Dog Days in Houston, Alaska

It’s just another beautiful day in paradise.

But yesterday my daughters dog Mila got attacked by two dogs from one street over. Nikki is in the kitchen getting her kids some breakfast when she hears a blood curdling yelp, she looks out and sees two dogs sniffing around looking nonchalant like nothing has happened, when she opened the front door her dog just fell into the house mortally wounded.
They took her to the vet for stitches but it was much worse than that they had thought the dogs had ripped into her gut she needed an operation to stitch everything up, she stayed overnight. We are going to pick her up in a few minutes.

There is an upside to this story Nick (my son-in-law) and Brother Mike went over to talk to the owner of these dogs and he was a stand up guy and gave them a check for $300.00 to help with the vet bills. Mila is 11 years old and still thinks she is tough but she will definitely be laid up for awhile.



Here is her belly she is doing pretty good considering some dogs tried to gut her just like an antelope. The Vet said that that is the way most injuries look when two or more dogs attack they go for the belly. Other peoples Dogs, what a pain in the ass and it begs the question what would happen if the got it into their doggy brains to attack a child. Cancel, cancel, cancel. Thats what I say whenever I want to retract anything that the universe might overhear. Oh, and that guys check is not good.

A Lost Weekend

Saturday morning I had a nice day planned with my sweetee we were getting up early and leaving by 5:00am to stand in line and audition for Howie Mandells "Deal or no Deal" but I woke up with one of my migrane headaches, he went by himself.:( They set up 6 cameras and asked him to say his name, what he does for a living and what he would do with the million dollars! he said I would give it all away to chairty WHAT!. He must have been under pressure - he meant to say give half of it to charity. After we planned to go to the annual Dog Jog in Anchorage and show off our chocolate lab Benson. But saddly Benson broke his tail the day before (I don't know how) so his tail was hanging limply down. We both stayed home licking our wounds.

The next day Sunday hubbie went off early to play golf and did not get home until 5:00 pm! I was really a golf widow. Finally I heated up my waxes and started my encaustic "Raven and Salmon" and spent hours lost in creating. So it turned out, I just didn't plan to be a reculse this weekend.

I've got lots of good things planned for August. I will show my art at the Bagel Deli, take the advanced Encaustic Wax course in Girdwood, demonstrate encaustic wax at the Alaska State Fair, and my best friend Michelle is coming for a visit.

The Fine Art of Buying Art

I just read an article in the Sunday Anchorage Daily News The Fine Art of Buying Art. The article contained some good informations and some quoteable quotes from some local artists, art connisoures and critics alike.

The poor buy clothes that wear out or art that lasts forever. -critic Neal Patterson"

"I think we all want to collect and possess beauty. Human beings long to create a nest that says, "This is who I am." -Cammie Walker

"One should consider buying a piece of art only, When you cannn't get it out of your head." - Wyne

Only original works can give us the things we come to art for in the first place a glimpse "into the work itself,into the mind and perspective of the artist, into the soul of the viewer, into the world or a combination of all."_Wyne

A piece has to have the power to move, to disturb, to make you get up and do something -Bruce Farnsworth

"As one collects art, one embraces charisma of the unique." "The art you should collect has an energy, a search for meaning that transfers from the image, like a code or sheet music, through form and mark, to the viewer or collector-Asia Freeman, artist and director of Homers Bunnell Street Galley.

Now for my own quote: "I love exploring the great mystery,landscapes, dream imagery, icons, poetry, angels, whatever captures my curiosity.
I create for the joy it brings others and myself."

"My art is my dreams, my imagination, my skew on the world.
It's my attempt to communicate with you. I hope my art brings you joy." Judy Vars

What Kind of Mind are You?

Help I can't get off my arse get busy and paint. Yesterday I went to the Bear Paw Festival in Eagle River and forgot my camera.

I do a lot of forgetting. I bought myself a new pen and a new sketch pad to take notes, it usually starts out Things I Gotta Do, Things I Must Remember, shopping lists, journals, good ideas etc. My lists, notes, and journals are all over the house so where are the lists? Where did I write it? Where are all the phone numbers?,! business cards?,! and e-mails?,! and articles on how to get organized??! Yes I've read all about how to simplify your life cleaned out my closet and thrown away tons of stuff. Still sadly I battle with the family malady packratism. Where most people see junk I see JUNQUE all things could be potentially useful. The heart shaped rock, rusted piece of barbed wire, lens from grandpas bifocals, interesting broken parts from I can't tell where, well you get the idea.

But,I get to feel good about myself because I am a recycler and I can make my statement about saving the planet. You other wasters (you know who you are) should learn a lesson from me. Hey I just found my moral high ground. This blog can be very therapeutic.

Are there any creative geniuses out there that are just way too right brained to be able to organize anything?

Oh by the way while we're on the subject of recycling, it's time to start watching the progress of the Burning Man Festival. in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada.

The Art Theme for Burning Man 2006 will be "Hope and Fear: The Future", wherein we explore how we create futurity, manifested as an expression of the promise of our hopes, and the contractions of our fears.

Your Brain's Pattern

You have a dreamy mind, full of fancy and fantasy. You have the ability to stay forever entertained with your thoughts. People may say you're hard to read, but that's because you're so internally focused. But when you do share what you're thinking, people are impressed with your imagination.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

The Girdwood Forest Fair

I've just spent all weekend at the Forest Fair hanging out with the artist croud enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the 31st annual Girdwood Forest Fair. The weather was perfect the cottonwood trees were dropping their cottonwood so it looked like snow in July a fairy land effect.
Here are just a few pictures I took.
This is Jewels Wolfe the acting president of Girdwood Center for the Visual Arts and Eric Teeland bantering.
The belly dancers are always a big hit
Laura and Jeannie the two best glass artists I know
Here are a few of my favorite artists there those people who are not afraid to be different of corurse not every good artist has a website. Lance Lekander This guys got a real sense of humor. This guy is a real "raw artist" he just goes for it and paints on anything and everything good stuff! Allan R. Gough. Of course we all love Eric David Behnke a wonderful young man now who has down syndrom and has been creating his inspired works of art since he was a little boy Brown Bear Products do yourself a favor get inspired, vist his site and find out about him. Oh I love this girl shes just so cool
DANDY GELATINE ART

My Family Pedigree or My Blood is Blue

Last night my son and me went on a journey through our family history, it started with the question what am I? (meaning what blood runs through my veins) http://http://www.familysearch.org/it was a fascinating trip back through time. For example on my mothers side of the family there is great,great,great,great,grandpa William Griffith Born: abt 1445 of Pehryhn Castle, Caernavonshire, Wales Died: 1505-1506 This is Penryhn Castle

or John Phylips (Sir Knight) Born: 1502 of Picton Castle, Pembroke, Whales.

we have two family castles in Wales. I searched back as far as 0314 A.D. a person named TEGID in North Wales. Perhaps the most beautiful natural lake in Wales was named after him. http://www.fishing.visitwales.com/fe/default.asp?n1=135&n2=140&n3=155
I found out my name Judith Abagail is the name of my great, great grandmother and the name Judith was passed through the generations all the way to 1402 Middlesex, England. We learned that our ancestors have been in America since 1600s WOW. I learned that they were a part of early Mormon history. Living in Nauvoo, Illinois and they were stranded in Winter Quarters on their trip west to SLC. Imaging who your dead relations are and how they lived is so satisfying. I think my relatives were celts and druids and later Christians. We determined that at least on my mother’s side of the family we are English, Scottish, Welch, Prussian and German. As my grandmother told me when I was a little girl "Judy, you are the dukes blend" took on a whole new meaning. Help I'm lost in family history and can't get out.

Happy 4th of July !!!

We're goin to a 4th of July picnic how traditional.
GOD BLESS AMERICA and the whole wide world today and always.
Update I went golfing with the guys for the first time. I shot pretty good game. What they didn't know is I practiced hitting golf balls years ago and still remember how. They play golf all summer every summer and I came along and held my own, hee,hee,hee I love it.

Brian, Frank and Marcy

Les and Henry

Peter and Sheryl

It's Our Net

Don't you hate the way Corporations, our Government, the Man.? Love to get you dependant on something then start to charge for it or take it away entirely. They operate just like the dope dealer the first taste is free, and when you're hooked you've got to pay, pay, and pay. Now we are used to paying $2.00 a liter for water, think about it, it’s not like we can go without water. One day the free water will gone and Coca Cola and Pepsi will make us pay whatever they want. It's a scary thought but true. Personally I have gone off expensive bottled water just on principle alone. I can bring water from home.
Now they are taking away our high speed internet. Perhaps we can make a difference before it's too late. Go here and sign up drop a note to your legislator. Let’s do something about it before we have to go back to the slow internet instead of the high speed super highway. This is important!!!!GET MAD!!!
It's Our Net

Cabin Fever (what's in a name?)

OK so I've heard some flack about my choice in the name Cabin Fever In Alaska. Shut Up! I like the name. If you live in Alaska and have experienced SAD ie cabin fever then you know what it is. Still its all just tongue and cheek ment to be funny and clever. I googled the phrase cabin fever and here are my interesting results
Cabin Fever Distress or anxiety caused by prolonged confinement in a small or remote place, as in We've been snowed in for a week and everyone has cabin fever. Originating in the West, this term at first alluded to being penned up in a remote cabin during a long winter but has since been applied more broadly. [Late 1800s]

Boredom, restlessness, or irritability that results from a lack of environmental stimulation, as from a prolonged stay in a remote, sparsely populated region or a confined indoor area.
Cabin Fever the Movie for a real scare.

What the _ell am I doing here anyway the temperature is going to reach 75 degrees today and the sunset is not until 11:30 pm and then its twilight all night. What is the complete oppisite of SAD that is what I have today.

Is there really a difference between contentment and just lowered expectations?

When I made a decision to make a living with my art I quit my job January 1st 2005 and focused on an art career. I began marketing, selling, getting recognition, having shows spending all my energies figuring out what will sell.

I know it was just my attitude and desperation to sell and prove my success by the bottom line, but it took some of the joy out of just creating and being proud to show people my work. Today, I need to work at other things to help support our lifestyle. But my love and passion remains with art. I'd love to "have it all" recognition, success, bushels of money. But art and success in art is so completely arbitrary, that I’ve learned I can not take myself or other peoples opinion of me so seriously. It is really hard for me to let go of my obsessive ways and my “all or nothing” thinking but I’ve decided….

I’ll just keep creating because that is my joy and passion. God gave me a talent so I'll accept his gift and use it. If other folks love it to and I’ve managed to spread some happiness and joy then it’s a bonus and I’ve done something good and my world is a better place.

The Loons of the Lake and The Fool

The loons are the proud parents of two new chicks. They are so unbelievably cute they are not even 4" long,little black puffs of feathers, it is so dear the way they ride on their parents back while one fishes and feeds them. I will post a photograph just as soon as I get one I haven't wanted to disturbe thier little family with my picture taking,(unlike the papparrozis (sp) I will respect their privacy at this delicate time).

Here is my latest work a Scaramouch, harlequin, jester,or fool what ever you want to call him.


God gave them wisdom that have it; and those that are fools, let them use their talents. Twelfth Night, act I, scene v. Shakespheare

I've been inspired to paint the fool. In the Tarot deck the Fool or simpleton could be seen as the sin eater, like today’s comedians, the Fool has been mocked and scorned. On the one hand and has become a vehicle for many profound ironies. In Shakespeare, it is the Fool who speaks the most profound truth. In the game all other cards are in competiton with each other but the fool is outside the game and the usual rules. In every hand he appears once somewhere unpredictably, never taking anything never being taken. He just is.... total humility bestows invulnerability. My Fool dances in the clouds totally happy and carefree juggling his balls. LOL

It’s a Looney Tunes Day and I am Blissfully Happy

The lake was like a mirror so I decided to take my husbands Pelican that’s his flat bottom boat with an electric motor (we use it because it is blissfully quiet and there is no nasty oil and gas being dumped into the lake) and stroll to the other side of the lake to see if I could spot the loons nest. I took a circuitous route to the nest on the other side when I got to the other shore I slowly, quietly, trolled along the side. Then there she was sitting on her nest I was not even 20’ away. Oddly she did not seem to mind my presence so I snapped a few pictures and left. Here is a rare picture of a loon nesting. I plan to paint this one.

It's Almost Summer Solstice

I have a personal tradition up here in Alaska. On the shortest day of the year I spend the day in my pajamas hunkered down reading, looking at movies, reflecting, stoking the fire, basically hibernating like a bear. And on the longest day of the year I stay up all night...............feel free to imagine..........................
Early on in my Alaskan adventure I noticed when it’s dark and cold I love to just stay home close to a warm fire expending a little energy. But come June 21st I am absolutely manic (and I love it)! It's good to be bi-polar, ha ha I crack my self up get it BI-POLAR/Alaska.
During this time I have an abundance of energy and my creative juices are flowing too.
I painted the Old Fashioned Girl recently. Please let me know what you think the antique frame came from an antique shop in Waxhaw, North Carolnia. I got the frame first and waited for inspiration. The beautiful girl came next from an antique post card.



In my messy shed I found the perfect frame for my Angel Gabriel, The frame was plastic so I painted it ivory and added faux gold leaf (very shabby chic don't you think). Perfect, Gabriel deserved a wonderful frame.


Maby I should have been in bed when I painted my Gothic Girl but she was screaming to come out.

Arlo Guthrie and the Salmon on Parade in Anchorage

Last night my hubby me and some friends Mel and Rose went to see Arlo Guthrie and Family in Concert. We ate hot dogs from the street vendor and walked around downtown for a spell before it started. I took pictures of the Salmon on Parade. The IBEW calls for artists to submit their ideas then they are given a form to create their masterpiece. They are displaied all over downtown Anchorage, people vote on their favorite and then in the fall they are auctioned off for charity. I wanted to enter but missed the call for artists totally. My idea was a salmon covered with encaustic wax. I would make it look so real you would want to eat it! But just look at these other creative ideas.


Roe Salmon the name tag was missing so I can't give the artist credit.

Year of The Dog Salmon by Jenifer Cameron

Copper Salmon by Joe Friday








Arlo Guthries show was great! and yes, he sang Alices Restaurant. His music and message of peace from the 60s and the Viet Nam era is once again relevant with this Gulf War. He said and I paraphrase, "If we lived in a perfect world where everyone was fed, warm, there were no floods, and we all got along in peace and harmony, it would be pretty hard to make a difference. But since we do not, a person dosen't really need to try very hard to make a difference."
That is really worth considering hummmmmmmmm even better do something good today for someone else, Love and Peace.

First Friday Art Walk In Anchorage

The only two places that I visited on the First Friday Art Walk were Pat Taggemeyer at a Novel View", and Chris Wakefields show at the Artic Rose Gallery". We had a great conversation about all about all things art. I simply love Chris' art it is bright, colorful and individualistic. Even though Chris describes his art as "eye candy" these two new pieces seem to be showing humans encroaching on the animals territory. The population is rapidly increasing in Alaska and saddly we are crowding the animals "worlds colliding". It also seems to remind us animals speak their own language and care little for humans unless we interfere with their purpose. These paintigs say quite a bit to me.
The raven is eating berries next to a police line and left over Christmas ornaments.
This one is cool! I think the man went fishing late fall, got his hook snagged on a branch, fell in, hit his head, and drown. Before anyone know he was missing the lake froze. Now its spring and the lake is thawing the animals are coming back and he has become blue fish food.

Wakefield Arts" Chris Wakefield says about his art “My art is about pushing color to the limit, about making people smile. I don’t have some deep philosophical meaning behind my work. I want my art to make people happy. It’s candy for the eyes. Period.”

Could You Spend the Night Here?

These are the dead animals in my friends husbands den. Den is right the last time I saw this many trophies was when I worked at
Brashers Auto Auction" in Salt Lake City. When I approached the room and saw all the stuffed animals I literally backed up. It gave me a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Anyway we ate dinner together the three humans and all the animals. We watched a movie and I got some photographs of the animals.

I Spent the Night in a Gallery Marinating in Art

As part of my membership to The Girdwood Center for The Visual Arts I am committed to spend a few days a year in the Gallery. To save on a hotel room I brought my air mattress and slept in the gallery. In the morning I went to the Aleyeska Prince Hotel and had a lovely therapeutic swim in the salt pool, had a whirlpool, a sauna and a beautiful walk. While working the gallery people from all over the world stop in to browse and buy I met people from Germany, Minnesota, Georgia, and Netherlands all over the world. They all say where is your art? And I am proud to show them!

I'm Squirrelly No Really

Was it this morning that I was gloating about my backyard and all the wildlife that comes to visit me? Yes I was saying how lucky I am to live among the wild creatures of the Great North. Well the damn squirrels must have been reading my mail!!! They have moved into my walls, it is a real creepy feeling to have creatures walking around in walls having a party while I'm trying to sleep. This arrangement is not going to work feelers. They are probably going to stay up all night since they are nocturnal animals. God, I think it is a whole family, noooooooooo pleeeeease tomorrow I will blast some hip hop into their room and see how they like it. This I cannot tolerate sorry little squirrels but I'm going to have to get midlevel on your little asses.

I'm Ready For My Closeup Mr. Demille

I am the most fortunate person alive to have swans, otters, ravens, loons, muskrats, turns and trout all in my backyard! This gorgeous red headed trumpeter swan was gracious enough to pose for a portrait and I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to paint his picture. The swan couple comes by several times a day my husband (Dr. Doolittle) can call them in from heaven knows where. We went to the pet store and bought them some special swan food so they love to stop by for a little snack and to converse with my husband. Benson (the brown lab) likes to jump into the lake and chase them it’s turned into a game.
If possible I will try to get a picture of the illusive muskrat that passes by every evening and morning.

Just Another Day In Paradise

The Swans are stopping by for a visit each morning. I sip my first cuppa coffee and just get up close and personal with these gorgeous creatures. It's awesome to have these wild creatures in my back yard. My Labrador jumped into the water after them, he swam as fast as he could and they just glided away, when he'd gone out far as could swim he turned around and came back. The swans turned around and chased him back. I don't know if Benson is intimidated by the swans or just knows he can't win either way we all live in harmony in our tiny slice of paradise on the lake.

Mona Lisa and the Da Vinci Code

This is my personal rendition of Mona Lisa. Shes cross eyed I know, maby that is what I get for plagerizing, shes a public icon so I can copy if I want. Whos going to sue?
Tonight is the big hoopla in Caines with the opening of the DaVinci Code. I read the book awhile ago. Every other person in the airports was reading it. It was a pretty good read full of action, mystery; sex all the things we love. It is a good book not a great book..
But since we are talking about it…I have always felt deep down inside that we are not given the full story about Jesus Christ and his time on earth. We have been handed a partial gospel the New Testament which was butchered along time ago and then told not to add to the teachings. I have a hard time accepting the Jesus that was not a man in every way, in my imagination and heart he did deeply love Mary Magdalene they had loving sexual relations perhaps they were not married. There is evidence enough in the gospels to suggest how close they were; she washed his feet, stayed at the cross to the end. Why this was all denied, distorted, and hidden? Why were the disciples jealous?
I am glad that the mystery of Jesus is coming alive again that there is a debate among people. I’m glad that the Catholic Church is pissed it’s about time that some of their closet doors are opened and the skeltons literally came marching out.
I created a requietory to Mary Magdalene years ago.

MARY MAGDALENE,
‘From whom seven devils had gone out’

Perhaps we have met this woman or seen her from a distance. Then as today a young woman who was rich, beautiful and fascinating could do anything that she pleased, with the assurance of being admired by well wishers attracted by her charms. Jesus accepted the homage of this sinful woman who kissed his feet in a surge of repentance, bathed them in her tears, anointed them with a precious perfume, and wiped them with her beautiful hair.
On Calvary she was among the tiny group of the faithful at the foot of the cross. She was present at the burial. She was the last to leave the tomb, and the first to run back to it on Easter morning. And the first apparition of the risen Christ was to her.
And so Mary Magdalene was made for love and never understood anything but love, trips through the pages of the gospel with a lively step, her hands laden with perfumes, running from banquets to gardens, even to the doors of Paradise, where she beckons to all as a messenger of love.

How a Bad Situation Got Better or a Plane Ride That Didn't Suck

When I was waiting to make my connection at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and I fell asleep in the wrong terminal. Suddenly I woke up and asked for the time it was 4:10 and my plane was leaving at 4:18 so I hurried to the 1-minute transport train and rushed to the correct terminal. American Airlines would not let me board as they had already shut the doors and had apparently paged me. This young woman came rushing up and when she heard that she missed the flight she had a complete melt down. I dealt with the counter people they gave me a connection in LAX then to Anchorage...then I turned my attention to her and she was sitting on the floor in a fetal position crying. A couple of ticket agents were hovering over her saying over and over what do you want to do; it was obvious that she was incapable of making a decision. So my helping the strays’ codependent nature kicked in. I began to talk to her and offer to see her to her destination. So she took the ticket. Turns out she farmed out her kids, horses, dogs and cats to meet her boyfriend for 2 weeks at Elmendorf Air Force Base. We went to get something to eat she took a bite of bagel and seemed to revive her. She took out her lap top went on line and found another faster way to get to Anchorage.
We changed out tickets and got on a plane to Seattle. We boarded the plane, Jade in the window seat I am in the middle and an older woman named Margaret in the isle seat. The first thing Margaret told me is that she had just got back from taking her 101 year old aunt to the town in Tennessee where she grew up so she could see where shed grown up once more before she died. Margaret told me she purchased her own headstone and put everything she wanted to say so her family could not write on her stone. I think to myself that this is going to be an interesting flight. The three of us three generations of women had a great time laughing and telling stories. Jade could not sit still and she showed us her tattoos even ones below the belt. Margaret after her real Bloody Mary began to flirt with older make flight attendant and said she will turn him over her knee, she was a real hoot. The time flew by as we laughed and told stories showed each other out photos.
When we landed I noticed the people in back of us were very irritated this lady kept shaking her head to show me her annoyance. Whatever, I enjoyed my flight. Who often can we say that?

The next connection was Continental Airlines to Anchorage bigger seats no one in the middle pillows, free snacks and a blanket ahhhhh.
Jades boyfriend was waiting for her despite being 4 hours late and my hubby was there to pick me up also.
Blessings to the two crazy, eccentric, women I met in the Dallas airport

I've Been In Charlotte N.C.

I have been in Charlotte N.C. visiting my daughter, son in law and my beautiful extra special granddaughter. Here we are:
If there are any slums I did not see it, Charlotte is a very prosperous city the banking industry dominates. I was very impressed by all the big and small churches the old brick buildings, magnolia trees and friendly folk (I was mam-ed to death). I went to the Mint Museum my favorite painting was the Black Madonna of Lima, which was on loan from the museum in New Orleans. Because no photography was allowed I spent about 45 minutes sketching her.

I got a new hair do, saw Paula Poundstone, tasted some Charlotte "Uptown" night life, saw street performers brake dance(cool),went to a meeting, bought tons of stuff for everyone epically me, visited a cemetary, got lost... My daughter would not let me pay for anything!!! And I'm not complaining either. It was a good vacation and it was wonderful to see my daughters little family and see her being a wonderful mom doing it all so well family, friends, and career. Yes I'm proud...

Picasso - Sorry you're not alive to see this

Ok, Is it blasphemeous of me to say I just don't like Picasso or am I just showing my cards? But seriously....

A portrait by Pablo Picasso of the woman who influenced him in the late 1930s and early 1940s sold for $95.2 million, the second-highest amount ever paid for a painting at auction, the auction house Sotheby's said.

"Dora Maar au chat," which depicts Picasso's mistress, went to an anonymous buyer in the room who was competing with telephone bidders during Wednesday's auction in New York.

Its selling price ranked second only to another Picasso piece, "Garcon a la pipe," which sold at Sotheby's for more than $104 million in May 2004, the auction house said

There are 3 Million Lakes in Alaska

and I got me one Beverly Lake is the name of mine. This morning I woke up to the sound of ducks out side my window. Sometimes I get reminded just how fortunate I am to live in such a great place and to have in my backyard a beautiful pristine 40 acre lake. The ice is quickly melting and the loons will be back soon. They are very territorial and will chase the ducks and swans off. Their calls are so haunting and beautiful it gives me goosebumps.

The Alaska's Visitors Guide

Hey!My artworks been photographed for the Alaska Visitors Guide 2006.
You will find me on page 60 lower left hand corner my Salmon and Ravens are featured, with some pottery below. Someboby out there likes me (and don't it make me feel good.) So come and see me and the rest of the fine artists at the Girdwood Center for the Visual Arts Olympic Circle near the Bake Shop in Gridwood, Alaska. I am going to be gallery sitting May 27th and 28th.

This is Bull S_ _T or Is'nt It Beautiful

This is my back yard this morning....

This is my front yard this morning....

Today I have got to paint signs for my bread and butter.

Talkeetna, Alaska

Today I went to Su-Valley High to substitute for a science class 50 miles up the road when I got there they had a mixup and already had one, what a bother. I went the extra 12 miles for a cup of coffee and visited Talkeetna. This great little town is the starting place for all the mountain climbers doing Denali. Also a great place to fish.

There I met Josh and asked him if I could have a picture of him. He laughed and said he should charge $50 for all the people who want his picture, mostly Korean mountain climbers he said. Josh told me he lived in a tent all winter in his sub-zero sleeping bag, that he experienced snow blindness, frost bite, hallucinations, his stove being frozen. I didn't think it was possible to survive in a tent in the winter. Josh is leaving in a couple of weeks for his summer job in Denali park cooking. His needs are simple, hot coffee, food, and some good gear.

This is Josh with Stubs the mayor of Talkeetna. The friendly town cat with a stubby tail, he is welcome is any business, and home.

I said you're going in my blog, and they both seemed happy about that.

WO IS MONEY

Today it started with a comment my dear husband made.

Judy: I think I'll make another abstract painting today.
Peter: Yea, if you think it will sell......
Judy: I don't create what I think what other people will like. I create to please myself.
Peter: Your own words were you want to make a living from your painting. So why don't you paint what you know people will buy..............yata, yata, yata.
Judy: (I stick my fingers in my ears) Blah, blah, blah, I can't hear you.
Peter: You're acting like a big a baby.
Judy: And you're a great big @#$%^&* ass hole. (and I stomp upstairs to take a shower).
Thus goes the argument we've had at least 100 times.

It is so frustrating to get into these no win debates. I'm mad that so much of our/my success or feeling of being successful is quantified by the almighty dollar.
I want to just stop, take it easy, get inspiration and paint what I love and paint from my heart and soul. I am taking a risk putting it out there for all to see and judge. So putting some arbitrary number on one of my creations is one the hardest thing I do. Lately I've just said 75 cents per square inch and you make an offer.......
Men anyway they are just so left brained.

Earth Day

The other day my daughter forewarded me an e-mail from her half sister who is a hippy. Right Now she is living in a small town in Mexico with her new husband and her two boys. I wanted to repeat a part her letter because I feel like she is an awesome young lady you go girl...Just be careful.

so, i am here in a tiny mexican town. there was a music festival here. it is over. we have hiked for hours into the steep mounatins to the rushing river...where people shit in the water, and on the trail.....where it is custom to throw your trash on the ground and wash yer clothes directly in the river......these things makes cold shivers shoot in my body. i am angry....so what can i do. every time i talk to someone and they dont like what i say they tell me to go back to the states pinche gringa....well, i am going to take a different approach. i am going to write a letter to all them....and give it to all the pueblos that i pass through.....about all their songbirds that are being sold in the cities to make company for the lonely women working day after day without water, because there are so many people consuming rapidly....i cannot free the world of our consumer ways. but i can free my heart of the feeling that i did nothing. i can do somehting. give the tools freely....so much in life has to be paid for. food, healing, clothes shelter.....all this i question. and walk against....this is my life. to be an example for truth and freedom....many laugh. especially in the family at my seemingly wily ways.

The letter goes on to rail against our disfunctional family so I won't post it all of her tirade.

Yet Another one - I'm On Fire!

AHHH - RED, RED, RED, SO PASSIONATE, SO ENEGERIZING, SO GEORGEOUS, SO HARD TO PHOTOGRAPH.

I know you've heard it before my monitor just can't capture the color accurately, my camera, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.

You've heard all the excuses; it's true! This photograph was taken in natural light and still....

It is a deep Chineese red and as always with encaustic art it's depth, luminosity and etheral quality

can't be captured with a mere camera you must see and touch with your own 5 sences.

My Latest Creations

Let There Be Light
Lately I have been creating a piece of art every day. Teaching seems to have inspired me and given me a million ideas. Encaustic wax is so great it dries instantly and you can pile up layers and layers of paint. The possibilities are endless. One of the adults that came to the class was frustrated with the wax not doing exactly what she wanted. The wax ultimately does what it wants. I said: "encaustic wax is not for perfectionists."
YAY I am not a perfectionist.

Geometric Patterns
Here are some of my creations. I put them on E-Bay yesterday, but my photographs are getting harder and harder to get. My Gateway 5.0 megapixel camera is being held together with ducktape. How Alaskan is that we use ducktape for everything.

Serenity Prayer
They are all different. Which remimds me of a critique which a judge gave me while I was applying for a grant. "She is all over the map" I just can't seem to help myself I LOVE IT ALL someone suggested that I take ritlin to focus my art. Yeh right maby I just take ritlin and paint in neverending circles. However,I do plan to make more impressionistic work which is perfect for encaustic wax.

I’m Hooome

Since last night I have been processing my experience teaching encaustic wax techniques and all the impressions that I brought back from Whittier.

I was in the company of other great artists Gail Baker from Homer,Alaska
She did mask making. The students made some awesome, frightening masks from leather.

Ronna Lopisich from Anchorage taught watercolor painting. She rode up with me and is my newest best friend, funny and warm and loves the Lord.


Movie Making – Media Arts – Mike Jipping The teens were given a lot of information and they set out to make 3 short movies. A Day In The Life of a Whittier Kid, that was a very interesting and telling commentary on what it is like for a kid in Whittier….It shows various kids sitting around some room they gather at the BTI (thats what they call the building where everyone lives) just hanging out in various positions of boredom mauling about the furniture, some playing some video games. Another movie showed two kids putting another kid into a straight jacket and dumping him in the tunnel, scary and weird.

Megan Reichart – Theatre, She was an interesting young lady who lives in Anchorage but went to graduate school in New York City studying theatre arts she had the full on New York City - Broadway experience. Lucky Girl.

It seems that all the things that I heard about Whittier are true. There are no single family homes they all live in Begich Towers BTI for short a WWII 15 story structure the government gave to Whittier after the war. The janitor at the school; Karen tattled on the town. She said some people stay there all winter and do not come out. One man stayed there for 19 years. There is an underground tunnel from the BTI to the school so no need to go out.

The weather is mostly windy, rainy, and snowy with a few nice days. The population is 100 to 200 in the winter and triples in the summer. People do come out in the summer and enjoy the awesome beauty of the place. My room was on the sound looking out at the water and harbor. Two huge eagles that hang around on top of the widow’s watch flew so close to my window I couldn’t believe it. I watched otters playing and fishing. Whales come down breaching all the way. The inlet is so deep 400’ the huge cruse ships come to the station the tourists get on the train and leave. I watched 15 fishing boats and trawlers coming back at the end of the day. There are 5 glaciers within view of the village. When the snow melts there are many pretty waterfalls.

I wanted to catch more of a glimpse of the parents of these kids, but I don’t go into bars anymore. So I hoped they would show up for the art show. Everyone displayed their art projects and discussed them, there was a skit from the theatre group, the leather masks were on display. There was a slide show with the artists wearing the masks they made doing artful poses while Phantom of the Opera Music played. The movie making group showed three short films. Sadly very sadly I only saw a couple of new parents besides the ones that were helping all week. Common…....people, I don’t get it!!! This was what was happening in Whittier, or was Deal Or No Deal more important than your kids?

p.s.
My class went great my students loved it A few showed some great talent: Ian Angiak – Chenega Bay, Steven Geffe – Tatitlek, Daryl Haynes – Whittier, Casey Roberts - Whittier, Miranda Dye –Whittier, Brittany Saunders – Fairbanks, Shannon Sanders – Fairbanks, JJ Morice-Cannon – Anchorage, Desiree Englund – Fairbanks, Samantha Englund – Fairbanks. Thank you guys!

To be or not to be a Whittidiot. A Whittier, Alaska resident that is.

Ok, so I'm sorry to any of the good people that I am yet to meet in Whittier, Alaska.
If the Whitidiot is insulting that’s just what we call ya all.
Out here in the valley were called “Valley Trash” some folks were offended and others had tee shirts made that said VALLEY TRASH AND PROUD OF IT and wore them proudly. I, myself, would not want to wear something calling me trash lest anyone actually think I’m trashy. Oh NOOOOOOoooooo

I am so excited to see and visit Whittier and teach encaustic wax art(they are going to be new experiences for me)that I can hardly sleep.

These are the things that I've heard about Whittier, Alaska. That up until a couple of years ago the only way to get there was to take the train or take a cruse ship there. Now you have to wait until 8:30 am and you can drive though the tunnel straddling the railroad tracks with your car. God! don't let me meet a train in the tunnel. That is a reoccurring dream in my life.... Hummmmmmmm Dr. Freud Dr. Freud.
I've heard that the channel in 300 feet deep.
I've heard that most of the town lives in a 13 story barrack built there during WWII. They don't have buildings that tall in Anchor Town (Anchorage).
I've heard that there are 5 glaciers to see right from town.
I've heard there are no lawns just shale.
I’ve heard it rains all the time.
I've heard of people who go there and never get out.
So if I get out I will have stories of my own to tell and pictures to share.
So be on the look out, there's more to come, that is if I get out.

My Very Very Cruddy Week or just be happy to do nothing

After my fall through the ice I have been sick, sore throat, headache and body ache. I gargled with goldenseal yesterday; that stuff is so nasty it tasted like bile, yuck, yuck, yuck. I must get myself better by Sunday because that is when I leave for Whittier to teach my "Encaustic Workshop” This is a first time for me teaching teens how to paint with wax. I'm excited!

My painting "The Lost Lenore" is put on the shelf for the time being but I did make an encaustic piece on Sunday "The Rainbow Trout". Encaustic lends itself beautifully to an impressionistic style of painting

If anyone is reading my blog please give me your opinions.

Snow on April Fools Day

God certainly has a funny sense of humor, all week long the snow and ice was melting and the temperatures were approaching 40 degrees. The pesky squirrels that live in my attic came out of hibernation and I planted my annual spring tonic (wheat grass). And then snow, I decided to take the dogs for a walk in the woods. When hiking across the frozen lake my foot broke through the ice and I went in up to my knee, scary! So I lay down for awhile in the field of snow just to look up at the sky and say Thank You God for your April Fools jokes, first snow and then me almost buying the farm and going through the ice.

Today I went to substitute for an elementary school P.E. teacher in Willow, Alaska and on the way in the door my shoe went through the ice into a big wet hole and I got my shoe and sock and pant leg all wet. Enough already! It’s not funny anymore.