more ALteReD SLiDeS

"Fire" coldpress watercolor paper, acrylics, oil pastels

As with most projects I start, I did not have a notion about where I was headed. Once I assembled this piece , the thought of fire resurrected, the fire we experienced here in our own backyard this past October during the San Diego firestorm. It is reminscent of the glow I stared at just before we evacuated.


"Take 3" altered slide, cut original transparency and reworked with stamps and markers, interference acrylic paint and watercolor paper.

Thought for today:
" When you have developed the ability to do the small jobs well, greater jobs will come to you"

Enjoy your day! My otherblogspot: "The Way I See It"

Sally's New Bustier

I took an old slide, dismantled the innards and created a minature collage. Painted small piece of watercolor paper with twinkling H2O's and Golden Interference Green. Half stamped/half drawn image, piece of mica and a broken piece of sea shell to represent a bustier.

I must say, that it is not as easy as you would think- to confine yourself to such a miniscule space, so here in lies the challenge.

"I've Gotta Hand it To Ya"

Cold pressed (rough) watercolor paper, oil pastels, funky patina'd charm and scrap text in black slide frame.

I leave you with the following thought:
"If we can go deep into ourselves we will find that we possess exactly what we desire"

(though it wouldn't hurt to have have a bustier as tough as Sally's)

Thanks for visiting. My other blogspot is here: "The Way I See It"

Altered Fractal

I was in the mood for PS today...note the "M" is missing. This is good thing for all you folks out there in the blogosphere. What?! no sillies, "M" stands for manipulation, oh... and PS stands for Photoshop. I had created a fractal awhile back and decided to throw a couple of PS filters at it like motion blur, liquefy, and colored pencil. Also manipulating each filters individual tools. Now it looks like a lovely knitted chenille blanket. No, I'm not drinking or on drugs and yes I do know how to knit. It's just me in my usual state of happy.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, or not... still love ya anyway.

Don't forget to mosey on by my other blogspot: "The Way I See It"

My UpSiDe DoWn WoRld

When you're feeling like your world is upside down, why fight it?! This is what I saw when I looked out the window. I immediately grabbed the camera and ran outside to capture this reflection in our swimming pool. It was a sign... of the times... and a forecast for the weather.

me and my upside down shadow


Nothing like a different perspective to stir things up.



Remember this song, "Signs" circa 1971 from "The Five Man Electrical Band"



Things will be looking up soon. Thanks for stopping!

Won't you please visit my other blogspot: "The Way I See It"

Replenish the Coffers

8 x 11.5 Mixed Media Collage on pre-painted watercolor paper,
assorted fibers, german foil, Golden fluid acrylic

Mandala: [Sanskrit maṇḍalam, circle.]
-in Jungian psychology a symbol representing the effort to reunify the self.
-any of various geometric designs (usually circular) symbolizing the universe; used chiefly in Hinduism and Buddhism, as an aid to meditation

This collage was to be 'MY' aid in meditation. My attempt at filling the coffers. The coffers = to my depleted spirit and deported demeanor. Now, I for one have never been able to sit still and meditate for more than 5 minutes before my mind goes off reeling in a million different directions. So I found that cutting pieces of paper, many pieces of paper for hours on end will serve this purpose.

Peacefully cutting, meandering in non-linear thought, merrily I go, snip-snip-snip in my euphoric state when all of a sudden in my zoned out overzealous cutting spree I took a chunk of my finger. Luckily for me, I was in that state where people can walk over hot coals and don't feel a thing. Hee..same idea, the pain didn't come but the blood did and in great amounts. Barbie bandaid to the rescue as evidenced by this pic below: (forgive me while this is not my index fingers best side)


I restored my sense of peace and resumed... snip-snip-snip. Now, my next step in mindfulness training was to randomly, incohesively fashion these snippets of colorful papers, asst. cut up greeting cards, wrapping paper, vintage text and fibers into a circle utilizing a watercolor painting I had done awhile back but was not fond of (never throw this stuff away). Now I admit, the one thought that did cross my mind was that I wanted the background of this colorful circle to eventually be black so the color would vibrantly stand out.

I stayed with this process quietly, delicately placing snippet over snippet until my circle was complete. I was now ready for the finale, the layer of black paint to cover the existing watercolor. As I began randomly, splashing black paint over exposed color I noticed what appeared to be a bird emerging in the bottom left hand corner. My 'aha' moment, so I worked around the color in black and my bird came to be.

My zen state is just about resonating to an end when my container of Golden Carbon Black paint launches out of my hand and in sssllloooowww motioooon finds it's way to the white stone tile floor exploding all over my walls, face and clothing. Now let me say that for a short moment I was back in that "hot coal walking state" when I got up and decided to take a paper towel the size of a postage stamp to clean up this mess...then fight or flight kicked in and I realized I'm in trouble and need more Brawny.

Now this is a sure fire way to crack the meditative code. Let me now tell you as a sidenote: WARNING! do not let Golden Carbon Black Paint sit for ANY length of time on any surface especially white stone floors as this paint does not move as quickly as it does when you squeeze it out of the bottle.

Next meditation aid: clean floors on hands and knees scrubbing with scouring pad to get black out of grout and off of tile. Oh, grasshopper!

I learned patience.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! My other blogspot: "The Way I See It"

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!

WS-Fortuna

Found a new  3X5 card surface from which to embellish upon last evening at R. O'Sullivans Irish Pub and Steakhouse in Escondido, CA... known to me for the longest time as the NIB (Neighborhood Irish Bar) long story for another day.

The waitress came to the table and threw down a slew of these sturdy 3x5 coasters that had really neat photos of California surfers and on the backside they were postcards, ready for mailing.   They were actually made to support a Fat Tire Beer.   My mind was reeling...while everyone was placing their drink orders I was calculating how I could abscond a few of these for the sake of art without looking too obvious.  I'll take a Grey Goose Lemon drop martini, please... before she returned I started to slowly shuffle a few of these in my direction leaving behind a token few.

Now mind you in addition to drink coasters, this place has wonderful Shepard's Pie, Bangers and Mash, Guinness Stew and plenty of good 'ole Guinness Stout.   It's 9p.m.-- no cover charge- Andy Walo Blues/Rock guitarist.  We had seen this guy here before and he is one talented guitarist he can play a mean Stevie Ray Vaughn, Johnny Cash, John Lee Hooker, J.J. Cale to name a few.   I'll have another Grey Goose Lemon Drop Martini, please...   

So here is my reincarnated coaster titled "Fortuna" il "Patrono San di acquisto  domestico" "The Patron Saint of Homebuyers"   My contribution to this weeks Wednesday Stamper challenge

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to mosey on over to my other blogspot "The Way I See It"

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"

It wAs A CoLd and StoRmY NiGhT

8 1/2 X 11 journal page

"Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon."- Susan Ertz

It was a "CoLd and StoRmY NiGhT", indeed. We have finally received the much needed rain that we have missed for so long. Rain is good, the earth needs a drink, our coffers need replenishing. I for one have plenty to do on this rainy Sunday afternoon. What about you?

What will you do today? I hope that whether the sun is basking your space in warmth, or the winter's snow lay at your feet that you will do what is necessary to feed your soul. After all...immortality is 'an endless life' in our mind.

Thank you for your kind words. My other blogspot "The Way I See It"

Remembering ABE

REMEMBER
"SOMETIMES WE MUST INTERFERE. WHEN HUMAN LIVES ARE ENDANGERED, WHEN HUMAN DIGNITY IS IN JEOPARDY, NATIONAL BORDERS AND SENSITIVITIES BECOME IRRELEVANT. WHENEVER MEN OR WOMEN ARE PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE, RELIGION, OR POLITICAL VIEWS, THAT PLACE MUST-AT THAT MOMENT-BECOME THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. " - Elie Wiesel

I'm not really sure where to begin. I had signed up for a Shoe shrine class in July of last year with Michael deMeng. I brought my shoe to shrine and I had also brought with me this thought, memory if you will that I've carried for a long time. I couldn't finish it then. It's finished now.

I've wanted to do a piece about the Holocaust for many years. My husband and I had visited the Museum of Tolerance at the Simon Wiesenthal Plaza in L.A. on numerous occasions. The passport I had received upon entering on this given day was for Abraham Beem.

I dedicate my shoe shrine to Abraham Beem and his sister Eva. Hence the name ABE.

It has taken me this long to feel right about this piece. The shoe represents the walk that these children endured, likely without shoes. I didn't have a photo for Eva at the time so I used a rubber stamp I had that depicted a young girl with a blank stare. The puzzle pieces represent the 'fragments' of their lives. The overstamped saying on the large puzzle piece is a Harriet Tubman quote," The sun came like gold through the trees and over the fields and I felt like I was in heaven". I wanted the confusion with the overstamping to represent the transition these children had from their living hell to our interpretation of heaven. I'll leave the rest to you.

Here is a pic I recently found of sweet Eva Beem.


originally uploaded to Flicker
by rosewithoutathorn 84
on November 25, 2007

We must NEVER forget the atrocities of the Holocaust. Educate your children... Here is a documentary I own and recommend "Paper Clips" see trailer here:



Be sure to stop by my other blogspot: "The Way I See It"

Hope

2" x 3" mixed media collage
-with the following ingredients, some hope and imagination:

collage image
a piece rubber shelf lining (painted with *Modern Options)
aluminum sheet (run through crimper)
picture hanger
Radio Shack resistor
multi-color seed beeds
cool button
metal heart(painted with *Modern Options)
wave crimper
"hope" metal ephemera
brads
wire 24g
metal slide
knock out seal(painted with *Modern Options)

As you see here "Hope" comes in all shapes and sizes.

Here's a photo I took off of Highway 67 in Ramona, CA just after the Cedar Fires in 2003. I wasn't living here then, but we had happened to take a weekend drive and I came upon this photo op. It was fitting for the time and it seems fitting now.


Hope for 2008.
we find each other in good health
we are surrounded by loved ones
we continue to share with others
we reach out to those in need
we practice kindness
we find forgiveness
we practice peace
in this spirit, we are happy

To my friends, Happy New Year! 2008 ... thanks for the visits and your kind words on my blogs :"The Way I See It" and "The Artful Eye"

SuRpRisE!

4X4 canvas Golden Fluid acrylics, gel medium,
7 gypsies-rubber stamps Alpha Stamps - collage sheet

"Surprise"! another from my clown series. I will be posting more from this series in the upcoming weeks.

It's been a cold day here for San Diego, CA. I don't believe the temp has gone above 55 degrees. and I'm enjoying the fact that it feels a bit wintry. Now I'm sure my sunny socal friends would shoot me for saying this and my midwest/eastcoast friends are laughing because these temps are balmy... but this is what I miss about the seasons. Now if it would just snow a teeny, weensy bit.

I guess I need to head back to Julian, CA for snow. Don't forget to stop by my other blogspot for news just in from : "The Way I See It"

Rear View Mirror

8 x 11 journal page  

rubber stamped image from "Paperbag Studios"

Rear view mirrors are interesting, they exist and

people rarely use them.  We pass miles of road, sometimes

daydreaming and not realizing what is now behind us.

Are you ever tempted to look back?

Reflecting back hopefully gives us insight to 

what lies ahead.  Our experiences past and present, 

prepare us for the future.

Today becomes tomorrow.

What will we take away from this moment?

Ever notice in your rear view mirror the etched statement-

"Objects in mirror are closer than they appear"

This notice reminds me that I need to pay attention because 

the answers are right here in front of me.

for next Friday's journal challenge:  "It Was a Dark and Stormy Night..."

Feel free to stop by my other blogspot: "The Way I See It"

OuT Of My gOuRd- Part II

In an earlier post I had mentioned this gourd art medium was new to me. I think I surprised myself in how things turned out. This is the second of three I've completed so far. Closed coil and yarn wrapped coil, embellished with turquoise scarab, shells, beach rock and seagrass.

Another view.

Thanks for stopping by!

I leave you with this "Glimpse of the Day" by Sogyal Rinpoche

"Doubt is not a disease but merely a symptom of a lack of what we in our tradition call the View, which is the realization of the nature of mind, and so of the nature of reality. When the View is there completely, there will be no possibility for the slightest trace of doubt, for then we'll be looking at reality through its own eyes. But until we reach enlightenment there will inevitable be doubts, because doubt is a fundamental activity of the unenlightened mind,

and "the only way to deal with doubts is neither to suppress nor indulge them.""

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to take a glimpse

at my other blog "The Way I See It"

Sunflower

The image of this sunflower calms me.

It brings back a memory of quiet and stillness.

I've been going through a learning curve with my new 

IMAC and I'm not sure it's a curve anymore, it's more like a cliff.

Lot's to learn about this new OS, but I'm sure once I get it down- I'll be a screamin' mimi.

Have a great day!

Take a stroll over to: "The Way I See It" my other blogspot.

"EyE kNoW tHerE pLenTy oF fiSh iN The SeA"

8 X 11 black gesso'd cardstock, golden fluid acrylics
gel pens, stamps, collage imagery, fishing swivels

I had mentioned a challenge a friend and I had commenced upon

in a recent post. The topic for this week was "What I know about fishing..."

What I know about fishing is that it is very relaxing until you get caught fishing without a license. Yup.. Dillion Reservoir, Breckenridge, Colorado. I like fishing but I have a problem with removing the fish once I've caught it. Now to some this may not be a problem, but to the 'lil ole fish, this puts them in an awful predicament.

I have my own graphite rod, a fishing vest with all sorts of gadgets, hooks, fish eggs, spinners, lures, and weights and I've always wanted my very own creel basket. (Don't have one.) and I have not done much fishing lately.

How bad do you want to make your buddies feel on your next fishing trip? Well here's a 'fishy tale' for y'all about "the big one" or should I say the basket o' fish I had caught on a fishing trip in the Maroon Bells in Aspen, CO. (area was just like this)

My friends and I parted ways to what we each thought were better fishing locals. While on my own path, I had met a couple who had caught a whole bunch o'fish but were not interested in eating them so they offered them up to me. I put them in my bucket on ice and trekked back to our campsite and awaited my friends return. When they showed up empty handed, I presented them with my bounty (never disclosing how I actually got them). In the end... my story unraveled and we all had some great laughs and so that is my tale.

One day before I transition from this life, I'd like to try fly fishing in Montana standing in a 'cool river' with full set of hip waders, casting my fly rod into the chilly waters, as I gaze into the great blue yonder, hair blowin' in the wind, surrounded by puffy white clouds- that look like this...

Oh.. and did I mention I like "Fish and Chips."

Remember every week Friday we'll pick a topic and set upon on separate ways to create a journal page on this randomly chosen topic. No rules. Feel free to join in and post a link to your collage in the comments.

The topic for next week's Friday collage is "Rear view mirrors"

Please stop on by my other blogspot "The Way I See It" Thanks for visiting!

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"

Questions for the Dalai Lama

Vineyard Haven, MA on Martha's Vineyard

"In the present circumstances, no one can afford to assume that someone else will solve their problems. Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged."-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

If you had a question for the Dalai Lama what would it be?

My other blogspot: "The Way I See It"

Wheee..

I wish there was snow.. because I love sledding
and you just can't do it without the white stuff.

Here's another acrylic block 2"X 5 ". Reverse painting, collage imagery, gel medium. I'm telling you these are so fun and rewarding you must give this technique a try.

Feel free to stroll on by my other spot: "The Way I See It"