Author Archives: Old as Dirt & Proud of It!

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About Old as Dirt & Proud of It!

Welcome to Old As Dirt, and Proud of It by Karen Samenow. I named my blog Old As Dirt And Proud of It because that's where I am in life. You may find art or music, or inspiration included because, I'm an artist, a spiritual medium, and I'm always learning more and exploring. I hope you find us interesting. My focus for this blog is to bring a little levity to well seasoned women. Sometimes it actually may help!
Nov17

GOOD MORNING TUESDAY

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Several years ago I decided to take a Body Writing Class with Pamela Underwood.  I had wanted to take this class for several years, and because of my overly abundant body, I never had the nerve.  Finally, the thought hit me…(get over yourself..nobody cares),  if I didn’t take it soon, something else will happen and I’d never get to take it.

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Before I could think about it too much, I signed up and paid my deposit.  Yahoo I did it!

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The workshop was a four-day event at Pamela’s home in Poway.  It took me forever to get there, but once I did,  it was spectacular.  Private with no one around,  the few women in the class were exceptionally nice, and I never felt uncomfortable the entire four days.

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My body print turned out to be strange, but on top of my body stamp, I painted the head of a crow….  What does this mean?  Why did I pick the colors I did?  The size, the configuration?  The class was supposed to give us direction, purpose, a clearer sense of who we are as people, as artists.  I have never been sorry I participated,  I met wonderful women, and most of them were vegetarians, so that suit me just fine.  I didn’t have to eat any of my friends to keep my strength up.  During this four days, in September, in Poway, was hotter than hot!  The inspiration was flowing, and as long as we stayed inside it was fine, but the minute you went outside…you’d  better be going out to jump in the pool or spa.

This project was a lot of work, and when it’s tacked to the wall, it takes up a great deal of the wall space…top to bottom.   I’ve been thinking of dragging it out of its hidie hole, tack it up in my studio, and work on it.

 

Nov12

Thursday Time Out For Art!

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Abstract from OMA class 10-7-2015

Abstract from OMA class 10-7-2015

Since every Mixed Media Artist  likes to incorporate “Mixed Media” into their work.  I’m no different, punching my artwork up with unexpected papers, lines, and anything else that will stay on a canvas.

Chris' Abstract

Chris’ Abstract

Over the weekend my son Chris and myself took an abstract class.  There aren’t many abstract classes, and I’m guessing that the reason for that is that abstract is very intuitive.  How can you teach that?  In a class of maybe fourteen, half were first time painters.  So while they got most of the help, we did our thing, and while that’s ok, we took the class in an effort to grow.  Each time we take classes, something positive happens, and in some way we did learn something, and I don’t think it was a waste at all.  Now I’m on the lookout for something a little more inspiring.

We had a great day taking this class together.  This is something we haven’t done before, and something we may do again.

Thursday Time Out For Art is sponcered by Zebra Designs & Destinations.

Nov12

MIXED MEDIA

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Since every Mixed Media Artist  likes to incorporate “Mixed Media” into their work.  I’m no different, punching my paintings with just about anything I can think of.  It could be metal, threads,  papers, etc.

I’ve been working on deli wrap papers to paint, stamp on, cut up, tear up, and anything else I could think of.  It’s the kind of prep work that numbs your mind, but has to be done.

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It isn’t finished yet, but the inspiration came from a few samples of fabric I found, and a pile of yarn.

Fabric samples

Fabric samples

What to do with the yarn?  Well I was thinking of making the yarn serve as texture…..  I guess I have a problem with adding things to make texture.  I will try it,  but at the moment I couldn’t tell you exactly where to put it, or what painting to use it on.

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Oh so much fun, but so little time!

 

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Nov10

Haircuts all around!

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Saturday was the day!

That’s right I’ve waited several months  knowing that the end of the year was the time the Fountain Grass was cut back, and a lot of other things that overtake your yard if one isn’t careful.  Our gardener works tirelessly to make sure I’m happy, and he does a great job.   I’m happy!

 

IMG_0880The tomato and green pepper plants were pulled and sent to the green barrel.  The weeds were rounded up, and sent to the cities big compost pile at the dump.  All the green waste will get tossed around with other people’s green waste, and it will live happily ever after.   Until of course, it does it’s compost thing, and in the spring the city announces that all residents have free compost…..just haul it away yourself.

Say What?

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We don’t do hauling ourselves, and maybe it’s my paranoid self (usually not paranoid), but I always wonder if someone else has a bush or plant with a disease, won’t that stay in the pile and be sent onto another unsuspecting recipient? None the less, I have never gone to get any city compost.

At least now everything looks all spiffed up, neat, and well maintained……at least for now!

Wow, the drains have been cleared, the yard looks neat and clean, and I have been spending time in my studio.

Life is good!

Nov6

Flipping” Friday

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Plumbers Truck

Plumbers Truck

You Guessed it!

Before we wasted any more time fiddle farting (Technical Term) around with the drains.  We decided to just call a Drain Blaster Pearson.  He was nice enough to explain what he was doing, and nice enough to listen patiently while Les explained in detail what had been done.  God Bless the man!

It took him a while, but eventually, he fixed the problem as best he could.

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Apparently we have a crack in the drain pipe, and sending him into unclog the pipe proved to give us little help.  Since the drain pipe has a crack, he not only pulled out the tiny vines, and dead leaves etc., he started to pull out larger roots.  Live roots that aren’t to be in a drain pipe.  So Yes, the drain cleaner guy did unclog some of the drain.  Since the crack is larger than we first thought, he was willing to bring in a camera for an additional $250., he suggested replacing the drain from Point A to Point B also..

Not Just NO, but Hell No!

That means jack hammering up the concrete, pulling the existing drain, replacing it, and repouring the concrete.  Since we aren’t doing any of that before the holidays, and depending on how well the drain works at all, there is no need for any cameras.  Not here, not now!

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We are stuck with the expensive, noisy, and disruptive task of….You Guessed It..……digging up the concrete and repouring the drain.  You see, my studio is about 10 feet from  the drain, and if it backs up, it could get ugly.   I sure don’t want my studio to flood.  If the puddle gets so large it’s looking at my studio, my new Hickory floors, or our home,  we will be looking at sandbags.

 I’m guessing we need to get some, and be ready just in case!