Nook n Cranny

The Anthropologie store [click here] in Portland's Pearl District [click here] consistently uses recycled products in their decorating schemes. An entire display window was filled with a floral display of plastic bottles. Refreshingly lovely.

Portland's nooks and crannies of old brick and cobblestone alleyways creates a labyrinth of treasured aesthetic boutiques and restaurants.

 

Even the electric company has artistic flare!

Once cherished prize possessions waiting to be recycled and re-loved are abundant are displayed to entice your imagination. Picture yourself in this little number jammin' to this.....[click here]

Heart Rockin' Valentine

 

 

 In my bathroom reno I siliconed locally found stones mixed with glass tiles to creatively disguise the rough edge of slate. I'm always amazed at the heart shaped stones that keep popping up in my searches.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saved by the Soul of Creativity

 

  

When a plethora of opportunistic directions all converge at once is that considered a gift? Everything seems optimistic yet a great sense of pressure and confusion lies in the decision making process. Which route to take? What is my best avenue for my future? Is there a wrong decision? If I don't chose one will I regret it? If I'm supposed to be in the now, how will this resolve the decisions I must make (if any) for my future? Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

 I felt it necessary to post these drive by photos of last months road trip when my decision making process was relaxed, content and focused with a sprinkle of whimsy. Keeping my creative side flowing allows me to remain in a much calmer state. I feel as if I need to be saved from my confusions. I'm in much need of "being still" and "letting be". This version of this song helps release the unwanted frustrations (thanks to a friend "RO" for posting it so I can share it) [CLICK HERE]. Turn up the speakers and let it out! I BETTER GET BUSY!

Stripper Shoes & A Homemade Prom Dress

Nothin' says a good time like a pair of stripper shoes and a homemade strapless lavendar-laced prom dress! A fabulous street called Hawthorne [CLICK HERE] in Portland hosts an abundance of second hand shops, boutiques & cafes. On a lazy Sunday afternoon I brought my camera along just incase I found something interesting to shoot. Voila! I am not the typical gal to have these items laying around my closet so I took interest in a mini photo shoot while sitting on an extremely uncomfortable 1960's? chaise lounger. I had a Molly Ringwald moment [CLICK HERE]. P.S. the $20 dress & $14 shoes are still available at the House of vintage, the brown & black tights with the hole in the big toe are all mine.

I mentioned in a prior post I was working with conte crayons...I stand corrected. They are neocolor II water-souluble wax pastels [CLICK HERE]. (fancy schmancy) This is a journal entry using the crayons. I have been nelecting my art journal. Spending just under an hour with no goal or plan felt pretty darn good. Lately my life has a ridgid structure loaded with deadlines and due dates. I was on a roll for about three consecutive days until I went to Hawthorne and found the shoes! My creative journalling skipped a day but of course I have all intentions of jumping right back in today ;-)

Chillin' with the Crayons

 

  

Winter photos from around the yard is the sum of my creativity lately. I've been consumed with homework and haven't spent time in my studio for way too long. Currently homework does not include art. Today I stopped to take an hour for a journal entry (a biweekly pact some artsy fartsy friends on facebook and I have made). I chose water soluable conte crayons, a stablio pencil & a white gel pen. I like-a the conte crayons. I'll post more of those colorings/paintings later. I am amazed at the tension release creating art allows me to have. Although I'm saving my school work for tomorrow, my mind is less cluttered now.

I have no idea but...I do know this...

My Bee Girl painting is still alive. Not finished but alive just the same. This has turned into my "go to" piece. I spend a small amount of time with it then move on to something else. It's always waiting for me when I need it. It has gone through a developmental art phase right along side of me. I have no idea how it will look when I finally decided to call it quits but have grandioso ideas of where it could go. I've even had flinting ideas of branching it into a childrens book. Currently it's not even close. I do know this...when I stop posting in this blog I fall away from the creative mode I intended to keep rolling by making this blog in the first place. Subconscious or not it-is-what-it-is. Here's a little something I've been listening to lately while cocooning. [CLICK HERE] and [HERE]

Productive Cocooning

After spending the last four days in a total cocooning state of mind I decided to hang what encaustic art I have tucked away on the walls of my old coffee house. I just received a new shipment of moo mini business cards I ordered from moo.com [CLICK HERE]. Those are shown next to each piece I hung. Coming out of that cocoon I felt a sense of accomplishment after spending three hours hanging my work, even though I had spent much more time with it during each creation. Hmmm, time well spent and it has sparked a wee bit of inspiration to get back into the studio. That's always a good thing.

The Art of Vegas Baby!

As Kent drove up and down the strip I captured many iconic shots of Las Vegas Blvd. Shown here is a quick snap of New York New York (the Five Irishman bar/restaurant has an incredible menu) I couldn't go on a brief vacation and not turn something into an art project. It will take time to assemble my vision so don't expect anything soon. In the interim here are a few photos I posted in celebration that art is everywhere!!

We stayed at the Bellagio. The mosaic tile work, windows & ceilings were definite works of art with old world charm.

A GIANT Holiday

The conservatory at the Bellagio was decorated in a giant way. Vegas flare & sparkle was well represented.

Giant snowmen made of carnations were kind of creepy yet festive in their own way.

Palio packs on the pounds

Incredible pastries (for Kent) coupled with Illy espresso drinks (decaf for me) made for a killer way to begin each morning at Palio in the Bellagio [CLICK HERE], Las Vegas, NV.