Sunday, May 23, 2010

Fun Was Had





Char and I took our "Crumbs In The Butter" action out to Walnut Creek yesterday and had a great time selling art and making friends. The wind presented some challenges but we managed to keep it together. Mic almost blew away as she held down two shade structures that tried to fly away. Good thing she's so strong! Here are a few snaps from the day.







Friday, April 30, 2010

Off To The Beach!


When Charlotte entered Kindergarten (6 years ago!!), I met the most interesting group of moms. We couldn't be a more mixed bag of nuts but our friendship has deepened and evolved as the kids have gone from little 5 year olds to 11 year old 5th graders. It's our last year "en masse" at our elementary school and our dear Abby is hitting 50 so we've decided to take our show on the road and have a weekend away at Dillon Beach-- just the ladies.

It promises to be great fun what with the extensive menu, movies to watch, games to play and possibly Karaoke (I don't know if there will be enough Champagne to fuel my foolishness!).

So. here's to Abby on her b-day and all the lovely Havas (long story)-- I can't wait to get my groove on with you guys!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

I've Been Printsy-ed!




My interview is up on Printsy. Thanks, Amie! Love the blog and your energy!

http://printsy.blogspot.com/

Friday, April 16, 2010

A Giant Egg


The 5 hens are laying 5 eggs a day now. I heard poor Vesper squawking her heart out around
11 am. I ran out to see what all the fuss was about and the poor girl had just laid the biggest egg I've ever seen. Seeing it made my girl parts hurt! Here's a picture of it. The smaller egg in the foreground is typical for our flock.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

MARTHA!!

That darn Martha-- yes, that Martha. She gets 100 eggs a day from her flock of hens. We are getting 3 one day, 2 the next, and so on. Maybe today will be a "4". I am making frittata for dinner (gruyere, red onion, broccoli, and baguette croutons) so come girls, get to work!

EGG COUNT = 48

The Easter Bunny brought me a bag of vivid blue CHOCOLATE CARAMEL EGGS. They are going fast...

Mudd Hens!

Mudd Hens is a wonderful boutique located at 1348 Lincoln Avenue on Calistoga's quaint main street. They are now selling my screenprints and paper house assemblages. Stop in next time you're in the wine country. Amy has a great selection of bath and body stuff, too.
http://www.muddhens.com


Saturday, April 3, 2010

Gilman Retread



I know that I've already posted these Gilman Street prints BUT these two with their bright backgrounds are really great. They are listed in my Etsy shop but I may frame and keep the pink one--it is too fun. These are the only ones-- the screen will be reclaimed and gone for good very soon.

EGG COUNT = 37

We'll be dying some of the darling little eggs for Bunny Day. Can't wait!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Text Message Series


I added a few pieces from my "Text Messages" series to my Etsy shop (click on the thumbnails located in the side bar to view). People who know me are well aware of my ineptitude with sending or receiving texts. I have done it twice. Here is some art as comment on all that. I like old books and paper. I like real letters. I will answer the phone sometimes... like if you're calling!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Studio Chaos



I pumped out a bunch of my sunset chix prints in anticipation of the next few art sales and my studio is in shambles. I do love to see the prints drying on the line.

Art and chickens, what else?




EGG COUNT = 21

The 5 hens are reliably laying 3-4 eggs a day. We are so proud!

I guess we'll stop counting at some point...


Saturday, March 20, 2010

Spring's first Strawberry Shortcake


Our beautiful Berkeley weather inspired me to make Strawberry Shortcakes last night-- boy they were delicious. The berries weren't as good as they'll be in a few weeks but the essence came through and ignited spring fever!

EGG COUNT

Our egg count is: SEVEN!!

We ate scrambled eggs for breakfast and they were incredibly tasty. Truly superior to store bought. Mike coined a term for us "Ultralocs"-- like locavores but our protein originates less than 50 feet from the freakin' stovetop.

The hens are doing well and seem very proud of their efforts. Much brock, brock, brocking and strutting around the coop immediately following an egg lay. I am head over heels for these feathered darlings.

New Paper House Assemblages





I spent a productive day in the studio making little paper house scenes for the forthcoming art sales. The only problem is that I am so in love with the finished products that it may break my heart to sell them. The mat cutting went smoothly -- I didn't screw up a single one. I worked slowly and thoughtfully with no rushing.

I have a few of these up for grabs in my Etsy shop. Also, remember that I can customize these with initials, numbers and special phrases. What a super gift idea! The mats are sized to fit into standard 8 x 10 or 9 x 12 frames.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

More Good TImes at Nizza

Man, we had such fun at Nizza La Bella last night (827 San Pablo Ave. Albany, CA). I think Champagne is the best beverage for a truly bubbly St. Pat's. We took a bunch of pic's but you'll have to visit Lyra's blog to see them as she snapped 'em: http://www.fix-8.blogspot.com/


Lyra brought me the most darling little bag of super fresh Swedish Fish. Needless to say, they've been consumed. Weird thing-- I also received an e-mail from the Visit Sweden council this morning?!? And the movie version of "The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo" was released stateside this week. Coincident? You tell me.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Our First Little Egg!


Darling Astrid popped out the first egg yesterday afternoon. What a good girl! It is a gorgeous, perfect little brown egg. I whooped and called out to Mike and Char when I discovered it in the nesting box. Astrid stood by and watched us take it. Sort of weird but all the books says that quick removal of a fresh eggs leads to greater productivity. We'll see! We should be deep in the scrambles before long. I can't believe she laid it right in the nesting box. I expected these crazy ladies to set down their treasures any old place. I guess that chicken's have good instincts!


Here is Astrid keeping her eye on us as we take her tiny treasure!
Send me your egg recipes!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Chop, chop!





Here is a new print inspired by the gorgeous quilt that Gayle made and donated to the wheelchair basketball fundraiser. Her quilt featured a warm white background with strips of newsprint-type fabric in black and red as the focal point. My print attempts to capture the feel of the rows of script and pattern play. I used dirty teal and rosy red inks instead of black and red. I feel like I resort to black too often and I wanted to avoid the xerox-y look that sometimes infects my letterform designs. I haven't named it yet but perhaps an idea will strike today.

I've got to get down to business with the wine country prints. Mic and I are heading up in in a little over a week to secure some "accounts" and I am as of yet empty-handed! Time to chop, chop.

I have another couple of graffiti prints to kick out and then my brain will be free to toy with the chickens, barns and vines that I have floating around in my mind's eye. Finger's crossed and all ideas are welcomed.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Gilman Street Grafitti Print



I created a transparency using one of my photos of an old broken down building down by the Gilman Street tracks. Great graffiti--I particularly love the name "Edgar" that is evident in the close up shot of the piece. I'm not sure what to do with this series but I am having fun working out the layers and colors.

New Show at TIQUE Salon






Michelle helped me hang a new little show at Tique Salon in Martinez this morning. It looks great and I am so pleased! There will be a little art, wine and cheese night on May 8th with old town Martinez throwing open it's shop doors and letting artists mingle and schmooze the crowds. Maybe even sell a few things!
TIQUE SALON
631 Main Street Martinez, CA across from Starbuck's.
Lisa the owner does beautiful hair cuts starting at $35-- very reasonable!

Also, my stuff is still up at Tresses Salon 1734 Solano Avenue (above Sweet Basil). All the work is framed and ready to be hung on you walls ($20-60).

Sunday, March 7, 2010

"True Stories" New Screen Print





I finally scratched this itch and printed out these weird little prints. I sliced up strips of words, maps and old hand written journal pages and here's what shook down. I don't think I'll sell these but I've got about 8 prints if anyone's interested. I feel lighter--like a dumped a bunch of stuff that has been rattling around in my head onto the page. The story's been expressed and can be put to rest.

RFTB's 44th b-day party



We hosted a fun little birthday party for our dear friend Rick last night and, while I lost big at the poker table, a great time was had by all. The girls entertained us with a stuffed animal circus--hoola hoops and lots of string. Gougeres and pizza and Lyra's beautiful cake rounded out the eats. Here's to you, Mr. Full Tilt!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Chickens, Marbles and Big Mike


My sweet spouse had his lucky 43rd birthday last week. 43 is my lucky number so certainly Biggie M will have a wonderful year. He's tops and deserves all kinds of happiness. We hit Pizza Delphina (the BEST) and enjoyed lots of laughs with our best buds.




The chickens are growing fluffier and wider by the day. Still no eggs but I'm sure we'll see some within the next two weeks. They are 5 months old and happy little creatures.

I am burning some new screens today and will have new prints up tomorrow if all goes well. Here are some marble pics I snapped this morning-- note the cool reflections.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day!



We had a fun little V Day party last night complete with poker and champagne and few episodes of LOST. I made these dear tiny ice cream sandwiches and cherry-iced sugar cookies (my mom used to make these when I was a kid). It was nice to relax with my favorite peeps and enjoy some giggling and bluffing.

The sun is out today and the chickens are running around happily hunting for bugs in their fresh straw.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Just Do It


Thursday night I attended a reception at UCB for Gloria Bowles, the founder of Cal's Women's Studies Department. Hearing a bit of the story behind the evolution of the program reminded me of how much I take for granted in my own life. Not to diminish our ongoing struggles but the progress made thus far is remarkable.

Ms. Bowles read from her new memoir and I was moved by her description of trying to maintain a lucid train of thought amid daily matters of home and heart. I battle this as well--the need to justify time given over to introspection as "important." Even time spent on art has to be borrowed (or stolen) from one's real work or daily chores. I appreciate anew the need for self expression and the importance of following through with intellectual and artistic urges.

Off to do something about it!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Mr. Phoenix's WIld Ride

Master Phoenix has been delivered to his new home. An hour in the car with a rooster? One for the record books. Here are his new friends:

TOMMY:
PEEPS & TUCKER:

And many more who were less than thrilled to pose for my camera. Rooster problem solved and now I will get on with my life!