Monday, August 31, 2009

Quilting… oh no a new passion??

So, you may or may not know, I've been a fabric freak for years. My mom taught me to sew when I was just a girl, through my life I've made my own clothes, curtains, dolls, costumes, pillows, kids stuff you name it, if it's fabric I've probably made it but… never have quilted. I always thought I'd enjoy it but never took that on. Well my friend Patti is an amazing quilter, and while she has been here visiting I've been introduced to that passion. I know right? How many hours are in a day???
Anyway, I found this quilt pattern called Attic Windows and I love it! I have all these small pieces of fabric that has great graphics on it, that would look really cute in the windows! So, I'm going to give it a try. I can always call on Patti for help if I get stuck!! Love you Patti!! Here is a photo of the finished pattern. My windows will have different things in them, but you get the idea!





I spent this last Saturday at Carolee and David's home again. What a difference a week made, it was so hot there! Their end of the year party was a great success, it was just spend in a different part of their home than usual, way too hot to be on the back deck or the bocce court! But as the sun went down we all made our way out there! Great food, great conversations, great company! One of the things I love about being there is watching the humming birds. I could sit for hours and take photos of them. They dance and fight, eat and squeak at each other. Quite a ballet! They have hundreds of hummers that feed at their feeders! Here is a couple of photos I took (2 out of about 70!)

Here is also another photo of my best friends, Carolee on the left and Patti on the right. This was taken at The Tides restaurant in Bodega Bay CA, one of the places the movie The Birds was filmed! It's been great spending all that time together!!! I love you both!




Be well, be creative! Tj.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Friday wishes!!!!!

A little wish for Friday. Ok, I am posting just part of a painting. The whole painting was a collaborative piece, there is a girl blowing into her hand on the left in the whole painting, but I didn't do that part so I cropped it out for this. I can do that right? I think I am going to have to recreate the whole thing, in concept anyway, someday… because I just love it! So, the part that I added was this pitcher hanging on a rusty wire with dandelions blowing in the wind. Brings back memories of childhood, collecting dandelions and making wishes. So, here for you my wish for Friday.

May your friends be true, your heart be pure, and may you live full and laugh often!

Really.

Laugh, belly laugh, you know you want to! Find the joy in the everyday!

Be well, be happy and go create! Tj.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Friends and friendships

Great wonderful friends are truly a blessing. In every possible way aren't' they? I have been very fortunate to have girlfriends in my life for, well ok I’m not shy, over 40 years! Carolee and I met when her family moved down the street from my family, we were in 6th grade. Our friend Patti we met in high school, I believe it was 10th grade. And the 3 of us have been best friends ever since, through thick and thin. Of course we don't see each other like we did back then, but when we do it's like rolling back time! Patti's husband is in the military so they move around quite often, right now they are in Texas. Carolee and her husband moved to wine country a few years ago, so she is closer but still a drive to see her.
But, Patti is here in Sac visiting her dad for 3 weeks. Yahoo! Last weekend we went to Carolee's home and spent the weekend! What a great time we had, her home sits on a little hill surrounded by vineyards. Just a beautiful spot to be. And we had a blast together!
This is a picture of us standing in front of Carolee's house. We arrived Friday night, after fighting traffic on Hwy 101, bla. Ate shrimp tacos, very yummy! Stayed up late just chatting and catching up! Saturday we took a little tour of the area, went to Sebastopol saw some really great sculptures. Drove to the little town of Bodega and toured the old school building where the movie "The Birds" was filmed. Then we went into Bodega Bay and ate clam chowder at The Tides, another spot where "The Birds" was filmed. We fed some gulls french fries… yes we were trying to encourage the birds!! Eeek! Took a drive up the coast. The northern CA coast is so very beautiful! Made our way back to Carolee's. That evening, we ate a wonderful meal prepared by Carolee and her hubby David. And then played dominoes! Sunday we went into Santa Rosa, to go to a little stitchery store Carolee found. Patti is the stitcher really, although I've attempted one or two. Patti is a wonderful quilter too, and we share a fabric addiction. We passed a little store called Material Girl and said hey can we stop there?? Carolee was kind enough to u turn and go back. She neither stitches or sews much well if at all, but she is a truly great friend and took us back. She sat and watched as we mulled over fabric in the sale bins. Material Girl is an independent quilt/fabric store and had some really great fabric patterns!!! So cute! Check out their website: http://www.materialgirlfabric.com/
We did each end up with some fabric for our collections! Too much fun! The weekend was a blast. Thanks to Carolee (and David) for hosting us at The Nest!

I started a new health habit. I can say it's a habit now… I think… because last night was my 10th time in 2 weeks. I am attending water aerobics classes at the YMCA. Well mostly classes, there were 2 or 3 times I went during an open swim and used the water dumbbells and noodles and did the exercises I've learned. I feel so much better already! My hubby is going too, but not to the class, he goes and uses the equipment while I'm in class. Go honey!!! And Lindsey my daughter is going to class with me. Yeah!!! We are all trying to be healthier! I told Patti and Carolee about it, they were both curious so Patti went as a guest last night, she was funny! She kept giggling, just like I did my first day or two, doing those moves is awkward in the water! I think Patti is going to come with us again tomorrow, I'm looking forward to it! We get to see Carolee again on Saturday, they have an annual end of summer party at The Nest and it's is this weekend! So the 3 BGFL (Best Girlfriends For Life) will be together again!

On another note. This last week I struggled with issues that were happening in a women's art group that I did belong to. There is so much gossip and yammering going on in the group, I couldn't take it anymore, life is too short, so I quit. Sad because I've made some great friends, and I hope we'll keep in touch, but at the same time it feels so good to be done. So I'm putting this out there… As you make your way through your life, don't take to heart hearsay, gossip, or 3rd party information ever. Someone says that someone said about you… bla bla bla. Don't let it hurt you because it could be just unkind untruths, words that have been twisted and taken out of context. And that can unravel things faster than a kitten pulling on a ball of yarn!

Go forth, be well, be creative, and mostly be kind. Thanks, Tj.
Love you BGFL's!!!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Fun New Challenge

I found this great blog, another painting challenge called The Virtual Paintout The artist must use a view found through Google Street View as the reference for the painting or drawing. There is a different city postd every month, and you go explore that city using Google maps to find an image you are interested in! This months challenge was London England. I have always been intrigued by the London Eye, in fact I believe Sacramento should have a Sacramento Eye, wouldn't that be fun! So the London Eye is my subject.
Here is a photo of the street view from Google Maps and also my painting. It is 11x14 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas. I'd like to challenge all my artist friends to join in the fun! I sure learned my way around London!!

Be well, be kind. Tj.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Latest paintings

Well I'm back from vacation now for a few days, finally feel like I'm back in the swing of it... real life that is. Seems to get harder as I get older to re-adjust after not working for a while. Anyway, we had a great vacation, spent the week on the Russian River in Guerneville with the family. And the dogs. First time we took the dogs on vacation with us, I really enjoyed them and they did great! I did do some painting, so I thought I'd share...


The first I call "Wheres my glasses?" on your head of course! This was inspired by a gargoyle shelf that was hanging on the wall at the vacation house. It is acrylic, 6X6 gallery wrap canvas.










The second, I did for my dear friend Carolee for her birthday. We all turn 53 this year this lady came to me with her sparkly glasses... seemed appropriate! It is acrylic, 5X7 gallery wrap canvas.
Happy Birthday Carolee!!!







Then I did this conga player guy. He is acrylic on 4X12 gallery wrap canvas with the sides painted in harlequin. I think the side view more accurately reflects the color.










And I did one plein air, sitting in the redwoods. Acrylic on 8X10 gallery wrap canvas. Of course you just can't capture the magic of the redwoods.









I did start one other musician painting, but it isn't done so I'll share it later!
I had a show for Second Saturday at VOX studios. What a great space, nice people who run it too. Lots of people came through, thanks to you all! Here is a pic of me standing by my exhibit
I hope all is well in your world!!!! Until next time... Tj.

Quote for today

Be yourself,


everyone else is taken!!! :)



Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Cutest Dog Competition

Vote for Bosco Carl!!! He IS the cutest dog... just look at those ears!!!!

CutestDogCompetition.com
Vote for my DogSponsored by All American Pet Brands makers of premium dog food.