HOT HOT HOT!

Yesterday the temperature was sizzling hot - a whopping 95 degrees up here in our corner of Oregon! Gorgeous and sunny, just right for filling it up to the brim with art adventures! First off, the Crafting Our Voices class at The 100th Monkey studio. We continue to explore our creativity and learn to use art as a tool for problem solving. Last week we looked at co-creativity and shared our experiences on making our first collage the previous week. As I spoke about the Frog Prince dominating the strong yoga woman, classmate Kelly commented that she still looked strong and could spring up and cast of the frog. Perfect! I went with that idea in the second collage, and worked on it during the week. She draws upon her strength from her inner core, and from her connection to Mother earth. Her yoga sisters share their strength and energy as well. Hee hee! Yoga super heroines!
This week the focus was on different modes of thinking and different kinds of intelligence. Which mode would be most helpful in your present situation? I thought about how I'm torn between work life and art life lately. I call this one "Take Flight." (These are details.)I'm happy with these collages - they may not be the most beautiful or resolved pieces of art, but they are serving their purpose for me: I'm exploring the subconscious, working on my issues; I'm getting out there with other people; and I am making art! I love that as I work on it, the process takes over. Even if I'm melting in the studio, I'm in the flow and I can work late into the night because I don't want to stop.

(One more collage from this week - very different! This one is from the Artist's Way meet-up. Scarlet Star Studio was like a sauna on Thursday. Unlike my previous visit there, my energy seemed very self-contained. Maybe it was the small paper and the small images I was being attracted to. I was inspired by one image to do something quilt-like, so I thought of the gorgeous African American quilts that I love so much - geometry somewhat skewed and vibrant with color. At home I've added a bit of paint and am thinking of adding some embroidery stitches on top.)

Back to yesterday: After class I ventured up to the Alberta Art Hop that Gretchin had mentioned at the Thursday meet-up. How is it that I have lived in the Metro area for 8 years and have never heard of the Art Hop until now??? Is Beaverton THAT provincial?! And why am I discovering that everything artsy craftsy around here is happening on the east side? Do I need to move there? Anyhow, the Art Hop is like Saturday Market but way spread out, plus you get to browse the cool neighborhood sightsand shops and galleries on Alberta, like collage. (This morning I perused their DIY Lounge and signed up for even MORE art adventures!) Other highlights were amazing examples of kid's art from Humboldt Elementary - this was done by a kindergartner! A funky parade with people who are way too good at boogieing on stilts, the fire department keeping things cool, and, of course, the art! I went on a little spree until I ran out of checks. Maybe not so great for the bank account, but oh so good for the soul. I remember all too well my booth days. These artists were so gracious and friendly, it felt really good to support them in my small, small way.

This coaster tile is by artist Julia Skerry. I may need to buy more because they fit perfectly on that little sliver of wall in my entry and would be quite lovely all in a row there.

These are by Rachel Ann Austin. They're reproductions in the form of a notecard and a pocket mirror. You have to see her original paintings - they're gorgeous, layered and collaged pieces - really fine work! This cute little house is by April Biracree, who also makes chic water and food bowls for your dogs and kitties.

This pocket muse is by Alisa Timmerman, aka Zeldaloo. The doll is perfect for me. We've got the muse thing going, then there's Zeldaloo and Linda Loo, and then the doll's button says "Begin," and her quote says, "Dare to Be Yourself," which is what I've been up to lately.

I also want to mention Lee Meredith, whose set of photos I wanted to buy but I had run out of checks! She's a mega multi-talented artist and craftsperson. Her photography is amazing - she's got a great eye for imagery and composition. Her yarns are beautiful, too! You can see her work here.

After the Art Hop I crossed the world back to the Hillsboro Public Library to grab some more art inspiration and music to boogie to, then back to work in the studio to finish the take flight collage. A great art day! And now time to get busy on this one!

Playing catch-up: Mother's Day

We had a fabulous Mother's Day/Spring Fling birthday celebration on Mother's Day, which turned out to be lovely (as in, not raining like they had predicted) weather! Willow made me her world famous cinnamon pancakes for breakfast - yum! Just the right fuel to get me going on all those last minute preparations to make sure the house was clean enough (nothing like throwing throw a party once a year to get me to do my spring cleaning!), and finishing all the food preparations.

My lovely Willow Bean

Speaking of which, I made recipes from the Chevy's Fresh Mex Cookbook that Em had given me for Christmas. I decided to make the Chipotle Chicken because I'd already made it a couple of times for the girls and they love it. I also wanted to make the Ahi Tuna Salad so that I'd have something to eat. It looked good, but then I saw that this one recipe requires making 5 or 6 other recipes! So I started chopping and mixing and making the sauces and salsas on Friday night, continued almost all day Saturday, and threw it all together on Sunday. When it was finally ready I thought that I would NEVER make that again! But OH MY GOD! The melding of flavors is so insanely good that I can't wait to make it again!

Mmm, mmm, good! Ahi Tuna Salad, Chevy's style!

Along with mom's day we also celebrated the b-days of Steve, Summer, Aaron, yours truly, and this year we invited cousin Willis who is presently attending U of O. (If you're reading this, Auntie Pam, we really like Willis! Can we keep him?) Stacy made the luscious b-day cakes, the kids played games and even got to run outside with the soccer ball. It was a tad chilly, but not raining!

Emily and the kids playing Sorry!

My rhododendron cooperated this year and bloomed at exactly the right time. It is the most specatcular rhodie in the neighborhood - s'cuse me for bragging, but it is. Another neighbor has the most specatacular tulip bed, and another the most beautiful irises, but I win the rhodie prize. First of all, it's gigantic; second, look at all those blooms this year! It's such a pleasure to be able to see it from the main road, and then walking up to the entrance, it takes your breath away. Yee ha! I love it - just wish it would last forever... *Sigh*

Most insanely beautiful rhodie

The other flowers are looking swell, too. One of life's pleasures!

Joy Springing

May 7 - My first time to the Artist's Way meetup exceeded all expectations. From the moment I arrived at Scarlet Star Studios I felt so welcome, both by our leader Gretchin and by the other artists there. Driving home I felt exhilirated as I relived the experience in my mind, thinking that for me, it was pure heaven.

We started with introductions and intentions, then Gretchin led us through some guided meditation that was both relaxing and energizing. As she asked us to think of our bodies as a river, I thought of the North Fork of the Willamette springing out of Westfir, the happy memories I had of that place with my daughters laughing as we splashed and the water bubbled over rocks, sunlight chasing the rapids and twirling in the eddies. Next our guide asked us to think of ourselves as waterfalls, and I became Salt Creek Falls, powerfully leaping over the edge in a glistening spray, cool and refreshing, strong and electric. Even as I lay in a meditative pose I could feel the energy coursing through my muscles.

We participants quickly traced each other onto large sheets of paper, and then it was time to paint. I moved my hand with the quickness and vitality of that waterfall, so present in the moment, delighting in the motion and even the sound of the brush as I swept on the paints. Warm energy radiating from my heart chakra outward in a rainbow - lines couldn't contain the joy that I felt. The time limitations encouraged me to move quickly - perfect on this occasion as the paint became a dance partner. We twirled and spun and splattered, smiling all the while.

When time was up we shared with one another, and it was so good to hear about the feelings we all experienced and to see everyone's mode, from light and playful to warm and sensuous, and serene and tranquil. Everyone had such good energy, it felt wonderful to be surrounded by all these beautiful expressions of life.

It was truly amazing, and I look forward to future meetups.

What goes on in your head?

Yesterday's class at The 100th Monkey, Crafting Our Voices, met two goals: I had hoped to meet some interesting local artsy women and I think I did, and I had wanted to submerge myself in the subconscious to see what would come up. That certainly did happen. These are details from the collage I made. I'm fascinated by how the image evolved, how playing with the position of the pieces totally changed my earliest notions of each individual part. When I first saw her, the woman in the yoga position spoke to me of strength, flexibility, comfort and relaxation (it's one of my favorite resting poses). The frog made me think of nature and a healthy environment. And then look at what I did to them! The subconscious took over as I noticed the woman fit perfectly into the frog's clutch, and then he became the Frog Prince, dominating the strong, healthy woman. Hmmm...

These are details from the other half of the collage. I haven't analyzed it, but I think it's funny.

(I'm really loving these different cropped views, how it changes my perception of the collage.)

Next day, today, a day of relaxing hard labor, digging in the garden, relishing the SUN!!! I added some campanulas and a different kind of columbine - I can't find the tag! the blooms are more upright and spiky and a luscious deep plum color. I also found a bleeding heart! (I've been wanting one for two years.) I have to admit, I am shamelessly infatuated with my own flowers and like a new parent I am constantly photographing them. I think these tulips look like sweethearts. Sigh. Oh for the days of hugs and kisses, even if they were with a toadie...

Apron alert!

So it turns out this apron fetish thing is a trend. Dang! I hate getting excited about something and then finding out it's not just me. I mean, Yay! I'm not alone! Really. And for anyone else out there that may be thinking that aprons are just about the cutest things out there, you must see Tie One On, and then have fun perusing her links! (I wish I had known about this back in February, then my apron could have been part of her polka dot swap!)

Thank you, Paula!

I had fun making a thank you card for Paula a couple of weeks ago, including one of the Frida charms she wanted.

As you can see, I'm getting to practice the wire coiling skills I learned. Woo hoo!