Today's Quote ...

"Why is there a frozen zombie on the TV?"

- heard after Tivo had been paused for an hour.

Random Report ...

Returning to 'play all' on the Zune, I was offered this surprise of a segue yesterday ...

'Red Hot & Blue Love' from Working Class Dog by Rick Springfield

followed by ...

'Leilani' from Stoneage Romeos by The Hoodoo Gurus

Really, it worked.

Peliculas de Las Calaveras ...

After all the talk of "El Charro de las Calaveras" while in Oaxaca, had to set Tivo to see if I might be able to see the film for myself. No such luck yet, but did watch "Las Calaveras del Terror" tonight. '

Must watch more of the Mexican Western/Adventure/Mystery/Horror genre! Oh, yeah, need to post some more Oaxaca tales, too.

Oaxaca Tales ...

It's been a week since I returned home from Oaxaca. Sure, I thought maybe I'd blog while in Mexico but, once I arrived, the experiences trumped all else and the thought of typing blog posts vanished. So, I'll try to capture some of the memories in written form over the next few days.

Traveling to Oaxaca



SJC: I started the journey with an 8pm shuttle flight from San Jose to LAX on Thursday so that I could catch the LAX redeye and, ultimately get in to Oaxaca first thing Friday morning.

LAX: Sitting in the deli bar at the International Terminal at LAX outside gate 121, '70s radio lending to the flashback feel - KC & the Sunshine Band's 'Boogie Man' playing while I take in a cheese pizza for my 11pm dinner. I met some other Oaxaca-bound artists, Syd & Sue, at the gate. As we chatted, Syd remembered my radio piece Stephanie Lee's Plaster Architecture class at Artfest this year. Felt nice to have a piece remembered.

MEXICO CITY: Now I remember how much I hate flying through Mexico City. It's always chaotic. This time, thanks to misdirection through immigration, instead of simply turning around and re-boarding our flight to Oaxaca, Syd, Sue & I ended up in the main terminal. A porter offered to help us with our bags and lead us to the domestic boarding area. Unfortunately, we no longer had full boarding passes - just the stubs from our original flight (same flight number continued to Oaxaca). 90 minutes later, passports flying, new boarding passes in hand and multiple trips running back and forth to find a security gate that would let us through, we arrived at our gate at the exact departure time. The one woman remaining at the gate shook her head, no. Our porter started talking quickly, sweaty and out of breath from carting our bags back-and-forth. The woman got on the radio, asked for our papers, and I happily paid the porter in $US dollars as we boarded the plane. He earned it. We would have definitely missed the flight had it not been for him.

OAXACA: Arrived at 8:00 am on Friday morning. Let the relaxation begin ...

Hits Home ...

Literary Death Match ...

Ah, another great way to get out of 'work week' mode and into a creative space. I went to Opium Magazine's Literary Death Match at the Swedish American Hall in San Francisco with friends on Friday night. Absolutely fantastic (and not just saying that because of the superbly tasty free No. 209 Gin).



Readers: Round 1: Evany Thomas (McSweeney's) v. Wesley “John Wesley Harding” Stace (Swink)
Round 2: Gary Kamiya (Salon) v. Daniel Handler (Opium)
Judges: New Yorker editor Ben Greenman (Literary Merit), Shaun Landry (Performance)and Oscar Villalon (Intangibles)

The final round ... a game of 'Opium' (Horse) between Wes & Daniel. Handler won by a point.


Making a note to catch more of Litquake in '08 ... off to go read more of 'By George' now ...

Yeah, Zoe!

Ok - first had to say that because my friend Zoe deserves a "Yeah!" ... second because I had dinner tonight at Restaurant Zoë in Seattle (kitty-corner from The Crocodile Cafe). Fabulous! Spicy octopus appetizer, special salad with an amazing mozzarella-like cheese (wish I could remember the name), Scallops served with winter squash, bacon, black lentils, mushrooms ... finished off with a lavender-citrus panna cotta.

Full & happy now.

One More Thing ...

Ok ... so decided to add one more thing to the journal before shipping it off ... a tiny bell. There, done.


The book is now in the mail on its way to the next artist ...

The Journal Challenge ...

Journal number two arrived and had me stumped for ideas. Each direction I started to go didn't seem to lead anywhere so I just kept pushing through. Now, I'm late for the deadline to mail the journal to the next artist but I think I'm calling this done.

Blank pages are always a challenge. So many possibilitites. This time it was even more challenging as it was the first time I was working in someone elses book. I want to do right by the artist & owner of the journal ... ack, the pressure.


I thought about using some texture. I have this wonderful vintage Japanese grass cloth that my neighbor gave to me and have been looking for the right project to use it ...


Finally couldn't take the blank page so hit it with a wash of color. I had to start somewhere ...


I had a picture in my mind of yellows and geens conjuring up a '60s feel but after the color wash and playing with the grass cloth I hit a mental block (again). So, time to push on to something else ... words. Found these in a 1951 Beauty magazine ...


Once again, a bit challenged as to where to go next. I added a bit of turquoise glitter to the edges for color and for texture ...


Finally decided to key off of the 'Stag Line' and 'Pretty Foot' text and, thinking of the journals theme, thought of old friends coming together because of their common love for something ... in this case old ladied lovin' to put on their dancin' shoes. Welcome to Aunt Helen and her friends ...


Some 'journaling' of sorts came next ...

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one."
- c.s. lewis

This is nowhere close to the journal spread image I had in my head when I started but just went with it. I feel like maybe the page still needs something but I don't know what and since I tend to do a bit too much at times plus it's past due to go to the next artist and the next journal has arrived ... I think I'm calling it done.

Come Together or Later ...

Went to see "Come Together" - the artwork of John Lennon - last night with my good friend & fellow Beatle junkie. Afterward, we went to the Long Life Noodle House for dinner where I was treated to this in my fortune cookie:

COME BACK LATER ... I AM SLEEPING.
(YES, COOKIES NEED THEIR SLEEP, TOO)

Either the fortune cookie masters are trying to appeal to my sense of humor or this is a way of telling me I should get some rest.

Heard on KEXP ...

In response to Talk Like a Pirate Day, Kevin Cole announced on KEXP that today is ...

Hug a Goth Kid Day

Made me smile.

Hey Jude ...

I saw Across the Universe Friday night ... it was the perfect way to get my head out of the work week and into the weekend. An amazing movie full of incredible visuals and music telling a touching story.



Already bought the soundtrack and making note to get the extended version when it comes out on October 23 ...

So I'm readin' Real Simple ...

Opening page there's a B&W photo of a spiderweb between blades of grass covered in dew and this ...

The Three Rules of Work

1. Out of clutter, find simplicity.
2. From discord, find harmony.
3. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity

~ Attributed to Albert Einstein

Thinkin' maybe this needs to find its way into an art project ... might help keep me sane at the day job.

Artfest 2008!

I'm in! My Artfest 2008 confirmation packet arrived yesterday and it looks like this time it's all about metal ... tin, copper, various bits of wire ...

On Thursday, I'll be taking Who's Your Dada with Linda & Opie O'Brien and on Friday I get to see the O'Briens again for Flat to Stacked. I've been wanting to take one of their classes for awhile and bought their book Metal Craft Discovery Workshop at Artfest earlier this year. So now I get to look forward to not one but two Linda & Opie classes.

Saturday, it's a Necklace Journal class with Tom & Ramona Ashman. (Tom Ashman made a great goat head in Liz McGrath's Mounted Monsters class in 2006 ... same class where I made The Bartender.) Of course, this means packing a drill in my suitcase but, hey, if I can cart around rusty nails and a bowling pin, a drill should be no problem.

Maybe this year I'll actually make something for the Artfest gallery ...

The Wisdom of Cookies ...

YOU ARE ENTERPRISING - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT
PEKING NOODLE CO.

Good Weekend So Far ...

So continuing on my homework theme from last Tuesday's Ladies Who Launch session, nice thing for self Day 3, Friday Sept 14: bought myself a double-shot latte from Peet's on my way to work. Somehow things seem better when the day starts off with a good coffee. Plus, I bought tix to go to Opium Magazine’s Literary Death Match on Oct. 12 (part of Litquake) to hear Wesley Stace (aka John Wesley Harding) read.

Saturday was spent at an all-day meeting o' stampers (have been doing much more stamp craft lately as the energy and emotion level hasn't really lent itself to more artistic endeavors but more on that sometime else). Of course, this meant getting up at 6:30 am on a weekend which I do not put into the 'nice things for me' bucket but my friend drove and supplied me with a big cup o' from Peet's so that helped get things back on track.

On the way home, we stopped at Perry Farms at Ardenwood and I picked up some organic fruits & veggies including some "pop it on the cob" microwave popcorn. Of course, I had to hold up our departure for a moment or two to snap a few pictures.


Probably should have done a bunch of stuff when I got home but instead spent most of the evening sitting around playing Wii with my 3-year-old (almost 4) niece. So would have to say, homework for Day 4, Saturday Sept 15: Enjoyed some fresh air & sunshine while shopping at a super cool organic fruitstand (bought some small, goofy pumpkins and a new type o' melon) and ignoring grown-up chores to play Wii with the niece.

Today's Plan: Lend support to a friend checkin' out a house and spend time in the studio ...

Should be sleeping ...

A lil' sketch before bedtime last night ... part of the 'do something nice for me' motto for the week ...

So, stole a bit of creative time to sketch. Trying not to over think these sketches and just go with the messiness of it all.

On the list of 'nice things' homework today - a double latte from Peets this morning before work.

Homework ...

To make changes, you gotta do stuff ... action ... step one ... homework. Part of the homework from last night - do something nice for yourself every day this week. Well, admittedly, I don't feel I made much of a conscious effort today - have to avoid the blur of everyday life overshadowing my homework assignment. So - thinking 'YES' - positive things I did for me today:

• Left work at 5pm.


• Left the laptop at work.


• Ignored the list of things to do, planted myself on the couch, and watched a movie.

Hey - I'm starting small. Will see what else I come up with tomorrow.

Just Say ...

It's time. Time to get unstuck. Took a step in that direction today - attended week one of the local Ladies Who Launch incubator program. Let the ideas roll ...

Schmap It ...

Another one o' my photos was chosen for a Schmap - this time the Austin Schmap. The pic is from SXSW 2006, Billy Bragg & friends playing a Hootenanny at the Central Presbyterian Church.



Here's a lil' mini Schmaplet that includes my pic on the photos tab (I think it might be the only 'concert' photo in the churches section) ...

Down the Drain ...

I do believe the day job is sucking the creativity right out of me. Not much inspiration lately tho' I do have glimmers of random ideas every now and again. Time is short, attention span shorter.

Did snap a few pics while in Ashland over the weekend (still enjoying the new F1.4 30mm lens) ... thinking these could end up in a project someday ...



It was a nice stay ... but found the rut was still here when I returned home.

9 Plays, 5 Days ...

Call it a condensed vacation - roadtrip to another state, fancy food & drink, and 9 plays all in 5 days.

The mini-vacation started something like this ...



... my view from the back seat of the van.

The days in Ashland continued with:

Tracy's Tiger
The Tempest
As You Like It
Gem of the Ocean
Distracted
Romeo & Juliet
On the Razzle
Tartouffe
The Taming of the Shrew

My favorite play: Distracted

Send In the Clowns ...

Well, I certainly haven't been very good 'bout posting. Seems by the time I get home, the brain is mushy and I haven't felt like I've had anything to say. I have been doing some creative stuff in the form of stamping some cards but the creative spark has pretty much been, well, *poof* Here's to finding the time, space, energy and fire to create ... something ... anything.

Ok, now that I've got that off my chest, time to post some pics from the art journal project I shipped off a couple weeks ago. Seems there isn't quite the push to keep it all a secret now so if someone beyond my one or two readers stumbles on to these pics, I won't feel as if I've blown the big surprise.

Let's start with the cover ... what I wanted was a toy clown. Have you tried finding toy clowns lately? They're nowhere to be seen - nada - nothing - vanished. I went to toy stores, to party supply stores - zip! Sure, plenty of Pixar and Princess party packs but just try to find a clown. Someone must have decided that clowns scare children and passed a ban.

So, time to improvise ... stamp a clown and frame it with frogs (they're plastic, btw) ...



Stay tuned for more 'journal in the making' posts ...

Journal ...

Too sleepy to post much ... but will report that my art journal project is ready to make its merry way via US Post to the next artist ...


Must sleep now ...

What Once Was Pink & Green ...

Inching along on my art journal project - I'm determined to pull it all together this weekend so it can travel on its merry way via post on Monday. Of course, I can't possibly display a full picture here as that would spoil the surprise for those who might receive it during this artful round robin that Deb has cooked up. But, I think I can show some things I was playing with in the studio ...




I have Jane Wynn to thank for the discovery of this magical paint. I took her 'Tainted Toys' class at Artfest 2006 ... this was my creation:



Note To Self: Turn More Toys ...

F1.4 ...

My new toy arrived this week - a 30mm F1.4 lense. So last night I gave it a test run by snapping some pics of things in the yeard ...





I think the lens is a keeper ...

Art & Drink in Denver ...

Fantastic night out last night with friend I have seen in years. First stop - The Hamilton Building at The Denver Art Museum. The building opened in October '06 and was architected by Daniel Libeskind ... no right angles anywhere. Felt a bit like I'd wandered into a Dr. Seuss book.







We lucked out and didn't get too much rain while dining on the rooftop of Tamayo.

Life's Too Short to Stay in Stuffy Hotels ...

That's it - from now on I want all of my hotel stays to include a heavy dose of humor. I'm in Denver this week for a convention (part of my stamp crafter alter ego) and will now be telling everyone that they really have to stay at The Curtis when visiting the mile-high city.

Why? Where do I start ...

The 'sundries' counter next to the front-desk counter features rubber chickens ...



The print material in the room take the form of a single complete with "45 adaptor" images ...



The associated restaurant/bar, The Corner Office, serves amazing food and cocktails. Might I recommend the Bee's Knees (complete with rock candy) ...



And did I mention the color orange is everywhere?

More pics on my Flickr site.

Dinner with Friends ...

The perfect way to spend a Friday night - sitting around the table with friends, food and drink for hours. Music for the evening included: Grant Lee Phillips, Magnet and Air. And the only art that evoked a bit of a creepy feeling (at least the only one commented on) was my Bartender Bunny ... exactly the response expected for the bunny.



I made The Bartender in Liz McGrath's class at Artfest 2006.

Rebecca, Lolita, Veshawn & Dawn ...

Flashback Moment: Heard this on the radio while running errands on Saturday. When was the last time you heard 'Double Dutch Bus' by Frankie Smith?

The Art Journal Project Begins ...

Finally got started on Sunday. I have no idea where this is going ... but the challenge is to just trust the process and see what happens.

Of course first step, for me, was choosing something to listen to while creating. I opted for Andre Ethier - a CD I picked up at Waterloo Records in Austin - it was a recommendation by one of the Waterloo employees. When I go into a cool record store, before heading to the counter, I make it a point to ask one of the employees what they're listening too and/or what they would recommend that I probably haven't heard. It's a great way to find the obscure, the local, the independent ... but I digress.



Next step was to start working on a 'sign-in' sheet. For this journal project we are each to pick a theme ... ahh, but we're keeping the themes a secret so that each person who receives the journal to create their page(s) will be surprised. To that end, I will say nothing of my theme ... nor will I show full pages ... don't want to spoil the surprise for whoever might get this journal next.

So, with that ... here's where the sign-in page started ...



And then ... it made it to here ...



Still not sure where it's gonna go next ...