My friend Ryan told me about this project he is involved in.. art in a box from the Compound Gallery.

Art In A Box is like a wine club of sorts.. but with art. The program features bay area artists - the idea is when you sign up, pay 30-50.00 a month, then you fill out a questionnaire and the Compound Gallery tries to fit you with art you may like.

Here is an excerpt from the site:
Subscribing is simple, Just give us three adjectives to describe your art taste, tell us what mediums you like or dislike, and you will receive a carefully chosen piece of art in your box each month of your subscription!

Each month subscribers receive a new work of fine art by a different local artist.  Our featured artists work in a variety of mediums (ceramic, printmaking, painting, collage, digital prints, etc.) and most of them live and work in Oakland or San Francisco.

I'm going to submit my work for review.. Ryan thinks I can do it.. I feel like I may not be the same calibre or many artists involved... which makes me want to push myself to apply.

very cool!

Thanks Ryan.

uh oh.. it's just right around the corner.

ugh.. this is the best I have felt since my last post.. I suppose when something goes up it must come down. I was suddenly struck with a little head cold over the weekend. I'm feeling almost back to normal but how lame is that. This will be the 4th cold I've had this year.. now that I think of it I came into the year with three colds within the first 2 months and now I'm ending this year with a cold. As I said.. today I feel the best I have since Saturday so I'm pretty sure it's gone or maybe it was the habanero pepper I ate last night.

I'm glad I'm feeling better because I need to get it together for the looming holiday coming up. I looked over and saw the Christmas cards starting to pile up and realized I still need to do that.. crap!

I didn't send cards last year so now I'm thinking I better get on it this year.

The other day I posted about not being in the mood for the holidays.. after the post I went to the garage and pulled out my Christmas stuff in a possible attempt to decorate. Guess what? The boxes have just sat there ever since.

I wonder if I'll put anything up or just continue to let them sit there staring at me. Hmmm.. only time will tell I guess. 

I hope someone else is a bit more on it than I am.. dang.

Keeping me company this morning... the dramatic, beautiful styling of:

Yesterday I participated in the Civacorps 1st Annual Holiday Bazaar. You may be wondering what this is.. Well Civacorps is a school that my cute little nephew Theo goes to. The bazaar is to help reinstate the school's music program. 

I realized once I set up my little table/booth that I have never set up a table for myself like this. I have a feeling I will be doing more of this in the future.

I pulled together what I had left over the last 2 years of work.

My sister setting up her jewelery table.

People setting up their booths.. lots, and lots of kids as you can imagine.

I sold two books! Here are the happy new owners:

Mom looks happy but I'm not sure about her skeptical son. hee hee

Thanks Hollyce and Will for coming out and purchasing one of my books.

The cost of the booth rental went directly to the music program and some vendors even donated a percentage of sales. It was really a nice event for a good cause.

With that said.... this marked the last show of the year for me. I am absolutely spent and so very grateful for such a fantastic year. This was my year of charity and donated time as well. After the event finished yesterday I thought in detail about what this year truly entailed.

2 Oakland Under $100 shows, 5 group art shows, and over $3,000 raised for various causes  I would say that was a very good year and that spent feeling is valid. phew. I think I could sleep for a week now.

In reflection.. Again, I am truly so thankful.

Alright.. enough with being sentimental and back to making art!

On the turntable:

Last night I went to the:" hive gallery" to see "bright night" exhibit. 

Here is my photo montage of the Hive:

Stephen Faulk

Nathaniel Parsons

Marlene White

Dave Higgins

The gallery:

                                                                   Marlene's studio

Megan Fister's Studio

Megan Fister

Marlene's cool display

I'm not sure who did the one below.but it was on cardboard.

More Nathaniel Parsons

I had such a wonderful time chatting and exploring the Hive. There are so many talented folks in one location it's mind blowing.

Marlene White's 108 book

See Marlene's blog about her 108 page book.

Oakland Under $100 in Oaktown Art

Oakland Under $100 got a nice little mention in this recap:


http://oaktownart.com/2010/12/09/temescal-winter-art-hop-recap/
 
Thanks Danielle Fox from Slate for th link.

I have not been in the mood this year for any holiday, not even Halloween which is my ultimate favorite. I also very much enjoy Christmas although I may not have admitted it in the past.

Last night I felt a sneaky twinge of the holiday cheer popping up. (I'm imagining a little tap on my shoulder..excuse me.. yeah it's me.. holiday cheery magical b.s... yeah hi.. pay attention to me please).

I went to the Blacksmith Cellers annual Christmas party. They hold it a little cafe near Jack London Square. I don't think many people know of it since the crowd is cozy but not crazy. It was nice to get out and force myself into the holiday spirit.. and with wine. My apologies for the bad quality pictures.. I'm starting to realize I should start using my regular camera.. you know one with a flash perhaps.

It was truly that dark.

                                                

My friend and I were so close to Jack London Square we decided to stroll around and see the giant Christmas tree.

oooh.. so big and bright.

I had to get super close to really get into the spirit.

The above picture is of the outside of Scott's.. purdy lights.

The pictures don't really do it justice. It was nice to stroll and stop for one more drink at Kincaid's to end the night. I came home to several Christmas cards in the mail which put me is a small panic that Christmas in two weeks away. aaaahhhhh!!!!!

I guess it's time to be slapped by the holidays. 

One of many on the rotation this morning:

mmm.. love you Brandi!