Cutting Edge

Measure Twice, Cut Once 8x8"

An old New England maxim says "Measure twice, cut once" - even more important in those times gone-by when wood and material was scarce and precious. When one day by happy accident these old rusty scissors and vintage folding ruler were laying on my art table side by side - the piece was born!

I covered the canvas in old building plans that were then stenciled with a favourite Mary Beth Shaw in copper acrylic. The rusty scissors were attached with wire and bits of copper paper cut with shredding scissors were affixed top and bottom with heavy gel medium. The folding ruler was broken into four pieces and glued to the sides of the canvas also with heavy gel medium.
Available in two weeks at this year's Open Studios.

Life on the Coast

Twice a year Morro Bay is host to a group of white pelicans. Now, year 'round we have masses of California Brown Pelicans - but white ones are an unusual sight here along the Central Coast. And while the browns are generally seen on the water by themselves, the white ones stay in tight formations (as above). They're here for a week or so in early fall and early spring. Obviously migrating from somewhere. When they open their wings the whiteness is broken by startling jet black under feathers.

Cemetery Saturday

More from Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.

Many interestingly shaped headstones,

Granite drapery and scrolls,

an old rugged cross , all granting eternal rest.

From the Bookshelf

A fascinating book with eye candy to the max. Chapters are divided by countries or regions and also feature titles like "Topless" and "Birds". A grand look at $$ old and new with an emphasis on the diverse beauty of currency throughout the ages. Engaging text along with beautiful pictures. A great find for mixed media artists as copies work well in collage and assemblage work.

110 A Piccadilly

For those of you who, like me, enjoy the English mystery writers of the between the wars period of the '20's and '30's, the title of this piece will ring a bell as the address of the inimitable Lord Peter Wimsey. Created by Dorothy Sayers and beloved of millions of detective fans the world over. 110 on Piccadilly is now the entrance to the ball room of the Park Lane Hotel, in fact, the entire corner of Park Lane and Piccadilly (and up each street for a good ways) is taken up by the sizable hotel. I walked by there when I was last in London, gazed up and paid my homage to Lord Peter, Bunter and the rest of Sayers's well drawn and well loved characters.


The background of the piece is a shot from Green Park of the facade of 110 Piccadilly, it is bordered by black satin ribbon held down by brass stampings rubbed with different colours of Staz-On ink. A Mary Beth Shaw stencil is applied in brilliant copper. A stamping of a female hand presents a vintage calling card topped by Lord Peter's ubiquitous monocle.

Cigar Box Wednesday

When is a cigar box not a cigar box? When it's a tin that once held salted carmel bark (yum!) and now holds watchmaker's tools.


Margot found this set on e-Bay and we are eagerly planning to use it to take apart all the old watches we've amassed from swap meets, flea markets, garage sales and - oh yeah - all the ones we've stopped wearing over the years. Nothing better for steampunk assemblages and jewelry pieces.

Birds and Leaves

The last time we were in Santa Barbara and having lunch at our favourite tacqueria we heard nosies on the awing over our table. Looking up we were treated to this lovely sight. Silhouettes of birds and fallen leaves.



I was able to get my camera out and take a few shots before they flew on. Simply beautiful!

The Pity of War - a Last Look

To End All Wars 16x20"

When I finish a project I usually have a pile of extras left that gets moved to the side or put in a folder or box for future use. As you can imagine, quite a large pile had accumulated by the time I had spent 6 months working on The Pity of War earlier this year.

Against a Monstrous Tyranny 16x20"

When I was cleaning it off my desk the work had become such an important part of me that I couldn't just file it away without one last foray. And so we have these two collages.



To End All Wars (WWI) and Against a Monstrous Tyranny (WWII) both in 16x20" frames with glass fronts and plastic backs(that were used as the substrata for the collages).



I tried to get a bit from most of the pieces from The Pity of War into each collage and then finished them off with lengths of ribbon and small charms. It was poignant and fulfilling to revisit this body of work again. Both of these will be available at Open Studios later this month.

Life on a Different Coast - New Hampshire

Not exactly a "coast", but the edge of
Upper Kimbell Pond in eastern New Hampshire -
a crisp fall day and a waiting kayak - what's not to like?

Cemetery Saturday

Mountain View Cemetery atop a hill overlooking
Oakland and the San Francisco Bay.

The grounds are huge and hold many different individual areas.

Many of the Bay Area's well known and historical names are interred here, as well as countless thousands of others.



These shots are from the highest point of the hill, where the crypts and mausoleums of the very wealthy and influential stand.

We'll spent the next few Saturdays here, wandering amidst
the eternal silence and peaceful memories.