Painting...first brush strokes of the year.
One of my goals for 09 is to paint for some amount of time each week day. First day, goal achieved. I'm excited to see what images emerge. Clay class also started tonight so I painted and sculpted today...and did my daily sketchbook page. It's amazing how good that feels. I'll share more about the writing workshop later this week...I smile every time I think of it!
Bob the Dog with a Blog
Bob lives in Virginia, he has a blog and it appears a very talented photographer named Bev Hollis...Did I mention Bob has a crush on Alice? He is quite a handsome boy, pretty fancy with that brindle coat...Alice is a lucky girl!
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.
Giveaway Thank You & We Have a Winner!
Wow...I'm blown away by the response to this giveaway...over 50 peopleleft comments, almost 60 subscribed to my Newsletter not to mention those of you thatmentioned it on your Blogs, Facebook and Twitter - thank you so much, I only wish I could send something to every one of you! But alas...only one gets it and the winner is: Jennifer Mazur -Congratulations Jennifer!
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
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