No, I didn't trip and fall into the Pacific Ocean...

This is quick post to let you all know that I had a WONDERFUL time at The ART IS YOU workshop.
I want to tell you all about the wonderful long weekend of art workshops and fun but it will be a week or so before I have the time to put it all together.
My sister and I had such a great time..

This was the first night Dinner.

Some of the teachers talked about being artists and then there was a question and answer session  after dinner. They talked about the personal process of becoming an artist.... tips on overcoming your inhibitions, thinking outside the artistic box and what their own life experiences as artists were like. 

The next few days were filled with workshops, traveling to town, eating good food, walking, eating good food and DESSERTS.

Eating DESSERTS...

And looking for POTENTIAL places to eat more desserts.

There were wonderful little stores in the downtown part of Petaluma along the river.

There was a grand Flea Market that walked us almost to death.

 But for now, in this moment, I have begun another adventure.
My friend "D" from Montana is here. She drove all the way from Montana to see me and I'm so happy that she is here. There will be lots of talking, walking, photography (she is an addict like me), laughing, playing with dogs, and catching up with life.
I will post when I can. I will catch everyone up on the great workshops and show off some of my artwork.... but for now, I'm enjoying "D"s visit, her dog Wanda.... and the company of this dear friend.

Truck Art: Creativity of a Four Year Old

What do you do with chicken feathers when you're 4 years old? They become paint brushes and you become a famous artist.

You find some water. You decide on a medium, you test it's viscosity and you begin. A shiny dark blue background seems to be an excellent canvas for the beginning of this artistic endeavor. You must stand with purpose and see the vision of your imagination. You must always use your other hand to create an air of concentration. This is similar to conducting an orchestra except that the instruments are inside of you and the music is heard only by the conductor.

"I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them." ~Pablo Picasso~

How does a four year old create his own world? How does he become the man that he wants or has to be? What will this grandchild of mine become? Will he be famous? Will he find the thing in life that he loves?
Oh Bean, I wish you a life of love, creativity and happiness. I wish you all the possibilities that wait for you in the years to come. Hold on to this little person who thinks he can do anything..., whose imagination has no limits.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
~Pablo Picasso~

( I wrote "The Bean" on the side of our truck with a feather he gave me and then the Bean did the artwork to the right of the words. Does his art remind you of some of Picasso's line drawings?...,? I rest my case.)

Murphy..., celebrity goat

I had to go down to Sacramento today for a doctor's appointment, so I decided to travel a few miles further and go to the Davis Art Center to see Terry Busse's art show. I have gotton to know Terry through her blog: Songs from the Garden at; terrybusse.blogspot.com. She does the most amazing textile wall art you've ever seen and a few months ago she asked me if she could do one about my post on Murphy (one of my goats ) and the night he danced on his hind legs under a full moon. I was delighted and so was Murphy....
By the way, the painting of the "acrobat" was on the outside wall of the art center(top left). Just thought it was cool. The two bottom photos are the room where Terry's exhibit was.

Photo's do not do Terry's work justice. The intricate piecing of fabric and felt have to be seen "In person" to really be appreciated. This one above is called "Murphy's Midnight Dance" ( that's my Murph') and if you look closely you will see the beautiful stitching and detail that each of her pieces have. I'm so impressed because I've never even tried quilting, let alone something like this. Her colors are wonderful and every piece has a poem and a story to go with it.

The exhibit is at the Davis Art Center , 1919 F street, Davis, Ca. and continues through Aug 28. If you live anywhere close to Davis you should stop by and take a look. Gallery hours are Mon-Thurs 9:30 to 7 and Fri 9:30 to 5. They are closed on the weekend. And please check out Terry's blog. She shows all her art work on her posts and sometimes shows the process or parts of the pieces before they're finished. Very interesting. Click on the photos above to see them up close.

The other goats told me that Murphy has been acting kind of "uppity" lately and they found a pair of sunglasses in his corner of the goat house. You think some of this has gone to his head? I'll have to have a little talk with him.

Congratulations Terry! It's a wonderful exhibit.