It's a grey day in Northern California -- a bit unusual for this time of the year. I have a party to facilitate tonight, so I went off to get a pedicure, slipped into some anti-gloom summer sandals and back home went in search of some roses in my garden. My pick: Hot Cocoa. These fabulous roses start out a chocolate brown as a bud, and then open to a wonderfully blousy, pinky coral -- with a tinge of purple skirting the edges, and a bright yellow center. They are addictive visually. I thought that these blooms and my new pedicure ("Affair in Red Square" is the daring OPI color) went very well together on this cool, gray California day. All very warming with a hint of Mexican spices -- and look -- the sun is peeking out. I feel much better now!
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Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Deer Island Owls...and Dances with Snakes
I took a walk this morning at Deer Island. Overcast, no hawks to say hello to and I haven't heard a Horned Owl for quite awhile. The Rangers were out trimming the edges of the paths -- a good thing cause the grasses and thistles were leaving their marks on my skin or pants! No snakes today either. I saw 2 last week, sunning themselves across the path. I like seeing them -- as long as they are not diamond backs or western rattlers, that's OK. If they are slow to move off the path, I sometimes get a twig or limb and encourage them on their way. Snakes don't scare me so much as long as I can see them. I probably would have danced with snakes if had the opportunity :). Just call me "Dances with Snakes".
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Journal Page Creations...Day 61
Journal Page Creations -- Day 61: Vamp It Up Oriel
Journal Page Creations -- Day 61: Josephine StreetsI started this art challenge for myself a little over 2 months ago (May 26th) -- the goal was to create at least one journal page a day. Out of 70 days, I've made 60 posts, with 69 actual journal pages being displayed. I think that's pretty dang good for someone who backpedals away from her art pretty regularly! And I don't have any current plans to stop! My journal page a day has helped to keep me in the game of creating. Instead of just closing my art studio door because I am tired, depressed, too busy (family concerns, household jobs, part-time jobs, dancing, exercising -- you get the picture), sick, out of town, out of the country, etc., etc. -- I grab my Paperblanks mini journal, pick up a magazine, a glue stick, scissors, ink pads and wham! something pretty or interesting pops outn no matter where I happen to be. I like this so much I'm continuing on for another month, and see if I can post something once a day. And just in case I still feel like slacking, I have committed to post every day on NaBloPoMo. Who knows where it all will lead!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Passion Has a New Address
This is a photo of a section of my bulletin board in my art studio. I guess it's about 6 feet long by 4 feet wide. I throw anything I like up onto it - pics, childhood photos, memorabilia, necklaces, beads, charms, color schemes...you name it. I just started photographing sections of it, because it's fascinating how little vignettes form amidst the chaos. Some creative principle at work. Very much fun -- I reccommend it to anyone who is stuck around their creativity, it will give you a new perspective on the artist in residence -- YOU!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Gotta Dance!
Right to Left: Shara Switala, Doree Clark, Virginia Simpson-Magruder (Yours Truly)I am attempting to catch up with my blog posts, they have been sadly (or rudely?) neglected. For the past week I have been in a beautiful dance performance with the troupe I belong to -- The Don't Quit Your Day Job Dancers -- a wonderful retelling of the Romeo and Juliet story (a happy ending -- yeah!) I love dancing, for to me it is creation in motion. Even if I am performing established choreography, each moment is different because of the feeling I bring to the moves, the total experience I am having changes from moment to moment. I am also a died-in-the-wall hoofer, I love "the smell of the greasepaint, the roar of the crowd. I love to perform, I love seeing the audience smile and laugh and clap. It is a wonderful feeling. I love sitting in the dressing room, putting on makeup, and watching the other performers do the same. The hours off the stage, behind the scenes, is as satisfying to me as the actual performance. I have always been like this, since I was a little girl, but around the age of 10, I fell on stage and did not take up performing again until I was in my late 20's when I met the magnificent Doree Clark. She gave me the confidence and structure to express the joy I feel when I dance, and the means to overcome my fear of performing. So for the past 19 years I have been performing at least once a year in her productions. Don't see any reason to stop!
