Tuesday and all is good.

Hello world! Thought I'd post some of my digital art. I am thinking of making blank cards to sell at the Alley Arts Festival of the 4 below I call rainbow flowers. They are bright and cheery! Daisies (of course), sun flowers, morning glories, and poppies. I love Photoshop! It is so much fun to alter reality. You can't trust photos any more these days as being "real". Also below is a piece I did a year or two ago, we had a long time co worker who was leaving and wanted to give her a plaque with our photos and well one thing led to another… yes that is me in the red swim suit top and red shorts! Don't I look marvelous! And no none of us have our "real bodies". :)

Lindsey came home yesterday. I was so happy to see her! She was in Arroyo Grande with Kelsi, house sitting for Kelsi's mom. Only gone for about a week, and really when she is home I hardly see her anyway, but I missed her! Glad you are back honey! Joe and I had a good weekend. He was off Sunday all day, I think his first Sunday off in years. He has had regular gigs on Sundays for many years. We spent the day in our garden trimming roses trees and bushes. I did a little planting. It was fun to get out there and get dirty together again and we created a BIG pile of trimmings! In the evening we went out to dinner and then to see Angels and Demons. I was a little disappointed. I thought the first movie, The Da Vinci Code was better. I mean it was a good movie, but not as good as the first, could just be me. But it was a good day!

On a sad note, I lost a high school friend recently, Cindy Nunes Ruark. Services for her will be this Friday. When we were young, Cindy was outgoing and crazy, she was an amazing artist. The first person I knew who made a living doing art. She did big beautiful murals. But as we grew older, she had some tragedies in her life. One of the big ones was when her husband Tom was killed in an auto accident. It was just 6 months after they adopted their son, Devin. Her life kind of spiraled after Tom died. She lived in our basement apartment when we first purchased our home in 1999-2000 she led a pretty sad life. She didn't do anything. Sit and watch TV all day, and drive Devin back and forth to school. I guess since then she had been drinking pretty heavily, I don't know maybe she was then too. But she pass away from cirrhosis of the liver. It all caught up with her. We lost touch, I don't think I'd seen her maybe once since she moved out of my house. But I will still miss her.

Well enough blogging for today. I wish for anyone who reads this to live life every moment. See the magic. Be well. Tj.

Different strokes from different folks challenge

This next challenge was interesting. Artist Karin Jurick took a photo of a Pennsylvania farm, washed out the color and told us to use our imaginations and invent the color! Woohoo! I love that! So, here is the photo challenge, and also my intrepretation. Go to the Different Strokes blog to see the others too!

I am also working on more works for the next second saturday, Alley Arts Festival. More to come... Be well!! Tj.

June Second Saturday Event...

I am participating in something different for June's Second Saturday. The Alley Arts Festival, which is a small event in an empty lot about a block from the center of the Second Saturday galleries and happenings. Some of my Swell Sisters and I have rented spaces, and are going to try to sell some of our stuff! I thought I'd do some flower paintings, some landscapes, and also am going to do some very small works of art! I am going to try to get a bunch of things done, but here are my first few. 2 yellow daisy's, 2 landscapes... well sort of!

I was sick the last few days, no not swine flu... but a bad cold. My dear hubby shared! Thanks honey! But I am feeling better and think I'll be just fine in a day or so... and ready to get back to work! Hope everyone is doing good. Be well... Tj.

Different strokes from different folks challenge

Ok, I found this really cool blog, it is artist Karin Jurick's blog. Every couple of weeks she posts a photo and for any artist who would like to join in - she challenges to paint or draw or etch it in their way. There are over a hundred active participants... some really great art!

The first photo below is for the current challenge photo. And then my intrepretation... I call it "All Stop" yes I saw the new Star Trek movie yesterday it may have had some influence on me! Well I do love Star Trek!!! And there is a close up too! :) Go to the Different Strokes blog. I am going to submit to her, but she has asked us to hold on to them until next week... so stand by!!!












The Jazzed show went fairly well. I did get to spend some very fun time with some of my Swell Sisters! Always love that! I got to meet Alyson's mom... who's name is totally escaping me right now! She does read my blog so I am so sorry! I totally apologize, I'm having a senior moment. I know it will either come to me in the middle of the night, or as soon as Alyson tells me I'll be like I knew that. But it was really nice to meet you! I hope we get to spend some time together again soon. I did sell one painting the night of the reception, the one of Ron Carter. A BIG thank you to Lenny for being a faithfull fan!

Be well!!! Tj.

last 2 for jazzed show

Here is Miles Davis and bass player Ron Carter...

2 more for Jazzed show...

Ok, so I decided to do some musicians for the show too. I couldn't help myself they were screaming paint me!!! I think I'm going to do two more also.

But here is Lester Young and Dizzy Gillespie.

Next art show and our vacation!

Ok, so here are 2 of the paintings I've done for the next show I am in called Jazzed! A reflection of music in art. So instead of doing the obvious, musicians, I decided to do dancers. I found some inspiration in some old photos I found of zoot suits dancin...

Here is the postcard for the show... (which I did too, photoshoped a pic of Lester Young)

Last week my hubby and I took a little trip. It was his birthday, (happy birthday honey!), and also he had a gig down south in Santa Maria. So we rented a little beach house. How great that was! Perfect place to relax the days away! I sat and painted right next to the ocean, love it!! And here is the birthday boy feeding some very agressive seagulls! It's the birds!!!!!!!!!!!

New Painting for my son!

Ok, so Nick moved out a couple of months ago. When he moved I promised him a piece of art for his new apartment... well I finally finished it! Nick is a poker dealer, so it had to be poker related. But I didn't want it to be your average poker art... dogs playing poker, cards running. Ok, so I painted what I'm calling Nick's forest. It is 2 gnomes, 1 leprechaun, 1 fairy and a squirrel playing poker in a forest. The whole painting and a close up of the game, what do you think? I hope he likes it I'm taking it to him this afternoon!!!

Also, here is a photo of Joe and I doing our performance art piece for the newspaper show. It was fun... sitting in a public place in our jammies felt kind of funny at first, then we got into it! HA! Notice the newspaper chain that blocked our piece off.

Here is a photo of my daughter Lindsey wearing a newspaper hat, and a photo of me with my art hanging on the wall.

Second Saturday show update!

Ok, not only am I going to be showing my art but... drum roll... I am going to be doing a performance art piece along with my hubby. And NO we are not playing music! Hum... guess you'll just have to come out and see! Here is the postcard for the show. Hope you can all make it!

April 11 Second Saturday Show

The Marco Fuoco Gallery presents The Demise of the Newspaper. An artist view of changing times. Marco Fuoco Gallery Second Saturday Reception, April 11, from 7 pm to 11 pm. 6764 Folsom Blvd Sacramento. I will have 3 pieces for the show. My Newsie, posted below, and also Madonna, and Weeping Angel. They are all, acrylic on old newspaper on canvas board. All will be framed. The show runs through May 5th. It should be interesting to see how the participating artists interpreted this one! Be well!!! Tj.

Interesting show for April Second Saturday

The Demise of the Newspaper. More Newspapers are going digital every day, stopping the old print that was always waiting for you on your front stoop in the morning. This show is all about that! Should be interesting to see what the artists come up with. And I think there will be a performance art piece too... someone sitting and reading the paper! HA!

I was the happy recipient of some old, very old newspapers from 1917. My dear father in law parted with them in the name of art... well and he knows how I love anything old! Some of it was not in the best shape, so I used it as a background. I have 3 pieces, this is the first... titled "newsie". Be well... Tj.

Long time no blog!

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted an actual blog... what's going on?? I have had some great times recently. Beginning with a weekend retreat March 6th to 8th with my swell sisters! Yahoo!!!! I haven't laughed that hard for so long in a really long time. What a hoot! We stayed in a vacation home owned by the brother of my swell sister Jen. It was a beautiful old home in McCloud CA, 5 bedrooms 2 baths. The sky was blue, Mt Shasta just glowed in the sunlight. The first night, Friday, we stayed up and talked, watched the movie Frida about Frida Kahlo, a famous woman artist from Mexico. I think I went to bed around 1. But Saturday was a whole different story! We were up till after 5am! I have not stayed up that late in years… and because Rebecca had to get home on Sunday semi early, we got up at 8am to come home… so yes I had about 2 1/2 or 3 hours sleep. I was tired for days after but it was all worth it! We played games, did karaoke, did art, laughed, danced, and even had a snow ball fight at 2 in the morning… ok, I just watched but it was fun! The weekend went by really fast. We are planning to do it again in the summer, 3 nights this time!

Last weekend was a party weekend also, Friday night was the retirement party for a long time friend. Rick. He had a big bash… great food, good music (one of my hubby's bands), good company! I danced my socks off… in fact I hurt my foot doing that. It is better, but I'm still limping a little! Saturday was my dear mother in laws birthday and we had a very nice dinner with her and much of the rest of our family. She had a wonderful night I think, it was so nice to spend with her. Yummy food again and great company!

Lindsey is in Oklahoma City right now. She was supposed to be home last night, but their connecting flight through Denver was snowed out. Or in… I am not sure. Lindsey and Kelsi, her girlfriend, went on Wednesday to check out the University there. Kelsi has been accepted to the theater department, she is studying to be a stage manager and apparently that is 'the' school to go to. So Kelsi will start in the Fall. They are coming home tomorrow now. Gave them an extra couple of days to explore the campus and city. I am taking care of my granddogger while they are gone. Lindsey got a puppy a little over a month ago. So, I am watching Pixi while she is gone. She is so cute!!! But I am pooped! I forgot how much energy a puppy has!!! She loves to play with Bosco and Chester.

I did get some sad news recently from one of my best friends since 6th grade, Carolee. Her sister Mary Ann passed away. Mary was 48 and never expected to live as long as she did. She was a down syndrome baby and born with a hole in her heart. They were told if she lived to be 10 she could have open heart surgery, well she did. After the surgery they were told she probably would not live for very many more years. Well, 38 years later, boy she really beat the odds! Mary was a bright star with a open loving heart. She had a very mischievous sense of humor, and love to dance! In thinking about Mary I realized how much she helped to make me who I am today. I was probably 11 when I met Mary, she would have been 7. Growing up with her taught me to be compassionate to others who are not like me. She taught me about the power of laughter and brought so much of it to my life. Being a witness and recipient of her love taught me how to love unconditionally. Her hugs were always heartfelt and her joy for life always so very pure. It has always given me something to aspire to. I will always be grateful to have had Mary in my life. I know she is now an angel and will watch over us all. If I can do one thing to honor Mary in my life it would be to live true, love openly, and dance like there is no tomorrow. Mary, I am going to do just that, we will all miss you very much.

30 30 Show... success!

Well, I had a very satisfying show with the 30 30 project. Lots of great feedback. A BIG thank you to everyone who purchased a part of the Luna Tunes series. It was really a joy to create, and I am so glad they are going to homes where they will be appreciated and enjoyed! I am so happy and grateful.

I picked up the paintings from the 30 30 show that did not sell. Well actually the gallery kept 3, he is going to have a small works wall and wanted to keep 3 to show. But I picked up the others and thought I would post them here. If anyone is interested in any of them, please shoot me an email! I might list them on ebay and see what happens too. I'll post it if I do. Be well!! Tj.

The Luna Tunes series are acrylic on 6X6 stretched canvas, sides painted black. $25 each.
The remaining paintings available from the Luna Tunes series are:

Day 5 - no longer available

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11 - no longer available

Day 16

Day 19

Day 27

Spread the Love blog award!!!

A few days ago I received a "Spreader of Love" blog award from my Swell Sister Janet at http://folkartbycampbelljane.blogspot.com/! I am so honored to be included, thanks Jana! Everyone should check out her blog and lovely Etsy shop. She is an awesome creater of angels and other whimsical stuff, and a great Swell Sister!

Here are the rules:

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.

2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.

3. Nominate 5 blogs.

4. Put links to their blogs.

5. Leave a message for your nominees.

I am going to have trouble with rule 3. I don't know that many bloggers! So here is one I know, a couple that I have followed and one that I did a blog search and whala... Hey maybe I'll meet some fun fellow bloggers along the way! So, here are my nominees...

1. Jamie Ellis and family http://jjjjellis.blogspot.com/ Jamie and her family are very close friends no they are family!. Because Jamie alway spreads the love!


2. Susan Beauchemin http://paintsee.blogspot.com/ she is a daily painter that I have admired for quite some time. Her art makes me happy, and feel the love of her family.


3. Deb Disalvo http://artisticflairbydebdisalvo.blogspot.com/ she is a glass artist and very talented! Her work is so detailed and amazing!! Got to spread the love...


4. Jax Baxter http://jaxonbaseball.blogspot.com/ I stumbled on this blog some time ago, it cracked me up! Jax the dog baseball blog... specifically the SF Giants! Go Giants!!! Spread the baseball love!


5. Federick http://mystartrekscrapbook.blogspot.com/ ok, this one I found today and I'm so excited! I am such a Star Trek freak. I have been since I was a kid. It's too late now it's in my blood! This find makes me happy!! I can't wait to to explore the archives! Star Trek lives in my heart so I had to spread the love here!

I hope they participate, but totally understand if they don't.

Be well everyone! Tj.

3 more altered pages

I seem to do these in 3's, not sure why??? Hum... anyway, here are 3 more. The book I am using was found in a book sale, 50 cents, it is a pre teen book all about magic so I'm finding some interesting things in it! Be well... Tj.