CoMiC StRiPs

8 x 11.5 mixed media collage

comic strip

many layers of acrylic paint over black gesso

distressed embossing

As a child I was a dreamer, well I'm still a dreamer.  I liked comic books like Archie , Betty and Veronica, Jughead, Richie Rich, Little Lulu, Krazy Kat and Nancy to name a few.  I liked to take long leisurely strolls.  I'd kick a few stones, wave to the neighbors on their stoops and pluck a dandelion or two and make a wish-- while on my way to the corner fountain shop where I grew up in Brooklyn, New York.   It was here I would capitalize on my $1, release the stronghold grip on my coin purse and score a handful of delectable treats.

I could buy an Archie comic book for .12 cents and a brown paper bag fulled with penny candies and a Yoo Hoo or a chocolate egg cream and still have change left over.  I couldn't wait for Sundays because the New York Times had the best funnies section and the colors were so vibrant.  I'd launch my Silly Putty from it's molded egg plastic case, smell it, stretch it and start capturing the images of the comics, distorting them and changing the way they looked.  Those were the days.  

As I grew older, I took a liking to Snoopy and Charlie Brown,  Ziggy and Mad magazine, remember Alfred E. Neuman?   My taste grew to "Calvin and Hobbes" and "The Far Side" and "Dilbert"  in my travels to Italy and France at the local newspaper stands, I'd stumble upon copies of Gato Felix (Felix the Cat), Occhi Bracchio di Ferro(Popeye the Sailorman), Picchiarello(Woody Woodpecker), Topolino(Mickey Mouse) and "The Adventures of TinTin".  I have always admired the work of the great Winsor McCay,  late 19th century, American cartoonist and animator.  One of my favorites compilations  "Little Nemo in Slumberland"   

Today, I still own Silly Putty, I like the smell ( it's probably toxic)  I no longer enjoy reading the comics and I choose to manipulate things in a different way.  Don't forget to laugh!

Thanks for stopping by.  My other blogspot: "The Way I See It" 

"F" Street ala Peter Max

While my friend Julie and I were meandering through the streets of Little Italy, making our way to Dick Blick's for more art supplies, I decided I would hold my camera out the window and rapid fire.

Who did I think I was kidding? I am. just. not. that. good at utilizing the 'rapido' fire button on my camera and... especially since I kept accidently closing the lens instead of shooting the picture, leaving me with some 'not so' interesting subjects, like this street light on F.

So, I decided to give it an extreme photo makeover ala Peter Max utilizing PS's neon glow filter, manipulating the brightness levels and enhancing the image.

Hey, I'm a child of the 60's, I love Peter Max. Learn more about him here .

My other blogspot "The Way I See It" Thanks for stopping by!

Our Backyard Friend

I'd like to introduce you to our backyard friend who came to visit this past summer. We couldn't be anything but in the moment for this little fellow to stop by, as it is most unusual for these wild finches to ever come close to a human. My husband and I decided to stand absolutely motionless, watching about 15 of these guys feed off of a thistle bag I have hanging on a shepard's hook in my yard.

We placed a small amount of thistle seed in our hands and stood, motionless, like statues with our hands extended to see any one of our feathered friends which venture into unknown territory, when all of a sudden this little one took a liking-- first to my husband.

He clung to his shirt and then slowly made his way to his hand for some feed. My husband then gently picked him up and placed him on my hand for this photo op. Everyday for approximately 12 or so days, as soon as one of us stepped outside he would fly to us, land on our shoulder, shorts, arms. He'd sit with us on the patio swing, keeping us company, feed and visit for as long as we'd have him and then one day I think one of his fine feathered friends convinced him it was best to move on. This intimate interaction with our little friend was one of life's simple joys. It reminded me of being in the moment and how good it felt. It reminded me of the warm summer days.

Thanks for stopping by. "The Way I See It"

Hey.. I can make that

I know as artists we've all stumbled upon this quandry at one time or another where you see something you like and think, "Hey I can make that.. then the next question is, "But will I really?" and do I have time etc. etc. You know what I mean. Well this was one of those times for me. A friend of mine had come to work with this really cool vinyl bag and I immediately fell in love. Then after some precise fondling and carefully perusing over the details of how this bag was made I immediately sprung into action. I went to my desk, sketched the details and went to work. I already had the newspaper, I had collage material, I needed large grommets a sewing machine and aquarium tubing and ViOLa! A vinyl bag was born.

Another view and both sides are collaged.

So when the urge strikes, just do it!
(Now do I have to pay Nike for this?)

Oh.. and for those inquiring minds the store where my friend
purchased her bag was Anthropologie a fine purveyor of drygoods.

Thanks for stopping by. My other blogspot: "The Way I See It"

:::This just in from my news desk:::

I'm perking up...I just got done posting on my other blog when I decided to look outside and check on our local raging Santa Ana winds. (You know those winds that help fuel all our firestorms in sunny California) and once I recovered from the electrical shock I received through my body from all the static electricity due to the dryness and lack of humidity. I found not one but TWO packages left by UPS on my doorstep.

Inside first package- 3 humongous catalogs from
Rio Grande filled with tons of goodness to buy. Can't wait!



Inside second package:

My recent order from : WholeLottaWhimsy

I'm officially an addict, a "silver clay addict" that is...see my syringe of clay, rubber block, agate burnisher, 45grams of pure silver clay, cork clay, a .999 stamp, 2 cute red containers of smelly liver of sulphur and a gift baggie of candy.

I'm on the mends! New mantra "must get better soon, must get better soon..."

My other blog "The Way I See It"