My neighbor/sister had me over for dinner last night which was just what I needed.

The garden is doing great since we are having enough rain that I don't have to water everyday! And Thursday I laid down a layer of newspaper with a layer of wheat straw on top to help contorl the weeds. Because I am too lazy to use the hoe! My brother-in-law/neighbor has a great garden and has nicknamed his hoe "my dirty HOE". Which is too funny when you hear him talk about it. His southern accent helps with his discription.

Is 1 gallon of water a day too much to drink? I have been trying to drink lots of water and am up to about 3 quarts per day. Because I have such (gross as it sounds) thick mucus all the time along with dry eyes. So lots of water does seem to help.

It is a perfect day and I'm all primed to clean pack up some of my beading supplies and art supplies. Hopefully just being around all the supplies will inspire me to make something. I am still working on the lap quilt for my sister. I will (promise) take some pics of my progress SOON!

Why is good posture so hard to maintain? I have to think about it or I tend to slump again. In Jr. high and Sr. high school we had a couple of girls that had to wear those steel back braces (for scoliosis I am guessing). And I Always envied them and wanted to wear one too. haha...isn't that odd? But even back then my posture was not good. After they had their braces removed they had the best posture and even though in High School it looked a little extreme (boobs sticking out so far) I wished my posture was that straight. Weird what we think about when teens, huh?

The fireworks just in our neighborhood sounded outstanding however with the cloudy sky I really couldn't see many. Usually we can just sit on our deck and watch all the surrounding neighborhoods do theirs. It was astounding just listening to all the booms and trying to catch a glimpse of some kind of shimmer in the sky. There were a few small planes circling the sky ....now THAT would be the way to enjoy all the fire works!

This got me thinking -- there are probably really cool art supply stores out there online that I don't know about. What are yours? Add them to the comments below.

1. http://www.dharmatrading.com - Fiber Art Supplies and Blanks

2. www.dickblick.com - they have great sales; I shop here a lot

3. http://www.ecoartworks.com/ -- anyone try this "ecoplanet" art store?

4.

"Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade. Our mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade"

So, now that you know what it is, feel free to stop by my shop. I will have everything from my special bakery items to original oil paintings and artwork.

I ordered these art supplies from DickBlick a few weeks ago and they arrived early last week. I feel like a kid again. I love mail order.

Sadly I would buy all these things locally but they are non-existent here. Square unlined artist quality journals never. Faber Castell Pitt Artist pens... nope. And finally itty bitty stretched canvass you won't find in Saint John New Brunswick except at Jessica Doyle's house!

I can finish these three paintings I began. It sucks when you run out of an art supply and it's not available anywhere close to where you live. I use a combination of India Ink and acrylic on board and Canvass. Over time and through trial and error I've developed a way to seal the india ink with varnish without it running. Faber Castell Pens contain India ink FYI.

Naked Milton the Fish above lower right has since been watercolored and has become one of my best selling ACEO mini prints. He's now available as a VERY limited edition 11x8.5 inch print. The boxes are also done and listed.

I am looking forward to putting pen to board to finish these three paintings. And guess what they are larger than an ACEO! :)

And thanks to Shane Vorhaben for introducing these pens to me. I am addicted.

  A couple of things to keep in mind when going through this process is that for us visual, creative types out of sight means out of mind.  These drawers are just see-thru enough that it helps me to know what's in them.  I have labels on the left side of each drawer but they don't list everything in a drawer so the visual cue is just enough to flesh out the contents on the fly.

This picture is of trying out a configuration that I didn't like very well.  It was visually confusing.  In the past, I've had Japanese Noren (door curtains) hang over this shelving unit so I wouldn't have to look at the jumble of stuff in there.  That has worked for years but now it's time for a change.  So Ken helped me last night put it together in a much more pleasing way - after all these years of subjecting him to all of those home dec shows on HGTV and stuff, he says "I wasn't just watching those with you and drooling you know."  =)  The next picture is the result of his fine sense and the aesthetic he has developed!

  Here you can really see how it came together. I have a weird passion for containers of certain types. Small luggage pieces, light train case repros, vintage boxes, antique boxes - that sort of thing.  Ken pulled them all together and arranged them for a nice visual.  Each one holds something specific: soldering kit, collage mediums like tea varnish, gold glaze, etc. and so on.  So each is very useful and pleasing to look at considering what all of these things look like sitting on a shelf un-contained. This works so much better and I can get all of the relative items by grabbing the one box and it's already packed to take with me!  So it's stored, portable and ready to travel. You gotta love that for efficiency.

  I re-hung my Hello Kitty Noren down below because it makes me laugh. Behind it are more drawers, of course. Sterlite makes stackable ones that are really deep. They're stacked in twos across that shelf and hold bookbinding supplies, sales stuff, class samples, and even a ton of cookie cutters.  I still have more to do but a large part of this whole process is done.  Next post I'll list what I've learned are good ways to organize a studio space. I've read a lot of books and of course, work with a lot of artists so have been able to distill some good pointers to share.  Have a great weekend!

Other options: Realplayer / Windows Media / MP3 Download (4:09) .

Read More

We had just held our first Silent Art Auction at Mama’s Mineral’s the night before; and it was a resounding success! For this fundraiser; we had chosen to hold a yard sale at Raine Klover’s house that featured art and craft supplies. Raine had graciously donated her time, talent, and house to organize and hold the event.

Kristin and I had stopped at Starbuck’s on our way to the event.. and boy am I glad we did. This place was jumpin’!

Raine had advertised the event to start at 9 am; but people were pounding the pavement at 7 am, eager to see what treasures lay ahead. And they weren’t wrong. There was everything an artist could hope for, and more. Canvas, frames, pencils, chalks, oils, yarn, wooden items, containers for altered art, cigar boxes in all shapes and sizes, fabric by the metric ton, even the coolest mannequin you ever laid your eyes on (Thanks, Regina !). You name it, we had it (all thanks to the generous donations from Wooden Cow members).

By 2 pm we had almost completely sold out our wares... so we packed it in for the day.

In the end, the sale generated a nice little chunk for the Wooden Cow Gallery and Art Space.

Many thanks to all the members who generously donated their treasures, as well as their time and efforts in this sale.

Plans are currently being made to hold another Art Supply Yard Sale, with more items from our wonderful members—so keep your eyes peeled!

THE COW IS COMING !

--by Elaine Russell.

"What we are seeing is the re-Talibanization [of Afghanistan] by stealth," said Saad Mohseni, whose family controls the Moby Media Group, the operator of independent television and radio stations in Afghanistan. "Socially and culturally, they seem to be achieving their goals."

An ongoing controversy involving two Indian-made drama series broadcast on one of the Moby group’s television stations is developing into a key test for Afghanistan’s democratization process.

Read More

OK, I admit it. My attachment to my blue pencil is a bit on the fanatical side. It could be even considered a crutch that I should just let go of. Perhaps, but I want to let go of it at my own pace, not be forced into it. OK, OK, I have had this pencil for several years... OK, more than several, probably about twenty. Did I hear a gasp? Yes, I have had this pencil for over twenty years, but let me explain.

When I was about twenty I found this amazing set of coloured indelible pencils, in the box at a second hand store. They were so beautiful! They were old when I bought them. I'd say from the 50's. I used them a little then. Once in awhile. I was in college and University during this time and was more into ink, conte and charcoal for my drawing class and acrylics for painting, so they just sat in my old tin box of art stuff. Over the years I did occasionally use the light blue for preliminary sketches but the rest just sat untouched for the last twenty years.

Flash forward twenty years and I've been doing this mixed media stuff like crazy and using this blue pencil in every single piece. A couple of weeks ago I was sharpening it and I forced myself to face the fact that I was going to need to find a replacement pencil, knowing full well that it was going to be pretty much impossible.

Did I tell you about the colour blue that this pencil is? The most beautiful peacock blue you have ever seen. When I was sixteen I had a friend that dyed her hair this colour. Amazing while it lasted. (Not unlike my pencil). When I wet it, it becomes the perfect shadow on skin. I looks so beautiful as a line drawing. It doesn't even need anything else. It is perfect in the nude. And Because it is indelible it comes through when you paint over it. It is Perfect. It is perfection. Why, oh why do they not make it anymore?

I did look on the web and I found these vintage pencils for sale at $2.50 each (not including shipping). ACT NOW! LIMITED STOCK! So, of course I bought 12! I know. Freak. I couldn't draw every day for the rest of my life and use up all 12 of these pencils. What was I thinking? They came the other day and they are not the same blue. Not even close. I am so sad. I guess I better suck it up and figure out some new technique to try to get the effect that I like but I don't think I will be able to walk into another second hand store or pass a garage sale sign without my heart fluttering with the hope of finding replacement for my beloved blue pencil.

Here in upper income, suburban Marin County, not so much. Graffiti is generally unwanted, out of place and misunderstood.

There's a big difference, for example, between illegal "tagging," clandestinely writing your name or initials, your "tag," on someone else's property, essentially defacing it, and the more sophisticated graffiti art, a cool new mural style that came from the streets and has evolved over the past 40 years into a legitimate art form, the only one created entirely by young people.

In one unusual Marin backyard, graffiti art is not only welcomed, it's celebrated.

Read More

About 400 community members opened their hearts and wallets for a good cause, enabling the center to meet its goal of hiring a paid riding instructor for the nonprofit riding program.

"We're ecstatic. We're hopeful this will be an annual event. This will give us a firm financial foundation to continue to move forward and we can hire a paid riding instructor because of the auction," said Robert Kessler, executive director, Franklin County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Center.

The art auction, sponsored by Embarq and the Franklin County Visitors Bureau, raised approximately $25,000 from the live and silent auctions.

Read More

Read More

The doc comes from the same producers who brought us The Drug Years and includes commentary by Bruce Vilanch, Erica Jong, David Crosby and other folks. Several clips are available at VH1.com, DailyMotion and Metacafe.

Since I'm reading Mary Roach's Bonk, I might as well get a glimpse of Sex this week. The first installment, Save It For Marriage, airs tonight at 10 ET.

Update: Uncensored versions of the doc air May 19-20 at midnight on the Sundance Channel. If you like your naughtiness unblurred (and who doesn't?), you may want to wait a week!

.

Read More

The Norwalk Advisory Commission on the Arts and Culture recently unveiled Norwalk ArtWalk, a guide to free public art and galleries in the city. The brochure maps the sites of paintings, sculptures, murals and installations, with suggested walking routes.

The Norwalk Public Library's Board of Trustees is sponsoring an initiative to spruce up traffic signal boxes.

In an effort similar to one launched three years ago in Stamford, the library's "Graphic Traffic" program will judge design submissions from artists, neighborhood associations and other groups to paint gray signal boxes with library-related themes.

Stanley Siegel, president of the board of directors, said he was inspired to start the program after catching sight of the signal box outside the library one too many times.

Read More

Pearce reviewed more than 230 pieces for inclusion in the show. He ended up selecting 72 pieces from 63 artists representing a variety of media, ranging from photos such as a series of images by Surprise photographer Thomas Schultz, to stoneware soda bottles by Duncan Tweed.

Read More

Read More

As the 6 1/2 artists pulled onto the LSU campus, the crew was still learning to live in a converted city bus and keep their ride’s vegetable oil-fueled engine running.

"We have a small house, I guess," said 9-year-old Taylor Snead, son of full-grown artists Bob and Dawn Snead.

The Sneads, Amy McBrine, Josef Kristofoletti, Seth Gadsden and Jamie Self left Charleston, S.C, about two months ago in a two-vehicle caravan — a 26-year-old city bus and a 1989 Pace Arrow RV.

"We’ve tried to stay away from a modus operandi," said Bob Snead, 28, whose master’s degree in painting is from Yale University.

"Originally, it was Dawn and me talking about going across the country," Snead said.

Read More

Jewelry Tuesday - Designer Parthena Black

And Designer Raquel Roysdon posted the interview while she is on vacation - what an amazing Diva! I can't put into words how much I appreciate that.

While you're there, please check out the rest of her blog - she's done interviews with many other fabulous designers, and be sure to check out the exquisite jewelry on her website. You can even buy some if you want ;-)

Blessings,

Parthena

Save Gas and Time! Shop For Your Jewelry Making Supplies Right Here -

Parthena's Big Little Art Supply Store

Today is a one-time deal, Parthena.

Cowabunga,
The Universe

Offer Expires At Midnight

Another quote that I've been inspired by is "Never put off till tomorrow what you are willing to die Ieft undone" - Pablo Picasso.

When today is gone, it's gone. While we can start our day over at any time, this particular day, this particular moment may present opportunities that may not come along another day. And what if we did die today or tomorrow? It could happen. So as they say, "Seize the Day!"

I've added a few new pages to the website. Freebies offers fun and useful resources to enrich your life, including an eight lesson course from the teachers appearing in the movie, The Secret. Parthena's Little Art Supply Store is stocked with a selection of essential clay and wire jewelry tools and supplies hand-picked from over 1,000 products at MisterArt.com Discount Art & Craft Supplies.

Mike Dooley, aka The Universe, has been signing the notes with song titles lately. Let's see if I can think of one ~

Born To Be Wild,

Parthena

The art market attracts many kinds of people with various budgets and interests, each drawn to their own niches. Iowa City resident Teresa Weiner and her husband, George Weiner, the director of the UIHC Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, invest in the work of local artists for both aesthetic and sentimental reasons. In the rooms of their two-story home hang nearly 20 original prints, ink drawings, and other media collected over a period of nearly 20 years from such artists as Mauricio Lasansky, Alan Weinstein, Geoffrey Lasko, and Suzanne B.

Read More

To the untrained eye, the portrait looked finished. But Zeigler wanted to get it just right. Picking up a set of pastels, she got to work changing the shading of the portrait.

Soon, the portrait would be shipped to Mexico, where it would be placed into the hands of a girl Zeigler had never met, although she had been staring at her face for weeks.

Students in the National Art Honor Society at Hanover High School have been working for three weeks on The Memory Project, a national program that pairs American students with children and teens in orphanages around the world.

The students receive a photo of the child or teen with whom they're paired and do a full-color, realistic portrait of them.

Read More