(Not) Losing my Marbles

Actually, I found all these pretties in the mud at the dump. I wonder who threw them away and why. Does anyone else remember the cracked marble jewelry craze of the '60's? If nothing else, I am going to pour them into a pretty canning jar and admire the colors.

Alpen glow #1

alpen glow #1     16x16 $300

I am busy working on Christmas projects and paintings. I want to be able to enjoy the summer this year and not be madly painting for shows. Well, we'll see how that goes. I can't believe its going to be December! Where did 2011 go?

Going Grey

I wanted to make an outfit with greys and a hat. I do like the line of this denim blazer. Off to join the mix at "not dead yet style visible monday #23".

http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2011/11/visible-monday-23-breaking-rules-willy.html

Canal Flats first art show

The Headwaters Arts Society was very pleased with the response of the showing artists and the attending  public of their first art show (and sale). Thanks to everyone involved for all the help and support. You can view photos here ( just click on the slideshow button):

https://picasaweb.google.com/pkcravens/CFArtShow02?authkey=Gv1sRgCJjshK2Tt4H4dw

Sassy Bird

Clark's crow #2      12x12    $175

Today is the first (I think) Art Show and sale in the village of Canal Flats. I was at the community hall last night setting up and was excited by the buzz from the participants. We are going to have 20 varied artists showing their work. Both Councilors De Lorme showed up, yay! One of our main objectives is to show the area that we are indeed rich in artists and we need a space in the new municipal hall so we can meet and create. I think we are off to an auspicious start. Wish us luck!

Bird-brained

Clark's Crow #1    12x12    $175

Still painting birds. I like the Clark's Crows because they are very graphic in their black, white and grey suits but they make a horrible sound reminscent of the noise the Martians make in "Mars Attack".

When in doubt, take the photo

While I scorn most graffiti, sometimes, someone had actually made something pretty cool. There are way more photos I wish I had taken than not. I think there is a metaphor for life in there somewhere.

Pink Peaks #1

Pink Peaks #1    12x12    $175

This is one of those paintings that doesn't photograph well. For some reason, my photo editor is really funny about picking up all the lovely purples.... Anyhow, I admire the effect when the late sun shines off of the snow peaks creating that lovely rosy look. Alpenglow, they call it.

Winter camo

The dogs that were so conspicuous in the warm green weather are harder to spot now. -18 C this morning. I am having trouble keeping my hands warm when out dog walking. My left hand (the pinkie and ring finger) has scar tissue that is very susceptible to cold weather. It get very cold (almost frozen) even with an acrylic glove stuffed inside my heavy thinsulate gloves. Anyone have any good suggestions to cure this? Short of staying inside!

Another little bird

chickadee2 12x12 $175

Enough chickadees, on to Clark's crows. When in doubt, put a bird on it. See video for details!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XM3vWJmpfo

Bright Stockings

I am totally sold on wearing bright stockings. I just received three pair from "We Love Colors" and am trying them out with different outfits. I rather like brown and violet together.

Please check out the link: http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/ visible monday #21

I may not be tres chic, I'll settle for cute. I am having too much fun with this!

Birds on the brain

Chickadee 1 12x12 $175

There are bright, chippy little chickadees out in the bushes. They make a change from all the crow species we get here.

They also serve who only stand and wait

Grandma Laura

Well, they didn't just stand and wait. They got on with their lives and took care of the homefront.

Grandma Laura had four sons enlisted in WWII. Cloyd Ray did not come home.

My Mom worked in a garment factory making coats. There were a number of occasions she travelled to meet Dad (who was in service). She said there were guys who tried to pick her up on the trains. She would show them her wedding ring. They would show her theirs!

Doris Cravens

My memories of her were that she never travelled without Dad and was afraid to do so. She must have been terrified but brave to travel alone in her younger years. If she decided she was going to do something, she damn well would have done it (a trait that seems to have been passed on to her daughter and grand-daughters!)

But they did wait, with hope and prayers for the best.

Alabaster and Old Bastard

Alabaster and Old Bastard 18x24 acrylic collage

I think I just love the title, which was suggested to me by the male model. He really was quite tan and she was translucent. I spent the day playing with the life drawings, and entering a nude painting art show that I am hoping some of these paintings will be juried into. They sure made me (and bruce) jump through hoops getting the formatting they wanted it (grrr.)

Tie-dye tourist

Inspired by Rice of the "Voodoo Cafe" blog and fellow artist Angelique Gillispie (who always looks cool) I have taken to experimenting with my wardrobe. Because most of it is thrift items, I feel free to chop, stitch and vary as much as I want. This was a ankle length dress that I cut apart and used the bottom to make the sides wider. I love the colors. I may not be tres chic, but I am having fun! Next photo session, I think I will incorporate socks as I am not sold on the flashing white ankles.

Check out visible monday #20 for other women who are becoming visible.
http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/

Pederson Workshop

Last weekend was spent at Centre 64 attending a Jean Pederson workshop. Jean is a mixed media artist.

We explored using many kinds of acrylic mediums, gesso, transparent to opague paint. My main objective was to learn how to make an abstract look wonderful instead of a dog's breakfast. I think Jean has given me some great steps to achieve that. Check her out at:

http://www.jeanpederson.com/

I love her art installation "Farm Fragments". It consists of lots of ephemara pulled from her Uncle's old farmstead and her abstract paintings inspired by the farm. It takes me right back to the rural Illinois I grew up in.

Dia de los muertos altar

I made a little altar in remembrance of both of our parents. I played the old tunes my parents used to love and sent out thoughts of love and thanks.

I love the little battery operated votives. You can have the effect of flickering candle light without setting the place on fire.

Keeping the spooky going

This is gothic and disturbing video from Cocorosie. But I kinda like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiEqWYawpeU

You knew it was coming

After painting all those skulls, I was all practiced up for our own costumes for Halloween night. Bruce is hoping that that hair spray washes out.

The day turned out clear and fairly balmy until just when the treaters started to make their rounds and we had a brief rain/snow squall.

I thought these were pretty good costumes for just using what we had in the house.

We had about 80 trick or treaters. Lots of great costumes and the kids are so polite. We are very fortunate.