Long Beach International Quilt Show

Yours truly doing 'open studios' at the Cloth Paper Scissors/Quilting Arts section at the Long Beach Convention Center.

I am 5 feet 9 inches tall

I was a 'model' for the project runway experience put on by Pokey Bolton and her team at the Quilt show. I was 'dressed' by my tablemates in a tablecloth, napkins etc. Pokey is petite. I am of average height.

20 July, 2008

Just back from a long weekend in Seattle to attend husb's mom's 90th birthday. Did these kitchen table drawings whenever I could.
I've been to Seattle many times, and this weekend was the most beautiful I've ever seen it. Weather was mid-70's, the trees were heavy with green, the flowers bursting in bloom---just gorgeous!

19 July, 2008

21 July, 2008

I'm drawn to berries and pods...

22 July, 2008

Thanks Rick!

International Quilt Festival Long Beach

Are you going to the International Quilt Festival/Long Beach, California Long Beach Convention Center July 25 & 26: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. July 27: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. I'll be an 'open studio' artist in the Quilting Arts Make It University area on Friday morning July 25, from 10:30-12:30 and Saturday, July 26, 2:50–4:50. Do come by and say hello!

work in progress from the workshop I took

I don't know. These works in progress looked better yesterday...(acrylic on paper)

sdws

I took a workshop from the very talented Sandi D'Alessandro at the wonderful San Diego Watercolor Society. This is me, seeing the values (or lack of) in my painting.

art quilt class 2008 july

Here's me and my students at my monthly art quilt class on Escondido. Registration starts now for the next 6 month session, which begins the 4th Sunday in October. Six months for $120. Registration through Quilter’s Paradise (760) 738-9677

quail siblings

This is applique on felt (they're not done yet, they'll be put on a quilt.) I saw this technique on Quilting Arts TV. [Tina Givens did it.] I used my quail painting as the pattern.

bright bird

Trying out a applique technique on felt. I think this needs some black stitching, as the outline. Let's call it a work in progress too.

in progress

Hmm. The idea is to do a series of these house shapes....This one has collage and fabric so far. It's looking pretty busy, so it's still a work in progress!

matilija pods from my walk today

I'm working on a quilt series, inspired by things I see or find on my weekly walks at Blue Sky Reserve. Here's drawing #2 for that series.

more of montecito

Here's husb and I on the 6 mile walk in Sequoia National Park. Gorgeous scenery!! You can see some more scenery photos here.

Classes at Montecito

Go here to see photos from my classes at Montecito.

snow capped mountains

Husb and I had a wonderful week at the Montecito-Sequoia Lodge. I was Artist of the Week for their family summer camp, June 22-28. Each morning I would teach 2 classes of watercolor sketches in different outdoor locations around camp, and then the afternoons & evenings were free for husb and I to enjoy all the activities. Fabulous! We had perf weather. We hiked (one hike was 6 miles!!!) and swam (in the pool and lake), made tie-dye t-shirts and lanyards, sang camp songs and did silly dances. Just how a true summer camp experience should be. We met wonderful adults and kids and had a terrific time. The camp is in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park area, about 400 miles from San Diego, and the most gorgeous country you could imagine.
We really hope to do this again next summer! (If you've got kids, I highly recommend this camp experience!! check it out.)

view from the lodge

Wooden Bear

1st Place!!!

Wednesday night was 50's night. Husb and I won first place in the twist contest and this was our 'trophy.'

on Lake Lake Homavalo

on the edge of the lake

Artist of the Week

wildflowers of the sierra nevada

There were SO many wildflowers!! I could have drawn them everyday all week and never repeated a single flower.

impressionist pinecone

pinecone study

400 miles North of San Diego

Just returned from a wonderful week in the Sierra Nevada area!

LOTS of drawings...next week

I'm off for a week to the Montecito Sequoia Lodge, where I'll be artist in residence for a week. What that means is that I'll be teaching a couple of hours a day, and the rest of the time husb and I will enjoy hiking, swiming and general outdoorsy stuff. I promise lots of new drawings on my return.

feather

I found what I think is a hawk feather, on my weekly walk through Blue Sky Reserve.

Mundo Lindo

The Mundo Lindo kids did plein air painting today. Grooming them early to join the San Diego Sketchcrawlers.....

Mixed Media with Paper & Cloth starting in October

Registration has started yet, but I thought you'd like to know I'll be offering this class starting in October in San Diego.

Mixed Media with Paper & Cloth
A 6-week class
Dates & times: October 13-November 17, 2008. Mondays 9am-noon
Class Location: Athenaeum School of the Art Studio in University Heights
4441 Park Blvd.,San Diego, CA 92116
Cost:$205 non-members/$160 members plus $20 materials fee payable the first day of class.
Class description: What’s mixed media? Everything and anything! You’ll paint, collage, draw, print with our own hand carved stamps, sew, glue, even burn---all to make art. This class encourages your own creativity with lots of techniques and ideas. Most everything in the class can be done on a paper surface OR a cloth surface or combining the two. Each week you’ll explore a new technique or theme. Class will be inspirational, positive and fun, with lots of sharing, laughing, and learning from the others in the class. All levels of experience welcome, and previous students can expect all new lessons.

Italy 2010

In 1998, I went on a wonderful trip to Tuscany, and wrote in my journal, 'dreams can come true.' Well, it's still true! I've been asked to teach in Orvieto, in beautiful Umbria, Italy in 2010. I know, it seems a long ways off, but not if you're saving your $ or putting in for vacaish time. Here's what I know so far. I'll be there May 23-29, 2010--of course husb is coming too. The trip is handled by the nice foks at Adventures In Italy. We'll stay together for a week in a wonderful convent/bed&breakfast. I'll gently guide you in drawing and seeing and watercolor in your personal journal in your own unique style. We'll also create a journal cover to house your visual memories of the week. Mixed in with sketching and painting, we'll tour around the area, doing wine tasting, cooking class, shopping in the local market...Ah....truly immersing ourselves in a relaxing real way. I am soooo looking forward to it, I had to draw the red poppies I remembered from my last trip to Italy...
There will be info up on the website in late August. So, question, what should I name this week adventure? I need a lovely, thought-provoking name...suggestions welcome!!

our lady of Oaxaca

We got this little Josefina Aguilar sculpture in Oaxaca in 2004. It sits in my kitchen and always makes me smile.

"Night Sky" by Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company

Check this out. It's husb and I on the Mo'olelo blog. I had just gotten back from yoga (wearing my Judy Sall tye-dye yoga clothes) and there have been more attractive photos of me...

I do hope you'll go see ''Night Sky" and purchase your tickets now for September.

kitty secrets

BeBop and Buddy.

demo at the workshop

Here's one of the demos I did at the workshop on Saturday. Love those Matilija poppies!

ellen and me

Ellen Speert and Me at the end of yesterday's workshop.

Painting in your journal with watercolor workshop

This is the fourth time I've taught at this gorgeous location. It's Ellen Speert's Garden at the California Center for Creative Renewal in Encinitas. I taught a full day workshop "Painting in your journal with watercolor." The weather was perfect, we had a group of wonderful people--sold out at 27! and I think everything thoroughly enjoyed the day. I'll be teaching it again, at this same location, on Saturday, December 6. You can sign up through Ellen's site.

June 7, 2008 workshop at CCCR

Warm, with a cool breeze. The perf day!

lots of perf spots to sit.

As I mentioned, we had a full class (27) but there are plenty of places to sit and sketch throught the very large garden.

view from the avocado tree

Saturday workshop

We started the class on the covered deck, doing some warm up drawing.

drawing in peace

warm up exercise drawing

That's Ellen Speert on the right, owner of this lovely place. She enjoys to opportunity to take the workshop too, and sit and draw her own wonderful garden.

Danny Gregory

Hopefully, you all know that Danny Gregory is my mentor. Not only in drawing, but in adjusting to life's challenges. Go to his site, right now, and listen to his dear son Jack, talk about his mother, Patti's accident 13 years ago. Gotta love the Gregory family---got to!

geranium jumble

What I'm doing this summer....

June 22-28 I'll be the artist in residence at the Montecito Lodge Family Summer Camp at Sequoia National Park.

Then in July, I'll be participating in the Quilting Arts Make It University at the Long Beach International Quilt Show, July 25 or 26.

And in August to Phoenix, Arizona (air conditioned hotel!) teaching at Art Unraveled Monday, August 4 and Tuesday evening, August 5.

[And, Ellen Speert and I just set the date for another "Painting in Your Journal with Watercolor" at her gorgeous garden in Encinitas for December 6. She'll have the registration info up soon, or you can just contact her through her website.]

#2 in the "What the???" series

Part lamb, part camel, part puffin. Hope a psychiatrist doesn't see these... (As I noted earlier, I'm doing these for a kid's art project. Can't wait to see what they create!)

Chula Vista Nature Center

The San Diego Sketchcrawl group went to the Chula Vista Nature Center yesterday. What a wonderful, peaceful, beautiful place!

huh?

I'm going to have the Mundo Lindo kids combine a couple of different animals, draw them, and create them in clay. I was trying out the concept.
Today we are celebrating one year of Mundo Lindo at a reception--that means I've taught over 100 classes to more than 60 kids! And with the grant renewed, I'll be doing it for another year.

ceramic bird

a gift from Jeanette!

I won this beautiful hand-felted little purse from dear Jeanette in Sweden. I've long admired her wet-felting skill and was thrilled to win a drawing she recently held. Thank you Jeanette!!!

lavendar leaf

I know I haven't been blogging too regularly and I apologize. I have been creating though! Lots of organza pieces and working on some kids art for a Quilting Arts feature (I hope!)

+++++++++

Night Sky Tickets Now On Sale

619-342-7395 Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company

Tickets are now available for Mo`olelo's next production, Night Sky by Susan Yankowitz, as Resident Theatre Company at La Jolla Playhouse. The play will run from August 27 – September 21, 2008.

Night Sky is the story of Anna, a brilliant astronomer. When a car accident renders her aphasic, her speech becomes a hodgepodge of disconnected words alternately poetic, funny, confusing and profound. She and her family must fight through the black holes of her mind and journey from her night sky into an unfamiliar world and a new language. A moving story about the resiliency of the human spirit and the universal need to find words to communicate our deepest thoughts and feelings.

Night Sky is produced in partnership with the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation
Order your tickets or 619-342-7395.

My husb and I are very supportive of this upcoming play in San Diego. The central character has aphasia, as does my husband, and he's working with the Artistic Director and star of the play to help portray his disability truthfully. The company will also being doing free performances & discussions with high school kids and brain injury survivors and their families. I hope you'll attend the play! Husb and I will be there opening night September 5.