Friday, October 30, 2009

More Art For Salvation Army


I have completed most of the work for the Salvation Army Youth Center commission. This is the most recent - a 2 ft x 4 ft paney with acrylic with uplifting messages for all. The images are bright and vibrant.








Here are a few close-ups . . .
If you like what you see. . .let me know. I would love to help you create a unique gift for someone for the Holidays.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Mirror, Mirror, Mirror






Sssssh! These are for gifts!


A client recently contacted me about some gifts for the members of a wonderful women's group - 7 Beautiful Women. . .each of whom represent a day of the week.






They have a tradition of exchanging gifts for the holdays each year and try to find unique gifts for each other. I am honored to get to create 7 hand-mirrors for each of these women. I was given a list of color preferences, personality traits, etc. and have begun the creation process. These are the beginnings . . .a few details left to complete on these and they will be ready to go.


Thanks, Kimberly, for letting me participate in your group in a small way! I am honored. . .





























Where, oh where will I be next? At Hip Happening in the historic Sellwood Masonic Lodge on 7126 SE Milwaukie. Lot of unique gifts available! Hope to see you there. . .
















Wednesday, October 21, 2009

More Salvation Army Pictures


This image will be one of two that will hang together in the homework/study area. It measurea 24" x 26" (approximately) and the pages of the are torn from an old book to give an added textural element.
Thanks for looking . . .

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Salvation Army Youth Center

I am currently working on some pieces of art to grace the walls of the new Salvation Army Youth Center in SE Portland/Rockwood. This center will welcome youth after school and offer kids a safe environment to hang out, play, do arts and crafts, get homework help and music lessons. I was so impressed when I visited with what they are doing there. Here is a link to an article about the center:
I met Lorrie, the director, during the Gresham Art Walk and we began talking about some positive, bright art work to decorate the walls of the new center. Here are a few of the pieces that I have completed so far . . .
This is a welcom sign that will greet visitors when they sign in - it measures 24" x 6" and is embelished with some dangly's of beads and old jewelry pieces.
This piece measures 2 ft x 4 ft with a wavy profile. It is bright and whimsical and contains a quote by George Bernard Shaw that states: Imagination is the beginning. Imagine what you desire. . . and at last, you create what you will."
This piece, to inspire music creativity and says "Dream of all that can be" and "Share the song in your heart". It also measures 2 ft x 4 ft.
All of the pieces are created with artist quality acrylics on wood and contain three-dimensional embellishments.
There are more pieces to come . . .I will post pictures as they are completed.
Don't forget to come and visit me this weekend out in springdale - Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 - 3:00 both days!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Sisters to Springdale

Last weekend we had our Sisters Harvest Faire show in Sisters, Oregon. It was a wonderful experience with lots of new friends being made . . .and we even ran into a few old friends. It definitely marked the end of our outdoor shows for the year. Our last outdoor show, we spent the day in temperatures that reached the high 80s. This last weekend, we started out at 16 degrees and topped out in the low 60s - This picture shows how I spent the majority of my day! Dressed in layers, wrapped in a blanket, in front of a heater.

Despite the colder temperatures - we had a great weekend. We look forward to heading that direction again next October!



























My next show will be on October 24th & 25th out in Springdale in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. A group of about 10 exceptional artists will be joining together to show our work and spend a little time together. This is one of the only shows I will be doing in the greater-Portland area before the holidays. Come out and get a jump on some holiday shopping!



Sunday, October 4, 2009

Let Me Check My Calendar

The other day I was surfing through some of my favorite blogs and I saw a post about "customizing" a basic calendar/planner. I was so intrigued that I obsessed over it for awhile. So earlier this week, when I was in the office supply store buying a planner for my daughter, I ended up with a planner of my own. Let's face it . . .the covers on them are so. . . bland. So this is what I created.
This is the book opened up to show both the front and back covers.


Here is the view of the back only. . .
And this is a view of the front. . .
I have tried the electronic calendars and planners. I'm fascinated by the iPhone and love my iPod and can't imagine life without it. But when it comes to my planners, I like to touch it, I like to use a pen. I think this will do the trick.
The cover of the planner was created on a basic file folder. First I collaged a variety of textured papers; then I painted on the images. A few stamped images were added. It has a wonderful feel to it.
Once I folded the cover and trimmed the edges, I covered everything with clear contact paper and packing tape. This should protect it from being packed around in my purse, my back pack or where ever . . .
And one of the first entries in my new planner is my next two sales. This coming weekend, on October 10th and 11th, my partner in business and in life and I will be traveling over the moutain to Sisters, Oregon. Sisters will be hosting their yearly Harvest Faire. It is a fantastic event with about 150 artist vendors, music, food, kids activities, etc. The whole town participates. If you are in the area, be sure and stop by.
For those of you in the Portland area, I will be setting up in Springdale on the weekend of October 25th . . .more details to follow!