Respite from Winter Cold Sketch Date

Inside Jeffrey Allen Home and Garden, we felt the warmth of sunshine in the greenhouse and the hospitality of staff who served us tea while outside it was 25 degrees F. Surrounded by orchids, plants, Asian furniture and accessories, our eyes feasted on the serene beauty and color everywhere. Chinese music calmed the soul.

The ancient Guanyin captured my attention. Anna told us that curators from the De Young Museum come to see the Guanyin statues here. Guanyin is the Chinese goddess of compassion.

This wooden, carved Guanyin came from a cave in China. Her backside shows how she was pried loose from her resting place. Her decayed arms end above the wrist. My sketch attempts to represent her calm beauty.

Finishing Japan Journals

Treasures of my trip to Japan last year include the go shu in or red stamps received at the Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines that I visited. The monks stamp three red images and then hand-letter a blessing, the name of the temple and the date for 3000 Yen or about $3. I made this accordion book to hold them. Many Japanese take spiritual pilgrimages and document their journeys with go shu in stamped in their accordion books. One of my resolutions for 2008 is to finish my Japan journal. I will be posting these pages in future posts.

journal et rêve

Friends told me about 101 goals in 1001 days. I thought to myself there is no way I'd come up with that many goals but I did. One is to journal weekly this year with visual images and words. In preparation for a trip to France, I want to sketch often, learn to speak French and to research and understand French culture and history- become a Francophile. This journal page reflects my dreams. The sketches I did in the style of Stéphane Heurteau. It was a challenge but I ordered his book Quatre saisons sur les îles bretonnes from Amazon.fr. It will be fun to take time, slow down, observe where I am in the moment and sketch the images that speak to me.

New Beginings

2008 promises to be another very good year. One of my goals is to begin teaching art, sharing my interests and skills. My felted mermaid amulet bag workshop will be at Art & Soul in Portland in October. The bag is wet-felted and has a kumihimo finger woven cord with bead and charm embellishments. I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity.

I updated by book list. Right now I can't put down Molly Gloss's The Hearts of the Horses. She captures the Eastern Oregon landscape and the struggles of farmers and ranchers during WWI with characters you feel that you know.

I also added two blog links of artist friends from the Portland Artist Group- Jo Reimer and Alesia Zorn. Jo, a mixed media artist, plans to post her daily creations and Alesia shares her calligraphic art.

My travel adventures for the new year include two trips to Port Townsend, WA for Play- a journal retreat and ArtFest with Teesha & Tracy Moore; an artful journey to France with Mari Keis and Dayle Doroshow. My dreams include trips to New Mexico and Mexico.

Each dawn brings a new day full of possibility and new ventures.

Season Greetings

There are two ways of spreading light; to be

The candle or the mirror that reflects it. -Edith Wharton

Let's celebrate the return of the Light at Winter Solstice. The ending of one season and the beginning of another offer a time for reflection and renewal. These thoughts come from Sarah Breathnach's book 'Simple Abundance' for this day. As I reflect on all the blessings received in 2007, life is rich and good, full of wonderful connections, love, opportunities and much happiness. Thank you to each of you who touched my life and continue to enrich it.

Guardian Angels

At the end of the year when I count my blessings, I feel expecially touched by several guardian angels in my life. Laurie Mika made this wonderful icon that looks over my desk. Her colors and mosaics intrigue, captivate and warm my heart.

To my delight, Suzanne made this great little box for me. What little treasures will go inside? Something special for sure.

The top sings with color, texture and hope of future travels. Maybe a seafaring adventure awaits for 2008?

Patricia made this inro pendant. The Japanese used inro to hold small objects becuase traditional clothing lacked pockets. Inside she tucked these cute little snowmen earrings.

My newest gaurdian angel is Fiona. She wants to dance with the stars. Darlene and her daughter, Cora, make these silly sock creatures. Their whimsy and funny, fat-lipped faces light up my day.

Yesterday, they had a booth at the Rebel Rabbit craft fair at Hipbone Studio on E. Burnside. After seeing Darlene and Cora, I waited in a long line to get into crafty wonderland at the Old Norse Hall. Over 100 venders and wall to wall buyers filled both downstairs and upstairs. Portland promotes handmade gifts in a big way. Tis the season to buy homemade and support cottage crafters and artists.

Portland Art Collective Show Great Success

Our Portland Art Collective Show was a great success. In three hours, we transformed the Multnomah Arts Center gym into a winter wonderland of open doors. All of our hard work paid off with great art, attendance and response. Everyone enjoyed the hands-on demonstrations and sharing of creative energy.

I showed my monotype prints and three shrines. Below is detail of the shrine window on the right.Showing and selling my art is a new adventure- especially on this scale. I feel so fortunate to have the support of family, friends, and all the members of the Portland Art Collective. Thanks to all of you who came, said hello, bought art and enjoyed the show. A big thank you to Scott Jones for taking the photos.