Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Still Flying High :)
What a great day we all had yesterday. I awoke this morning and immediately started thinking of what I would commit to in order to help our new president be successful in his vision of rebuilding America. That is looking like public service to me at this juncture, and I do feel excited about participating again. Will update when I find my little niche.
Monday, January 19, 2009
I can Hardly WAIT....
...to plop my new rubber chicken purse on a table at Denny's , pull out a couple of eggs, and ask the waitress to have them cooked "over easy." (LOL) This fa-a-a-bulous purse was a Christmas gift from Rogie, of course! :)
And you know I totally love it!
Bwwwwaaaak!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
I would have guessed RED...
You Are an Orange Crayon |
 Your world is colored with offbeat, confident, and stimulating colors. You have a personality that's downright weird - and you wouldn't change it for anything. Loud and expressive, you voice your opinions fearlessly and strongly. And while you have a strong personality, you can be friends with almost anyone. Your color wheel opposite is blue. Your confidence is something blue people truly envy. |
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Cedarfame: The Interview Questions
These are the interview questions Cedarflame graciously sent me. Very hard to answer in some cases but very cool. Enjoy!
1. You are one of the few Artists that I have meant that have actually had successful careers doing the thing they love best, art. How did that come about for you?
Like everything in life, small steps covered large distances. I made a series of Wall Icons for a gallery in Fremont, Seattle entitled "Everyday Icons" making everyday people and issues into updated Saints. They proved popular locally, and a jewelry line was formed from this idea, small wearable alters. With popularity comes imitation I when I found I was being mimicked by another jewelry company in the region I scheduled shows all over the country, picking up about 200 or so wholesale accounts. All the while thinking of the natural progression of this idea. It occurred to me that Catholic votive candles were the next step, and I took a whole summer in 1993 painting and developing this idea. I introduced them in September of that year, never dreaming they would take off as they did. My business grew 10 times it's size every month for almost two years, until I found myself with 5000+ wholesale accounts and international accounts as far away as Italy and Australia. I actually only knew it would be a success when I sold my favorite store on the planet TWIST in Portland, Ore. a group of candles and they reordered five times the initial order within three weeks early on. It has been my experience that creative ideas overlap each other, and build larger as they are explored fully.
2. Do you think that education is just as important to someone pursuing a career as an artist or do you think talent is all one needs to succeed?
To all the teachers out there I apologize in advance. I had a sterling formal education, but I do believe sometimes this kills art. I was always a rebel in school, who succeeded in spite of many well meaning teachers. A couple stand out, those who actually taught and didn't follow some personal dogma. With that said, I would also add education is paramount in artistic success, whether it be self motivated or channeled through formal education. Good ideas do not develop in life if they have no means of final expression. Education teaches those means.
3. As an artist, as well as a person, you have had a few reincarnations in this life (by that I mean moving from one place to another, creating businesses, etc.) do you see yourself in the process of another reincarnation?
I am currently in the seed space of reincarnation, but it has been a long fallow period. To make more success, it takes being really present in life, knowing the reality of the starting point. I've found myself thrashing about for a while, getting my bearings emotionally. I was concerned last year I'd completely lost my ambition, but I feel it starting to return. So I do think my reincarnation is just about to launch again. And I have many strong ideas on the desk. The issue for this Libra is to pick one. (LOL)
4. You have been a Seattelite in the past, what is it about Seattle that seems to draw people who are a little, let’s say, eccentric?
(LOL) If you think Seattle is eccentric move on up to Alaska. Those folks make Seattle folks look like your mother's comfy couch with doilies. That is where I was when my unbelievably talented friend Howard died of Aids, and I made the momentous decision to follow the path we both should have taken. I worked in Seattle sometimes, and looked around in my travels and saw a very vibrant and reasonably priced Mecca, hence my ultimate desire to move there. To answer your question, like brings like. Seattle was the epicenter of cool for about 10 years, building on the eccentricities of the artists, musicians, and innovators that flocked there. I see Seattle now as a victim of it's own success in many ways, and wonder where the hot bed of cool is now. Seattle seems to be populated by all new eccentrics looking for employment, and not in the innovative way.
5. Where ever you are there is an Altar in your home. Tell us how you started creating Altars and what purpose do they have in your life?
Oh My God Risley. This could be a book this question! I do not have a clue why I do this. I covered walls as a preteen with images and stuff, and I can't remember not having a visual space that represented my life spiritually. At this stage of my life my actual altar is smaller, although I tend to make every display (books, fridge magnets, etc) into tiny altar like spaces. But isn't that kinda what home is, an altar to the living? My actual altar is a visual reminder of certain spiritual aspects to remember daily, every item a memory or representation of something for me to remember as I go about my life. Some people make neat little scrapbooks, I make an altar. I have discussed my altar on this blog at length, and sometimes I really think I had a past life in some church capacity. I will say I am fascinated by devotional items, things that are meaningful not for monetary value but for the faith they represent. There is a lot of energy present in items that held the focus of devotion. I find in life I am far more attracted to the substance of things than the top layer of their categorization, The Deceptive Depth of Puddles. :)
Thanks for the questions Risley. You'll be happy to know I did study the Bush Doctrine and made a list of reading materials just in case!
1. You are one of the few Artists that I have meant that have actually had successful careers doing the thing they love best, art. How did that come about for you?
Like everything in life, small steps covered large distances. I made a series of Wall Icons for a gallery in Fremont, Seattle entitled "Everyday Icons" making everyday people and issues into updated Saints. They proved popular locally, and a jewelry line was formed from this idea, small wearable alters. With popularity comes imitation I when I found I was being mimicked by another jewelry company in the region I scheduled shows all over the country, picking up about 200 or so wholesale accounts. All the while thinking of the natural progression of this idea. It occurred to me that Catholic votive candles were the next step, and I took a whole summer in 1993 painting and developing this idea. I introduced them in September of that year, never dreaming they would take off as they did. My business grew 10 times it's size every month for almost two years, until I found myself with 5000+ wholesale accounts and international accounts as far away as Italy and Australia. I actually only knew it would be a success when I sold my favorite store on the planet TWIST in Portland, Ore. a group of candles and they reordered five times the initial order within three weeks early on. It has been my experience that creative ideas overlap each other, and build larger as they are explored fully.
2. Do you think that education is just as important to someone pursuing a career as an artist or do you think talent is all one needs to succeed?
To all the teachers out there I apologize in advance. I had a sterling formal education, but I do believe sometimes this kills art. I was always a rebel in school, who succeeded in spite of many well meaning teachers. A couple stand out, those who actually taught and didn't follow some personal dogma. With that said, I would also add education is paramount in artistic success, whether it be self motivated or channeled through formal education. Good ideas do not develop in life if they have no means of final expression. Education teaches those means.
3. As an artist, as well as a person, you have had a few reincarnations in this life (by that I mean moving from one place to another, creating businesses, etc.) do you see yourself in the process of another reincarnation?
I am currently in the seed space of reincarnation, but it has been a long fallow period. To make more success, it takes being really present in life, knowing the reality of the starting point. I've found myself thrashing about for a while, getting my bearings emotionally. I was concerned last year I'd completely lost my ambition, but I feel it starting to return. So I do think my reincarnation is just about to launch again. And I have many strong ideas on the desk. The issue for this Libra is to pick one. (LOL)
4. You have been a Seattelite in the past, what is it about Seattle that seems to draw people who are a little, let’s say, eccentric?
(LOL) If you think Seattle is eccentric move on up to Alaska. Those folks make Seattle folks look like your mother's comfy couch with doilies. That is where I was when my unbelievably talented friend Howard died of Aids, and I made the momentous decision to follow the path we both should have taken. I worked in Seattle sometimes, and looked around in my travels and saw a very vibrant and reasonably priced Mecca, hence my ultimate desire to move there. To answer your question, like brings like. Seattle was the epicenter of cool for about 10 years, building on the eccentricities of the artists, musicians, and innovators that flocked there. I see Seattle now as a victim of it's own success in many ways, and wonder where the hot bed of cool is now. Seattle seems to be populated by all new eccentrics looking for employment, and not in the innovative way.
5. Where ever you are there is an Altar in your home. Tell us how you started creating Altars and what purpose do they have in your life?
Oh My God Risley. This could be a book this question! I do not have a clue why I do this. I covered walls as a preteen with images and stuff, and I can't remember not having a visual space that represented my life spiritually. At this stage of my life my actual altar is smaller, although I tend to make every display (books, fridge magnets, etc) into tiny altar like spaces. But isn't that kinda what home is, an altar to the living? My actual altar is a visual reminder of certain spiritual aspects to remember daily, every item a memory or representation of something for me to remember as I go about my life. Some people make neat little scrapbooks, I make an altar. I have discussed my altar on this blog at length, and sometimes I really think I had a past life in some church capacity. I will say I am fascinated by devotional items, things that are meaningful not for monetary value but for the faith they represent. There is a lot of energy present in items that held the focus of devotion. I find in life I am far more attracted to the substance of things than the top layer of their categorization, The Deceptive Depth of Puddles. :)
Thanks for the questions Risley. You'll be happy to know I did study the Bush Doctrine and made a list of reading materials just in case!
Dog in the HOODIE*
Christmas Morning Doodle
His new Doodle da Vinci Hoodie Sweatshirt(His Mom does indeed dress him funny)
This Christmas thing is exhausting! Hanging out with Oscar and Crystal after the carnage.
* Thanks to Risley for the best picture caption :)
Maybe it WAS a Dream
That's what they did in the old Dallas TV Show when things got murky with the plot. But my absence has had a lot more to do with state of mind and computer hard drive crash then anything else, so it might not work. I am at the public library today with the express purpose of updating my blog, I will do my best.
Soon after getting the news I definitely needed surgery for my left eye I went into a depression. Been years since I've dealt with one of those deep dark holes in the fabric of life, and it was just as bad as I remembered it to be. You see, I am one of those millions of marginalized people in this great country with no health insurance, and any health crisis is just that, a real crisis. And as a visual artist (emphasis on visual) anything concerning my eyes is a scary prospect. I did manage to get the surgery, smack dab in the middle of Christmas, so many of my usual holiday traditions went straight out of the window. no Christmas cards or letters, the majority of my traditional cookies made by my family as I recuperated. The spirit wasn't cooperating, and the flesh was weak. Mia Culpa to everyone, I'll try again next year. :(
This week the bandages were finally removed, and I have a sparkling new eye. Well, new to me anyway, the same vision problems (I have always required major correction in the form of glasses) but my left eye is clear of that bloody clotting thing and as good as new. The residual medical billing is staggering however, an it leads me to have increased compassion for people that face everyday medical issues and the absence of money to fix them. I am sure I am not the only one.
Enter stage left my computer, who thought maybe this was a good time to act up and demand a new hard drive. She will return later this week hopefully, with bandages off as well. When it rains, it does indeed pour.
So I trust Christmas went on for everyone without me, and I do hope it was a great holiday. Santa was very good to Doodle, and like a child he has chewed through just about every toy he received at this point. He especially liked the chicken and rice Christmas cookies my sister made for him in the shape of Christmas trees. He thinks everyday should be like Christmas at this point, normal dog food does not compare.
I spoke to most of you during Christmas, but I want to say a special thank you to GOD in California, who only knows me from this blog, and was worried when it went suddenly silent. I do appreciate your concern, and thank you for it. You've got an extraordinary heart, don't let anyone tell you any different (even those voices in your head ...LOL. :)
Soon after getting the news I definitely needed surgery for my left eye I went into a depression. Been years since I've dealt with one of those deep dark holes in the fabric of life, and it was just as bad as I remembered it to be. You see, I am one of those millions of marginalized people in this great country with no health insurance, and any health crisis is just that, a real crisis. And as a visual artist (emphasis on visual) anything concerning my eyes is a scary prospect. I did manage to get the surgery, smack dab in the middle of Christmas, so many of my usual holiday traditions went straight out of the window. no Christmas cards or letters, the majority of my traditional cookies made by my family as I recuperated. The spirit wasn't cooperating, and the flesh was weak. Mia Culpa to everyone, I'll try again next year. :(
This week the bandages were finally removed, and I have a sparkling new eye. Well, new to me anyway, the same vision problems (I have always required major correction in the form of glasses) but my left eye is clear of that bloody clotting thing and as good as new. The residual medical billing is staggering however, an it leads me to have increased compassion for people that face everyday medical issues and the absence of money to fix them. I am sure I am not the only one.
Enter stage left my computer, who thought maybe this was a good time to act up and demand a new hard drive. She will return later this week hopefully, with bandages off as well. When it rains, it does indeed pour.
So I trust Christmas went on for everyone without me, and I do hope it was a great holiday. Santa was very good to Doodle, and like a child he has chewed through just about every toy he received at this point. He especially liked the chicken and rice Christmas cookies my sister made for him in the shape of Christmas trees. He thinks everyday should be like Christmas at this point, normal dog food does not compare.
I spoke to most of you during Christmas, but I want to say a special thank you to GOD in California, who only knows me from this blog, and was worried when it went suddenly silent. I do appreciate your concern, and thank you for it. You've got an extraordinary heart, don't let anyone tell you any different (even those voices in your head ...LOL. :)
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Another Funny Horoscope :)
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I urge you not to Google the word "duh," Libra. If you do, you'll mark yourself as a conformist trend-slave, joining over 33 million people who have already done it before you. Furthermore, you will be in danger of wasting the potential the cosmos is offering you, which is to reap rich rewards by exploring brave new frontiers on the edges of your awareness. So please be insanely curious about stuff you've never heard of and people you've never met. Research subjects that tantalize your imagination and stick your nose in where it supposedly doesn't belong. But don't Google "duh."
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Beats the HELL out of Pardoning a Turkey
There was a time as a Democrat I felt my vote was a toss up between two candidates. But today, when I saw this picture, I actually teared up. Hillary Clinton passing out chickens at a food bank, and then making the day of a whole school full of children as secret service agants scrambled? No, this is not your average "photo-op" kinda guy. I can say with without a doubt one of the things I am thankful for today is a real presidential role model for a change. Like a cool drink of water to a thirsty American soul. How can the country, even in it's sorry shape, not be better steered by this vision?So to all that read these words today, I wish you a peaceful Thanksgiving. Whether it be a can of spam or Turkey with all the goods, take time today to be thankful for life's many small blessings. If you can't think of any at the moment, just ponder the last eight years, and hopefully you'll find one or two. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Doodle's Turkey Plan
Ok, here is the deal. Two weeks ago the red haired lady I live with and I had a little "situation'" I have long suspected she does NOT eat the same food I do, but now I know that for sure. I was minding my own business, watching her rattling pots and pans in the "kitchen" room (that is always so entertaining). There was this BIG green pot on the stove that steamed for a long time, and she watched it carefully, so I got a clue it was important. She opened the pot, and took too long stick-like things and stuck them in the pot. As she turned around all of the sudden..."BOOM" right in front of my eyes was a huge mound of steaming " damn chicken" right there in front of my nose. I know it was a damn chicken that exploded on impact, because she said that as it dropped. It looked really strange on the floor, still really hot and steaming, but it smelled really good. She forced me to stay away from it as she tried to scoop it out on a big plate, but I knew it was a losing proposition. There was lots of little pieces left all over, and I lapped them up before she could even get the mop out. WOW, this wasn't even close to what I get in my bowl. She IS keeping the good stuff for herself !!!
Since then I watch her in the kitchen room very intently. I've tried to hypnotize her into dropping all manner of interesting stuff, but as yet no luck. But yesterday I overheard her talking about a HUGE damn chicken they'll be eating tomorrow, and I am feeling really lucky. My plan is to watch her very carefully. If she can't move a damn chicken from pot to plate, I would wager that would go more than twice for anything bigger. I will just focus on her, silently thinking "drop it, drop it, drop it".
It could work. :P
Since then I watch her in the kitchen room very intently. I've tried to hypnotize her into dropping all manner of interesting stuff, but as yet no luck. But yesterday I overheard her talking about a HUGE damn chicken they'll be eating tomorrow, and I am feeling really lucky. My plan is to watch her very carefully. If she can't move a damn chicken from pot to plate, I would wager that would go more than twice for anything bigger. I will just focus on her, silently thinking "drop it, drop it, drop it".
It could work. :P
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
It only took me a Month..sheesh
Here they are, my fab-u-lous vintage Lotus Birthday lamps! They twist at the top to open the lotus flower, and are amazing when lit, as the petals are carved through. Best i can tell from the electrical wiring, these were made in the 1940's. Perfect bedroom lamps, not meant for reading . YAY!Yes We Did
Obama Nov. 4th working the phone bank in Indiana.There are no words to adequately express last night's stunning victory. I expected to wait until the morning to know the results, last night's early announcement was completely unexpected. I was actually washing dishes, and heard the National results over the running water. I guess I should have been glued to the set, but where better to hear such news? Clean dishes-clean start for America..it totally works.
I have worked for several campaigns in my life, and never did I get anything like this e-mail the evening of the election. What a class act. I CAN HARDLY WAIT to see this man in action in Washington!
Laura --
I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first. We just made history. And I don't want you to forget how we did it. You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change. I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign. We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next. But I want to be very clear about one thing... All of this happened because of you.
Thank you, Barack
I have worked for several campaigns in my life, and never did I get anything like this e-mail the evening of the election. What a class act. I CAN HARDLY WAIT to see this man in action in Washington!
Laura --
I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first. We just made history. And I don't want you to forget how we did it. You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change. I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign. We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next. But I want to be very clear about one thing... All of this happened because of you.
Thank you, Barack
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Psst...Ris...Look what Doodle is getting for Christmas
Hee-Hee-Hee. Found this today for Doodle's Doggy Christmas Stocking.
Forget the POLLS..Ask My Sister
I've said this before, if you want to know who will win the election, ask my sister who she voted for. I know this sounds silly, but it has almost become a superstition to me. The arguments we had about her support of Bush are almost legend in my family.
In any case, she stepped up to plate for Obama this year, and every one of my nieces wore their Obama buttons to school today. The bad news was that her husband, who had massive stock market losses and was laid off just three weeks ago, voted for McCain. She threatened to make him sleep in the van over this. I fed him chili anyway, as his vote isn't my concern. My "everywoman " sister's vote is.
In any case, she stepped up to plate for Obama this year, and every one of my nieces wore their Obama buttons to school today. The bad news was that her husband, who had massive stock market losses and was laid off just three weeks ago, voted for McCain. She threatened to make him sleep in the van over this. I fed him chili anyway, as his vote isn't my concern. My "everywoman " sister's vote is.
Notes from the Van
I am so happy I voted early. (LOL) My Voter pick up hours were from 6 am-10 am this morning, and from what I saw even in the early hours of the day it was apparent that this was not "election as usual." The wait in this small town at 6 am this morning was 25 minutes. At 6 am! By the end of my shift, the voters were moving through the process in about 90 minutes. Instead of the one or two voters to their polling place per trip I was delivering 6-8, even in the early hours. I even picked up and delivered two hospital patients today. It was truly amazing.
At about 9 am the call went out for available Madison County van drivers to pick up bottled water and fruit snacks to deliver to a larger city in my area for people that were waiting in a long outdoor line to vote. Since I was not available to deliver that far out of town another van met me halfway to unload the cases of bottled water our town had on hand. If Obama runs the country like his organization ran this get out the vote campaign, we will be in great hands indeed.
Then it was home to make my traditional Election Day Ex Girlfriend chili. Read the chili story here: Ex .Made five pounds this year, and I slurped up this bowl soon after this picture was taken. Life is good. Now I'm crossing my fingers and watching the results like everybody else :)
At about 9 am the call went out for available Madison County van drivers to pick up bottled water and fruit snacks to deliver to a larger city in my area for people that were waiting in a long outdoor line to vote. Since I was not available to deliver that far out of town another van met me halfway to unload the cases of bottled water our town had on hand. If Obama runs the country like his organization ran this get out the vote campaign, we will be in great hands indeed.
Then it was home to make my traditional Election Day Ex Girlfriend chili. Read the chili story here: Ex .Made five pounds this year, and I slurped up this bowl soon after this picture was taken. Life is good. Now I'm crossing my fingers and watching the results like everybody else :)
Monday, November 03, 2008
It Takes a Great Woman...
...to raise a great man. She'll be watching still, you can bet on that. My thoughts and prayers are with Obama and his family tonight.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Yeah, It Had To Happen
Poor Doodle. Oh the indignity! He dodged a bullet with me, as I decided I would not dress him in costume for Halloween this year. Little did we know my sister had the agenda of surprising us both and dressing him as a hotdog and his brother Oscar as a hamburger for the family Halloweenfest. He just kept pleading with me, using that sad little "Why me?" look in his eyes..but he was a good sport. Oscar on the other hand was completely unhappy and hid under the couch for the duration of our Halloween party. Guess he must be allergic to sesame seeds (LOL)
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