Glad Tidings

I've finally finished my annual Christmas card! I couldn't get in the mood, and had no idea what to do, until tonight. Then it finally came to me. I wanted some kind of doll, and who's the cutest doll? Blythe of course! And she has a little boyfriend giving her glad tidings of joy! Not sure how happy she is to have a mouse for a lover, but at least she's got one.

This was carved into a "speedy-cut" stamp, then printed with acrylic paint. This is the fourth year I've made my cards this way. I was tired of the xeroxed black and white cards, and I wanted color. And it just took too long to watercolor all my cards, which is what I did a few times. So this is a way to get some color, and maybe glitter, without too much effort. I do enjoy carving these stamps though, and once I get the design figured out, it really isn't too hard to do.

So if you know me in the "real world" don't be too disappointed that you won't be surprised when you get your card!

Jim Morrison's 65th Birthday

December 8, 2008.. Jim Morrison's 65th Birthday.

Over the weekend I watched The Doors in Europe on KCET. It reminded me of how I was completely infatuated with Jim Morrison when I was a very young, near-adult. I was a little obsessed, as young people become, and I enjoyed making art of the overly-attractive, highly sexy man.

I was so good at duplicating things, but not sure if they had much style. It was good practice, but I like more imaginative things better. Although a lot of people think "good art" is something that looks like a photo. I think differently.

In honor of Jim's Birthday, Jim Ladd and KLOS had a webcast with Ray Manzarek and Robbie Kreiger (of Doors fame) tonight. I watched it and saw some of my tribal friends enjoying themselves.

Because of that event, the TOC on Friday was "door". I didn't do any new art, but posted a few of my ancient portraits. And I got a request in.. Grateful Dead's "I know you Rider." This has one of my favorite lines..."The sun will shine in my back door someday... March winds will blow all my troubles away."...well I try to think optimistic like this anyway.

A Merry-Jerry Christmas

Here's a long awaited return of Jerry Claus. It's Jerry Garcia, of course. These guys were an annual tradition of mine back the 90s. Since I've got some of my things available at Hungry Heart Records, I thought these would be fun there. If you're ever in Hemet, check them out.


I've been having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit this year. So these little ornaments are helping me a bit. Are you motivated for the Holidays yet?

Shameless Self Promotion

I'm having a sale in my ETSY SHOP. One more day left. It runs until Monday, Dec 1, midnight Pacific Standard Time. Buy one get one (equal or lesser value) for 50% off (regular shipping costs apply). Just mention in the note to seller "Holiday Sale", then wait for me to send a revised invoice before paying.

This is a special sale for my friends of the blog, and friends of the myspace.

I have a lot of arm warmers all ready for the gift-giving, snuggle-up-weather, season!

They come in 2 styles... the Funky Chunky, with many colors to choose from. and...


The Sleek-Chic for a more simple style.

Doesn't my lil sis look cute?

OC in November

Thanksgiving Break is reaching it's end. We're deep in the middle of the Holiday Season again! The Holidays with many people just struggling to get by with the basics. I'm hoping for more sales than last year, but it could be difficult. I'll have to go minimal also.

Earlier this week I did go down to Orange County for busy, fun-filled experiences. First, went to a Tribal Party in the South Bay area. Met some new people, got to know some others a bit better. Fun time, but very different for me to go to that part of the world.

The next day was a party at my sister's for my 3 year old twin nephews. They're growing up fast, but just as energetic as ever!

Next was a long lunch with my dad and his friends at the best vegetarian restaurant. Au Lac in Fountain Valley can convert the biggest meat eaters to go veggie! It's vegan Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine. And has a large supply of raw selections too, if that's your preference. This has been Wesley's favorite food since he was one!


Then there was our long, but enjoyable, day at Disneyland. Always special at Christmas time. The Small World has reopened. It seems they didn't completely get rid of the Rain Forest Room, but condensed it into the Island-type of room. Not sure what happened to the original room, I didn't notice it. See my post about Saving The Rain Forest if you're interested.


The castle is completely gorgeous this time of year!


Finally our last day we went to visit a very old, dear friend and his adorable daughter. (So sorry we missed you KP!) We went on a little walk into the Coyote Hills. This is a little slice of nature in the middle of suburban Orange County. Unfortunately they want to pave another piece of paradise for more unneeded housing. Well I think it's unneeded when there are so many foreclosures everywhere. While I feel for the construction industry (I know many people struggling now with little work), I also feel the need to conserve the little bit of nature we do have in So Cal. So I say Save Coyote Hills!

Now I've got only part of weekend left until the ol' grind to begin again. The ol' grind with the busyness of Christmas thrown in. Oh Boy!

Give Thanks!

I'm giving Thanks! Thanks for my family and friends; cozy-cramped cottage with the lovely surroundings; a nice (sometimes too) comfortable community; the rain that extinguished our fire danger (even if temporary); my colorfully simple meal; fairly good health with no asthma attacks in almost a year; my brilliant, friendly and adorable son; the opportunity to be able to improve my art and business. Oh, let's not forget a soon to be new President!! Just a few of many things to be grateful for!

Here's my traditionally slightly unusual Thanksgiving Feast. Clockwise from top left... Vegan "roast"; roasted roots of yams, carrots, potatoes and onion; Indian maize with ceyenne and cumin; mashed potatoes (pretty traditional, yet new for me); spinach (just for some green...weird?); slightly over-browned rolls; and my favorite cranberries and apples cooked on the woodstove all day (luckily cold and rainy!) Plus yummy tahini dip with veggies and chips for appetizers, and 2 types of pie of dessert. All this, but probably most stuffed from the beers I had. Yes, I've must have beer on Thanksgiving, just like the pilgrims, of course!

I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving Feast! What are you thankful for? Please do tell!

UPDATE.... I just heard on the news that "97% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving." Can this really be true? Are vegetarians really less than 3% of the population? What about the people who don't like turkey? Eat ham instead? Or just don't have any Thanksgiving dinner? This is bound to make the vegetarian percentage even smaller. How can this be? No wonder I always feel like such an unusual person, I'm very rare indeed!!

Be the Change

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."--Mahatma Gandhi

What a wonderful quote! And how honored I am to have my little drawing accompany this nice sentiment!

So my bulldog creation turned out pretty good, embroidered on the varsity jacket. What fun!

And I'm still trying my best to be that change I want in the world.

Art Lesson - Andy Warhol Pop Art

I did this art lesson with a large group of 4th graders a couple of weeks ago. It takes a brave person to do a lesson with tempera paint, especially with a large group of 35!! Because of this, the kids don't get to use the tempera as much as they should. So I thought I'd use my patience skills, and let them do a little experimenting with this paint.


First I explained a little about Pop Art. I talked about how in pop art things that are "popular" in our culture are used. I asked them what might that be. One boy said an iPod. Good, I also said how maybe Hannah Montana might be used. There was a bit of an uproar at this, mainly from the boys! I then showed some examples of Andy Warhol's work. The kids were amazed when I showed the Campbell's soup art, and couldn't believe it when I told them that Warhol made lots of money off of this! I also showed his Marilyn Monroe work. The kids didn't know who she was, one thought it was Madonna. But with these examples, I think they got a good understanding of Pop Art.


I decided to do a simple design, with something that might be "popular" with them. Although many didn't seem to want to do an ice cream cone, I wanted the design to be simple so they could work with mixing colors a little. First we folded our paper into 4 sections. Then drew our simple ice cream cones.

The first cone we painted with complementary colors. (I showed them a color wheel and explained a little about this) This was good since the California art standards for 4th grade include using complementary colors. Then the second cone was done with a solid color, then by adding white (a tint of the color). I could've done more lessons with color and mixing, but my time was running out, so I had them paint the remaining 2 ice cream cones however they wanted. And as usual a lot of kids just wanted a chance to mix the colors up. Most waited until their painting was nearly done before they went at it with the mixing. To some this was the funnest part about the lesson. Surprisingly, only 1 made this mess too soon, before he used the fresh colors. There's always at least one in the group who doesn't follow directions very well.

So if you're a brave soul, go and let those kids make a mess with the tempera... They really need it!

Witch Doctor - Tiki Dude

Did you have a fun Halloween? We did! Here's Wesley in his costume, a witch doctor, aka "Tiki Dude" by many of the observers of the night. Wesley dreamed it up, I manifested it into the thing it is. Pretty easy to do with a corner of a box, painted up, then with raffia added to the top. Plus I made a "bone" necklace out of paper clay. And better still, Wesley won the costume contest for his age group at the town carnival. FUN!


And here we are, Tiki Dude, and me in my very-quickly whipped together, groovy looking witch. I like having the opportunity to damage my hair with a crimping iron.

I guess it's now time to fully submerge ourselves into the holiday season. Well, at least if you don't want to run out of time, and ruin your experience because of being rushed and unprepared, right?!

Walking with the trees a changin

I've been walking with some moms after we drop off the kids. It's so much easier to get movin if you've got someone to chat with. It's great therapy.


Plus you get some lovely shots... and right now the trees are looking exceptional!

Go Bull Dogs!

Here's a fun and different thing I've been working the last few days. It's a design for a male cheerleader's varsity jacket. It's a little difficult to make a bulldog look feminine, yet still look like a bulldog, so it was decided to put a red bow on her. You've got to be pretty strong to hold up those girls, and I think this big bulldog is getting that point across fairly well!

A black line drawing will be taken to a company that does the machine embroidery for varsity jackets. I'm excited to see how the final looks!

TOC - Pony Names (Girls)

This week's Theme of Consciousness theme was "Pony Songs". Now if you've never listened to Jim Ladd you might not know what a "long legged pony" is. It's a lady, of course! So this theme was songs that are about a certain girl, like Maybelline, Gloria, Maggie, you get the picture.

My day was a marathon day at the school. 8:30-8:30, with an hour break in the middle. Just one of those exhausting days where I feel a little hung over at the end of it. Dreaming up and doing a little art work was nearly impossible, and this theme didn't make it very easy. So I thought I'd just practice my digital skills a little, and did this much-to-be desired creation. I used wordle and a little PhotoShop. I wasn't happy with my color scheme in the end, but after a few tries, just had to go with it. Those who listen to TOC will understand the big name of "Sue".

I see I've only been posting TOC "art" lately. I've got some other things going on too, and am sorry to say am a little behind. It's just that time of year where life gets too crazy to blog as much as I'd like :(

TOC - Drinking Songs

Tonight's Theme of Consciousness was Drinking. I whipped out this little painting. Who else likes to shake it with a drink, while listening to Jim Ladd and TOC?

I made a lot of requests this week, and did get credit for one... Ball and Chain by Social Distortion. There are a lot of great drinking songs out there!

Happy Birthday John Lennon (a day late)

My day yesterday was just out of control, so I'm a day late posting a birthday wish for one of my heroes, John Lennon. I really need to do some new art, but for now I'll post this old drawing I did on his birthday in 1986. I also had to put something on my blog since I'm going out of town for a few days and simply hate neglecting the ol blog!!

So here ya go, and I'm hoping for a more creative week next week. I have been crocheting, but the art has been slipping... I've got some ideas though, and usually that's the biggest battle. See you after the weekend.

Cosmos - Late Season Bloomers

I'm sure you avid gardeners out there have grown Cosmos before. They were my introduction to gardening back in my youth. They are the easiest flowers to grow from seed. In fact for those of you in a moister environment, they may be too easy to grow, and could possibly take over if allowed to. I don't have that problem here, so I enjoy them very much. Not only are they not picky, but they brighten up your late-season garden beautifully!


Most grow about 3 feet high, or so. This year I have one growing over 6 feet high! This one took it's time to bloom, and instead put it's energy into growing super tall. But now is blooming so lovely, and the height is amazing.


Another advantage of the Cosmos is that the bees love them! And with our much needed honey bees in dire straits, it's so helpful to them to have these vibrant, whimsical, easy-to-grow beauties in your garden.

The Martha Blog (Stewart that is!)

Have you seen The Martha Blog yet? I just read about it today, so I went to check out the industrious Martha Stewart's blog. She features some behind the scenes of her busy life. It seems like an easy way to learn of all of Martha's Good Things!

Leave a comment on her post entitled "How to create your own blog and enter my blog contest!" and possibly get featured on her blog. How fabulous would that be?!

More Beauty From Paul

I just had to post a bit more classic Paul Newman. As I was seeing the clips of Paul Newman on the news yesterday, it made me realize that a big part of his appeal was his charming personality. (That as well as his acting, looks, smile, humanitarianism) And I think this must be my first memory of him. It is hot, and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

RIP Paul Newman

How sad to wake up this morning to the news of Paul Newman's passing.

What a beautiful man, and person.

I didn't even know he had lung cancer. What's worse is he had quit smoking 30 years ago. It just goes to show you just how nasty that stuff is.

Since a small girl I've loved Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I don't know of another movie with more sex appeal. And Paul was still quite attractive in his 80s.

More important than Paul's wonderful blue eyes, and dashing looks is the good he's done for many people. I've always bought Newman's Own products when I've had the option, knowing the profits would be put to some good in the world. If only more people could (or would) be so helpful to the people of the world.

Yes I'm very sad to hear this news.

NibbleFest - Smiling Black Cats

The theme for NibbleFest this month is "Smiling Black Cats." What could be better?!

So here's my entry. So glad I got one done, and it's fitting right in with my quirky Halloween cat tradition I've got going.

It needs some bids... It's such a fun theme, you must check out the other NFAC listings by going here. You won't be disappointed!

-SOLD-

This is an ACEO (2.5x3.5 inches), done in acrylic.

TOC - Guitar

Jim Ladd's Theme of Consciousness this week was "guitar". Here's my Guitar Man. A little different than most, but I enjoy trying different types of art media and styles.

I actually doodled this last summer, while watching a local band play down in town. (For you locals you just might recognize MR). I enjoy TOC so much, and get inspired just to do any kind of art to go with it. So I threw this together. I digitally colored it and posted on Jim's site.