108 in the shade

Yep, that's what is was earlier this week. Thank the gods it's cooling down. Although they tell us more heat is coming. We should be grateful. This little heat wave is really the first of the year. Usually the entire August is Hot Hot Hot.

Because of these

we can run the air with impunity. AND send power back down the grid. These panels provide electricity for all of the buildings on the ranch for an annual bill that is less than our old monthly bill. If you haven't talked to someone about solar, look into it today.

Been doing some experimenting in the polka dot journal

This was inspired by a wonderful video of belly dancers.



And have made myself a new "painting practice journal" from an altered book.



I don't know who she is, but she sure looks like a sour puss!
I will practice face shading until I get it right!!!


These colors and shapes come from the ranch. The tenacity of life
in the midst of moisture sucking heat amazes me.



Tomorrow my daughter and I bring our art home from the Collage Show. Realizing that the things you imagine happen. And they come almost as a surprise. Wishing you all some lovely surprises.

Polka Dotted Journal, the final episode

So, apparently I do not know how to post date posting. Hmmm.
Here are the rest of the pages I'd intended you to see late in the week.
I like to think that someday in the distant future, someone will look at
this page and wonder what Starbucks Coffee was.



If you have never seen the play of the Lion King
go now. Glad to see it coming around again. The quote
on this page seems a thing I really need to remember.



That gospel story of the hemorrhaging woman
has been stuck in my head since I heard it as a little
kid at Mass. There is something very cosmic and
timeless hidden in there.



The lovely lady standing at this window is on
a postcard made by Vanessa of Fanciful Twist
and sent to me by my daughter who knows I love
that blog.

Thanks for looking through my journal.
Now I'm off to look through yours!

A man once told me, "the most powerful force on
the planet is friendship among women."

More of that chunky journal

now turn the page and...



I love that sardine photo. I think it is an ad
for foil wrapped chocolates.



If you click on this I think it will be large
enough for you to read my confession
regarding my mother and more chocolate.



I have been a writer and journal keeper
for far longer than I have been making art,
and I am amazed at the words I am prompted
to write when I look back on a page I "arted"



Wishing you all "coolness" in
the summer heat.

Vacation

The husband and I had a nice long weekend on Catalina Island with our darling grandson, our son, his wife, and his mother-in-law. Great weather, good food and excellent company. Here are some photos taken from the patio of the condo we rented.












We returned just in time for my youngest daughter and me to get our art hung in the gallery for the Collage Show mentioned a few posts ago. Very intimidating and very exciting for me. This is my first. Her's too, but she is sooooooo cool.

Here is a photo of my work hanging



And here is daughter's. All so lovely.



I have been working in this journal


for awhile now and I don't know what the magic is
but I really like how this one feels. It has gotten all
fat and irregular with things sticking out every where.
The pages are all envelopes most of which I left as pockets.
I have filled those pockets with all of the wonderful
ATC's and misc pieces of art I've collected and received
from others over the past few years. You can see through
the windows a glimpse of the goodies tucked inside. This
one is also an experiment in being more of a glue stick
monkey. More pasted images, more markers and pens,
less actual paint.














I'm going to spread my sharing over the next few days.
I don't want to bore you all at once!

My final thought for today