ANNUAL ORNAMENT EXCHANGE AND "GAB BAG"

The girls and I have an annual Christmas ritual of meeting to exchange pleasantries and ornaments. Both are more enjoyable when accompanied by a glass of wine and , in this case, a pizza. We hold back no carbs when it comes to our friendship!





Painting a day bit the dust and I find myself a bit drained after putting together the GALA fundraiser...I will post photos of that shortly. Am working on a Christmas commission of some family pooches...more to come.

TIME TO PUSH BACK FROM THE PIE

Can't believe it is a week since I posted last. Well, I've certainly done my share of eating (and cooking) in the last week! About 6 days to lose a few pounds of pie before the Fine Arts Gala Fundraiser Event.

Why do we become such gluttonous fools at the holidays?

I sat back at my overflowing table, thankful for the other cooks who brought yummy side dishes, helping to alleviate some of my stress...

thankful for the loved ones there to share the feast...

and very guilty over the fact that once again, there was way too much food. I suppose the guilt is because I full well knew that some would go to waste, even after doggy bags were sent home with relatives and I managed to make pea soup out of the ham bone and turkey soup out of TOM'S carcass. (DID do both and they are yummy!)

Next year's resolution...

PREPARE HALF the portions and we start with dessert and end with the appetizers, assuring everyone the thrill of pumpkin and apple pie without the tight pants and need to run around the block a few times to make more room for them!

THANKFUL FOR MARSHMALLOWS TOASTED IN THE FIREBOWL!

AMOS LEE

About a month ago, before the BIG SHOW, I had printed out some interseting pics I found on the websites of some of my favorite musicians. There were quite a few black and whites with interesting shadows and silhouettes...and I vowed that I would do these in small sizes for my "painting a day"...and so here's the first in a series of musical "smalls". 5x7, matted in white, framed in simple black. Haven't even considered a price because I want him all for myself. At least for a little while!


I consider AMOS LEE the male version of Norah Jones...funky bluesy storytelling, reflective lyrics, perfect for disappearing into a painting! I found him while reading about Norah's newest venture and the other artists on the movie soundtrack for Blueberry Nights. Still haven't seen it, but am hoping that one of these two great musicians will venture into Florida one of these days. I am way overdue for a good show!

The SUCKER Award

HARVEST OF ART

2008

This year's FINE ART judge was very...well, should I say....elusive....Yes, that's the word for her. I looked for her...I know she was real, but I didn't actually see her until the end of judging. She did not engage me in ANY conversation....artistic or otherwise. ...did NOT introduce herself and I didn't see her place the sticker in my booth, though it magically appeared at some point. In fact, the FINE CRAFT judge spoke to me more than this woman. This is NOT just my broken ego talking here, either. It's okay that I didn't win, place or show this year. But I'm thinking that SOMETHING is wrong when Diane Becker, Fred Mannerino, Patty Ritter and Myself don't win ANYTHING! NOT even a simple HM for God's sake! NOTHING!!!!

Isabelle (Art League president) felt so bad for us that she made us each an award with tootsie roll pops and ribbons that Patty and I dubbed "THE SUCKER AWARDS". We are the Strong, the Few, the SUCKERS. And damn proud, I might add. Couldn't be in better company.

We did have some lookers in this dreadful economy...I sold a few prints, one small original and I got one commissioned portrait from the deal.... I also gained some invaluable knowledge about art shows and how to execute them from Paul, the Harvest of Art Extraordinaire. I learned a lot about what it takes to put on a show and how to get over one that is not quite up to the standards that the board feels they have set as an example. LOTS of fun shmoozing with other artists and meeting new art appreciators.

And did I mention that I was practically accosted by a man who fell in love with my pastel eye? Then he fell hard for my real eyes and he wound up spending way too much time in my personal space. Ah, well, it's nice to be appreciated.. ... EYE think!

WINDOW TO THE SOUL

MY BOOTH

VALDORA'S HANDIWORK

Peaceful Reflections

Whew! Finished in time for the show, this still life has been on my easel for the last week or so. I took the original photo in my living room several weeks ago. The light streams in my front window and I knew it would be awesome on the new bouquet of flowers, but I had no idea the reflection would be so strong through the vase. So beautiful... The arrangement sits on the black piano (which is the highly reflective surface) and the blue of the sky sets the tone for the whole scene. I will frame it tonight...black with non glare glass.

HARVEST OF ART

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME....

5x7, pastel, matted and framed in white