From Ah! to Arrr!

Snicker-doodle (the blue tortoiseshell) and Pookie (the handsome black cat) - aren't they sweet enjoying the sunshine on the deck.

Everything's still fine, just a little stretching,

and licking,

but wait a minute...

Attack!!

Clean Studio!

After

For the first time since going to Colorado last July for Lynne Perrella's Color as Catalyst Workshop at the Artists' Nook, I have had a chance to clean my studio, clear off my art table, put everything away that's been stacking up here and there, file things, store unbought art until the next show and actually see counter tops and floor space!!

Before

The push to Open Studios in the last few months resulted in not much time to organize - which actually is one of the parts of my art life that I really enjoy. I've been told I'm an interesting mix of right-brained left-brained and I guess it's true because I love to organize and put everything away in its own little cigar box, LOL! This is the first chance I've had for an uninterrupted 4 hours to tackle the job. But look quick - because we all know it won't look like this for long!

Life on the Coast

One of the two great blue herons we visit on our daily walks along the harbour here in Morro Bay. They stand still as statues, waiting for fish, and then strike with lightning speed to gobble up a meal. They are grace personified and watching them take to the sky, leaves your heart in your throat to see such beauty. The "grak-grak" of their call is so unexpected and jarring - the one disruptive exception that makes their elegance even more breathtaking.

What's Your Sign? In Provincetown

The famous Lobster Pot Restaurant

Lovely weathered door on the fire station

Oo -La-La!

Great seafood, great outdoor seating,
great fun- Bubala's by the Bay

From the Bookshelf

The Art of Travel with a Sketchbook

This is a lovely book, full of inspiration, travel tips and beautiful sketchbook pages. Author Mari Le Glatin Keis leads groups to wondrous places; the south of France, Oaxaca, the Pacific Northwest - and then gently instructs students in the keeping of a travel sketchbook. She tells us what to pack in our travel art bags, how to incorporate collage on our pages, and how to combine journaling and sketching - resulting in the perfect record of our holiday travels. Before your next trip - check it out!

Frida's Trunk

Two years ago this week I was in a wonderful workshop taught by Lynne Perrella called Lost and Found-Frida's Trunk. It was held at Carol Parks' NOHO studio in North Hollywood and was a fantastic three day weekend of colour and art. The first evening we created this ofrenda in Carol's living room.

As the weekend went on we added and added to it until it took up at least half the space in the room. It became a place of inspiration and reflection during our time there.

Lynne will be teaching this workshop again - this time on the east coast! At the Interlaken Inn in Lakeview, Connecticut - May 14-16 next spring. For info on Lynne's website go here and scroll down for all the details - sign up and have a wonderful time.

Cigar Box Wednesday

Dried flowers - mostly roses, mostly buds - but all sizes - some teeny-tiny ones that are almost too precious for words. I used a few in one of the type tray assemblages I did a couple months back.

I love the way the colours fade and the blossoms take on an old world sepia tint and become achingly fragile.

Weekend at Refugio

We spent the weekend at Refugio State Beach near Santa Barbara. There's something almost decadent about getting to camp by the beach. All the fun of sleeping in the tent, the camp fires, and s'mores and then - you're at the beach!! Ocean waves, palm trees, dolphins!


Around 30 of us gathered to celebrate a very special birthday for our dear friend Camille. The weekend was full of good fellowship, good food, and good fun. Lots of time to relax, read and work in my journal. Even got a nap in a hammock! Beautiful sunsets, spectacular full moonlit nights, and the sound of freight trains rushing by in the night only a few hundred yards away.

Back to reality today - but what a memorable few days in paradise.

Dia de los Muertos - Day 2

Within a 20 month span between 1999 and 2001 I lost both my parents and my older brother. And it is to them, along with my maternal grandparents that this ofrenda is dedicated.


My mother's parents (on the left) Guy (1880-1948 and Blanche (1885-1948) Ewart. This picture, in the 1920's in the garden at their house in Azusa, California. And my brother, Paul Michael Perry, in his senior picture, taken from us much too soon at the age of 53.

My mom and dad, Paul (1916-1999) and Becky (1925-2000) Perry

Dia de los Muertos

This year I decided to build my ofrenda on my beautiful Mexican chair. This chair has special meaning to me. I was able to purchase it from Luna Rustica in San Luis Obispo about 9 years ago. At the time I had no extra money and was struggling to support a family of four on my small salary alone. But when I saw this chair I knew I had to have it. Even though at the time the shop did not have a lay away policy, they allowed me to pay a bit every week for several months until the chair was mine.

It became a symbol to me - if something really speaks to you and you really want it, you can find a way to make it work. I often think this chair was my first step to finding the courage I needed to start my new life. And so it seems appropriate to use it as my altar for this year's Dia del los Muertos. Tomorrow - the stories of the people that this is dedicated to.