pastels, passports and driver's license photos

I have procrastinated a little in getting to the DMV for my driver's license renewal and subsequent photo. Over the years I have really never had a photo from the DMV that I was satisfied with. This year's is no disappointment in that arena. Now in the state of WA they request that you remove you corrective lens regardless to the fact that you DRIVE with them on your face so you don't crash into telephone poles and drive over pedestrians. I'm near sighted; I need my glasses to see and when I am photographed without them, I get this pinched look on my face like I am seeking a safe harbor in a fog. well???? I think it might be a nice idea that if one is an artist, you could submit your own rendering of your DL picture. I KNOW I could do better than what I ended up with. My last DL photo represented what I considered a not so good hair cut and I thought I looked like my mother (not that my mother is a bad looking person...it's that I looked middle aged). hmmm. But this new one - now I have only seen the temporary paper version - is a sight...that pinched searching for the light look and still middle aged. Oh, the hair cut is quite chic...my kid the stylist cut it all sort of spiky and cute. I think the DL photos are just meant to not be very flattering. Les had his done the same day and looks sort of mole-ish....never have I seen that expression on his face in 20+ years...MAYBE, the DL just likes to do photos that give the vendors and all who ask for your ID a challenge. Is she really her or is it not...And maybe that's what I really look like!!
Maybe there could be a quick draw at the DMV for those wanting a quality pic! Maybe?
And there is my passport photo that needs to be redone and renewed. Oh my, and I was able to get out of the middle east with THAT photo! Just proves they really hardly look at the photo.

Painting at Wenaha Gallery, Shows and Advice...

visit to Dayton's Wenaha Gallery on Saturday to participate in their Christmas in July event. It's a little unusual to be listening to Christmas carols while standing at an easel in a gallery in 100 degree weather painting! But that what we did. The gallery owners and staff decided to have some fun and do a special day of Christmas in July, inviting three artists to come to the gallery and work on a piece or just "be" there. I set up my easel and painted a couple of small landscapes of the Joseph, OR area that I have been wanting to complete. Although it was pretty warm, we enjoyed the conversations with the other artists and customers coming to the gallery. I had a nice conversation with a couple from the TriCities. Both painted; both want to get into galleries, but it sounds like they have been rejected or have not had any luck at showing their work. Now I have no idea what sort of work they do, but I just have to say this...everyone needs encouragement in their art...we are all busy, busy...but it just doesn't take much time to give some encouragement or direct someone to a show space that might hang their work or be frank and suggest some classes. My words of wisdom were...keep painting...take some classes that interest you and learn some good solid technique and if you feel you have work good enough to show some place, here are some suggestions. I shared that you do have to have some callous because rejection is a big thing in the art world. I never enter a juried show with a pre-conceived idea that I have the "best of show" piece...I shared my recent story of rejection...I had two decent paintings accepted into the NW Pastel Society show in April. It was a good strong show and I was happy that these particular ones were accepted. So another regional show comes along and I think these pieces would be worthy of that show. Well, NEITHER was accepted! So there you go. We had a little chuckle out of it and I took the rejects" home. One has since sold. It's about a subjective opinion for shows and for galleries. Just because a gallery or venue doesn't accept your work is not necessarily that it is poor of quality; maybe it just doesn't fit their style...So I hopefully answered the above couple's pastel questions in a helpful way that encouraged rather than discouraged.
And the two pieces I was working on...they turned out fine. I believe them to be saleable and solid pieces...if they never sell; be watching what's under your Christmas tree :-)

pastels, peacocks and and another day in paradise

It is a sort of paradise here...in it's own way. The weather is wonderful, hot; skies are blue and there is energy throughout the town. This morning started as any other until I heard the deeogees barking like mad dogs. Out in the front yard are two of the three neighborhood peacocks. Then they decided (even with the snarling and barking from within the safe haven of the house) to fly into the front entry that's fenced. These peacocks are vagrants so to speak; owned by no one, but living in the trees somewhere in our subdivision. Mac and Morrie were going nuts and not seeming to bother the birds in the least. Finally they flew on top of the roof....and that caused some concern for the deeogees as well. I pulled all the shades to eliminate some anxiety for the boys and proceeded to get ready for work. Just before I was leaving, I see the birds out on the back patio. I opened the door to "shoo" them away and Morrie exited stage left and initially didn't see the birds. Of course when he did, he chased them and they loudly flew to the neighbors roof. Don't know if the birds will visit again at this rowdy household, but they are quite pretty and fun to see - occasionally. Couldn't find the camera to substantiate my story, however.

Our quick trip to Tacoma for the opening reception for the International Pastel Show was fun. We got there in time to relax in our hotel a bit and then on to the area of the gallery. Found the perfect parking spot in the shade (for the deeogee's comfort) near the gallery and a little restaurant. Our timing was perfect for some happy hour treats and then on to the show. This show was expertly hung and the work was really first class. 63 pieces were in the show. The gallery is wonderful show space and directors most gracious. We spent a couple of hours visiting with friends at the show and enjoying the work. Got up the next morning about 4 and headed back to WW. As promised, with minimal stops were were in town around 9. Whirlwind trip...but...what a good time!

Cheat Grass Hills in Tacoma

I am reading my emails over my lunch break today and see one from someone affiliated with the International Pastel show at the American Art Co in Tacoma. Well, I had just dropped off Cheat Grass Hills there on Saturday for the show...The email was an announcement that it has been awarded the "Director's Award" and my presence is expected at the opening Thursday night! Holy cow! That's WAY awesome - 1) that my piece gets an award (I was happy it was included in the show :-/ ) and 2) THAT'S TOMORROW!!! So I have made arrangements to get myself together, work a few hours in the early morning; pick up Les and the deeogee's and head to Tacoma. The goal is to be back at work, reasonably rested; definitely alert Friday by 9. It can happen!

viruses, pastels, blog sites, life and art

So you know there is a major problem with your computer when you innocently log on and go to one of the major newsy sites like msn.com and immediately upon getting onto the site it disappears and is replaced by rapidly changing pornography sites. Really. Virus. So the computer got shut down and taken to the repair shop, where I hoped they would be able to salvage my programs and not loose my photos and my blog would still be intact. A week later...new system and most everything intact. Seems like the only loss was my Facebook and that may be a blessing in disguise. It seemed to be a little much, but by the same token, a good way to communicate with people.
So onward.
Last weekend we took Cheat Grass Hills to the International Pastel show in Tacoma at the Tacoma Art Company. Beautiful gallery near the convention center, downtown T. Les and the deeogees went along. Mac and Morrie live to go on car trips and they are fun to take. Especially when she are disguised and thought to be "show dogs" by unsuspecting humans we come across. If one were to closely (not even) look at these two, you would know they are not show dogs....show off dogs maybe.
I am being a little lazy in the painting arena. I have work now at the Wenaha Gallery for the Christmas in July show this month. And at the Whitman Hotel for month long shows.
I will be in Dayton on the 25th for their festivities for Christmas in July and most likely painting on site. I am working on some miniatures for a Montana show later this year. It's a challenge to make a quality painting in 25 square inches or less.
Back to the Tacoma Art Co...their last show was a quilt show...now I have seen some beautiful quilts, but the ones in that show were incredible. They are on the Art Co's web site. I see the wonderful quilt art that my friend Sheila does in Idaho and thought of her work as I was looking at the work in the Art Co.