Pondering.Dreaming.Motivating.

Wonderful Encounters, creative spirits, loveable afternoon trips and getting back in the studio…

So much about yesterday,  but first…. I am still wondering and deciding that I can not bear to remove my Christmas branch. So, if everyone agrees, I am leaving it up. (Okay even if you don’t agree, I just have to!) But, I will remove the snowflakes and add hearts for Valentine’s Day, Bunnies for Easter, etc. etc.  It is so lovely in person, I wish you could see it!!

                  

                  

As for getting back into the studio… It is a bit of a disaster, but I will clean it up a little tomorrow and then get back to work.  I need to create for sanity.  It is my healthy balance.  I will share a few select pictures of the studio.  As the other areas are way too out of control.

         

 

         

ps: How in the world do you get gold leaf adhesive spray and gold leaf flakes out and off of EVERYTHING????

Also, there is this great locally owned art shop in Tucson, Sarnoff’s, which is right next door to my favorite bookstore, the BookStop.

 

                

 

I realized tonight that I had bought some extra supplies the day before Christmas Eve as well as some treasures from the drawers in "The BookStop" that hold tons of vintage delights.  What I had not realized was that I would deeply enjoy unwrapping my purchases. Why you ask?  I forgot how wonderful they were! But, more importantly, the way that your little oil sticks get wrapped up…Well, it is nothing like a big box art supply store, with things going in a cheap plastic bag.  This is a true art shop!  I was delighted!! My little oil sticks were all boxed up and all my purchases wrapped in brown paper…Then all placed in a cottony "Sarnoff’s" bag.  Exquisite!!!

It just really puts me in the mood to finish filling some orders and start putting my new ideas on canvas!!!  Time to get back to work…

As for yesterday’s trip to the snow

   

We did not quite make it up to the snow yesterday Afternoon, yes we are wimps. However, we did take a little road trip about 25 miles North of Catalina to a tiny teeny town called Oracle.   We usually go up and visit Jerry Parra (outrageous large scale metalsmith artist) and his lovely wife Sue Parra,but it was late so we just stopped by "The Station."  The clouds on the way up were divine!!

   

The young woman who owns "The Station"  is always so nice! It never ceases to amaze me, the wonderful little places hidden in nooks and crannies around the globe that are so full of life!  We bought some coffee beans and coffee to sip while we nosed around.  Mr.  Lovee looked around in the food section while I looked at the really great toiletries section. On Saturdays "The Station" is home to a farmer’s market, where I have picked up delicious breads, and a few artists also set up.

After our little sip of coffee we were driving back to Catalina and decided to have dinner at the delicious spot, Jasper’s, in Oracle Junction.  I just discovered it on my birthday, December 11th.  So we decided to go there again, it was as amazing as the first time.  The chef is the owner, he is unreal. He cooks everything to absolute perfection. He even ran outside to wave good-bye to us! Wonderful!!

And now, the creative spirits that made me smile today…

In the course of blogging here, I have come across some pretty awesome artists. In communicating with some of them, you find that there are very special people that you meet that have a very special effect on you, if you are open enough to receive.

Anahata Katkin.  Take a moment to visit her.  You will see for yourself,  she is incredible.  I am always so impressed when I feel inspiration from an artists work or when their work gives me a fluttery feeling inside… her work is so magical because "her soul" emerges through her journal pages…Her work is just stunning as is her shop… Take a look…

I also had the pleasure of discovering Ashley, "Miss Kitty Genius" herself.  I just had to purchase "Hello December."  Ashley is one of those people whose charming personality shines through- even through simple e-mail type.  I find her work, as I told her, to have a very interesting aspect that draws you in.  Her characters are very profound.  They cause you to ponder…I think I might just have to go back and pick up a few more lovelies…

Of course, I can not wait to receive my "Black Apple" art treasures from the little artist extraordinaire.  I could not make a choice, they are all wonderful.  I did make a choice though, I await the arrival of Teacup Girl and Bird’s Next Silhouette Print Pair  and Bess the Carnival Girl.  Is that not exciting??? 

I learned of "The Black Apple" through Cinderella’s revenge, who is an avid "Black Apple" collector. "The Black Apple" then led me to "Kitty Genius."  I am totally amazed at this little internet art world.  It is so intriguing and fantastic because it leads you to artists and creative places that you would have otherwise never encountered.

I just want to put up a tent (like the ones in Bess the Carnival Girl) next to our enormous vintage mailbox and wait for the arrival of each and every piece…