All works of art, photographs, writings and graphics within this blog/website are protected under U.S. Copyright laws and international conventions. No portion of the artists' works or statements may be duplicated, altered, downloaded or reproduced in any way without prior written permission from the individual artist. Thank you for respecting my works.
Just wanted you to know that I will be listing some new items in our Etsy shoppe tomorrow to help welcome in October. I hope you will stop by and check it out. The goodies will range from supplies for your own creations, vintage items and a few original items I've created. Be sure to check back in throughout the day as I will be listing items at different intervals...'cuz I'm sneaky like that.
Want a few hints? Well, I have one pair and one pair only of the petite santos hands, an old chair back with the most wonderful turnings and a set of beautifully framed vintage Sacred Heart prints (Jesus and Mary). Did that catch your interest? Maybe just a little?
Also, we will soon have handmade holiday items in the shoppe for you to peruse. It's that time once again (I know, I know...it's just October). <smile>
For purchases made on Saturday and Sunday (October 1st and 2nd) packages mailed to the Continental U.S. will have their shipping refunded back to them. Pretty neato huh?
I wanted to thank everyone who messaged me yesterday and who commented here on the blog post regarding my friend Amy. The offers of prayers and healing energy have been overwhelming....thank you, thank you, thank you.
I found out a few days ago that a friend of mine has been diagnosed with breast cancer. They have not decided on a surgery date as of yet as they are still in the early phase of getting MRIs and ultrasounds and such completed.
My heart is breaking for her as she begins this journey. I know that she is a strong woman but I also know she is scared, confused perhaps, unprepared and I know that waiting must put an extra strain on this circumstance. I also know that she has been diagnosed when so many medical breakthroughs have occurred for this and many cancers.
Please pray for my friend Amy, if you meditate please send some good vibes...I know she would appreciate it.
I know that in recent years there has been a big debate over whether or not a woman should have an annual mammogram and if so at what age should she begin. I have not been on the fence on this one at all, well as far as I go that is. I choose, for myself, to make that annual trek over to the imaging center to be poked, positioned, prodded and flattened.
If you have a moment please click the "Fund Mammogram" link at the top of my blog and help fund a mammogram for someone less fortunate. You can make a difference by clicking everyday.
Memories and Magic from Art Is You - Petaluma.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you were not able to experience this retreat this year you will definitely want to save the date for 2012 - September 19th - 24th....Art Is You - Petaluma!!!
What an amazing time, what an awesome group, new friends, old friends, memories galore......can't wait to see everyone next year!!
Today there is a party in the sky with Sal, Ellen and Marlene heading over to Petaluma for the first ever West Coast Art Is You. Tomorrow will bring us from the East Coast to the West Coast as well and we are looking forward to being with our art family once again exploring new spaces, new faces and creating our bottoms off (well, one can wish right?). :)
So far six boxes carrying an array of class supplies, student kits and vending items are on their way and should arrive there tomorrow. Right now I am trying to decide whether to send a final box I have via Federal Express, US Mail or put it in my suitcase. I just can't figure out how much our suitcase will weigh and will that 7 extra pounds throw us too much over the mark. Hmmmm decisions, decisions.
What is left will go from Petaluma to Connecticut where the Art Is Family will once again gather on the East Coast. So looking forward to seeing everyone.
We will soon be on our way, via asphalt ribbons and lofty clouds, to regions far and near to be embraced by our art family. I can hardly wait to be surrounded by all of the unconditional love and support that is so generously given by this group.
I have been gifted with so many friendships through art and count myself very fortunate and grateful for each and every one of them. They have nourished me, supported me, loved me, taught me, humbled me and strengthed me.
If I haven't said it loud enough, or strong enough or just plain often enough please know that I so appreciate you and love you.
Life has been, well, life for me lately. I know for some of you that doesn't make a lick of sense and for others you know all too well what it means. For me it's a step. A step of what you ask. Well, a step of acceptance or a step closer to the deep end or a step in this circle I feel I've been going in for a while. All I know is it's a step and as long as a step happens I know I'm still moving.
Now that you've probably heard everything you ever wanted to about this "step thing" let me share a few "good things"....
Are you a reader and are you a fur baby lover? Well this book's for you! Charlotte Dumas has put together a book called "Retrieved" about the search and rescue dogs that were called to duty after the September 11th attacks. Here is the description from Amazon:
Immediately following the attacks of 9/11, nearly 100 trained search dogs and their handlers--enlisted from 18 U.S. states--were deployed by FEMA to join the rescue efforts at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Alongside firemen and other teams sorting through the debris, the dogs worked tirelessly around the clock to locate survivors in the rubble--images of which intrigued Dutch photographer Charlotte Dumas as the events unfolded in the media. One decade later, discovering that only 15 of these dogs were still alive, Dumas succeeded in tracking each of them down, visiting and photographing the dogs at their homes throughout the U.S., where they all still live with their handlers. Composed at close range in natural light, Dumas' portraits--reproduced here in a thoughtfully designed paperback volume with Japanese binding--offer an intimate view into the everyday lives of these animals, now sharing the vulnerability of old age as they once pursued a common heroic goal.
To purchase the book just click on the above book cover to be carried magically away to Amazon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Want to learn something new for your artistic toolbox? Okay, granted this is one of my online classes so I may be a bit partial here....you won't go wrong signing up for my Fluid Chalks: Backgrounds and Beyond online class. Now this class is ongoing which means no end date so no stressing and you get to learn all about these amazing fluid chalks (I've had a 98% success rate in converting people over to using these in their art creations...well, it's been high anyway) and you only have to spend $20 to do it! Now I think that is pretty darn amazing! If you would like to sign up just hit the below PayPal button and then you will receive an invitation into the classroom within 12 hours.
Packages for the giveaway are ready to be mailed out tomorrow so if you were one of the winners be sure to be on the lookout for your prize.
