Dreaming outside of grapes

My good friend is dragging me away from grape vine trimming and off to SAM - Ancestral Modern: Australian Aboriginal Art.

Found on my desk today

This little seedpod was just laying on my desk today, under a bunch of papers.

 

 

Mental notes

The sun is moving in and out from behind the clouds today. It was cold this morning, now warming up. The neighbors are enjoying their swimming pool with all of their grand kids ... lots of laughing and squealing. 

Making a mental list of things I need to do while we still have some good weather. 

Trying to get caught up with my work from being gone. 

 

Been finishing up some work for Robin's book. Ran across these photos from the first road trip. I can't imagine what was going through Pebble's little head. I couldn't hold her or let her out of the carrier much since I was driving ... Poor little thing. She has really blossomed and feeling a part of the family now. 

Sky Kim

Sky Kim, Oneness. Love. 

Smokey

This is Smokey. Bri's 38-pound purring pet. He is a sweetheart. 

This is for Ruth: Smokey napping ... (on my clothes) 

 Kim napping with her zoo

Olga Ziemska

I love this artist statement! And work of Olga Ziemska.

 Art as a tool for understanding life. 

Helping us to discover how our minds create all these visions of reality. 

Art allows us to question values, morals, philosophies, religions, science, physics, and our selves. Giving us the tools to help understand and see further into the nature of the world- that is above, below and in-between. 

We utilize science to explain our physical world, but art can be utilized to explain our soul. 

Reweaving the fabric of reality. Probing the inner pieces of atoms to see into the interior of stars. Answering the questioning mind quietly -- carefully. 

Exploring all the mirrored paths of consciousness with extended hands. 

Opening the doorway to the infinite. 

Being still to listen. 

These are all the progressions, the steps in comprehending our place in this ever-changing space. Taking many pieces to create a simpler form through thought and action. 

Gazing through an open doorway, looking beyond the lifeless forms that our lives have become -- looking beyond, into the very face of god. 

“Is that you?” they ask themselves. 

Ah, so we were all right in the end. 

Still being still to listen. 

Returning meaning back to nature. 

Making the human body a part of the whole, not the whole part. 

Blending the body in. Showing how easily it can mesh, morph and disappear. 

The body is nothing without that which surrounds it. 

This is an ever-changing reflection. 

Olga Ziemska 

Artist Statement 

May 2011

Listen ...  - 2003

Locally reclaimed birch logs, plaster hand casts
9' x 6" x 16'

Accumulate vision, Build bridges, Breathe exhibition at the Centre of Polish Sculpture in Oronsko, Poland
The piece was located on the grounds of the Centre's Sculpture Park just outside the Chapel Gallery.

Octavio - 2007

Crystallized handmade chenille stem letters, monofilament

Visual depiction of the poem Sight and Touch (for Balthus) by Octavio Paz.

Mirror Matter
MOCA Cleveland, Ohio
Wendy L. Moore Emerging Artist Series

Home Sweet Home

Washing my hair and a real shower ... felt so fabulous. Brushing my teeth with running water and peeing in a real toilet that I know we don't have to dump later at the RV park ... all wonderful! Wanted to sleep all day but woke up very early, drank coffee and caught up on a few of my favorite shows, Grimm and Political Animals (I sure hope Political Animals stays around). I guess we did not get a LONGMIRE while I was gone. The piece on Lehman Brothers on 60 minutes made my blood boil. Greed and corruption ... it was good not to watch the news for a couple of days. 

My step mother passed away while I was on the road. I finally had a chance to really talk to my family back in Texas and have a good cry last night. It is had to grieve around folks you do not know. 

Hugged my 21-year-old son ... his birthday was yesterday! Having a belated party. I have to best son. Feel so blessed!

The dogs seem very happy to have me back, as do my husband and mom. ;) It is good to be home. 

Making our way home

This has been an interesting trip this week. Mainly because I am sleeping in a Rialta Van at night. In different places, on weird streets. Places unknown. Parking was definitely a problem in Beverly Hills because we did not have a "parking pass".

When explaining why I don't mind staying in the van in dark alleys, in places unknown ... I had to think for a minute. 

1. I committed myself to stay in the van with the photography equipment. 

2. I was a working mom for 20 years. Mom first, lots of hard work there. Between the two, the last 20 years have been pretty tame for me. Work, baseball games, soccer practice, jazz band, school auctions. This takes me out of my safe zone and puts me into the adventure mentality. Which has been a long time for me. I don't relish sleeping in a van in an unknown alley. But I want to see if I still have the courage in me to do it. Have lots of funny stories to share about "dry-camping", rats, emptying black/gray water, Beverly Hills police calling me out of the van at 6am. (STEP OUT OF THE VAN.)

We are close to home now. Tonight, I am parked outside a hotel. I have plugged in to their outdoor outlet, which means I have ELECTRICITY. I have wi-fi from the hotel. I can check my email and even watch Netflix if I want. Drinking my HOT wine, under the stars. 

Still picking up odd weeds and such. Have not had much time to take pictures as I am the "driver". I really love the Shasta Mountain area. Soooooo very beautiful. Good night, from Roseburg, Oregon. From the parking lot ... with free wi-fi from the hotel. PS ... have been using my phone "hot spot" all week and have to say, I LOVE it while on the road.

Dog Shaming

I laughed at every entry! So hard, I have tears streaming down my face. Now I now where I can post my dogs bad behavior. Thank you for sharing Scott!

United by ants

This is soooo cool. Japanese artist Yukinori Yanagi uses a pretty unique technique in his work. Via Beautiful Decay. 

What makes something beautiful?

Thumbing through this wonderful book "ever wonder" by Compendium. 

Several questions there I love ...  

What makes something beautiful?  

When was the last time you did something for the first time?  

Did you let yesterday use up too much of today?  

How far would you go to chase what you really want?

There is beauty and interest in each little thing!

 

 

The little things keep me happy

Sitting in the parking lot of Roseburg Tire (such a great shop) ... plugged in to their outlet outside, and using their wi-fi, waiting for tires. Trying to learn how to use this keypad thingie (not my mouse) ... oh, so frustrating. Drinking my coffee, in the shade! Perfect.

And at my feet ... the dainty, lovely grass starring up at me through the asphalt. 

 

And this is the art is see ... and will make:

What a day

I faced one of my biggest fears yesterday. Having a big blowout on the highway going 60+. I feel very lucky that nothing terrible happened. And proud of myself that I did not panic and did all the things that I had learned in all of those "defensive driving" classes that I have taken my entire life. 

 We spent all day looking for replacement tires. And a place to park the RV. It is very hot today and I am not coping well with that at all! 

But I love these Queen Anne's Lace going to seed. I had the time today to look a an entire batch and the way they bloom and go to seed. Fascinating, as always! It has been a long, hot day. In the RV and it must 80+ in here right now. I have been listening to itunes library of songs my wonderful husband put together for me ... and it makes it all cooler ;) Good night from some random parking lot in Roseburg, Oregon ... see u tomorrow. ;)

 

In Awe of Beauty

All we have to do is look for beauty, and she is there all around us at any given moment. Good to remember via DailyOm. The backyard smells like a perfume this misty morning, must be the honeysuckle.

Life is getting away from me in the small details. The never-ending problem of too much to do, too little time. I still have several paintings swirling in my head that I want to get on canvas. Getting ready to go on the road for a couple of days with Robin.

Finally had a chance to stop by Art Spot. We are so lucky to have a creative place like this in Edmonds! Thank you Denise and Tracy. 

Rick and I are almost finished the Cheesemonger's Table site. 

Have a wonderful day! xoxox

 

The traveler

I wonder what Pebbles was thinking during the trip to her new home. (Maybe ... who are these crazy women who have kidnapped me!) Just found these photos of her traveling that Robin shot! I would let her ride the cart and she really loved that.

Wilted

I feel like this some days.

Queen of all she surveys

Curating cards

With my love and collection of playing cards, of course, I love The Curator Deck by Emmanuel Jose. He created a card per week. I think I need a deck!

Purple is my favorite garden color!

Cleaning, cussing, cooking

Very busy and distracted the last couple of weeks, trying to get the kids back in the house. Where to put all of the stuff? Combining what we can, many trips to Goodwill and dump. Mom says it looks like we live in the city dump, and that is not far off. Garage sell in our very near future. 

Back on the job search. 

It is 91 degrees today! Yikes. I tried to do a little yard work, might wait until the sun goes down. Still trying to do laundry catch-up.

Mom in the hospital tonight for observation. I hate to leave her there, but think it is for the best. She is very dehydrated. She will be back in her normal spot in the lounge chair tomorrow.

Trying to keep everyone fed. It is so different with more hungry people in the house. I can't expect them to eat crackers and cheese for dinner. I would just eat cucumber and hummus every meal. I really don't think about eating until it is about 3 hours after I am starving.

Pebbles is having a good time. Fitting in, playing with everyone. Figuring out the backyard is all hers to go and come as she pleases. Faith says she looks like a "wookie" and I like it as a name. 

I think Pica has completely lost his sight now. Having to carry him up and down the stairs when he looks lost or stands at the top of the stairs whining.

Pixel has had enough of the mess, the dogs, the heat. And I just might join her or enjoy a very cold beer!
 

Her new yard ;)

Surveying her new yard space to play and rub in the grass. BTW, what are they rubbing on themselves when they do that? They look so darn happy!

Yo!

 

 

 

That time of year