I know, I've been MIA again for quite some time again, but I just had to share this w/ all of you...the 2 pieces above are not mine (wish they were!) these were done by Raina Gentry
I just ordered both of these prints from her amazing website- she's having a year end special, buy one get one free. I couldn't resist, her work is just so beautiful, layered, complex yet simply stunning. It's my little Christmas present to myself- hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
This look on Sams' face is PRICELESS- "wtf IS this thing?" Obviously, he's never seen a goat before.
Every dog in the hood has been barking all morning- when I finally went out to see what was going on, I found this dude (Sam) skateboarding down the street w/ his pet goat (Love) on a leash! Gotta love the unexpected, fun things in life.
Phew, I think that about covers everything for awhile! I'm also getting my schedule ready for 2010, I've got some wonderful places lined up, so stay tuned for more details.
He lives in the coolest little town where I found all of these wonderful old buildings to photograph.
Back in Albuquerque just long enough to get back into the studio for a bit, make some faces, connect with friends & spend some quality time with Sam.
Here is Jesses' fabulous new studio...
And one of his murals.
Nikki had Robin & I over one afternoon & made us the best coffee in the world. I just love Nikkis' house, I could spend days there just looking around.
This is her back patio.... and below is the fake grass in front of her house!
I've been a bad bad blogger! In between running from airport to airport, I was down with the flu for about 3 weeks, now I'm frantically getting ready for 3 upcoming shows. Well, no, actually, right now I'm procrastinating!
But I have so many pictures piling up to share, it's a good way to procrastinate I suppose.
First, there was the Off Center Folk Art Festival, back in September, I think.....
I'm a bit behind here, but registration for Art & Soul Hampton is now open. I am offering some brand new classes this year, my class samples are pictured above, please go here to register!
Speaking of Art & Soul, I spoke to Jesse Reno today & he will be selling his work this year during vendor night at Art & Soul Portland! If you've never seen his work up close, you won't want to miss this- he is one amazing artist.
And... there are only a few days left to leave a comment for my 500th post giveaway- but you need to go here to leave a comment. Good luck, I will announce the winner on Monday.
Wow, I can't believe that it's been over a month since I last posted! So much has happened, I feel like I've been through a tornado, overwhelmed, happy, sad, scared, just trying to find my center again.
Well first things first, this is my 500th post, & I am taking this opportunity to give away the piece that you see above & to announce the official grand opening of my brand new gallery blog, Thingmaker Studio. It's actually been up for a few months & it's been quite successful, considering that I haven't told anyone about it! It feels so good to finally have all of my work in one place, for now I will hang on to my Etsy & 1000 markets shop, but eventually I will just have the blog. SO, the rules are simple, just go here & leave a comment. The comment that touches me the most wins. I'm sure that there is a more professional way to do this, but I want for this to be more from the heart, since this entire year has been all about heart openings.
I feel like I've been all over the place in the past few months & haven't been able to wrap my head around any of it. First there was Art Unraveled, where it was so nice to connect with old & new friends. I came home & jumped, the landing was better than I ever could have imagined, but since then I feel like I have bounced several times & the subsequent landings haven't been so cushy! Now, I'm not quite sure where the heck I am, I guess mostly I feel like I'm still in the air, waiting to see where I will land this time. If I jumped out of this airplane window, would I land on one of those cushy puffy clouds, or would I fall right through & splatter all over the earth? 
Okay, enough about jumping out of planes & splattering! 2 Weeks after Art Unraveled, I went to CA to teach a day journey class for an Artful Journey. What an amazing group of women, it literally took my breath away to see the incredible work that came out of this class! 
Before heading up to Cindys I had the chance to spend 4 days with my dear friend Kris- we had so much fun, & it was so nice to be able to spend some real time with her.
Here we are at a wonderful restaurant in San Fran with Catherine, Shosh & Gray (Mike is behind the camera)- I love this picture, even though it is grainy & funky.
I have so much more to share, but I'm trying to stay off of the computer for awhile & focus on preparing for Art & Soul Portland, which is only about 2 weeks away. I can't wait to be there, for so many reasons! After Art & Soul, I have one more big show in November, the Santa Fe Recycled show, & then I will be done for the year.....phew, it's been an intense one!
I arrived home from Art Unraveled on Sunday & I am absolutely filled up- overflowing with love, a strong sense of connection & creative juju.
I am so very grateful to be able to teach at these events & to be able to connect with everyone on such a deep level. Each even seems to become richer & more beautiful than the last, I think I cried all the way home!
I came home, unpacked & immediately repacked for my classes here in a few weeks. If you live in the bay area, come on out, I can't wait to be there!
While catching up on my favorite blogs, I came across the following on Ninas' blog & with her permission, I am copying it here....
"we all know the feeling, sometimes a little one, sometimes big: fear. it can come with goodness,with excitement, as often as it comes with unpleasantries. we stand before the abyss, round eyed, teetering, standing high above the rest of our lives like we stood, shaking, on the high dive at the Y pool in fifth grade. those at the bottom of the rungs are shouting, shouting, shouting, 'til it turns into a chant: just do it! why are you standing there, if you aren't going to go?! then, when we last expect it to do so, the universe opens up, unfolds, and allows us to see where we will be headed. better to go than to stay, we say. and then, at last, we . just . jump. so that's it, then, isn't it? the teetering, the stammering, the pondering, the looking, the anticipation, the jump. and then, the exuberant landing. and what a wonderful, beautiful thing this feeling of freedom from fear can be. jump, friends. i did. you can, too. i dare you. go!"
Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong but we take leap after leap in the dark. ~ Agnes De Mille
"Jump, and you will find out how to spread your wings as you fall." - Ray Bradbury
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anais Nin
I LOVE this! It took my breath away. And so I jumped. A few of you know what I'm talking about, most of you never will. That's okay, the important part is that I jumped!
Sadly, these are the only pictures that I took all week at Art Unraveled, I'm either slacking off or having way too much fun!
This is Mike (aka the guy in the kilt!) what a sweetie, it was such a pleasure to have him & Erin in my classes again.
The view from my balcony- I love that this Embassy has a balcony.... & an outdoor pool, I was out there every night!
On the drive to Phoenix
This is one creepy place, an old prison where horrific riots took place back in 1980.
Las Vegas, NM
The drive to Taos
Ojo Caliente, NM
of course, we had to stop at the graveyard!
After camping at Ojo Caliente, we took a beautiful drive up to Las Vegas NM, & went to Gilbert's 50th b-day party.
