Post to 4-24 Unknown Outcome

Still acrylic on Rives BFK paper, still measures 18" x 18". I am reporting a couple more approaches of several hours and I feel it is done. The columns speak to me in many ways and several of the spirals were made with a rugged stamping process. There was writing on the bottom, light colors, stripes but the bottom of the piece is dark now, the writing covered and it seems to anchor the columns...I like it. I thought of the artist Hundertwasser through out so you might say this is my ode to him and his dedication to the natural line and shapes.

This week has been the start of my new studio hours ...mon., wed., fri., several hours each day. Tuesday and Thursday I push all my obligations...laundry, shopping, banking, and swimming or movies and although it makes two full days, it allows empty hours for work. I am serious about building new work for a website.

Lately I have been feeling like an artistic dinosaur....I was on a site recently site.booksmartstudio.com/blog/ viewing a show called ALTERNATIVE DIGITAL PRINTING EXHIBITIONS by selected artists. I didn't have a clue on how most of the work was completed. I just know I loved several pieces in the show. One especially by Deena Haynes (friend)... her piece is a digital image heat pressed on metal!!! Beautiful! Drop by the site just for a look...some lovely pieces. As for being a dinosaur, well, I just don't have these skills but I so admire the art...the question I ask myself, do I continue with my skills for my vision or do I take on new more modern skills for my visions? I will compromise and read a book titled "Digital Art Studio"...we shall see?!

This Saturday we are going on an Architectural Home Tour. We will review a map and travel to each home. The money for the map goes to support Habitat for Humanity so it's a good cause and I get to do what I love...check out other people's homes!! Have a good weekend!

Still Dreaming

Papier mache' collage, acrylic, measures 14" x 18". Did you ever make a mask by inserting straws up your nose and then allowing an artist to wrap your face in wet plaster? I was okay with the process until it began to dry and then I remember feeling a little creepy and antsy but it worked out with some strong self talk. When the mask was off me and dry, I used it as a form for papier mache' masks like this one. I added a headdress above the face and collaged sky and dream images. I was trying to capture the ever moving images in sleep. This piece is a couple years old but I thought I'd share. click to enlarge.

We are home now and very well rested. Our room was lovely, restaurants great and our patio had a spa fed by deep spring waters. We had perfume packets to put in the water to cut the slight egg scent of the water but beyond that the water was so warm and relaxing. It was around 85 most days, perfect for swimming and visiting wineries. I brought my camera but left the "card" in the computer at home. My camera is an old digital model so finding a card was close to impossible. I instead bought a throw away camera and Pablo is taking it to the drug store for developing. It was difficult taking a photo and not seeing the results instantly! We changed our mind about driving home along the coast and drove home on #101 and stopped at sleepy San Juan Bautista (another mission town...this mission was used in the filming of "Vertigo"). We had a great Mexican lunch in a beautiful garden....a perfect ending to our vacation.

I'm unpacked and the washer is on it's first load...the suitcases are put away....it's all a sweet memory!

Cowboy Wine Country

A photo I took a couple of years ago of an area on the grounds of Mission San Miguel, Arcangel. I believe this mission is closed for repairs after a recent earthquake. It was built in 1797 and is very fragile and beautiful. We will be staying in a town about 9 miles south of this mission in an area called "The Cowboy Wine Country". It has grown over the years with winery after winery and people are enjoying the area as a destination. We will be staying at a great Inn with pool and in room spa so I'm happy! If you remember the movie "Sideways" then you might remember the film featured the area dotted with wineries and pretty countryside. When we head home we will travel over to the ocean and travel up the coast on Hwy 1 which is a really beautiful curvy road.

Tomorrow we pack the suitcases and Pablo works his magic and packs the car...I take everything when we go for a few days...need my pillow, books and he is the same way! He is taking his laptop and I think it will be interesting if I can stay away from blogland for a few days...if I can't then I know I can use his computer. Happy Trails!!!!