Suttle Lake Lodge

Last weekend, my book group spent a wonderful weekend at Suttle Lake Resort on the Santiam Pass near Sisters, Oregon. The sketch depicts the view from our cabin window. We saw an otter, bald eagle, a couple of swans and many ducks.

We stayed in the historic 1925 Pointe Cabin right on the lake and creek.

The week before, it snowed but the rain melted most of it by the time we got there.

Black Butte towered over the lake. The Lodge and our cabin are on the distant shore.

The other direction gave us a spectacular view of Mt. Washington and the sunset.

The full moon reflected in the lake.

Another view of Mt. Washington the next day as we hiked around the lake.

The mushers getting ready to take off at Hoodoo as we snow shoed around the area.

The Strategist Soul Collage Card

Soul Collage is a way for me to reconnect to my dreams, plans and desires for life. Recently, I read Suzie Wolfer's soul collage newsletter about starting the New Year with a strategist card
to help achieve visions and keep key planning tools at hand. The visual representation speaks of new frontiers and decisions made wisely. This card was made with intention. I collected magazine images that spoke to me about forming a life strategy, scanned them into Photo Shop and re sized them to fit the 5x8 inch card with a composition that pleased me. The card sits on my desk to remind me of what I want to accomplish in 2009.

I also recommend that you check out Leigh Bunkin's blog.
Her inchie grid drawings in a theme or another artist's style are very inspiring. She is also doing some wonderful life drawings.

Nature Gathered December Snake Piece

The Nature Gathered theme for December was amphibians and snakes. I enjoyed working with the quilted pet portrait idea and decided to make this one 3-D. All is made with fabric except for the polymer clay head. The complementary color palette is one I want to explore again.

2009 Art Journal Calendar

The past two years, I participated in collaborative Art Journal Calendars. I like to collage, sketch and write daily in my calendars. At the end of the year, I have a visual journal review of my activities, inspirations and dreams come true for the year. For 2009, I made my own art journal calendar using my artwork between calendar pages.
Here are the inside cover pages. Each page measures 7 x 8.5 inches so it looks like an engagement calendar.
For each month, I print out a calendar 14 x 8.5 inch paper. I space the calendar halves in Photo Shop to allow for the center binding.

I also include a list of art goals for the year to keep me focused on projects, mediums and accomplishments that I want to achieve.
I take the completed calendar to Kinko's to have them bind the book with a black, coil binding. Now, I'm ready for the New Year. Have a creative, happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.

Happy Winter Solstice- a new beginning

first snow- the neglected yard, now perfect. Elizabeth St. Jacques

winter solstice- the waterfall, frozen in mid-air. Sandra Fuhringer

Nature Gathered Fauna Piece

It's cold here in Portland with snow, ice and wind at 25°F. It's given me a chance to do a piece for our Nature Gathered group. Karen Winter's article on quilted pet portraits in the Aug/Sept issue of Quilting Arts inspired my squirrel. I even felted in a little snow on the ground for him. Working with fabric and thread helped keep me warm and cozy today. Hope you are all safe and sound during this cold snap.

Thanks for Making our Open Doors Show a Success

Thanks to everyone who came to our Portland Art Collective "Open Doors" Art Show & Sale this
past weekend. We had two sunny days. Many friends, family members and art lovers came to see and buy our art. I've posted photos of other Portland Art Collective members' art on the PAC blog. The creativity in this group always amazes me.