Irish Blessing

May the joys of today
Be those of tomorrow

The goblets of life
Hold no dregs
Of sorrow.


Blessings to all during the upcoming Holidays!

When Life Gets Complicated

This is my solution to "those kinds of days."

When life gets too complicated, I prefer to just sit.

And, to make it even better, just add CHOCOLATE!

Saxophone

Saxophone in acrylic, and pen and ink.
Here is a list of some of my favorite saxophonists.

John Klemmer
Clarence Clemmons
Branford Marsalis
Charlie Parker
Boots Randolph
David Sanborn
Grover Washington Jr.
and
my dad.........;-)

Are You In to 3 Dimensional Art?

One place, 2 artists, 3-D.
If you like the unusual, then you'll enjoy R.U.N. 2 3-D! Join us during the West Seattle Artwalk at the Styling Studio in West Seattle.

When: August 13th from 6:00-9:00pm.
You're sure to be surprised!

Our friend & owner of Styling Studio, Robert Lopez, will be hosting the reception for two artists: Tom Stanaway and Joni James.

Refreshments, fun & interesting things to look at!
Come and join us! But, just incase you can't make it the night of the reception, our work will be up all month!

Sung

This is a painting of a SE Asian plucked instrument called a Sung. It resembles the Chinese Moon Guitar. I found this instrument in a thrift store in Seattle and brought it home to decorate my living room. Originally I thought it may have been someones craft project and that it most likely wasn't really an instrument from Asia. But, as I did some research looking for answers as to the origin and name of this piece, I discovered that it just may be the real thing!

It's amazing to me just how many musical instruments there are in the world. They connect us all!

Here is a sampling of some beautiful Chinese folk music including a pipa, moon guitar and a flute. Enjoy!

Can You Dig It?

Blame it on the 60's & 70's. These were the years that influenced me most.

This is a small children's guitar I found in a local antique store for under 10.00! Handpainted in acrylic with a high gloss top coat.

I remember once, in a decorating whim, my mom painted my bedroom walls bright grass green and put "flower power" stickers all over them. I loved it of course and it was the only bedroom like it in my neighborhood!

To make it even more my own, I remember using Avon Timeless solid perfume to rub into the centers of the flowers. Now, doesn't that bring back some memories?

I guess I was trying to mask the odors from all the baby hamsters I had!

Wine Duo I

When I found these bottles they were without labels, sucked dry of their contents, and left under the Spokane Street Bridge. I carefully picked them up with a tissue and brought them home to paint.

Upon closer inspection as I washed them, I noticed that they must have been lying in the dirt where I'd found them for some time. Suspended daintily inside each bottle was an intricate web housing a small family of spiders. Inside their colorful shelter, unaware of the dangers just outside their door, they were completely safe.

When I finished the painting and no longer needed the bottles set up on my dining table, I placed them in my garden on their sides hoping that the tiny lives inside would return to their lifestyle as I had originally found them.

Today, as I sit in the warm sun and think about what's hiding behind my hastas, I hope for all mankind to have shelter and safety from all the dangers of the world. I know that I am thankful for mine.