Guerilla Art!?

One day I came upon this home-made street sign close to my house. It made me smile and I thought that whoever posted it was maybe having a party or something. After a while I noticed it was still there and apparently not going anywhere. Upon further inspection, I decided that my favorite place (?) was the "Confused Way" pointing in both directions. Then, the other day I noticed a mailbox on a 10-12' post across the street from the sign marked "Airmail". Funny stuff! Whoever is publicly posting these is either a guerrilla artist or just has a great and creative sense of humor! I hope that they continue to surprise me. Maybe I'll leave them a thank you note in their Airmail mailbox if I can get up there.

Art Studio

I moved to Connecticut while I was was working toward my MFA in visual art and I needed an art studio right away. I actually worked out of my tiny, low-ceiling basement for almost a year while I searched for another studio. My basement was the worst work space I ever had! One half of it is cement and the other half is a dirt crawl space. Even though we sealed the concrete with waterproofing and put up a plywood wall separating the crawl space, it was still so damp that everything grew a layer of mold. (Making me sick and ruining many of my paintings!) It became crucial to get a new work space!
I had called to check for space in an old mill building the year earlier but thought I would call again. This time I talked to the right person and went to see a space that day. It was big enough and the rent was cheap enough, so I took it. Because I was in my final semester in grad school I just threw everything in with out any real plan and started working. The clutter and disorganization became worse over time. So recently, I moved my office into the studio. First, for the convenience of doing all my art "work" in one location, but also, for an incentive to organize! For me, clutter is a killer! You forget what you have if you can't find it easily. As I started moving things around I began to notice that everything- the walls, doors and ceiling of the interior and exterior of the space was painted a kind of dirty looking mauvey-beige color and the floor was covered with icky dark green commercial carpeting. Right then I made the decision that it was time to finally take ownership of my studio and completely overhaul it! (I will have to ask permission to remove the carpet though.) It will be a lot of work but after the basement studio I now realize how stifling a bad space can be.
(Photos to come.)

Book Review - A Language Older than Words

A Language Older Than Words
by Derrick Jensen

I don't remember how I learned of this book but it sounded as though it was right up my alley. After a quick review of the table of contents, the philosophical chapter titles (Cultural Eyeglasses, Safety of Metaphor, Metamorphosis, Instability) intrigued me and I decided to get it. (As an artist these are concepts I am interested in.) I wanted to like it, although, the further I read the more I began to have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I could appreciate the poetic form of the writing  and Jensen makes some good points about the delusions of mankind, paralleling his abusive childhood to the abuse of our world. On the other hand, however, it is all talk and little substance. He disdainfully points his finger yet doesn't accept responsibility for his own actions (or lack of action). But the thing that really bothers me most about this book is the absence of source citations! With all the numbers and statistics Jensen refers to he should have a complete list of citations available for the reader to reference. In the back of the book he has a vague "Notes on Sources" section which only furthers my suspicion about the validity of his information and virtually discredits the entire book. Although I didn't completely hate it- there are some gems in there worth reading- I would suggest reading it with a discerning and critical eye.

Dream Vacation Location

If you're looking for a remote tropical paradise like me, you may want to check out the Caribbean's Ladera Resort in St Lucia. I just discovered it last year by accident and have been planning an escape ever since. It is located about 1000 feet above sea level in Soufrière's lush mountainside between the Gros and Petite Pitons overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Every room is open to a breathtaking view with a "missing" fourth wall and a private plunge pool. I can just imagine waking up to that view! I'd probably think I died and gone to heaven. It's a perfect destination for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.

Dock Project

My husband had a simple plan when he took the dock apart- pull up the top boards that were placed longways on a slope (which sometimes became slippery and hazardous) and cut them in half and lay them down in planks like the end of the dock. Once the boards were pulled up though, we realized that between the termites and wood rot the boards were no longer reusable. Now we're rethinking the plan. If the top wood was bad maybe it's time to replace the whole dock. I'm stoked about it because one side of the dock is beginning to sink and I've been wanting to do something about it. I have some great visions of a multi-level deck that connects to the dock. The only thing I'm worried about is how to build the dock so that it doesn't eventually sink again. I can design and build stuff but I'm no engineer. I don't think either one of us know how to solve that problem. This simple project has turned into a big project that probably won't get finished this year. Maybe?

Garden Update

My little garden is doing quite well. Last night I had the green beans I've been harvesting for the last week for dinner. I don't know if it's all in my mind or if they actually tasted better than store bought, but they were sweet and crisp and delicious!
The other day I took a small cutting of the cilantro and added it to a turkey wrap. It was great! Just a little added a really nice fresh lemony zest.
My cherry tomatoes have finally started to fruit. I can't wait to start harvesting them and make a fresh garden salsa! I thought they grew bushy but they grew taller than I expected. Maybe I should have pinched off some height before they grew that tall. (Anyone know?) Oh well, as long as they are healthy and produce tomatoes I'm happy.
The cucumber plant is also doing well. So far I've counted 5 baby cuc's. One of them should be ready to harvest in another week or so. You may see the bee in the center flower in the photo. The bee's appear to be very happy to have some nector to collect and I am very happy that they are pollinating the female flowers!
I am a novice but I should be an excellent gardener! I spent most of my childhood with my grandparents who always had a huge garden! They grew everything! My grandmother made some killer pickles and soups too! I remember some things, but now I wish I had paid more attention. Mostly I remember snapping never ending beans and having really dirty feet!

Loie Fuller's

The other day a friend suggested we check out Loie Fuller's, a fairly new restaurant in Providence. She had been there just once before for a drink and apps in the bar and fell in love with the Art Nouveau decor and thought it would be nice to check out the entree's as well. It was Saturday night and there was a Waterfire going on that evening and we knew that all the restaurants downtown would be packed. So we thought that Loie Fuller's would be perfect since it is off the beaten path on Westminster Street. Parking was a breeze! We got a spot on the street right in front of the building. Once inside, it was clear that my friend was right about the decor! The most striking and best part of all the decor is the great mural painted on all the walls. Bravo to the artist (with whom we both agree must be a woman). I then noticed the custom Art Nouveau woodwork (oak?) and mosaic's. Beautiful. Even the host looked as though they teleported her there from the year 1897.
We decided to sit at the bar and have a drink and check out the menu prior to committing to having dinner there (just in case). The bar area was very small- sitting maybe 10 to 12 people. We were the only people at the bar. The bartender was nice- friendly and responsive but respectful of our privacy. We asked for a wine similiar to a Pinot Grigio and he suggested the Italian Orvieto. (Which was way better than any Pinot I've ever had!) We each ordered the Mussels and Frites appetizer which were delectable little morsels but there was only three- two more would have been perfect. After looking through the (minimal) entree selections we spotted the Spicy Shellfish Bouillabaisse and decided to move to a table and stay for dinner. As we knew what we were having we ordered right away. All of the entrees come a la carte. Normally, I would have been disappointed that salad was not included with the entree, but the wine and mussels were satisfying. After another glass of wine and a long conversation we realized that it had been at least 30 minutes and our patience began to wear. Finally our meals were served and our impatience dissipated as we waffed in the fragrance of the Bouillabaisse. It was delishious! If our server had come any later we may have licked our dishes. Overall, my experience at Loie Fuller's was a good one. I would recommend it to others (especially for the wine selection) with some caution about the wait time.

Steamers & Beer

I am not a native New Englander so when I first heard of steamers I didn't know what they were. I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to food though, so I gave them a try. At first it was a little creepy peeling the skin away from the neck and all but after the first taste- yummy, I was hooked. Today my husband and I polished off 5 lbs and a couple of Heineken's! The best thing in the world is digging for them yourself! Low tide is usually around four to six hours so you have a good window for digging. It's great being out in the sun, in the sand digging around. It makes you feel like a kid again hunting for the buried treasure. If you've never done it, you should.

Tarot Reading

I decided today that it has been awhile since I gave myself a Tarot reading. Usually, when I do a reading, I have a particular question or concern (whether I am consciously aware of it or not) and prefer a one card spread for a more specific reading as opposed to a multiple card spread which presents a broader reading. My process is simple. I cut the deck three times and then just shuffle until one card pops out and lands face up. Sometimes I get sloppy and a bunch fall out but I just add them back to the deck and continue shuffling. Eventually (especially if you are focused on your question- not necessarily the cards) one will deliberately pop out. One time I was giving someone a reading in this way and he kept not getting a card. Finally a blank card (I accidentally left in the deck) popped out. I asked him if he was focusing on his question or concern and he said he couldn't think of anything. Funny, no question- no answer. I have books on Tarot that interpret the cards that I mostly use for reference. Its good as far as what the numbers represent and things like Pages representing messengers. But your best interpretation of the card comes from your own immediate impression(s) of the images. Keep in mind that everyone's reaction to an object or image is different. Think about a maple tree- to you it may represent your country home, but to someone who has a maple syrup business, it represents money.
Today, I got The Sun. As soon as I saw it I felt warmth in my heart. This card is an all around good card! I see warmth, happiness, freedom, child-like innocence, carefree! To me, the child is my spirit. It tells me to keep an open mind. The sunflowers suggest abundance. The number nineteen numerologically breaks down to the number one (1+9=10 and then 1+0=1), which represents new beginnings. So my reading of this card is that with an open mind, new beginnings will bring abundance.

Quick and Easy Summer Seashell Project

Ever wonder what to do with all those great seashells you picked up at the beach? Instead of stashing them away or arranging them in a basket, here is a quick and easy way to display and feature your findings. All you need is a small shadow box which you can pick up at any craft store such as Michaels or AC Moore. I actually got mine at the dollar store but it had some cheesy picture in it that I just removed. Other materials you will need for the project is a hot glue gun, elmers glue, some funky papers, and acrylic paint. Once you have the materials for your project, just follow the simple steps below:

1. paint your shadow box.
I wanted to maintain that "beach" feel so I painted a tan (or sandy color) undercoat and then I dry brushed white over that.
2. after it is dry, cut out and glue some colored or textured paper inside to the back of the box.
I chose texture over color- simple white corrugated paper.
3. cut out a simple mat from some colored paper.
You can decide how thick you want it by using the window frame as a reference. Depending on the size of your shadow box, I would say a good mat thickness is about a half inch. I chose a cool sky gray to compliment the rich warm tones of the shells.
4. glue your shell(s) inside to the back of the box using hot glue.
Since my shadow boxes were small, I chose to keep it simple and display just one item.
5. glue your pre-cut mat to the outside lip of the box. Some shadow boxes are different than this one and you may have to glue it to another spot.
6. Put the box together.

Voila! Enjoy!

The Fish

This is "The Fish", my dogs' favorite toy. All day long one of them brings it over to me and drops at my feet or in my lap. Sometimes I throw it but usually, it's gross & slobbery, so I kick it, and they both scramble and race after it. A fish fight is a daily occurrence. You can tell by the photo that it's been through the wringer! Surprisingly, it is the only toy that they haven't completely demolished. Rocco (the Boston Terrier) is a little bully. His name and collar are very befitting! little tough guy punk! He always has to have possession of whatever is the object of Hunter (the English Springer's) attention.

Kayaking on Tankeroosen Lake

My property is bordered by a nature trail great for biking and walking our dogs and a small but charming lake. Though the lake is small it accommodates quite a large ecological community. The community consists of a variety of species of fish and frogs, as well as turtles, ducks, geese, blue heron, deer, fox and beaver (who took my neighbors apple tree). It is a beautiful and peaceful sanctuary. I love to have coffee on my deck in the morning when the mist of the dew is lingering above the water. It is so magical and surreal. Sometimes in the evening the frogs are so loud it seems they are having a competition... and perhaps they are.
The lake is too mooky for swimming (especially off of my dock) and too shallow for any motor boats, but it is great for fishing and canoeing, and most excellent for kayaking! Yesterday a friend came over and we took the kayaks out. The weather was perfect! It was sunny- a bit warm- but with a nice soft breeze. One side of the lake is open and spills into a damn. The other goes under the nature trail and tapers into separate mysterious channels through the woods. It is not a journey for a beginning kayaker I learned, as the paddling is a bit challenging through the woods and against the current (though it usually isn't that strong). Even though we didn't get to complete the whole journey and had to turn back at the threshold of the woods, we still had a great experience and my friend got in a nice workout. I love kayaking. It was a good day.

Picnic Basket Makeover

When we decided that we were going to elope to a cute little B&B in New Hampshire (The Wentworth Inn at Jackson Falls) I knew I had to plan a romantic picnic for two. A romantic picnic just isn't a romantic picnic without the quaint romance of a classic picnic basket and so I began my search for one. I searched high & low for the perfect basket but I just couldn't find what I was really looking for unless I wanted to pay a ton of cash. Now I may be a little OCD and a bit of a perfectionist but I had to have what was in my imagination or nothing at all. I then started checking the thrift and 2nd hand stores. Nothing. Finally a friend found one and sent me a photo. It wasn't quite what I was looking for but I saw some potential in it and it only cost $14 so I had her pick it up for me. Once I got the basket in hand I knew what I had to do to make it over... and although the traditional red & white checkered cloth and thermos were cute, they just didn't have the level of romance I envisioned. I suddenly remembered some vintage fabric I had been saving ... you know, for something. When I dug it out I knew it was a match! A makeover with this fabric was exactly the character I was going for. I do have to say that it turned out wonderfully and our romantic picnic couldn't have been more perfect! (The location added to it, you might guess!)

Now that I'm not looking for a picnic basket anymore, I keep finding them at various thrift stores. So I decided that I would start to pick them up and make them over to sell and give as gifts.