Blog Archives

Oct2

Things That Creep In The Night!

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Things That Creep In The Night!

Last night as my husband, Les and I were rounding up the cat for the evening,  With flashlight in hand, we were out back calling his name when…….Les caught sight of something with eyes on the fence.  It didn’t look quite like eyes of a cat, they were eyes he’d never seen before!  And, it wasn’t Kramer!  What was it?  Hard to tell since the branches from our big Mela Lucas were hanging down, leaving us looking through the branches, and leaves from the bushes, and trees. From what we could see, it seemed very large!  The creature froze in the beam of the flash light, leaving us wondering if we were seeing things, or was there really something there!  As we moved around the back yard it never changed position, it didn’t even blink, and didn’t look like it was even watching us, but I  know it was!

Logic told us it wasn’t anything we had seen around here before, like a coyote, or even a racoon.  We get rats, and mice now and then, probably more than we realize, but this was much larger than a rat!  For a moment, we thought it might be an owl because it was so still, and had a kind of barn owl look, but it wasn’t wearing a mask, so we ruled that out!  Besides, even though we couldn’t get a clear look at this mysterious creature, I didn’t see anything that looked like feathers.  That was a clue!  Slowly, we inched closer, and closer, while it sat frozen in time.   We shinned the light on it from all angles, while still keeping our distance.  Finally Les  said to me unequivocally, “I don’t like it, not one little bit!”  He didn’t know what it was,  didn’t want to get any closer, and definitely didn’t want to have anything to do with this wild kingdom stuff!  Well actually, I didn’t want to get too close, but it wasn’t attacking, growling, or hissing so it was hard to believe we were in imminent danger.

After much discussion, we decided it had to be a possum.  The funny thing is, he was probably more afraid of us than we were of him, no wonder he was playing possum!

Sep24

The Continuing Saga

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The Continuing Saga

As many of you know, I’ve been working on a weaving with pods I scavenged  from my friend Barbara’s garden.  This has definitely challenged me, since everything I thought I world do, hasn’t worked out quite like planned!  Photos of the project here and there along the way  seem to help just so  I could  see  what it looked  like  from a different perspective,  and how much progress is being made.  When I see a picture of something I’m  working on, it’s like looking at it through someone elses eyes, and many times it becomes much clearer as to what needs to be done.  This has worked favorably  for me in the past, and hopefully it did  again!

Maybe it was the colors chosen, maybe the textiles, maybe even the pesky pods, but it’s been really difficult getting into this project.  It’s a challenge that is much-needed for me  to grow, and I won’t let it go!  What I’ve learned from past projects is this;  it’s usually the colors that aren’t speaking to me!  I’m really a warm color person, and many of my creations are with rusts, yellows, gold, and then I splash some cool color into the project just to give it life, and interest.  This time it’s the opposite, because I’ve used  all cool colors, and they  are having trouble getting their point across.  It’s similar to when the cat sits and Meows at you, and you have no idea what  the “bleep” he could possibly want!

The better part of Saturday was spent playing with textures, colors, yarns, ribbon, foil, and anything else I could think of.  At some point I have to wonder if another artist is needed just to stop the insanity!  After so many layers of really just about everything, finally it started to pull together, and I think, no I know I’m definitely I’m finished!

Have you ever started a project that was a huge challenge, and you almost wished you hadn’t started it?  Did you keep on going!  Or, did you toss in the towel, and decide your time was better spent on something really enjoyable?  There isn’t any right or wrong way to handle this, we each reach our finish lines in our own way!  I personally really dislike it when something I start is getting the better of me, and sometimes, but rarely do I allow it to win!  Those times when I won’t let it go, are the times I sleep less, lay awake more, wake up exhausted, and dig in once again.  This kind of thing could go on for way too long, and it’s every mans guess who will win!

All in all, I did have fun playing with it, but I don’t think I’ll be working  with pods anytime soon!

Sep20

It’s The House Wisperer!

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How could any artist do without help of some kind?  If we had to pick up our own “stuff,” or do all the gardening,  or wash our own cars, it either wouldn’t get done, or we wouldn’t have time to paint, and create!  I’m so grateful to have Ariceli here  to clean our bathroom, kitchen, to scrub floors,  and  chase the herds of dust bunnies that have taken up residence on the slate floor, and under the furniture!  The dust bunnies have become more elusive since we’ve had Daisy,  our dog.  They  duck, and dart in, and out of sight, leaving me wondering if I’m  seeing things!  Well, yes, as a matter of fact, I was seeing things, they are called “Dust Bunnies!”

Sometimes when we are quietly enthralled in a movie, paying absolutely no attention to anything around us, out of the corner of my eye I think I see something roll by.  Subconsciously it doesn’t even register until a couple of minutes later when, it dawns on me, ”  What was that, a heard of mice, or dust bunnies? ”   Rarely, if ever,  in my life have I seen a herd of mice running through the house!  So out of process of elimination, it must be a heard of “Dust Bunnies!”

Ariceli’s job has increased a little since we now have a dog, and a cat!   It was bad enough to have Kramer in the house, he drags toys around, and shreds our books if we don’t put them away.  We now are careful to hide reading material out of sight leaving me to wonder if Kramer is on the take, you know extorting money from Ariceli for getting us to clean up some of our own mess!

Today is the day we get help, and yes we do a little pick up prior to her arriving.  Somehow, the few days before she comes, we get a bit messy, and leave things here and there.  Our home is really small, and this doesn’t help, but still we continue to be messy!

After she has cleaned all the nooks, and crannies, steamed the floors, and herded all the Dust Bunnies, we always walk into the rooms with a huge sigh of satisfaction.   I dread taking time to slow down while Ariceli cleans, but I love the times when we walk into our rooms and can’t see any shredded ropes, squeaky toys, leaves, or other  stuff lying around.  The house is fit for company, but we aren’t having any, so we’ll just sit here and enjoy the quiet, cool, of a clean house just the two of us!  Ariceli is truly a “House Whisperer!”

Sep18

Let’s Talk About That Sharp Left Turn Again!

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Let’s Talk About That Sharp Left Turn Again!

In my post last Thursday, I spoke about how if a project isn’t flowing like I expected, I’d make a Sharp Left Turn, and keep going!     I don’t believe in mistakes, only opportunities to be more creative!     But every once in a while something happens and, the project makes me wonder if it’s worth the effort or the agony…

I’ve worked with these darn pods for over four days now, and after getting more of the green pods, I decided to soak them in water, an attempt to keep them soft! Good idea or not, here’s what happened…..

These “green” pods that caught my eye last week sat in water, and hardened.     Can you believe it?     Instead of getting pruny like I would if I were left in water for a day and a half, they called my bluff, and started to get tough and dried out feeling.     I have been working with them to see if in an attempt to prevent them from getting the better of me, I could do something with them.     I’m determined to win this game!     It just occurred to me I might just as well use green beans, even the tough, old beans are more flexible than the green pods.   I wonder what the green beans would look like dried, or if they would draw ants?     Would they resist being used in an art project, or would they rise to the occasion, and become elegant, royal looking green beans worthy of an art project such as this?

Finally my thought process was;   if I put the pods on a canvas, cover it with burlap, maybe it would give them the message that they were not going to escape being the object of an art weaving, and maybe it would help me see where I need go with this!     The other day, I purchased three colors of burlap thinking, “Organic.” I bought dark brown, light green, and a wheat colored neutral.     All beautiful, but I had thought the green would be perfect, and it turned out there wasn’t enough contrast!     Remember, “It’s the journey!”    I’m now leaning to the dark brown for contrast.     What do you think?

Originally, I thought of just weaving the pods all alone by themselves, but as I worked with them, I’m  realizeding they needed to be beaten into submission if I wanted to use them at all!     Next, I thought of using wool roving and dry felting them so they would stay in place, but after running the needles through my finger, I’m not so sure! Then maybe using other fabrics such as yarn, or gauze?     I’m going back and forth on this, all the time wondering if it’s worth the effort?    Again it occurred to me that, “It’s the journey!”     I’m thinking this only applies if the journey is going well!     You can see why I’m wondering if it’s worth it!

By nature I rarely let things get the better of me, whether it’s figuring out the use of electronics, creating art, or reading a book that isn’t holding my interest.     I usually finish what I start!     Problems simmer in the back of my mind until around three in the morning, when an idea or solution   awakens me, and  won’t allow me to return to sleep!     This hasn’t happened as yet with the pods, I’m trying to conquer them before they conquer me!

Have any of you worked with pods in this way?     I’m finding them not as easy as I thought originally, these are actually kind of a pain!     But I love pods, and  pick them up regularly! Read the rest of this entry →

Sep17

We Are Now Simply, Daisy’s Mom & Dad!

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We Are Now Simply, Daisy’s Mom & Dad!

Previously, I blogged about the beautiful Dichondra lawn we had years ago living in our first home. My husband spent hours trimming, fertilizing, planting, pruning and, anything else the yard required. People would stop me in the grocery store and ask if I was the lady that lived in the “Yellow house on the corner with the beautiful lawn?” I was known some fifty years ago as the “Lady with the fabulous lawn!” Oh goodie, at a time when I’m looking for my own identity, I’m the lady with the lawn!

The other day my husband Les, and I were shopping in Trader Joe’s when a familiar looking lady stopped to ask us, “Aren’t you the parents of Daisy?” “Why yes,” we replied with curious expressions on our faces. “Sheryl” introduced herself as Charlie’s Mom! Charlie is a large Airedale Terrier we often see on our morning walks. Our dogs always greet each other, and act like they would love to just this once, romp and play together.

We rescued Daisy about four months ago from The Barking Lot Rescue in El Cajon. Our list of must haves were lengthy, and they were very patient with us. We had seen a picture of her online, and had previously looked at many other dogs that were either too big, not gentle enough, or didn’t like kids or cats, so we decided to check out just one more dog. Our list included being dog friendly, kid friendly, crate friendly, people friendly, cat friendly, not aggressive, and our list continued. They had many dogs up for adoption, but none were able to check all the boxes, and I was determined not to settle on this!

As we were introduced to our soon to be dog, she was a little ambivalent about us, and we realized how she had not only been abused, but shifted from a shelter to foster home just to get to this point in her life

“Daisy’s friend Charlie”

. We took her on a walk, and she walked perfectly next to my side – good sign! We double checked to make sure she had all the attributes we insisted on, and the girls assured us she was “NOT AGGRESSIVE!” Since she was a Staffordshire Terrier/Pit mix, it was really important she be a good role model, and easy for me to work with! It turns out she is gentile, smart, fun, has a cute personality, and a loving companion. We go to obedience classes every Tuesday, and we have had her camping with us over this summer. Daisy camped like a pro, and I’m pleased to tell you she continues to learn her commands!
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So here we are in Trader Joe’s being asked if we were the parents of Daisy. We have officially lost our own identity! Les no longer is known for being PaPa to our Grandchildren, or his Fabulous Trumpet playing, and I’m no longer known as Karen the artist, or Grandma, Peek-A-Boo, or Nama! We are now simply Daisy’s Mom, and Dad!

Sep12

Inspiration Comes From Everywhere!

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Inspiration Comes From Everywhere!

Good Morning Everyone!  We have another cool morning here in Oceanside, California, and I am loving it!  Inspiration comes more easily for us all when we aren’t surrounded with heavy, humid, hot air!

Yesterday I said I’d do a sketch with charcoal, but I admittedly didn’t do that.  I used Shades of Gray PITT pens.  They come in a Pac of six with three being cool gray, and three being a warm gray.  I love grays, and always have fun with them.  These pens are a great addition to our supplies.  Everything is a great addition to my art supplies!  My motto is, “You never have too many supplies!”   Oh, and  “You never know!”  (Mixed Media artist coming out!)

Each day I put out a challenge however, I’m only giving suggestions.  We are all inspired by different things, at different times, and the thing that triggers me, might not trigger you.  So by all means, do your own thing, don’t be limited by my ideas!  After all, I’m only  trying to keep going and get better at my craft!  Some of you are very precise in your renderings of a subject, some  ” wonky ”   like myself.  There isn’t any right or wrong .  Each of you has your own way and  that’s what makes us all so special!  If I can inspire you to do the same, it’s a double win for all of us!

The sketch I’m putting up for you today is one of a pod I found on a walk with my son Dennis, and grandson Nolan.  Dennis noticed me eying this pod, and on the second pass said to me, “Mom, pick it up, I know you want to!  You keep eying it!”  I didn’t want want my son to witness me grabbing yet another treasure off the ground, but he understands, being a musician, and gathering inspiration from nature, his surroundings, and experiences!

Inspiration is all around for artists, whether they are writers, painters, photographers, or musicians.  We inspire one another with ideas, our creative energy, places we visit, a walk, it’s all good, and it’s all valuable.

For Thursday, I’m going to look for a picture that inspires me to either paint, draw, collage, or in some other way use my creativity.  I invite you to post your pictures of intention on FaceBook or  talk  about them in the comments here on my blog.   I also need your input to give me inspiration to keep going!  Get your intention out there, that will hold your feet to the fire!    So,  look for something that inspires you to sketch, or paint for Friday!