Redding Art Hop- Awesome Night Out!

Well, I stayed true to my NYR#3, (Don’t just think about it, DO IT!), and went out last night on the "Art Hop" perpetuated by Troy Hawkman and Friends! What a fantastic time I had! I’m sure many would echo my sentiments, as it was crowded at every stop along the way! What a great crowd too, joyful families, cheerful hosts, friends met friend and greetings galore! Did I forget to mention the art? Oh there was plenty of that too! LOL!!

I started out the evening by setting out straight over to see my fellow bloggers from reddingblog.com, “Still Married” setting up to kick off the Hop with some great tunes over at the "Backyard Destinations". I had intended to get there early enough to get their autograph and a personal picture to add to my file! But alas, I got held up at the last second and was late arriving. I did try to get up to meet them but was only on time for the introduction of their first set! Dagnabbitt! Then, I could not figure out how to operate my camera! What a kink! I did run into Troy and Adam as well as many other great local notables. I spoke briefly with the hostess of the evening, Thank you Lisa and James for the lovely spread of edibles! The featured artist, Barbara Enochian, had some really striking pieces on display but I did not get a chance to meet the artist because I was too busy trying to pay attention to Erin and Craig delivering a couple of their great songs!

I went from there on over to "Sues Java Cafe" were I ran into a cool artist "Mike" that had some great pieces on display there.  He has a great toon hand that reminded me of Tim Burtons stuff!  He spoke of book he is working on illustrating and I am sure he'll be up and coming quite soon there after!

I strolled into "Fabrics, Etc" because it was finally an excuse for me to go look through their goodies!  I met with the hostesses, Sherry and Barbara and discussed some of the lovely Home Decore they had in the store as well as the brilliant artwork there provided by Sandy Howell, one of the most spectacular hands in the northstate!  She has such vibrant colors!

I stopped by to see what they had to offer at the "Medical Home Professionals" and was delighted to see Sandy Howell showing some reall beatiful work. My favorite was a stunning piece called "Hum Bug" that perfectly captured the moment that a hummingbird snatched itself a juicy little bug!  It was like seeing it for yourself! And the "goodies" were pretty snazzy too!  I think they were homemade!

I was dying to explore the art work on display at the Cascade Theater, but unfortunately I could not make it up the stairs.  I did have a great conversation about the theater and some of it's life with "Ruthie", a volunteer for the theater!  I wanted to stay for the dance presentation, but I had to leave before they started.

I tried to get into the "Vintage" but it was packed to the rim and I figured I would press on because there was still plenty to see!  I always wanted to, so I stopped into the "Clover Club" just to see what they had going on in there.  I had my self a little B&B with a nice little conversation with "Bill" the keep about a mutual favorite" Slam Buckra"!  I LOVE SLAM!  He is on my list of autographs for 2009!

Some of the most interesting works was by Jeremy Sawtelle at the Posh-Mama Boutique, his large pieces are done with Kool-Aid and Coffee!  Wow, super cool!  You have to see it, stop by!

All night long I was following around a couple of great photographers and finally felt compelled to at least introduce myself, so, shout out to Chris and Jessica from Hanna Gallery, check them out,(they blog too)!  I know who to turn to for great pictures at least!

I have to give a big set of KUDOS out to Nicole Gullixson for having some cool work out for her first show!  WOOHOO!  Nathans Anthem's Body Piercing And Tattoo's sure picked a winner!  Nice, and she is still in High school folks!  Wow, I see some great stuff coming from her.  My favorite was "Urban Sunset", I heard Troy likes that one too!  LOL!

I ended the evening strolling through the Arts Council displays of Encaustics and even met with two of the wonderful artists that produced most of the works I saw!  Ann Kinkade and Rodney Thompson were there and were very informative about there work and trials!  Great finish to a long evening for me!

Second Round Of Art Festival To Check On My Ducks!

I have to hurry up and get down to see if my duck is going to get Plucked!  WooHoo!
Also, I voted on Raette Meredith's Glorious painting "Just Around The Bend" and I want to see if it wins!
I did manage to pull a sorry representation of one of my pieces out at the last second but it did not make me feel too good because it was a last second make do!  The gentleman that was supposed to be making my frame never came through and I had to creatively find a way to cover all my mounting holes and it ended up looking like a craft project instead of a painting!  Oh well!
Sorry no pictures, I am down to dial up and just glad to be able to ramble!  LOL

Go cheer for a duck!

Slam Fan Hopping Mad...

...as a hatter that is, I heard Slam Buckra was at the Vintage last night for the "ART HOP" and I had to miss out! AARRGGHHH...

Here is one of my favorites, from his own original pieces!  Paint that is, his music is a whole other beast, too cool!  I do not know the title on this, but I really LOVE these colors and the expession of his execution!  Self Portrait?  LOL!

Oh well! I hope they had a "bloozy" great time, (maybe even a boozy one too)! LOL!

I was otherwise indisposed and unable to get over there at all! It was awful because I just knew I was missing out on the hottest spot on the HOP! Okay, so maybe I am a little partial, but I do think his music is pretty awesome and really would have loved to be over there sucking down a couple of fine cocktails while chilling to his groove!

Listen to his stuff, www.slambuckra.com and then buy a CD, SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ARTISTS!

Missed out catching the "fire Dolls" too, but I hear they will be appearing again September 20th at the Redding Convention Center during the Redding Tattoo Show!

The Art Hop was a blast last night, just tons of people out having a great time, seeing some fantastic art, visiting friends and tossing back some cool (okay maybe hot) snacks to boot! There were at least three times as many visitors than the Hop before so I know the word is spreading fast! By the next one we should really be jumping!

I did get to meet one of the other local artists that always draws my eye, Kaydee Duckworth!  Her work is really striking!  I was very happy to finally meet her, I have been oogling her stuff out for a really LONG time, find some at a local gallery and check it out!  I would put a link here, but I could not find one!  BooHoo!

 I know Rayette Meredith was doing a demonstration over at Westside Florist, I wish I could have stopped by!  I am going to have to find a way to get out and do a little "Hopping" of my own on the next one!  I did have fun though just visiting as they came through where I sat!  Next one, I'm out and about! 

I sure hope Slam is roaming around somewhere too!

The Next 2nd Saturday Art Hop Is Just A Few Days Away!

I am positively excited about all the great participants for the Art Hops!  What great fun! 

One of my personal favorites, Raette Meredith will be over at Westside Florists shop doing a demonstration!  Wow!  That should be awesome so I hope there are a lot of visitors there.

I think we have some real momentum now and it will be getting more and more exciting as the word spreads and more people jump onboard!  I would love to see some local "celebs" out making the rounds and do some glad handing to help pump up the community involvement! 

Also, just around the corner, is the TurtleBay Art & Craft fair in Caldwell Park.  September 27th & 28th!  Just in time to buy some really unique and original gifts for those special people on your Christmas list!This years festivities will be very exciting and the display will be spectacular!  I can hardly wait!

Summer '08

This is one of my pictures I really liked from this years "Jest Playin" file!

Beautiful paintings And So Much More...

What a wonderful weekday stroll through a little art action this week! The weather was spectacular and the mood was fresh!

First 1up is this spectacular piece by a local artist, Gwen Knaebel. Wow! The colors here are so intense!

I promise, I am not really being biased here, seriously! I loved another one (two really) that was NOT abstract also,

see... I cannot decide which one is better! I feel them both! Kaydee Duckworth "Our Heros" as well as Diana Wright Troxell with "Horrifying Splendor" really capture my emotion with their use of color and context to draw you into their prespective!

So There!

Hopping Good Turnout For Gallery! So Great To See...

...so many new people coming through the galleries and just as nice to see old friends too! There was a steady stream of people that seemed to be having a great time. There were quite a few people that said they had never been to the gallery, so, that is really a boost for the artists right there, plus even probably a few new friends!  Now that's what I'm talking about! :0

I will be bringing the goodies for the next round, I hope everyone likes Mexican! LOL! I'll have to make a light salsa for the "heat meek"! LOL

New Show, Wow! I Am In Awe Of So Much Great Talent!

Well of course I would go all the way to the gallery and NOT remember my camera! AGAIN! AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!

So I guess I will just have to make another trip down there now won't I? LOL!

I hear that Luke Lucas is having a workshop, check out his website for sign ups, information has it that he works wonders in his workshops! This is a watercolor artist that has a real "AWE"some talent, look through his gallery online and then make a point to stop by and visit him at "The Lassen Art Center", a wonderful "destination" drive!

From Luke's Gallery: Monterey / Fishermans Wharf



I love this one, I lived in Monterey for over 10 years and even lived 2 blocks from the warf for about 3 years! The colors here really grab me, it vibrates with life and excitement with just a hint of history and mystery!

Upcoming this weekend the 2nd Saturday Art Hop, I'll be there, I'll probably be bringing some snacks too! :)