Friday, June 29, 2012

And the Beat Goes On....

double click to enlarge
Can you believe it's almost the 4th of July? Hope it's been a great summer for you so far.  If you're looking for fun things to do, there's the County Fair coming up and also Art Works Downtown just opened "Still Lifes" - a new exhibit in their main, street level gallery.  It runs through Aug 3 (closed Mondays). Reception is Fri. July 13, 5-8 p.m.  Free admission. Maybe I'll see you there.  http://www.artworksdowntown.org/1337-gallery-current-exhibit/blog

I'm just getting back into the studio - I spent much of last week cleaning it up; now I wont' trip when i walk in, lol.  Hope to have some new work to post in the next week or so.  (Students, are you painting?!)

Saturday, June 23, 2012

The Party's Over

 Remember me writing about the festival a couple weeks ago?  I would have posted soon but beginning early Monday after the art weekend,  we had the grandkids here for five days - for Camp Pleasant Lane.  Had a blast but put off computer time until now.

In case you forgot, the festival weekend was HOT! 102 degrees-but-who's-counting hot.  Needless to say it really had an impact on festival attendance,  a let-down for sure.   Saturday was the worst; Sunday a bit better but Father's Day, so it was pretty quiet.  Years ago when I participated (before the housing and

financial downturn) large crowds were waiting when the gates opened at 10:00 a.m. each day.  This weekend they pretty much trickled through.  At one point on Saturday, about 4:00, the only people milling around were some of the artists -on their way to buy a chilled rink.
HOWEVER - there were some fun highlights to the event, which centered meeting with friends (old and new), family and my supportive students who came by ~ thank you, gals and guys.  Enjoyed some good music and yummy food.


Here are a few photos: a) first 3 -set up (thanks to my biggest fan and helper,  hubby Phil);  b) Stilt Walkers - always colorful; and c) a quiet moment in the heat with my pal Patricia (encaustic artist - good thing she didn't show - the wax might have melted!)


Thursday, June 14, 2012

Comfy....Countdown




These pillows are calling to me; a little power nap sounds so tempting. By tomorrow (Friday) this time (5:25 p.m.) 200 intrepid sculptors, jewelers and painters (me too) will be putting the final touches on our booths in anticipation of this weekend's festival.  Not unlike Christmas, you always say you'll start earlier and be chillin' by the fire (deck) happily waiting for the festivities to begin.  And, just like Christmas, here I am, shopping for last minute items and brushing wet paint on my sign, with several to-do entries still not crossed off my list... knowing that, in no time at all, it'll be Saturday, the gates will open and I'll just have to say "OK it's time - ready or not!" 

Having a deadline is a good thing.  I've painted more in the last six months than I did all the year prior.  After being ill much of 2011, painting was a major draw to get me back in the swing of things again- like a good good friend, always there for me.  I wish, for each of you, something your passionate about to make life a little richer.



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

San Rafael Ridge

        oil                San Rafael Ridge       click image to enlarge

Don't faint - a landscape.  Not often do I do these but after this festival weekend I think I'll work on a few; I've got some shots on trips we've taken over the years.  I usually prefer something with a building or person in it.  The sky in the original is not this yellow but I can't seem to photo-shop it to make it a softer, grayer sky.  Painted it last year and set it aside; finally framed it.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Tumbling Poppies

   6x6 acrylic                  Tumbling Poppies               click to enlarge
When she was a toddler, granddaughter Elena asked "Nona, what is your favorite color?"  "White" I said.  Definitely NOT acceptable!  "NO Nona, I mean a real color! Pick again".   Well then, I guess white is my favorite non-color ;-) 

In the original, the blues are a bit more red/gray then I see on my laptop screen. I recently saw one of my pictures on another computer - totally different. Who knows what you're seeing......?  ahhh..technology.



Saturday, June 9, 2012

Marin Art Festival ~ June 16 & 17

 Booth 62E     



After what seems like prepping forever, the festival is just days away.  I participated in this event several years ago and am really looking forward to being a part of it again.   I'll be in booth 62E -so if you can, come by and say hi.  I have some free passes; just let me know if you would like  a couple.
If you have questions about this big party, let me know.  
Here's the link with details and more photos
http://www.marinartfestival.com/index.html


White Nasturtiums

9x12 acrylic               WHITE NASTURTIUMS          click to enlarge

White nasturtiums? Not really, but why not?  I have been working on whites recently.  White is wonderful for reflecting all different colors - yet "reads' as white yet more complex. White out of a tube?  Not so nice. Tweaked colors, abstracted details  - must be what they mean by 'artistic license'...