Welcome to 2010. (That's "twenty-ten" in my head, not "two-thousand and ten", which seems and sounds like an unnecessary mouthful.)
There was the Christmas Eve blizzard, causing great inconvenience to many, many people. Fortunately for us, we had no big plans, plenty of food in store, and were happy to hide away in the 'hood for a few days. Fortunately, too, the Red Cup is only a mile or so away; a not-too-stressful stroll brings us the daily dose of coffee and socializing. And the cemetery along the way is an added bonus.


New Year's Eve was as usual for us. Sara and I had our annual gig of face painting downtown for Opening Night. Tony dropped us off (along with the other painters, Tina and Chandler), and returned to collect us at 11 pm, which goes a long way toward easing the potential hassle of finding and paying for a place to park. It was strange to arrive at our designated area, only to see a posse of clowns had invaded and taken over. They begrudgingly made room for us, in the back, and then proceeded to somewhat monopolize the crowd all evening. Now, we were being paid to do a job and help entertain the crowds, so a little wasteful thumb twiddling didn't sit well. Eventually some people found their way to our tables, including this charming couple who requested the kissy fish. Aren't they cute as they lock lips at midnight, under the rising ball?


And now the rush of festivities and parties has ebbed, and the real world beckons. Super duper brutal arctic air is supposedly headed our way (I heard something about 2 degrees F - yipes!). If tomorrow's last bit of warmth (38 degrees) can thaw that frozen hay bale in the front yard, I'll be parceling it out over the more delicate plants like lavender and pineapple sage, in hopes of preventing their total demise. The front path rosemary has been dying off over the past months, and looks completely finished now. :( Still, it's dead dry branches will smell lovely in the chimenea. My other, biggest, oldest rosemary is somewhat sheltered against the west side of the house. Let's hope that exposure, along with the matting of sycamore leaves tangled in the lower branches will help protect it.

While it's bitterly cold outdoors, I'll be working my little fingers off with the newest collection of text pendants. This batch incorporates more of the Jugenstil-esque wire designs, making them a bit more ornamental and versatile. See a small sampling here, and the entire collection at Studio Six on Paseo next month, when I'll be the featured guest artist for First Friday's Gallery Walk.
cheers gang, happy new year, and keep warm!

See No, Hear No, Speak No....

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Originally uploaded by joannacraddock

MJ, me, and Carolyn as the proverbial monkeys (only less hairy) at the Living Arts event in Tulsa.

'Tis the Season to Socialize

In November there was Champagne and Chocolate at Livings Arts, in Tulsa. MJ, Carolyn, and I made the trek for a lovely evening filled with - what else? - champagne and chocolate. And tasty savory food and much delightful art. Jenan was once again a ceramic corset model, and chocolate profferer.
The following day, Tony's folks arrived from Ireland to attend a real old-fashioned American Thanksgiving dinner, and Tony's graduation from medical school.



Somewhere along the way I had one of 'those' days, in which everything seemed a little awkward and off-kilter. These two spills happened within 10 minutes of each other.



So, in a nutshell, there was Thanksgiving in Duncan, Tony's graduation, Paseo Art Walk - cut short in order to get Tony to his surprise party at Istvan Gallery, where a fantastic assortment of friends and family had gathered to wish him well and congratulate him. After the initial shock (and venting by calling me a dirtbag (albeit with a smile)), he got into the swing of things and a grand, grand time was had by all. Photos here soon, perhaps, but already on fb. Then there was the Christmas parade in Stockyards City, featuring a herd of longhorns rumbling down the street; dancing to the divine, golden age music at Ingrid's Kitchen, and various other escapades that escape me at the moment.
Though the folks were here for Sara's winter orchestra concert at Classen SAS, they flew away early the next morning, no doubt to carry back to Eire tales of the rambunctious, party-a-minute lifestyle we're living out here in the wild west. ;)
They were not here for the Christmas Exhibition at Arctic Edge Ice Rink, in which Sara skated a lovely solo, and then teamed up with Jared for an enchanting duet, skated to "Once Upon A December."
They've taken the show on the road, so to speak, and have skated it twice at the outdoor, downtown ice rink. A few more performances may happen before the year ends.

November has begun delightfully. Tony and I spent some time at the Girlie Show Friday night (my birthday), which may have been a bit too loud and crowded, but at least we can say we've done it now. Saturday we ventured up to Tulsa for breakfast at Queenie's, a browse through junk and antique shops, and a peek at the "Vintage Show", which, as far as I can figure, is Tulsa's version of Buchanan's Antiques Market. Only not every month, like we get it here in OKC.
Sunday I did my duty for IAO's Red Dot publicity campaign, posing with one of several Red Dot sculptures installed around the city. Erin, the organizer, asked me to wear something 'fun and costumey'. Shockingly, as I gazed at my wardrobe, nothing looked like a costume at all. Whatsoever. Sara's Halloween get-up was hanging outside her bedroom, however, so I nabbed that instead. Well, the skirt, stockings, boots, and wig are mine, but I'm wearing her blouse, vest, and jacket.

And as seen below, I won the coveted, first-ever title of Red Cup WinterSquash Queen! Yes, I'm still giddy with excitement. (In the picture I'm bending to retrieve a chandelier crystal that had fallen off my crown.)


As of tomorrow - Oklahoma Arts Institute, Quartz Mountain! Will I be taking some photos? You bet, baby.

success?

I read somewhere that to be successful, a blog needs to be updated twice weekly, at the very least. well, at least I'm successful in some areas.......

Recent activities: mixed media painting/collage for IAO's upcoming Red Dot auction. I'm not too proud to admit I've become rather attached to this piece, and will set a reserve if given the option. (Click to enlarge, if you're interested in details.)

This painting is called "Miss Jeannie", after the homeless kitty who inspired it. By the night of Sit.Stay.ART event, all the animals except one had found real homes. Hooray. I just hope Miss Jeannie's new people look after her real good.

Next, a silhouette inspired by Annie and Bindlestiff Willie, for "Out of Sight", an IAO exhibit geared toward those with vision impairments. A challenge, to say the least, but an enjoyable one.


And lastly, a wee possum playing possum, after snacking on leftover cat food.

Busy weekend, and beyond

A cat painting in the works for Sit.Stay.Art; a painting accepted for the upcoming "Out of Sight" exhibit at IAO, and Plaza Festival coming up tomorrow. In the morning, 11 am til 1 pm, come see me at the Spirit Fest, First Presbyterian Church, NW 25th and Western, Oklahoma City. All kinds of free and festive things will be going on, including my body painting.
After that, pop down to see me at the amazing Plaza District Festival, NW 16th between Classen and Pennsylvania. That one doesn't begin until 3 pm (lucky for me), but it carries on till 11, with music, open studios, artists, performers, and who knows what else. I won't be sticking around all night, but as long as there's enough light to see what I'm painting, and enough people around, I'll be there. Besides body painting, I'll have my necklaces, charms, pendants, and brand new shawl pins on offer.

A Gorgeous Beginning to September

People may grumble about clouds and rain and gray days and cool winds and no sunshine, but not me, baby. I love it. I eat it up! Maybe not eternally, but in a place known for mild (hot) weather and no end of sun, I embrace these cloudy cozy days.
My autumn plans included some private parties, some possible art openings (well, definite art openings, but possibly containing my art on the walls), the Plaza Festival, Oct. 3, and the Peace Festival, mid-November. The latter part of all that has changed today, with a phone call. The Oklahoma Arts Institute down at Quartz Mountain has contacted me about modeling for a portrait painting workshop, and having just spoken about the event a week ago with someone else, I simply couldn't say no to this opportunity.
Having checked the website of the artist giving the workshop, I'm ever so impressed, and hopeful that by osmosis I might take away a wee grain of inspiration.
Anyway, with the weather, I've been channeling Bohemia lately.

Here Comes Autumn

The sun is still warm on bright days, but as evening air cools and thins, I know it'll soon be time to dust off the cozy layers, and the stockings, and maybe even hats and armwarmers, in preparation for the season of Scorpiofest. I can't help but be happy.
Of course, I'd be a smidge more happy to acquire an old canoe, like this. We were treated to a glimpse of the Red Cup employees and friends Labor Day bash this weekend, in the wild woods outside of Stroud. A beautiful, peaceful place, with a little pond I could drift on for hours. Or better yet, take photographs, sketch, lounge, and sip a drink while Tony does all the work. ;)



A visit to the antiques market was a fun diversion Saturday afternoon. Several old patterns (both sewing and knitting/crochet), magazines, 2 photos, 2 tiny tins, a pair of battered old fedoras, and a mannequin head all found their way home with me.

This was a lazy day (after a 7:30 am client for me, and an early hours run for Tony). We cooked an egg, onion, cheese scrambled, sipped some French pressed Columbian coffee, lounged a bit, then eventually took a drive out and about, ending up at the book shop for a coffee and shared pretzel. (B&N wasn't our choice, but seemed to be the only coffee joint opened today.)
As the sun lowered behind the magnolia, leaving the front step in cool shade, we cooked a couple garden burgers on the mini charcoal grill. And a foil packet containing broccoli and sliced red onions. Mmmm. Maybe I'll come back and edit in the photos once I retrieve them from the camera. Or maybe I'll just incorporate them into the next post.