I found this cool snakeskin bag in a thrift store. Now I want to change it up similar to a way cool altered doctor's bag I saw on "A vintage Green Life". Go check it ou t(look under August) here:

http://avintagegreenlife.blogspot.com/

He used antlers in all of his decorating....

The Moose Hut 16x16 $250

This is an older painting. In this area, nearly every garage, toolshed and barn has a set of antlers hung on them. I like to stand on the back deck or by the fire in our firepit and listen for the elk making their lovecalls to their ladies.

Here is a short video of an elk bugling:

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

Shadows

Trying on my tophat.

I met artist Darcy Wanuk yesterday. Her energy has me all fired up to work on my business plan and exploring new marketing ventures. But right now I have to walk the dogs and make some antipasto!

When I'm not painting...

There will be time for painting when it is cold outside. It was hot and sunny yesterday, a perfect time for cleaning and painting a couple of dump projects. I like the bones of this old chair. I had to tear off the original green upholstry (packed with straw, a hornet's nest[defunct] and a thousand carpet tacks!). I had Bruce screw the split leg back together (not a classy job but hopefully functional).

This ugly old brown table is actually a rather clever drop down. It may become an art table. I am priming it then painting it a lighter color.

Hoarder or Collector

I am torn between dragging home all sorts of finds from thrift stores, yard sales and the dump and trying to clear the clutter and simplify the collection. Almost every time I get rid of stuff, I have regrets!! It doesn't help matters that I just discovered some wonderful bohemian blogsites like:

http://frommoontomoon.blogspot.com/

or http://avintagegreenlife.blogspot.com/

I think I may have just discovered that I am a frustrated bohemian!

Embracing the inner hippie

I have started wearing some of the hippie stuff as tunics. I am also happy about the return of legging with tunics. Trying to be cool.

I also love my saints and skulls bracelets.

Grandmother

This is a spry photo of my grandma Martha, who I called grandma but was always referred to as Mom Cox. She had little glass wind chimes that tinkled in the hallways. In her memory, I have tried to put a chime in every tree in my yard and I have quite a few trees (and fortunately my neighbors aren't too close).

My grandma Laurie had some colorful nobby goblets that she would let us grandchildren use because even water tastes better from a "purty" glass.

What is your favorite thing from your grandmother's house?

Fffrrrost and one bad animal

We had a cracking frost this morning. Fall is here!

I have been dutifully covering my tomatoe plants, trimming them, slaughtering slugs, fertilizing them, coaxing a handful of mouthwatering homegrown tomatoes....and discovered my stupid, treacherous hound has been treating my plants like a smorgasbord. Drat!! Somebody could literally wind up in a doghouse this winter!!

Aaarrr...Talk Like a Pirate Day!!!!

Ahoy, matey, September 19th is "Talk Like a Pirate day". I made this painting for my younger duaghter a few years ago, and I still like it.

Go read a "Bloody Jack" novel by L. A. Meyer and get inspired. Avast.

Making a Difference

I found this article on a terrifice site called "cool chicks from history". I would like to think that at least once in my life, I would have this kind of courage to stand up for justice.


http://coolchicksfromhistory.tumblr.com

Fifteen year old Elizabeth Eckford (pictured) should have been part of a group of nine students, but at the last minute the NAACP delayed the integration because they believed the governor was going to bring in the Arkansas National Guard to prevent their enrollment. Elizabeth was the only one would didn’t get the message and showed up for school that day.

Elizabeth arrived to find an angry mob and no organized protection. Grace Lorch (pictured), a 50 something white member of the NAACP, dropped her daughter off at junior high that morning and stopped by the high school to see what was going on. Grace found Elizabeth on her own and escorted her to her mother’s workplace via a city bus.

Think for a second about what it must have been like to have been either of those women. Elizabeth was only 15 years old and a historic event rested on her bravery. One of six children, her mother taught in a segregated school for blind and deaf children while her father worked nights for the railroad. Either of them could have lost their jobs over her enrollment at Central High. Their house could have been firebombed, they could have been killed. All for going to school.

Grace was a serious social justice advocate, both she and her husband had lost jobs over their activism. That day she told the crowd they would be ashamed of themselves in six months and if anyone touched her she would punch them in the nose. Grace wasn’t an armed National Guard, but she was one tough lady.

Beautiful Victoria

I spent nearly a week in beautiful Victoria, BC. Always loved the legislative buildings lit up at night.


I was able to spend lots of time with my daughters. Here they are at the sundial by the breakwater.

My older daughter was caretaking a lovely home that overlooked the Gorge waterway. I spent a lot of time on this fabulous deck.

Close call: I was walking the dogs last night and heard a strange popping sound, rather like a drunk whacking a tree with a hatchet. I am suspecting it may have been a bear popping it's jaws to warn off Fiona (who returned to me with an apple in her mouth). We are darned lucky the beast didn't follow her. You can believe that I will be making a racket when I am out walking (and packing bear spray).

Back to work

Reverie SOLD

I just go back from a terrific visit with the daughters in beautiful Victoria. It was hot and sunny every day, unheard of for there. It clouded over and became cool the morning I flew out, much more the Victoria I lived in!

Twins

SOLD

As usual, the photo doesn't quite do justice to the richness of the background. This was a 24x24 painting. It was based on a photo of the twins who visited our pond. I was happy with its boldness and texture. And I am happy to say, it is sold.

Live and Die like this

I want to become an artist like Margaret Olley (I have about 30 years to work at it). You can read about her here:

http://bytesdaily.blogspot.com/2011/07/margaret-olley.html

I like her self portraits better than the portraits painted of her!

something to look forward to

hthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYg0VgPy6Uk


I am looking forward to this movie!

100 years of fashion

This is an interesting link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7JxfgId3XTs

Channeling Dr. Hook

My sister-in -law tried on my tophat. I thought she looked so cool, I had to take a photo. With a little photoshop zazzing (tha's the technical term) I think she looks terrific.