Catch up and Something Completely Different

Remember when I said a client and friend passed away a couple months ago? Well, she was a beader and she left me all her beads and findings, at first I was going to give them away, but then I thought since my art sales are not exactly good right now, I might try my hand at beading. I did it in my 20's, so I am a bit rusty, but like riding a bike it comes back to you. These are my first efforts and I am sure I will get much more creative as I go, it is great fun and very addictive. I will be putting them in my ETSY shop this week, but if you would like anything here let me know, I take paypal or a check. I am not sure of what I have, some brass, glass and plastic beads for sure. Prices are 25 for the top two and 20 for the bottom two pairs, I can't get a great photo of the necklace, but here I have a close up in the last photo. I will be beading all November and will be sharing with you my efforts.
I have been busy, one of my best friends from the bay area came for a long overdo visit, M is pictured here, we ate out a lot and my favorites were the Love Apple (the photo of the steeple) and The Old Martina's Hall, (the bar pictured above), out of this world great food. We took a trip to Santa Fe and these photos are of buildings and things we saw around Canyon Road. We had so much fun and now I miss her more than ever. She brought me the best gift, a juicer! I have been making yummy juice all week. I love you dear one.
The last photo is of our first snow last week.
That is about it for me. Let me know what you think of the jewelery! XOXO

New Work

I finally finished my large 40"x 40" collage. It saved my sanity this Summer. So much bad news and more coming, but this painting brought me so much joy and I think it is my best work to date. I included many close ups because as anyone who has seen my work in person will tell you the photos don't do them justice. This piece was too big for my light box, so I had to rely on natural light outside for the best shot. This is titled, "Hydra, Ode to Leonard Cohen" , mixed media, venetian plaster, oil, rust stained paper, thread, micro pen, graphite, cold wax on board.
In other news the show came and went, I was not able to take photos, sorry, they did not allow cameras inside. There were very few sold paintings and I did not sell my ravens. They are going to my ETSY shop for now if anyone is interested.
I always love to know your thoughts.
XOXO

My Hikes with Bella

 This is where I hike with my dog Bella, we go here two or three times a week, I took these photos about a month ago, the blooms are no longer on the cactus and we are in Fall here, which if I had to choose is my favorite season. I am doing much better, thank you for all your virtual hugs and love, I appreciate it so much.

Happy Autumn. XOXO

Hope Or Acceptance

I am sorry I have been away so long, Much heartache and sadness has been going on as well as working on getting my paintings in a gallery, which has been disappointing and heartbreaking on its own not to mention time consuming. I have had two friends pass away who I loved very much, one was expected, one was not. Also two other friends in bad shape. It has been a very hard Summer. The only thing that really keeps me sane is my art. I have nothing to show as I am working on a big 40" x 40". My work is labor intensive, so it won't be done for a while. I don't have much positive to share, but I wanted to check in and tell you I am still here, with a broken heart, but it is still beating. XOXO “It’s funny how artistic we become when our hearts are broken.” —  Hotel Books, I Always Thought I Would Be Okay

My Ravens are in!

The jury picked both my entries for the Taos Selects Fall Arts Show. I am also invited to bring a miniature of my choosing, the jurors pick from hundreds of entries, so I feel gratitude to be picked . The show will be held September 27Th- Oct 6Th. I will give a full report, but they don't allow cameras inside so I won't be able to show you anything. I am hoping to sell these pieces! Yay!
That's all for now. Happy Labor Day! XOXO

Hydra #2

This is "Hydra, Ode to Leonard Cohen #2" , 12" x12" Venetian plaster, rust stained paper, ink, oil and acrylic paint, cold wax on board. See post below for my inspiration.
If you click on the image and then click again you get all the details, it is worth the small effort.
You know I love to hear your thoughts.
I am now working on a big 40"x 40" piece to go with this series and won't be posting much art for a while.
I will be tumbling this for those that want to tumble :-).
XOXO

New Painting/Collage

I am back to abstraction where I feel more myself. I have to say it is much harder than the collages where I have a raven as the center, because I have a place to start with the image of the raven, with the abstract I have to pull it out of thin air. This piece is called "Hydra, ode to Leonard Cohen" I love him and I am reading a book about his life called "I'm Your Man", it is a wonderful book and at one time Leonard bought a little house on Hydra a Greek island, this collage reminds me of his descriptions of sitting on the beach watching the sun come down. This collage is 12"x 12" , venetian plaster, oil, acrylic, rust stained paper, India ink, pen, graphite and cold wax on board.
I always love to hear your thoughts.
I included many detail shots, but if you click on the image then click again you will see the real deal.
This piece is tumbled.
XOXO