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.