Charm Necklace

I have been at a crossroads artistically wondering what direction I want to pursue. I decided to make this charm necklace using the covers of most of the books and magazines that I have been published in as a reminder to myself of what I have accomplished when it seems I am going nowhere in my art career. The largest charm features the cover of my first book Interactive Art Workshop. A large number of charms are covers of Stampington Publications that my art has appeared in. Time to work on another necklace full of charms!

The Creative Connection Event

The first time my artwork appeared in a publication was the Sept/Oct issue of Somerset Studio 2002. It was a thrill then and continues to be whenever I see my art in a publication while holding the actual magazine in my hands. Stampington and Company has played an integral part in the growth of my artistic career. I had the fortunate opportunity to help out at the Stampington and Company booth at the Creative Connection Event and meet Christen Olivarez who is the Editor-in Chief & Director of Publishing. Kerri Winterstein is the marketing coordinator manager. Both have a great sense of humor which made for a fun time! Stampington and Company is located in California so I didn't know when I would have the opportunity to visit in person. Whereas the Creative Connection Event was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota about a 6 hour drive from my house.

Stampington & Co. booth. Stampington publishes over 30 magazines. It was fun seeing repeat customers as well as new ones discovering Stampington & Company for the first time.

I met my facebook friend Kecia Franzee Deveney for the first time in person. She wears wonderfully arty outfits, her booth was fabulous, and her jewelry is gorgeous! I also met facebook friends Ruth Rae and Cindy Dean but unfortunately didn't take any pictures. I wish that I had taken more pictures as usual!

The closing party complete with cupcakes...yummm!

Because I worked at the booth in the Handmade Market I missed out on a lot of the other fun going on. I did have the opportunity to attend two morning panels which were fabulous! The panels were:
How to Launch a Business
Blogging: How to Make it Matter More
The exchange of ideas and information was phenomenal! I would certainly recommend this event to any creative woman entrepreneur.

9/11

A day that I will never forget. A reminder of how vulnerable our Country actually is. A sign I passed on my way home. I took a couple of pictures to record the moment.

God bless the USA. God bless our world of different faiths!

Today 9/11/2010 was also our granddog Gunther's 12th birthday. Mark and I stopped by to drop off his heart medicine and gave him a treat :)

Assemblage Figures

I am thrilled to announce I have an article featured in the Fall 2010 issue of Art Doll Quarterly. Larry, Helen and Albert are making their debut here. But, to see more of my assemblage figures and article check out the current issue.

LARRY

Larry could not resist the urge to pinch his Mother-in-Law.

HELEN

Helen's heart belonged to the stage.

ALBERT

Whenever Albert's world was turned upside down he was given the opportunity to start over.

ArT PaRtY 2010 & Burning Woman

This Summer I turn 50 years old. I truly have been blessed the passed 50 years and wanted to celebrate by hosting a three day Art Party at my house. Guests could come for the weekend, a couple hours, or just stop by to say hi.

The main theme of the Art Party was simply to provide a group of artists a place to get together and create for FREE.

BURNING WOMAN
Ever since I have heard of the event Burning Man I have been intrigued with the idea of attending the event. The main drawback for me is that it is held in the middle of the desert. I don't tolerate the heat well and no natural water kind of freaks me out.

Since I am turning 50 and all that goes with the next phase of my life I thought Burning Woman would be a fitting metaphor.

Her nose is a bit large but the hat does a good job of downplaying its size :-)

Nice Nails!

My son Casey building Burning Woman.

Mom, I and the finished product.

Mom & Casey. The fence was around to keep the dogs out since anything in their backyard is of extreme interest to them.

My friend Peggy treated myself and attendees to a chair massage.


There was quite a variety of media that was worked on.
Linda busy making cards. I guess that I better turn on the lights.


Brenda was painting and Ali working on a collage.


Peggy creating a display board for her massage business Timeless Touch Massage.


Jeanne prepping tiles for a mosaic.


The finished poster for Timeless Touch Massage.

Jill Shulse working on a project.

Jill Shulse holding Wilma.


Wilma's mother Flossie trying to con Shelly out of some snacks.


Messages were added

The fire was lit

Engulfed in fire

The flames danced
and danced
a work of art ever changing

Oddly the womb and right temple was where the fire concentrated for a long time

fire is so primal
This story is my gift from Dave - the only guy to witness this event ;)

July 31, 2010 8:30pm -Witnessed a tribal ritual of unexplainable proclaimed artists around a wood statue of a woman. This only happens every 50 years. This picture is the only record. The next day it was gone. Story told

What a perfect gift!

Burning Woman lasted for over an hour then toppled at 10:00pm. Reminding me that nothing lasts forever...but doesn't disappear...only changes.

Peggy and others pulled parts in the pit and it burned all night


Still smoldering the next day!

I plan on making more art to burn!

My friends John & Gail had a tandom celebratory Burning Woman in Idaho since they couldn't be here with me - how thoughtful!

New Granddog

I have a new Granddog. Her name is Wilma and she is an English Bulldog. Wilma was the only one in the litter. She must be very special!

I've Been Making Maps

I have been working on projects as a contributing artist for Jill Berry's book Personal Geographies: Mapping Your Stories in Mixed Media. So I haven't been able to show what I have been working on. Here is a little teaser portion of one of my submissions. I have been enjoying working on the projects and have seen some of the art work. Jill's book is going to be fabulous!

New Toys

I picked up the boys some stuffed animals at a rummage sale.

Spanky, Rufus, Ziggy and the new toys 5 minutes later. I hope that your day was as good as theirs ;)