Killer Show at Idiosyncrazies!

Did I tell you my sister Shazza's gallery Idiosyncrazies was named the best Gallery of Ocean County, New Jersey? Did I tell you that I had the honor of showing my paintings with her in a "sister show"? Did I tell you that she sold two, maybe three of my paintings? I am honored and amazed. In the first photo you will see our display, Shazza's photos and my paintings. A few of my paintings were inspired by her photos. I tried to paint some beachy themes because her gallery is at the beach! Well Shazza sold two of my woodsy themes. One being my signature "Sacred Grove" painting. I credit Shazza's incredible salesmanship along with the good people of New Jersey. I never felt quite as at home in the Lancaster Art "Scene". Perhaps the New Jersey people appreciate my mystical vortexes and trippiness a bit more.

Here we are at Shazza's store. Some of the relatives showed up! Pictured are cousin Cynthia, my father (aka semiconductor), Shazza, Self, Aunt Bette (aka Mrs. Doubtfire), and Jeannie. Aunt Bette is my mother's sister, Cynthia and Jeannie are her fraternal twin daughters. They are holding a print of my Dublin "Chimbleys". My framer and one of her employees requested to purchase prints of Chimbleys. That was inspired the view from my hotel room on our family trip to Ireland four years ago.

Thanksgiving and Pearl Harbor

My youngest spent Thanksgiving in Hawaii. Not just for fun and frivolity but her Marching band was invited to help commemorate the 70th anniversary of the lives lost at Pearl Harbor. The first picture is of her friend and tuba player, Joel paying his respects at the U.S.S. Arizona memorial. The band played two performances there and will march in the Waikiki Holiday Parade tonight.


A few of the girlfriends with their leis still intact, getting ready to perform. Delaney had a wonderful time. Besides performing she found time to kayak and bury friends in the sand. She missed Thanksgiving with the family although they "provided" the cafeteria grade turkey dinner with instant mashed potatoes, it wasn't up to par. Delaney sent us a text telling us she missed our Thanksgiving dinner. We stayed home. There were only the three of us. Oldest daughter was home from college and appreciated home time. So lets be thankful. Remember the brave men and women who fought for us and pray to stop these stinking wars.

Death Month

Calacas

Sugar Skulls

In certain parts of Mexico, the indigenous people have celebrated El Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead during late October and early November. This wonderful festival (lasting several days) celebrates the lives of deceased loved ones. The people believed that during this special time of year, the spirits of the loved ones came back to visit. Sugar skulls are made and painted in bright colors. Little handmade skeletons "calacas" are created, dressed in the deceased persons' favorite clothing and depicted enjoying their favorite activities. Tombstones are decorated with marigolds. When Mexico was "conquered" by the Spaniards, the people had no choice but to convert to Catholicism. The Mexican people incorporated their traditions into the Catholic All Souls Day.

I remember years ago suggesting to my daughter's elementary school PTO that we should incorporate some of these festivities into their fall festival. What fun it would be! (This was after a certain fundamentalism group outlawed Halloween). Needless to say that was immediately shot down and I was accused of Satanism.

October to me has become death month. I spent last weekend in Virginia following the death of my brother-in-law. Dr. Joe turned 60 on September 11th. One year ago we traveled to Virginia to "celebrate the life" of my husband's best friend. Michael was 51. My mother's birthday would have been October 20th. All three of them died prematurely due to different types of cancer. I'm not quite up to celebrating in the way of our Mexican friends.

I haven't felt much like posting. I felt the same way last year after Michael's death. Mom's birthday in the middle of this contributes to the down feeling. My students will be making colorful skulls in art class. Perhaps if I post the name of the project in Spanish I will not get flak.

Preserved Farmland Trust Painting

Here is the painting I've been working on for the Preserved Farmland Trust of York County, Pennsylvania. Thirty local artists were invited to participate. Each artist was assigned a preserved farm.

I was assigned to the 400 acre Snyder family farm in nearby Mount Wolf. I was given one day in July to sketch and photograph and gather a general impression of the land. The owner agreed to meet me at 6:00 p.m. one evening. I drove around with my sketchbook and camera, wishing that I had time to paint on location.

The cause is worthy. The owners of beautiful farmland agree to preserve their land in order to maintain some of the rural character of our county for future generations. The land directly across the road from this farm was turned into a typical sprawling suburban subdivision. I'm sure it was somewhat profitable for the owners, but much more so for the developers. Just beyond the ridge of hills there lies shopping centers, car dealerships, and traffic. The tower of he trash incinerator is visible, but not prominent on the horizon.

I am honored by the invitation to participate in this exhibit. There are some well known artists participating that I consider way above my league!

Jersey Salt

Here's a painting I'm working on for Shazza's Sister Show. I am using her wonderful photography for inspiration. The sky is a little trippy but I like it.

This is definitely the landscape of my childhood as we were surrounded by the salt marsh. We used to call it the meadows. I used to play in it, sinking into the oozy mud while I hunted for terrapins and salamanders. When I was a pre-teen, I used to ride a painted Chincoteague pony down the sandy road to the Seaview docks. During the summer I set my crab traps over the Patcong Creek bridge and waited for my prey. As I got a bit older the sandy marsh roads led to "smoking" spots. When the marsh froze you could walk on the footpaths away from civilization. Small fires were built. Beer cans dropped by underage drinkers littered the ground.

It wasn't until I moved away that I realized the beauty of the salt marsh. I am glad that it is now protected. The osprey have returned. The place holds all sorts of memories for me. Some pleasant, some terrifying. I remember the smell of low tide.

As I look at it on my monitor it looks different than the painting. I added some new purple to the sky and now I realize that I should not have. I was trying to go for complementary color drama. I have to clean up a few stray marks here and there.

Flood Zone

Well the weather gods are at it again. A stalled weather system funneled 7-8 inches of rain through central Pennsylvania over the last couple of days.

I did get an unexpected day off. Luckily my house is not in a flood plain. I did cross through a boundary and I drove through a water covered road last night. Normally I wouldn't do it, but the little VW ahead of me went through so I thought my bitchen mini-van would make it.

Hershey Park is underwater. Unfortunately they had to euthanize two buffalo (American bison) that were caught in a flash flood.

Major interstates are closed including I-81 and the Pennsylvania turnpike. It is pretty serious. This stalled weather system is causing more damage than Hurricane Irene last week.

The good news is that I spent the day painting. I have the preserved farmland trust exhibit coming up.

I hope everyone is staying dry.

If you need another reason to boycott McDonald's

Captured from a friend. I knew there was something about McDonald's food.
If you need another reason to not eat this shit, here it is.

Sorry, I've not been posting. First couple of weeks of school with all new classes! I'm a bit busy but I love you all.