Watching The Paint Dry

30% Off Sale on Framed Tile Art

I don't know how to convey this without sounding like a used car salesman but I really had to share this offer with you. 

For the first time, I'm offering new artwork on framed tiles directly from Cafe Press. They  just happen to be running a 30% Off Spring promotion.

I usually order these and hang them at the gallery.  I was going to keep doing it that way but I figure we are all adults here and you can just order them yourself. That and my Mom wanted one and it is just easier to deal with Cafe Press than figure out Paypal.

So here is the link. Use Coupon code FIRST30.

Make Custom Gifts at CafePress

I'm not sure if I'll keep the store up or if this is a limited offer. The framed tiles at the gallery sold out. Who am I to mess with whats working? I know the 30% won't last though so if you're thinking of buying, I'd do it.

 

 

The tile with this image sold in record time and the little white cat, "Stretch" is there too!

How Do You Close a River?

This is not a rhetorical question although I wouldn't blame anyone for asking it that way. I painted this, thinking about this.

How do you close a river?

With all the light and life and happiness it brings to every species

The mountains on one side and the ocean on the other

How does a state, or even a fence for that matter,

close a river?

"How Do You Close a River?"
12" x 12" Mixed Media on Canvas
$100 plus free US shipping  

What's in that Bag?

There is a large black garbage bag in the woods about 20 feet from the trail I walk every morning. It has been there since  spring. The first time I saw it I was startled by it and wondered nervously what could be inside (too many David Lynch movies). After months of living with it, I walk by it and think "someone should really pick that up."

Rushing to the car from the trail this morning in order to meet the gutter repair guys, I realize I didn't notice if the bag was still there. Perhaps it is gone or buried beneath leaves. Maybe I've just grown used to seeing garbage.

Wouldn't it be cool if I picked it up and blogged about it? The contents would be dramatic or at least poignant in it's lack of drama. I should go back and check.

Then I hear beautiful wind chimes in the distance and think that's a nice detail to remember to add. It is all so beautiful and I'd feel like a better person for picking up scary garbage. The chimes are just a bow on a perfectly gifted moment saturated with literary potential.

But it is only my phone chirping out the soundtrack to a game my children have downloaded and I'm running late for the gutter guys.

"What's That?"
9" x 12" Oil and Acrylic on Board
You'll need to frame it, attach some hanging device, or put it in a little display easel
$75.00 plus free shipping in the US (you may have to wait a few days until it is totally dry.

Here's a close up.

I wanted to have the moment of a dog (a golden lab mix) totally immersed in nature. Dog eyes are so expressive but I wanted the expression to be in pure gesture. It would make a nice gift for a dog lover. Why not give it a new home?

SOLD 

 

 

Time to Treat Myself with Some New Tricks

The treats have taken over!

People around me have been dropping pounds and I seem to be very graciously picking them up. I like thinking I can blame them but that pound of cheese did not jump into my mouth. I need to work on some new tricks for taking care of myself.

Usually on Halloween I scream "let the eating begin!" as mini snicker wrappers fly in shreds around my mouth. It launches a binge of wine, food, treats and parties that end on New Years Day and a shameful trip to the scale in my husband's sweat pants. Already there are certain jeans that have gone out of rotation and I hate feeling like crap in January.  

I awoke at 4:30 this morning feeling fat and anxious.

It's time to start pacing myself, right after I eat this snickers.

Happy Halloween!

Calling for snow this week. Time to gather some kindling. 

"Wood Gathering"
9" x 12"
Ink and Acrylic on Board
You'll need to frame it, attach some hanging device, or put it in a little display easel $75.00 plus free shipping in the US 

Sit

Now back to some art.

10" x 10"
Ink and Acrylic on Canvas
$100 plus free shipping 

Got Klout?

Do you have a Klout Score? Do you even know what one is? I just learned when I was asked to provide my Klout Score on a marketing promotion application with the side note: "Don't worry we don't discriminate based on Klout Scores."; a comment  that clearly screams "this is something important!". 

But like any perilous measure of influence it is only meaningful based on other people being above and below you. I'm human, so of course I want plenty of people with less influence that me. It feels petty and negative and it is making me agitated. I wish I could say I was above it but I want a good Klout Score and I have no fucking idea why. It feels like it should mean something and give my work value on days when I think no on is listening. Clearly this is a distraction I can do without.

On a more positive note, I just got off the phone with the proud new owner of "Jump". I hope you didn't want it because is it goooooooone the minute it is dry enough to ship! Selling a painting; now that's real clout!

Here is another for sale. 

"Clouds"
Acrylic and Oil on 2 Canvases
2 6" x 12"
They go together but hang them however YOU like.
$100 plus Free US Shipping

 

 

SOLD

Jumping Through Hoops

This morning Sabrina didn't want to get dressed. It took a while but she finally pulled on a sequined sundress with leggings and shoes. Left in her room for 4 minutes, I hear screams of frustration as she realizes this outfit will not do and must come off immediately. 

She wants a dress, doesn't want a dress, needs a skirt but won't wear a shirt. She wants to be early for school but won't put her shoes on. I know how she feels. Today is one of those days I want to cut off my hair and throw out my clothes then sob about no hair and no clothes. 

Then Molly ran out into traffic chasing a squirrel. She ran with abandon following her true nature, not worrying about safety or leashes or shoes or clothes or what time school starts and I know how she feels too.

Sadly I can't rip off my clothes and run into traffic without causing a major disruption in my pretty orderly and sane life. I buy and set up all these hoops everyday and I seem to be the only one jumping through them. With 2 Birthdays and Halloween in October I think I'm suffering from command performance overload.

"Jump"
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
2 Canvases 6" x 12" each
$100 Free US shipping

SOLD

I painted this today over a picture that was bothering me. Someone said they liked the original painting before it was done and I just kept screwing it up. I freed myself from that frustration and feel so much better. I hope they don't mind this one below is gone now...eek. I'll do some more wine glasses though and they will be full of love instead of the fermented spite that comes from creative endeavors gone awry.

 

 

Buy 99% Locally and Independently Owned This Holiday Season

Like many of us I've been tracking the 99% ers on Wall Street and now across the country. I believe one of the better columns about the movement comes from Paul Krugman of the New York Times. He pretty much sums up the way I feel which doesn't mean he is empirically "right" but right for me. I'm not trying to start a debate or political blog but it has been on my mind lately as I am not a 1% so that must mean I'm the other.

I am the 99%  but our family is only suffering from the normal credit card debt, plunging home values and worries about paying for long term issues like college and short term ones like snow tires and new gutters. It should be noted, however, that it seems perfectly normal that our family of 4 (with a good job) had to leave Los Angeles in order to afford a safe home and good schools for our children. There really is no middle class safety in big cities and that is just sad.

That said the most telling point in the piece is there seems to be a consistent lack of focus on what exactly can be done. 

"A better critique of the protests is the absence of specific policy demands. It would probably be helpful if protesters could agree on at least a few main policy changes they would like to see enacted."

I'm glad there is a bold move progressives can get behind without apologies but I feel a little defeated about what I can do. Is dragging my kids out at dinner time to the front of the Wells Fargo really the best use of my time and effort? I'm not sure it is, but believe me, Wells Fargo will not be getting my money for much longer. Anyone have a good referral for a credit union with online bill pay?

So aside from moving my money from the big banks that I feel are holding our economy and political process hostage, I am going to take control of my own holiday "supply AND demand".  I am going to focus on keeping as much of my holiday spending in the pockets of independent shop owners and artists. I am also going to work on creating smaller works that are below $100, some  well below.  It might be an illusion but it makes me feel a little more in control in a crazy world, during a crazy time. I invite you to join me.

If you are a local artist who would like to have their work (priced below $100) featured here, let me know. I only ask in exchange for the promotion  that you take the money you earned and spend it at an independently owned store or working artisan.

If you are shopping from out of town, we have plenty of amazing crafts people that will deliver to where you are! Better yet, support our hotels and restaurants and come visit! We are a small town of gifted artist, (check out ASIF for small affordable works) and we love celebrating the holidays. Where else can you get  a Cornish Christmas or Victorian Christmas Celebration in the beautiful foothills? 

If you have ideas on how to flesh out this plan better, I'm open to them. I really would like to keep it loose. I'm not saying you have to make your own candy canes but perhaps buy them at a locally owned franchise instead of a corporate union-buster, (I'm looking at you, Target. I love you dearly but you're a little out of control.)

I'm only asking you to consider putting 99% of your Holiday money in the pockets of the other 99%.

I'm starting my shopping now because I think it will take a little more time. I'm looking forward to exploring what my fellow creatives have to offer at a thoughtful pace instead of the last minute mad dash to the mall.

I already feel a little less stressed just making this commitment. 

To start it off, here is a painting I did of Molly right after we rescued her. 

 

 

"Black and White Mutt We Love"
12" x 16"
Acrylic on Paper Canvas (you'll need to frame it)
$35 Free Shipping in the US.

 For more Dog Art from a local (and my sister) and news about a local "do'er" who is going to Occupy Wall Street, visit DogArtToday.com.