Perfect!

Not been feeling my best for awhile, but I spent the afternoon making a book! Haven't made any kind of journal is a long time and this was just what I needed.

The cover is made from one of those inserts that hold something (can't remember what) in the box during shipping and a beautiful birthday card I got last year. The pages are some of my poems pasted onto old resume paper from my business days. I love when something from that life ends up being art!

Scrounged around the art room and found some fine wire, few pearls, distressing ink, old art papers and there it is.

I have been writing for a very long time but I never thought of myself as someone who would make art of any kind. I am grateful for all of the people who have crossed my path and encouraged me.

Here's what I'm thinking: I talk about my old life and my new life, but I am learning that there is only "the life" and it is never any more or any less than I make it.

A funky day

so my thoughts are going places not usually visited. For whatever reasons, I scrolled back through my photos and came upon these; some of my first attempts at mixed media art.

 I made stencils

I sketched daily

I collaged with my photos

Made tags

Collaged with found images

Combined painting and photos

Altered my photos

And combined my drawing with collage.

I was on fire. I had discovered something that really was just what the doctor had ordered, but I was still working and had to squeeze this in when I could. And guess what I realized? I think I did MORE art when I had LESS time! What's up with that? (a very dangerous questions at times like these).

Not feeling up to par today. Too much introspection disguised as resting.

Here's what I'm thinking: Good thing I have a dinner date with a granddaughter to snap me out of this.

Ahoy! Tall Ships in the harbor

Spent a lovely Sunday afternoon at the Tall Ships Festival. I wish we had seen them under sail in the afternoon. The harbor is visible from our deck so we had hoped to see them from home when they set out for their sunset sail but the marine layer was galloping in. They looked like ghost ships out there and my camera was just not up to the job of capturing this spectacle. By the way, there was no fee to park or enter this festival. If you wanted to tour the ships you needed a ticket, but you could see them up close from the dock. I found this refreshing. The food booths were highway robbery, but there were no restrictions on bringing in your own food. Good news for families, and there were plenty of those there picnicking and having fun.

The photos I did get were not what I was hoping for but given the size of these ships and the crowds of people to work around...well, see for yourself.

It's sort of like Ren Fair meets the ocean. I have some cute photos of some 18 something year olds who were waiting for the shuttle with us. All decked out in pirate and wench wear and willing to pose for me. I do not, however, have their permission so I don't feel right about posting their darling faces.

Here's another good thing about our outing. I walked all over! Fibro be damned! And I am grateful.

Here's what I'm thinking: The world is filled with things to see, do and think about. All you have to do is step out of your door. The world is filled with funny, warm, friendly people. All you have to do is open your heart.

New Friends Indeed!

As I have reported, we are making new friends in our new town. And what friends we have made indeed! After a few outings and dinners we feel very connected to Lee and Dena. They arrived for dinner at our house (yes, I cooked!!!) with the most unforgettable hostess gift ever. Lee walked in toting a large potted plant with a cocooned monarch butterfly hanging from a leaf.

They plant milkweed in their yard to attract a non-migrating costal monarch butterfly. They have enjoyed several seasons of watching the butterflies emerge from their chrysalis to repeat the cycle of life again and again. And they brought an entire plant from their yard so that we could share the miracle on our deck. Dena told us what to look for and offered countless tips on midwifing!

I checked this baby several times a day

The gold spots are incredible. They look like jewels.

                                  Then, one morning, there are the unmistakable wings

                            Next day, white spots, no doubt about what's growing in here

                                 So, after days of faithful watching, I missed it emerging
                                 but here she is, still damp and weak

Wow! She is out of the pot. Flexing wings, waving legs around, doing push ups

                          And there she goes. First flight to the rail, then onto the wild blue

                          my spirit soaring with her. Beautiful. A priceless gift from special

                            people.                

Here's what I'm thinking. A little piece I wrote a few years ago;

The potential of the butterfly

motivates every caterpillar

and the wisdom and patience

of the caterpillar must be honored

by every butterfly.

lm/2011

This creature is growing in my, I use the term loosely, yard.

I love the usual orange Bird of Paradise that grows all over out here. But THIS is something else. These plants are huge, 10' maybe, and the blooms are also very large. The Humming Birds love them, they are sticky with nectar. They look purple in this photo but they look black and white in person. Can't stop looking at them. Who knows what they are?

A gift!

So many things can be a gift and the best ones are the surprises. The other day the Husband brought home the mail from our old box and there was a copy of the Summer edition of Art Journaling Magazine from Stampington & Company. They have so graciously published my work several times in the past 2 years and always send a copy of the issue my work appeared in. But I have not   sent anything in many months. Opened the envelope to find the customary note that says "Congratulations, you've been published". And sure enough, there is a blurb on techniques showing the journal page that they actually used for the cover of a previous issue. I was especially happy because that is one of my favorite images.

I am always thrilled to be included in their publications. They are, in themselves, works of art. An honor to be included among such talented artists. So, get yourself a copy. It is filled with techniques, ideas and eye candy.

Here's what I'm thinking; I need to remember that my intentions, my work and my path are always supported. I am grateful. I just have to pay attention and check the mail more often!