Gifts that Keep on Giving

For a month, I've watched the paperwhites grow and now blossom. Each day is full of a new surprise- the angle of a leaf, the sprout of a bud and the bloom of a flower- gifts that keep on giving.
The growth and blossoming of the paperwhites remind me of other gifts that keep on giving- friendship, the love and support of family, mother nature, books and new ideas, sharing, a random act of kindness, wonder and curiosity, adventure and travel, memories, dreams and special moments.
I am grateful everyday for these gifts. In this season of giving, it's time to remember all the gifts that give us daily sustenance and pleasure.

A Big Thank You to All Who Came to our Open Doors Show and Sale

Thanks to all who stopped by my booth at the Portland Art Collective Open Doors Show and Sale to say hello. It's fun to see friends and family. Your support means a lot. I appreciate all who offered good wishes and were there in spirit, too.

For more photos of the show check out the post by Dayna Collins on our Portland Art Collective blog HERE

and to learn more about the Portland Art Collective listen to an interview with Robin Olsen and Lorraine Jones hosted by Eva Lake that aired on KBOO radio HERE

Rose Paintings

Last Spring at ArtFest, I created a Deck of Roses in a class with Orly Avineri.
A friend asked me how I was going to use them. I made note cards with the images but wanted to do more with the originals.
They sat on my desk for a long time. Then a light bulb went on in my brain with an idea on how to use them. I glued each one onto canvas.
I added a textured, molding paste border, paint and voila- new paintings.
I love to combine new techniques that I've learned. My joy in creating art is in the process- experimenting, designing and seeing a piece evolve into something I like.

You can see them in person next weekend, December 2nd and 3rd, at the Portland Art Collective Open Doors Art Show and Sale.

Journal Kits for Open Doors Art Show and Sale

This year for our Portland Art Collective Open Doors Art Show and Sale, I've made journal kits. Each kit includes a twenty page 5 x 8 inch journal with Vellum Bristol 80# paper, a Pentel water brush and a Coptic Multiliner water proof pigment ink pen and...

a palette with fifteen different Peerless Transparent Water Colors. A "How-to-Journal" Zine completes the kit.
The kit contains everything that one needs to make a travel, garden, art or personal journal.

Wild Arts Festival

Each year, the Portland Audubon Society sponsors a Wild Arts Festival. Local artists create and donate 6x6 inch canvases with a bird theme to benefit Portland's wildlife. My contribution is entitled Frost Moon.

The 2011 Wild Arts Festival is November 19th & 20th at Montgomery Park. It's a wonderful opportunity to see nature-themed work by Northwest and nationally known artists and writers.

Botanical Paintings

At ArtFest last spring, I took a workshop from Orly Avineri called Roots and Shoots. The two collaged paintings that I created can be seen HERE. They measure 11x14 inches.

Using the same techniques, I made these four 6x6 inch botanical paintings. I like the combination of loose abstract lines with finely detailed collaged and drawn lines.

The mixed media paintings include acrylics, inks and paper collage.

All of these paintings will be for sale at the December Portland Art Collective 'Open Doors' Show and Sale.

Word Keys for Open Doors Show

I made more word keys for our Portland Art Collective Show and Sale in December. Last year, they were very popular. The safety deposit keys are flooded with solder with metal stamped words, hand soldered silver jump rings, beads and a bit of fiber.

Words become keys to life, a reminder to dream or play. Many artists choose a word for the New Year to guide them in their artwork. Selecting one can be a powerful affirmation and tool for change for anyone.
I used the skills that I learned in Stephanie Lee's Homesteaders Metalsmithing online class
to make the keys and brooches.