Photographer and Artist of Mixed Media Whimsy
A wonderful discovery this morning as I followed a tip from a fellow Yahoo group member to this blog with a huge collection of vintage foreign postcards. The images are crisp and clear and one jillion to choose from, the language is Spanish, but the eye candy is wonderful, so make another pot of coffee, sit back and enjoy the show!
Now this is one song that just might launch you into the Christmas spirit...Herbie Hancock and Corinne Bailey Rae sing Joni Mitchell's River. Holy Cow, get a brandy, light a fire, toss the tinsel, and curl up with your lover. OK but seriously here in Texas you can skip the fire and brandy...grab a cold beer and turn down the A/C! Rub your lover's belly and eat another plate of Turkey!
My Aunt Susan gifted me with some pottery made by Diana Kersey, our cousin from San Antonio. Her work is so organic, earthy and rich in layers of color. I love the way it feels to sip from a vessel like this. The way it feels in my hand, almost seems like the Earth itself. Even the bottom is artful! I love the way each one is so individual and one of a kind with finger strokes as it twirled before her on the pottery wheel. Go have a look at her website!
"The very marks on the bottom of a piece of rare crockery are able to throw me into a gibbering ecstasy." ~Mark Twain~
I found this great photo on Flickr from a cafe in San Fransisco. Perfect for the day. Just like a few other Stone Angels I have gathered along the way from Key West, Lafayette and The Woodlands.
I am the heat of your hearth, the shade screening you from the sun;
I am the beam that holds your house, the board of your table;
I am the handle of your hoe, the door of your homestead;
the wood of your cradle, and the shell of your coffin.
I am the gift of God and the friend of man.
People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is to walk on Earth. Everyday we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black curious eyes of a child-our own two eyes. All is a miracle. ~Thich Nhat Hanh~
It's the new word when you make something out of something. You know, the green way to make art. I know, women have been doing it for years like clothing made from feedsacks and quilts made from old clothing. My Mom sews green grocery bags out of old tee shirts! Matt builds crystal radios with an oatmeal box! I am always looking at trash and found objects and see the human form that can be created into an Art Doll or better yet, these old wool sweaters made in to GYPSY CATS! The snowmen were inspired by one of my my favorite magazines, Cloth, Paper Scissors, made with antique bottles, vintage cake decorator tips, and random gatherings from my Art Bodega. Did not spend a dime to create all these wonderful new additions to my DEB DID IT Gallery. I am pondering setting up a DEB DID IT Blog or Etsy just to peddle my artwork...what do you think?
There is nothing quite like creating with children. As adults, my Art Group Girls who meet every Monday together has become like recess! We always have snacks, play with new art ideas, get gluey, sew, paint and stitch. And even on occasion, rant, rave and bitch! We even go on field trips! I discovered this website for kids this morning and ended up drawing in the gallery. I posted my creation, then went to sign up, but it is a FOR KIDS ONLY site. So I toured the gallery and was so inspired by the paintings, that I am ready to drag out all the art supplies and get busy making stuff. I gotta go now, IT'S MONDAY ART DAY!
Last week I worked with my friend Susan in The Houston Heights at a wonderful historical home that had a kitchen remodel and we dusted and cleaned every inch of the downstairs. Sounds like alot of work? Yes, but let me tell you a little story. This family lost their 8 year old daughter, Ellen Snow, 6 years ago to cancer. But Ellie lives on and her spirit is so alive! I had the privilege to carefully handle several pieces of her artwork displayed all throughout this lovely home. There were collections of fish, angels, hearts and paintings. I felt Ellie with me all day long. Her bright shiny sunkissed face remains in my memory as does her artwork like the Christmas Heart painting. Her design was repeated by other artists who created ornaments, mosaic birdhouses, stain glass and even a sterling silver pendant still available here on the MD Anderson Childrens Art Project website. Ellie touched me that day, and somehow continues to remind me how important LIFE and HEALTH is. How precious our moments are with family and loved ones. And how important it is to paint, color, CREATE with all of our children. Her painting has a ribbon wrapped around her sunshine filled heart. A message to us all.
Rest. Relax. Rejuvenate. I have a great recipe for this and the results are priceless. Pack your PJ's and pillow. Drive less than 2 hours to a friends house for a sleepover. Eat delicious foods, drink superb wine, laugh until you cry, sleep fast so you can learn the Art of Lumping the next morning. WHAT? is lumping you ask? Well, the Queen herself, Miss May served me and Glenda coffee and breakfast in bed, piled high on a cloud and we three Queens of Luxury told stories, laughed and giggled until it was time to get dressed and go shopping. By then it was time for lunch and we filled our bellies full of spicy Thai foods. I smiled all the way home, looking forward to my next runaway to be pampered and loved by such dear sweet friends, Glenda and Emma.
Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.
Texas winter has arrived, for a few moments. The morning dew is crunchy, the car thermometer reprogrammed its digital numbers to display anything below 60 and I am wearing three shirts, feeling very grumpy about it all! But, no worries, because by noon, the temps will rise again above the 60 degree mark and I can begin to shed my winter layers.
"I've been talking to my Angel, and he said that it's alright" ~ Melissa Etheridge ~ thinking of you Erin, Marilyn and Nancy with love and healing light. my Angels from The Woodlands TX, LaGrange TX, Lafayette LA, Sequim WA, Key West Florida
Ok, I give in. I will play. But I am a rule bender so I will make this up as I go. I have been awarded by fellow blogger buddies, Brenda of Memories and Treasures, Theresa of Garden Antqs Vintage and Cher the Texas Woman who directed me to share a list of things about myself, quirky, true, unusual or boring. Since I normally share this info on my blog, I will list a few unknowns to the general public, or NOT. Then in turn kindly punt this award to others who I follow like a groupie!
1. Sherry of Patrizi Photography my friend who hates my hairy legs & pits, but still loves me and my silly self. Her photography and passion for her family is always an adventure as she follows her husband from the Heart of Texas to the Swiss Alps to the Desert in Doha for his job.
2. PJ of Pjs Talking friend and neighbor who is a crack-up, folkartist and really fun blogger. A PJ a Day keep the blues away!
3. Zarlacht of The Art of Family makes me want to go back and be Mom of a young child again. better yet, I WANNA BE HER KID! Her blog will make your heart swell with her family photos and stories.
4. Suzanne Fogarty Photography in Bellingham, Washington is not to be missed. Her photography is full of spirit and whimsy. I have been on the other side of her lens and if you go to her website in 'Engagements' you will see my son Scooter andRachel his girlfriend.
5. Mendy Texas is a blogger who shares recipes and techniques. I love her ideas as she creates special gifts for teachers and swaps. Go have a look.
Now for a few revealing unordinary facts about myself. I hate to read. I type real fast with three fingers. I washed my clothes in a plastic bucket when I lived in Mexico. I brushed my teeth once with Tequila, so Cher, I would join you for that Breakfast Margarita! I am now scared of storms in Texas since Hurricane Rita. I sleep with four pillows. I do not own a TV. I sweeten my coffee with Ovaltine.
DawnVanderStoep, my beloved friend, living too far away in Tacoma, Washington is creating some magic in the digital world with her photography. This is her latest dedication to our friendship. The photos were taken when she visited Texas for the first time and we went to Festival Hill and The Outpost on a shutterbug tour! Love ya Dawn!
