Oh the things I have seen!

Recently I have had the ABSOLUTE privilege to be able to see
some inspiring works of art.

Candy for my eyes and and heart...

yummy.

 

On the 4th I attended first Thursday in Santa Barbara and I chose two venues to visit.

1. the Architecture foundation to see the work of Leslie Lewis Sigler

(sadly I didn't write this fast enough and now her show is packed away)

I find her work is so refreshing and clean and warm and it invites you in....there is a familiar sense that makes it wonderfully comfortable to spend time with.
 

2. I went to see the newest adventure at Sullivan Goss: 

JUST BETWEEN US: Wesley Anderegg, Rafael Perea de la Cabada, Maria Rendon

On Exhibit from April 4, 2013 through June 2, 2013

Curator Jeremy Tessmer selected an amazing collection of contemporary artists and the result is magical and alive and mysterious!

I was only able to get a couple pics as I found myself lost in the work, when I did remember to take a picture the place was crowded with new energy and excited visitors!

"tight rope" and "Matador"
by Wesley Anderegg

a small selection of ceramic platters also by Mr. Anderegg

Encyclopedia Series 1 A to Animal Life
by Rafael Perea de la Cabada
(He painted directly on stretched book covers)

detail to show the texture of the surface....luscious

 

Sadly I wasn't able to get any images of Ms Rendon's work...it is breathtaking and ethereal...so check out the link above to view proper pictures.

 

Then this week I was able to see another true treat for the eyes!

I attended a private small viewing of SWARM at LotusLand...

I had read a lot about the show HERE and HERE so I was quite excited to have the chance to see it in person. I attended with a woman's art group I am part of and it was such an amazing treat!

I felt like quite the VIP being able to view the work so intimately

*click on any of the images for a larger version*

The group was asked to enter via the private back entrance,
so I got to stroll the grounds a little bit before getting to the meeting point!

the room where we met, the main house and first exposure to the work of Penelope Stewart
with her giant handdrawn Beeskep
Ink on Japanese rice paper

here are two smaller versions and a black glass moulded one
the lines were so beautiful !

One of I several Cynthia James paintings...lovely! 



Stephanie Wilde's work " Golden Bees" was intricate and highly detailed, so much so, we were offered magnifying loops to view her incredible brush work.
She uses a single hair to paint...it was much like a sand mandala for me.
The ability to see single grains to sand
So beautiful and meditative

detail through the looking glass

more detail for another work

Ethan Turpin and Jonathan Smith's bee cell room
 and Rose-Lynn Fisher's electron microscope photographs
illuminated under spot lights

inside the cell looking up with some fellow art and bee lovers

the full installed Penelope Stewart beeswax room
1000lbs of wax was used to make this room
the different colors reflect what the bees were feeding on, as wax was shipped from all over the united states
You can read her process HERE

detail of the reproduced tiles and pineapples

 

So inspiring and so alive, I think this year will offer many surprises in the art scene.

I am very much looking forward to seeing new works from friends and creating some myself.

You still have time to see  "Just Between Us" and "SWARM" (the garden is not too shabby either)

 if you are able, I whole heartily endorse it!

 

Lets start back at the begining...

*****

OK, So I am soooo very behind on posting I thought I would start by posting the posting I have been wanting to post for a long time...so we are going to time travel a little.

 

Back before my world got a little crazy, before now...way back in October I went to the LA Printers Fair. This is a fair for all things printmaking, I am in a personal geek heaven and amongst my people.

Thankfully, I am not the only one taking photos of machines, presses and printmaking type.

In fact I am only one in a crowd doing the exact same thing.
 I would go as far as to say it is expected to take pictures!

Linotype printer at work, the sounds of the machine makes me cry from sheer beauty.
Linotype makes lead slugs of lines of print, the operator types it out and the machine casts the type as he types!
Many of these machines were melted down post WWII
See one at work HERE

 

The Printmaking Museum opens its doors annually for this fair and shows off its amazing collection of old and still working presses. Believe it or not, I first heard of this museum in Carson via Huell Howser on one of his whats great about California shows...(pat on the back Huell, rest in peace)
 

I have made the trek to lovely downtown Carson twice now and it is a whole day event.

I go with a graphic design friend and she and I pack snacks and slather sunscreen and head out around 7:30am to get there by 10am when they open the gates. Not only can you see how ALL the presses work, but a far number of them are hands on demonstrations! So last year I got to print off a field press from the civil war. SOOOOOO COOLIO

 

This year it was even more packed and I am proud to say the crowd was 75% women printers!

 

The museum itself is only one part of the fair, there is also the vendor sections that run through the museum and into the back of the building and then into a large warehouse that stores, sad and forgotten presses (many are for sale at the fair) and then you file into the book arts building.

my girlfriend

 

Which houses "my girlfriend" the letterpress that I would tackle someone for.
This is one of the hands on demonstration stops and I got to print my own poster to take home...and figure out where to put.
 

This years fair had an amazing collection of printers making stationary and my pockets were lighter by the end of the day, but really, this was hardly bad, as I met some amazing fellow printmakers, introduced myself to people I was exhibiting with but had never met and got a bag full of lovely little gifts for myself, and maybe a friend or two.

Fugu Fugu press's booth

 

One of the many highlights was seeing and meeting Krank Press. I had spied their cards in the William Sonoma in Santa Barbara and was able to find out what I job like that really looks like. Owner/printmaker Elinor was very generous with describing the reality of this monumental job, the contract and a few tips on where to source a letterpress when I was ready to make the leap and had the space.

Chandler and Price floor letter presses

wooden type for sale

 

Another great inspiration was talking with Monique from Metal Doily Press she had attended the fair the year before and was so inspired she promised herself she would try and be a vendor the following year...she met her goal and in order to not overtax herself in the effort, she shared a table with a friend. Very inspiring and put that little bee in my ear and brain for this years fair.


Backwards and upside down,
I knew this skill from elementary school would come in handy someday!
(Learn, Print, Play)

1850's Proof Press
I have my eye on you my pretty!

 

All in all I was overjoyed once again after leaving, inspired and felt like I had found my tribe.
I might not be making a living yet as a printmaker, but it is for sure in my blood,
as I can not imagine a life without it.

There were too many AWESOME printmakers to mention in this post, so I invite you to check out the list of vendors and check them out one by one.
I was thrilled to meet The Library press, and Pup and Pony press, as well as ....you get the point.

 

How I spent my Thanksgiving

One month ago I tested mildly elevated for a CA125 ovarian cancer marker test.

It was considered an early warning sign for a cancer that is often diagnosed way too late.

Through the tears, I saw this as a gift and a reminder that life always offers surprises.

 

under the power of many mantras and bathed in love

 

On November 16th at 11 am I had surgery to remove the 5cm endometrioma that was causing all the commotion and concern. I knew going into the surgery that I might loose my left ovary to the disease.

I'm allergic to everything...
 

 

two hours after surgery, still a little green but walking per doctors orders
 

my swollen tummy and bruised button two days post surgery

 

My doctor was able to remove the cyst and save my ovary, she also declared that she saw nothing cancerous or cancer suspicious during the surgery. *
I can now report that all pathology came back clear...we got it in time!

 

I have experienced an OVER POURING of love, and kindness from friends and family.

I am beyond words, embarrassed from the fuss...but humbled and so so honored.

I can not thank you enough, really.

 

my oldest friend stayed with us for the first four days
She and hubby made it easier to ride the waves

 

Today marks one week since the surgery.
I have not taken a single pain pill, no need for them as there has been no pain!

I have spent it re-cooping and laying low.

My hubby has mostly convinced me that although it feels like I could sneeze or cough my innards out of my incisions, that is not the case. 

 

I have also spent a good bit of time burping and laughing.

Breaking the streak

Dublin, Ireland 2012

I have not had my morning/afternoon/nighttime cuppa tea in over a week.

It was not a conscience decision, I just kinda stopped cold turkey
when my cold parked itself in my head.

So this last week had felt strange, like I am forgetting something.

Hubby said I have broken my habit, that the first three days off caffine are the hardest.
I haven't had headaches or been itchy...but I have missed it.

Mostly the ritual of drinking a hot yummy cuppa in the morning...like I was telling my insides to wake up or something.

Well, today I am meeting a friend for tea...I am going to have a cup of chai

I feel kind of bad about it, like I am going to dive into a guilty pleasure knowing that I am going to fall into the deep end of the pool and allow myself to float down to the bottom slowly and ever so effortlessly...but I am also so looking forward to it.

Nice to see you!!

So it has been a while...I am really sorry about that...I think I got a little burned out or something. Ideas are bubbling, but my body doesn't seem to want to move. I have been trying to push thru that but it appears it was futile, as I mostly feel like I have been on an exercise bike spinning the wheels...but not really covering any distance. ugh.

What I have done is; I have done a lot of thinking and searching and daydreaming...

This month also marked the completion of a project, a HUGE one that I couldn't talk about since I started it in February. I shot all the paintings in their environments of inspiration and did all the portraits for this book. I am very proud of my work, and feel that it turned out really well. I got to work with an amazing artist, and see paintings in a new way...it actually felt more like I was "feeling them". The work was interesting and I had freedom to shoot it the way I wanted. I have a new friend now too, as well as, another woman artist to look up to and ask for guidance along my journey.

Brea Gallery

LA Printmakers Society show opened this month too, hubby and I made the trip down to see the opening. After realizing that it was four or five freeways and complex changes we added it as an adventure as well as an art opening. The Brea Gallery is AMAZING and big and well managed. The work was incredible and made me feel once again like a little feeder fish in a tank full of fancy tailed goldfish. It was enlightening and humbling and INSPIRING. I saw new mounting techniques, new ideas about surfaces and papers. I also got a little teary, as I saw my work on the wall under the lights and people stopping and smiling at it. In fact, it looked like my Great Grandparents were smiling at me and that made me weepy. 

I had to sneak this pic, as no photos were allowed
my little print is second from the left

~

I had a dream that I needed to enter this piece into this show,

so I was thrilled when it was accepted.

~
There was a live swing style band, and super hip people in super cool clothes, cheap wine and semi-stale cookies for all.

It was magical and I found myself not wanting to leave,

but I was hungry and we had driven 2.5 hours to get there...

eventually, my tummy won and

we went to an incredible Indian restaurant across the street for dinner at 10pm.

Aside from that, as I said I have been daydreaming.

I read a great book that I am sure a lot of others will be reading too

now that there is going to be a movie released next month.

I got to visit with a friend that I see maybe once a year and talk to maybe twice a year.

He stayed in a place I will have to add to my

"when you have tons of extra cash and want to stay in a swanky hotel" list

It was strained and awkward, but I have known him forever. It is obvious to me that we have grown in different ways and now have less in common then we did when we were younger, but it is important that we still see each other. Even if there are many things to say...the simple fact that we can still lay our eyes on one another seems comforting.

I discovered an awesome new hardware store!

I know that is a super geeky thing to say but as a maker of things a find like this is a big deal.

Technically, I didn't find it, I was just simply moved enough to stop in and check it out, it has been down the street all along. It is the classic shop with stuff for everything stacked and organized floor to ceiling! Amazing and fascinating.

I will be shopping there from now on.

I plan on blogging better from now on....it is important to me and it helps sift thru ideas...so be prepared for more rambling and jibberish.

oh and happy almost summer...I will be writing about that too.

the cats have gotten a lot of one on one lounge and play time

Thankful Thursday

We have been on quite a roller coaster, things in life are not always easy.

Sometimes and often for us, when it rains it pours...

and we get hit with several things at once.

I know all will be ok and that

"life is what happens when you are busy making other plans"

or

"make plans and god laughs".

Regardless I have found myself simply thankful in the wake of it all.

So today I mark as my Thankful Thursday:

I am thankful I have a wonderful man that I get to call my husband

I am thankful that I am lucky enough to have wonderful family (FYI:friends are family too)

I am thankful that there is food in the fridge

I am thankful that we are warm and safe in our home

Hang in there wherever and whoever you are

You know what I mean....

Fire breathing dragon, art purchased from the 8 year old Ruby who lives across the street.
A sweet deal at .25cents
Ruby says: "I draw animals really well"
I agree

So I have been juggling many plates these days...work and work and life.

Aren't we all though...

I attended a memorial service this last week, and although no one likes to think about death.

It had me thinking a lot about death, mine, family lost and still here and my hubby.

Frankly, It shook me up pretty good.

I was thankful for a date that night with my sweetie to try

and

reset all my fears back up on a shelf and enjoy the present.

Murphy's law had a good laugh that night, as the concert we went to had a lot of songs about loss, heartbreak and untimely deaths.

I guess I needed to address my fears...or at least acknowledge them.

In light of this "eye-opening" experience, I have started to take vitamins again, had my doctor look at some funny bumps on my leg and am slowly walking away from bread and dairy....

slowly, I mean there is no reason to act suddenly don't need to shock the system or anything.

Gosh I love mint chip ice cream....

We have also begun to actively looked at when we can take a little vacation.

We had a little break this last July joining some friends at a lake, but hubs and I have not taken a good vaca since our "honeymoon" two years after we got married...so that would be 2004!

In the meantime, I have been making new work and submitting it where I can. As I told a friend, my goal is to make my husband a kept man...he has done so much for me it is the least I could do.

He thinks this is a fine idea as well.

I was lucky enough to see my friend Tiger Huang's exhibit at The Ojai Center for Art.

It was an amazing exhibition of traditional Chinese paintings of animals and landscapes mixed with his current loose figure work. Tiger studied traditional calligraphy in China and the central installation piece at the show was an amazing display of this tradition.

the piece started with a large rectangle of paper on the floor that had line after line of character brushwork, on top of this lay practice books splayed open and face down on these papers, surrounding a wooden box that was filled with meticulous lines of characters that were pulled from the box and pulled over the ceiling supports. The size and detail in this piece left me silent, to me it displayed such discipline and focus and love for his art. I was inspired to find a greater focus and purpose.

Still silenced from this work I wandered home slowly and found a lovely meditation spot but a mere couple miles from home.

A reminder to grow and plant ideas and water them.

I am a sucker for a good garden what can I say...

plus there were baby goats!

I have made a few new pieces one was just accepted into a juried show that offers Art Advances, this means I am in a drawing for possibly winning some cold hard cash as well as selling some work!

I submitted three pieces but am thrilled with the one they chose:

"A Sense of Something" 2011

this piece has all my hallmarks:

Phone poles, clouds, my scratch thru with the ink and it is PURPLE!!

Hopefully someone will love it and take it home

Until the next epiphany, I am going to be in the garden grounding my thoughts

 and pulling weeds, it is good for the soil and my soul.

morning flush

I shot out of the house early this morning in order to make the community workday at our garden.

Seeing as water was falling from the sky, lightly...workday was canceled.

I spent an hour and a half alone in the garden weeding our plots and making them look far less wild.

The remainder of the day was spent making new linocut work for my upcoming boutiques and holiday sales before heading out to Fondue with friends.

Currently feeling the effects of cheese, wine and carbohydrates

yummmmmm

Love Is Real

polaroid from our group art show opening night

Cinque from the bell tower of Reim Catherdral

Many years ago I saved up as much money as I could make as a video store clerk and plant maintenance person and ate a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and went away to study art, art history, and poetry in Paris and London. I lived on very little and spent my money on art supplies. I was thrilled!

On this trip of a lifetime I met some amazing people, some of which I am thankful to still be in touch with some I let fade away. On the weekends, my roommate would travel to neighboring countries and have wonderful adventures. 

I on the other hand, chose to wait to do my traveling until after the school session was over, allowing me to extend the trip by several weeks. While the dorm emptied out on the weekends a few of us "super cool kids" stayed behind and worked on our art pieces and wandered the city.

Cinque and Tishaun lived down the hall and also spent their weekends working on art and wandering the city, and exploring. We often called each other for critiques and mostly just let each other know that we were there if we got lonely.

Well both these men have continued to make amazing art...in fact Cinque and Tishaun have both completed a series of films for Philip Bailey:

(Philip Bailey )...he enlisted the young multi-talent Tishaun Dawson  and Cinque Northern to follow him on tour in Europe and film segments in three cities: Venice, Paris and London. The film, "Love Is Real," is viewable on Bailey's website. Starring the model and UC Santa Barbara film studies graduate Sherina Manning as a contemporary Dorothy moving through a fashionable Oz, it's a lovely counterpart to Bailey's new music, which is unexpectedly adventurous. *

* LA Times Music Blog

I encourage you to check out the films for the new Philip Bailey work Love Is Real

Amazingly beautiful Sherina Manning stars in all three, the camera work is breathtaking and the music is divine!

I just felt like tooting a horn for all involved, I am so so happy for them!

Out and about

A futile try at getting Silversun tickets...I should have taken this as a sign

I am totally absorbed with preparations for my upcoming show and haven't really taken a breath of anything other then work. I am pretty stressed and lost at times in the details involved with the upcoming shows.

I have to remember to take care of myself...

So when a friend called on Friday and suggested I break away for a little bit...I jumped at it.

We visited our friend Lynn LeTourneau at her studio in the Bell Arts Factory

She is making wonderful new paintings!

We stopped by VITA art center to see "Pieces"

 by Paul & Leighton Roux

Note green sculpture in the corner is a REAL person and scared me a little.

Ok a lot

We checked out the work on display in the

community gallery at the WAV

No fun night out would be complete without a little craziness!

We ended the night at the CANDY SHOP smelling sweet sugar and buying silly treats.

Saturday was a bike ride to the beach

The ocean marine layer was thick all day and made my newly shorn hair extra crazy curly!

My nephew showing me how to nap like a champ!

So today I am still grinding away, finished another linocut for the September group show and working on some new details for my show in October.

The weeks are passing quickly and time is ticking fast...I am trying to enjoy the ride as I take antiacids and eat a bland diet for 14 days....another example of why you need to take care of yourself.