Sundial Film Festival Excitedly Anticipated!

I wish there was a sticker!  I used to love those stickers people handed out for promos!  Annoying as hell, but boy sometimes they could Really Stick Around!  :)
I would be getting my 3rd one this year!
Hey, I voted, Did You? :)

Rumors Are Rumors... ArtHop Is Still Rockin!

I know I have heard here and there that the Arthop (Will, Has) dropped off because Troy and Adam have been making moving plans, but I have to say I Don't Think So!  I think they have really laid the groundwork and that it will survive and keep going strong however it is handled!

I was shoulder to shoulder in the crowds at Gallery 833, owned and operated by Dennis Halkides, located on Misteltoe!  It was a lively bunch, with a couple of the Artists on hand fielding questions and talking about their work!  I was delighted to see Barbara Enochian there, awesome collage work presented, I did get to see her for just a moment before she was swept away! One of my friends was absolutely delighted to meet and talk with the Artist responsible for the Cool Steel Fish along the new stretch of 44, John Streeby and talked his ear of for about 1/2 an Hour!  It was very exciting and as my new official Arthop Kickoff point, since the Infinite Designs is now history, I did not have a hard time choosing, as I am a sucker for good Wine & Cheese of which Dennis and his Family have been providing since their opening!  I was partial to Jeanette and Ann though...  miss them much...

Anyhoo... so off to a Hopping good time, we ran through as many as we could, Vintner's, NVAL, Carnegies (which apparently does not have a web), and Vintage, meeting and greeting heavily along the way!  There were plenty of crowds and a lot of people having a great time, no fizzle here!  :) I am not sure where the After Party wound up, but we ended the Evening at the ever wonderful Tapas, sharing a piece of Delectable Delightful Cod and a final glass of Red!  Owner, Brad graciously patient as we hung on endlessly...  :) Thank you & Ohh-LaLa, here is to the next Hop!  :)

Fabulous & Fun! February ArtHop Fans Find Rambling, Rolling & Rocking Good Times!

I am so exhausted from being out and about last night that I am ELATED!  WooHoo!  I really had a great time, even though it was a "Bon Voyage" for my great Buds over there at Infinite Designs!  That part SUCKS!  But hey, go over there and check out the great deals (Hilltop plaza, across from Country Kitchen!) as they close their doors, get to know a couple of great people and find out about their great upcoming ventures!  WeLoveYouzGuyzMan!  :0

Anyhoo... I started out the evening at the Party happening for the Grand Opening of a New And Awesome little Tattoo place, on Bechelli, right close to Cypress and Bechelli!  Bombshell Tattoo & Body Peircing!  They had an awesome beat hitting the pavement out Front called "Sawyer Family" I have to say they were definatly Rocking The Shitz Outta That Crowd!  :)  It was packed out there, you couldn't get near the staging area!  I was thanking The Placard for my parking as they were WAYYY down the street, around the block!  Block Party was ON!  I am sure it was pleasing to the Ladies in the Parlor, they seemed to be having a Grooving GOood TIme while I was skulking around!

I have to say though, that one of the Highlights of the event for me was Meeting "The Redding Roller Girls"!  OMG, I was so blown away!  I freaking love these guys!  Okay, so it was only a couple of the ladies, but it is so weird meeting people in person after you only see them online!  First off I am talking to one Lovely Lady and I turn around, there is the Redding Roller Girls Head Coach Kandi KutThroat!  Heyyyy!!!  Bam!  These Ladies are sooo awesome!  As a youth, I was inspired by the likes of Raquel Welch in a BlockBuster Movie "Kansas City Bombers"!  So for me, I just grin ear to ear as I see these "Super Women" in Persona!  I can't wait to drag my Grandkids down to see a scrimage with these Marvelous Powerful Women!  Inspiring!

After peeling myself away from The Bombshell, I made my way to Infinite Designs where I knew I was saying goodbye to my favorite place!  The Ladies there always have such an awesome attitude, wonderful people and great Artists, a shop FULL of Wonderful gifts and Goodies as well as a spectacular spread of tasty TREATS!!  A greeting, like your really welcome, makes you feel special and they are always ready to show you their treasures and "Brag" for their Artists!  I am so going to miss these wonderful ArtHop Hosts!  Ursula was there with her Hand Made Artistic Jewelry Pieces that always call out to an inner need to touch something beautiful and natural...as if it helps to ground you and feel peace!  She is just one of many Artists that will be fanning out looking for new Venues to share their work!  Also, Meeting Tommy Corey, the Master Mind Behind the Now Infamous Self Worth Project was an absolute delight!  His ideas and thinking are young, honest and feel ...right!

Bye-Bye Wonderful Ladies of Infinite Designs, we will miss you but may the Goddess Of Great Fortune Shine Her Light Down To You On Your Journey's In Life!

Then after having way too much fun at the Fabulous Infinite Designs, I made my way down to the Gallery on Mistletoe known as the Gallery 833.  The Gallery Owner, a very nice Gentleman, Dennis Halikides, always has some spectacular pieces of his own that he keeps fresh and shows off his keen eye and great taste!  He specializes in printing "Giclee" and I would love to find out more about that process sometime! He also has a knack for always having guest artists with a very special touch for what they do and this month was no exception in " Cara Morgan", who's Pastel and Pencil works were absolutely mesmerizing and made me look several times as I thought them photographic!

After making my way across town, almost out of time, I barely made my way over to the "Oregon Street Antiques" where my Favorite Local Watercolor Genius, Howard "Luke" Lucas was doing a LIVE DEMO!  Always a delight to watch him work!  He has contributed to more young minds in the Artworld than can be counted!  He says he has done 79 of his "Paint Free Be Free" Events and after he has done his 100th he will do no more!  OMG!  What a loss that will be!

A quick cruise through Tapas to catch an attractive show by Artist Nanci Sackett, as always very beautifully rendered pieces, proving her talents of hand eye vision and precise execution!  I even saw Troy Hawkins there enjoying some tidbits and friendly atmosphere as I made my way through to end the evening with a very nice Red on Ice (which I know just kills everyone) at the Vintage! I have to dig more and come out with a part two for the show at Vintage, where the Shasta High Advanced Students Show was a RAGING hit!  Some really awesome Talents coming out there!

Shasta High Advanced Students

City Hall Bio

In 2006 I was given a second chance at life!  After an accident left me nearly paralyzed, I was saved by the grace of God and a gifted Neurosurgeon!  With the help of my devoted Husband I have been able to turn to my Art as a means of living recovery!

As a child I easily drew “Tippy Turtle” and other “Match Book” Art course challenges but squandered any natural talent as I grew easily bored with the tediousness of “practice”.  Rendering dogs, horses, flowers and trees was boring and I soon lost interest and let it slip by.  Then, in College, I returned to the Arts to pursue a few skills when I was introduced to “Expressionism & Abstract Concepts”!  I found myself charged with fascination, interest and admiration!  Marc, Kandinsky, Klee and so many other great artists fired my imagination and inspired me with ideas and freed my inner restraints!  With renewed energies and efforts, I entered several and won a couple of Art competitions!  During this time, I also put two paintings in a County Fair and was pleased and surprised to win both First and Second place!

As my life unfolded, although I kept Art in my heart and dabbled whenever I could, we owned and operated a small business and the ongoing daily responsibilities left little time for artistic endeavors! However, now recovering and relearning to live life, I am blessed to be able to regain some abilities and explore Art once again!  My Husband a driving force, my painting has become therapy, forcing me physically and mentally to push my limits and expand my capabilities!  Producing pieces again after so many years of “Artful” neglect, I recently decided to enter a couple of paintings in the County Fair and was delighted to place both First and Second once again!

I like to say my paintings are “Directional Abstracts” because I generally start with an idea, inspiration or intentional thought.  Then, I just allow the process to take over and lead me!  Primarily, I use Acrylics and love to play with color, materials, techniques and styles. I experiment constantly, following one idea with another to see where it leads me! Lately, my work has begun to be more dimensional as I use different fabrics, pastes, brushes, rollers, sculpting gadgets and even some kitchen utensils!  Sometimes, even requiring my Husband to handle the “Heavy” work!

Each one of my pieces has its own story and personality, with its own style, idea or unique concept!  I enjoy the process of getting there, most requiring numerous steps, so that each one is an accomplishment and an achievement!  I am hopeful my art will bring something unexpected, surprising or even insightful to the observer!  If it makes you feel good, smile, ponder or just pause in wonder, I feel like my Art has hit its mark!

This show is a representation of a broad spectrum of my works which includes one of my original First place winners “Midnight Windows” up to the very latest pieces such as “Origins” and “Autumnal Carnivale” that reflects some of my newest techniques using handmade canvases and mixed media! 

City Hall Show Reception Was A Fantastical Whirlwind!!

Herky-Jerky

 First off, I have to say how blown away I was at how many of my FaceBook Friends came!  Whoop-Whoop!  Wow*Wow*Wow!  I cannot even begin to name all the names because I know for a fact that I missed a few as I looked up and just caught a glimpse of someone in the fray without getting a chance to take heed of them!  I feel really bad about that, so, if you are reading this and I was unable to acknowledge you, please accept my apologies! I was just a little overwhelmed a couple of times, I was not able to keep up!  I am not complaining by any means, I was having a blast, but I did not mean to shirk anyone!

I had several highlights of the evening, friends from afar, (Humbolt), old friends, new friends and even my personal Super Hero Nuero Surgeon Dr. Page!  YAY!  It just so happens that the picture they chose to put in the brochure"Herky-Jerky", was the sister painting to the one that I painted for and gave to her when I left her care, called "Fiet De Exis"!  I actually liked the painting I had done for her, so I decided I wanted to do one for myself using the same ideas!  Then when I finished it, I decided that it perfectly brought to visionary life the feeling (Herky-Jerky) of my unusual condition of Myoclonic Dystonia! 

I was even given gifts!  How could I go wrong!  Blessings from far away, lots of local friends and My Favorite Local Folk singers Craig and Erin Friedman are "Still Married", with Erin bringing me some lovely goodies and belting out a few wonderful tunes! Of course, from my perch up on the 3rd floor I could really barely hear anything, but I caught wind a few times!  I did get to hear the "Pine Dogz", Steve and Diana Willis, when I managed to get away for a few minutes to catch some of those great nibbles they had out for the refreshments!! 

My 'BGB' Guy Haley, a notoriously famous local muralist and fellow FB fiend, I mean friend, came by to harass me and snap a few shots!  At least he didn't show up in full on body paint!  Cause I was half scared he might!  We should do a publicity shot of that huh?!!  ")  I had such a wonderful time, saw so many great people, got to talk about my art for hours, to people that LISTENED and handed out almost 200 Gallery Cards!  I felt like I was famous or something! :)

WooHoo!

City Hall Reception A Wink Away! AARRGGHHHH!!!

I know that the pieces have been hanging all week, but now I have to go stand NEXT to them and show my face!  I couldn't even go to the last show I had my (1) painting hung in because I felt out of place, so now the terror of having 12 of them, right there, all up in the public face and all, really has the bats a'flappin!  Time to "Soldier up", I can take it!

Of course, first sign of someone about to light a torch... I am sooo outta there....

Redding City Hall Artist's Reception During Cultural Cruise!