Spring Fever

1. This is the busiest month of my year… preparing to teach and vend at Artfest next week, and then a six-day art show in Oklahoma City just three weeks later… I’m behind in my painting for OKC but now need to stop and concentrate on Artfest planning. It’s list-making time!
2. I am teaching a class (“The Pony Express”) at ArtFIBERfest in October. The class offerings just went up here.
3. I’m teaching three classes at Art & Soul Portland in October as well! A family portrait class, “Voice Lessons,” and “Drawing Blast.”
4. I sent away for my passport yesterday… yay! India is really going to happen; I can scarcely believe it myself.
5. Those of you who know me are wondering, “How the heck is Carla going to be able to afford a month in India?!!” Answer: I’m not sure exactly, (but am relying on the words of R. Buckminster Fuller — and it bears repeating: “You can rest assured that if you devote your time and attention to the highest advantage of others, the Universe will support you, always and only in the nick of time.”)

India

I have a chance to go to India this summer to teach art to children at this orphanage. It is through ART SEVA, an organization “dedicated to providing nurturing art programs for orphans, vulnerable children, and those affected by loss or trauma.”

I think I’m going. Steve is supportive, it’s something I love to do (teach art to kids), it’s work I’ve done before (see this photo set), and I am feeling “called” to go. This year.

So… I will be sweltering in India the month of June!

Not Chatty Today I Guess

Full painting here (but I like the crop better!)

Girl with Turtle

1. Painting is going well this week. I am grateful as I know that next week (or tomorrow) can be an entirely different story.
2. Why is it that sometimes good things just FLOW out effortlessly and other times you need to take a toothpick and pick things out piece by miniscule piece?
3. Here are a few artists you might like!
4. I’ve gone “running” the last few days in an effort to exercise more and lose a few pounds. Since I hate to exercise, I decided that “running”* would provide the most bang for my buck… in other words, I suffer more dreadfully at the time but it can be over in 20 minutes or less.
5. I was inspired by a fictional character who was in her mid-50s, “a big girl”, and who ran every morning. I figure I’m only 43, so I can do it as well. (Is it okay that I’m inspired to exercise by a FICTIONAL character? Haha!)

*Most people wouldn’t call what I do “running.”

Conversation over the fence with my 86-year-old Neighbor

Me (cheerfully): Well, back to work!

Tom: Are ya makin’ knick-knacks?

Me: Yes.

Seattle Girl

1. I got a book out of the library last week: The Art of Bessie Lowenhaupt. What a wonderful painter this woman was! Though she went to the Chicago Art Institute as a young woman from 1899-1903, she basically didn’t paint again until her husband’s death in 1954. At 63 years old Ms. Lowenhaupt started painting her best work. I love everything about it (color use, composition, simplicity, emotion). Here is the only good link to an example of her work I could find (which is distressing–this woman is awesome!)
2. The composition of the above painting was inspired by Bessie Lowenhaupt.
3. Another illustrator I just LOVE is French artist Jacqueline Duheme… particularly her use of color. Unfortunately I can’t find a single good example online… I’m sorry! (But the book linked to her name above is worth getting.)
4. I love living with Wes (11). He’s so funny! I took him to the doctor yesterday where he got a shot, etc. He complained later that he wasn’t the doctor’s “Test Torture Device,” and that he wasn’t going back.
5. Consider this quote by R. Buckminster Fuller: “You can rest assured that if you devote your time and attention to the highest advantage of others, the Universe will support you, always and only in the nick of time.”

1. Spring is in the air, and Salida, Colorado is starting to wake up and move around a bit. And, lots of little calves are being born on the outskirts of town… so cute!
2. A wonderful little informational movie on driving safety that Wes found (trust me).
3. Steve is leaving for Puerto Rico tomorrow (without me). That’s okay… I’m looking forward, actually, to a week alone in the office and studio.
4. Artfest is just 3+ weeks away. I’m teaching two classes and am really looking forward to the time in the Northwest with the friends I’ve made over the last five years.
5. I truly recommend trying to work a conference like this into your yearly schedule, if at all possible. It’s changed my life!

The Monotypes That Weren’t

1. On Friday I spent the day making monotypes with Karine (above).
2. She had a GREAT day! (I’m sure she will post some soon.)
3. My creations were pretty awful (and I’m not just saying that).
4. I love monotypes, but yesterday was just not my day.
5. My most creative moment:

Wes’s Cow

1. Wes is responsible for the personality of the above cow. I started drawing a composition on wood and he happened to be walking by…
2. He GRABBED the crayon out of my hand and drew the face on the cow, as well as mountains, the sun, the moon, and the ground… really, everything.
3. I was open to this for a couple of reasons. One, we have collaborated before and a friend had just mentioned that he really liked that show, which encouraged me to try again. And two, I hadn’t gotten attached to the painting yet since I had barely started it…
4. It’s not done, but see more here.
5. Did you know that an ipod will continue playing even if it falls into the toilet? Well, it will.