Untied

So my apron strings have come untied

Both dangling loose down by my sides

Unraveled at wits end

Not wanting to defend

Why my apron strings have come untied

Still, my apron strings have come untied

‘Cause of this to you I will confide

I have an urge to fly

Sink in the soft blue sky

While my apron strings remain untied

So my apron strings have come untied

It’s come down to this: I must decide

Forever by duty bound

When you turn back ‘round

Find my apron strings will be retied

Sisters True

I finally called this huge painting finished.  In fact, I have called just about all my paintings finished.  The big show is next week!  This piece is about sisters.  I love my sisters.  Here's a treat, me and my sisters in 1978.  (I'm the baby).  

p.s.  I have two brothers and I love them too.

Juliet:

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite."

Set in the world, set apart from the world.  Love transcends all and has no boundaries.  Bounty is a generous gift, as is the giving of one's love.

Be Mine

I love Valentine's Day!  I made these pins for my little sweethearts.  And, one for my true love to wear on his lapel, lest he forget who loves him most.  Hope you had a lovely day!

Mulier

If you are in Arizona and interested, I have all my paintings for my "She Wore her Heart on her Apron Pocket" show on display around my house.  Tonight we are having an open house after seven, so come on by!  I will be packing the bulk of them Monday afternoon.  I'm almost finished!!

Dolls

Sometimes when I look at my three little dolls I think, "Really?  You're trusting me, little me, with taking care these people?"  It's pretty surreal.  Their very mental and physical health is in my hands.  Sometimes I'm not so sure I'm all that good at it.  I yelled at a couple of them today and forgot to make sure they brushed their teeth this morning.  But, sometimes when I look at the three of them I am overwhelmed with love and desire to be better at giving them what they need.

Upon Finishing

I'm on a count down to my big show. I'm eating, drinking, and sleeping paintings! I've given up most of my sleep, my gym time, and enlisted Gavin to take care of everything (i.e. dishes and kids) after six o'clock. Among so many other things, my bloggage has been slacking. Here are a couple of finished paintings to catch you up.  I have a good seventeen to finish in the next two weeks, and possibly a few more to start... and finish.  
I don't have a title for this piece yet.  I wanted to paint those apples, that hair, and immortalize that beautiful bowl that broke a few days later.  I loved that bowl.  Crate and Barrel doesn't have it anymore.  She is a little sassy and empowered.  A domestic goddess, if you will.
This piece is titled Little Girl in a Big Apron.  I did a smaller piece, Big Apron, Little Girl a while ago and wanted to expand on the idea.  I don't wear red, it gives me anxiety, so when I use red, I really mean it.  It is bold and powerful, zealous and impassioned.  The concept of the over-large apron is the daunting task, the overwhelming responsibility of family and home.   It is also the overwhelming love and dedication to these things. 

Sunday Drawing

Ghost Overground

In one of my favorite books My Name is Asher Lev, Asher's father performs a Jewish ritual reciting a prayer while lighting a candle.  The prayer speaks of the flame representing a sort of transcendence, we should try to be like the flame rising away from the wick to join God.  I like that idea. 

Confession

I am utterly and perfectly addicted to chocolate covered goji berries.  I just ate that whole pile while the picture loaded.  Heavenly.  Wondering what to do while you indulge in heavenly delights?  Try this Mr. Picassohead website. Big hit in our house. 

Sunday Drawing

Love

Love is like the truth, sometimes it prevails, sometimes it hurts.

-unknown

Lettuce

makes an appearance.

Restoration

I got this painting, that I painted three years ago, sent back to me to fix. The paint on the crackled sky was pealing off. Yikes. It took me forever to get going because I was afraid I would ruin the whole painting, or the owner wouldn't approve - and then what!
First I had to sand off the varnish and most of the paint, but just the sky, trying not to ruin the figures that were fine, with super fine sandpaper and water.  Then I repainted the sky.  The hardest part (and I mean scariest) was the crackle because it is so unpredictable. I lucked out big time. Finally I rubbed in a glaze and voila!

It ended up all right. In any case, finished!

My Pirates

My girls pirate costumes for Halloween were too cute, we had to do something with them.  I had some Heritagemakers credits that were expiring (don't get me started on credits that expire), so we made a book.  The Pirates McPhie and the Indian Treasure..  And yes, I let out a big yelp of completion when I finally finished this one.
The key clue on their treasure map was chewed away by a rat.  It says India....  So they go to the Indian Sea to visit a princess, they go to Indian Jones who is occupied, and the Indian Reservation where the Chief laughs at them.  Finally they go to Indiana-comma- Gary where they find the treasure:  Raisins from Fresno (Music Man reference).  
We had a lot of fun making this book.  The girls love it.

Sewing her Heart on her Apron Pocket

Finished!  Look at me go.  I have nineteen - wait make that eighteen - paintings in various stages of unfinishedness hanging about my studio.  So hip hip for the first finished painting of the year!  With many more to swiftly follow.  This piece is about wearing one's heart on the apron pocket.  The process of "sewing" the heart on the apron is one of selfless sacrifice, unconditional love, and bare vulnerability.  The thing is, at the end of the day you can't feel sorry for yourself or tally up all you've done for others.  It is your role.  No thanks needed, (though it is nice on occasion) it does not come with the job description.

2009

Happy New Year!  Yip yip for 2009.  I don't make resolutions, so passe.  But, I do make themes.  I like everything to have a nice, tidy theme.  So, 2009: I am a finisher! (Said with gusto).  I have always been a primo starter.  Seriously, the ideas abound, plans are made, things get rolling, and then  new ideas come along (and/or life) and all the best intentions fall by the wayside.  The biggest tragedy of this sad lament is that I feel like a failure for what goes unfinished or poorly executed.  My theme is all about organization, prioritization, and self-congratulation.  Lists galore and realistic plans and, the best part, I get to throw my arms up and shout, "I AM A FINISHER!" every time I finish something, anything really.  To be followed by rolling eyes and hands over ears of the little people.  

More Paperdolls

Paperdolls

Update

Face:

Looking better.  (please don't scar, please don't scar...)

Garden:

Grow carrots, grow!

Paintings:

Really trying to get into finish mode. I have too many ideas for my own good.

 

Christmas cards:

Shoot.  Oh well.

My Garden

Take a look at my beautiful new garden box!  Da da ta da!  My fabulous BFFs of Bogle Family Farms built it in my back yard.  They did a smashing job if I do say so.  Thanks Tom and Reuben.
I got my carrot seeds in the mail today.  Let the bounty begin.  I am so excited!  I want to plant so many things.  I'll start with carrots, lettuces and some herbs for my I-live-in-Arizona-and-can-grow-things-year-round early crop.
Look at all that glorious potential.  I just got chills.

Painting

Making progress. Ya, I'm having fun.

But why does it have to be at the expense of house and Christmas decor, gifts, attention to little people, and meal preparation? 

Et cetera, et cetera.

Carry on, carry on. Eventually, it will all get done.

N'more for me Sanks

So get this:  We're roasting marshmallows on the beach.  Mine catches on fire, I go to blow it out and, somehow, it sticks to my face.  First and second degree burns on my cheek.  Ouch is right.  It's healing nicely, I'm opting for no scar.  So, tonight I have this brilliant idea to make some of the Thanksgiving dishes that we missed on the actual day because all we ate was pie.  Seriously, all day, just pie.  Punkin pie, apple pie, chicken pot pie, spinach pie (for me the veggie), pecan pie, chocolate pie, and quiche (oh yes, it's a pie).  Anyway, so I make stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes... with marshmallows - the marshmallows leftover from the trip - for dinner.  The table is set, everything is ready, last thing to do is pull the sweet potatoes out of the oven.  And, guess what?  They are on fire.  Flaming.  I had to blow them out with four full breaths.  Don't worry, I didn't burn myself again, but seriously.  Cursed marshmallows?  What did I ever do to them?  I have been a pretty loyal fan for years.  Well, let it be said, I'm off marshmallows for a time.

I picked off what I could and made my family eat them anyway. Gavin, ever the optimist, says, "They're good. They taste roasted, like we're camping." He's sweet.

Sand Castle

Have you ever seen a more spectacular sand castle?  Almost the entire 19 family members contributed.  We have fun together.  I love the ocean so much. 

Sisters enhancing the art.

California

Don't mind if I do. Thanksgiving on the beach, craftin' up a storm and enjoying the company of my family. Happy Thanksgiving.

Nines

I had to put off so many pieces to finish my Tree of Life show. Now that I can finally get back to them, I'm having a hard time focusing. I'm all over the place! One of the things I'm excited about this nine piece series. All nine will hang in a row and will be interwoven, interacting, and a cohesive set. The series is a study of the attitudes of sisterhood. Also known as the Pam paintings. She is a good model and looks a little like a Kershisnik painting in real life.