I'm a Winner!

I won an artist blog giveaway! The artist? Serena Barton. If you aren't familiar with Serena's work, I say get thee to her website and blog as soon as you can. Serena lives in Portland, is an active, producing artist, maintains a private counseling practice, and teaches art classes, so she is a busy lady.

On May 23, Serena announced she was giving away a copy of L.K. Ludwig's book, True Vision - Authentic Art Journaling. Serena mentioned that if the winner already had that book, then another book would be selected. Well, on June 6th, Serena pulled a name from a hat - it was MY name! Since I already had True Vision, I gave Serena a few ideas of books I didn't have (but would love to own) and told her to surprise me. And surprise me she did. I received in the mail a copy of Lynne Perella's Art Making - Collections and Obsessions. I guess Serena figured out that I am obsessed with collections and art making. Since I don't want to violate any copyright laws, I've included photos of just the front and back covers of the book. But, oh my goodness, you should see what is in between!

Beautiful Miss Karen

Another little Art Buddy flew in the door the other day and I wanted to share her with you. If you've been reading my blog for any time, you already know about my Art Buddies Invitational. If you don't know what I'm talking about and you're a little bit curious, please click right HERE and you'll be taken to the original post. It's been a fun project seeing how all of the invited artists have dolled up their naked wooden forms. This time around I get to introduce you to a long-time friend, Karen. I used to work with Karen at Willamette University (that was many many moons ago), then Karen took my Artist's Way Creative Cluster (that was also many moons ago). Through the Artist's Way and a natural kinship, we've stayed in touch.

When I asked Karen what she named her Art Buddy, here is how she replied:

I didn't name her, but she's me really. Or who I want to be: she has diamonds on the souls of her feet, she's following her heart, in a summer hat. So, yeah, she is who I am working toward being!



Thank you, Karen. You truly are beautiful inside and out.

Preparing a Place

I’ve been doing a lot of painting lately, not on canvas, but on walls, the walls of my new art studio! I wrote about this opportunity back on June 9th in my Pinch Me post. I took possession of the little house last Tuesday and have been madly preparing the space since then. I’ve patched, puttied, and sanded my way around the house, then started painting over the weekend. My dear husband brought in his paint sprayer and was able to cover a lot of territory quickly! I still have the bathroom and all of the inside trim to paint, also the outside trim and doors, but it’s coming together and very soon I’ll be able to show off the little place in before and after photos. For now, though, just before pictures.

Mother's Hair

If you've been reading my blog for very long, you'll know that my good friend Sam (of Lil' Gypsy fame) gifts me occasionally with Bags of Crappola. I was fortunate to receive one of Sam's bags recently, filled to the brim with goodness.







Around the same time that I received my cascade of goodies from Sam, another friend, Peshe, bestowed upon me not only a marvelous doorknob plate, but also the guts from an old CD player. My friends sure know what I like!

Glimpses of Portland II

I continue to snap photos when I'm out and about in downtown Portland and like before in my original Glimpses of Portland post, I offer no commentary or explanation. Enjoy the photos and have fun figuring out what they are and where they were taken!

Birthday Buddy

Today is Destree's birthday! Happy Birthday, Destree.

I asked Destree to participate in my Art Buddy Invitational because Destree is a big part of my art life. She was in the very first Artist's Way Creative Cluster that I offered several years ago, and then more recently she retook it via my online option. Destree and I are in a book group together, she has taken tons of my classes, and we have been in two altered board book round robins together. If ever I had an Art Sister, I think Destree would be that sister.

Destree sent me a photo of her Art Buddy several days ago, but I decided I would wait and post about it today in celebration of Destree's birthday. Destree didn't send a lot of information about her Art Buddy, Mark, so there is a bit of a mystery around his bondage.

This is Mark. I have plans for his execution, but for the time being he is being held captive in my art room. There is no hope for his salvation.

Cargo

Cargo. What a store. In Portland, it is located at 380 N.W. 13th Avenue. My eyes were wide and my mouth open as I roamed through the warehouse of a store. 'Nuff said.