Saskatchewan - NZ Series

Saskatchewan

I finished the final three pieces that are going off to NZ.  I am going to try and mail them today even though they do not need to be there until August.  I am in this get things done and out of here mood. That is what I did with the ATCs for my international group.  It is not even April and all ATCs have been sent and most arrived at their destinations.

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If you live in the Pacific NW you are in for a treat right now.  The cherry trees at the University of Washington are in full display.  We went yesterday after the dentist and were just amazed with the gorgeous performance put on by Mother Nature.

Here is a live stream for those of you who can not travel to the campus to see for yourself.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M4vp-eVhQ4

Parts - NZ Series

Parts

I am partial to red.  It is my go-to-color when I need a splash of excitement in a work.  I am fairly partial to fire escapes as well.  I love city photos in general but give me a good fire escape photo and you have me salivating almost immediately.  I am into the shadows created by the steel works of the escape.

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Mitski - Your Best American Girl

Growing up in America as an Asian immigrant knowing that there are limits placed on you by culture created a contention for this singer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_hDHm9MD0I&list=RDu_hDHm9MD0I

Jamaica Inn - NZ Series

Jamaica Inn

Earlier this week I had a post ready for the day I missed, Monday.  I was so busy on I totally did not post.  That broke my record for posting everyday this year.  It was a good try and I knew most likely there would be a miss but I have given myself permission that it is a difficult task and it is OK if I don't make it each day.

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Frank Ocean - ‘Seigfried’

Lovely song and beautiful scenes....  Number 23 according to the NY Times.

https://vimeo.com/202201004

George and Mona - NZ Series

George and Mona

A friend of mine, Jeanne, lives in Everett, WA and she has the greatest alley.  Right across from where she parks her car is an alley shed with framed images of George Washington and Mona Lisa. Thanks Jeanne for taking the photograph of the shed with these "works".


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Fabienne Verdier - artist 

This artist paints with huge electronic brushes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx_xWIoOEjA&app=desktop

Firestone Men - NZ Series

Firestone Men

Finding vintage photos of anyone or group creates a wonder as to who or what was their life.  Since most of the images I find are totally anonymous I have the luxury of making up a story or allowing the viewer to make up a story.  Go ahead.  What is your story of these "Firestone" men.

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Charles Bradley - "Good To Be Back Home"  - Number 22 on the NY Times music list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMl7QdMmMPg

Elts and Askets - NZ Series

Elts and Askets

Titles!  In discussions with many artists titling comes up.  For some it is a difficult process and for others it is easy.  It is more on the easy side for me.  Something in the work frequently jumps out at me or if it is a series, it is even easier like my Red Series, Red Series #1, Red Series #2, etc.  In this case I rather like Elts and Askets!

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Are you into jazz?  Try Cecile McLorin Salvant.....

Cécile McLorin Salvant - I Didn't Know What Time it Was  .....Number 19 in the NY Times magazine section......

Class of '45 - NZ Series

Class of '45

Not far from where I live on a street that is an arterial devastation has taken over a whole city block. Progress, in the form of apartments,  is coming I suspect.  Our little Mountlake Terrace will have light rail in about six or seven years.  The progress is a short walking distance from what will be our new transportation.  I can't actually wait for light rail as there will be no need for present transportation to and from downtown or the airport.  It will be right here.  I will be almost in my mid-seventies by then.  I hope I can still use it.

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The NY Times number 16 ........Good background music......

SOLANGE - CRANES IN THE SKY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0qrinhNnOM

Sunday Morning - NZ Series

Sunday Morning

Sunday mornings for me are always reading the NY Times and the Seattle Times.  It takes hours and I discover so much about what is going on in the world.  If I lived in a large city I probably would take those papers with me to a coffeehouse just to be connected with others in my environment.  I guess I could do that around where I live but it means mostly getting in a car to head out somewhere.  I do have a Starbuck's nearby but it just does not seem the same as it would be walking the streets of NYC to a favorite spot

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James McMurtry - Gulf Road - Another singer who was one of the top 25 in the Sunday magazine a week or so ago. Some of his song lyrics kind of left me wanting to change songs quickly.  I do like Gulf Road though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rvXqR4GDwk

Apples Wanted - NZ Series

Apples Wanted

At the beginning of March I was asked to install ten of my collages in an Everett restaurant.  Those works were destined for a show in New Zealand.  So since I had quickly framed those ten and liked how they looked, I decided to start creating 13 new pieces for New Zealand.  I have ten of them ready to go and will complete the last three soon.

Apples Wanted came together in one afternoon.  I like the chabby chic-ness of it.

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Rufus Wainwright - A Woman's Face Reprise (Sonnet 20)

Rufus Wainwright celebrates the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57IFBqViNOI

Here are the lyrics:

A woman's face with Nature's own hand painted 
Hast thou, the master-mistress of my passion; 
A woman's gentle heart, but not acquainted 
With shifting change, as is false women's fashion;

An eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling,
Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth; 
A man in hue, all 'hues' in his controlling,
Much steals men's eyes and women's souls amazeth.

And for a woman wert thou first created; 
Till Nature, as she wrought thee, fell a-doting,
And by addition me of thee defeated, 
By adding one thing to my purpose nothing.

But since she prick'd thee out for women's pleasure,
Mine be thy love and thy love's use their treasure.

Inquisitive

Inquisitive

Remember your youth when everything you experienced was like the Fourth of July?  Does that happen much now?  Maybe sometimes. :-)  My Sunday experience below was one of those moments.

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Snow Geese - Sunday was a bright sunny day so we decided to take a drive to see the daffodils in the Skagit Valley north of Seattle.  On the way we stopped to see the snow geese on Fir Island near Conway, WA.  It was an amazing experience to see the fowl flying in some sort of order known to them.  They landed in a field.  I am talking about thousands upon thousands of these birds.  I found a video to show you what we experienced.  It really was quite exciting to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMY6QoiNeNQ

Happy Grandmas

Happy Grandmas

Wouldn't you love to have tea with either or both of these grandmas?  A scone or two plus hot tea with honey and a sweetner.  I would. :-)

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Nature is Speaking - There is a series of short films starring Mother Nature who is really in charge. This one is narrated by Julia Roberts.  There are others..............

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmVLcj-XKnM

EFG

EFG

I love printing images on deli paper using a gelli plate.  My new art friend, Becky, made these prints for me that you see on the right side of EFG.  I especially like the transparency effect that can be created.

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Monk with a Camera

Another must see on my list to watch is: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07LL-r-Sqzk

The Girls with Glasses

The Girls with Glasses

There are several things that I like about this postcard.  First, the girls with the glasses are so vintage and remind me of the Julia Roberts film Mona Lisa Smiles.  Second, I love how the girl on the right is distracted.  Is it because of the guys?  Third, the glasses and the circles work so well together.  Fourth, the colors are amazing together.  Fifth, I like how the blue on the oar an the red W plus the red spatters make it all pop.  I guess I am always surprised when a piece is complete because usually it is never planned and each outcome is what it is.

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Distress Crayons - I heard about them on a blog....I think it was Mary Beth Shaw's....and decided to see what they were all about.  Love them!  They arrived yesterday and I had to try them out right away. Now I have to compare them to the Sablio Woodies to see if they create different effects or are about the same.  You can color with them, smudge them, or use a brush with water to spread pigment.

Mish Mash

Mish Mash

You have to look closely to discover something in this one which is semi-camouflaged.

Yesterday I went to Whidbey Island to create art in a coffeehouse/restaurant with three friends.  We had a blast for four hours.  We started at 10:00 with drinks and pastries.  At noon we had lunch....great burgers I might add, and then I had to have a cookie before heading back to the ferry and home.  I did get all my ATCs finished for April.  Yeah!

I am working on finishing up a box given to me by my personal shopper, Sally.  I am lining the inside of the box with marbled paper and creating sections out of balsa wood.  The box will be the home for many tiny journals that I have made in the last year.  Organization is an attempt to clean up my studio!  We shall see.

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Finding Vivian Maier

Yesterday I heard about this film and now after watching the trailer it is on my list of must watch films......

DOCUMENTARY FILM: FINDING VIVIAN MAIER

http://www.vivianmaier.com/film-finding-vivian-maier/

The Gas Station Attendant Notices Something is Wrong!

The Gas Station Attendant Notices Something is Wrong

Sometimes all the ephemera "planets" align and a piece just works in so many ways.  This is one that did that for me.

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Kungs vs Cookin’ on 3 Burners - This Girl 

I understand this is a remix with two groups......a French DJ put it together and and an Australian group orginally had produced the song.  This is HOT!  Now that is saying something from a nearly 67 year old man! :-)  Well, I have not lost the beat!  So there youngsters!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6Nne8RvaA

Community Chest

Community Chest

While I was at the NW Collage Society retreat one of the participants went to a thrift shop and came back with stationery that had a monopoly border.  Of course I had to use it right away!  I was also given some gift wrap and some gelli print papers.  Now how lucky is that!  This postcard is the result.

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What I like about the magazine section of the Sunday NY Times is that I usually find something that I never experience before.  Kelela is a singer I never heard.  She was number 8 in the article.

Kelela - Rewind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py6PgXq0yDM

RST

RST

One of the collage artists who attended the NW Collage Society art retreat is really into bugs.  I made this postcard to honor Anne LaFever.

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Tomorrow March 15 is the day that pink slips go out to President Trump.  Here is mine.....

If you would like to send one here is the address for the White House.

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, D.C.  20500

Fit Chauffeur

Fit Chauffeur

If only I would put things away right away.  I have spent 30 minutes hunting for my Posca pens and can not find them anywhere.  Darn!  I wish I could hire someone to follow me around and when I am done with something they would organize for me.  I seem to be at my worst right now as I have several items that I consider lost!  First it was a credit card.  I finally found it hiding under a cloth mat in my office.  Next it is some work that I was flattening.  I am sure it is the Borrowers who take things.  Did you ever read that children's book?  It is a good one.

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Did you see the Grammy's about ten days ago?  I really liked the version of
Jolene with Dolly Parton and Pentatonix.  The NY Times magazine ranks this song number 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYCoyUxY2HY

Smelling Bird Tail

Smelling Bird Tail

Sometimes I have an overactive imagination and come up with something quite bizarre.  This piece might just fit that category!

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In today's NY Times the magazine pullout is dedicated to 25 songs and artists to where music is going.  Adele is number one and Leonard Cohen is number 2.  I had never heard of Mr. Cohen's music.  It is very different from anything that I listen to.  It is poetry to music.  Try him out.....

Leonard Cohen (1936 - 2016)

If I Didn't Have Your Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHgCXhY6kZ0&list=PLGiFBpV1j7hJripjR9BRIZzT8bioYALGI&index=5

American Gothic Updated

American Gothic Updated

Just a little bit of whimsy for a Saturday morning! :-)  Happy weekend!

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Hedy Lamarr......    Do you know what she invented?  Find out below.  Perhaps you use something that would not have been possible without her inventions.....  Her inventions paved the way for WiFi and GPS!

We take so much for granted.  We don't study our history to include over half of our population.  Over 50% of the US population is female.  How many of us know that many inventions were created by females?  Here is a link to showcase many great female inventors.....

http://www.women-inventors.com/

We Saw a Baby Elephant

We Saw a Baby Elephant

There will be a few more of the Secrets Series but I have been occupied with a few other projects lately and so will have to get back to Secrets soon.

When I was at the NW Collage Society Retreat I was driven.  I complete 47 collages in three days. Several of those collages were postcards besides finishing all of the Red Series No. 2 pieces.

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You probably have seen the Mentos and Diet Coke video.  I love these guys who perform the experiment.  So here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_2osOb2SMU

Secrets 12

Secrets 12

I love frivolous!  Let it all hangout at times.  Carefree!  I know an artist who is married and very straight.  He dressed up in his aunt's clothing and created art in her honor.  Love it!  It is his secret to reveal and wild horses drag it out of me. :-)  (No pun intended!)

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There is a new book to me called Shadow Work  by Craig Lambert.  According to the book jacket.....Shadow work "includes all of the unpaid tasked we do on behalf of businesses and organizations.  It has slipped into our routines stealthily; most of us do not realize how much of it we are already doing even was we pump our gas, scan and bag our own groceries; execute our own stock trades, and build our own unassembled furniture.  But its presence is unmistakable, and its effects far-reaching."

Shadow Work just arrived.  I will let you know what I think.

Secrets 11

Secrets 11

I am going to begin a list of secret type phrases and words....add in your comments if you think of one or two.

secret code
secret that are private
little secrets
big secrets
embarrassing secrets
gossipy secrets
surprise secrets
hidden messages
secrets that affect others
secrets that affect no one other than self
secret plan
Secret admirer (thanks Bea)
secret rituals (thanks for these five, Jacki)
secret love
secret thoughts
secret rules
secret oath
secret fear
secret of success  (thanks Lugegu)
secret drawer
secret operation
secret message
secret place
secret person
in secret
keep a secret
open secret


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I heard about the Pink Slip to Donald Trump idea from my friend Michele.  Then I saw that Terry Garrett had written some and announced it  on a Facebook group . So as I promised several people I would add this to my blog today. Here are some links to inspire you should you desire....

http://janedavies-collagejourneys.blogspot.com/2017/03/pink-slip-postcards.html

Original announcement on the pink slip idea.....


https://oneamericaregistry.org/event/postcard-pink-slips-to-pres-trump-nationwide/

Secrets 10

Secrets 10

What secrets do you think these three friends might have kept all these years beginning when they were young and taking swimming lessons?  You know I am in love with the narrative!

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Have you heard of Zayn Malik?  This music video was filmed at a concert in NY, screaming girls and all.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aPDuU3j8-c

Secrets 09

Secrets 09

The secret is in the poetry.

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Tales of Light - This is an original Netflix documentary.  This time the adventure is with an Australian photographer as he shares his camera expertise.  Well done!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmegZSlJX0M

Secrets 08

Secrets 08

I have some vintage fabric that never seems to get used and so why not I said.  It hides the secret or maybe not.

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Recently Jacki Long sent me information on Peace Day 2016 on the beaches of Normandy.  I found a YouTube video that shares the experience with music and photos.  I did not have dry eyes when I finished watching it.....


9000 Fallen Soldiers - volunteers from around the world met on a September day 2016 to honor those killed in action on a Normandy beach.  This is very moving.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCO9Zc8Wlp4