What a gorgeous spring we've had!  Still, art never stops, and Paseo Festival will be upon us again in a matter of days.  I'm working up some new body painting designs, based on vintage illustrations.  Photos here, when (if) they happen.  Meanwhile, animal shelter fundraising art show is also fast approaching.   While I expect to have a painting or two in the show, for now I've created these scrappy cats - inspired by the lovely creatures who have been discarded, but still have much to offer those fine people who are willing to give them a home.

Time gets away.  What can I say?  It's easier to live life and do stuff than to carefully document it along the way.   So, a new year is upon us, more things have been created.
This piece of cobalt glass and reclaimed mirror will be available at OKCMOA's Omelette Party art raffle coming up in a couple weeks.

The jewelry show was a charming success; thank you to old friends and new for the encouragement, and for making purchases.  A few pieces are left, but many found new homes, which is always a delight.
Next up, Biting the Apple, Friday April 13, at IAO.
My submissions are in but whether you'll see them at the show depends upon the discretion of the jurors.  Good thing you can see them here.

 "Sucker's Dream"

"Two-Piece Dream"

Out of the Past

While awaiting laptop repair, and while in the midst of making new art that's not quite ready for its closeup, I'm digging out some collage imagery from several years ago.

Bergamot Kiss

  Granny's Purse

Key to Love

Red Dot

IAO's Red Dot is coming up November 11;  here is my offering.

"Lyric", glass and copper, 12"x17"

Autumn events are lining up, despite summer continuing to blaze down upon us.   Looming deadlines, fresh opportunities, and a delivery of new art supplies all combine to stimulate creativity.  While considering how to complete my piece for OVAC's big event, 12x12, I've begun toying with other ideas, just to see what happens.

This morning I played with this:

Time will tell where it goes.

After introducing my summer camp kids to atcs, my own interest has rekindled, and there may be some tiny art card projects in my near future.  Is in any wonder, when the children demonstrated such creative vision?

As for body painting, most of my upcoming events are private, but you will be able to find me Sept. 17 at Oklahoma City Community College, for the LifeSaver 5k run.  I'll be gone by 11 am, so make sure to come out early, have some exercise, enjoy the festivities, and get your body decorated for the weekend. 

Sit, Stay, Art! was a successful event in support of Pets and People Human Society.  For a one-night show, the crowd was epic, and a great many pieces of art were sold.

Both my pieces sold, and I was more than happy to help the animals.  Looking forward to the next one.

There was also a quick jaunt to Kansas City with Jeri, to see the Parlotones and some snow.  There was bowling at Red Pin, a Thunder Game, and some planning for the summer time.

A lovely Saturday morning kayak outing on the river just before the cold gloomy weather returned, and some new necklaces to be offered at "A Jeweler's Art" on the Paseo, just in time for this Friday's gallery stroll.

Not technically 'under the wire', as there are eleven and a half hours yet till the deadline, but I've just submitted my entries for OAG's Oklahoma Friendly juried art show:

"While You're Away"

"Well-Told Tales"

Creations

Submission to Post Card Mail Art Show in New Orleans.

Two pieces for IOA's Money Talks Art Walks live auction benefit.

"Charm Kitty", mixed  media on canvas, for Sit, Stay, Art! show, benefiting Pets and People Humane Society.

A Little Color

Over the weekend I was thinking I need to collect my found object painting, "Lisa se Klavier" from IAO Gallery after the Red Dot auction, but Monday morning before I left the house, the mailman brought a check and a thank-you from IAO for participating in the event.  That's the kind of surprise I could get used to.   I didn't recognize the name of the buyer, but am happy the painting has a found a good home.

Tomorrow night is Trinkets and Baubles at Red Cup, for which I've finished a few new works, other than charms and the previously previewed collaged pendants.

These are quickie photos, taken just before packing and delivering to the site, and primarily for documentation, but with a gloomy winter weekend looming, it seemed the thing to do to share some glowing color.

This evening is Paseo's First Friday Gallery Walk, which I recommend taking advantage of - much fresh art up and down the street (including some brand new saucy text pendants in A Jeweler's Art), treats and libations, caroling, some sort of tree-lighting ceremony, and mostly - one final balmy evening before winter blasts   into OKC.  

Tony and I were planning a kayak outing this afternoon, but time didn't allow, so I'm watching the lengthening shadows, knowing this could be the last golden, friendly day for some time.  

Oh well, more reason to bundle up at the easel and make more paintings....

Trinkets and Baubles

Red Cup Coffee House is having their annual holiday extravaganza in less than two weeks.  December 4, in fact.  While I'll have an assortment of arts and jewelry on offer during the event, today I created a new set of collaged pendants.  Here there are, before soldering.
This photo shows side 1.  Images are comprised of paper, transparencies, labels, foil, superfine glitter, tiny stars, text.

 Here you can see the reverse side of the same pendants.

Music and Art

At 90 minutes, the drive to Tulsa for Decopolis' Gatsby Picnic was a jaunt.  (The picnic was slightly disappointing in its near minimalism, but I'm still glad to have gotten to experience it.)  At closer to 5 hours, the carry on to Kansas City must qualify as a proper road trip.  Jeri and I  made it to our destination without incident, and enjoyed a beautiful, high-energy outdoor performance by The Parlotones, who didn't even have their name on the ticket.  Apparently 98% of the audience were there for Blue October, and it seemed a large portion of those had traveled from out of state for the show.  We tried to stay & enjoy the 'main feature', but after having got what we came for, along with some photos and a chat with the band after their set, it just didn't seem the right thing to risk clouding the experience with a different band, different sound, so we retired to our hotel room up the street, content to bask in our delight.

Back home, it's been time to ratchet up the creative gears a notch or two.  Pendants and other small items being made in time to offer at the Peace Festival, and completion of my mixed-media painting for IAO's Red Dot.  A few detail images:

(Pics will enlarge with a click.) Want to see the entire piece?  I guess you'll have to attend the Red Dot auction, won't you?  (Or at least wait until I have a quality, all-over photo to share.)
It's titled "Lisa se Klavier", having been inspired by a song of that title.  You can hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AME5nO672IY

Cooler, gray autumn days are so perfect for taking the kayak up to Stinchcomb, where the migratory birds are gathering on their journey south.  It's a real pity hunting season opened Saturday, and more a pity that hunting is allowed at a wildlife sanctuary, and one inside the city limits.  The 'ba-boom' of shotguns does not make for idyllic kayaking ambience.  Nor does the idea of coming back with extra holes in my body.
Guess I'll stick around the house for a while and deal with things like rusted out water heaters.....

Busy

Click image for expanded view.

Goodbye Summer

More or less, anyway.   It's been a somewhat slackery season for art.  Commissions here and there, small batches to replenish the galleries, the usual face painting gigs, but no big exhibits or receptions for me to buckle down for.
With the advent of autumn, however, the calendar begins to fill up.  Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's annual fundraising gala, 12x12, is coming up September 25.  More details here http://www.ovac-ok.org/Events/events_12x12.cfm

This year, in addition to the invitational artworks, there will be 12 photographs depicting the historic Fred Jones Manufacturing building , offered individually or as a complete set.  There was a stunning variety of imagery submitted by area photographers, which was (somehow) pared down the final dozen.  I'm honored and delighted to have had one of my photos selected:

In fact, I need to rush off this afternoon to sign the final print.

Another annual fundraiser is also coming up - IAO's Red Dot.  I've been invited to paint a piece for this show, which will be in November, though I haven't the exact date.  Should I manage to create something satisfactory, I'll post it here and give details of the show.  Well, I'll give the details when I get them, whether or not I've managed to harness the Muse.

The Peace Festival will be on a Sunday this year, due to scheduling issues with the Civic Center, but I expect to be there nonetheless.   Last year was my first absence in over a decade, as I couldn't resist the offer of sitting for the portrait workshop at Quartz Mountain, which coincided with Peace Fest's date.   Make a note of Sunday, November 14, when I'll be joining with a very festive assortment of individuals and groups offering info, networking, food, and a wide array of gift shopping opportunities.   I'll have my glass work, along with text and hammered wire jewelry, and who knows what else.  

In non-art news, Tony and I have discovered the addictive joys of kayaking, and make a point to hit the water several times a week.  With the two public boathouses in the city, our very reasonable monthly fee allows unlimited paddling both at the Oklahoma River downtown (although one has to share the water with Olympically-training rowers and paddlers, which can be nerve wracking at times), and the Route 66 Boathouse at Lake Overholser, offering more peaceful adventures and wildlife sighting up the North Canadian River and into Stinchcomb Wildlife area.   A generous friend has offered us the loan of his kayak, which was otherwise gathering dust in storage.  Having that little craft to cram in my car allows me more freedom to be impulsive, without worrying about boathouse operating hours. 

We were well on our way to pricing assorted kayaks, and making a plan to purchase our own, but you know how life works.   Yesterday I received a hysterical phone call from Sara, on her way to work, telling me she'd wrecked her car.  The Saab we'd helped her buy only last month.  Ouch.  Other than being a little sore, she seems to be okay, though naturally frightened about how much worse it could have been, and very down about losing her wheels.  So, there goes the kayak fund, and much, much more, no doubt.  Ah well.....

Red and Shiny

Haven't fired up the soldering iron for a while, but the east window gives nice morning light, and since I had a special request, I gathered some materials:

And whipped up a hand mirror:

(Click on images for detailed enlargement.)

Hot Hot Hot

Has it been a month already?   I guess so.  Sometimes there's just too much living to do to take time blogging it (but that's a pretty lame excuse).  Sometimes life experiences are so diverse it's a daunting task to condense them down to a couple paragraphs, which is a less lame excuse in my book.   Anyone with a burning desire (?) to keep up with my day-to-day stuff is more than welcome to look for me on facebook, which is the perfect place for random nonsense that may contain a few genuine specks of interest, but only if you pay very close attention.
Things that have been going on: Tony and I have a weekly date night, cost be damned.  Sort of.  As long as we can splurge for a bottle of wine and have enough dosh left for an appetizer or salad, and maybe dessert, we call it a success.  The challenge is to find a new place each week.  While it can be a place we've visited before, it can't be a previous date night experience.  I check the online menus to make sure there are at least one or two meatless offerings for me.  (Though to be fair, several places that had none listed were more than happy to have the chef make adjustments for me.  I don't relish being difficult, so  it's always a delight to find tastily prepared vegetables strewn over my pasta rather than a slab of animal.)  We also choose to stay nearish to home, having no desire to battle traffic up to Edmond or Memorial Road, or the Southside.  Naturally, chain restaurants are out as well, so you can imagine how the pressure sometimes can mount when Tony casually asks, "where will it be for date night tonight?"   After the first two or three, we began rating them on facebook.  Things like service (of course), ambience, menu variety and/or flexibility, and that pesky, mysterious bar tax one sometimes encounters in Oklahoma City.  I haven't cracked the code yet.  Someone suggested it had to do with the "Empowerment Zone", which involves Midtown and Downtown, but some cafes in those areas didn't seem to charge it.  If they did, maybe they just wisely incorporated it into the cost of the drink (bottle) itself. 
Anyway, rather than going on about it here (too late, you have observed), I think I'll attempt to compile our experiences and favorite/least favorites eating places into a useful (and hopefully somewhat entertaining) entry.  I also intend to take my camera from now on, to document our meals.

In other news, we've had a foster kitten for a few weeks.  I think she may go home tomorrow or the next day, and I'll probably miss her.

She's a wee thing called Paris, who likes to lie on records, and help out with the Friday evening wine.

The red did come out of my white capris, so all is well.

We're on the verge of joining that kayak movement that seems to have gripped the Big Town.  Tony went this afternoon, and I may just sign up this week for a month of unlimited water adventure.  I would be a little more enthusiastic if the temperatures would drop 25 degrees, or one were at least allowed to splash around and swim in one of the local bodies of water.  It's cruel to be so close, yet so far. 

Artwise, I'm creating for myself mostly, except for the momentary laspe of reason in which I said yes to another wedding job.  This one only entails the two Mazel Tov chairs, and it's early enough in the project for me to still be hopeful that all will work out, the first time.  We'll see.

Changing Gears

The Button Show was much fun, and by the second night, all three of my pieces had sold!  Plus, one had received an honorable mention award, so it goes without saying I hope The Children's Center makes it an annual event.
Even though I've more ideas for canvas in mind, it's time to change gears for a while, and get back to the metal work. Today I've created a couple pairs of earrings and two necklaces, probably destined for Istvan Gallery by the weekend.
First, though, it's the exciting Edith Head exhibit at City Arts Center, along with "Mother's Hats".  What to wear, what to wear?......

Paseo Festival is behind me, so let me offer a great big happy thank you to all my pals who came along to keep me company, help set up and/or tear down, bring treats and drinks, as well as the plethora of  folks who offered their body parts to be painted.  It was fun, fast, and furious, and now I can move on to other things.
The first other thing will be Button Day at the Children's Center in Bethany, OK.
http://www.thechildrens-center.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=322&Itemid=374

I've had three paintings accepted to the show, including these:

Opening festivities are Thursday and Friday nights, 6:30 - 9:30 at The Children's Center, 6800 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK, and the show will continue through the  following week.  (I think.)  More details to be found by clicking the link.

Festival Time

I know I'm delinquent, and there's really no time just now to go into the storms and the storms and the storms, etc.  Mostly it's been the wedding job keeping me occupied, and hopefully it's coming to an end very soon, seeing as the wedding happens this weekend, as does my long stretch of body painting at Paseo Festival.
With the festival in mind, and prompted by the sudden onslaught of thick hot sticky steamy weather, I was compelled to hit the thrift shop in search of fun, bits and pieces that would be practical to work in.  No one wants to get glitter and smears of paint all over their favorite clothes, but then, neither does one want to spend long hours amongst the public wearing something that's not at least a little delightful.  When garments are picked up for one or two bucks at the second hand store, there's not such a worry about what will happen to them during the festival frenzy.  Unless they're still such lovely pieces that it'd be a shame to ruin.  Ah well.....
Amongst today's loot (three skirts, three tops, a romper, and a belt, all for under $20), were the cotton/lycra halter top by Angie, and the silk two-tone skirt shown here.  I'm wearing them today; maybe they'll be retired until after the festival safely passes.  ;)

This sweet instant ensemble was also part of today's haul.






Part of the epic wedding job was five huge umbrellas.  (Two painted in a wilder, colorful style, and three 'elegant', more subtle ones).  They're finally finished, as are the two decorated chairs.  Well, the chairs are almost finished.  They're coming back for some last-minute touches, because really, what else have I to do a couple days before a big crazy festival?

Speaking of which, don't forget to come see me on Paseo, NW 30th and Paseo Street, Oklahoma City, all weekend long, from Saturday morning till Monday evening.  I'll paint you up real fancy with my exciting new kit of body paints!  And add glitter at no extra charge.
My text and wire jewelry will be (is already) on offer at "A Jeweler's Art", also on Paseo, as well as "Istvan Gallery" on North Western.
Now I think I'll go have a little rest before the creating begins again.

Having heard of exotic, violet-flavored liqueurs that were once widely-available until they seemed to disappear, I found myself investigating, to see if they were really gone forever.  It seems a few are now being created again, though not always easily acquired.  At least not yet.  While waiting for the right moment to drop some $ for a special postal order, I figured it couldn't hurt to experiment a little here at home.  Due to my lenient groundskeeping technique (which means anything with a flower avoids being cut, no matter where it should be located), I've acquired a modest patch of violets in my north-facing back yard.  

Though I did feel a twinge of regret at harvesting those beautiful, happy blooms, it really is just a fair payback for those years of allowing the plants to grow and multiply. Right?

So I gathered what I could, gave them a quick rinse in cool water, packed them in a little jar and covered them in vodka.  French vodka, actually, though I doubt that really matters.

Stashed away in Tony's blue cupboard, the color quickly leached out of the flowers, leaving them pretty much white. 

Some new face painting supplies have got me excited to play around with fresh ideas.  A Chinese brush painting book is inspiring me.....

Stripey Nose II update:  I'd managed to procure a 10-day dose of amoxicillin, which I'd been putting in his wet food twice a day.  There was a little medicine leftover, so on day 11, I went out to dose him again, only he wasn't on his little cozy couch spot in the garage.  Despite my calling and searching I never spotted him again. 

Until this morning, exactly two weeks later.  It was rather a shock to see him sitting at the bottom of the back steps this morning, as if all those days hadn't elapsed.  Naturally, I immediately offered him a tin of food, which he immediately accepted. While his obviously broken back leg is still obviously broken, the other three limbs seemed much less injured and painful.  He lounged around most of the day, was still here for dinner, after which he sauntered (as much as a three-legged cat can) down the path to nestle in the shrubs by the garage.

Sadly, when I went out at dusk to check on him, he wasn't there.  Stripey Nose III (also known as Ring Tail) was lurking around, as was the big, strange, fighty ginger cat who's trying to horn in on our territory.  More disturbing than that, though, were the rather substantial blood spots and puddles that were scattered along the path and near the garage entrance.  Was it a fight?  Or a freshly-opened wound?  I don't know. I do know Stripey II is a toughy, and a survivor, but that doesn't make it any easier when worrying about him.