Crawling Through the Holidays

I can't believe I haven't blogged since September! See what happens when you roll over another birthday! I'm obviously getting slower in my old age...

I am finally able to begin crawling my way out of The Holiday Madness to blog to the one or two people left who are actually still reading this! Thanks for hanging in there!

I have been networking on business trips, I have been developing a business plan for a new business idea, I have been selling Gift Card Holders to Whole Foods in California, Arizona and Nevada (Yay! two more states!!) I have been selling Gift Card Holders to 7-11 in Texas! Wow! I am pulling every string I can, because in this economy, you need to work twice as hard to make the same business.

Are you out there doing scary things? A friend reminded me recently of the E. Roosevelt quote "Do something scary every day". Boy am I living that one! But, just because it's scary, doesn't mean it's not the right thing.

Courage is defined by doing something, even though you're scared. It's amazing how by the second or third time, that thing that scared you so much isn't so scary anymore.

It might even be fun.

Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday Season, filled with love, laughter, and lots of gift cards!

Do something scary this week.

Put yourself out of your comfort zone.

Allow yourself to change and grow in 2010.

Good Mail Day

I know, I know, I've been remiss in my blogging. But, I've been making lots of krepach for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana. If you've ever made kreplach - you'd know that it's big pain in the touches, but it's worth every bite.

I have my grandmother's recipe. She never measures a darn thing, but during one trip to Israel, I actually brought all my measuring cups and spoons and actually got all her famous family favs down on paper. I know it turned out good since last night my brother had FIVE helpings, count 'em FIVE! of kreplach. That felt good.

What was also nice was a little letter that came in the mail about two weeks ago letting me know that some of my artwork will be published in this book, now available on amazon.com.

My soulmate, Lisa, and I had a little personal project going on of sending each other postcards once a month that described something important going on in our life at that moment. There were no rules, just a postcard of whatever we wanted to express. While we absolutely did not begin this project as something for others to see, I think that others will truly relate to the intimacy of our friendship and our messages in the few postcards we shared with the book authors. Go to her blog for more details, she describes it way better than me!

You know You Live in LA When...

ok - I would hate you to think that I'm boasting - but the stars have been out in spades lately! Come on - it's fun hearing about them isn't it? This is all in one week people!

You know you live in LA when...

Gary Sinise is in line behind you for frozen yogurt at your neighborhood joint. He's the guy standing in the middle up there. He's currently starring in CSI New York.

Patti Stranger (of Millionaire Matchmaker) is getting take-out at one of your favorite restaurants. She's wearing no make-up, hair's not "done" and is wearing flip flops. The exact opposite of how she tells her clients to dress. Hmmmm, I guess comfort isn't that over-rated after all?

Nikki Sixx stands next to you on the first day of school, looking a little sad as he hugs his daughter goodbye. She has no apparent tattoos.

You find it interesting that Mare Winningham has the same pediatrician as you. You kinda remember that she was in St. Elmo's Fire, but thought she's was really fun a month ago on Weeds (HBO - great show!).

Speaking of Weeds, that super-cute blonde kid - Hunter Parrish - who plays Nancy's son. Well, yah, he was hanging out with his buddies and his big-ass, hairy dog at the local Concerts in the Park. Yes, he is yummy, and looks WAY better without the pancake makeup. I need the number of whoever does his eyebrows.

En Lee Zman

That's Hebrew.

It's the first line in a great Hebrew saying I heard last week that has been turning over in my head daily:

En lee zman lebazbez zman.

I don't have time to waste time.

Isn't it great? It even sounds good in English. And it's so true.

Maybe it's because my birthday is coming up in about a month, or maybe it's because I'm still trying to Live Each Day. But, I'm really realizing that I just don't have time to waste time.

Here's a gentle reminder that every day we have on this Earth is an unbelievable gift. Our little speck of a soul, on this little speck of a planet that was just lucky enough to be the perfect distance from the sun to support life - within our little speck of a spiraling galaxy in an infinite universe.

Let's love ourselves.

Let's remember that we are all butterflies, and can transform what we don't like in our lives anytime we choose to. Yes, you REALLY REALLY can. It IS a choice.

Let's remember to not waste our time. What that means to you will be totally different from the next person. We don't want to be wasteful with water, Earth's resources, and most of all - our time. Do what brings you meaning, joy, and love.

Droplets of Sun

How about something for a nice summer afternoon where the cool breeze inspired me as I sat on the grass in the sunset.

Droplets of Sun

by Tally Oliveau

Golden droplets

of sun

grace my soft

shoulder

as I look

down upon it

admiring the

curvature.

They warm my glistening skin

and I cannot help

but reach out

to caress

it.

The sounds of

young laughter

quietly fade

into the distance

as I soak in

the moment

where I can

become

one

with the air

that surrounds

me,

that kisses my

shoulder

so sweetly.

New Art

This collage and mixed-media piece is entitled "I am Infinity". It is another take on an assemblage I did several years ago also entitled "I am Infinity" and which was published in Somerset Studio, Winter 2006 issue:

I love the Venus DeMilo - well who doesn't? Her blowing hair. Her not-so-modest stance atop the half shell. Her beauty and allure will probably live on for infinity, and I believe that each one of us - our beauty and presence in the world - lives on for infinity too. On the outside of the cabinet are the words: "I am not this body, I am not this breath" and then on the inside it says: "I am infinity". Remember my "I am Infinity" piece I made at Asilomar with De Meng? I am continuing to explore this idea, and I encourage you to explore and create art over and over based on the same idea.

My new piece has the outline of Venus in the lower right corner. I just kept layering and layering until I was happy - and it took quite a few layers. Something I worked on after the sunset in New York.

I also worked on this face - and I really love it!
She's dark and glamorous. So much work went into the shading - lot of white paint mixed with caran d' ache layered on top of collaged papers. Here I am using those techniques I learned at Art and Soul! Making them my own.

Summer Livin'

Oh my. Please go right away to this link, and read this wonderful story by Jean McBride. Perfect summer lovin' story for a hot summer night - and a special reminder to Live Each Day.

The Hamptons

What can I say about this beautiful area of New York that I am lucky enough to go visit every summer? It is a magical place, beautiful, ostentatious, green, not really snooty as you'd imagine. It's a great place to have a run every morning, which I did. Pass by beautiful dairy farms and mansions.

We stayed right on the banks of Mecox Bay - just as it flows out into the Atlantic.

That's the view from the roof.

It was mezmerizing to watch the reeds blowing to and fro during the lightning storms that passed by relatively quickly. Being from Southern California, as I am, I am not used to the rain in the summer thing. It was glorious to watch the storm pass right by, and then leave with just a few puddles in its wake.

Enjoying glorious sunsets every night, as the birds settled noisily onto their little islet in the Bay. It was hard to tell if anyone else was stirring on the planet.

Yes, that's the sunset behind me.

Topanga Artist Studio Tour

I went to a fabulous annual event in my neighborhood last weekend - the Topanga Artists Studio tour. For a small donation, you actually get a map of several dozen local artists who open their own homes and personal studios to the public to view and sell their art. It's run through The Topanga Art Gallery.

Don't I look like I'm having fun? I wish this was my balcony - but it belongs to one very lucky artist.

We were actually getting swarmed by hummingbirds, of all things. They were as crazy for the view as we were. I was admiring them.

I really didn't feel comfortable taking pictures of artwork during my visits. I don't know why. At the end of the afternoon, we joined all the artists for wine and small bites at the gallery. If you are visiting the lovely, hippy dippy town of Topanga, please go visit the gallery!

Asilomar

After a very long car ride, my friend Audra and I finally made it to Asilomar! The beach beconed us - here I am all bundled up! So happy to be in the moment of just being alive.

I had two wonderful days with Misty Mawn in her "31 Flavors" Art Journaling class. I learned her easy and almost full-proof way to make a face. It was the main reason I took the class. I was so intimated by face drawing, and now, I think I can comfortably say, I can draw something that looks like a face! Not that I need to draw something realistic - no, not at all. I just needed the basic place to start, and Misty delivered. It was hard and scary - but the second half of the class was all journaling and collage - hear big sigh of "comfort zone"!

I didn't get a pic of us together, but here's a little of what I made in those two days!

My very first face:

My first painted face:
fun backgrounds:a collage with a face drawn by Misty that we were to cut up any way we wanted and collage with it:

My second painted face. Getting closer to something I like. Why is she blue? Must be the Star Trek influence.

How about a simple collage with my photograph of a dandylion in the middle. Sure, why not? Make a wish! That would make a great card, wouldn't it?

The two images below are side by side in my journal and are my favorite collage I made - of course it was the last one of the second day. Someone asked me if the lady in the picture was me. Um, why...yes...yes, she is...(in my dreams!)

How could I resist having my cards at the vendor night? Here I am in all my turquoise splendor!

Here's my close friend, Peggy Gatto - I love this lady! I knew she'd be at Art & Soul - and I was sort of worried about making sure we'd meet up. Lo and behold, the stars were aligned for us, and we were neighbors!

The third day of classes I spent with the talented Michael DeMeng. Do you really need a link for him? I did manage to remember to get a picture of us together.

I'm holding my "I am Infinity" piece that I made in his class. Can you see my heart pinned to my sleeve? So much rattling on in my head those four days.

The thought behind this piece: I am not this body. I am not this breath. I am Infinity.

So, there you go. Lots of eye candy to make up for weeks and weeks of no posts.

Apparently, A&S will not be hosting at Asilomar next year, but in Las Vegas. I can't believe it. I just LOVE Asilomar. It was definetely one of the big reasons I chose that venue. We'll have to see what's gonna happen for 2010.

Don't Touch Eyeballs

Yes, I had a conversation with my two-year-old today, while giving her a bath, how it's not a good idea to touch eyeballs. It's ouchy.

So there.

But, on to more interesting things - like - THE MONTH OF MAY!! Here I am walking in to the first day of the National Stationary Show in New York!!

Here's my lovely booth!

I know, the booth is simple, but I need to fit this all in ONE suitcase, my friends. That is a feat of physics all in itself.

And wouldn't you guess who was nominated for best new product of 2009 in the social stationary category? Hmm.....could it be PAPIER STUDIO? Stardom obviously awaits...

I'm ready for my close-up...

It's a good start, but I didn't win. I think you need to sponsor something to win, and there was no way I was gonna spend the money to do that. Oh well... This display was one of the first things you saw when you walked into the Javitts Center, so that made me happy, and I had lots of interesting folks visit my booth. Nothing to report yet, but this summer I'll be working very hard.

The kids won't be touching any eyeballs at home - they'll be at summer camp every day. Can you hear the "halleluyah" from your chair?

I promise next post will have pics and info about Asilomar. Yes, it was fabulous. Yes, it was beautiful. Yes, I made cool sh*t and met some cool fellow artists. I wish you had been there with me.

The World Moves on a Woman's Hips

This is my page for the upcoming chunky book swap that I'm participating in at the Art & Soul retreat in Asilomar next month. The theme for the book is Dancing Through the Decades. I love the music from the 1980's - probably because those were my serious formative years (read teenager). This piece is inspired from The Talking Heads' song "The Great Curve", where the chorus goes:
The world moves on a woman's hips
The world moves and it swivels and bops
The world moves on a woman's hips
The world moved and it bounces and hops
A world of light...she's gonna open our eyes up
A world of light...she's gonna open our eyes up

Here's the back of my page:

I think the words say a lot, both literally and figuratively. As a woman, I can feel the world moving on my hips, emerging, turning, bouncing, and hopping. There's a lot of energy there, and as a woman, it's our job to know how to open everyone else's eyes up.

Catch Me

Catch Me
by Tally Oliveau

You might catch me
pricking the musical notes
that glimmer before me
in the air.
With my knowing hands,
plucking
the gossamer strands
of stories never to unfold
but in the far reaches
of my smile.

And you might catch me
running free through the fields
gathering raindrops in a
storm.
All the while listening
to their
quiet melody
twinkling and shining
in the sunlight.

Yes, you might catch me
composing
and dreaming
of the music that lies before
me,
floating
and waiting
to be sung.
Just waiting for my hands
to kiss
their gossamer strands
so that their life
may fill my soul
with love.

The Ties That Bind Us

On this first night of Passover (yes, tonight!), it's a good time to think about the ties that bind us.

If you didn't already know, Passover celebrates the story of the Jews' exodus from Egypt and leaving their lives as slaves behind them. While life as a slave was probably horrific, I can only imagine how dificult it must have been to leave behind the only life they had known, to follow Moses into the desert looking for a homeland that they didn't know how to find.

Despite their fears, the Jews did it. They escaped the ties that bound them. They escaped slavery.

But what still enslaves us today? I don't just mean the Jews, I mean any one of us. Some of us are enslaved by our jobs, some of us are enslaved by society's expectations, some of us are enslaved by our obsessions and addictions, and some of us are even enslaved by fashion.

What are the steps we can each take in our own lives to escape the ties that bind us? Can we blow those heavy burdens from our hands, allowing them to fly away - giving us freedom?

Give It To Me!

Here's one of the many reasons I love Madonna. Below are the lyrics to "Give It To Me" a song on her new album "Hard Candy", which I have been working out to lately. It is these kinds of attitudes that bring us to the top of our game. Yes, truly.

You can see the video here. I'm not sure about the value of the video itself, but at least you can hear the song. _Edit: Oh - wait - I want those boots!

Give it To Me
By: Madonna, P. Williams

What are you waiting for?
Nobody’s gonna show you how.
Why work for someone else
to do what you can do right now?
Got no boundries and no limits.
If there’s excitement,
put me in it.
If it’s against the law,
arrest me.
If you can handle it,
undress me.

Don’t stop me now
Don’t need to catch my breath,
I can go on and on and on.
When the lights go down
And there’s no one left
I can go on and on and on.

Give it to me!
Yah!
No one’s gonna show me how.
Give it to me!
Yah!
No one’s gonna stop me now.

They say that a good thing never lasts
and that it has to fall.
Those are the people that did not
amount to much at all.
Give me the base line,
I’ll shake it.
Give me a record
and I’ll break it.
There’s no beginning
and no ending.
Give me a chance to go
And I’ll take it.

Don’t stop me now
Don’t need to catch my breath,
I can go on and on and on.
When the lights go down
And there’s no one left
I can go on and on and on.

Give it to me!
Yah!
No one’s gonna show me how.
Give it to me!
Yah!
No one’s gonna stop me now.

Repeat Chorus

You’re only here to win
Get what they say
You’re only here to win
Get what they do
They’d do it too,
if they were you.
You’ve done it all before.
This ain’t nothin’ new.

Repeat Chorus

A Gift We All Have

I woke up this morning to the sunrise. The sky was slowly turning from black to turquoise blue. One little bird began chirping outside. A car passed by. I listened to the sound of my man breathing beside me. It was beautiful.

I could feel the enormity of the gift bestowed on me this morning, as a lied in bed, back to the Earth, feeling the pull of gravity into my soft matress and pillow. I closed my eyes and tried to feel the space above me - not just to my ceiling, but out beyond our atmosphere, beyond the Milky Way, beyond other universes - just continuing beyond. Feeling my smallness, but yet how important it is that I am here today.

I went hiking later this morning and breathed in deeply the smell of the sage and daisies popping up and basking in the new sun. I reveled in the sound of my footsteps on the sandy and gravely Earth below me. I reveled in the perfect breeze upon my shoulder, caressing my hair.

And now I reach out to you...

and implore you to revel in the gift that we all have. The gift of life on Earth, standing here, no matter what your situation is, standing here today. Breathing in and out.

And so, I leave you with another gift - the gift of five adorable boys goofing off at the Getty Villa in Malibu. I couldn't have spent a more pleasureable morning (ok, this trip was a few weeks ago...) with a cooler bunch of intelligent boys!