In Vogue

In Vogue

The latest submission for Somerset Studio magazine. The challenge this time is all things fashion, fabric and style - "In Vogue". A little book, with a young girl's dreams safe inside. Dreams of beautiful dresses, wisps of lace, pearl buttons and the lure of Paris and the Orient. A place to make a note of yearned for haute couture and hide a picture of the dress of her dreams.

I started with a pre-shaped book that mimicked a woman's silhouette. Glued pages together to create 5 spreads, then gessoed them and dabbed on acrylic paint using a sea sponge.
The first spread features a stylish hat and bustier in black and silver, pastel fabric flowers and a library card pocket filled with vintage fashion drawings.

Next, pictures of ruffled blouses, a Paris slide mount, an enameled fan, a miniature cabinet card and fabric and beaded flowers. This was a project I'd had in mind for awhile so when the challenge came up, it was perfect. The rest of the story - er - book, on Thursday's blog.

South of the Border Score!

Our dear friend Dawn, who lives near Port Townsend, Washington (I know! Art Fest!) went to San Miguel Allende for the holidays and as all good friends do, she saved a handful of ephemera for me.
Newspapers, matchbooks, tickets, candy wrappers - and the lovely folk art mujer in the middle. We have put her on the wall right outside the bathtub and dubbed her the Goddess of the Shower.

Life on the Coast

Look at that colour! Here on the central coast of California our hills are a golden brown from June until we start getting rain in late fall or early winter. These last two weeks of stormy weather have turned the fields into rolling velvet carpets of luminous green. We'll be enjoying this for the next several months.

Library Talent

Olivine Spectrum Necklace - Rock Water Jewelry by Alexandra Salkeld

During the month of February the Cambria Library will be featuring works by three of us that work there.

Let My Heart Go - Destiny Carter

I will have a dozen of my red rosin paintings and assemblages on display. Colleagues Destiny Carter and Alexandra Salkeld will be exhibiting their paintings and jewelry respectively.

The Glove & the Blade 6x9"

A portion of all sales will go to benefit the Friends of the Cambria Library. They are currently raising money for a new larger library building and the three of us are thrilled to be able to help out through our art. The show goes up today and will run until February 27. Drop by!

The Baker's Daughter 24x36"

From the Bookshelf

Altered Art by Terry Taylor is a compendium of dozens of wonderful pieces and projects. Eye candy for those of us that love that, and plenty of tips and directions for creating altered objects. Not just books, but boxes and tins, game boards, dolls, clothes, globes chairs, and...wait for it - "so much more!" Even if you don't plan to do any of the projects in the book, you will come away with a wealth of techniques and ideas to use in your own altered art.

Art & Wine Festival

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday is the annual Cambria Art & Wine Festival. There will be a myriad of activities all around the town; wine tasting, fine dining, art demonstrations and much more including a silent auction of works by local artists.

Midtown Kiosk - 22x28"

I will have the above piece Midtown Kiosk at the auction. The weather forecast is for sunny skies, so come join the fun in beautiful Cambria - pines and sea, wine and art - what's not to love?

Cigar Box Wednesday

Match boxes - remember when you could pick them up anywhere? Great graphics, wonderful advertising, brilliant color, instant souvenirs and all for free. Now they are still around, but harder to find - search antique stores, flea markets or your great aunt Emily's parlour where there might just be an old brandy snifter full of them.



It is easy to find postcards, stickers, notepads, etc. using these wonderful old images - many of which are perfect little pieces of art. I think as a society we've gotten a lot smarter in the last 50 years about smoking, but I must say I do miss the match boxes!

Gallery Opening

In Flanders Field 22x28"

Allied Arts of Cambria is celebrating the opening of their new gallery space with an exhibition entitled Best Works. It opens this Friday January 29 and runs through Monday March 1. The new venue is housed in the old Cambria Grammar School building located at 1350 Main Street. I will have two works hanging in the show; In Flanders Field and Never Forget.

Never Forget 24x36"

The move, necessitated by the gradual deterioration of the former gallery in the 125 year old single room Santa Rosa school house building, will provide more hanging space as well as room for 3-D installations and much needed office and meeting areas. Opening reception for the new exhibition will be on Friday February 5, 5:00 -8:00. See you there!

Storm Treasure

A handful of treasure from yesterday's walk along the shore. Just after we got home, the clouds and cold came rushing back in - more storms on the way!

Life on the Coast

"I suppose you're wondering why I called you here"

Talk about a photo-op! Twelve seagulls, looking like they've shown up for the morning meeting on the Cayucos Pier. After I shot the picture and began walking down the pier, they peeled off one by one in formation as I went by. Quite a sight!