Annie Hooten's Art With Heart

Magic with Kate Church

2012-01-16T15:11:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a three day workshop in Dallas with Candian artist Kate Church. http://www.katechurch.com/ It was so AWESOME and MAGICAL and FANTASTIC. Kate is a wonderful teacher and the whole class made some fantastic pieces. I loved how mine came out. I just want to sit and make more little people.

Kate and I will be planning soon for a workshop is Albuquerque in 2013. No dates set yet, but I want to learn more from her. Don't miss a fabulous opportunity to work with a master!! More info coming later.

The end is near.........Welcome 2012

2011-12-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

my witch from Arley Berryhill's class, Mom and I having a cocktail at Thanksgiving

and Ed and I having a sushi dinner at our favorite restaurant

My last post started with "oh my gosh I can't believe it has been two months since I've written" and here it is another two months gone. Where does the time go? Has anyone ever answered that question? I don't think so.

2011 seemed to have flown by and now it is time to take stock of where I've been and where I'm going. This past year brought so many wonderful things.....

another Artfest last April

polymer clay workshops I organized with Jana Roberts Benzon and Sarah Shriver

another season of training with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (Ed and I raised $5,200 and went to San Francisco to do the Nike Half Marathon)

a few days in Phoenix with my fabulous friend Cynde at Art Unraveled

celebrating my mom's birthday in Albuquerque with my brother, his wife and my daughter, Jennie, and having Mom make the decision to move here

having my dad visit us and discovering a new restaurant in Santa Fe

my friend Pam and her son Kendall visited from North Dakota and we got some of our old Z-CoiL buddies together for a lovely dinner

being active in the Kokopelli Doll Group (and winning a blue ribbon at the State Fair with my first doll!)

being active in the LIBROS book arts group (and winning a blue and red ribbon for two of my hand made books)

starting a Visual Journaling group

making a super cool witch in a workshop with Arley Berryhill (photo attached)

going to Clay Carnival in Las Vegas (with Cynde of course)

making a bunch of new friends online (and I got to meet Carlanda Brown Williamson and Serena Barton in person)

and somehow I managed to work full time!!!

Ed and I had another wonderful year together - we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary, we grew lots of tomatoes and corn in our garden, we hosted a Stampin' Up party and Ed helped the ladies as we made lovely Christmas projects, we trained for the half marathon together and Ed also coached the Team in Training cycling team, we relaxed while watching our favorite TV shows (and I often had my art table set up in the living room so that I could feed my creative habits while catching up on Trueblood, Grey's Anatomy, Bones, The Closer, etc), we went to the Yoga Winter Solstice celebration, we held another Trivia Night fundraiser, we had a lovely Thanksgiving in Arkansas with my mom (whose house is on the market so she can move to Albuquerque!!), and a quiet Christmas with home made cookies.

2012 is already starting off with a bang.....going to Dallas in two weeks to do a workshop with Kate Church (http://www.katechurch.com/) and I'll be returning to Artfest at the end of March (sad that this will be the last one (http://www.teeshamoore.com/). We are hoping to go back to Australia to visit all our friends later in the year, but that may not happen unless they finally let us use our frequent flyer miles or we win the lottery!

I hope that 2012 brings everyone a wonderful year full of magic.....and I'll try (once again) to be better about posting in my blog.

Happy New Year!!

Annie

Early morning Sunday thoughts

2011-11-06T06:53:00.000-08:00

First thought.....can it really be almost TWO MONTHS since I last wrote in my blog? Well, the evidence clearly shows that to be true. The best intentions have been falling by the wayside lately. As I get older I keep discovering more and more and more things I want to do and be involved in and I know I'll never have time to do them all. So how does one go about choosing? That is a topic that deserves much more additional thought. I'll let you know what I find!!

Second thought.....I found out last night that Artfest 2012 is going to be the last one. Teesha Moore is moving on to other adventures. I am signed up to go again in 2012 and it will be my fourth one. Fort Worden in Port Townsend is a magical place, with lots of magical friends and to think this will be the last one has made me very sad. Of all the workshop adventures I've ever participated in, Artfest is by far the most special, so I feel empty and sad that I am about to attend the last one. But maybe the fact that Teesha has made this decision will help me to go back to my first thought and make decisions that will be right for ME. Hmmm....keep that thought.

Third thought....in the meantime, I am headed out in a few days to Clay Carnival, a wonderful get together of polymer clay artists that I have attended for several years. It is four days of learning and sharing and laughing and is also magical (although I must say that the Imperial Palace hotel doesn't hold a candle to the magic of Fort Worden for many obvious reasons). Although I will miss my wonderful husband, it will be good to get away and do the thing I love the most......make art.

Since I've had a bad cold for a few days now, I don't think I have a fourth thought. Oh I'm sure it's in there somewhere, along with about a million other thoughts that are screaming "Pick me, Pick me, Pick me". But I am trying to quiet all the voices and decide what is best for me. I wonder how Teesha did it? I am sure by being brave. I guess I just need to learn a little bravery.

And I leave you with a photo of me in my Halloween costume. The intent was to be Dr. Frank-n-Furter from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, but it was kinda depressing that only one person all day knew who I was supposed to be and that so many people said "oh yeah, I've heard of that movie". Proof that I am getting older and the time to make me decision is NOW!!

Learning to be fearless

2011-09-16T21:34:00.001-07:00

My friend Cynde and I made a pact a couple of months ago to do something creative every day. Since then, rarely a day goes by that I don't get out my pencils, or scissors, or paints, or stamps, or stencils, or needles and threads, or a favorite art book and lose myself in the joy of creating.

I am trying my best not to be too critical of myself, and am attempting to be fearless. It is a difficult struggle. As an artist, we somehow see ourselves as less than we really are. I am attempting to NOT try to be perfect, but to just ENJOY the process of creating.

There is a website that I subscribe to - the Brave Girls Club - and every day they send out an inspiring message that I use to help me in my quest to be the artist I want to be. To not be scared. To try new things. To be confident. To be FEARLESS. It isn't easy, but I am taking baby steps in the right direction.

I used my fearlessness and submitted one of my original drawings (inspired by a class with Carla Sonheim) to the Brave Girls, and I just found out that I am the featured "birdie" artist of the day. I am thrilled. Tonight I have NO FEAR.

Check it out.........and subscribe to their website......you'll love the inspiring messages.
www.bravegirlsclub.com/dailytruths/sept1611.htm (I believe you have to be a member - it is free - to see the posting. )

Before and After

2011-08-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

Before......................and..............................After

No. I didn't get a face lift. I look exactly the same (well, perhaps a few more wrinkles since I last posted). Are you KIDDING? It has been over two months? Yikes. Can I give the excuse that I've been REALLY busy? Because I have. It's the truth. The whole truth and nothing BUT the truth.

I'm not sure where the rest of June went, but in July, Ed and I organized and held our Trivia Night fundraiser benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We are training to walk the Nike half marathon in San Francisco in October. So there was a ton of planning to do. It was a successful night and we raised just under $2000.......but we still have another $2000 to raise to reach our goal of $6000. (anyone out there want to donate??)

Then the following week, I hosted Sarah Shriver for a FABULOUS polymer clay workshop. I met new polymer friends from Miami and Colorado and we had so much fun learning new things to do with polymer. Ed and I treated the whole class to a clogging demo at lunchtime!!

The week after that, I took off with my friend Cynde to Phoenix, where we attended Art Unraveled and learned MORE new art techniques. Cynde is now officially my art partner and we pledge to make some art every day.

I took one look at my studio this weekend and thought.......how in the heck can I make art?.....I can't even SEE my table!!!! So I decided to share the before and after photos with you!!

Sorry.....gotta run.....time to make some art while the table is clean!!!

Full Tilt Boogie

2011-06-10T20:50:00.000-07:00

Life keeps speeding along and sometimes I have great trouble just controlling the steering wheel! I am always overwhelmed with all the possibilities and choices that are out there. My newest acquisition is the "Full Tilt Boogie" class that I signed up for with Mary Ann Moss. WHAT??? You don't know Mary Ann Moss? Shame on you. She is awesome and her online classes are spectacular. I have been enjoying "Remains of the Day" for about a year now, and on June 17th, those of us who have signed up (and paid for) Full Tilt Boogie will get our first instructions and videos to watch. I can't wait. But I guess I'll have to!! We are going to be using a vintage photo album (see a previous post where I share photos of my super cool eBay purchase).
In the meantime, here is a photo of the sun as we saw it this week through the haze of smoke that has been coming from the Arizona fires. It is so sad that such a horrible disaster creates something so beautiful.

Walking for a cure

2011-05-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

My wonderful, gorgeous, patient, handsome, sweet husband, Ed (can you tell that I think he's pretty amazing?) has signed up to walk the Nike (half) marathon in San Francisco in October with me.
I walked it 2 1/2 years ago and it was really fun. My knees aren't so great, and my feet pretty much suck, but I just took my time and eventually crossed the finish line. The fact that I knew there were handsome firemen in tuxedos waiting at the finish line to hand me a Tiffany necklace from a silver platter definitely helped keep me going!! Anyway, Ed and I started training last week and we are holding a Trivia Night fundraiser on July 23rd benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). It will be the fifth one we have done and it is always a REALLY fun evening. So.....if you are in Albuquerque, please come and join us. And if you're not in the neighborhood, please help us by donating to help with the research to find a cure for blood cancers. The link to our website where you can donate is
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nm/nikesf11/hootens
I have participated in four LLS Team in Training endurance events and have raised over $20,000 and Ed has been a cycling coach with the teams for four years. We have friends and family that have been affected by these terrible diseases, and we will continue to train and fundraise until a cure has been found. Please help us by donating today!! And a big thanks in advance!!!

Artist Fingers

2011-05-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

I adore Artfest. Teesha Moore does such a wonderful job of gathering artists to teach all of us. They are the best of the best, and Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington is a truly magical place. But I must say, that the hardest part about the experience is what it did to my poor nails. Here is what they looked like after three days of making art. I thought they would never be the same.

But lo and behold, after weeks of treating them to lots of oily mixtures, I was able to get them back into shape. Here is what they look like now. Didn't I do a great job of the manicure? Yep....not a salon job....my own work of manicure art. I guess being an artist also applies to getting the polish on neatly!!

Beauty and the Mess

2011-05-15T15:53:00.000-07:00

This week I went to a meeting of the LIBROS Book Arts Guild at the Treasurer's home (I am the new Membership Chair...wanna join?). Her home was awesome - very cool and arty and the view from her patio was breathtaking. See?

Not so beautiful was what happened to me at work......I pulled my desk drawer out too far and it ended up on the floor!! Gave me a chance to clean it out, and now it, too, is beautiful!!

Sorry....I don't have an "after" shot. You'll just have to take my word for it.

The Artist's Way

2011-05-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

Often I am the last one to discover cool new things, and this time isn't any different!! I was looking at Dayna Collins' website (http://www.alleyartstudio.com/) the other day. She is an artist I bought a postcard from at Artfest earlier this month....beautiful work....check her out.
She talked about "The Artist's Way" so I checked that out, too (http://www.theartistsway.com/). Julia Cameron has written books about "discovering and recovering your creative self". Well, I certainly have a need for that!! So I started doing the morning pages and now I get up every day 45 minutes early to write in my journal. I thought I would hate it, but I make myself a chai tea and pour my heart and brain into my pages and I am really loving it.
If I understand correctly (and tomorrow I am going to the bookstore to actually get the book), I am not supposed to spend time reading what I wrote and not necessarily share my thoughts. Part of exploring my creative self .......so I can't let you peek into my journal. I can only make you curious by showing you the front of it!! Some day I might be famous and this photo could be in People magazine and if I showed you the pages, there would surely be some scandal about them. So you'll just have to guess (and continue your subscription to People.....just in case!!)

So I've been telling everyone about my great, new discovery, and it seems many, many people have already been using the techniques. That's ok........slow and steady wins the race, right??

1892 - Who are these people?

2011-04-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

Last year I signed up for Mary Ann Moss' online workshop entitled "Remains of the Day". Check out some of the photos on her blog....http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com. The workshop teaches you how to make fabulous journals, and although I have yet to finish mine, the yahoo group associated with the workshop is fantastic and I've done some swaps with the participants. I highly recommend you sign up......it is well worth your hard earned $$.

Anyway.....Mary Ann has hinted that she is coming out with a new class in June and that in preparation for it, we should purchase a vintage photo album. Knowing how great Mary Ann's classes are, those of us who "know" her are ready to click on the PayPal button and buy it as soon as it becomes available.....sight unseen....that's how wonderful her workshops are!

So last week I watched the auctions on eBay and I purchased one. It came today and I am blown away by the wonderful piece of history I purchased for only $21. It dates back to the late 1800's and came with many, many picture plates of people from the past, posed for all eternity. There aren't many names written anywhere in the book, so I am left to wonder who these people were and why the album now belongs to me and wasn't handed down to their ancestors. It is a treasure and I am so happy to now be the keeper of these beautiful portraits from the past.

Artfest and Journal 365

2011-04-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

I got back from Artfest last week. Words cannot express what a wonderful time I had. I met up with four great ladies with whom I shared a rental car and we are now forever known as the Fabulous Five. I took classes with Mary Beth Shaw, L.K. Ludwig and Karen Michel. All of them were awesome. I am now saving my pennies (and nickels and dimes and quarters) to return next year for the fourth time!!

I also signed up to do Pam Carriker's online workshop entitled "Journal 365" and today I finished making the book that I will use to do the exercises. The workshop is meant to take you through a year of journaling. This will be a wonderful journey!!

I'm a fool

2011-04-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

Well, not really.....but it IS April Fool's Day. No one has played a trick on me yet, but being the gullible person that I am, I am sure that someone will get me before the day is over.

I am having a wonderful day. Jana Roberts Benzon is here from Salt Lake City to teach a polymer workshop (check out her website at http://www.janarobertsbenzon.com/) This will be the third time I've brought her down to Albuquerque to teach, and we are having a blast. She will be doing a "Meet the Artist" event tonight in the gallery, and we are getting ready for that, then tomorrow we start the "Laser Cut" workshop. Thank goodness there are no real lasers involved, because I'm something of a klutz when it comes to dangerous tools!! I'll post photos of what we make and you'll have to take a step or two back from your keyboard because you'll be drooling!! (that is, of course, if what I make turns out ok!!) In the meantime, above is a self portrait I took of myself on a recent trip to visit family in Miami, as well as a photo of my brother and me as he took me on my very first motorcycle ride!!

New Year's Resolutions

2011-03-04T12:40:00.000-08:00

Every year we make them.....well, I do anyway. I don't know why I do because resolutaions are destined to fail and I hate failing. I said I would post every week, and golly, gee, gosh, darn.....can it REALLY be a whole month since I posted?

Oh dear, here come the feelings of guilt....... I resolved to post every week and now I've let everyone down. That makes me laugh - I mean, it's not as if a million people are waiting for my next post with baited breath. Guess I've let myself down. But NO.....WAIT....I also resolved to NOT be so hard on myself. So it's a Catch 22 and something I will never resolve.

Who made up the idea of resolutions anyway, and why can't they start on 4th?

What a Snow Day produced

2011-02-01T16:25:00.000-08:00

Inside view of the box made to hold the Piano Hinge book.

Piano Hinge book lying open.

Piano Hinge book standing on its edge.

Piano Hinge book inside its box. The box is completely made from "scratch". Sections were cut by hand from a large piece of board and then covered with decorative paper and beads.

Here is the story of where it came from...........

We awoke today to black ice roads, freezing temperatures, snow and howling winds. The University of New Mexico (where I work) cancelled classes and announced a "snow day". I thought carefully about what I should spend this unexpected "free" day doing. Clean? Cook? Iron? Make Art? So I made ART!! (what a silly choice of options, right?)

I am a relatively new member of the Libros bookmaking group, recently joined their study group and attended my first workshop last Saturday. Amy showed us how to make a Piano Hinge book complete with a handmade decorative box to hold it.

I listened carefully during the workshop and brought home a mostly finished book, but no box. So with my gift of time today I took apart my book and reconstructed it (because I wasn't happy with how it looked) and made the decorative box to hold it. It pretty much took the whole day, but I am quite pleased with how it turned out.

And it is still snowing..........

Living my life Wickedly

2011-01-27T07:34:00.000-08:00

Last night we went to see "Wicked". I was skeptical because I had a hard time getting into the book or listening to it on audio. But WOW oh WOW was I blown away. It was so AWESOME I just didn't want it to end. So if it comes to your town, RUN, don't walk, and get tickets. If I had some extra cash (which I never do!!) I'd go see it several times more.

Here are some words from one of the songs to inspire you today (and always):

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn and we are led

To those who help us most to grow if we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you.....

This blog post is dedicated to all my wonderful friends who have supported me on my fabulous journey through the years. All the good (and the bad) have made me who I am today, and I hope with your help I can continue to live my life to the very fullest. I'm certainly trying.

Beading for a Cure

2011-01-16T09:34:00.000-08:00

Every year for the past three years I've participated in a wonderful project. Jeanette Shanigan, a beader from Alaska, organizes people from around the world to stitch tiny beaded squares (1 1/2" x 1 1/2") that she assembles into quilted wall hangings. These quilts are auctioned at the Bead & Button Show each year and the proceeds go to breast cancer research. Each year she has a theme and this year's theme is "Caring hands beading together to help find a cure for breast cancer."

Beaders from around the world stitched over 500 squares for last year's "turtle" quilt project. and their efforts raised nearly $3,000. Linda Davis (my friend and one of the co-owners of our gallery) donates her time and beads so that Albuquerque artists can participate. I am proud to say that 90 of the squares from last year were stitched by our local beaders. An anonymous donor purchased the quilt that was made from the New Mexico beads and it is now proudly displayed at local bead store Lodi's Beads.

The past two years I have participated and made a quilted square, but this year I've been overly ambitious and have made five so far!! Here are photos of four of them.

Rocks in My Head

2011-01-08T23:03:00.000-08:00

No beans in my ears....just rocks in my head. They are there for many reasons. Probably mostly because my head is filled with so many ideas of art projects that I want to do that I would have to live to be at least 500 to complete them all. That's the bad news. The good news is that I have all the supplies I need to last me until I'm 500. So guess I had better get busy, right?

But the rocks you see in the photo are polymer clay rocks in a necklace I made for our "Mineral Spirits" show that opened this week in the gallery I co-own with six other artists. I haven't sold any of them yet - could it be that no one wants to wear the same jewelry as Wilma Flinstone or Betty Rubble? Hmmm. Perhaps I should discover a way to turn polymer clay into diamonds!! Check out the gallery at http://www.thewoodencow.com/

Remember my resolution to write in my post every week this year? Well.....I'm right on track. So far so good - and I joined the gym, too. Yep. Rocks in my head.

A clean slate for the New Year

2011-01-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

Ed and I next to our Christmas tree on Christmas Day.

A new year lies before us. What shall we do with it? What resolutions shall we make and break? Which ones will we keep? I find this to be an exciting time of year with so many possibilities before me. A clean slate to do with what I want. And what DO I want? I have the same goals I always have each year.....eat better, get fitter, lose pounds, etc. But this year I am really going to try - no darn it - I am GOING TO spend more time doing the things I love, and get some of the clutter out of my life. (yes, yes, I promise to clean out the garage and have a huge yard sale) And of course another resolution is to write EVERY week on my blog. I can do it all. I know I can. So I bid you adieu for now......gotta get busy working on the new me (but I'll keep some of the old me, so don't worry!!)

I got what I asked for

2010-11-14T09:00:00.001-08:00

In my last blog I asked for more time. What I meant was that I wanted more hours in the day to be able to do the things I love. What I got was exactly what I asked for......more time. Yep, I'm still here, breathing the kicking (actually I'm typing - no kicking involced), and time is still ticking away. They say (who is they anyway?) "be careful what you ask for". I should have asked for more FREE time. So I really did get what I asked for. "They" were right - darn them.

I just got back from Las Vegas where I attended my fifth Clay Carnival - a wonderful four days of taking workshops from eight national polymer clay instructors. As always it was super duper fabulous, but somehow this year it seemed all the more wonderful. I wasn't sure why so I've been reflecting on it. I think it is many reasons - I know so many of the attendees now that I feel at home, the teachers are so much fun and always informative, and I guess the main reason is that I can get totally lost in what I really love......creating.

I am sharing with you a photo of the group that attended (I'm Lavender Girl sitting in the front row) and a sculpture I did in Leslie Blackford's class. It is a pregnant mermaid. I'm not sure how that idea came out of my brain, but I bet I've got more crazy ideas in there. Now I just have to get more FREE TIME to let them out.

I just need more time

2010-10-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

I need more time, much, much, much more time. There are so many things I want to do, and isn't it irritating that 8 hours a day has to be spent sleeping? (although I must admit that crawling into bed at night after an exhausting day is a really nice experience - it's the waking up in the morning part that I don't like too much)

And this week I've been sick with a nasty cold, so I'm at home with lots of free time, and don't feel like doing a thing. Blowing my nose, drinking lemon juice, rubbing on Vicks and coughing have consumed my last three days.

But today I think I'm about to approach finally feeling better, and then watch out....I'll be a whirlwind again trying to squeeze a million things into each and every day.

Three weeks ago I hosted Lindly Haunani for a polymer clay workshop and she was AWESOME. The photo is Lindly and me in front of my house. We learned so much and we laughed a lot. I love getting lost in the world of creating. It makes my heart sing. And speaking of hearts......the other photo shows one I made in her class. And I even got so bold as to post some for sale on etsy. I surfed around etsy yesterday and it seems there are a LOT of sellers. Wonder how many buyers will notice my little hearts?

Anyway, thanks for visiting me. I haven't seen the outside world all week, so this is my way of getting out there.....even if it is only in cyberspace.

Friends I've never met

2010-09-18T05:22:00.000-07:00

In this crazy modern world, we are bombarded every day by flashing billboards, gas pumps that talk to us, email overload, etc, until sometimes I (and probably you) would just like to be on a quiet desert island with our thoughts - and in my case with all my art supplies!!

As an artist, I belong to many yahoo groups where ideas and shared and people post about this and that and this and that and......

My favorite on discussion group are the artists that have taken Mary Ann Moss' "Remains of the Day" online class. You can read about this wonderful class and "meet" Mary Ann by going t0

http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com/ Mary Ann is one of the friends I've never met.

And if you decide to take the online class (which I HIGHLY encourage you to do) and make some of your own magical journals (I am still working on my first one, but have high hopes of finishing soon......my, my.... doesn't life get in the way sometimes?) then join the yahoo group.

Today, Rita (who is another friend I've never met) posted that she is celebrating her 100th blog post, so I thought I'd share her blog with you.

http://www.tatteredpast.blogspot.com/

Forgive me if I ramble, but it is 6:30am on a Saturday morning (why the heck am I up so early?? to kiss my hubbie as he leaves to coach his cycling team on a 70 mile ride today)l

Anyway, I haven't posted in a long time and Rita has inspired me to get back to my blog. And I believe that I promised some of my friends - including some I've never met - to share a photo or two from our recent vacation in Utah, Oregon, California and Arizona. 3,800 miles in ten days (yes my butt is numb). It was oh so long, but oh so magical.

Now I am working toward my 100th post. Stay tuned.

hugs to all

Annie

My teenybopper adventure

2010-08-02T17:21:00.001-07:00

Ok. Just by writing the word "teenybopper" I am dating myself, but last week's experience made me feel young and teeny and bopping!! Ed and I went to the Sugarland concert. (If you aren't a country fan, they're the best duo around.) Opening for them was Danny Gokey. If you're an American Idol fan, you'll remember Danny. His set was really cool and he has a beautiful song called "I Will Not Say Goodbye" that gave me goose bumps. He told the audience that he would sign autographs after the show, so Ed bought his CD for me and I stood in line like a teenager waiting to have him scribble his autograph on it for me. When I finally got to the front of the line, he looked up at me and said, "Purple hair. You're rockin' in my book." (if you haven't noticed, I have a little streak of purple in my hair - have had it there for about 16 years or so. I like to think I started the colored hair trend!) And at that moment I felt like I was back in the 60's and a silly teenager. It was a great feeling. But....I digress.....back to the concert. Little Big Town also played and they were good, and then came Sugarland. Their tour is called "The Incredible Machine" and their whole stage setting was very steampunk. (I feel kind groovy knowing what steampunk is.....I'm not such a fuddy duddy....really!!) So I danced and sang and whistled and clapped all night. The next morning my feet were sore and my throat scratchy and my hearing impaired - but what a GREAT night. Now in 10 days I get to see my favorite country male.....Toby Keith. I might possibly faint if he looks my way. But I'm teeny, so he probably won't notice me!!

I love my mom

2010-07-14T17:59:00.001-07:00

Last week, my wonderful, adorable, fabulous mother came from Arkansas to visit me. We had SO MUCH fun. We ate sushi, shopped for wedding dresses with my daughter, went to a baseball game and saw 4th of July fireworks, attended an opening at my gallery where she met many of my friends, surprised her with tickets to "Beauty and the Beast" and went to Santa Fe to see the SOFA show. (Sculptured Objects and Functional Art). The day before she was going to fly home, she tripped over our dog and got an ambulance ride and a night in the ER!! She dislocated her shoulder, but was a real trouper and when they got it back into place, she was almost good as new. Here is a photo of the two of us. I love the photo. And I love her. My mom is the best in the world. I miss her.

Protected by the Secret Service

2010-06-27T18:29:00.000-07:00

So....When I'm not being an artist, my job is Development Coordinator at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. One of the things I do in that position is coordinate events. I have spent the last few weeks preparing for the dedication of the human anatomy lab - now officially known as the "Leonard M. Napolitano Anatomical Education Center". Dr. Napolitano was the former Dean of the Medical School and his daughter is, of course, Madame Secretary Janet - in charge of homeland security. She attended the event and we were surrounded by Secret Service and Police. It was all quite exciting. One of the agents saw that I was working hard and gave me this medallion. I thought it was pretty cool. I guess I was in one of the most secure places I could be in last Friday. But now the Secret Service have departed and I just have to trust my own instincts to keep me out of danger!!

It didn't last long!!

2010-06-10T06:10:00.000-07:00

So take a look at my last post.....my lovely new art studio, and compare after a little more than a week of working in it. The table has already exploded!! But notice if you will the wooden plaque I bought last week (on sale...66% off!!). I may be messy, but at least I'm following my heart. And my heart says "DO ART". I've never heard it say "CLEAN THIS UP". So I'm basically just doing what I'm told. Can't blame a girl for following her heart. (However, my mom is coming to visit in three weeks, and a little voice inside me is yelling "CLEAN. CLEAN. CLEAN.". I think as long as she doesn't open any closets I'll be ok.

A real place to make art

2010-05-27T07:43:00.000-07:00

I have been talking about turning one of our bedrooms into my art studio for many years. Well......(drum roll please)......last weekend I finally did it. Everything is labeled and in it's place (so now I can't find a thing!) and the top of my work table stayed clean and clear for about 18 hours. When I make art, it is similar to what I do when I cook - I pull out every pencil, pen, paint, stamp, tool, paper, glue, etc (or in the kitchen case.....every single pot and pan). There is still more to organize, but it feels so good to sit down at my table with art intentions. It might only be a bedroom, but to me it is a fabulous studio and I can see great things happening!!!

Oh my gosh I'm a winner

2010-05-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

I am so excited!!! I just won this month's polymer clay challenge on "Poly Clay Play". Here is a photo of the piece I entered. The challenge was to make something with a cane and my entry was a bracelet I made after taking a class with Sarah Shriver last year. Go check out the Poly Clay Play website at http://www.polyclayplay.com/.

This has been a great week. I also got my blank art journal in the mail so I can start working on "The Sketchbook Project". I now have until the end of the year to fill the book (oh my gosh there are a LOT of pages to doodle on) and send it back so that it becomes part of a touring show in 2011. Thousands of sketchbooks will be exhibited at galleries and museums as they make their way on tour across the country. After the tour, all sketchbooks will enter into the permanent collection of The Brooklyn Art Library, where they will be barcoded and available for the public to view. Check out their website at http://www.thesketchbookproject.com/.

Gosh I love being an artist. There. I've said it out loud!!

So where did my post go?

2010-05-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

I just spent 15 minutes pouring out my thoughts to the world (or whoever it is that reads my ramblings here) and when I hit publish I got some weird message and everything was gone!! So what I was telling you was that while recovering from shoulder surgery, I have had quite a bit of down time and have spent many hours participating in some online courses.....Carla Sonheim's "The Art of Silliness", Mary Ann Moss' "Remains of the Day", Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen's "Complex Collage" and Traci Bautista's "Creative Doodles". All the classes have been wonderful, but have only served to aggravate my SAS (short attention span) and caused me to flit, flit, flit from one idea to another. I have managed to create a few pages in my art journal and take lots of notes so that when my shoulder is back to normal (will I never be able to pursue my dream of being a trapeze artist!!?? ha ha) I'll have TONS of ideas to follow through on. In the meantime, here are a couple that I'm not too embarassed to share!

Tuesday's Treasures and Thoughts

2010-05-04T07:57:00.001-07:00

So I started a blog some time back and now recently I feel the need to incessantly post (I looked that word up to make sure I spelled it correctly - it means "continuing or flowing without interruption".) Yep, that's me. I met a new blogger online today who talked about suffering from SAS (short attention span). I told her she was my new best friend. I hope she doesn't think I'm a stalker!! Anyway, check out her blog.....it is quite amusing. http://artkerfuffle.blogspot.com/

Today's treasure are my two animals.....Muffin Moulin Rouge (she wore that head piece for several minutes and I laughed myself silly - well....sillier than usual) and Tobie (who is wondering if I am about to give him a biscuit).

That's it for me today, now I must go and incessantly make some more art. I hope there is never a cure for my addiction!

May Monday Madness

2010-05-03T09:24:00.000-07:00

So, we are in May already? OH MY GOSH. Where does the time go? I have so many art projects I have in my head, and my shoulder is still recovering from my rotator cuff surgery.....but getting better every day. I was even able to make some funky polymer rings for our "Heavy Metal" show opening in the gallery on Friday (thanks to Ronna Sarvas Weltman for showing me the technique) and some funky whimsical sculptures (thanks to Julie Haymaker Thompson for showing me the technique). I am never so happy as when I'm creating something - well, maybe when I'm eating some great sushi or a yummy pizza, but then I don't have anything leftover to show for it!! Hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday. Does anyone really READ my blog?

hugs to all

Heather Campbell ROCKS!!

2010-04-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

I met Heather at a workshop in Sundance, UT almost two years ago and when I saw her work I fell in love with it and iinvited her to teach in Albuquerque. She hadn't taught any polymer workshops yet, but after a little bit of bugging on my part, we set a date and this past weekend she came to Albuquerque to thrill us all with the projects she taught. Heather is an awesome artist, a wonderful friend and she is at the airport now, waiting to fly out.....and I miss her already. But the GREAT news is that she is coming back to teach a mixed media "Self Portrait" workshop next year, so stay tuned for dates. This is a photo of one of Heather's creations that I bought. I will treasure it always. Thanks Heather. You are AWESOME.

www.purpledoorart.com (take some time to look at Heather's website and be amazed!)

Stuck between

2010-04-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

So you have all heard the saying "stuck between a rock and a hard place" right? Well, I'm stuck between C&C - stuck between my Computer and my Creativity. I've been recovering from rotator cuff surgery, and since I haven't been able to do much at all (yes, of course it is my dominant arm!) I have been spending many hours surfing the internet, looking at artist blogs, creative websites, etc and my mind is TOTALLY FILLED with a million projects I want to begin. I want to paint, and journal, and collage, and sew, and bead, and work on polymer, and maybe a little time left over to work in my veggie garden this year. Will someone PLEASE invent a pill I can take that will allow me to NOT have to sleep? I need more hours!!!!

There is never enough time

2010-04-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

I know we all feel like there is never enough time in the day, but I'm especially feeling it today. There are so many things I want to do and so many projects I have in my head and I get frustrated because I let things slide (if I don't clean out my garage and set up my art studio this spring I may just go CRAZY!!). Last night I finished a little drawing I will share with you. I am taking an online class with Carla Sonheim called "The Art of Silliness". I have told myself all my life that I can't draw, and Carla is making me realize that that thought is just plain silly.

Artfest 2010

2010-03-31T16:50:00.000-07:00

Despite being only 3 1/2 weeks post rotator cuff surgery, I managed to travel to Port Townsend, WA to attend Artfest for the second year in a row. I think being there not only re-inspired me, but helped me in the healing process. So many talented people all together in one place. Sometimes it is almost overwhelming.....but certainly in a good way. I stayed in the dorm this time and had a lovely spartan room in a building that was right next to the water. I can't wait to go back again next year!!!

Is it REALLY already March?

2010-03-11T10:40:00.000-08:00

Here I sit at the computer - typing left handed with one finger......yep, getting over rotator cuff surgery!! And yes, it hurts, but after having a wonderful phone session with intuitive healer Nanci Drew (http://www.nancidrewintuitivehealer.com/) yesterday, I am realizing that this injury and surgery were not an accident (oh yes, I fell off a chair into a brick wall with my shoulder) but a message from Spirit (or whoever you feel is controlling the universe) that I need to slow down and reset my priorities. So with lots of time on my hands (off from work for approx six weeks) and a right arm that isn't currently good for much of anything, I have lots of time to think about things are are really important. OK......I won't get too philosophical now (plus my left hand finger is getting tired!)

In two weeks I am off to ArtFest again - a wonderful mixed media retreat in Port Townsend, WA (http://www.teeshamoore.com/). I won't be able to really participate with just one left hand that is pretty uncoordinated, but my surgeon said I was ok to travel (taking along my body sling of course) so I am going to go and hang out with the other artists and soak up some creative vibrations.

I will try to be better about updating my blog - and try to learn more about how to post interesting things. The attached photos are pieces I created for a group I joined called "52 Creations". I am supposed to create one new piece of art a week, but now that I'm "wounded" I guess I'll only have around 40 creations. But that's ok. Spirit says so!!!

I'm so excited

2009-10-16T07:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I still haven't figured out how to get the music onto my blog (but I have to admit when it didn't work right off I haven't really spent much time trying to figure it out!).

But.....today Ronna Sarvas Weltman arrives in Albuquerque to teach a weekend workshop that I've been organizing for about six months. I can hardly wait. It is going to be so much fun. Sometimes you just know these things!! Check out her work at www.ronnasarvasweltman.com.

I've recently started participating with ATC swaps and attended an Art Journaling class last week with Regina Portscheller that was so much fun. My brain is so full of things I want to do. I joined an art journal project with Art House and need to work on that so that I can send my journal in to tour U.S. galleries with other journals from all over. How fun is that?

Then I need to get ready to go to Clay Carnival in Las Vegas in early November.

Busy. Busy. Busy. Loving it. Loving it. Loving it. (but heck yes I get tired sometimes!)

I started a play list

2009-09-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

....but now I have no earthly (or interstellar) idea of how to put it into my blog. I only chose two songs so it wouldn't be very interesting to listen to yet, but I did want to start. Now it is late (just saw Diamond Rio at the State Fair - so of course I chose one of their songs!) and I must go to sleep, perchance to dream. I'll try to figure all this high falootin' stuff tomorrow.

Why do Sundays go by so quickly??

2009-08-23T14:58:00.001-07:00

Sundays are FUNdays. I usually get to create something new without too many interruptions. Right now I should be working on my entry to the Black & White Show opening Sept 4th at The Wooden Cow - http://www.thewoodencow.com/ - but instead, I'm surfing the web looking at other artists and being inspired. I did finish a beaded piece recently thanks to the teaching of Leah Ready. Her work rocks and I'm so happy with the piece I created in her class. Thanks Leah!

Beads of Courage

2009-08-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

Beads of Courage is a program that was founded to help children dealing with serious illness. Beads are given to the children as they go through each medical procedure - like spinal injections, surgery, chemotherapy treatments and dialysis. As they progress through their treatments, they collect beads from their health care providers to use as symbols of their courage.
The program helps children feel more positive about their illness and treatment and leaves them with something they can use to help them talk about during treatment and after recovery.
When a child enters the program, they are given a string with some letter beads that spell out their first name. Then as each child completes another treatment, they are given a beautiful, brightly-colored bead.

I read about Beads of Courage today and want to make some cool beads to send the kids. Will anyone join me? I see that Sarah Shriver participates. GO SARAH!!

Oh Happy Daze

2009-07-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

So.....it's been a long time since my last post. SO MUCH has happened.
Had my knee surgery.....still recovering.
Got a new job.........still learning.
My rose garden bloomed........still pulling weeds.
Lost my wonderful stepdad to pancreatic cancer......still mourning.
The gallery is doing well.......still working on new pieces.
Not doing much housework........still collecting dust (and the collection grows daily).
But I'm still growing....spiritually and artistically. My brain is so full of ideas and things I want to do. Why do I need 8 hours sleep a day. I'd rather be doing things!!
Have you all signed up for www.tut.com yet? Well, do not hesitate. You'll receive "Notes from the Universe" and they will make your day. I attended a workshop entitled "Reclaiming Your Divinity" by Andy Dooley and it was awesome. His brother is Mike Dooley that writes the notes.
Anyway, it's late, so stay tuned and I'll write more soon. I'm always on a path of discovery, and I'm happy to share in my travels.
hugs

Not a great start to 2009

2009-01-19T13:01:00.000-08:00

What a week I had last week......on Thursday I found out I need to have knee surgery (booked for February 2nd) and then on Friday I got laid off. Hmmm. My guardian angel must be on vacation. But never fear, I shall bounce back, and that other door is going to open, right?

Becoming a Blogging Widget Pancake Master

2009-01-09T14:56:00.000-08:00

I am much better at playing Santa making pancakes than I am at doing website stuff. But I'm learning!! My friend Raine (fellow artist from The Wooden Cow - and brilliant genius) gave me some basic lessons last night, and I wanted to make her proud by posting not only another blog entry, but by actually downloading a PHOTO!! Yippy skippy. Notice the crutch in the background? I've torn my meniscus and am waiting to see the surgeon. Bummer!

The end is near!

2008-12-31T07:56:00.000-08:00

Yep, last day of 2008. I can hardly believe this year is almost over.
So much has happened this year and will, of course, continue to happen in 2009.
I have a lot of wishes and resolutions to work on (which I won't bore you with now).
One of the things I need to do is to completely figure out this blogging thing.
My brain hurts. Maybe I need some chocolate!
Anyway, I'm going to put some time into making this blog (does anyone know where that word came from?) more exciting. So don't despair. Come back and visit from time to time.
I promise there will be more wonderful things to see.
Happy New Year!

Oh my goodness.....my very own blog!!

2008-12-20T12:36:00.000-08:00

I am moving into the scary future of blogging. Actually, now that I think about it, blogging has been around a long time, right? So I guess I "snailed" into the future. And it's all thanks to Teesha Moore, an artist I SO admire (check her out at www.teeshamoore.com). I was looking at her website today and she had instructions on how to start a blog. So hey everyone, if you don't have a blog, what are you waiting for?? I'm computer challenged and actually got mine started, so go on. Take the plunge. Feel the spirit move you. Throw yourself out into the great unknown. And be sure to check back on me from time to time, to see how much progress I've made!!