It's Unofficial!

I'm in.
http://www.bigforkfestivalofthearts.com/

Piccolo Pomodoro

That's Italian for "Little Tomato."

Love a Dog

So far it has been a so-so week.  Barely.  I had a great vacation, but now I can't seem to get it together.  There is a pile of work to be done but I don't have a lot of motivation in that department.  I need to be the master of needle and thread today (two wicked old Italian "cards" with strung beads showing floral patterns and three painted turkey feathers -- yeah, I know, painted turkey feathers) and the pile of unpaid bills on my desk is taunting me.  Loudly.  I am allowing it to feel like a very heavy burden.  Plus there is a shitstorm brewing with several downtown merchants about the Festival of the Arts and I sense I may be coming out of retirement from that committee.  Bleh.  After a week of walking thousands upon thousands of miles, I don't feel much like running.  Instead I am working my way through John Sandford's Lucas Davenport books (finished the first one on the plane home and am on the fourth one now -- I know, I've only been home for 4 days).  My wardrobe would much rather I run than slob on the couch reading.  The worst thing of all is I can't think of anything to paint.  I am all washed up.  I need a big old boost in the confidence department.

However, I do have one great thing going for me.  I love my dog.  She is such a happy camper, and she makes me smile.  Everybody should have a poodle-face, although none would be as good as mine.  None could POSSIBLY be as good as mine.

Momma loves poodle.

Music Music Music

Here is a link to the folks who are bringing Livingston Taylor to Bigfork this weekend:

http://www.cocguitarfoundation.org/

And here is a tiny blurb about the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation for those of you too lazy to click the above link:

The Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation brings together the finest guitar playing and one of the most exquisite natural landscapes in the world. These two passions, music and nature, take center stage during our week-long guitar workshop and festival at the Flathead Lake Lodge.

Go to the website.  The Foundation was started by a friend of ours and they are bringing some super fantastic guitarists to the Flathead Valley.  AND they have invited us to the private Livingston Taylor concert at their house this Sunday.  HOW COOL IS THAT?  Sweet.

Did you miss me?

I have been here:

with these people:

and this guy:

We ate this:

made some new friends:

saw some exotic animals:

(ha!  they are watching baby ducks....)

and had a boatload of fun:

It was a fun trip, but I missed my poodle dog.  She would have LOVED Disney World.

I had two days of decompression after my vacation (Happy Easter) and now, suddenly, I find I have to paint something to donate to a fundraiser this weekend, and the deadline for the member show at the Bigfork Museum is next week.  Uh.... oops.

wow -- ow

Dear Serena Williams,

My eyes are now broken.  Thanks for that.

xo,

Christine

Bathroom art

Today was a multi-cultural day here at Frame of Reference.  Someone brought us paintings she bought in Quebec, and someone else brought some Indonesian hand puppets.  We also designed a bathroom mirror and a Sarah Rogers print.  Tara bought two of my paintings (the first two pictured on the first February 5 post [there are two February 5 posts]) - woo hoo!  It was a busy day.  And a beautiful, sunny day also.  Poodle just got back from playing ball with Uncle Derek and if she cools off enough and her tongue rolls back up into her mouth, we are going for a run after work.  Happy Saturday.

Doesn't this look like it should be in a bathroom?  Next to a basket of sea shells....

Peanut Butter Pink

I didn't paint this yesterday.  Or the day before.  Or even last month.  Can't remember when I did; can't remember if I have posted this picture yet.  I WAS, however, using this color paint two days ago and got a bunch of it on the sleeve of my fleece jacket.  Oops.  I should have let it dry as is, but I tried to wipe it off (with one hand while holding a wet painting with the other) and it made a mess and now it looks like a baby pooped on my sleeve.  I bet 90% of the clothes I own have paint on them.  I am a mess.

Tuesday

Yes, I realize today is Thursday, but this is what I painted on Tuesday.

I'm a little startled at how much white paint I use.  Me?  White?  Really?  That's so ... boring.  Huh.  I love the last one; in real life the colors and texture are cool.  6x12.  The top two are little 5x7s.  I wonder how many pieces I could do if I spent an entire day painting, but that's an experiment for another day, in another house, where I actually have room....

Framed

Dominoes

I actually don't have anything to say today.  No pictures to post.  Nothing.  I have spent the last few days being consumed with something I want, something I think would be perfect for me, but something I can't currently have, which probably means it is something I won't ever be able to have.  And that sucks.  I know things happen for a reason, and they happen WHEN they happen for a reason, but it is hard to take steps forward when other things out of your control are holding you back.  I seem to be lining up my dominoes from the wrong end.

Sigh.

I console myself with this:  "It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead.  The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time."  -Winston Churchill

Abstractions, Part IV