Off On A New Tangent.

"MAIRA Kalman, Maira Kalman." That's all you'll hear from me for a while. My work colleague and friend, JoAnn, turned me on to her by showing me a book Kalman had written, "The Principles of Uncertainty." Filled with her gouache illustrations, (from photographs, I think) it inspired me to be on the lookout for people from everyday life I could draw and write about.
The first person was a woman in the supermarket - a small, "real," hometown market, not an upscale foodie paradise. It was just before Thanksgiving and the woman smiled at me uncertainly, almost shyly, as if she were out doing something she shouldn't. She stuck in my mind and I drew her into my art journal. Let's see if I can find her ... her she is above.
I missed a great opportunity a few weeks later. There was a man with long hair smoking in the same grocery store parking lot, leaning on the hood of a car. Boy do I regret not taking his picture!
So when I saw Michelle - I didn't know her name when I stopped her - I ran after her and boldly asked if I could take her picture. She was so gracious I almost couldn't stand it. What a joy! Here she is in a new journal I have begun that is solely dedicated to the people I meet throughout this year. Please note, I am not finished painting Michelle. And, as Kalman preaches, it is not the artistic ability, it is the doing. (I translate her philosophy roughly here.) If you want to read an interview with the artist herself, check out this blog.
Now I must get going on this day. I have cleaned our main bathroom, now that the dust has settled from the most recent renovation stage on the room next door (which is the small bathroom off the master bedroom). The floor had almost dropped out and there was dry rot in the walls. The Mister has been a busy bee, working through the knee pain he has after his November surgery. He's been going to rehab and exercising, but construction is rough, hard work for the healthiest knees. We have to shop for shower tile and Creative Circle is tonight with a mystery project scheduled. Cannot wait - femminismo

Yippee Skippy! See What She's Done!

ALL hail, Christy, Web guru extraordinaire! I am so pleased that my banner is now stretched across the top of the blog. One simple request to Her Highness, and voila! Before I knew it, there it was before my eyes. If only she could be put to work on some of the more pressing issues of the world, who knows what might be accomplished. (I can tell she's blushing, so I will stop for now.) Well done, Christy.
At left is my desk today at work. Atop my 2009 appointment book is a blood orange slice and star fruit from JoAnn, my work colleague and art co-conspirator. She was slicing fruit, placing it on her window ledge and taking pictures. I can't wait to see what she's come up with. She takes great photos and has a knack for getting in close and capturing the best of a subject. Check out her blog to see for yourself.
Last night was the first class in the winter term for yoga. Oh, my, today I can tell by my tender muscles that I was far too lazy over the holidays - not doing a darn bit of stretching. Without the yoga I would turn into a creaky old lady. And we can't have that!
I had a magnificent dream/thought the other night when I couldn't sleep that turned into a story idea - and I actually remembered it when I woke up. I furiously scribbled it down on the back of an envelope and now it's sitting on the kitchen table looking up at me each time I pass.
There are so many stories bubbling around inside me that I hardly know where to start. Retirement from "real" work is the only answer, I fear, since keeping up with the house and this blog and my extracurricular activities seems to take any time that paid work doesn't. Trading health insurance for my precious time!! Argh! Anyone else feel this way?
Well, I told Christy she should post her work even if she didn't like it. She had been working on self-portraits. Now I find myself in the same predicament. But "walk the talk," so here it is. (I used Stabilo pencil to ourline and I forgot it smears horribly when wet. Good sometimes; bad just now.) My own face isn't nearly that gray.
And then there's one more art journal page to show you, and then it's to the sink. I think it's my turn to do dishes. Then a little knitting and then it's off to bed. I got this "window" from Judy Wise, on her blog. Check the link on the left. I found the lady via Blue Lantern. Ditto: check on the left. I made her pretty white gloves myself. I wonder if she knows what's going on atop her roof? - femminismo
p.s. I bought myself flowers today and I absolutely love them!

Feeling Silly Posting This ... But Oh What the Heck.

YES, sure I'm feeling silly, but when I found this picture on my computer - I was looking for something else - it made me laugh. At Art in the Pearl over Labor Day weekend, I saw these in a downtown Portland store window.
Did you ever see such a thing? Remember, laughter can keep you healthy!
I have been telling you of my travels and adventures, but I sure haven't been posting much art lately. I found this picture of a journal page I didn't have the nerve to post, but suddenly I find I do have the nerve to show it to you. Prepare yourself for nudity. I was looking at (insert famous artist's name here)'s famous painting and decided to do my own interpretation of it. What I got wasn't quite what I expected, but it was fun.
Let's see ... what else has been going on? Work. Eating. Yoga. A little yard work. I made an apple crisp. That's about it. Trying to finish up a newsletter for Valley Art, so I've been writing.
I will leave you with this one shot, taken with a digital camera through the lens of a very old Ansco "Rediflex" camera. My pal, JoAnn, told me about this. She was first to do this and I was so impressed I had to get an old camera right away. I apologize if I'm repeating myself and you've heard about this before. Here's the picture and then I'm saying good night - femminismo
p.s. Oh, wait. I "fixed" this old clock photo in Photoshop and I want to remind you that time is running out on our candidates and state measures and local political races and the hour is close upon us when it will be time to vote. I hope you are registered and will vote on November 4! I know I will.