Pictures at 11:00

By that, I mean August 11. I could post a photo, but it would be a heck of a lot of work for minimal outcome. Things are a bit sluggish around these parts. One of the sluggish things is the keyboard on this darn laptop. I can't type a two-letter word without making a mistake. I could before. I thing I preferred life BL (before laptop). Back in the time PC.

I feel very time challenged lately. The hubby is on a business trip, therefore, I get far less time to do the work I want to do. I still have to take the time to keep up with that pesky laundry and find methods of ingesting nutrition. As I type, there is laundry moldering in the washing machine. I am using the word I a heck of a lot here. I feel like writing about myself and I is a short word to type.

So anyway, photos soon. Unless someone wants to see a photo of moldy laundry. Or dust bunnies? How about a dirty bathroom?

Learning Curve

Picture a photo here.  I had planned on there being a photo or diagram.  Of a circle.  Or a very tight spiral.  That is my idea of a learning curve.  You see, we are switching to a Mac laptop.  I am lost.  I do not feel like modern man (or woman) anymore.  I feel as if I have gone back to the stone age.  After I successfully make this conversion, I am going to work on making fire.  After that, a round thing that I think will make moving heavy things much easier.

I feel like such an ape.  Does anyone want to take a guess on how long it has taken me just to type this.  This skinny little beast is not a computer, it is an alien.  And it is laughing at me.

It is a good thing that I do not have huge amounts of beautiful new work to show you.  I had planned on posting a photo or two of artwork that my daughter made at art camp.  Sorry.  That will have to wait.

I'll see you again on the other side.  In another dimension.

If I don't do much posting or my comments to my favorite blogs seems short and terse, this darn MacBook is the reason.

Again with the Orange!!!

Well, there's nothing like working in an attic on a 90 degree day to get you to want to work with orange. No cool colors for me right now. I'm hot and my work needs to reflect that.

And to top it off, I went into Etsy 10 minutes ago to leave feedback for a customer (yay, my second Etsy sale), and on the home page was a beautiful, orange (of course) felted dahlia brooch. Well, I had to have it. Nothing like orange wool felt on a 90 degree day. I'll have to post a photo of that when I receive it.

This afternoon, I am going to my daughter's art camp grand exhibit. I'm looking forward to seeing what colors young children like to work with. I'm guessing that they do not discriminate. Hopefully, I can share photos of the exhibit. I do have to remember to take my camera.

What colors do you like to work with when its hot? Are there any

colors that you would refuse to work with? Several years ago, I came close to doing a commission with salmon and teal. The client never got back to me. I was happy about that. Don't think I could have done it.

Go Google Yourself

I do it frequently. I like to know if anyone is talking about me. On a rare occasion, someone is.

I found a site that listed my city of residence. It also listed my previous cities of residence. I guess any stalkers from my past can just show up on my doorstep.

My comments on others' blogs pop up. I can also be found on several advertising sites. Why, I am not sure. Possibly a side effect of Google Ads.

I did find a piece on Etsy being recommended by a fellow Etsy artist. Thank you, whoever you are.

A recent discovery was of art educators involved with the Getty museum discussing my work. It was suggested that my art be discussed in a class. Did they print out my work? Were art students required to do work based on mine? Hmmmm. I feel just a tad violated.

I also appeared on someone's Flickr site. I am so not up on such things. Should I do Flickr?

But my favorite thing so far about Googling myself was this comment from a Flickr viewer. . . "Beatifully done. It does not look like a quilt at all." Is that good?!? Is that bad?!? What the heck is wrong with looking like a quilt?

Go on. Google yourself.

Loot, Booty, Treasure

Here's (most of) my haul from the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts (see post below). I'm beat. Four days of walking to and from, eating festival food, toting treasures. It was actually a great vacation and I didn't have to leave town. The vacation came to me.

Another plus, it is my birthday today & some of those items shown above are gifts to me.

We saw some great bands -- the most entertaining was Luminescent Orchestrii, a contemporary gypsy group. The leader of the band is a circus composer. What more can I say?

The bulk of my purchases (not all shown in photo) was from ceramist Adam Spector. Also joining my newfound love of ceramics is Creative Works Pottery and Tile. I have a fridge covered in their awesome magnets. I have also purchased several necklaces, picture frames, and soon a custom-made mirror. While no purchases were made from Ali Mirsky Mosaics (my pockets were not deep enough), she is on my list for a future purchase. Unfortunately her web site does not do justice to her stunning pieces, but have a peek anyway.

But those 300+ artists have packed up and scattered and there is nothing else to do but continue aging and get back up in my own studio. Perhaps, If I can stand the heat and the pressure of talking to folks for four days straight, I may be out there myself next year.

p.s. Buy Handmade!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Obviously, it is not Christmas.

It is time for the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

What? You've never heard of it? I guess most folks out there don't have much knowledge of what goes on in Central Pennsylvania (not much, usually). However, it is probably the best art festival I have ever been to. Sure, I'm not the most well-traveled person, but those who come to this festival would probably agree. (If you know of another great festival, please let me know.)

Four days. Over 300 artists. All high quality. No crocheted doiles here (not that there's anything wrong with that). Over 50 bands.

The festival sprawls over part of the Penn State campus, through downtown and several blocks into a residential area. I will be leaving my house in 20 minutes for a ten minute walk to the beginning of the festival. I will return home to eat a few meals, shower and sleep. Otherwise, for the next four days, I will be immersed in the festival.

Aside from my own art and framed family photos, about 75% of the artwork in my home, including pottery and sculpture, has come from this festival.

I will let you know of the exceptional art that I find, whether I buy it or not.

Urban Withdrawal

I just returned from a brief trip to San Francisco. After spending a day driving to Monterey and environs and another day visiting my husband’s relatives, that left one day and an additional dinner in San Francisco itself. I had to wrench myself away and climb onto the plane to leave. I have only been to California once before and then had a 1-hour whirlwind drive through San Francisco, so I wasn’t sure I would even like the city. Now, I want to scrounge up some more funds and visit again.

For those who do not know, I live in central Pennsylvania. You know the place. It’s where those who feel the effects of a declining economy cling to guns and religion. There is a dramatic contrast between my place and the place I just left. Yes, State College has its lively moments. The students of Penn State give the town that youthful, edgy feel. There is an art museum, one or two “upscale” restaurants. We even have boutiques (geared to the young and svelte). Travel a quarter mile from the town and there is “big box” country, McDonald’sTargetBestBuy. Travel a few more feet and you are in the country. Rusty Chevy country. Mullet country. Toppled trailer country. Cows, pigs, shirtless dudes cleaning their guns country.

Right now, I’d give money to see a pigeon and hear a car horn!

I know I will return to “normal” in another couple of days. I will feel less of a need for a city fix. But at the back of my mind, I will see bridges and skyscrapers, café tables and taxis. I will settle in. Birds will be fed. Quiet walks will be taken with the dog. I will revel in my nearby Target.

O.K. things we did:

Fisherman’s wharf – if kids are happy, then parents are happy. What else can I say? Had a good lunch at Scoma’s.

Cable Car – would have been better if shopping at the other end had been in the plan. Got off & then paid & waited in long line to get on again.

Excellent things we did:

Dinner at Luella - 1896 Hyde Street

Walking the streets and alleyways.

Trek to Coit Tower. Love those steps with all the beautiful gardens. A hike in the country does not usually appeal to me. A hike in the city is far superior.

Dinner at Street Restaurant – 2141Polk Street.


So my goal is to go again & do it better. Any suggestions?