Here are a few images from my workbench over the past week-



And then this piece: MARY LOU ZEEK GALLERY- "100 Artists Show" submission







It feels really good to have these two pieces behind me.
Now I can move onto...
What is up next?
I
am trying to figure it out. I have things I need to do -mixed- with
things I want to do. My house in in serious need to some attention. The
main room needs new paint and I need to put up art work. I hate feeling
unsettled and having things so unfinished. I think I may take a day and
just do it! I also have to finish things like attending to all of my
clothes which seem to just pile up...
Anyway- you get the picture- when my home is in disrepair I feel like I just can't concentrate.

Oh?
Art-wise? Well I bought a LARGE drawing pad and I am going to go out to
the studio tomorrow morning and straighten and clean and claim an area
for drawing larger and painting. THAT is exciting to me! Haa...

Then
it is all back to work with prepping for teaching, working on the
business, posting images of new jewelry for ETSY, and Making Demos.

Not to mention break ground on the new book.

All of which will happen- by the end of this week- as I optimistically predict! I know- not holding breath! That is a LOT!

Ok- now I am off to bed...
More tomorrow~
xoxox

Thomas just secured plane tickets to Utah for my for Feb 25th. I am traveling to an art retreat to teach. ALONE. For the first time in my life. I know it seems like no big thing- but when you have been kept, have had everything always taken care of for you, and never once had to worry or think about anything- it becomes HUGE on the anxiety scale. I mean- I am not worried about all the things that could go wrong. I mean- so what if I miss a something. I mean- I will just deal with it. All of that is not the problem. It is something very odd and different. It is a strange feeling of loneliness. You see- I love traveling with the boy- sharing all our adventures together. Being on the flight, talking, helping each other- ahh face it. I am co-dependent. I love being around him. I am not fond of doing anything this big-alone. So this trip will be very odd- very different- NOT to mention it is in the Mountains of UTAH in a Chalet! Eek! Haa... Once off of the plane- I catch a 2 hour shuttle to this cabin... I teach and then I return home. Easy actually... but still.

And to think- I was thinking as I sat at my desk at my old job- YES! I would LOVE to not be sitting here- I would love to be on a plane to somewhere to teach! HA! And so I am...
Now I have to find where I left that sense of adventure! (okay- secretly I am excited... I have been REALLY Craving adventure! It is just getting used to it... being my first time and all...)
Be careful what you wish for! hahahahahahaaa!

Okay- now back to other things- like bedtime!
xxooxx

Well! I decided to check in on my Wii Fit today- to weigh in and wow- am I glad I did! I have lost 3 pounds since early December! HOW? I though I was being careless? I mean- I did watch the amount I ate- trying never to finish a full plate of anything - which I sort of did. But after all this crazy holiday food and a lack of any real exercise- I weight in at 127.6! Hot damn- if that isn't motivating for the new year! So now I begin the last of the weight loss- the final 10 pounds. I am hoping that Belly Dancing will be just the kick in the pants I need to really fight off the last of this weight. If anything I do hope I will get toned up some. I am looking forward to this activity for sure! I think after taking these classes- either I will continue or I will move into some kind of Martial Arts! I think I need this sort of structure to be my motivation. I just hope I can manage it with all this teaching I am going to be doing this year.

Anyway- here is to a fit new year!
xxooxx

Well-
it has been a lovely long time away from schedules and the daily grind.
Tomorrow it is back to work for both me and the boy.

I-
however- am sort of looking forward to the structure of work! I love
it... But I do not say that too loud- as he is never thrilled to have
to get out of bed so early- especially when we are both fighting off a
little nasty sick bug. Good thing this is not so serious-!

Today- we finished our week with going to Einstein's as we do most Sunday's for Brunch and the local City Paper...

(Indeed! The Magic IS in the HOLE!)
More from me- and photos of the shrine piece tomorrow.
Now- time for sleep!
See you in the AM- with coffee-xoxox

And
so the List making begins- I love the beginning of things. I love the
optimism that it brings. I always have had great hope. Not sure what
good it does in the real scheme of things- Life always gets in the
way... but having direction about the things you want- in life- is half
the battle.

So I say- DEFINE what you want! AND CLAIM it!

Here is my list as it stands for this year- 2009:

1.
To get defined abs! More strength in my arms and legs. Less fat and
more lean... exercise in the mornings... be fit and strong! I have
belly dancing classes coming up and of course- I still want to become a
Ninja...

(Note: Last
year- around April... I got fed up and angry, sad, mad, depressed, and
reached my fill of being on the heavy side. At my heaviest, I weighed
in at 160- (about a size 12) not sure when that was... must have been winter sometime
back. I just remember it. Felt horrible. Tired of feeling bad and
always wanting to loose weight but never sticking to it- always giving
up. Never believing that I could do it. The feeling bad finally won. I
reached the point where I could not think of anything but CHANGE. It
went from the bottom of my list to the top of my list. And so I made
the strongest commitment to myself. Nothing was going to stop me from
making a physical change in myself. I wanted to see a true
metamorphism. Sure enough- by August I weighed in at 128- (That is 31 pounds and I am now a size 6). I am proud to
say I am still at this weight. I had wanted to loose more. I want to
weight 10 pounds less even. But this will come with more work. I now
know I am capable of anything. Best of all- with my weight loss- came
confidence, pride in accomplishment, I am a million times happier. I
feel free. I like what I see finally. I can move easily and I have
better health.
So achieving these tight abs and a flat stomach is possible. I mean-
anything is possible if you move it up your list. If you want something
bad enough- you can have it. I have always said- If I can do it- SO can you)

2. To answer all emails and messages right away and not put anything
off. (So far so good- as of today- all emails and comments have been
answered)

3. Go to post office for orders within one day. I had been picking one
day a week to do all of it at once- but I think it is better to just do
it when I get it. The post office is only up the street...

4. Cook more at home. Stop being lazy and opting for eating out. No
need to always eat a formal dinner all the time- cereal for the boy
works too...

5. Spend more time reading...

6. Finish my second book project!

7. Get my Rare- Blue Eye Cicada tattoo across my back

8. Work on another gallery show or two or three...

9. Work on the things I already have. Like for instance- I have a kiln I have never used. It is new. I am lame for not trying.

10. Write a blog post each day... if possible. If not every other day.

And as always-
Be thankful for all things.
Tell the ones you love- that you love them dearly.
Make the most of your time as it will always keep ticking...with or without you!
&
Love fully

Wow- what a whirlwind of activity lately. Ahhh That is what the Holiday are all about- running here and there and making attempts to accomplish Way Too Much!

So where was I? Humm... Xmas has come and gone- rather painlessly! For this delightful commercial holiday- I managed to get several nice things- including new cookware which I wanted since I am home cooking so much these days, a few sassy Threadless Tee shirts, a vintage "Cool-Pix 2500" camera with extra batteries. A nail bradder which is industrial! A Starbucks card, PF Chang card, A book on dream interpretation, a variety of art supplies and art papers, and the peace and quiet which I had hoped for!
It was lovely.
Xmas night was spent with Jason and Lisa having a delicious Asian dinner in Annapolis. It was a crowded restaurant! Haa!

My Dad came back from Florida, the kittens returned home...

Then came my Birthday... It was such a perfect sunny crisp cool winters day. Thomas and I slept in a little, got dressed, went to lunch at the Paper Moon- and then went to the Visionary Museum for the day as we have done on my Birthday for years. It was inspiring for sure- especially to be able to see the work of Dalton Ghetti up close... you know I have this thing for pencils! Uuugh! He is brilliant. I also manage to take notes on several other artist who inspired me- and I will post about them in future blogs... 

Later- Thomas gave me several meaningful gifts- a original little piece of art he bought from an artist of a bunny. A glass tea pot with a built in metal tea basket... and this:

Annette Messager: Word for Word. Ahhh she is at the backbone of my career. One of my most true and informative inspirations to my own work. Seeing this book the other day- from Thomas made my start to cry a little~ She means that much to me.

The following day was New Years eve. Thomas and I went our for a little mindless shopping. I spent some of my Xmas money on simple girly things like MAC makeup and fabulous underwear. Later than night we met John and Libby at Jason and Lisa's house for Dinner at the House of Kabob. They were offering a delicious buffet! It couldn't have been any better! They lovely young waiter- the one who I am smitten with- took us all for a tour of the selections- telling us what each item was- ahh... I love being educated like this. Everything was just so good. I truly love this little restaurant up the street from where I live.

Lisa had brought several presents for me to dinner and I opened them- to find that I will be taking BELLY DANCING LESSONS beginning in two weeks! YIKES!!! ha! FUN! I have NO MOVES and worry about my total LACK of skills- but I am strangely eager to learn! She also gave me an amazing Belly Dancing scarf, a head-dress which is on the way- and a Linda Berry Book!

WHAT IT IS! Yay! Another MUST HAVE book!

We then went back to Jason and Lisa's house for desert, champagne and fun television- watching the ball drop. Did I mention that Thomas brought a few fireworks? WOW... and the wind had died down so they went off- perfectly!

Ooo! DID I mention there was CAKE? Lisa made me a birthday cake... THAT was the Cherry on top of a perfect birthday! My oh my can she cook and bake! I am dreaming of that chocolate cake right now...

And so Midnight came and went. 2008 went and 2009 is here.

I am filled with great optimism.
I have a full plate ahead of me. LOTS of TRAVEL coming and of course teaching. Lots of creating, art making, building, breaking and of course- coffee and cats.

Today as I sat with Thomas having lunch and talking he said to me:
"Well how does it feel to be a full time artist?" and I said, "Not so bad..."
He said- "I knew you could do it..."

I said...

"I did too..."
(Despite all of the anxiety and stress I felt and dreams I have had...Haaa!)
Here's to the New Year!
I really liked 2008! It was FILLED with CHANGE.
I think I am going to LOVE 2009- Living in that CHANGE.

Thank you always- for your time and attention you give to me.

On this day in 2002 I created this blog. It was my Very first blog! Since this time I have spread like a virus all over the internet. But I must say- I remain faithful to you my dear Xanga...

Here is my original post:

Ahhh DO you know... that SONJA Actually Wished me a Happy Birthday already today! I am so incredibly thrilled to have so many internet friends. (*And I think in a perfect world- I would have Sonja write my "Life Story" since I think she is a smashing writer- if she would even consider writing something non-fiction! I at least know it would be SASSY! haaa!)

If it wasn't for this blog- I would not have had so many doors open for me and my career...

My life is lovely. I am fortunate.
Most of all- I am Thankful...

I used to think when I was wrapped up with the stress and un-pleasantries that this time of the year would bring- that it would be so nice to not have to deal with all of the this.

To be able to sit back and relax and not have to run around for everyone- buying the "perfect" gifts and traveling from house to house making each gathering...

Not having to sit with my Mother and the rest of the captured family as she played the "SUPREME Gift giver" and handed out each of the gifts as we watched each and every person open gifts. Yes- it would take hours to have this oh-so festive activity seen to the bitter end.

To pretend that you didn't hear some of the crazy statements that your family would zing around.

To manage to escape the inevitable rough-house and wrestling that my brothers would get into after it was over.

The high expectations of "Did you like your gifts?" asked to me by my mother after having said over and over that I loved everything.

Uuugh...

Right down to the lack of interesting food as a kid- as my Mother never cooked a Xmas dinner- EVER. (She said she did it a few weeks earlier why should she do another big one again?) Instead we would have something like a Hotdog and Bean casserole or something very easy which didn't involve too much work- was quick and actually- dare I say- Yummy.

Most of my Xmas's that I remember were spent doing JUST this- with my Mom and Dad, brother and his wife, other brother and his wife, me and with fill in the blank boyfriend- (Until Thomas came along 13 years ago).

My earliest memories were of just my Mom and Dad brothers and my older sister. Simple and yet- just as busy.

Ahh the early 1970's.

Getting the tree on Xmas eve and decorating it, making Gingerbread cookies in the kitchen- decorating them with raisins for eyes and buttons, wrapping them in plastic wrap and using a pipe cleaner's to hang them on the tree that night. Going to bed and having my brothers (who I shared a room with) not allow me to come out until they let me out! Haa...

Now- my Mother has passed on, my Dad is in Florida with my Brother and Sister and their families, my oldest brother is with his wife and family...

Which leaves Thomas and me to ourselves.

Now I have time and all I can think of is-

How I miss the old days a little...

Doesn't that just figure.

So
Dad came over with the kittens! I knew I was in trouble when one of
them exited his cage and took a big stretched and walked over and
punched Mr. Virgil in the head... Poor Virgil didn't even see it
coming! Haaa- Oh a lighter note- it was actually a little kitchen
tap... but still. The long car ride didn't even phase him! On the other
hand- The Cow-girl was traumatized and hid most of the day. She only
now came out at 10:00pm. Dad and I went to lunch today and had another
lovely afternoon! As I have said a hundred times before- these times I
spend with my Dad are some of the best times ever- I love him so much
and we are just so much the same in so many ways. Right down to his
silly humor!


I
feel much more prepared for them this time (I THINK) although since it
has been raining like crazy- my basement leaked a little in one place-
How do I know? Mr. Badness went down and played like 5yr old in a
puddle. He came up to show it to me by jumping on me and getting me wet
and dirty! I took Mr. Badness to the sink- turned on the water and
proceeded to wash him- much to his dislike. When I was fully tenderized
like a nice piece of meat- I wrapped kitten in a towel... where be
began to purr and get comfy and start to sleep!?!?! DAMN THAT SWEET
LITTLE KITTEN! Like Kryptonite! Anyhoo- Things are going well...


SO
far I only have a few blurry photos of my house- it is not decorated
the way I want it yet- but you will get to see a peek at what I have
been working on... Soon I hope to have some art up on the walls- it has
been YEARS since I have been able to gather some things together and
get it up- As embarrassing as that is to admit. It seems as if I put
things like this off far too much. I think it has a lot to do with the
lack of people who I have over. Sometimes I wonder why bother... but
lately I really want my house to feel complete.



More later... and without blur!
xxooxx

And so I am mostly finished in the studio making things for orders and for ETSY.
I forgot to mention that Monday marked the 3 year anniversary of my Studio. I actually kissed the outside of the building too.
Since the 3 years- I have made so many lovely things and truly have enjoyed working outside. And to think I have turned it into my office of sorts. Truly weird.

Ha! THOSE were the days! Now- it is full of stuff- and needs cleaning which I am going to do in February. I plan of doing a huge re-organizing project. I have so much stuff scattered in too many different directions. It will be a great way to get ready for Spring...

Anyway- Now I am onto Holiday shopping tomorrow. I think I will start by planning on where I need to go first- and then I plan of hitting a coffee place to get Some fuel!
I would like to get to a craft store to pick up some Mats and frames so I can hang the artwork in the new entry room.

My Dad will be over on Friday with the KITTENS! He turned 73 this past Tuesday and so I will have gifts for him and a nice lunch!
Should be interesting...

Okay- I better get to bed. Early day tomorrow.
(Trying to be good and blog here each day...)