i got absolutely nothing done that i should of this weekend-but i’m guilt free. i’ve been in an “exploratory mode” lately-and i’ve decided to indulge myself this summer . i’ll be experimenting with new mediums, methods and materials-not worrying about deadlines, websites and what i “should” be doing. 

on sat i took my 13 yr old niece to patricia anders barbie workshop-the final one before her barbie redux show debuts on aug 7th.

what fun! i am definitely making up for lost time- i didn’t play with barbies as a child-but i sure am now! 

i have in the back of my mind another  mythological creature-since i had so much fun with the harpy’s. i acquired this wonderful victorian print a few years ago at a flea market. the frame caught my eye-as i am always on the lookout for antique frames. when i saw the print i fell in love and bought it. the scene shows a centaur carrying away a maiden-with two water nymphs or sirens looking on.  i am fascinated with sirens, the creatures who lured their victims to their death. i suspect this will be a project in the very near future.  

i recently saw some wonderful fabrics on morgaine le fay’s antique textiles and more blog-and was reminded of some of my “old friends”.  as gardening and dogs are a personal passion-this is one of my all time favorites- the victorian square of a boy and his dog. it is circa late 1800, similar to “can you talk” from dr jaynes medicines trade cards. i also love the detail on this vintage silk embroidered piano scarf-the pagoda in the garden.

so many projects and so many marvelous distractions!

my harpies are finished and i am so pleased! i will miss them- in a week or so-they are off to the folktree gallery in pasadena for “noah’s ark, two by two”. 

 i’ve been on an assemblage and found objecx mode for sometime. bottlecap art has always been fun-i admire the creative uses people come up with. my friend cola, did a wonderful abstact painting with bottlecaps for the assemblage window at the ten women gallery in march-thus inspiring me. i decided to adorn a recently aquired chair (another trash find) and i had alot of fun! 

the topanga artwalk last weekend was wonderful. the weather was perfect and the setting was lovely. for those of you who don’t live in the los angeles area-topanga canyon is a beautiful oasis in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city. it is an interesting and electric mix,  a very artistic community. you have your throwback’s to the 60’s and 70’s, hippies still at heart, peace,love and rock and roll abound.  then you have your stars, movie moguls, producers, record execs, yuppie’s in general- all  are  very much a part of the community. the  the will geer botanicum theater is still going strong-the ourdoor summer series includes cymaline and king arthur-magical seen under the stars. although the famous topanga corral is long gone- i still remember as a teenager sneaking in-in hopes of  spotting neil young, joni mitchel or another canyon icon.

i was a guest artist in the artwalk-and was so fortunate to spend sat and sun at brian & marybeth gibson’s lovely home.       a weekend of good company, great food, and a beautigul setting-what more could one want.

the topanga artwalk is this weekend-i am participating as a guest artist. i am so fortunate to be at artist brian gibsons lovely home. we will be set up in his wonderfully tranquil zen garden, a must see!( i’ll be taking lots of pix)
in august the ten women gallery  will be having a barbie event. gallery member patrica anders will be hosting her guest artist window ” barbie redux” and myself and shari enge (old souls doll co) will be curating a guest artist show “lets play barbies”.

i didn’t really play with barbies alot when i was young. i was a bit of a tom-boy and was horse crazy-plastic horses and those troll dolls were the direction i went in.
i am making up for lost time-altered barbies are FUN! i created voodoo barbie at patricia anders workshop and vegas barbie at home-so many barbies-so little time! i
our barbie bash will be on aug 7th at the ten women gallery in venice-all are invited-costumes optional-think pink!

i have been working on a piece for the upcoming folktree gallery’s two by two-  noahs ark show. gail mishkin-the wonderful curator of the folktree gallery invited artists to create pairs of animals (same species), and/or some kind of ark imagery, offering their personal interpretations of the story and the creatures that populate it.  there are only be two of each species in the exhibit-so there will be quite a diverse collection. i love mythology-and of course being the non traditionalist that i am-(plus the fact that gail gives us artistic licence ie:little rules and boundaries) i choose harpies. i choose a wonderful circa 1860 linen to showcase “the girls”. the vine and floral applique is cut from a vintage 1940’s batik-that’s as far as i’ve gotten-still embroidering and appliqueing-ouch!

angie is still very much in our thought’s-i do an altar every year for dia de los muertos at the hollywood forever cemetary. but of course i can’t wait til then-we have a small altar started-will add more as time heals. the lovely mosaic skull is done by  an a oh soooo talented artist friend, mary clark camargo-you can see her work at   http://www.eclecticcactus.com/artgalley/Mary.htm

it’s been a quiet week of reflection, mediation, art and LOTS of gardening (the best therapy for me). i hacked away (very therapeutic) at the cape honeysuckle vines-in some places they reach 50 feet plus. i recycled a few into my “extra wide” chaise lounge. it was a challenge-i don’t use power saws without supervision-so i used a pruning saw- lots of blisters-but very fullfilling and rewarding. i have a new respect for all those pioneers and their log cabin’s!  it is” june gloom” in the morning here-perfect gardening weather. i’m transplanting lots of sword ferns, jade plants, asparagus ferns, geraniums and loquats. (for anyone in the area-i have quite a large supply- if anything rings a bell-they are yours).

i’m enchanted with my roses-especially my graham thomas (pictured) cecile brunner and abraham darby-all beautiful performers and scent to die for. i’m off to the nursery today-angie will have a new rose planted in her name. we are all moving forward at different paces. one of the best gifts animals have taught me is living in the present-what happened yesterday-what happens tomorrow isn’t relevant in their world-it’s what’s happening now.

our angie died peacefully in her sleep-taking a nap, surrounded by her family. her death was not unexpected-she was 11 yrs old-way up there for a great dane. when i took her to the vet for her shots last month, after listening to her heart, he tactfully asked if i wanted him to run any tests. my answer was no-angie will let me  know when it’s time. her last day was perfect-she was up bright and early with the other dogs for her walk.  she  ate her breakfast,  and being the special girl that she is, i left her inside  while i ran errands.  (left the other 3 were outside) as i was leaving-i tossed her a rawhide bone. in  a split second decision that i will always be thankful for, i took the rawhide bone away and gave her a marrow bone from the freezer (her all time very favorite treat-a dog popscicle).

when i got back i let everyone inside . all 4 girls settled down in the living room-fri is laundry day for dog pillows. ups rang the door about 3-of course the ususal commotion of barking ect. when i closed the door i noticed angie was still asleep-

i am sad-but so thankful that she went  peacefully-so well deserved-full of grace and dignity. she was a very special girl-through our tears we will continue to celebrate the wonderful memories she has left us with on this memorial day.