And the winner is . . . . BOBBIE!

On May 4th, I posted my 800th blog post and to commemorate the event, I offered up one of my Curious Elements. Last Friday I put the names of those who had left comments into a hat and drew a name. My husband was my witness. When I pulled the winning name from the hat, I held it up high, not peeking at the winner. My husband said, "You know who it is." I told him I didn't, I hadn't looked yet. He repeated, "You know who it is. She wins every contest she enters." I knew immediately that it was my friend Bobbie. She does win every contest she enters. I'm so happy it was Bobbie as she is supportive of everything I do!

But the contest doesn't end there. I have a friend that I met when we both took Jesse Reno's five-day painting class last June. Nina lives in Ontario, Canada and we've become on-line pen pals. Nina wrote the most beautiful comment on my blog so I wanted to 1) share it here, and 2) send Nina a Curious Element for writing the most eloquent comment. Here's Nina's kind and encouraging words:

I came to blog- reading kicking and screaming. Consequently I’m severely selective as to whose blog knocks and enters my mind. Your blog is the adventure I never want to be left out of. “Are you coming?” your blog seems to ask. It’s as though you’ve received an edict from over the clouds, a place where artists are formed, with instructions to stimulate, instruct and fan the flames of creation, so that more art fills the world. And what a generous heart! You share your excellent instructional techniques, take us along on quirky exciting adventures via exquisite, touching, photos and go on to share your art, your thoughts, your comrades-in-art and your family with us. I appreciate how seriously you take your job and thank you for never boring or sending facile information. Your blog is like eating healthy food: it energizes and incites me forward to my own work. You’ve changed the way I feel about blogs!

I've posted Nina's words above my computer for those days that I don't feel like blogging. And here's what I'm sending Nina as a little thank you.

Fun Junk: STILL Fun

Fun Junk is a favorite vintage and junking spot in Olympia, Washington. I don't get there very often, but every time I go, I'm always delighted with the treasures I discover. I only bought a couple of items this time around, but I sure had fun snapping photographs.

Outside the Box II: Escaping the Frame

I was invited by Chris Haberman, a Portland artist, to participate in a group show at The People's Art of Portland. The show is titled Outside the Box: 50 Artists Escape the Frame. I love escaping the frame so I jumped into the fray. We were provided with six boards - five are 8 x 8 (which will sell for $60 each) and one 16 x20 (that we price ourselves). We've had one month to complete our assignment. I was nailing and attaching my final elements just last night and will be delivering my art today. Here's Steph (who is also participating in the show) and I picking up our boards last month.

So many stages of prep! Sanding, painting, plastering, more sanding, staining, waxing, papering, staining, hunting, gathering, sorting, gluing, attaching . . . . .

In the end, I'm pleased with my six pieces: No. 197, Dance, Lost in the Middle, Escape, Timeless Treasure, and Sample.

The show opens Saturday, May 19th, 5-9 pm at Pioneer Place Mall, 700 S.W. 5th Avenue (3rd floor) in downtown Portland, and runs through June 7th.

Mini Palette Painting Workshop

A couple of weeks ago I got to take a two-hour workshop with Cynthia Herron. You may recall that I took a four-week painting class with Cynthia last month and it was divine. I've always admired Cynthia's abstract landscapes and I hungered to learn more about her palette knife painting techniques. This workshop nailed it. She started by having us just watch her paint, all the while she was talking about her process and method.

Then it was our turn! We had about 45 minutes to experiment and practice using the techniques we had just observed. I chose to work from a photo I took on my recent trip to New Orleans of the new levee along the Mississippi River.

A mere 45 minutes later, I had the beginnings of a painting that reminds me of my wonderful trip. Cynthia has given me some suggestions for were to go with this painting, and I'm excited to work on it in my studio.

This is the beautiful setting where all of this took place!

Sweet Little Giveaway to Honor 800 Blog Posts!

In honor of my 800th blog post (800! process that for a minute), I'm giving away one of my Curious Elements. It's pretty simple, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post -- it doesn't have to be anything profound, you don't even have to tell me why you would like to win. In fact, you might just type: I hope it's me. Now if you want to say more, or want to go on and on how much you like my blog, well then I might do some pretty fun mail art when I pick your name and send you this sweet little gift. But not necessary. Okay, ready, set, GO. I'll randomly draw a name on Friday, May 11th, by noon, in case that's important. Thanks for playing.

Oh, and please be sure and leave some sort of contact information in case I don't know you. If you don't want to leave it as part of the comment, e-mail me a message with your comment to: dayna@alleyartstudio.com