Bird Man II, (In Blue)

Juried into the December/January regional show at the San Diego Art Institute's Museum of the Living Artist; juror, Carol Thomason
Mixed media: acrylic mediums, paint, paper & fiber collage, colored pencil, charcoal; 24" x 30"

Bowls of Beads...




And the beading goes on...



Funky, Chunky Bracelets, 2008 (Sold)

Beaded bracelets at "Holiday Functional Boutique," Escondido Municipal Gallery, 11/10

Long (36"), old and new, plastic and glass, beads, 2010

Necklace donated to  Panache about 2006 (Sold)



Anado inspired, 2010 (Sold)



Funky, Chunky Bracelet,  2005 (Sold)

Vintage African Trade Beads, 2008

Bamboo Tile Necklaces



Necklaces and bracelet made from bamboo tiles.  Donated for a fundraiser by the EMGallery to benefit a student art exhibit, 2009



Escondido Municipal Gallery Recycle Show, September/October, 2011

(Untitled) Recycled shirt form, lamp stand, photo frame, old barometer part, acacia stems and pods; acrylic paint, acrylic mediums, pencil, charcoal, pastel, collage

Casa Luna



SOLD
Mixed Media, 12" x 12," Acrylic, collage, fiber, and oil on wood

            So happy, Casa Luna was accepted into the SDAI/MOLA August "One Foot" show, and received "Juror's Choice" award!  Juror, Larry Poteet. 

           Reception, Friday, August 5, 2011; 6 - 8 PM.



Recent Paintings



12 x12, oil over acrylic on wood

Reflections in Red



Quebrada





 Accepted into SDAI/MOLA September/October Regional Show
Juror, Kay Colvin
Mixed media on two 8 x8 wood panels  

  

Still Life

A bouquet of flowers decorating the serving table at Casa Luna the night of our "get acquainted party."  It had a lot of flowers that we would not normally think of putting in a bouquet--geraniums, bougainvillea, oleander, along with beautiful roses, and small calla lilies(?). 

The Mountain was Blue

Mixed Media, 30 x 24"

Sedona Revisited

When I started this painting, I thought I was applying a lot of paint in loose brush strokes, and I thought it was finished. (see below) But, as I looked at it hanging in the hallway for about a year, I could see things that I wanted to change. Trying to keep the bright color palette, I started adding heavier layers of paint w/ a large brush and loose brush strokes.  As always, I tried to "let go." Using a lot of acrylic gel mixed with the paint, I kept reminding myself to "just have fun!  So, am I finished with this painting? Yes, I think so.  Ron Pokrasso, a wonderful teacher/artist, says the true test of whether a painting is finished is when it doesn't ask for more.  It's finished.    

After I finished this painting, I couldn't come up with a name for it.   I never have a plan when I do an abstract, I just try to have fun with shapes and color. But I do think this painting was influenced by the visual images seen and felt on our trip to Arizona just weeks before I started it.  (9/10)

Sedona Revisited, acrylic, 36 x 24; 9/2010



Post Card from Mexico

Mixed Media

"Muchos Colores" Necklace



"Anado" inspired--A mixture of old & new, glass & plastic, beads & buttons. 



More Color and Art from San Miguel

Mexican Folk Art--Monstrances

A monstrance is the vessel used in Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, and Anglican churches to display the consecrated Eucharistic host, during Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Created in the medieval period for the public display of relics, the monstrance today is usually restricted for vessels used for hosts.    Wikepedia




This is part of the collection at Casa Luna. The owner, Diane, of Casa Luna, said she started collecting them when she first came to San Miguel, about 15 years ago.  They are hand-made out of wood and decorated with tassels, plastic or silk flowers, tin, beads, etc.  I believe they were used in home altars.   

 

The Art Retreat in San Miguel, April 13/20, 2011





The teachers & trip coordinator: 
Diane Uke, Laurie Mika, Lynn Leahy, Helen Shafer Garcia, and Jane LaFazio

 Thursday, April 14--Check in and orientation @ Casa Luna--open time to shop &/or studio & home tour of Joeseph Bennett & Eli Hans. Welcome Margarita Party @ Casa Luna


Friday, April 15, 2011--Laurie Mika taught us how to make polymer tile with embellishments for the cover of our "SMA Memory Box."  This was the first time I'd ever worked with Fimo or Premo (sp?) and so I was a little apprehensive, but Laurie's demonstrations make you excited to "jump in" and try everything!  I loved what you can do with polymer--paint, stamp, transfer, you name it.  There are so many possibilities for this!


Saturday, April 16--Really enjoyed Jane La Fazio's relaxing and fun method of teaching watercolor painting.  Drawing is my greatest challenge. This is a photo of all of the students' "tile" paintings from the Saturday, class.  I look forward to having/making time to get out the pencils, pens, and watercolor paints again.

Palm Sunday, April 17-- Watched the Passion Parade to the Jardin, and then a tour to Shrine at Atotonilco; tour and lunch at Diane's (owner of Casa Luna) fabulous ranch, and then a tour of Casa de Las Ranas and Anado McLauchlin's Studio--all fabulous!!

Tuesday, April 19--Helen Shafer Garcia taught us how to make two different book techniques--Accordion fold and a two-needle Coptic bound.  First, she taught us how to paint, stamp, stencil, and just have fun mark making all over (?watercolor paper) with Elmer's paper paste mixed with acrylic paints--what FUN!  The inside is a contrasting solid color. The books will hold collage elements, ephemera from the trip, etc.  Great fun!



Sister, Letty's, box, books, and necklace!



Monday, April 18--The necklace in the foreground is the necklace class Lynn Leahy taught--"Fiesta Flower Necklace"--silk sari ribbon, and other fibers with our own hand-made pendent. She also showed us how to decorate and embellish the "nicho" which is the focal point of the box.  That is my finished box, necklace, & books (Helen's class) in the red.  Everyone's finished product turned out beautiful and uniquely their own.

Wednesday, April 20--Travel Home Day--the week went too fast.







The Spirit of San Miguel, April 13-20, 2011

Samano De Santos (Holy Days) and Art Retreat in San Miguel de Allende

Can pictures capture the beauty and magic of the week (April 13/20) we spent in San Miguel? I think they will be wonderful reminders, but the spirit of the people, places, food, and color will stay in my heart until the next visit.

There were 24 women (and two brave husbands) who shared their love of art, Mexico, and warm friendship during this week.

The people--kindness, devotion, pride--beautiful!









The Colors of San Miguel



Gorgeous shades of terra cotta & yellow are every where...

The rainbow of colors at the mercado...

On the streets near the jardin...

 



Quick Self Portrait

Started this painting on a cold, rainy day in March.  I like the loose, unfinished (under-painting) feel of it, but I see the ears, eyes, & nose are not "right." I haven't gone back to it because I'm afraid I will try to "fix" everything and it will lose its spontaneity.

Bring in the clowns...

I saw this (vintage bank reproduction) clown on someone's FB page not long ago, and because I've always loved clowns, the image stayed with me.  While my husband and I were on our Saturday walk, we stopped at a garage sale, and there he was--I love serendipity.