Capturing the Sunshine

 Walking in the Columbia Gorge on a mild winter day requires

a coat, hat, chapstick and a camera.

Capturing the sunshine is the theme of the day.

It showed up in mysterious ways.

It rested on this overworked metal pipe

like a cozy hand crocheted afghan.

 It radiated through the clouds as

if it was searching to break through.

A traveling ribbon of cloud hovered diligently above the

Columbia river as if it were it's

own personal extra thick layer of sunscreen.

 Every now and then the sunshine 

was free to roam from the cyan sky.

Cotton ball clouds scattered and 

danced as if running naked in the sun.

 Stepping on the sky was allowed today.

I was careful not to startle the sunshine for it seemed

so happy to be free.

Today a little bit of sunshine illuminated the important things.

It stirred questions. It brought new perspectives to light.

It warmed my heart & soul.

Denver, A 7 yr Old & a 2 Day Art Binge

 To prepare for a two day art binge one must first take proper care of their teeth; protect the table; then set up the mediums of choice for easy accessibility.

 First creation: A Happy Banner. All things that made my niece happy we listed, illustrated in pencil contour line forms; overlaid in black Sharpe; added water colors and strung onto a thick cotton string. When I asked if she had a hole punch she replied, "YES! It is in the shape of a fairy". I thought, of course...is there any other kind? The banner is proudly swagged in her room under a netting of butterflies. A perfect location.

 Second creation: Themed Bunnies. Using our art journals we composed a page of floppy eared cuties. Sadie used pre-cut marker drawings she sketched & cut out the day before and a  silly band. I used scrap tissue paper & a Sharpe w/an Alice in Wonderland flare.

 Third creation: Themed Butterflies. Art journal pages turned vibrant with water colors and accurate markings of  beautiful butterflies.

 Fourth creation: A photo from the last art project we worked on in August of 2010. It hangs above the kitchen cabinets in it's all it's pastel chalk colorful wonder.

Fifth creation: A My Little Pony photo shoot on the living room ottoman. Those ponies find there way into daily activities via song & dance performances, story telling, illustrations, figurine play time and our photo shoot. I was informed of their individual names but cannot accurately repeat them at this time. They are very busy little ponies.

Break time: We put our feet up and took a Wii break. We played so diligently that Sadie's hair electrified with static.

Sixth creation: Our house with functioning windows. Two layers of construction paper carefully glued and cut. Active and decorative color pencil illustrations to capture a happy household of love.

 Seventh creation: Themed Sea Creatures. We shared a DVD clip art computer screen and selected the best sea creatures to sketch in our journals. Sadie chose pencil and I, a Sharpe. Well done.

Two determined passionate artists in Denver Colorado on a Two day art binge. A very successful mission accomplished.

PDX, DEN, BRECK, DEN, PDX,

 

Landing in Denver during their first snow storm of the season was a mild adventure. My mind initially thought of crazy scenarios of landing sideways on two wheels, spinning into snowbanks and leaping onto an inflatable carnival style slide to safety. When it came down to it, the mandatory cab ride from the airport to my sisters had my attention more than the routine landing. Blowing snow brought low visibility and icy roads made for an icy windshield. My driver handled the sliding & swooshing with humor and poise. When I asked his name he said "it's easy... B...Z...that's easy...BZ!"

 Patches of clouds broke way to expose the city lights after dropping through levels of the atmosphere that weren't so pleasant. It was images like this that calmed my over active imagination while delivering a small splash of disappointment realizing I wouldn't have the exhilarating experience of safely whooshing down that inflatable slide.

The next day we were off to Breckenridge for the weekend with big plans for indulging in winter activities.

 ...but -16 degree temps took my breathe away.

 I could only vicariously enjoy the winter sports... literally my breathe was unable to function normally thus limiting my activity, it was a first. I still found joy in snapping photos of the incredible vistas. I would of rather been on cross country skies deep in the forest capturing white floppy eared bunnies scampering for food in the soft powdery snow. Does that even really exist or am I extending my dangerous plane landing imagination into the mountains?

 a few days later...back to Denver where the skies were peculiar and my breath returned to normal. I enjoyed a long walk with my sister around Wash Park.

 

I found it odd that some of the broad leaf trees wouldn't give up their leaves for the season. It was as if they were shivering from the cold in a coat that was too thin. The sound was like a very tall rain stick only to stop when the wind subsided. (well that would make sense wouldn't it?!)

 Hockey with one chic! She held her own. Either that or the guys were afraid of getting whacked by her stick.

It's always nice to get away and it's always comforting to return home. I'm quite content in the Pacific Northwest and thankful I have my camera to help share my story. This [CLICK ME] would of been something to see if there were more time in a day. There is a local Breckenridge gal who makes the most splendid things [CLICK ME TOO].

2010 Hiked Over & Out

 A hike in the Pacific Northwest is always a magical feast for the senses. This was my last one of the year.

 I find moss covered rocks and remnants of fall leaves soothing & cocooning. I know it will be here for me when I return time & time again yet I still take photos and they always expose new perspectives.

 The forest emanates mystery with a content stillness. It's living and happy to do so right where it is.

 A mythical creature could appear and for some reason it would seem like a natural occurrence.

 The smell of a freshly cut Doug Fir was thick in the crisp air, cut down before it clobbered a hiker by accident.

 Nature creates the most amazing art. How could I not take a photo of this??

 This hike hosted historical treasures of bygone days and a way of life that is no longer necessary (although to create survival skills through critical and creative thinking while executing a good sound work ethic are virtues I believe are important during any lifetime).

To say I was inspired by my surroundings would be an understatement.

Swirlly Candy Canes in the Kitchen

 

In a wee little nook of my kitchen I have created a chalkboard space for doodling, listing and dreaming.

 

The way it works is...I begin with a whimsical drawing; grocery lists begin to sprout; random sketches (usually of 14 & 21 year old boyish nature) develop until the board is fulled to the edges and flowing with creativity (which seems to make the grocery lists unimportant).

 The nook gets a lot of foot traffic passing by. The inspired brains of this household dabble here and there, breaking up their busy day for just a moment or two.

 This time around I was inspired by 1990's clip art.

It just wouldn't be me not to include the swirly, spirally coils I seem to be so fond of.

Of course I had to make it my own with sprinkling polka-dots and twisted candy cane boarders.

I recently had the opportunity to create a stop motion animation video. Someday I will post it, in the meantime...I am thoroughly impressed with the process and talented folk who endure the long hours and tedious details it requires. I can see the efforts in this one...

Tiny Encaustic Goddesses all in a Row

Tiny Ballerinas...

 Tiny Beauties...

 Tiny Divine Goddesses...

 Tiny Hearts...

 Tiny Mermaids...

and Teenie Tiny Goddesses.

A 52 piece collection of tiny art for a holiday sale in Portland. Priced so affordable you'll think I've lost my mind! The introduction of these sculptural encaustic nuggets marks the beginning of exploration into their many personalities. I am currently working on specialty themes to add to their persona and will post them on my etsy site. As oddity art they provide whimsy with a giggle as they exemplify the Goddess within every women.

All Goddess blocks are re-purposed wood scraps from previous projects. They are original doodles and altered copies of my original mixed media art...soon to come on etsy as well. They all have hanging options and some stand alone. All are encased in encaustic wax medium. Click on them to get a better view and check the etsy site in the near future if your interested in having or giving some of your own. You can always send me an email of interest in the meantime!!

Enjoying this as I create....

A little Bit of This A Little Bit of That

A few projects that have kept me busy. An encaustic triptych; a charcoal portrait and an illustrated vintage diva queen encased in encaustic medium, all while enjoying things like this...

The Portland Six

 

With my so-so camera I walked a misty path around the city streets of Portland with my husband Saturday night. Shooting from vantage points atop the seventh floor of a parking garage to the point blank position in front of street vendors. When the ceiling is low the city sounds are muffled and appear more intimate. The rhythm of a five-gallon bucket street performer echoed yet clung to the thick air. The architectural detail of the old buildings never bore me. Public art is abundant in this city creating a playground for my senses. Nostalgia, restoration, renovations and new construction meld to envelop my version of an urban utopia. I didn't have my ipod but if I did I would of been listening to this...

Who the heck am I anyway?

So what's it called when a person is so involved every minute of everyday that they loose track of time and wonders "who am I?" Progress? Craziness? Perseverance? Accomplishment? Insanity? Yes is my answer to all. I miss my camera. Every now and then I'll put it in my bag and never take it out. If I'm not entrenched in homework, class time or work I'm running through the streets of Portland to get in my car to drive the long commute home. Sometimes I run in the direction of where I parked days before only to realize at 7am that morning I parked somewhere else. I eventually find my car, which sucks up more time. Now as the daylight is shorter I'm relieved when my bottom hits the bucket seat. I plug in my ipod (typically start with something like this CLICK ME!)(makes me feel a bit surreal in my urban crawl), crank up the seat warmer, take a few deep breaths and wiggle my way onto the interstate. In the home stretch I listen to my youngest practice the piano for a half an hour live via my cars killer stereo bluetooth feature.

Someday these amazing life's efforts will funnel into something spectacular. Not to say the experience is anything less but big things are stirring and I'm rather inquisitive as to where they'll land.