Nell's Scrapbook Blog

Oakland Holiday Bazaar!!

All my goodies at the show

I had a good time meeting and greeting just outside of Jack London Square in Oakland last weekend.  It was a chilly day down by the water and the crowd was slim, but I did manage to have a great time anyway.  I was showing my wares with longtime friends from Tennessee, all of whom are outrageously crafty women! Lets do it again soon and get the word out.

Farm Birds

I thought I would show off this nearly finished painting in honor of the rain coming . Winter in descending and I am tidying up my garden after the fall harvest: tomatoes, chard, figs, raspberries, strawberries, and lots of beautiful roses! Thanks to my farming roots.

Dirt Birds: Mabel and Bert

Getting Dialed in.

Wow. Technology is getting so awesome!  I am going to sound like a commercial if I say another word.  Lets just say that I hope to be writing more about my art now that I have sorted out some things on my new toy.

Oh! and check out my new paintings.

Helloooo_

Hi there people, or no people.  I am beginning my school year tomorrow and looking for some sort of threshold to cross over before being swept away in the myriad of things a school teacher will attempt to weave into the already overwhelming school day of a mother of three.  Oh!, and I just have to mention that my children have three different pick up times and are all on separate soccer teams this year!  Yikes!  How did I willingly sign up for this ridiculous circus??

On the bright side I have high hopes of discovering a perfect studio space in which to work up some painting, sanding and crafting this year.  I have done some work this summer that is worthy of showing you. I finished a commission piece for a lovely lady named Mary.  This is a picture of it posing in my garden.  I’ll swap it out with it in its place in the house the next time I visit said lady:)

Beach Birds!, more from the “Looking West” series

I have been working on a series of birds the last couple of years and my super favorite so far has been this series of birds kicking it beach side.

While oil paints were my predominant medium during college, it took a bit of scrounging and dusting of cobwebs to put my supplies back in order.  OOh, and I couln’t help but buy a few new, super fabulous colors from my very favorite art store in Santa Rosa, Rileystreet.  That place is really my candy store, and I have expensive tastes in oil pigment!! I do believe it was worth every penny though, such rich color, is delectable to the painting fanatic.

I did a bit of photography out at Salmon Creek with the kiddos running around and lounging and this is one of my finals.  I also invoked the Georges Seurat pointillism piece I think is titled “Sunday Afternoon” which has such a lovely aura of relaxation and joie de vivre, don’t you think?

Goodbye Shiki Monkey:(

So sad that the coolest shop in town is closing.  I am still sussing out wether this is due to lifestyle change on the part of the owner or the sad state of the economy.  Oh that dreaded word! I have been trying lately not to bring attention to that word at all, like “he who must not be named”.  Yet those who are strong don’t fear the name, they find a way to adapt and move forward. Oh and by the way, she is progressively discounting the items at Shiki Monkey, be sure to get there soon!

I have had a nice run in Julia’s shop, and had many people recognize my work from that venue.  But change can be a very good thing, and I am excited to have all my babies back in my hands for a fresh round of photos, in context.  By this I mean in peoples homes and in places I would place my work. This is going to be loads of fun as I have an invitation from a friend with a super chic house in which to photograph my work!!

Kalidescope!

So, I have a show on this Friday, the 18th of February, up on McConnell St., across the street from the main entrance of the SRJC.  The gallery, Kalidescope, is at 530 McConnell St., and is painted bright blue with a lovely drip of complimentary orange off the roof line.  The young men who are running this space featuring emerging artists are throwing a party every month to celebrate culture, art and youth, This wine and beer/ DJ  event that lasts until 1am. Come check out the 18 females who bear their hearts desire  at their “Heartbreakers” show, up for 4 weeks only!

Handcar Time

Sweet!! The time for Santa Rosa’s much acclaimed Handcar Regatta has come again and this time I get to enjoy more of the party as I will be traveling lightly and attending with my art cards as a walking vendor. I am super excited to see the rich costuming community in all their glory for the day, as the theme is “old India”. I am also looking forward to a mild weather experience as the 110 degree heat of last year put a damper on some of the festivities.  Last year people were not nearly as interested in perusing the local wares and art scene as getting a cold lemonade. I am hoping my whole family fan club will be in tow as well, to see the spectacular mechanical creations and enjoy the visual candy of a fun spirited community all “playticipating”  in the act of the day!!

Cheers- Hope to see you there in all your glory!!

Mama Do.

Summertime, ahhh!  Time to rejoice in the fabulous weather and time do all the things I didn’t have time to do during the school year, right?  Wrong.  It is time to entertain three active young girls in various play-dates, activities, projects and family outings.  I can’t say I have had much time to make my art works, let alone endeavor to start up some of my new ideas, of which I have many:)  Instead of launching my sewing projects and biting off a chunk of marketing tasks, I have been called upon to be the Mama Do. I am not really complaining, only wishing there was more time get it all done before I am swept away with lesson plans and school obligations. I have something to show for my time though, as my garden starts to produce the sweet and acidic tomatoes that are a testament to homegrown hard work.

The art things I have made this summer are in there own sphere, not unlike all my work yet- super textural and rich with color.  But they are distinctly different and hopefully more approachable for the tentative buyer. I am in love with Golden’s Hard Molding Paste.  It mixes so deliciously with acrylic paint to create a buttery, thick and soft matte on the surface of the canvass.  I have been removing the paste and paint as much as laying it on, scraping away at the milky top layer to reveal the under painting. With the garden as my muse and the paste the medium …Here are some pictures for you to peruse the fruits of my labor.

Graton Gallery

It is very exciting to be part of the artistic community at the Graton Gallery.  Their sculpture court is jam packed with super affordable, fabulous artworks that range from welded pieces 10 feet tall, to, well…my humble little ceramic paintings.  This new version of my sculptural paintings are weather safe and kiln fired with beautiful glazes.  Seriously affordable people, you can have your pick of these zen pieces for 150-200$!!!  Everyone who captains the gallery is very approachable and supportive,  and I truly feel blessed to be there.