return of the humming birds

The same person that bought the humming bird shadow boxes bought a book. I wasn't surprised when she asked if I could put a couple humming birds on it.

I hope she likes it. The picture doesn't do it justice but it has that old ripped wallpaper feel about it.

work lag

today was the first day since starting my new life that I finally woke up getting the appropriate amount of sleep. I have what I refer to as "job lag"... close to "jet lag" but without the travel. Now you can understand the lack of posts on the blog. I've just been to darn tired to sit down and put it in words. I've been working like crazy woman and can't seem to find the appropriate motivation to write blog posts at 2 a.m.

I'm also not used to waking up at almost 11 a.m. feeling so happy to get some rest. It's strange how life can just simply change in a matter of weeks.

In other news.. I also changed my hair..  I'm now a lovely brunette with some blondish highlights.

look.. you even get to see me in my nerdy glasses!!

and yes... I have been in the studio and such more to come about that later.

in my head:

just another day at the office...

Last night was my first closing shift at the split. From corporate America to late night beer slinger in a matter of days. I worked during the day Monday and made myself stay up late that night to hopefully prepare a bit for last night. I'm not sure if it really made that much difference or not.in the end. Staying up late was like propping toothpicks under your eyelids to keep them open. I think I made it to 11:30 and folded myself away to dream land.

Well.. I did survive last night but it was hard. I hit my sleepy bed time at about 10:30 but then got a second wind at 12. Obviously it's going to take some time to adjust to an opposite schedule. I didn't get home until about 2 and wasn't able to fall asleep until about 2:30. The world is a much different place that late in the evening/early morning... there is a quite and still peace about it and shadows are a bit darker in a way.

I wasn't able to sleep in as late as I wanted since my body has been trained to wake up so early for so long. I was awake at 8:30 and rolled out of bed with a full body ache. My arms, back, feet, legs, and everything else was screaming about the changes. Once I stretched out.. I quickly wrote ibuprofen on the shopping list.

This definitely will take some time to get used to.

sunday night

I had some friends over last night for a small(ish) dinner party. I made two pot pies, one veggie and one chicken. I love pot pies and making them. Nothing like chicken pot pie after a ton of rain and earthquake threats to warm the soul. We also enjoyed salad, delicious appetizers, wine, and homemade molasses cookies.

There was no particular occasion to celebrate other than life and good friends. It was very much what I needed after all the draining (yet positive) changes.

I have very fond and saturated memories of Sunday night dinners while I lived in Portland. I lived in a very large, funky house that we called "the far out house". I know that it sounds a little hippy dippy but the house was actually named that because of it's location.

"the far out house" was located on the out skirts of town next to the airport and just a smidge away from the Washington border. I lived with 4 other people and paid the cheapest rent I've ever paid. The house was more of a community than just a bunch of house-mates hating the space they shared.

and yes.. we were either hippies or punks so the "far out" name really wasn't that off. Every Sunday night we would have friends over, make a huge feast and watch "The Simpsons".

Everyone contributed something, it was a very warm welcoming environment that we all looked forward to. I have never been able to emulate the PDX days but I know I've come close.

It was a lovely dinner and I believe that everyone enjoyed themselves. Until next Sunday...

a beginning, end, and all the rest.

While I was gathering the studio up to move to the garage.. I picked up a random piece of paper and produced this:

I think I was avoiding pulling apart the studio..but was happy by the distraction and what came of it.

This little doodle caught the attention of a friend who bought it just off seeing a picture. I said I would frame it and such for her. It's funny how something done just on a random whim can catch someones eye.

Since this drawing was done..  the potential house-mate has backed out due to personal circumstances. The studio is in a state of disarray and I'm contemplating putting it back together until I figure out some things. I feel that I need a little time to adjust to my new life. I woke up this morning with the urge to tear things apart and put them back together in a new way. I believe this to be very natural in the progression of things. I have to think of it as "spring cleaning for the soul".

Like everything else I will take it one step at a time... and truly..that's all we really have.. is"now". We have this very minute to do what we want, go where our hearts push us, and live. No, I'm not losing my mind, I'm actually becoming more aware of it. This world seems to be falling apart and I think it's important to know what truly is important here.

Anyway.. here's to right now.

dwindling to the end

Friday is the last day at the job I've had for the past six years.Time to put down the safety glasses, lab coat, and box cutter. It's the end of an era, it's the final countdown. I'm still "dealing" with this massive change in life that is on the nearing horizon. I've gone through a whole span of emotions, change is not easy... no one ever said it was. I'm proud of myself for jumping into many positive changes even though it's rough.

I also have a new housemate that moves in this weekend. I'm in the process of dismantling my much loved studio and moving it back down to the garage. So.. yes as you can see it's a lot of change.

more to come.. like pictures of my studio change etc.

happy pi day!

Today is Pi day but yesterday was the 5th annual pi(e) party. I spent most of the night with a pie coma after trying about 20 different pies from savory to sweet. I had pie with bacon and cheese on it, to little devilish butter pies.. yes butter pies.

Here is a picture of the stage and sitting area before the masses attacked. Some great bands played including the unkaladies strumming club, karry walker (heart), and many, many more.

Sweet pies looking pretty.

oh.. why are you so fattening butter pie bites.. why...

early in the evening before more pie and more people

a mystical door that leads to the unknown. Actually, it's an art piece by Joe Rut. He drilled teeny tiny little holes in the cracks of an old door and fed LED strings through it.

Every year there are prizes to be won and this year I donated one of my chicken drawings all framed and nerdy with tons of "pi" references.

I'm not sure who won this little gem but I hope someone awesome that appreciates the true nerdiness of it.

in my head lately:

all i can say is...

Brandi Carlile in Napa = pure joy!

108 at the Hive

last night was Marlene White's "108" show opening at The Hive.

It was a great turn out and a lot of fun.

Below is my favorite!

Yours truly and the artist in charge!

Marlene had a video showing part of her process in creating the "108" show. Watch out folks.. Marlene is a double threat with her video/editing talents as well.

Just a short snip it.

Congratulations Marlene on a very successful opening!

brilliant

I ALWAYS have this movie in my mind:

thank you sofia coppola.... so brilliant!!

the soundtrack is amazing!!

seriously can not stop thinking about this movie.

brilliant!!

the distorted moments continue

My glasses are still making me feel wonky not sure it that's normal. I picked up my new contact, put it in and to my surprise it's not the right prescription. I'm wondering what the hell happened here.. I had to make another appointment to fix all this craziness. gah!

glasses

picked up my new glasses yesterday. They are cute and very hard to get used to. I know that my doctor wants me to wear them all the time but this will take some time to get used to.

Here I am modeling them for the first time.

 

I love this picture for the fact that it reminds me of how I looked during my childhood. One eye is a bit squinty and the closed mouth smirk smile.

This picture was taken with a computer camera. Computer cameras are strange because it's like looking into a mirror since you can see yourself looking back Hence that unsure sideways glance.

Well.. that's it. Again, I'm not sure if I will end up wearing them all the time but they do sharpen things quite nicely. I didn't realize that I wasn't seeing things as clearly as maybe I should be. Perhaps my art will change?

art murmur fun

ventured into the art murmur last night with a friend and had some photo fun

On gallery was a room filled with mirrors that said "facebook" on them. Couldn't resist snapping some pics. This one was our favorite.

Next door was another quirky little gallery with various different works.One sculpture had this strange distorted glass so we took a couple more pics through the glass.

This picture is my favorite!! it's just strange and awesome! We visited several galleries and sipped on wine with up turned pinkies.

It was a fun night and we managed to avoid almost all of the downtown Oakland madness..I don't like having young hipsters surrounding me, I feel suffocated, antsy, and old. Yes - I said it old.

I did see one artists work that caught my attention:. Jody Medich.

   
These were amazing! These pictures are small but these drawings were very large (36x48") and all were done with watercolor and a bic pen. GAH!! so great!

Here's my date and I in front of one of those amazing drawings.

It was a lovely evening really.

serenading this blog post:

on vinyl! takes me back to living in PDX

a whole new/old perspective

I went to the eye doctor yesterday and had my full exam which was way overdo. I was surprised to learn that on top of the contact (have to get a new one of those as well) and lens implant it is recommended that I wear glasses.

My optometrist kept saying things like "well now that you'll be in school you will really want to be able to see not only your book but the chalkboard", this is after I mentioned going back to school. I have an unnecessary habit of saying useless random information to anyone who will listen.. like my eye doctor, or that lady in line at the store, or anyone really. I guess those embarrassing moments as a child listening to my mom divulge any information to strangers didn't wound me enough not to do it myself.

So yes.. the optometrist, the receptionist, and the technician in eye wear shop had to hear a string of nervous stories about my life. Through all of my chatter I did manage to pick out a pair of modest glasses that were reasonably priced. Of course my sights were set on the Gucci, Lucky's, Coach, and all other designer glasses but knowing that my life is on the verge of change I thought I should be modest.

They look something like this:

not exactly... but similar.

I pick them up in a couple weeks and have to have a consultation about "learning to wear them". My doc. suggested those fancy gradated glasses... so I can see far away and read in one lens. No more reading glasses if I don't want them.

It's been a long time since I've had to wear glasses full time but I'm sure it will just come right back to me. My inner geek can't wait to get out and just in time for school.

impromptu monday night sketchy session

One pad of paper - one girl and a pen.

I was partially drawing others conversations as well as my own stuff.

scratchin' at the speakers: