Volunteering in Mexico for a Year

Check out Mari and Dick's new blog which describes their work to develop literacy projects and sketching workshops in a little village north of Puebla. Both share their many years of experience in Tlaxco's "escuilita" or elementary school. Their community involvement demonstrates their commitment to serving others at a grass roots level. I'm looking forward to following their journey and new adventures.

Obama Soul Collage Card

I am the One Who offers HOPE to a world battered by war and economic chaos. I am the One Who speaks of change, a way to work together, to find common ground and to help one another in the pursuit of liberty, justice and diversity in tough times. I am the One Who is strong, intelligent, listens and solves problems. I am the One Who is proud to be an American.

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