Welcoming 42 on Highway 43
I'm only sharing a few photos from my Birthday Trip to WI because my iphoto keeps crashing, among many other applications. I've done all the mac software updates...what's going on?! I am so dependent on this machine - it's made for a very unproductive 2 days....but enough of that...
I made my way to Cedarburg on Saturday driving through torrential rain on 43, but was greeted by the loveliest little town: shops and boutiques, a winery, and All that Pizzazz: I was able to park and load directly in from the back which made things very easy. I hung A LOT of work, filling an entire room. This shop is big and full of such fun, whimsical art. I'll be going back for my reception April 4th from 3-7pm, so please if you live in the area come and see me! If you can't make it they are open 7 days a week so go check out my works and all the other treasures in Carole's shop!
Erica surprised me with this beautiful birthday cake complete with butterflies, swirly candles and my favorite colors blue and green. The kicker was the cake pedestal, it rotated and had blinking lights and a woman singing Happy Birthday in an eerie nostalgic voice! It was a wonderful day and evening with good friends and great food and lots of canines and kitties. I left early on Sunday as a snowstorm was moving in and freezing rain to the south, I made it safely back driving through a crazy amount of rain and home to Rich and the pups for a cozy night at home watching movies. Happy, memorable 42!
"Ann-Erica" we joke that we are a continent, she to the north in Wisconsin and me to the south in Chicago, Milwaukee is our equator. Yes, we are a little silly.
Sweet Plato, Erica's brother's dog
Tulips & Traveling
I wanted to share these beautiful tulips with you...they seem to be ushering in spring, it's been in the 60's the last two days in Chicago, after 20's over the weekend! I'm preparing for a trip to WI this weekend, I'm hanging a show in Cedarburg at All That Pizzazz Gallery tomorrow and from there I'm going to spend the night at my good friend Erica's house north of Sheboygan...this is my 6th annual birthday get away ...premise: wake up or go to sleep somewhere I have not been on my birthday...always makes it memorable and an adventure. How do you like to spend your birthday?
Strange things done in the midnight sun...
I recently found this great newspaper clipping of my dad performing "The Cremation of Sam McGee" on stage. Growing up I heard him recite this poem around numerous campfires on dark starry nights on the sand bars of the Mississippi River. Every time it was like the first time...He had us all mesmerized and hanging on his every word. He also led the sing alongs playing his guitar with wonderful hits by Johnny Cash, The Kingston Trio and so many more. It was a magical time in my childhood - I treasure those memories and my Dad who turned 66 today...Happy Birthday Dad!
If you are not familiar with Robert Service's poem "The Cremation of Sam McGee" follow the link, you must read it! (Imagine a sinister sounding narrator, who at lighter moments broke into very jovial tone..and the back...read it to the end!)
Hello 2009...learning to write the unthinkable
Picture 18
Happy New Year! I had grand plans for a wrap up post of 2008 and my hopes for '09 but was struck by a nasty cold that Airborne couldn't stave off. So I spent the last few days in bed..in hopes I could still attend "Writing the Unthinkable" with Lynda Barry, (yes Lynda Barry the comic!) this weekend. Armed with a 5" stack of kleenex, liquids, cough drops and required materials (fun pens & pencils and a 3 ring binder with 150 sheets of ruled paper) I made it...(thanks to Rich, he's taken such good care of me!) It was a very entertaining day, as I knew it would be. Lynda is just so present and remarkable and hilarious and inspiring. She had us writing and reading our writing to a class full of people we did not know within the first 2 hours. This was only possible because she has really good rules. I can't share any of my writing with you or look at it myself until 5:01pm on Sunday, and honestly I don't know if I'll still be feeling gutsy so we'll see. In the meantime this is one of my scribble sheets from today, I have several. These are part of the rules. If you are still reading I apologize for going on there is no great reward at the end here except to confess that I'm afraid you'll all expect me to be a better blogger after this class but it's really not about that...so I should probably stick to pretty pictures...and books, picture books that's what I'm hoping for. Also want to use these techniques in my 2d work. She said the method is based on that of her college painting professor Marilyn Frasca so now I'm even more psyched. Going to bed now, I'm exhausted and still a little sick but smiling!
Unexpected Gift #2
I guess I should say Unexpected Gift #3 if I include that great Kong Care Package we received last week...So this one came from the east coast...from Art Licensing Artist & Maven Carol Eldridge...she recently blogged about creating all these fun holiday decorations complete with very well thought out merchandising package. So it was also the gift of a little lesson in product development, licensing design, and packaging! Thanks so much Carol..I love my happy little Blue Bird and fun pins! As always you are a wealth of knowledge.
Unexpected Gifts...
I received 2 lovely and very unexpected packages in the mail today! Michelle Allen, an incredible artist and blog-o-sphere pal sent me this wonderful handmade snow man ornament complete with vintage bingo card (he is sporting a bingo chip) and other fanciful details, and a greeting card with magnet art attached. I can't believe it because when I read her blog and post about making these I immediately wanted one (and secretly wished I was there helping to make them)...she posted a few in her etsy store but of course they were gone by the time I checked it out. Suddenly I have one, thank you so much Michelle! ...and the whole presentation with vintage bingo card...so cool...and all so thoughtful.
Kongs for Christmas!
I recently sold 2 paintings to a wonderful new customer who happens to work for the Kong Company. As many of you know I've included Kongs in my dog paintings for many years now so I was thrilled to connect with Laura. Ironically, the day the UPS man came to pick up the painting I was shipping to her, he handed me a big box first. It was Canine Christmas here...a box filled with all kinds of Kong products and treats, some we had not seen before like the Wubba, which unfortunately is now over the fence in the neighbor's yard (probably until spring)! The best part was seeing Izzy so excited and engaged with her new Senior Kong and Treats for inside...Thank you Laura!!! xo Izzy & Alice
these girls love UPS delivery surprises...this is the best they ever received
notice Izzy licking the box of treats in the bottom right photo
Sugar & Spice...
My favorite holiday memories growing up included a whole weekend baking a variety of wonderful treats with my Mom which we would give to neighbors and friends. I only see her every other Christmas (we swap Christmas & Thanksgiving holidays with Rich's family) so in 2004 I decided I would have my own little holiday baking party every other year, then on the years that I am with Mom, we bake gingerbread houses.
Alice with a cookie cutter from my childhood (she was about 6 months here).
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