What to think, what to say???????????

Most times I get to this screen and any thoughts I may have ever had about writing simply vanish is a poof of smoke.  Have I become such a visual person that I can no longer articulate what is going on within me?  Somewhere in that dark space between my ears, or better still deep down within my soul?

I keep a little scrap of a photo next to my computer screen.  It is the one of Georgia O'Keefe on the back of a motorcycle.  I think it is called "Hitchin A Ride To Abiquiu".  That guy driving looks like he could be a hunk.  Heck even if he weren't a hunk I go for a ride with him.    I don't know, there is just something about that photo that resonates with me.  The landscape, her clothes, the sense of adventure, the need to live a wild and free life....................

So that's about it for today.  What's up with you? 

Studio Cleanup

It isn't one of those studios you see in the magazine....
how in the world do they ever do anything in such
pristine surroundings?????? I have precious little
time for creativity and use what I do have to make art....
not that there is anything wrong with the
"beautiful studio"
but jeez, I just can't keep it all together as it is !!!!

If you are one of those
"beautiful studio" people,
please tell me
HOW DO YOU DO IT !!!
Come to
my house and gussy up this space !!

These shelves are so cool !!!!
My husband is a GOD......

THE LAST OF SUMMER

TOTAL STUDIO CHAOS

those crackers are critical
to the creative process

see that tube of green
tulip paint?
I'm thinking that stuff
has some fun possibilities....
have you ever used it?
Actually I'm not so
excited about the green
but I had to buy the
whole pack to get the
white. I bet some place
like Hobby Lobby sells
individual tubes but I was
at Wal-Mart and didn't
want to drive down the hill
to the other stores....
so back on the topic, have
you used the tulip stuff?

Oh wait, that wasn't the topic,
was it?
The topic is my
messy studio !!!!

pizza boxes are great for storing flat paper
I went to the pizza place and they
gave me some unused boxes. they
thought I was nuts but since
I also buy pizza so they like me....
BTW, those pizza boxes
are empty.
I'm easily distracted, I guess.

See that Holga camera?
Someday I'm gonna give
it a whirl.

these drawers started out as a cool
place to keep small things
organized, now there is so much
miscellaneous stuff in them,
well I guess better there than
on the floor, right?

I don't even know what is down there
could be anything,
wait,
I think that is where I've been
keeping my rusty altoid tins
I've been looking everywhere
for those !!!!

Total Chaos

The space where I'm sitting is the only
clear area in the whole room.

It is a teeny tiny room,
yet I manage to cram so much
in here that many times I have to turn
sideways to get out the door.

I know, you're saying I need a bigger studio.
You are right.

Feelin' The Love !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you ever been over to Deryn Mentock's blog, Something Sublime????? I read her post about being positive, feeling happy and sharing that with others. Just makes me happy to think about it.

Today here in New Mexico we are enjoying really warm Spring weather. My garden is greening up. The birds are singing.

There isn't much in my life that I can label negative. Or I should say something "I am willing" to label negative. I tend to look for the silver lining......what about you?

EMPTY

Do you ever just feel empty?

All done in. Nothing in there?

Well friends I've been feeling empty lately.

I've got some things on the horizon that
should help to turn this around.

An art workshop and some time with a coach.

Even with all this empty-ness I keep making art,
hoping some little bit of glimmer will float to the top.

All Of Life Is An Artful Creation

Daria ~ two days old

So my friends,
ART....

the art of love,

the art of life,

the art of death,

all of creation is a work of art

The choice is ours...

do we approach life awake?

Ready to step up to the table

and claim our right to the creation of

ART?

Life On The Rio Grande River

This is the scene in the field outside my office window.
Geese.....lots of them.
And beautiful soft grey sandhill cranes....pic to follow one day.
Within walking distance is the Rio Grande River,
home to the largest Cottonwood Tree forest in the world
and habitat for birds, so many birds it would take your breath away.
Many days they make their way over to this field where I and
my co-workers enjoy watching. Of course, they make the
walkways and the parking lot a bit of a mess, but I think
picking my way through their little droppings is well worth
the effort to enjoy them each and every day.

What is your local like? Post a photo of your neighborhood,
then leave a comment and a link back here......I would really
enjoy getting to know you better in this way.

I had a great weekend.

I'm making dolls.......
so far Marcella and Valentina are complete.
I'll post photos when their sisters are ready.

I hope life in your world is as good as mine is and if it
isn't, please accept my hug.

I love you all.

A Tale's Of The Captain's Wife

Have you read "Ahab's Wife"? I read this book several years ago and simply fell in love with the bold adventure of a woman. A woman who ventured where none had gone before.

I have this vision in my mind of Ahab's wife.
Probably quite different from the one imagined by the author.

Before me stands the blank piece of wood.
Edges smoothed.
A first layer of background paint,
lovingly applied.

I'm thinking of the wife, her beautiful hair
blowing in the sea breeze. Waiting for her
man to return.

A saint, really.
Any woman with a man out to
sea and no definite return date
is really a saint in my book !

These days the image in my mind often runs
quite contradictory to what flows from my
brush, but once again I am going to set out
with the vision before me and we'll see where
it goes.

Stay tuned, this could get interesting.

A Quiet Day........................

Abandoned by Audrey the Studio Cat !!!!
I think she is mad because I've shooed
her out of the way......she needs to be
in the middle of all the
goings-on.

Quiet day here.
Still working on those fun
paperclay girls.
Those little girls are really
hard to do !!!! But I'm
having a lot of fun and learning
a lot about facial features
and I think it will be a good
exercise in improving my
painting skills.

After such cold weather we are
having a bit of a heat wave here in
New Mexico and I'm lovin' it.
Outside my office window is a big field
where three Sandhill Cranes have been
hanging out. We've named them
Larry, Mo and Curly.
I wonder what they've named us !!!!
Those birds are beautiful and I'm
thinking that capturing their mystery
in a painting would be an
interesting challenge.

Tonight is the first night of "Lost" and
I'm not a huge tv junkie but I do get
caught up in this particular show.
The big question is, do I give up my
evening in the studio for Lost??????
I know some people can have the tv on
and make art as well, but not me.

What about you?

What is going on in your world?

What are you watching?

Do you challenge yourself?

Do you name the birds in your yard????

A MOMENT OF FUN

Meet Audrey,
The pole dancing
slut cat.

I swear
she has no shame.

Santa Ana Retablo

Santa Ana ~ Retablo on wood
purchased at Spanish Market
Santa Fe New Mexico ~ 2008

This is the most beautiful piece of art I have ever
acquired. The first in what I hope is many. The
colors are so soft, up close it is velvety.

She is the patron saint of mother and children
and families.

May you, your children and your family
find joy and happiness today.

THE BIG "IF" ~ LET'S GET REAL JUST FOR TODAY

On The High Road
Paula ~ 2007

If you could be anyone - just for today,
who would you be?

If you could go anywhere - just for today,
where would you go?

If you could say what was truly on your heart -
just for today,
what would you say?

If you could eat what you love - just for today,
what would you eat?

If you could change anything in the world - just for today,
what would you change?

So.................
???????????

FIND A PLACE WHERE YOU FEEL HAPPY

Along the Rio Grande
Paula ~ 2008

Find a place where you feel happy......
settle in.....
feel good

PAINTED BUILDINGS

Abuelita's Restaurant, Bernalillo New Mexico
Paula ~ 2008

Isn't this a charming touch?
There are, or I should say WERE
panel insets along the side of the building
with these wonderful paintings on them.

The restaurant did a remodel and these are
now gone.

What a pity.

It is Friday.
Here's hoping you have a restful and
happy weekend.

Catch you on Monday !!

NATURE'S ARTISTIC CREATIONS

GARDEN OF THE GODS ~ COLORADO
PAULA ~ 2008

Life is good......

And you????

GRANDMA TAKE A PICTURE OF ME !!!!!

IRIS HAVING LUNCH OUT WITH HER GRANDMA
Paula ~ 2008

Grandma take a picture of me with my hands on my head !

Grandma take a picture of me with my eyes closed !

Grandma take a picture of me sticking out my tongue !

And on, and on, and on it went,

hours of pure, electric, euphoric joy.

Such is being Iris' grandma.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Paula - 2007

Everyone must be consumed by summer activities !

Where are you ????

What's up?

Garden Art !!!!!!!!!!!!

Paula's Garden Gayfeathers
Paula ~ 2008

So I've determined that yes,
gardening is ART !!

Oh heck, you all know
me by now.....

To me EVERYTHING
is art !

These Gayfeathers were
planted last year and they looked
just horrible.....on death's door,
so to speak.

I'm sure glad I didn't dig them up
as my husband suggested because
this year they are just simply
beautiful ! And to think this is just
their first full season in my garden.
Imagine how they'll look when they are
established and BIGGER !!!!!!

!!! WOW !!!

ART AND THE COLORS OF "HAPPY"

Window on Canyon Road, Santa Fe New Mexico
Paula - 2008