Red Shoe Studio

Traveling lightly...

Have toothbrush, will travel...yeah right. Tomorrow I'm off for a few days in Florence and a few more in Nice. Not the best timing for me, what with trying to get the house ready to show, but since all I've been looking at lately are the insides of closets and getting my daily high from Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products (I believe I am addicted to the scent of Lemon Verbena), I am looking forward to a chance of scene.

So far I've packed 2 cameras, pocket-size and big ugly camera bag size, sketchbook, travel watercolors and pencils, not to mention 6 pairs of shoes, day clothes, dinner out clothes, sit on the beach clothes, and of course, the toothbrush.

Back in about a week with lots of photos and sketches!

All in the family...

I've always felt lucky to have such a creative family, music, art, even a little acting (I'm thinking of the mandatory Family Talent Show we have at Christmas...) Since I've been busy with house stuff and haven't set foot in the studio, I was happy to get this picture from Dad the other day.

He purchased this little bench, then used E-Z cut blocks ('cause the bench has a slight curve to the seat) to print right on the wood with a Burnt Umber printing ink. It will be auctioned for a land trust benefit this month. I'm hoping he makes a few extra prints for me...

Glad that someone in the family is making art!

The truth is:

... when you give, the universe will give back to you. In my case, it was these really lovely bowls that Amy brought to our KC bloggers get-together on Saturday...

Perfect for a bowl of green tea...

and I found this fabric I'd bought in Japan a couple years ago hidden in a messy closet!

Thanks to everyone for a fun Saturday afternoon (and evening!)

Cat nap...

somebody is not pulling their weight around here...

Old treasures...

Graduation accomplished, cum laude as a matter of fact (aren't we proud?) and I'm in crazy cleaning mode to get the house ready to go on the market. It's taking FOREVER! In a brave attempt not to move any crap, I'm ruthlessly clearing out the unused and unloved. Trying to declutter, deep clean, and "stage" the house all at once, room by room is getting a bit boring. However, I did go to sleep last night with my closet doors wide open so I could see how organized and tidy they were.

The side effect of all this cleaning has been finding great stuff that has been hidden away or forgotten. Like Harry and Percy, favorites in my small teddy bear collection. They are wearing old silk bow-ties I "borrowed" from the my high school costume department, YEARS ago.

The biggest challenge has been my kids. I'm walking around here, occasionally ranting about how much I have to do, and reminding them that I am REALLY SERIOUS this time...they MUST clean their rooms! Wish me luck!

Bloody brilliant

Last night I left housework behind and ran over to the Uptown to see Morrissey! I'd seen the Smiths YEARS ago but never Morrissey sans Johnny and he was fab! I snuck in a camera, (really, with everybody's camera phones now, how can they say no photography?)

"The Queen is Dead" pose, where he stayed for an entire song (well, he IS 48!)

and I say, better than ever...

Happy Birthday

What a weekend...Graham's birthday on Saturday, Mother's Day, and today, my birthday! (Note the red shoes on the cake!) Thanks Nolen, Kate, and Graham! Best part, nobody made me blow out all 40-something candles!

There's work and work...

I've been feeling a little frustrated at my inability to get into the studio and do some work. I've got a pile of sketches and ideas, the supplies, and even a little time, but it seems that I'm overwhelmed with all the end of the year, graduation stuff going on.

Today I had a (little) epiphany. I AM being creative. Part of our teaching method during the museum workshops is not to hover over the students, but to model by doing. So today, when my 3rd graders worked on their Life in #-D project, I worked on mine.

And this afternoon, I painted my landscape scroll while my students painted theirs.

My studio will still be there when I get back...

Sunny Seattle

No, really, the weather was pretty great! If you've already seen Wisecraft today,( and I know you have!) you've seen what a great weekend I had visiting Peter, Blair and the kids...

I guess people either love or hate Frank Gehry, but I think he's a brilliant architect and this colorful building is one of my favorites. I really enjoy the organic nature of his design, all curves, and I like being able to see how the building is constructed.

I tried to find ways to sneak bits of the Space Needle into these pictures...

Great trip, too short, can't wait to go back!

Empty nest

A Robin is building her nest in a tree right outside our back door...no eggs yet, I can see into it from my bedroom deck. I hope that Chris the Cat doesn't scare her off with his intent stares and loud meows.

Robin trivia: in Mary Poppins, the filmmakers mistakenly showed two male American robins building a nest instead of a female European Robin!