Hang On a Second . . .

An overheard comment becomes a journal page . . .

A Memory of Something Lost . . .

Shelby dropped off Kelly's book this afternoon for the final round of the Altered Board Book swap I'm currently in. I immediately pounced on the pages because my time in the upcoming two weeks is very limited for working on art.

Here is Kelly's simple and beautiful cover: A Brave New Beauty.


A glimpse inside Kelly's book at a bit of detail from each page.





Anatomy of my layout, or how I spent my afternoon . . .







A close-up of my pages.




In less than two weeks, my own book will be returned to me. I can't wait! Thanks, Destree, for hosting this inspiring swap.

Circus Puppet Theater: Curiosities in Wood

My friend Stephanie Brockway has an amazing show opening on Thursday night, April 28th, 6-9 pm at Guardino Gallery, Circus Puppet Theater: Curiosities in Wood. The gallery is located at 2939 N.E. Alberta Street in Portland and Steph's show runs through May 22nd.

Here's the description from Guardino Gallery's website describing the show:

Stephanie Brockway will be taking over the Feature Area & Window Area with her “Circus Puppet Theater” creations.

The show is an evolution of many things. Starting with a single carved clown puppet, Stephanie decided she needed a whole circus troupe, and went from there. She continued on the playful theme with an interactive puppet theater and puppets with movable parts. A love of vintage, 'I use mainly old wood for the carvings, it seems to vibrate with a past life it speaks to me. If I listen carefully, it tells me what it wants to become.'

Knives and chisels cut away to revel the faces or forms. She strives for cohesive pieces, finding just the right salvage material to combine with the hand carved pieces. For a look she calls 'Urban Folk Art,' less traditional blends with a modern twist. 'Wood is subtractive and not very forgiving, therein lays the challenge that intrigues me. It is a tactile balance to my first love: painting,' says Stephanie.

She has created a big interactive puppet theater built from salvaged wood that the public is invited to play with. In the painted backdrop will be puppets, all carved and costumed. The Window Gallery will feature a 58” tall hanging acrobat.

And one little photo to tempt you even more. Introducing Saltini!

Never Lose a Holy Curiosity

My visual journaling group, the Orange Dream Monkeys, met last week and confronted the theme Heavenly Lime Green Pants. I don't always use the suggested theme, but I just couldn't resist this time around. And although I didn't finish my two-page spread, I sure had fun playing with the color and the theme.





I might not have finished my lime green pants page, but I did manage to finish two pages I had started earlier in the studio: Never Lose a Holy Curiosity.




Some of the Monkeys at play and a sampling of their pages (all except for Destree, she's quick to pack up her stuff!).


Destree's stuff . . .


Theresa . . .


Candace . . .


Bobbie . . .


Tory . . .



May's theme? Cinnamon Dog Letting Go. Okay, I may have to pass on using these prompts . . .

Inspiration: An Art Date With SAG

My friend Tory and I have long had the dream of getting together a group of women artists in Salem to go on art outings, encourage and support each other, and on occasion host art workshops. We started to put feet to our idea a month ago when we invited a few women for coffee to discuss our idea. They were all for it and suggested a couple of other women to join us. We pictured our group having eight members (small enough to go on sketching outings and to get together for art-making in one of our studios), have the ability to meet during the day, and be of a certain age (which will go unnamed). We haven't quite settled on a name, but we're referring to ourselves at this point as the Salem Art Group, or SAG for short, although one of our members has been referring to us as 8A, meaning 8 Artists.

Our first outing was last Wednesday and it was the unanimous decision to visit the Mount Angel Abbey. We met at my studio, where Jami brought us each a gift (with a special gift for the studio). Two of our eight couldn't make it, but the six that did: Jami, Kathy, Tory, Susan, Linda, and me. (If you want to read about our day from Tory's perspective, click here).



After arriving at the Abbey, Jami read a little something to get us in the mood for our day of exploration and inspiration.


Out and around the Abbey grounds.










Group photo at the Abbey coffee shop.


We were all excited to visit the Museum of Russian Old Orthodox History and Culture Center.







The highlight of of our day was a visit to the Rare Book Room in the Abbey's Library. Our guide was Brother Syril and he patiently shared the treasures of the climate controlled room as we took photos, touched the leather-bound books, and just overall oohhed and aahhed at all the beautiful, ancient books.

















We already have plans for our May outing.