Neurographica Antje’s Howard’s Woman Unleashed session was a revelation for me. Though I have done this meditative practice of neurographica before, I was lacking the instruction regarding the deep, profound ideas of seeds, fruits, growth, intention, and flow. Previously, I viewed this practice as merely a freeing abstract process. This session, however, made a universe of difference and spoke to me on an entirely new level. Profound experience! Thank you, Antje. Blessings!

Fireflies in the Night  Tamara Laporte, as always is amazing, joyful, and inspirational. Not only did the reflection and painting light in the dark ground me, but I also discovered a new favorite musician. The very first song of Tom Rosenthal’s that I played, All a Bit to Loud, has become an obsession; it is, in fact, playing as I write this post. The lyrics speak profoundly in so many ways . . . the busyness of daily life, the myriad of noises that distract us, but most importantly, the search for serenity and the blessings of having someone to sit with us in community.  “ I am looking for serenity  For someone to sit next to me  And write me out a recipe for getting through the day  As the world beeps away” The Woman Unleashed retreat encapsulates this. The sessions and community have provided amazing serenity and “someone to sit next to me”. This community of enlightened women has provided a “recipe for getting through each day as the world beeps away.” To co...

Winter Solstice 2024 and Woman Unleashed  I haven’t been inspired to write a blog post for several, difficult months. Health challenges, a stunning and shameful election that revealed the ugly truth about America, and the overwhelming depression and anger resulting from both, immobilized me. That changed with the arrival of winter Solstice 2024 and the Woman Unleashed retreat. Watching the solstice sunrise from Stonehenge was deeply moving. Of course, as always, the dense cloud cover obscured sunrise, but the experience of watching it live (at 1:30 am PST) with others (though virtually) was gratifying and inspirational.  Beginning on winter solstice, the Woman Unleashed retreat commenced. I can’t thank  Amber Kuileimailani Bonnici  enough for this much-needed retreat. Her opening meditation was so beautiful and spoke to me so profoundly. So much so, that I was inspired to create two spreads in my beautiful new journal (made for me by my dear friend Karen). Beginning ...

 Splatterific Florals  It’s funny how suddenly I am feeling adverse to a blankish background, which gives me the opportunity to practice splatter. Some floral practice with . . . splatter. 

Need for Context  I know this is my art blog and this post is unrelated. It is, however, important, and I feel a need to express my thoughts and feelings. You might think that this would be a sweet oceanfront place to live. Those ocean views. Those gorgeous sunsets. But I see vulnerability. Those winter storms. Those king tides during high tide. Those 70 mph winds pounding against what looks to me to be a very vulnerable structure. The visual of the "big one" obliterating it instantly haunt me. So why did I title this post "Need for Context" ? Now view this structure in its entire context. Now I see selfishness.  Big time. The condos behind it have been there for many years. I've been in one; they're nice, comfy, and HAD  a spectacular oceanfront view. Until selfish people built this triple-storied monstrosity directly in front of them. Who does that? Selfish people who only care about THEIR view; damn the neighbors behind them.  How could the city and count...

Racoon alley - raccoons emerge from this alleyway after being fed by the neighbor across the street.  That coastal air, damp and fertile.  The garden: doing well.  Expect to see a racoon face staring out at you from here. 

  Art Soul Gathering 2024  This mystical and magical art workshop celebrating Mother Nature and the Divine Feminine is hosted by Ida Andersen Lang, an artist from Denmark. 12 days of art (Aug. 29-Sept. 9) with two artists featured each day. Such an interesting variety of instructors and styles, some very much out of my comfort zone. But I’m going to try giving them all a try.  Tracy Weinzaphl - “Pocket Full of Sunshine” - gessoed mixed media paper, acrylic, Posca pen, ink , found text, buttons Karen Campbell - “Dolphin Dreams” - toned paper (thanks, Dad), markers, Posca pen, colored pencil, charcoal pencil. Drawing is completely out of my comfort zone, but Karen’s instruction was excellent. I’m happy with the resulting project.  Ivy Newport - “Blooming Within” - lots of layers here: acrylic, charcoal pencils, colored pencils, Posca pens. This one took forever, but I like the gentleness of it. May we all bloom from within.  Melanie Rivers - “Art is Medicine”...

  Paper Doll Play  Here it is September, and I’m just getting around to playing with my July Fodder School lessons by Kecia Deveney. Her Paper Doll lesson was a hoot. I happened to have these doll minis in my stash of art supplies that I have never used and could not figure out HOW to use. One of those moments where I actually said to myself, “Why did I buy these things anyway?” Well, I guess THIS is why!  Go figure. I guess these dolls have been waiting patiently for their time on the art table. 😊  Following Kecia’s instructions, I painted details with acrylics and markers to rescue them from their boring b&w lives. They sat laughing at me for weeks, taunting me. “Now what are you gonna do with us?”  Then I followed suit with another set of art supplies that I just HAD to buy but that have been sitting idle collecting dust for months and months. Spray inks! I sprayed some backgrounds, added some hand-drawn furniture, and mounted the dolls.   My pench...

Anatomy of a Mixed Media Collage This was a satisfying project taught by Eulalia Mejia, an artist in Columbia who gravitates to bright fluorescent colors and whimsical designs with inspirational messages.  Here’s the completed piece, but let’s go through the steps in the process.  First Step Collage with neutrals - scraps of book pages, Kraft paper, scrapbook paper, security envelopes affixed to mixed media journal paper with matte medium. Why do all of this when you’re just going to cover it all with paint? Texture, baby, texture. I’m all about the texture.  Second step - add acrylic paint in wild, bright colors Third step - add another acrylic layer, deepening the colors Fourth step - letter the message on piece of deli paper using India ink. Oops. Cut out circle. The India ink smeared when wet. Maybe I didn’t wait till fully dry? Did another one using waterproof marker. Got so involved in the process that I forgot to take photos of remaining steps. But here is the fini...

So Long; No Posts So what accounts for the huge span between my past two posts? What was going on those days in August? The glorious Summer Creative Retreat 2024, a gathering of many artists from around the world and a vibrant and supportive community. 68 mixed media lessons in 6 days! Last year I managed to complete all of the ones that interested me (not interested in the digital Procreate stuff). This year I found myself overwhelmed by the time crunch, so I just purchased the whole package. Now I can create on my own time schedule with many cool lessons in a variety of mediums. I’ll just post the stuff I have done so far. Art instructor attributions are included in the photos.  This pocket card is so cool and handy!  My husband asks, “Why are you buying all those napkins?” Because they make such cool mixed media fodder!  Great to learn colored pencil techniques! This year there was a Zentangle workshop, but I am out of practice. Paint a sheet of random watercolor bits ...