This week starts the big rush for the holidaze.
But where is my energy?
I want to know which of the energy-sucking trolls or leeches or whatever has invaded my psyche. Why can't I drum up the "go gettum" that I need to get all the myriad of projects done? I'm just going to have to depend on the services of others this season.
Why haven't the Mop Fairies cleaned my floors? I put in the order for them two months ago, paid the deposit and everything. Too much to do all on my own. I'm not above paying for help. What're a few gallons of buttermilk and shrimp tails? OK, so I had to throw in a copy of Twilight also. I mean it was a signed first edition/first print! Still, those mop fairies really do a great job. Well worth the cost, only the finest for my holiday visitors. I'm even having the Kitchen Gnawwers show up to clean the oven and stove. They won't be here until Wednesday night. Plenty of time to to soak the pears in vinegar for them. The local troll clan is sending the window cleaners on Saturday. I couldn't guarantee the buffalo barbeque so they wouldn't show until the weekend. Oh, well, I'll just have to make due with dirty windows for Thanksgiving. But they will look great for Christmas!
You can hire anyone on the internet to do all those pesky chores for you these days. Life is so much simpler in our time. Whatever did our grandparents and parents do without it?
Hoping everyone has a splendid Thanksgiving, if you celebrate it, and if not, then may you all have a bright fun-filled week.
Stay safe.
redopal
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Over, Done With, Finis
Today is the last day of vacation. Back to the J-O-B tomorrow. But, I don't mind. I am so lucky to have a job that I enjoy going to. Everyday is an amazing adventure at work. I am employed at an independant bookstore. But, we are so much more than that.
We take in all types of media and other stuff for trade/buy/sell. Our six Arizona locations ensure that we take care of our state-wide customers. As well as our out-of-state regulars. Let me explain what "stuff" means to us: books, magazines, video games, video game systems, hardware for vg systems, computer software and components, digital cameras and components, antiques ad collectibles, crafting supplies, art supplies, jewelry, ephemera and old photos, framed paintings and photography, toys, action/superhero figures, CDs, LPs, DVDs, VHS, audio cassettes, sheet music,comic books, RPG books and figurines, board games, jigsaw puzzles, household items, music instruments, furniture, memorabilia, oddities and the plain old weird! We evaluate everything brought in to us as to the sale-ability. If we think we can sell it, we'll take a chance on it. Of course, we look at condition or possible overstock issues. Some really fun and funny stuff comes through our doors.
As I said before, I enjoy going to work. I am blessed to get the opportunity to fill my "art larder" for alot less than I would pay in any store or online. And I have been given the opportunity to teach a couple of altered art classes, which are totally free to our customers. I am preparing to do a few more classes after the first of the year. We supply all the elements, our customers don't need to bring anything to the classes. I am also talking to one of our other locations about doing a class or two there. What fun!
I hadn't realized that I had the "teaching' gene. When I was given the chance to do my first altered art class I was so scared. I don't have any credentials in art or teaching. Who was I fooling? Ok, myself. But, surprise of all surprises. Some of the customers who came to my classes are accomplished artists or are already involved in creating altered art/mixed media. I was blown away by the comments they left. And requests for me to lead other classes. Talk about an ego boost. I can't wait to get back to it. I love teaching. And I found that I was really good at it. Teaching seems to come naturally. I feel over-whelmed with the need to pass on any and all information my brain cells can release. Wish I would've given this some serious thought back when going to college and becoming a teacher wouldn't have been a pipe dream. At almost 50, I don't see myself doing it. Guess I'll just settle for doing art classes at work. Fumbling my way seems to work for me! As long as my customers appreciate the community outreach and continue to show up, I'll volunteer to teach. Plus, it's so much fun.
I wasn't going to leave a link to our website but after thinking it over I decided it wasn't such a bad idea. Come see us at: www.bookmans.com
Stay safe,
redopal
We take in all types of media and other stuff for trade/buy/sell. Our six Arizona locations ensure that we take care of our state-wide customers. As well as our out-of-state regulars. Let me explain what "stuff" means to us: books, magazines, video games, video game systems, hardware for vg systems, computer software and components, digital cameras and components, antiques ad collectibles, crafting supplies, art supplies, jewelry, ephemera and old photos, framed paintings and photography, toys, action/superhero figures, CDs, LPs, DVDs, VHS, audio cassettes, sheet music,comic books, RPG books and figurines, board games, jigsaw puzzles, household items, music instruments, furniture, memorabilia, oddities and the plain old weird! We evaluate everything brought in to us as to the sale-ability. If we think we can sell it, we'll take a chance on it. Of course, we look at condition or possible overstock issues. Some really fun and funny stuff comes through our doors.
As I said before, I enjoy going to work. I am blessed to get the opportunity to fill my "art larder" for alot less than I would pay in any store or online. And I have been given the opportunity to teach a couple of altered art classes, which are totally free to our customers. I am preparing to do a few more classes after the first of the year. We supply all the elements, our customers don't need to bring anything to the classes. I am also talking to one of our other locations about doing a class or two there. What fun!
I hadn't realized that I had the "teaching' gene. When I was given the chance to do my first altered art class I was so scared. I don't have any credentials in art or teaching. Who was I fooling? Ok, myself. But, surprise of all surprises. Some of the customers who came to my classes are accomplished artists or are already involved in creating altered art/mixed media. I was blown away by the comments they left. And requests for me to lead other classes. Talk about an ego boost. I can't wait to get back to it. I love teaching. And I found that I was really good at it. Teaching seems to come naturally. I feel over-whelmed with the need to pass on any and all information my brain cells can release. Wish I would've given this some serious thought back when going to college and becoming a teacher wouldn't have been a pipe dream. At almost 50, I don't see myself doing it. Guess I'll just settle for doing art classes at work. Fumbling my way seems to work for me! As long as my customers appreciate the community outreach and continue to show up, I'll volunteer to teach. Plus, it's so much fun.
I wasn't going to leave a link to our website but after thinking it over I decided it wasn't such a bad idea. Come see us at: www.bookmans.com
Stay safe,
redopal
Friday, November 6, 2009
Icons
Why do celebrities, athletes, politicians & rock stars incite others to create art in their names?
My mom has a passing obsession with certain celebs. I made this Marilyn Monroe tag style book for her earlier this year. I hadn't tried this before and I think it came out pretty, well, pretty. The scans don't show the pieces in the best light. I'm gonna have to learn how to use my digital camera so that I can take better pics and not have to resort to scanning the images.
Back to my topic: Stars into Art. Why isn't it enough that papparazzi plaster photos onto any and all available surfaces? Why must we play into the obsession by plastering their images onto and into canvas, paper, stone, glass, fabric and plaster? What do we gain from it? By creating and owning our art, does this somehow bring us into closer proximity to the one that we want a connection with? Why must we connect with people whom we won't ever know? Should art be about someone or something that we DO have a connection with? An artist paints a portrait of a person that hires him/her. There are sittings that establish connections. The artist gets to know the subject through dialogue and constant contact. Connection. Although the subject of the painting may not ever become a friend or associate. But we continue to insist on glorifying a person who is already being glorified.
So, yep, I enabled my mom's obsession. And I admit, I had fun doing it. Now, I want to do one for myself. Johnny Depp! I own all his DVDs. And a poster, or two. Never thought I'd glorify him in my art though. But might have to make a hypocrit out of myself!
Stay safe.
redopal
My mom has a passing obsession with certain celebs. I made this Marilyn Monroe tag style book for her earlier this year. I hadn't tried this before and I think it came out pretty, well, pretty. The scans don't show the pieces in the best light. I'm gonna have to learn how to use my digital camera so that I can take better pics and not have to resort to scanning the images.
Back to my topic: Stars into Art. Why isn't it enough that papparazzi plaster photos onto any and all available surfaces? Why must we play into the obsession by plastering their images onto and into canvas, paper, stone, glass, fabric and plaster? What do we gain from it? By creating and owning our art, does this somehow bring us into closer proximity to the one that we want a connection with? Why must we connect with people whom we won't ever know? Should art be about someone or something that we DO have a connection with? An artist paints a portrait of a person that hires him/her. There are sittings that establish connections. The artist gets to know the subject through dialogue and constant contact. Connection. Although the subject of the painting may not ever become a friend or associate. But we continue to insist on glorifying a person who is already being glorified.
So, yep, I enabled my mom's obsession. And I admit, I had fun doing it. Now, I want to do one for myself. Johnny Depp! I own all his DVDs. And a poster, or two. Never thought I'd glorify him in my art though. But might have to make a hypocrit out of myself!
Stay safe.
redopal
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Leather & Ladies
I've been playing around with bookcovers. Since I work at a used bookstore I have access to so many components that would otherwise land in the dump. Really old books that are falling apart can be de-constructed and used for the creation of so much art. I especially love leather books. But time can be so cruel to them. When that happens, the next logical step is to save as much of them as I can. I made these pieces out of lovely covers that have an amazing appearance all of their own. These leather covers just screamed out to be transformed. I obliged. There's plenty of color play and texture on them. Metallic paints and Pearl Ex give them both a shiny appearance. I have no idea what I'm going to do with them now. I've never framed any of my pieces, wonder how they'll look if I do. May have to give it a go.
I've placed them at the very end of the blog.
Enjoy looking and let me know what you think of them.
Bright Blessings,
redopal
I've placed them at the very end of the blog.
Enjoy looking and let me know what you think of them.
Bright Blessings,
redopal
Oooh, Downtime
I'm on vacation!
After my recent bout with the flu, I headed right back to work without benefit of any transitional period. This past week has been long and back-breaking. Now, there's time a-plenty looming on the horizon. Eight days. At least two of those will be catch-up time for some desperately needed rest and recuperation. Then, I plan on heading up to the northeast part of AZ to see some friends. Dear friends, whose health and well being are very important to me. They are the type of people who you just know they love you, unconditionally. Being there with them creates an honest, spontaneous, glorious feeling. Anything I attempt at art is wholly supported and validated with love. I miss them. We live too far away from each other.
And, let me tell you about the food!
Organic, wholesome, nutritious. Fresh eggs & goat cheeses from the next door neighbor. Veggies from the local farmer's market. The clearest, coldest water from the well. And a friend who can cook up a storm. Combine all that with the most amazing "skyscapes", along with the non-city glare of star filled sky and you have the perfect setting for nourishing the soul.
The one commodity that cannot be bottled, canned or packaged in any way: is the quiet.
Quiet that allows the mind to clear out completely. Emptying itself. Then, filling up with color and music. Of a nature untold or beheld. Experiences that while being profound, are yet, confounding. Paradox. While at the same time, being utterly clear and concise. Sometimes you don't even know any of this is happening. Therein lies the magic of solitude. For there is no one but yourself to know if any truth lies within or without. Finding the "quiet" inside, is THE all.
Stay safe.
redopal
After my recent bout with the flu, I headed right back to work without benefit of any transitional period. This past week has been long and back-breaking. Now, there's time a-plenty looming on the horizon. Eight days. At least two of those will be catch-up time for some desperately needed rest and recuperation. Then, I plan on heading up to the northeast part of AZ to see some friends. Dear friends, whose health and well being are very important to me. They are the type of people who you just know they love you, unconditionally. Being there with them creates an honest, spontaneous, glorious feeling. Anything I attempt at art is wholly supported and validated with love. I miss them. We live too far away from each other.
And, let me tell you about the food!
Organic, wholesome, nutritious. Fresh eggs & goat cheeses from the next door neighbor. Veggies from the local farmer's market. The clearest, coldest water from the well. And a friend who can cook up a storm. Combine all that with the most amazing "skyscapes", along with the non-city glare of star filled sky and you have the perfect setting for nourishing the soul.
The one commodity that cannot be bottled, canned or packaged in any way: is the quiet.
Quiet that allows the mind to clear out completely. Emptying itself. Then, filling up with color and music. Of a nature untold or beheld. Experiences that while being profound, are yet, confounding. Paradox. While at the same time, being utterly clear and concise. Sometimes you don't even know any of this is happening. Therein lies the magic of solitude. For there is no one but yourself to know if any truth lies within or without. Finding the "quiet" inside, is THE all.
Stay safe.
redopal
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