If you’re in town, please come by and say hello!

Art, Music, Food, Kids Activities
Angel’s November Art Fair
Sponsored by
Angel’s Serenity

THIS SATURDAY
Nov. 22, 10:00am – 4:00pm

Bring your friends & family and join in the fun!

Art:
Artists presenting unique and one-of-a kind items; including:
·       Paintings
·       Jewelry
·       Hand-crafted items
·       Photography
·       …and more.

Music:
There will be live music performed throughout the day!

Food:
There will be snack/lunch offerings in the courtyard.

Kids Activities:
Games and crafts for the kids!

More information:  www.AngelsSerenity.com

Location: 4839 East Greenway Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85254-1685
Phone: (602) 482-0036

Contentment - 4' x 4' abstract acrylic on canvas

Wow. It’s been a busy week, filled with creative endeavors. There is so much to share!

This first painting I worked on for several hours yesterday. It has been a work in progress for well over a year. It started as a grid-based painting, in which I added some garnet gel and some gesso for texture.  I painted each of the grid spots individually and then it sat. It was dark and brown and not exciting to me - though friends and family loved it. It sat there, literally for months at a time. Then, a few months back, I added heavy gel medium in random swirls and painted it with more of a reddish base. It sat again for months.

Yesterday, I was inspired to tackle it. I added some yellows and oranges and it was starting to come together, but I wasn’t sure. Then, in an attempt to better reach the edge, I turned the painting 90 degrees. Well, that did it. I was able to see this figure coming out of the painting. And this is what it turned into. It’s sort of turned into a Miro-Picasso-esque painting. It makes me happy to look at it. I think we’ll hang it today somewhere in the house.

Angie and Me

This week, I also went to the Desert Botanical Garden with Angie. We had a lovely time taking photos, enjoying the garden, and watching them set up the Chihuly exhibit. It is amazing how many pieces go into one piece of art. The one behind us in the photo to the right was not nearly finished when we got there, nor was it near done when we left! We will be going back in a few weeks to see the entire exhibit completed. We’re both so excited about that!

Our shadows in the morning sun

We walked around for over an hour and found a quiet spot to sit and paint. Angie was so focused on the cactus she was painting that she didn’t even notice that I was photographing her here. I love the concentration in her face when she draws!

Angie Drawing in the Gardens

I drew the knot in one of the trees above Angie. And, while I’m not exactly thrilled with the drawing, it did give me a starting off point for the painting below. It’s not quite finished yet, but I think it ill be a fun piece for Dave’s office. Most of what I’ve painted for him are dark paintings that have anatomical drawings as the base. This will be a good counterbalance to that one. Dave likes it because “it looks like a dinosaur” from the side. That’s what I love about abstract renderings!

Knot in Tree Trunk 16" x 20"

I also spent Wednesday evening with some very creative women at the West Valley Mixed Media group. We’re a new group, and this was the second meeting. Lots of people attended, and I think we’ve got some great new things to share with each other. It’s just good to meet others who are interested in mixed-media work.

Wednesday afternoon I met my friend Sharon for coffee. I donated a bunch of supplies that I no longer need to her pre-school. It felt great to be able to donate things to a great cause… not to mention the space it created in the studio. Of course, that meant some de-cluttering and some organizing, which was another creative pursuit this week.

This week Dave and I are attending a benefit for one of the free clinic programs his office sponsors. I have donated a tote to the silent auction. I’m hopeful that it will bring in some money for the cause. In the meantime, I’ll be doing more art here in the studio!

Lace Woman Portrait mixed-media acrylic on 4" x 4" canvas

I am so excited to have completed this painting. I thought I was done on Saturday, but I showed my dear friend, Tracey, the painting and she mentioned that the tree was fighting with the face for attention. So, I used some Payne’s Gray to push it back into the background. I’m much happier with the painting now. This is my first entry for Embrace the Face. I know I will participate regularly!

I also watched some watercolor videos this weekend while I did a bit (very little bit, that is) of straightening up in the studio. I’m enjoying the challenge to do something creative each day this month. It has been good for me.

Something else I’ve been challenging myself to do is to exercise daily. I’ve exercised every day except the day of my treatment for the past 2 1/2 weeks. I have a friend who was going through chemotherapy and she inspired me to exercise no matter how crappy I feel. She did and it helped her through her chemo. Since the stationary bike is in the house, it’s easy to just pedal for 20 minutes on days when I’m not really feeling well. It’s been a good thing for me. It has forced me to make time for it and it has also helped me to sleep better. I recommend it if you can!

More tomorrow!

Embrace the Face Challenge - Day 2 WIP

Here is today’s progress on the face I’m painting for Embrace the Face! I reworked the background, added some detail to the face, and I collaged on the lace for the challenge. I think the face is more youthful than it was last time. I’m happier with it today, but it’s time to let it sit for the night.

It’s not done, but I need to figure out what needs to go on the left. Any ideas?

Work in Progress - Painting on 4" x 4" canvas

The past two days, while recovering from my treatment, I’ve tried to sit in the studio and keep myself busy with paint. I pulled out my fluid acrylics and I started painting. I started another canvas and abandoned it after it failed to come out as I had hoped. I’m reworking that one, but I’m just at the VERY beginning stages there.

But this one is coming along. I’m not done yet, but I do plan to complete it this week. I’m using this for my Embrace the Face challenge this month. As I said, it’s in progress. Enjoy!

Yes We Did - President-Elect Barak Obama

Yesterday I had my treatment. We had to move my treatment up because my vertigo has been hitting with a vengeance. I’m doing better - though I do have the lovely side-effects of the medication: nausea, fatigue… Lovely, eh?

And so today, while dealing with these lovely side-effects, I have the added stress of the election.  I have been impatiently watching the news, changing the channel when it gets too upsetting. And, no the returns have not come out yet. The upsetting part is that in this great nation, the nation that is the beacon for democracy, we have people who are kept from their given right to vote. I suspect I’ll stay up as long as I can to find out about the outcome. Though, honestly, with all the problems out there, it could be a few days. I’m trying to keep myself grounded.

And, as usual, to keep myself grounded, I am sitting in the studio. I have spent some time today going through magazines that have piled up - recycled some to a friend; others I’ll see if another friend wants. If not, to Freecyle they go… I’ve also done some journaling. There is very little to show but this past week’s CreativeTherapy result:

Catalyst 34 - A Song That Brings Back Memories

As long as I can remember, listening to music has been a part of my life. It was hard to pick just one to focus on, but as I went through iTunes to find a song that made me smile with a memory, I came across Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”. It’s an odd song for a memory, but really, it brings back memories for me.

When I was growing up, I had a close friend, Jeanmarie, who lived around the corner from me. Late in junior high school, we started an annual tradition. The night before the first day of school each year, we would walk for about a mile to a playground, talking about the year ahead, our nerves and anxiety about the first day of school, teachers, etc. Jean Marie was the first one who taught me how to wear make-up. Jean Marie and I were huge Pat Benatar fans and we went to her concert together in the early 80s. We had such a great friendship and a lovely tradition. This song brings back the memory of that annual walk and daily connections at the bus stop.

Art Every Day Month

I’ve joined two challenges this week, as well:

Art Every Day Month - sponsored by the fabulous Leah. The idea is for us to add creativity and art to our lives every day. Admittedly, with the vertigo and treatment I’ve been a bit lax in my art. However, I have spent some time reading, doodling in my journal, and catching up on blogs. All, I think, are creative endeavors.

and

Embrace the Face

Embrace the Face, which I found through a few blogs I follow. If nothing else, it will force me to get out my paints and paint at least one face each month. That will be good practice. This month’s topic is “lace” and I’ve drawn the basic image. I’m going to set up my palate in a moment… Painting grounds me in a way that nothing else does, so I’m off to be “in the moment” with my brushes and my paints.

Have a great Election Day!

Sedona Morning - Pen and Ink with watercolor on 140# CP Watercolor Paper

Ah, really, there is nothing like the feeling of driving into Sedona. There is something about seeing those majestic red rock formations that just forces me to relax. It is one of the reasons I wanted to spend my birthday weekend up there. Another reason is that I am always inspired by the beauty of Sedona to pull out my sketchbook and try to capture these fabulous formations. In short, it was a fabulous weekend.

Dave and I did a lot of relaxing, driving around, nice dinners, and napping. The weather during the day was in the mid to upper 80s and so we even sat by the pool a few days. In the mornings and evenings, though, it was heavenly.

Pen and Ink Drawing of the View from the Pool at Amara Resort & Spa

Each day we went to our favorite Sedona breakfast place, The Coffee Pot. Their menu is huge - 101 omelettes! There is always something good to eat there and, of course, plenty of coffee flows through the breakfast. We then would go for a drive around town, looking for some great views for me to photograph or draw; dreaming of what it would be like to own a home up there and to be able to escape the city more often… Ah, dreaming…

Each day after breakfast, we chose a different activity, depending upon what we felt like doing. Friday, we drove around then went for coffee, where I drew while Dave read the newspaper. From there, we decided to walk around town and window shop. Friday evening, we had a lovely dinner at Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante. It was a lovely evening.

View from Sedona Community Center Park Bench

The second day, we started to wander a different way and we ended up on the road to Flagstaff. So, we took it as a sign that Saturday was to be our day in Flagstaff. That, however, turned out to be poor timing. While we had a lovely time, it turned out that this was the date of the Northern Arizona University Homecoming celebration. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen drunk college kids at 10 am. The bars were hopping, the students were plastered, and we were feeling very old! We walked around a bit, but got out of there before the parade started - just in the nick of time!

Saturday evening, we had dinner reservations at Yavapai restaurant at the Enchantment Resort. The food was phenomenal. They handled my many allergies with aplomb and the atmosphere was fabulous. Unfortunately, we got there after sunset, so I did not get to see what I’m told is an amazing view. I suppose this means we’ll need to go back again soon!

Pen & Ink with Watercolor Drawing of View from Sedona Community Center Bench

Sunday we decided to pick up a copy of the New York Times to read during breakfast. After eating, we found a place to sit and enjoy the weather. We sat outside at the Sedona Community Center, which is a huge complex of picnic areas, soccer fields, playgrounds, baseball diamonds, etc. As in most places in Sedona, there was an amazing view, so I enjoyed the view by drawing and painting while Dave caught up on the news. We went to Tlaquepaque, which is an area filled with restaurants and galleries. We had a nice and relaxing lunch at Rene, a restaurant in the Tlaquepaque area. We were both tired, so we sat and read for a while and then had dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. Hundred Rox. The food, again, was fabluous.

On Monday, we woke ready to head home. As much as I enjoy a weekend away, there truly is nothing better than being back in my own bed! We had breakfast, sat outside for one final drawing (which is not yet finished, but I’ll post it later in the week) and then we checked out of the hotel. We came home to catch up and enjoy the rest of the day in our home.

All in all, it was a fabulous way to spend my birthday. I came home to 10 phone messages from friends and family and many emails and e-cards wishing me a happy birthday. I feel so blessed to have all of these people in my life. Mostly, though, I’m so blessed to have felt well enough to enjoy every moment of the weekend with Dave and without my cane.

Sedona, AZ

Dave and I leave today for Sedona. We’re spending a long weekend there to celebrate my birthday. We’ve been to Sedona twice together since we’ve lived here. However, we’ve not visited in the autumn, so we’re looking forward to enjoying the cooler weather. We love the scenery in Sedona and just the drive into the town makes us relax.

It will be nice to just relax, bring my journal and a pen and to sit and enjoy our creekside room. We’re looking forward to the down time and to relaxing together to celebrate my birthday weekend.

Have a great weekend!

First, however, I am so excited to say that I have found a friend from college who lives here in the Phoenix area. Sharon is a friend who was a year behind me at college. We spent a lot of time together while we were there, but we drifted apart - as will happen in life. However, we reconnected and we’ve met for lunch. We have already planned a second meeting. I love friendships where you don’t miss a step, even with 20 years in-between! Sharon coming back into my life has been a blessing.

Untitled 1 - Abstract Acrylic on 300# Watercolor Paper

I’ve been working on several things. Among them is a set of paintings I did. I did a lot of drawing in my journal, trying to figure out what my next project would be. I didn’t want ot do an art journal page. I wanted to try to create something abstract. So, I just started to play with line and design.

Untitled 2 - Abstract Acrylic on 300# Watercolor Paper

These two paintings were originally done about 4″ tall x 8″ wide in my journal. They looked, to me, like two people intimately involved. It really started to look, to me, like an abstract depiction of my closeness to my husband. I drew several iterations of this and I ended up with two designs I wanted to paint. So,I took out some handmade 300# watercolor paper I’ve had for far too long and I started to create. I’m really happy with how this came out. Each one a long time, but they are so different from the rest of my work that I’m pleased.

New Handmade Journal

I have also been doing some drawing, journaling, and working on a project for a swap. I rarely participate in swaps, but this one was particularly fabulous. Some friends and I decided we wanted to do an Eight Days of Chanukah swap in repsonse to the 12 Days of Christmas swaps out there. So, I have been working on the gifts for that. It’s taking a long time, but I suspected they would and I am taking my time. The gifts will be shared the evening that everyone in the group opens my present. Until then, you’ll just have to wait! LOL

I’ve continued to draw and journal - so much so, that I am in need of a new journal. I created the journal to the left with some fabric I have had in my stash for a while. The book is filled with four signatures of 140# watercolor paper. It fits easily in my medium-sized purse.

I think that’s everything from here… I hope you are well and enjoying autumn!