It's Another Scorcher

Joe is graciously ignoring the heat and painting cabinets in my studio. I'm preparing demo notes and the agendas for both the intro and advanced groups in screenprinting class tomorrow, hopefully followed by some prep for the upcoming studio tour. Sophie, stretched out in the shade, is trying to stay cool.

At least we aren't in fear of the fires raging just ten miles away.

New Studio Update

World's Best Sink and Faucet



Cute Red Stool

These are the latest additions to my newly remodeled studio, soon to be completed. I know you can barely stand the suspense, but I simply will NOT show any more pictures of the whole thing until it is done. I have my reasons. These teasers will have to suffice. Go about your day.

The Sweltering Sky

Beautiful evening view at 7:15, just before sundown. Still hot, but there is a slight bit of a hopeful breeze. Such is August, I guess.

IT'S HOT.

Time for lemonade...

Rest in Peace, Senator Kennedy

I think this is a striking portrait of Ted Kennedy, created by Andrea Ventura for the New York Times, capturing his strength and complexity.

Rocky Mountain Hi!

Have a wonderful vacation in Colorado, Pam!

Amy Uyeki's Beautiful Transfer Drawings

Aren't these gorgeous, full of energy and movement, and uplifting? Wow.

On A Front Line of the California Budget Crisis

I met my class at 9 a.m. this morning, the first day of the fall semester at Long Beach City College. Because so many classes have been cut for the fall, due to the huge state educational budget shortfall, the school attempted to alleviate some pain by increasing class sizes by 10% for the remaining classes. The enrollment for my class has been maxed out for weeks: 33 students were signed up with another 31 students on the wait list. I'm sure this scenario fits many other classes across campus as well. The first day was unusually hectic and confusing for all, faculty and students alike.

More About Seven Plus

The Seven Plus artist collective formed almost eight years ago and have met regularly and exhibited together periodically. You can read an interesting article about them at http://www.northcoastjournal.com/issues/2007/05/03/arts-collective-art. And you can see the diverse range of media their creative interests represent by visiting the websites of the eight who have them:

Amy Uyeki - mixed media - www.amyuyeki.com
Lori Goodman - fiber, sculpure, installation - www.loribgoodman.com
Barbara Dolan-Wilkinson - sculpture - www.dolanwilkinsonart.con
Tina Rousselot - painting - www.meridianfineart.net/artistrousselot.shtml
Patricia Sennott - printmaking, painting - www.meridianfineart.net/artistsennott.shtml
Lorraine Miller-Wolf - photography - www.millerwolf.com/Home.html
Joan Gold - painting - http://joangold.com
Claire Iris Schencke - mixed media - http://web.me.com/ischencke/Claire_Iris_Schencke/studio.html

Thank You, Seven Plus Artists!

I had a wonderful time in northern California last week with ten members of the Seven Plus artist group: (from left to right, starting with back row) Tina Rousselot, Patricia Sennott, Marie Kelleher-Roy, Lorraine Miller-Wolf (front row, left), Kathleen Zeppegno, Lori Goodman, Barbara Dolan-Wilkinson, Amy Uyeki (holding our collaborative piece), Nancy Head, and Claire Iris Schencke. I'm in yellow behind the table. The photograph was taken by Lorraine Miller-Wolf.



The two day workshop took place in a renovated barn on Nancy's beautiful rural acreage outside Fortuna. This picture shows the scenic surroundings in early morning sun. Nancy's home and separate studio building are nearby. Unfortunately, my camera battery died after this shot, or I'd have more pictures to show of this perfect site.


Transfer drawing was the focus of the first day and working with wet paper the focus of the second day. Lorraine Miller-Wolf took many pictures of the workshop in progress:


Tina Rousselot and Barbara Dolan-Wilkinson


Patricia Sennott



The tabletop during a transfer drawing demo


Kathleen Zeppegno



Amy Uyeki and Marie Kelleher-Roy



Claire Iris Schencke and Tina Rousselot



Marie Kelleher-Roy With Sunflowers

Additional pictures and three of her impressive transfer drawings can be seen on Claire Iris Schencke's blog, claireirisschencke.blogspot.com.

Spending time with the Seven Plus artists was a highlight of my summer!

Leaving On A Jet Plane

I'm off to Arcata for the Seven Plus Workshop. I'll be back online at the end of the week. Cheers!

Delicious, Healthy, Crunchy and Colorful

Bell Pepper and Corn Slaw

-taken from an article by Noelle Carter in the 7/29/2009 Food Section of the L.A. Times:

6 large bell peppers, assorted colors
2 ears corn, shucked
Juice of 2 lemons, or to taste
Zest of 1 lemon
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon agave syrup or honey, or to taste
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon chipotle or New Mexico chile powder, or to taste
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1. Core the peppers and cut them into lengthwise strips no thicker than 1/8th inch and about 2 1/2 inches long. Place the sliced pepper in a large bowl.
2. Slice the kernels off the corn and toss them with the peppers.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, zest, garlic, olive oil, agave syrup, salt and chipotle powder to form a dressing. Taste and adjust to taste.
4. Pour the dressing over the peppers and toss well to coast completely. Stir in the cilantro and toss until evenly combined. This makes about 6 cups slaw.
5. Cover and refrigerate the pepper slaw at least 1 hour before serving. The slaw will keep for up to 2 days, refrigerated.

Fresh Flowers, Morning Light

The beginnings of a lovely day...

Workshop for the Seven Plus artist group

I'm preparing these days for the workshop I'm giving soon to the Seven Plus artist group in northern California. This is a group of professional artists based in and around Arcata. I'll do a two day workshop. Day One will be focused on Transfer Drawing techniques. Day Two: Working With Wet Paper. I love these techniques and am working hard to organize the presentation and demos so that these artists will love them, too.

The Seven Plus artists (ten, actually) represent many media: painting, sculpture, printmaking, fiber, watercolor, wood, and stone. (I may have missed something.) Studying their websites to prepare for the workshop, I'm very impressed. AND, I will be thrilled to spend two days with like-minded people. What a pleasure this will be.

Studio Remodel Almost Complete

Thanks to Tom Negrete (left), Phil Brooks (lead contractor), and Nathan Brooks, my studio's tranformation from an old, worn out space into a fresh, new dream studio is almost complete. I'll show pictures of the space at project's end.