a very merry christmas indeed!

Yes, indeed. A very merry day. I haven't blogged for a while, so much else to do around the holidays. But, the tree is gone now and the wrapping put away so I'm now looking forward to a beautiful new year. My New Year's resolution? Try to eat less sweets! I said try, OK? So, don't yell at me if you see me chowing down on a chocolate chip cookie (my favorite!) What else? Live life to the fullest and enjoy the people and things around me. Enough said!

Here are some pics I'd like to share. Our little porch with the christmas lights, Nikki's gingerbread house, our cat, Scout under the tree, looking like a demon with the lights in his eyes (he really doesn't look like that) and Nikki with her new cell phone (a pink RazR!!!) Hope ya all had a merry one too. See u in the 2007!

there really is a santa claus

OK. Im convinced! There really is a Santa Claus. I had another unexpected artwork sale! This one came through the SAM Gallery and a check just arrived in the mail. The SAM Gallery is part of the Seattle Art Museum. They show the work of local artists and artwork can be purchased or rented out. A lot of businesses and offices use the rental services so they can continuously change the look of their workplaces. Interior designers and house stagers use it a lot as well. This artwork that sold is primarily green and cherry red, perfect for the season!

Anyway, I'm thrilled and not just because of the money. It's more that someone wants to own something that I created. It's a very satisfying accomplishment and one that I worked hard for. When I first started seriously making art, entering shows and trying to get into galleries, it was a tough road, full of disappointments and rejections. So, when I have a sale, it's like proof that it was worth the effort to get to this point. I'm also very grateful to the people at the SAM gallery for believing in me. That is the true spirit of Christmas.

a lovely unexpected gift

I received an unexpected and delightful call the other day from someone who wanted to buy 2 pieces of my artwork! Years ago, and I'm talking years ago!, my friend Doris and I put some artwork into a local orthodontists office. She put her art in the main hallway near the lobby and I put a couple of pieces in a small kids play area off the lobby. At one time, I had done some art for kids rooms and even tried my hand at painting a few murals. I had a hard time finding the right place to market the kids art and the mural painting lost it's appeal after I did a couple. (They are a lot of work!)

Anyway, I had these pieces that I loved, but they didn't have a home. So, I thought, why not, I'll put them in the little kids area and maybe, who knows, someone will love them and want to own them. As I said, years went by and I didn't think of them much, except to think I probably ought to go and get them one day. Well, the orthodontists actually called me up and decided they loved them and wanted to keep them and could they mail me a check! How cool is that!

Attached are the 2 pieces. The Crooked Man and Simple Simon, both based on nursery rhymes and both done on wood panels. I used lots of collage materials-including maps, food packaging, fabric and kids artwork. I painted the rest with acrylic paints.

hitting the stores

Have you been to Target lately? Or as we like to say Tar-jay, to make it sound cooler to shop there. Any-hoo, they are always teaming up with talented designers to create affordable designs for the masses. This holiday season it's Tord Boontje, who is Dutch, but now lives and works in France. His design work is so contemporary, fresh and somewhat whimsical. Not only does he have products for sale in the housewares area, he designed the banners and other pieces that hang from the ceiling as Target's holiday decorations. There are cut out snowflakes, reindeers whose antlers turn into beautiful scrollwork, tree branches with birds in them and floral pieces. There's also a chandelier type piece that hangs form the ceiling. It's all so different from traditional holiday trim, I was quite taken with it. They have some fun commercials on TV right now that feature Tord and I read that he even designed the sets.

finally thawed out

We are finally thawed out after ICE STORM 2006. The weather here has been crazy! Snow and ice! and no school for 2 days. When it snows in Seattle, the city basically shuts down. I'm originally from the midwest, so I'm used to snow and ice. School NEVER closed. We walked to school in the snow if there was no transportation. It's so amazing to me how people here freak out over a couple of inches. It's been an adventure, but I'm glad to be back to normal. Above photo is my daughter catching snowflakes on her tongue. So cute. She played soccer on a snow covered field last night (it's the playoffs - GO LASERS!) I got to watch...brrrrrrrrrr!