Learning Something New!

My very first pine needle basket! There are all sorts of decorative stitches that could be done, but I'm just concentrating on sewing this first one up as simply as possible. I collected some darker pine needles. I'm still not too sure if I should collect the needles dried or dry them out myself before soaking them? It's a slow process making a basket! I've put about ten hours into this little bowl shaped basket.

Iguana Go To Mexico

We did see some iguanas, but the pictures weren't very good. We went on a snorkeling excursion that was, I think, the highlight of my trip--I say I think, because the whole trip was so spectacular to me--being in a very different land, the hot days, the people, the colors and the creatures!...


These are the only underwater pictures, since my waterproof camera started to leak. It was difficult for me to manage a camera with mask, snorkel, fins and then swim, so maybe the faulty camera was a good thing, but what we saw was so amazing--we swam under a cave to a small beach surrounded by volcanic cliffs--I was falling over with delight!

A whale!...
A sea turtle!...

Blue footed Boobies!...

The blue footed boobies followed the boat back, flying, dipping and diving into the water around us--being playful! And this was my birthday--what a great time!

Lets Go Back To Mexico!!

I'm using my ceramic skeleton as a segue back to Mexico, where we, my daughter and I saw some memorable sculptures!
(pictures by Michaela)





I can't believe Michaela caught these shots of an entrance to a bar? (that's my guess) --we were driving by at a pretty good speed!

Sand!!


again...Sand!!!





These are bronze seats overlooking the water created by Guadalajara native, Alejandro Colunga

This bronze lady was tucked away inside the back of a building--I don't know the artist


"Lonely Planet" by the Mexican artist, Sergio Bustamente

A great stone archway!

Dusting off an Old Skeleton

This was such a fun and unexpected ceramics project, given by my life drawing instructor, many years ago. We had a skeleton to refer to and with a blob of clay were told to "unearth" a skeleton. Even though I like to draw, it was nice to work in a very different medium. She then had them kiln fired, so the next week we rubbed on oil pastels.
After taking my indoor plant out for some much needed air and rain--hanging beneath and behind the leaves was my dusty and forgotten skeleton.

Adding Some Color

These colors will deepen with the application of oil paints. I first use some color pencils and then acrylics.

Rainbow Around the Sun

Yesterday this rainbow was around the sun foretelling rain. Today, in our dry season, we have rain!

Very Old Notes and a Very Old Doodle

I have no recollection of this class and this spaced out self portrait goes so well with these notes--pretty funny!
In searching for my little astrology drawings, I came across a very old stack of drawings and doodles from high school--I just may have to post a few--lots of self portraits--kind of faded so I've had to enhance the contrast a bit.

Seagull Eggs

Seagulls were flying close overhead, squawking and I didn't see their eggs until my son pointed them out to me--under a fence and close to the ocean cliff--they camouflage with the grass and dirt--pretty big eggs!

Drawing in the Zodiac

First with Charcoal, then painted over with acrylic medium.

Painting a Natal Chart

It's time once again to paint a natal chart.

I'm pushing myself to take up some creative pursuits I've let slip to the side.
Why is it that when caring for a child, I put my art endeavors on a back burner--is this a motherly thing that I do?

I'm finding--this time around--being a grandmother/mother, looking at that back burner, my creative ideas are not actively simmering like they did as a young mom.

I don't want this part of myself to slip away--I want to still be enthused and involved with my art work.

I'll say that last sentence as a prayer and put some matches in my pocket!

A Quick Friendship

How amazing to me that two little girls can meet for the first time--make friends--and splash cold water at each other! I have a lot to learn from these little ones!

A Mother's Day Hat

posted a little late, but my son's fiancee and my granddaughter wove flowers into my rattan hat for mother's day--this creation was also inspired by the Kentucky Derby, since it was made on the day of the race.

picture taken by my granddaughter sitting in the back seat


picture by my granddaughter

Shops and Shopping in Mexico

I bought a piece of jewelry at this table, so I felt I could ask to take this picture, otherwise I didn't feel entirely free to take pictures. I don't often feel comfortable taking pictures in public even here in the states, so in Mexico, I didn't know if I was being incredibly rude--I did risk it though...

Dog hot and tired--he didn't move as people walked past for a few hot hours in the afternoon.


This is inside a large supermarket--it really felt risky taking this photo, I felt like a health inspector, but I was amazed to see these big balls of dough sitting out in the open--probably waiting to be made into fresh tortillas--could be a large tortilla press to the right.