Thoughts in the USA

* * * * * BLOG RELOCATION * * * * *

2009-06-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

For several months now, I've been simultaneously maintaining two blogs, a task that's becoming quite a, how shall I put it, not as fun as it may sound. It's time to converge them into one, and have it where most of my readers are.This blog is now continued on "Unchain My Art", which you can find right here at http://navartpact.blogspot.com/I hope to see you there.

Art Pact #85: Portugal Through My Eyes: Évora #1

2009-05-27T18:22:00.001-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") I am notorious for my obsessive photo-taking while on vacation (and any other time), and loyal to my fame I took dozens of photos in Portugal. OK, more like a dozen hundred of them, and then some. And maybe a bit more.Don't give me this look! . . . (to continue reading, click here). previous ArtPact... ...next ArtPact

ArtPact #84: Taking the Scenic Road

2009-05-06T02:19:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Do you ever feel that force majeure is getting the way of settling on a planned route? You go on the freeway with a destination in mind, and suddenly you see an exit that calls for you, and you take it, surrendering to your gut feeling? . . . (to continue reading, click here)previous ArtPact... ...next ArtPact

ArtPact #83: Acrylics Alert! - Addendum

2009-04-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Just had to share this! After posting this painting, I went to visit some of my favorite blogs to see what's been going on there while I was out of the blogosphere.And - lo and behold. . . (to continue reading, click here)

ArtPact #83: Acrylics Alert!

2009-04-19T23:52:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Haven't disappeared. Just took a break, turned 46, and - actually been painting. The kind of painting that takes forever.No, it's not the procrastinated commission (the deadline is June-ish, so of course I am doing everything I can to not do it yet...). . . . (to continue reading, click here)previous ArtPact... ...next ArtPact

Virtually Awarded

2009-03-28T03:59:00.001-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")In the midst of my diligent and dedicated procrastination (see previous post), I got a comment from Rhonda Carpenter, who's blog Watercolors and Words I visit frequently. Rhonda is one of those fellow artist bloggers who, at times of my not-in-the-painting-mood, kicks my butt via email and comments till I get back into my studio. Funny, but before I started

ArtPact #82: Procrastinate NOW!

2009-03-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") That is my all times favorite quote of Ellen DeGeneres: "Procrastinate now, don't put it off".And I always follow this advice, diligently. As - well, Ellen's gotta be right.Several months ago, I created this collage that was exhibited in a show at a big-shot hi-tech company. I made it especially for that show, and it ended up with a red label of "Sold". Almost

ArtPact #81: Of Values and Emotional Value

2009-03-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") I know I've made this statement about quite a few paintings, and then got distracted by another image that excited me. But here I go again: this may be the beginning of a new series.My sister has been going though our parents apartment, and sent me batches of scanned family photos that awash me with waves of nostalgia. One photo in particular had a special

ArtPact #80: Attitude Named Wenda

2009-03-05T17:06:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") There are days when you have zero motivation to go to class. The weather's gray, you are late and in a rush, morning started bad, as you went to your critique group meeting after weeks of missing it, but since you've arrived last, by the time it was your turn it was also time for the parking police to come after the money of those who did arrive in time, plus

ArtPact #79: Need a Hand?

2009-02-12T21:48:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")We had the figure drawing class today. Yes, the one with the talkative teacher, who's driving me nuts with his endless talking and taletelling, mostly since what he says doesn't always have much to do with art. There are artists who manage to block everything out when they draw or paint. Not me, alas. I'm more the kind who needs the whole world to come to a

ArtPact #78: Through the Fire

2009-02-08T23:50:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")OK, OK, so I've been absent from the blogosphere for a while. A couple of weeks, perhpas; no - actually a whole month! Whoa - has it really been that long? To those of you who wonder (to the extent of emailing me or leaving concerned comments, pondering whether I have escaped to Aruba or broke my painting arm): . . . (to continue reading, click here)previous

Nationally Exposed

2009-01-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")The Palette Magazine is my favorite art magazine. Written by two wonderful artists, Skip Lawrence and Christopher Schink, it is aimed at helping fellow artists push the envelope . As opposed to many art magazines out there, reading it does not entail getting attacked by countless renewal leaflets, and it has zero ads. (Yup. Zero). Each issue is dedicated to a

ArtPact #77 - Jet Blue Art

2008-12-28T23:11:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")So, after the initial delay of our flight, came Tuesday night, and we are on a plane to the East Coast.A red eye flight. The plane is over heated. Way overheated. Like, way Way WAAAAAAAAY overheated. And because we were transferred from a flight that got cancelled 2 days before, I find myself stuck in the middle of the 3-seat row, between two strangers. (The

'Tis the Season #3

2008-12-21T16:04:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")The East Coast is snowed in. Luckily, Jet Blue is not letting its passengers go through the packing frenzy and drive to the airport just to discover that fact. They sent this email 7.5 hours before the flight, which gave plenty of time to rebook.And so, no snow for us yet - we're still here, waiting for the snow to ease up a bit. Sitting in the rain. In the

'Tis the Season #2

2008-12-12T17:56:00.001-08:00

Sent by Myrna (thank you!!!) and had to be shared with the world. So - what are you getting for the holidays?

'Tis the Season #1

2008-12-08T12:42:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") It seems that everyone is running around in frenzy these days. The parking lots are full of killer drivers, stores are packed people on gift quests, family visits are in the horizon - and there's an edginess in the air, a higher susception to cranky sprees, and - needless to say - this cheery spirit is getting to us all.So, I figured that as a service to the

There's a Fine Line between Critique and Criticism...

2008-12-04T23:40:00.001-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") ...and today it was crossed.Today was the last session of our figure class.No models, no drawing, no mess - it was critique time! Now, I've been through a lot of critique sessions since I dipped my little cotton socks (yeah, that's for you, Val!) in the deep water of art. Most classes and workshops involve critique, and I am very used to having my work

Sentence of the Year 2007

2008-12-02T22:03:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") The JohnnyB and I were having one of those conversations this evening, and it became quite profound and deep, dare I say on the verge of philosophical. Bear in mind that when you have a true Minnesotan for a spouse, this kind of dialogue happens once in a blue moon. (And not just any blue, mind you; Manganese Blue!). And due to that rarity, I was trying to

ArtPact #76 - A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman?

2008-11-25T14:55:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")These days, my sister is going through our parents apartment in Jerusalem (No, not New Jerusalem, OH... the original Jerusalem. Like, the real one). The long process of sorting through everything, keeping what needs to be cherished and saying goodbye to the rest. It's highly emotional, and a big part of letting go. Being here, I only participate over the phone

ArtPact #75 - If You Can't Win Them, Draw Their Limbs

2008-11-20T21:49:00.000-08:00

Bill of the OnPainting blog has left a comment on my previous post, implying that I am yet to learn how to do some real whining. That still hurts. Badly. And yet, always open to constructive criticism, I took it to my attention, and so today in class I decided to change my tactics. . .(to continue reading, click here)previous ArtPact... ...next ArtPact

ArtPact #74 - More Gazing

2008-11-17T00:13:00.002-08:00

This is becoming frightfully repetitive, those models who pierce the classroom space with their bored eyes. I am not complaining. Not really. Not sure what I'd do if I had to sit in the same pose for 3 hours, but for us class takers it kills inspiration, again and again.Or does it? . . . (to continue reading, click here)previous ArtPact... ...next ArtPact

ArtPact #73 - Beyond Sad Women

2008-11-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")MembieK recently mentioned to me, yet again, how she and I seem to be specializing in painting sad women. Somehow, somewhy, we do that. When you step into an exhibit that has our work, it's very easy to find our paintings in it. Just look for paintings of gloomy eyed females and - bingo! You can't go wrong.So, I have decided to go beyond that. No more sad women

ArtPact #72 - Another Gaze

2008-11-07T23:51:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") Figure class again.One endless pose, yet again, like last week.This time, the teacher wanted us to go for the portrait rather than the whole figure. Yes, I know what y'all are thinking. Indeed, I've been doing mostly portraits the whole time, but that was just me and a couple of others in class. Needless to say, because he told us to do a portrait, MembieM (

Art Pact #71 - You Can Leave Your Hat On

2008-11-05T20:44:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") Last week's figure class was with the dreaded 3-hour pose. Why dreaded? because - as opposed to short poses - a long pose pretty much guarantees that the model will go for the most comfortable position s/he can assume. That ultimately means no creative poses, no spontaneity, no fun gestures. They just gloomily gaze into space, looking stiff, frozen-faced and

I Think He Can

2008-11-05T12:37:00.000-08:00

Found this on Sickipedia: . . . . I don't see why everyone says Barak Obama is such an advocate for change.. . . . His 'Yes We Can' motto was being used years ago by Bob the Builder... Well, he sure has a huge amount of work cut out for him, with so much mess to clean up. Hope springs enternal.

History in the Making

2008-11-04T22:37:00.000-08:00

OK, so I admit I was skeptical. And I was one of them cynics who said it wouldn't happen, for so many reasons.Well - I don't remember when I was so happy to be wrong!

ArtPact #70 - OK, My Turn Now...

2008-10-29T22:33:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Myrna and David have become famous overnight, having one of their incredible pieces in a museum. Always learning from the best, I decided to follow that path of fame.Looking good, I dare say. I only wish people would stop taking photos of artwork in museums. It's truly and absolutely annoying, especially when one of them is facing the wrong way...Wanna get your

ArtPact #69 - Short Poses

2008-10-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")When a model keeps the same pose for an hour or more, it gives enough time to fully capture the pose, fully render it, fully work on it and overwork it and get back into it and mess up the freshness and spontaneity.Whereas short poses - ahhhh, I love them so! you look, you put on paper what it really is about the pose that makes you wanna capture it, and then

iLaptop!!!

2008-10-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

Some of you loyal readers who have been following this blog for the last year or so, have no doubt shed a tear (or two) when reading about our adventures with Dell and Microsoft. From the dramatic demise of our old laptop that perished with a blow in my lap, to the quest for a new one, to the saga of the desktop who followed suit by committing suicide - - - and much, much more. Yes, it's true

ArtPact #68 - Marveling at Marbling

2008-10-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")In between preparations for our next upcoming watercolor show (opens this Saturday!), I went to a demo on Monday, at the other organization I belong to. Not the watercolor-only, but one that's open for all media (and whose shows have been quite good to me :-) They hold a monthly meeting with a demonstrator (usually) or a speaker (rarely, as the attention span

I'd Vote for "That One"...

2008-10-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

...only I'm not a citizen. :-&

Auctioning off Some F Artwork

2008-10-10T01:50:00.000-07:00

Art critique, anyone? Beware - this is smothered with the F word, and yet I couldn't resist posting it . If you wanna read more about this comedian and whom he is mocking - it's right here.

Eye Art

2008-10-08T02:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the time for my annual eye doctor appointment, which last year sent me into a frenzy of profound contemplation. It's not a bad appointment really. You venture through a variety of machines and tests, from the one air puff tonometer that rudely spits air in your eye, through the poetic chanting of letters and numbers, to the spatial vision test which is pretty much a computer game in

ArtPact #67 - All That Jazz

2008-10-04T00:12:00.001-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")We had our second clothed figure drawing class session yesterday. Being a class with a model, it's a hit or miss, at least for me. I personally find it tricky to draw or paint a model who doesn't make me respond with a desire to render them. Last week we had a young pretty model (not a good start) who was wearing a black dress (not very inspiring) with long

Still Here!

2008-09-30T10:54:00.001-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")...actually spending time at my studio, seriously painting, and painting seriously.Really. I am!The upcoming show of our watercolor organizations has sent me in there in a frenzy of organizing my work areas and clearing the enormous piles of, well, stuff, that were breaking new records of mess and were miraculously balanced on every surface possible.So, no more

Incredible Story

2008-09-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

Y'all know those touchy-feely email that vring to you all those cozy fuzzy wonder stories, right? We all get them, they go round and round and round.Well, I got this today from Amir, who added "I decided you will appreciate this story".He sent it to me in Hebrew, and I liked it so much I tried to find it in a langage y'all can read. And while at it, I discovered the incredible website of

Show's Over

2008-09-16T17:32:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Had the big show last weekend. Amazing, how much work is put into a show that is on display for less than two days!You go through the process of selecting the artwork to submit, a process garnished with extreme self-criticism over the quality and its chances to make it in. (being a juried show). You send in the photos, pay the entry fee and then spend days

ArtPact #66 - Another Day

2008-09-08T17:01:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Opening the door, he stands in the main room, holding the keys. He is wearing his Tuesday tie, the one that matches his vest so well, and yet nobody has ever noticed it nor stopped to compliment him on his choice. The only times they talk to him is when they cannot find something. Even then, they don't see him. Not really. He is merely an answering apparatus.

ArtPact #65 - Addendum

2008-09-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Some of you asked if I would post what I wrote about my pieces in the "Earth Expressions" show.As I stated, we were asked to write a short statement that relates the artwork to the theme of the show. Many of the artists chose to skip it, which I can relate to, as I personally don't like to explain my art. I'd rather let my art speak for itself. One reason is

One Man's Trash...

2008-09-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Pat (of Single For A Reason blog) has come up with a challenge to see what w'all can do with a discarded - yet very photogenic - paper bag. As she put it, "One man's trash is another man's treasure type of thing".Since my creative juices are a bit on the murky side these days, and I am amongst the finalists in the Olympic sport of the procrastination (I

Art Pact #65

2008-09-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Still not really painting, but I hope for a change soon.One of the big shows of the year is coming up. This year it's going to be a bit different, as - in addition to the usual show and reception, we'll be having an auction, with the sales profits going to the Shelter Box Project.And, with the judge and auctioneer being Stefan Baumann from The Grand View TV

Sentence of The Month: August

2008-08-26T23:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last had a Sentence of The Month post. Well, time flies. Plus, some sentences have to be censored, this not being an anonymous blog. Anyway. I am still nursing my Plantar Fasciitis, rolling my foot on a frozen water bottle (Ouch!), nibbling on anti inflammatory pills, sleeping with a splint, wearing sandals at home (Naot sandals, as the good doctor said, are the best!),

Can You Say Plantar Fasciitis?

2008-08-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

OUCH!For the last couple of months, I've been limping through life. It started while my sister was here (and she told me "I do hope this is not a spur!"), and went on through our vacation in British Columbia. In fact, it probably got worse during that trip, as we walked a lot, and I mean A LOT!Like a good tough Israeli, I ignored it, waiting for it to get better with time. Some days it was better

Art Pact #64

2008-08-14T14:06:00.001-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Still not feeling up to it, still keeping at those little bozzettos.I'm slacking from the one-bozzetto-a-day promise I made to myself, but hey - tough. Happens. When the spirit is low, the energy is not always available.Plus, I'm now trying to decide on three pieces to enter to the upcoming show at one of the art organizations I belong to, the one whose last

ArtPact #63

2008-08-11T17:33:00.001-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") She sat there, alone. A woman in her seventies. Her wonderful eyes emphasized by her penetrating, quiet beauty. Waiting. For a friend, perhaps. Well dressed with simple elegance, her hair perfectly done, save for some strands that took the liberty to get loose. Natural and undyed, it had that silvery quality to it, which reminded me of my mom's hair that

Chihuly (or - He Who Lives in a Glass House...)

2008-08-07T16:53:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") Sometimes, it's best to leave your expectations at home. Just air them out, leave them behind.That's what I did yesterday, when I went to see the so-much-spoken-of Chihuly exhibition at the De Young museum of art in San Francisco.Y'see, at the risk of losing all my readers at once, I'll go ahead and admit that I never really liked Chihuly's art. I know, I know

ArtPact #62

2008-08-04T16:09:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") Back from a vacation in British Columbia, which was bitter-sweet.We spent 10 days in Vancouver and then Vancouver Island (mostly Victoria). Being a vacation I anticipated for 10 years (long story), you can imagine my expectations were at their peak. And, as happens with high expectations, reality does not always stand up to them. So, we saw some great views,

ArtPact #61

2008-07-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") Thursday again. Figure drawing class begins in less than an hour, and I am - yet again - amazed by how fast the week has gone. Been busy putting the house back in a civilized state of being, so obviously, I didn't paint this week. Nor sketched. Nothin'.But before I rush to class, I might as well post the fruits of the last one.I almost didn't go last week. I

A Little Lunch For Thought (TM) #16

2008-07-16T00:19:00.000-07:00

Val has sent me this, and I just had to share it with y'all. (Thanks, Val!!). President Bush's economic stimulus package, which appears so far to havebeen ineffective in stroking the economy to life, is giving an unexpected raise to the porn industry. From an Adult Internet Market Research Company press release:An independent market-research firm, AIMRCo (Adult Internet Market Research Company),

Two Years of Blogging!

2008-07-15T19:27:00.001-07:00

...or more accurately: two years and three days.This highly crucial anniversary totally flew by me, till I've noticed it just now.Thing is, as opposed to my first blogging anniversary, I am to exhausted to post anything profound, witty and significant about this historical event. No, it's not the two years of blogging that did that to me.Y'see, for the last couple of days,. I've been organizing

ArtPact #60

2008-07-11T20:32:00.000-07:00

sho(Also published on "Unchain My Art") One of my favorite art sites, "The Painter's Keys", who's originator (Robert Genn) sends a bi-weekly email, has finally addressed the mood I am in recently, of more casual art, or as he calls it: "Lapworking". Among other things, he says "You might find that the 'hobby-horse' feel of lapwork generates the languid ease that helps get you into the "zone."

I've Been Arte Y Pico-ed!!!

2008-07-09T00:10:00.001-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") Blueberry of Texas Oasis has awarded me the Arte y Pico award. Arte y Pico is a blog from Uruguay, whose blogger has come up with this award. It features this angel with a very cool dress (oh, it's a she-angel, or is she one of the muses?), that totally matches her wings. And she is wonderfully balanced on this golden, uhm, thingy - very impressive!What does

ArtPact #59

2008-07-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") It's hot today.Too hot to do anything.I have grand plans to tidy up and organize my studio, so I can start painting there, but it's just so damn hot! With no air condition in our house, couch-potatoing with a wet towel around my neck and a big bunch of grapes, is the only way to go. And yet, I have those pangs of conscience that I am yet again reverting to the

ArtPact #58

2008-07-07T12:57:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Had the second session of the figure drawing class on Thursday. This time, a male model. An Asian man, who held the same pose throughout the whole 3 hours (yes, of course with 5-minute breaks!). The teacher intended that we have the opportunity to draw him from different angles, and have a sculptural comprehension of the figure.The guy sat in the chair, very

Going Emeritus

2008-07-01T00:20:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Ahhh, that sounds so good.Yup - June 30th was my very last day as the president of our watercolor society. I announced my stepping down several months ago, and since nobody agreed to take the baton from my hand (like Taltul in his time), I had to cope with a lot of requests, pleas and emotional blackmail, all aimed at making me change my mind and stay put. I

ArtPact #57

2008-06-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")it's been a long time since I last took a drawing class. Way too long. On Thursday, I started a new one - figure drawing. Clothed figure this time. Yeah, I know - a lot of you non-artists think w'all stare at naked bodies under the excuse of drawing them. Well, not quite. At some point, you kinda get tired of it. And clothed models become much more exciting.

97 Degrees In The Shade...

2008-06-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")...That's where the temperatures were aiming at on Saturday, totally ignoring the dozens of artists who assembled on the grounds of the Triton Museum in Santa Clara to display their art.97 degrees (36 Celsius) before the end of June - as if the weather decided to justify the name of the event "Midsummer Art Celebration".I was showing with two organizations -

A Little Lunch For Thought (TM) #15

2008-06-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

A recent study conducted by Harvard University found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year.Another study by the American Medical Association found that Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year.This means, on average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon.Kind of makes you proud to be an American. Or at least live here. (Sent to me by Adriana - Thanks!!)

A Little Lunch For Thought (TM) #14

2008-06-04T01:58:00.000-07:00

Got this in the email yesterday: A bit oversimplified, I'd say. Just a touch.previous little lunch... ...next little lunch

ArtPact #56

2008-06-01T00:46:00.001-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Our critique group is having an exhibit at a hi-tech company. The opportunity presented itself when someone from that company was at the gym with BearGal, they got into a conversation while being bored to death on the Stairmaster - - - and so the idea was born.At first, I wasn't very keen on painting anything for that show, to say the least. Y'see, I used to

ArtPact #55

2008-05-29T20:27:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Among other activities, our watercolor organization arranges weekly paint outs (or, to be fancy, plein-air painting outings). I usually do not participate in them, as they collide with our critique group meetings, and I am not quite a landscape painter. But today was an afternoon session. Plus it was held in a Japanese garden. Plus the organizer, PleinieJ, is a

The Devil's in The Details

2008-05-25T00:02:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") Last week, the temperatures were peaking at 100. Then it got nice and cozy, very spring-like. And today, winter is back. Gray skies, chilly - and even rain. Feels like California got into some crazy time machine that got broken.But yesterday, before this sudden winter, my sister and I managed to go and visit the fair Filoli Center, with its flowers and

Boilin'

2008-05-19T17:26:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in the previous post, a visitor from Israel is on her way to us as I write: my one and only sister, whom I haven't seen in a year. First time in the US, she stopped in NYC to see the wonders of the Big Apple and get acquainted to Dr. Pepper (a discovery that made her very excited, and I believe by now she's hopelessly addicted to this red stuff).She is our very first visitor who is

A Little Lunch For Thought (TM) #13

2008-05-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

I moved here over six years, and never had a visitor. Sounds like an inmate in a high-security prison, I know. Now, don't get me wrong - we've had quite a few guests in our house, but always from the groom's side. When I wanted to see my family - it was me who got on a plane and made the endless journey to the holy land, being rewarded with a jetlag and a growing sense of all-over-again

Steamin'

2008-05-17T00:05:00.001-07:00

The JohnnyB brought a bonus from work: a virus that took over his sinuses, throat and stomach. He spent the weekend and Monday miserably sitting in his chair, consuming soup and sniffing with teary red eyes (yup, it's also allergy season). Then, in his eternal generosity, he passed it on to his lovely wife.For the last 3 days, I am home-bound with this stupid bloody thing.For the last 3 days the

ArtPact #54

2008-05-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")I am not painting these days. Haven't painted for several weeks before we went on the trip to Utah and Arizona, haven't really painted since we came back.I'm busy and distracted. My one and only sister is coming to visit us for a month (she's landed in New York today for 5 days on the East Coast, and will arrive to our house on Monday), and it got us in a

Self Portrait With Flower?

2008-05-13T00:17:00.000-07:00

If anything, I find this quite sad. Sent to me by Yev - Thanks!

Recipe: Not for the Faint of Heart

2008-05-07T01:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, the simplest ingredients make for the best results.Here's a very simple recipe that I'm trying for the third time in the last couple of months.Ingredients: Water. Lots and lots of water.Directions:Pour water into pots, or fill an electric kettle. Or two.Wait for the water to boil, while thinking to yourself "Ah, I should have used warm tap water to make it faster!".Bring water to a

ArtPact #53

2008-05-05T16:46:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Time really flies in the blogosphere... I haven't published an art-related post for just over 3 weeks - and it seems like forever.Haven't been painting recently - partly because we went on a 10-day vacation to Utah and Arizona, for some glorious views and time-out. I still have the sights carved on the inside of my eyelids: the majestic rocks of Zion, the

UTAH Rocks: From Zion to Bryce

2008-04-30T23:29:00.000-07:00

After another wonderful breakfast at the Harvest House B&B, we bade farewell to Springdale. We were not happy to leave, as we really fell for Springdale, the B&B, Zion... but - Bryce was awaiting. I have to confess here: when we planned this vacation, Zion was more of a must-do for me. I didn't expect it to be special. Nor beautiful. Nor impressive. Just a park that needs to be visited coz it was

UTAH Rocks: Zion

2008-04-26T19:29:00.001-07:00

5 days since we got back - and I'm starting to get used to having no desert around me. No cliffs, no majestic views other than traffic lights and Safeway signs. No living out of a suitcase, no more hiking shoes or Teva sandals composing my footwear wardrobe. It's good to be home, but - I am missing the views, the fresh air, the stars, the silence, that sense of awe that I felt wherever I

UTAH Rocks!

2008-04-24T14:43:00.001-07:00

And so does Arizona! .And the Navajo Nation!!Came back on Monday afternoon, after 10 days in the deserts of Utah and Arizona. Although I never got to see that specific location that I was dreaming about, our eyelids now carry dozens of stunning views engraved inside them, along with Lots of new places, lots of different weather (from the hot Zion to the snowy slopes of Bryce), lots of people and

Taking Off!!!

2008-04-12T01:12:00.000-07:00

It's past 1am, and we are flying in the morning to our long anticipated vacation in some of the national parks. Zion, Bryce, Antelope and the Grand Canyon are awaiting us, and I am beyond excited to see all that glory. The photo on the left, of Bryce Canyon (courtesy of the beautiful Landscape Wallpapers Blog) has been my laptop wallpaper for several weeks. Now it's finally time to go and see the

ArtPact #52

2008-04-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Went to a demo on Sunday - by a serious watercolor master: Cheng Khee Chee. A real sweet, fun and funny guy, with a lot of wisdom to share and a masterful hand with the brush. He is giving a workshop here this week - which I am not taking, and I quite envy those who do, as the short lecture he gave before his demo was very inspiring. It was wonderful to listen

He's Done It Again!

2008-04-04T22:31:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")My birthday is coming up. Next Sunday. The dreaded 45.Two days ago, a big package arrived at our house, and The JohnnyB hid it in the den, saying it's for my birthday. Despite my inquisitiveness, I got over my tendency to try and peek, until yesterday he mentioned that since we'll be going on a trip on Friday, and it's too big to take it with us, it might make

A Comic Relief - or Two

2008-04-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

Two collections of end jokes from one of my favorite series on TV, the BBC's "The Vicar of Dibley".

Braggin'

2008-03-31T19:08:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Those of you who are seriously into watercolors do not need an explanation of what AWS is. The mere mentioning of this acronym is always accompanied by awe and wistful eyes, and the thought of "some day, I wanna make it into that show!".For those of you who do not belong to that crowd, AWS stands for American Watercolor Society, whose annual show is probably

Create Your Kinetic Masterpiece

2008-03-30T00:53:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Found this gem on the Mother of Shrek blog - and just had to share.This is a screen capture of what I did - only imagine everything moving and swirling and shooting up and down, depending on the nature of the line or shape you draw. Click on it be taken to the website, use your mouse to scribble - and enjoy. This is one talented guy - check out his other

ArtPact #51

2008-03-25T22:10:00.001-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")No, I have not disappeared.Been busy.Busy planning an upcoming trip of The JohnnyB and me, busy preparing for an upcoming (and a very long awaited) visit to us, busy with contemplating some art competitions, and busy with some ongoing mood swings that seem to follow the weather.And, in between, I've managed to paint.LimaB told me recently, "Looks like you are

Bouquets To Art

2008-03-16T16:21:00.001-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Sometimes you live in a place without really knowing what it has to offer. In my defense, I only live here for 6 years (in fact, TODAY is the 6-year anniversary to me moving to the USA!!!).Still, I am amazed that we never heard of this.Apparently, every year, there is a special event called "Bouquets To Art". It used to be at the Legion of Honors and is now at

A Thousand Words - And Then Some #20

2008-03-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Seen last week ago at Andronico's.The JohnnyB was shopping for sausages for his lasagna, and I was exploring the butchery shelves, and stopped in my tracks when I saw this. After several times of going back and forth, I thought "Oh, the hell with it!" and took my camera out. I just had to document this refreshing gem of creativity at a place you expect it the

ArtPact #50

2008-03-06T23:52:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Woo Hoo - made it to 50 ArtPacts! And it took just over 15 months (the first one being in November 2006). Not too bad. As I mentioned last week, spring is in the air. We've had some gorgeous days, and now it's cooling down again. Still, there's a lot of bloom, the neighborhood birds are coming up with new CDs and everything feels, well, different. Which is

Juried

2008-03-04T13:02:00.001-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Since I've started to show my art, I only went for safe shows. The ones that are member shows, to which you get automatically accepted, as there is no jurying process. Actually, this show was kinda juried, as if you entered 3 artworks you were guaranteed one in, but the others could be rejected. WackieM keeps telling me, "It's about time you added some

Spring. ish.

2008-02-29T14:39:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")February 29.Sky's blue. Birds a-chirpin'.Ants a-conniving.Garden's a-happy.And LumiB's macro mode rocks!!!

A Thousand Words - And Then Some #19

2008-02-26T16:41:00.000-08:00

Sometimes even I find myself putting down the camera. Hard times call for sacrificing documentary photography in order to grab weapons of mass destruction.In short:One ant on our bedroom ceiling. Rest her soul. During this discovery, I was talkin' on the phone to LimaB, who had a field day on me getting freaked about it. Apparently, my gut feeling was correct. It always is. Went out to the garage

Sold - Again!

2008-02-20T21:05:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Sometimes, you paint just for the pure joy of it.You allow yourself to not think too much, grant yourself the permission to not agonize over the end result, and refrain from over-analyzing design rules and profound compositions, complementing colors and balance of value and shape. Sometimes, you just paint.And you have a lot of fun.And you come up with a

ArtPact#49

2008-02-18T16:01:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art")Forgive me loyal readers for I have, well - it's been a while since the last time I painted. In fact, I haven't painted since I took John Salminen's workshop.Thing is, each and every time I take workshop, I get the post-workshop creative block that freezes me and disables me from painting. Not quite sure why. Perhaps it's my mind being overwhelmed by all the

Travel Much?

2008-02-16T17:21:00.000-08:00

This is quite addictive, I have to say. Humbling, too. Thanks, JimmyB, for sharing!presented by TravelPod, the Web's First Travel Blog ( A TripAdvisor Media Network partner )

The Definition of Distress

2008-02-14T19:14:00.000-08:00

I believe y'all remember Tal, the cool dude who captured The JohnnyB in a heartbeat. We now call him Taltul, as he is so incredibly adorable. Oh yes, he's still cool. Very. He is now 15 months old, chasing his older brother (Nitz) all around the house and acting like a real dude.Until... last week Nitz got his revenge, once and for all. First, bear with me while I present a short cross-culture

(Im)mortal Creativity...

2008-02-12T03:26:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") Creativity has many faces - here's one I find quite intriguing.Now, that's what I call a series!!

A Thousand Words - And Then Some #18

2008-02-11T09:38:00.000-08:00

I am sure it's been a while since you last visited The JohnnyB's blog. Yup, he hasn't blogged for quite a long time now.But, if you do go there today, look around you at the empty, lonely desertscape. Listen to the whistling wind - can you hear that faint gloomy western tune coming from afar, played by a runaway convict on his harmonica? As one of those wheel-like plants (what are they called???)

Sun-Day

2008-02-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

Breaking news: sun came out this weekend! I know y'all are thinking why would anyone from California even bother to mention the weather - but we did have our share of cold gray wet windy bleak wet rainy and rainier spell in the past couple of weeks. Did i mention it was wet? So, after several weekends of staying at home like grumpy hermits, socializing with our many many pet ants, we finally went

Got Ants?

2008-02-04T00:34:00.000-08:00

It's this time of year again.The season opened a couple of weeks ago, when I noticed I was not alone in the shower, but rather exposed to the scrutinizing gazes of those creepy crawlers. A line of them, walking along the shower wall and onto the tiles, looking for - well, not quite sure what. It's a shower, for heaven's sake! No food here, little idiots! So I washed them down and cleaned around

A Little Lunch For Thought (TM) #12

2008-01-28T14:23:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art"). An enlightening and entertaining take on creativity, by creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson, at the 2006 TED conference in Monterey, CA.In a nutshell: "Let Creativity Be!!!"Thanks, NancyBJ, for sharing!!previous little lunch... ...next little lunch

Roaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar!!!

2008-01-27T01:31:00.001-08:00

We went to see the movie "I Am Legend" tonight.I have to disclaim: I am not a horror movies type of gal, and never been a fan of this genre. I usually find them boring and silly, sometimes even funny, as they are so totally out of proportions. Zombies, monsters, aliens, demons - I mean, c'mon! I do highly appreciate psychological thrillers, as those can truly scare the hell out of me.But - it was

ArtPact #48

2008-01-26T14:53:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art"). Not a new painting, but rather a rescued one.This one has made quite a journey along the Via Dolorosa... starting as quite pristine clear washes (well, very pristine for my usual style!) through a miserable correction attempt that led to a valuable lesson and then to a frantic quest of redeeming it - I think it is now done. I brought it to our critique group

A Thousand Words - And Then Some #17

2008-01-24T19:44:00.000-08:00

"Nooooo, this no pink! This red!" said the guy at the bakery with utter self-conviction. Yesterday when I ordered this cake (raspberry filling), I specifically asked them to not put pink or purple on the cake. "It's a guy's birthday", I informed the bakery dude. "Please use blue, or green. No pink. Please!".And today, he looked me in the eye, assuring me that this is not pink. Y'know, I'm an

Sentence of The Month: January

2008-01-23T18:10:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") ...and sometimes, you should just not listen to your husband.Remember I shared with y'all that The JohnnyB had some comments about the portrait I did at the Salminen workshop? That the forehead was protruding, and there was a bold spot on the left temple.Well, it did not bother me. It did not bother others who saw the painting.In fact, I was soooooooo proud of

A Little Lunch For Thought (TM) #11

2008-01-20T16:27:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") I'm almost recovered from the intensive and extensive 5-day workshop, and have some time to breathe. I got several comments on the breakthrough I've made at the end of the workshop. Retrospecting on the experience, I did get a lot from it: using shapes to create interest and introduce abstraction to realistic paintings, applying value bridges to achieve

All Good Things Come to an End

2008-01-18T22:10:00.000-08:00

(Also published on "Unchain My Art") The workshop is over. As always, mixed feelings of "I am finally free to paint on my own!!!" and "Ah, I wish it lasted a bit more".The last day started with a demonstration of how to paint a reflective surface - in that case, John Salminen painted a quarter sheet of a rainy street scene. He just did his magic, and did a pretty cool little painting.We then