Sunday, May 31, 2009

PLAY IT



This is a piece of artwork I created several years ago but I have always liked the multi dimension of it. Lots of stuff going on and layers.

I had a little post surgery scare yesterday. Without even thinking about it, I decided to wash the motel bathroom floor. And then I had more bleeding. I was scared and got a "chewing out" from my Dr. And rightly so. Us moms just do stuff like cleaning, second nature to us, just not the right timing yet. Ok, I'm being good now!

Friday, May 29, 2009

New Post and Surgery Report





Here I am sitting in my lawn chair that I brought from home in a Seattle Hotel. Not sleeping more than about 3 hours at a time and eating applesauce and graham crackers. What a funny diet. Not even coffee or chocolate tastes good to me! (My two favorites!) Hubby has been an angel, he hasn't slept much either! Forcing me to take my pain meds.


Hopefully getting stronger each day. Going to the Dr. again today to take off my pain pump and change dressings.

Thanking everyone for prayers and good wishes. Hugs to you.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Words of the Heart



I posted some artwork to my laptop so I could still post a couple of them while I was away.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Quick Studio Tour

I have been wanting to try a video with my camera and this is my fourth try at it. Kind of a quick tour but fun anyway.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Sunday Scripture




I chose this particular Scripture this week because on Monday morning I leave for Seattle for two weeks for some surgery. It is comforting to know that God has plans for good for me! I might be away from my blog for several days but I'll be back! (:

Studio Tour Video

I was hoping to post a video Studio Tour today but my little video, even though only a couple of minutes, has too many MB to load. Anyone have any ideas? Still learning all this new techy stuff. Have lots to learn.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Funny Saying



I have always thought this saying was funny but true. The grasses and stool artwork were done with Prismacolor pencils. Happy Friday!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Dads and Daughters



The above is a picture of me, at 4 pounds, almost 3 months premature, safely nestled in my Dad's hands. The picture was printed on some kind of heavy paper so you can still see the patterns of the paper. Nevertheless, it is one of my favorite pictures.

One day last week, my good friend, Donna, was talking about the song, "Butterfly Kisses." It reminded her of her relationship with her Dad. And that reminded me of a poem I wrote for my dad that is hanging in my hallway. It hung in his office.

My Dad was such a great guy. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a big, hearty laugh! He loved to tell stories. Isn't it interesting when you start to see generations that inherit certain characteristics? My children and I all have his laugh, especially my daughter.

He was an excellent writer. Throughout his life, he owned many businesses and almost every one of them was successful. But he also had a lot of adventures along the way. He always used to say that he worked really hard but he played really hard too!

As a child, I practically worshiped the ground he walked on, following him around wherever he went. We did a lot of fun stuff together. He loved our country and proudly flew the American Flag in every house that he ever lived. He taught me to love God, to go to Church, to pray, to love my country, to be honest and to care about others.

During the final month of his life, I celebrated my birthday and of, course, birthday presents were the farthest thing from any of our minds. After we got home, hubby surprised me with a large flag pole and flag in honor of my Dad. I carry on his tradition.

And here is my poem and artwork for my Dad. I loved him.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Amazing Talent



Today I had great visit from my friend, Mary, owner of aNeMonE Handmade Paper Flowers. She is totally amazing! She and her husband make incredible flowers, adornments, trees and weddings, all with paper. They totally support themselves from their art work and give back to the community besides. All the while raising three little boys under 4 and a half. Unbelievable.

She brought me this beautiful flower arrangement today. Check out her website, you won't be sorry. It is a visual delight all by itself.

http://www.handmadepaperflowers.com

Monday, May 18, 2009

Jobs



I completed this piece of calligraphy for a client in the fall of last year and found it today when I was cleaning out my studio. This was to be a gift to her boss, a surgeon that we both know. And then, she decided without even seeing it that she did not want it after all. So I decided to post it. Some jobs are like that!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Sunday Lily



I enjoyed painting this Lily this morning. So excited back to my mainland church this morning! Happy Sunday

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Jan designs Retail Store




From 1982 to 2001, I had a retail store location in Spokane, Washington. Called Jan designs, I offered my work for sale, graphic design services and produced work in my studio. I kept regular hours from 10AM to 6PM, tuesday through Saturday.

Rent kept getting more and more expensive and after 9-11, retail sales dropped off dramatically. In late fall of 2001, I decided to have an addition built onto the side of our home. My work commute went form 30 minutes down to walking through a door. That was great.

After 29 years of wholesale and retail art shows, keeping store hours and doing consignment jobs I decided to retire in the fall of 2008. But since I am redoing my Washington Studio this week, I wanted to share the "before pictures" of my retail store when it was in full swing.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

From My Studio Wall



Here is a sign that I lettered hanging right on my studio wall. The original quote was "dip his brush into his own soul" but I thought, what the heck, I am a girl, right. It had to be "her!"

Monday, May 11, 2009

Changing Studio Locations

In December of 2008, I retired from my Calligraphy business in Spokane, Washington to move to Hawaii to be close to my son and four adorable Grandchildren. For now, we moved just for the winter months. I love Hawaii so much and had such a great winter going to basketball games, school plays, chapel services and classrooms. It was another chance to be like a mom.

But making major life altering transitions all at once proved to be a little stressful. My next door neighbor in Hawaii first introduced me to blogging and then I found Art Blogging and giving me back my creativity has been so good for me.

But my hubby has family in the Pacific Northwest and it is not a good time to sell houses so yesterday we moved back to Spokane for summer. Even though there are many people that I miss in Hawaii, it is good to see my long time Washington friends here and be in my expanded studio. Can't wait to unpack so I can start creating again! But just for now, here is my soon-to-be in full blossom Flowering Cherry Tree.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Peaceful Sunday



Well I must say, this is not one of my favorites. Love the verse, love the picture but somehow doesn't work putting it together. I need to learn more and I will try again. Moving tomorrow from Hawaii back to Washington State. Have a happy Sunday.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Journey



A good reminder that we are all in this journey together! And look, I am using my new chop.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

I Give Thanks



This verse is from Psalm 117 which was used in our church service a couple of weeks ago. The background came about as a result of a painting demonstration for my friend and neighbor, Donna. She is teaching me how to use CS3 which sometimes is beyond my brain. (Ok, most times is beyond my brain) So this whole art work piece would not have happened without her help. Donna, this one is for you.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Chop



Last weekend I was invited to go to a Craft Show at the Okinawan Center in Waipio, Hawaii. There I discovered a Japanese Calligrapher. She not only lettered my name and told me what my name meant but carved a chop for me. This is my name and chop in beautiful Japanese lettering.