the dresses are real-painted over and embroidered/embellished. wonderful stuff~this guy was new this yr-Kevin Eslinger had some unusual paintings-i bought a print from him. Originally from st louis-my 2nd home (i like to think)
This next artist does things in "series" and his new works are postcards. they cover the substrate then art on top of it-very neat to see in person. Darron Chadwick is his name.
I plan to go back sat night to hear Jimmie Vaughan play-he was there about 10 yrs ago and we only got to see some of it-this time i'll be there for it all! There was a group there today-Wild Okra-they were pretty good.
As for the little cake-tradition. Gary & I stop at Corner Bakery every year for dessert~banana bundt cake is my usual choice!

Happy Easter

Just wishing everyone a happy easter!

Spring Cleaning

Spring is here-although there is a freeze warning for tomorrow morning-very rare this time of yr.
started some major cleaning on sat-started in the garage. Still more to do, but have moved into the house for now. (no, those aren't my flowers-they were at an office complex near work)
Also have to re-do my "deconstruction" packet. the hail/wind last week sent it around the yard.
Didn't find it all, but enough.
Here is a piece of art i did recently.
Lastly, good ol' Riley finds a roll of toilet paper to "play" with.

Houston

Fri morning i worked about 2 hrs then headed to the Houston area. Melissa actually lives about 45 min away, but if i mentioned her city you would say "where?"
i got unloaded then we went into town and hit an antique store-where we saw some cool overpriced stuff. Then she took me to "Jeters." I think maybe they filmed the last Tx Chainsaw movie there. really. it was cobweb-by, dusty, & mud-dobber-y but we managed to find a few things. Had dinner at a great italian place and headed back to her place where we stayed up late playing w/art supplies and talking.
Sat we planned to head into Houston and meet up w/CeCe to go to the Bayou City Art Festival.
Met at the shuttle and off we went! As much as i love the atmosphere of our art festival-i really loved this one a bit more-actually i loved the Artists more than the atmosphere-it was set in Memorial park-Some fabulous mixed media artists.
Our favorite by far had no website: Aaron Hequembourg. wonderful mixed media using things salvaged from old buildings on his property (193 yr old plantation home)
www.kimberlywillcox.com
www.anthonyhansen.com
www.stevehunsicker.com
www.stephanierubiano.com !!melissa, stephanie, cece
yes, stephanie was there-she won 2nd place in the fall at this same festival-she had lots of her boxes and prints for sale.
When we left we headed to the Heights for some lunch and shopping. Found a few goodies in this area-and saw the cutest 3 legged dog (mastiff puppy) (lula)

Texas Art was another stop for us before CeCe headed home. Mel and i hit the liquor store, 1/2 price books and Auntie Changs for dinner before heading home. Another late night of talking.

Elizabeth of Bleubird and Elizabeth has honored me with a Kreativ Blogger award. According to her message "Upon receiving this award I am to tell 7 things about myself and pick 7 others who are deserving of this award." I'll try to do this award justice.
1. I tend to be a night person more than a morning person even though i go to work very early.
2. I was born in Hawaii.
3. I hate most vegtables.
4. I don't mind traveling by myself.
5. Not everyone "gets" my sense of humor. (but those that do are always on their toes) :)
6. I have a stepson who is 7 yrs younger than me. since gary and i have been married 20 yrs and someone recently told me they didn't realize i had a stepson-just thought i would mention it again :) (i think she just forgot)
7. I'm a blog junkie!
i'll pass on the 'torch' however some of the following are at artfest, so i won't expect them to post also.

1.Alisa Burke love the bold colors and style she uses!
2. Carla Sonheim these "girls" are my favorite-they make me smile
3. Jane Wynn changed my "style" of art-just can't stop using wood
4. Judy Wise love her versatility always something new-check out the clay dolls!
5. Mary Beth Shaw great use of color!
6. Tracy Moore need i say more about tracy?!
7. Ten Seconds Studio cool products and great sense of humor!

Quick Note

have a few things i want to post on here, but time is short this wk. I've had something going on
every night this week-and then fri morning i head to houston, so stay tuned i'll have more on here next week! pictures too~
off to celebrate a friends 60th birthday...so many milestone birthdays this month for friends~

Around the Artroom

thought i would post a few pictures of things in my art room.

Jumping on the Bandwagon-better late than never

Decided to join in on the Disintegration project that Seth Apter mentions in his blog-he also has a list of those participating-over 80 at this point. Here is my "bundle." Started out with part of a book, added 4 different types of bundled papers, tied w/jute and tied to a crape myrtle tree in the back yard. It will get the brunt of any weather that comes since it hits from the west this time of yr~

Catching Up

Can't believe it's been over a wk since i posted. Crazy week. Dad ended up having kidney stone surgery-they removed 2 stones this time. He's recovering. My Grandfather came to town on mon-so i've been over visiting with him most evenings. I spent one evening/morn home due to massive (almost) migraine again-only this time my neck is now stiff. Thurs i got into a shouting match with a guy at work-he deserved it-but it put a strain on the rest of the day and fri. Thank goodness i have some time off to get over it :)
Fri i left work early to meet my sis, addison and gramp on the TRE and we rode into dallas to see the 6th Floor Museum & the grassy knoll. Grandpa remembers where he was when he heard the news about Kennedy being shot. I hadn't been to the exhibit before-it has an audio guided tour-pretty creepy to hear the police/secret service tape saying he had been hit and Parkland had been notified. It really captured the feelings of that day-especially for one who was probably sitting in a playpen at the time :)
So, i've done no art since sun. Maybe something today but i do have pictures~

February in Texas means 85 degrees!

Seriously-it's that warm. This wkend it will cool down to the 50's. Feels like spring which i don't mind, it's the summer i hate. Too darn hot. Finally posting some things i've worked on lately.
The flowers were for Valentine's Day. A nice surprise. The first heart is for a "heart a wk challenge" with my art group. The spoon/girl was just random art. The plate w/hearts were something a friend of mine and I worked on almost 2 wks ago. (idea from stephanie lee) There's more but i'll save those for this weekend.

And the Winners Are...

Thanks to the random number generator-and my counting-twice-i have 2 winners.
First Ellen of Could You Be ( little girl shadowbox) and Bleubird and Elizabeth. (green mixed media piece)
Congrats-
and thanks to all who participated-it was fun checking out so many new blogs and seeing wonderful artwork from around the world!

Stormy Night

had our first thunderstorm of the yr-tornado in the next town over-glad it missed us. Started getting a headache yesterday afternoon and it's finally subsiding. hate the pressure change headaches almost as much as the migraines. We went to see "Taken" yesterday when i got off work-very suspenseful movie!

Thankful

My cousin Kim was in the hospital this wkend-they thought they were going to have to do brain surgery-they observed through the wkend, however her shunt began to work again and she was able to go home today~

Another Teaser

You can probably tell what these were...something i'm working on now.