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I have to run into town today for a dental appointment and to flog my Avian Alphabet show.

O

The Wings Over the Rockies Art Show reception is tonight.

The Farm Chicks Show

OOOh! Pick me. The farm chicks have a contest for a blogger to become their special guest at the Farm Chicks Show in Spokane, WA , June June 5th and 6th this year.

If you can get there, Go, go,go! I haven't had my little mind blown by artistic overload since I discovered Canyon Road in Santa Fe. There were hundreds of stalls with the coolest, antique/vintage/crafty stuff. And this year, I will definitely pack my camera because all the vendors were dressed in their best country chic of farm aprons and cowgirl boots. Also this year, there is a man-cave for all the poor, patient husbands to cool their heels while their significant other goes madly through the antique barns like a hog on ice.

Let me know if you're going and I will look for you there. And be sure to check out their blog.

N

When I am getting ready for a show, I tend to paint and let all other things fall by the wayside. Now I need to consider spring cleaning, planting my garden, getting in shape, expanding my markets...argh a hundred little things when all I really want to do is paint some more.

Siesta

This is my second entry for the Wings over the Rockies show. The theme is "the Web of Life". My take on this is a study of the urban wildlife. I like how a number of animals, notably deer and bighorn sheep, can interact with human habitation. As long as we respect them by not feeding them and allowing them space, we can co-exist peacefully. They bring a richness and beauty to my living in the Columbia Valley. They make me aware of how precious this environment is and that it is my duty to help protect it.

Thank you Winston Churchill!!

During the darkest days of the Second World War - when defeat at the hands of the Nazis looked like a distinct possibility — members of Winston Churchill's cabinet approached him and suggested that perhaps he should order the theatres closed as a way to save money. Without missing a beat, the prime minister replied, then what are we fighting for?

Thanks and congratulations to Brian Brett, BC book award winner who added this comment to his reception speech.

Too bad the B.C. provincial government doesn't feel this way!!

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I think magpie's are such interesting, graphic looking birds.

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I love loons. i love how they look and especially how they sound

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These strange looking little birds can be seen flashing along the river bank.

J is for Jay

I think the Stellar's Jays are quite dapper.

I am Overwhelmed with the information about using social media that I picked up at the Nelson arts summit. If you want to see a powerful short video about it view social media revolution on youtube. It might just blow your mind.

Does anyone else have the problem of merrily typing on their computer and it suddenly flips into french complete with all the accents etc. totally ignoring question and quotation marks!?

My amazing new clodkickers!

I just got back from the art summit in Nelson, BC. Nelson is touting itself as the cultural centre of Canada and rightly so. They have created an amazing turn around in the last few years and are an inspiration to many small Kootenay towns. They have a vibrant, busy downtown and more hippies than you could find in a 70's flashback. The Kootenay school of arts is there too. So thanks to all who made the summit possible. I have much to assimilate and pass on.

I scooped up these terrific boots and found the graffiti as I roamed around the downtown apres summit.

Counting Magpies

I'm quite enjoying the collage process. I have textured molding paste, home made stamps, layers of glazes, strips of text and painted images all layered over a twice painted over canvas. I saw this old counting poem in a book and loved the sound of it. Especially the last line, although, I hate secrets.

I is for in flight

Painting and gardening, and urk, spring cleaning!

H is for hummingbird

I love our little hummers that turn up at our feeders. The males are so fierce! I will be walking past the lilac bushes and hear a buzz right by my ear. Makes me think of "Flit" in "Pocahantas".

Inspired!!

Every day I start out with good intentions. I sit down to the keyboard meaning to just check my blog and the sites of a few artists. And then...I get sucked into the net!!

But, you must check this out.. the guy decorated his basement with a sharpie! Paste the link below to see a little video.

http://www.kentucky.com/2008/09/23/532854/man-decorates-basement-with-10.html

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I'm quite enjoying the collage elements in these. Some have stock market newspaper backgrounds, some have torn colored paper backgrounds and some have stamped backgrounds.

Happy Easter

I love Michelangelo's Pieta. The first time I saw it, it brought tears to my eyes. I cannot understand how an artist could create such a sense of compassion and pathos out of stone!

I must be getting older. I have become impatient with all the easter bunny and santa claus myths. They have their place but I would like to see more emphasis put on the original christian reasons for the seasons. There is great magic there.

I used to take my girls to see a passion play in Kamloops. I loved it because of the story and the fact that the local church people all took part, even one physically handicapped girl who was turned into a princess carried about in a palanquin, and there were animals..donkeys and goats. It was a simple but oh so powerful story brought to life.

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One hour sketch

I'm impatiently waiting. I had my pastel drawings sent to my Montana shipping address. It is generally easier to have things shipped there and then I go down every 2 0r 3 months and pick up a number of items. Having things from the states shipped to Canada takes a long time and there is a charge for clearing customs. Plus, driving to Eureka is a nice trip and they have a great little 50's style diner, the Jax Cafe. Try the squash soup, it's fab!


Technical note: I just signed up for the Arts Map. It's a free service and I was advised of it's existence by Nancy Standlee and Robert Burridge's websites. You might want to check it out.