Candle, Red Roses a Chinese Bust and What's in a Name?

Candle, Red Roses and a Chinese Bust
Relics of My Life

by

Judith Abagail Nichols****Vars

18x14

oil

What's in a name? My name carries with 5 generations of great-----grandmothers, all named Judith. Thanks to dedicated members of my family who have religiously traced our family tree back in time to Adam and Eve. Late one night I traced my lineage to Old King Cole the first King of England!

My name is from the paternal side of the family tree. In every generation the first born girl was named Judith after her mother, this lineage goes back to the first Judith.

Judith Abagail Fricke.

1402

Middlesex, England

I was the first born girl of my generation and I was granted the name Judith Ann Nichols.
Because I have every right to change my name I legally changed my middle name Abagail.

There have been times when I went by Judith instead of Judy sometimes people call me Jude

I like that.  



 



Doyle-Flynns Alaskan Environmental Crime Story by Rhony Phelan

I Didn't Write the Book, But I Did Do the Cover Art!
http://www.amazon.com/Doyle-Flynns-Alaskan-Environmental-Crime/dp/1468555529
Doyle Flynn, disbarred Alaska environmental lawyer, afflicted by depression, recently divorced, is haunted by ghosts both living and dead. Fate, in the form of an aged Chinese businessman from Doyle's past, gives to Doyle the opportunity for deliverance from his transgressions, present and past. The opportunity comes in the form of an assignment uniquely suited to Doyle's conscientious nature, grit, and training in environmental law. The issue is whether Doyle, confronted by threats internal and external, can beat the odds and break the cycle of self-destruction he has been heretofore unable to rise above. Where better to test Doyle's resolve than in the Alaska he inhabits.

Roany Phelan lived in Anchorage Alaska and practiced environmental law there until leaving the state in the late 1990s. His heart remained in Alaska, motivating him to write this story, drawn from the colorful side of the city he once inhabited. Roany is working on the sequel. He is married with children.

DOYLE FLYNN’S
ALASKAN ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME STORY

A NOVEL BY
ROANY PHELAN

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: 1-800-839-8640

© 2012 Roany Phelan. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 8/15/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-5552-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-5551-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012903369

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prelude To A Death And Life Foretold

1996

Chapter One: Lee Yi Ching’s Ghost

Chapter Two: The Taiwan Connection

Chapter Three: 20 Acres Of Undeveloped Property, Kona Subdivision

Chapter Four: Termination Dust

Chapter Five: The Thirtieth Reunion

Chapter Six: Searching For Dwayne Crystal

Chapter Seven: Doyle’s Date With Grace

Chapter Eight: The Sight Of Mt. Mckinley

Chapter Nine: Environmental Crimes

Chapter Ten: The First Of Two Ordeals

Chapter Eleven: The Second Ordeal

Chapter Twelve: Schwarz’S Butcher Shop

Chapter Thirteen: The Beach At Hua Lien

Chapter Fourteen: Incident At The Woronzof Lounge

Chapter Fifteen: The Closing

Chapter Sixteen: Ashes And Snow

2006

Epilogue: The Real Doyle Flynn

AUTHOR’S STATEMENT

This story is a work of fiction. As in all fiction, while the literary perceptions, insights, and descriptions in the story are drawn from the author’s experiences, the events and characters are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. No reference to any real person is intended or should be inferred.

ABOUT THE COVER

The front cover illustration is from a painting by Wasilla, Alaska artist Judy Vars. For information about Ms. Vars’ artwork contact her at Cabin Fever In Alaska.

DEDICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book is dedicated to my sweet wife, to whom I am likewise dedicated. Without her encouragement and suggestions I would not have had this story published. Having her in my life has made the story much, much better. Thank you, my love.

In addition, I send my heartfelt gratitude to those in the writing and publishing industries who read the story, offered their constructive criticism, and encouraged me to get the story published. Thank you for you indulgence.

Roany Phelan

PRELUDE TO A DEATH
AND LIFE FORETOLD

Picture this. In the cold winter a late middle-aged man who is fit for his years looks out through small, square, imperfectly glazed panes of antique glass that distort his view. He is alone. Then through the distortion he espies the familiar figure of a younger man he has never before seen. The younger man who has materialized from nowhere approaches and, still at a considerable distance, looks in the direction of the place where the middle-aged man stands.

The older man is unconcerned by the intrusion. He knows he cannot be detected because there are no lights and he stands back from the glass panes, in the darkness. He realizes he is in the middle of what they used to tell him was a black spell. The distorted illusion of the younger man is part of the spell. The late middle-aged man appreciates that the spell and the illusion that comes with it signify it is alright to be doing this. Consequently he feels relief.

The older man does not mind that the door is not locked. He welcomes the approaching illusion’s anticipated entrance because now he knows the illusion that is part of the black spell is coming to rescue him from the spell itself. Encouraged, the late middle-aged man turns his back on the imperfectly glazed panes of glass that are the only source of light on this dim, overcast winter afternoon. He walks to the middle. He inhales very deeply and enjoys the comfort of what he smells. Gasoline, engine oil, tractor grease. Cut hay. Through his nose he exhales evenly and with measured force.

He comes to a point of tranquility when he hears the door rattle open behind him. He hears the younger man enter and move about. He finally senses the presence of the younger man standing right next to him, no longer an illusion but really there, whispering into his ear. The younger man brings the exact salvation that the late middle-aged man had hoped for when he first saw the younger man through the small square, antique glass panes.

Thousands of feet above, in the sky, a commercial passenger airplane moves in the direction of the place where the late middle aged man and the younger man are still standing. The aircraft, a 747, begins its descent. It comes over that portion of the Alaska Range that separates Southwestern Alaska from what is known as South Central. It comes down toward where the Anchorage Bowl sits along the Cook Inlet. The fuselage of the big 747 is marked with the name “China Airlines.” Aboard, the pilot announces in Mandarin Chinese that the passenger cabin crew should make final preparations for landing.

The passengers talk rapidly, almost all in Chinese, excited by the view as the plane descends towards Anchorage International Airport. One passenger does not speak because he is traveling alone and is preoccupied by thoughts of his business in Anchorage. He speculates about whether has come too late.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

My breasts are like pets. Everyone likes them, but you're the only one who has to take care of them.SARK

Ok, yes, this photograph was taken over 25 years ago. I only weighed about 120 pounds and was built like a brick shithouse just look at my titts. I inherited them from my mother’s side of the family and like all blessings they come with a curse; unwelcome stares from men when I was too young to understand why, unwanted saggage from gravity, forced to wear ugly bras, back problems, etc. How I envied those tea cup breasts with their cute little turquoise bras and matching panties. Later I came to understand the leverage I had with my assets. Men are so fun to tease with just a little cleavage and perfume. I never danced topless (for money) but with these babies I'd have made a fortune. No false silicone breast implants for me these jugs are the real deal double DD. They have nursed and comforted four of my children and as an added bonus people love to hug me.

 Let’s have some fun and think of all the pet names we have for our breasts; mammarys, honkers, hooters, bazooms, headlights, boobs, knockers, the pointer sisters, jugs, melons, rack, ta-ta's, the twins, and fun bags. I've literally heard them all.

My little sister Patty had the funny luck of having two different sizes, she said for variety. On Dr. OZ a woman had 15 nipples! Last week Patty found a lump on her right breast. The doc says a biposy is not indicated at this time, but she must do a self breast exam religiously every week.

So here is a reminder to all women big or small, pert or saggy, enhanced or natural. Take care of your assets, do a self breast exam more often. Take a moment to be grateful for our Breasts and bless all the women we know who have both lost and won battle with breast cancer.

PRAY FOR THE CURE

Much Love xoxoxoxoxo
Judy

Passionate and Vibrant!! Article by Gregory Gusse

Alaska's Venus Rising from the Sea

Oil/Cold Wax

36 X 42

$2,460

Passionate might be the best word to describe both the artists and their art at this Second Saturday opening reception at Madd Matters in Palmer. Both names, Judy Vars and Brandy Lee Mallick are pretty well known here in the Valley.
Judy has an interna...

tional reputation as well. She is best known for her encaustic wax paintings ,an ancient technique employing beeswax, resins, and pure pigments that Judy sometimes grinds herself. This form of painting is so ancient that vibrant works are still visible thousands of years later in Egyptian ruins. Though the method is ancient her work is outstandingly contemporary.
Judy also produces wonderful oils. In either case she is cognizant too of the limitations and the particular expression within the mediums. Judy’s work is both emotional and meaningful, far from the ordinary or mundane. Even her flowers and landscapes rise to the level of art, an incredible accomplishment when surrounded by the typical gold pan artist so common in our woods. It is a sign of a real artist that they can and will buck peer pressure and the market ,too.
Another thing that separates Judy’s work , and may be another reason she is collected, is it smells and feels good. Yes, her work is meant to be touched. Its textures and variations are thrilling to the fingers while the aroma, the smell of honey and blossoms, brings the work to an extreme level of sensuality. Her work is like the artist herself, mysterious and vibrant

Something Smells Really Fishey in Lichtenstein - Artists Scam Uncovered!

It is sad but true like P.T. Barnum said "There is a sucker born every minute" now I'm not calling artists suckers but if the shoe fits wear it, and if something smells fishy in Denmark then it probably is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is......................................................................................the rest of the story.

Since my last rant about Frank Henderson I decided to bring this to some kind of conclusion, so I sent him another e-mail apologizing for making it hard for him to transact business saying things are difficult in the USA and saying my art is boxed and ready to go (it was). But UPS is only $150.00 and Mayor Delivery in the UK is $1,300.00 I could save him over 1,000.00 bucks!

Frank gets back in touch with me and says for less stress he prefers the delivery service.

I say ok and run two separate visa card numbers for the price of the artwork $2,500.00 and the cost of shipping 1,300.00. Equal amounts of each card.
Mayor Delivery send me an official looking invoice and say; due to their web  site being upgraded it is currently down  blah blah blah Mayor Delivery can only take wire money transfers. So I start to think............ hummmmmm that could be the SCAM put a large amount on a stolen credit card and then get the seller (me) to wire transfer to an account that could be anywhere and in any name. Frank Henderson gets $1,300 deposited by me and I get left holding the bag with the credit card company. I cannot find Mayor Delivery on Google and the phone numbers in the e-mail do not work.

My super investigating skills provide the VISA cards were issued in Belgium. VISA in Belgium tells me the card has a lot of high charges on it and asks if I know anything about them! The card is not even issued to a Frank Henderson. Now it's being investigated by the credit card fraud division. I'm trying to string him along so they can finish their investigation. Here are the last two e-mails, notice how he is trying to bully me.

Frank,

As I said before, I will wait 2 weeks before I ship the art.
This for my own piece of mind.
Please understand I do not know you.
You have been very patient with me and I appreciate it.
I will feel much better if we could speak on the telephone.
Judy
907 355-

No i cannot accept that i have been shopping over the internet and it is not like this therefore it is unacceptable i have paid you and should have my order shipped so it can meet up with my purpose.

As a fact i want you to arrange with  the courier mayor delivery now so they can ship and deliver to me over the weekend.
Looking forward to hearing from you asap
Best
Frank

As soon as I hear from VISA in Belgium I will be refunding the money. It is sad but artists and old people seem to be the target of thieves and con men, perhaps because we are optimists and want to believe in the good in the world. At least I do. Another rule I live by is to treat others the way I would like to be treated.

Liechtenstein? or Am I Being Scammed?

This is a series of correspondence with a man in Liechtenstein. Hope springs eternal but this seems somehow fishey. If you have the patience to read it tell me your opinion.
Hello,
I am emailing to inquire about availability of artwork for sale in your
gallery, if you can ship international and also if you are able to process
Electronically Visa and Master Card Number/Expiry date/Cvv as payment. Let
me know so that i can communicate with you on the artworks that interest
me,you can also indicate to me which of the arts are sold and which are
available on your website.>I will be looking forward to reading from you.
Hello Frank,
Thank you for contacting me. Yes I can ship internationally and I can accept
Visa and Master Card either through my Pay Pal account or with my gallery
could handle the transaction. The artworks that are sold have a
red sold button on the bottom of the picture. However, I can recreate
anything you want in a short time. Here is my phone number if you want to
talk to me ......
I am pleased you found me and want some of my artwork.
Hello,
Good to hear from you,I have tried to purchase the arts online but my URL would not allow me
complete any transaction with online payment and paypal so I can only give
you my credit card number,expiry date and cvv to run manually if you have a
processing machine or means to run it. Below are the arts i have interest in............
Hi Frank,
Thank you for your interest in buying my art!
All the original artwork you have choosen is available and YES, I do have
means to run your credit card.
According to policy I will wait 2 weeks after receiving your funds before I
actually ship the artworks.
 The total cost will be $2,545.00 plus the cost of shipping and handling.
Since I do not know how much shipping costs will be, after the art is boxed
and ready and I know exactly how much the shipping costs are. Then I will
contact you again and let you authorize me to charge that in addition.
If this is acceptable then please send me your
1. credit card number
2. expiry date
3. cvv
4. address
5. phone number
6. copy of drivers license or country ID
Oh i am so sorry i found your emails in my junk and and regarding the
transaction i have never given out all the information regarding my credit
card because i am purchasing on net not to talk of my ID that is ridiculous.
I only give my credit card number,expiry date and cvv out for any purchase i
make so you can let me know how to proceed also on the shipping one will
have to pay additional fee at the delivery point here in Liechtenstein
because they will never bring to ones house. courier like Fedex, UPS are not
worth it here especially USPS all of them are not rendering good service
here probably because they already known very well.
You can contact this courier Mayor Delivery  (mayordelivery@hotmail.com) as
well with the weight and cost of the artwork for the shipping and insurance
to my 
address because they ship and deliver safely without one paying any other
money before collecting the goods unlike some other courier where it will
not be 
delivered to your address rather you will have to go to their office to pick
it up and when you get there you will be told to pay other money before
collecting it.
I will be looking forward to hearing from you asap.
Thanks
Shipping Address
2 Triesen Ave
Fürstentum 9225 Liechtenstein
I am not clear about the shipping? Let me understand, after I pack the art,
I contact "Mayor Delivery" with the weight and insurance costs then all the
shipping costs will be taken care of through them?
Please then get back to me with your CC#, expy date and cv v.
I am so happy you like my artwork and look foreward to hearing from you
again.
 Sincerely,
Hi Judy,
Thank you for keeping in touch i will be happy if you can get the Spring
Trees - $595.00 shipped to me later after you have shipped the other ones
but i will be happy to make a down payment for it when i am paying for the
other ones.
Regarding the shipping what i meant was that you should contact the Mayor
Delivery  (mayordelivery@hotmail.com) with the weight,size and the cost of
the arts so they can let know what it will cost for them to ship it to me
and then you can add it to the cost of the artwork which you will process on
the credit card.
I hope you can understand me better now i will be looking forward to hearing
from you asap
Best
Frank
Dear Frank,
Everything is packed and ready to mail, Spring Trees is in West Hollywood, CA and they will be sending it to me in about 2 weeks.
As you stated you are willing to make a down payment on this painting. I will take half which is $300.00 Please note below the two that are not framed. The frames are not very expensive and add extra weight if that is ok with you I will adjust the price and mail them unframed.
The Shipping box is Length 30.5" Width 19" Height is 10.5 inches and 21.9 pounds.
Or in metric Length 774.69 mm Width 482.59 mm Height 266.7 mm and weight 9.48 kilo.
Mayor Delivery has been notified of the size and weight of the box. I assume you can take care of the shipping with Mayor Delivery.
I can take VISA, Master Card, American Express or Discover cards.
 Your name as it appears on the card
 your expiration date
 your c v v number
 your address and country zip or area code asociated with the card  your phone number so we can talk and you can authorize me to run your card without you being available to sign.
I hope this is acceptable to you, this is the first time I have done a transaction without Pay Pal and the first time I've done business with anyone in Liechtenstein.
Thank you for being patient. Here is my address and phone number.
Next I get an invoice from Mayor Delivery for 820GBP around $1,000 bucks us currency!!! I forwarded the bill to him to pay. ?
Am I being screwed?

My Latest Plenn Air @ Eklutna Cemetery, Alaska

Eklutna Alaska Spirit Houses

Encaustic Beeswax

12x12

225.00

It goes without saying, I love cemetery’s on the way to Anchorage there is a charming little graveyard in Eklutna Alaska.. I wanted to paint the spirit houses there.
Once before when I tried to paint there but the Monk drove me off because I refused to pay the $5.00 admission fee on principal, this time I paid! Went inside, found a spot between two dilapidated spirit houses and set up my paint box. But the spirits had other ideas! In spite of having DEET and wearing clothes that covered my entire body the mosquitoes swarmed me and bit the hell out of me. Why those little vampires love me so much is a mystery, or I am just that sweet?  I decided to be brave and and stay but the swarm was intolerable! I continued to douse myself with bug dope and paint. Then the ultimate insult came there was a down pour and I had to quickly pack up and run for cover.  

Here are some factoids:

 This village has been inhabited for over 800 years. In the 1840s Russian Orthodox missionaries arrived and blended their beliefs with the Athabaskan traditions. Resulting in this unique cemetery. More than 100 brightly colored "spirit houses" are on the burial ground, a custom that combines Athabaskan and Russian Orthodox practices.

The Spirit Houses are lovingly built for our departed then simply left to the elements year after year, to fall down and dissinergrate symbolizing "From dust we came and to dust we shall return."

My mom used to say about the dust bunnies under her bed that she was growin a man!

See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil

See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil

11x14x1 wrapped canvas

Original Oil

225.00

by

Judy Vars
Created June 2012 a still life with three wise monkeys, cigar box, lipstick, cobalt Vicks bottle,Van Gough Beer Bottle and a raven skull these are a few of my favorite things.

The three wise monkeys. Together they embody the proverbial principle to "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". The three monkeys are Mizaru, covering his eyes, who sees no evil; Kikazaru, covering his ears, who hears no evil; and Iwazaru, covering his mouth, who speaks no evil. Sometimes there is a fourth monkey depicted with the three others; the last one, Shizaru, symbolizes the principle of "do no evil".  Some simply take the proverb as a reminder not to be snoopy, nosy and gossipy, another way to look at it is dealing with imporpriety by looking the other way or burying your head in the sand. 

Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of India, is recognized worldwide as the one who brought freedom through non-violence. Mahatma is known to have had few material possessions; he had a tin cup and spoon, a pair of sandals, his glasses and.....a set of no evil monkeys!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_wise_monkeys

The Stag Lord Cernunnos or Old Horney Himself

When the muse comes she sometimes comes disguised as Cernunnos himself. The Celtic God of Fertility and the Hunt. This was created by a great carver/sculptor (my beloved other) who modestly goes by a pen name Mazola.

The Celts all over Europe before Christ worshiped the Stag Lord Cernunnos. He has the horns of a stag, a rams horned serpent, a stag to represent the hunted, a wolf representing the hunter and oak leaves and acorns for fertility and the cycles of life. Cernunnos is usually portrayed as a mature man with long hair and a beard, he coincidently looks exactly like the carver. He wears a torc: this was an ornate neck-ring worn by the Celts to denote nobility. He often carries a torcs in his hands or hanging from his horns. The torc in this case helps support the antler and was carved from cottonwood and covered with gold leaf.

The Song of Cuerunnos

I am a stag of seven tines,
I am a wide flood on a plain,
I am a wind on the deep waters,
I am a shining tear of the sun,
I am a hawk on a cliff,
I am fair among flowers,
I am a god who sets the head afire with smoke.
I am a battle waging spear,
I am a salmon in the pool,
I am a hill of poetry,
I am a ruthless boar,
I am a threatening noise of the sea,
I am a wave of the sea,
Who but I knows the secrets of the unhewn dolmen ?

Origin obscure but certainly Celtic
http://anchorage.craigslist.org/art/3047248841.html 

Talkeetna Air Taxi and Downtown Gallery

When you come to Alaska you must visit Talkeetna and take an air taxi flight to Denali!
There is no other way to see this mountain except up close and personal.
Talkeetna, Alaska is the jumping off place for those few brave souls who must climb North America's highest mountain 20,329 feet or 6,196 m.
Me I'd rather go flight seeing on a nice day.

In a quaint loig cabin at the end on Main Street next to the Chocolate Shop is Talkeetna Air Taxi and Downtown Gallery. The gallery is full of art by Alaskan Artists all original art and one of a kind.

My art is now in good company along with other marvelous local Alaskan artists like my BFF Sharen AK Harris http://sakharris.fineartstudioonline.com/

Please go visit Talkeetna Air Taxi's web-site and get a taste of Alaska! I know you will want to come now! PLEASE COME! we love you guys from everywhere else and want you to visit thIS awesome place just so you understand that we are not crazy to want to live in this wild and wonderful place.
http://www.talkeetnaair.com/

A Talkeetna Ghost Story

Yesterday I went with my BFF Sharen to Talkeetna to market our art for the tourist season. We always have fun on our excrusions.  It was a rare day when you can see Denali clearly, I took this photo. We stopped at the new gallery in Willow, then drove on up the road, I dropped off some art and sand off for Rhonda at Wytchwood, then we drove to Talkeetna and scouted out some galleries. Talkeetna air Taxi and Downtown Gallery seemed very interested in my art.  We enjoy our Hungarian soup  at the Roadhouse and got some homemade bread  and cinnamon rolls for our husbands.....Stay with me.....

The Smoking Room at the Fairview Inn

Talkeetna, Alaska

Original Oil

9x12

125.00

We strolled into the Fairview Inn like a couple of tourists,  I asked the bartender if this place is haunted and she said; of course it is haunted! I joked and said we should have the Ghost Hunters come for a lock down and they can yell at them all night. I wandered off to explore a little bit when I walked into this empty room it felt weirdly like I had seen it in a dream. The television was on and oddly playing a real old Laurel and Hardy movie. Then the room got colder and goose bumps rose on my arms and my hair began to stand on end. Sharen was standing in the doorway flipping out! She said she had never felt her hair stand on end like that before. I got this picture of the room before the batteries on my camera got completely drained. We ran out into the bar laughing and freeking out at the same time. I said there is a ghost in the smoking room!! and the bartender said; that is not surprising there is a man buried beneath the floor. OMG lady you might have warned us! But then where is the fun in that.

It was a great day 

When Monkeys Fly Out of My Ass

This has become a running joke with my husband, back in 2004 when I applied for my first Rasmuson Foundation Grant; I was a novice a naive babe in the woods. Still I hoped they would see my vision and financial need and award me a grant.
Now Peter my help mate says "When you get that grant from those guys, “monkeys are going to fly out my ass" what I wouldn't give to see that! I dot my eyes cross my tees and make an A+ presentation. After waiting about 3 months they reply:
Dear Ms Vars,
Thank you blah, blah, blah. I regret to inform you that you did not receive one of the "Foundations Artists Award in your category.
2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012 no, no, no, no, no, no.!!!
Each application more polished and eloquent than the previous year, I used their kind critiques and suggestions to improve my chances.

Panelists Comments for Application 2012

Referencing Fayum Mummy Portraits as well as contemporary painterly practices Vars is developing her own unique visual language. Her desire to push the practice of portraiture further by finding new modes for representing historical and contemporary figures, that have had a major impact on out lives, is an engaging subject for exploration. Her work has merit both formally and conceptually; she should try to find new avenues for exposure.
Clever examination of the notion of “idol'” but the project would be stronger if it linked the request to the criteria of career impact. It is not clear that this project would significantly advance this emerging artist’s artistic development.
Average rating 2.5

That is the equivalent to a D+

I feel like little Judy in school trying my very best to get an A+ and teacher gives me a B+ for my good effort. Then the feeling why try so hard if you just sit there you’ll get a C+ anyway.
Yes OK sure I was just an average student but when subject interested me I gave it my all.

It's silly I know to get my hopes up, I know it's all subjective, that the panel of judges have their own criteria, I know it's wrong to base my feelings of my artistic efforts on other peoples opinions, or to compare myself with other artists, still it would be nice for those snooty art academics to grant me some recognition in the form of money.

What else to say at this point but... say la vee or simply fuck it!
I'm just disappointed that I did not get to see monkeys fly out of Peter’s ass!
I picture the wicked witches monkeys in the Wizard of OZ flying out and laughing hysterically like crazy chimps so happy to be freed.

Alaskan Environmental Crime Story by Roany Phelan

Because my art tends to be beautiful, dark and moody, I was approached by a collector of my art to illustrate the cover of his book. I was very honored to be asked to do this because this is a uniquely personal story and could only happen in Alaska. The book is partly fiction but mostly the real story with the names of the characters changed for obvious reasons. It is a story that needed to be told. As a teaser here is the back cover of the book....

Doyle Flynn, disbarred Alaska environmental lawyer, hobbled by depression, recently divorced, is haunted by ghosts both living and dead. Fate in the form of an aged Chinese businessman from Doyle’s past delivers to Doyle the opportunity for redemption for his transgressions, present and past. The opportunity for redemption comes in the form of an assignment uniquely suited to Doyle’s determined nature and training in environmental law. The question is whether Doyle, confronted by internal turmoil plus external threats he must face in gritty urban Anchorage and its rugged rural surroundings can beat the odds and break the cycle of self destruction he has been heretofore unable to rise above. Where better to test Doyle’s resolve than in the Alaska that Doyle inhabits.

Doyle Flynn’s story is told by author Roany Phelan, himself a former Alaska Environmental lawyer. Using a writing style befitting of the anti-hero protagonist of this story, Mr. Phelan invites the reader to hear this unique tale.

Roany Phelan has written a fresh and intriguing novel, one that is equal parts thrilling crime story and existential journey. In search of redemption, Doyle Flynn undertakes an investigation that leads him from modern Anchorage to Taiwan, his family’s dark history in the lower 48 states, and out into the primordial Alaskan bush. With a cast of lawyers businessmen, criminals, Native Alaskans and apparitions, the story builds momentum until it snaps like a whip, revealing surprising truths.

 --Alex Prudhomme author of The Ripple Effect, and co-author with Julia Child of My Life in France.

Southwest Art

Judy Vars

Madd Matters Gallery

1088 South Colony Way, Palmer, AK 99501

web: http://judyvars.com/  .907-745-6045

Studio:907-355-2219

Southwest Magazine, May, 2012 page 119 is where you will find me. I am that nerd that cannot throw away even one issue of Southwest magazine I have saved them from 1975 really!
I thought the people who get to showcase their art Southwest Mag must be awesome.
Back when I was a closet artist working in a mans world so I could make a mans wage, I secretly longed for the life of an artist. In my quiet times I would flip though the pages of the Southwest magazines I had collected daydreaming of being one of those people. It is interesting to look back and see where some of the seeds of my artistic obsession began. 

 About 2 months ago I received this e-mail:

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From:
Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 9:41 AM
To:
Subject: Southwest Art Magazine


Hi Judy,

We would like to invite you to participate in our May issue's special section. We will be featuring a special advertising section for Encaustic Painters. Whether you are looking to attract collectors to your work, find more representation in many of the galleries that look to our magazine for new artists or simply draw people to your website to promote your events, our special sections have proven to be very successful!

I paraphrase: Opportunity, showcase, 40,000 collectors, Promotional rate, Prominent People in the Art World etc.........

 They had hooked me for sure. I couldn’t believe that Southwest Magazine was contacting me, ME? ME! Yes my vanity and self promoting instincts kicked in and I took the bait.  So if you get a chance pick up the May issue and see my advertisement on page 119.

Not the front page or the featured artist but still I am in a well respected 40 year old national publication.

Hey I’m impressed even if you’re not.

When Things Go Wrong as they Sometimes Will

Up the Down Staircase

11x8.5

I want to tell my story but suffer from "the worry too much about what other people might think" syndrome. I’ll tell it anyway. Saturday the 14th of April my husband suffered a heart attack, he is 56.  I was able to get him to the emergency in the nick of time. He was in writhing in excruciating pain and said OH GOD! can you believe the nurse guy putting a needle in his arm said "please don't swear" he wasn't even saying FUUUUUCK can you believe that! Personally I think when somebody in pain or suffering cries OH GOD!!!  they are screaming a prayer! The EKG said he is having a heart attack. Well NO SHIT.  They packed him up in a body bag for the helicopter ride to Anchorages Providence Hospital where they operated and put two stints into his arterys which was closed 99% and the other a75%.

Peter is the worst patient in the world after the operation and still under the anesthesia he verbally abused the nurses and me. I was devastated not understanding why he would abuse the people who have his life in their hands, it is understandable in retrospect. He was scared. I said;

“COOL IT ASSHOLE YOU ARE NOT IN CHARGE”

I personally believe that we are always accountable for our behavior. But since I have never had a heart attack I don't know how I would act (and don't want to find out). Certain health care people seemed more concerned with me than they were Peter. Me? I was in the place where I go when emergencies happen, I am calm clearheaded while shock is waiting nearby to take me over. It's not until later when the emergency has passed  I go into shock. It's not until later when the gravity of our predicament sets in.

I am not sure how a person who has just suffered a heart attack is supposed to look? Peter looks handsome as ever the stints and the blood thinner worked like Draino now the blood is oxygenated and flowing freely. There is a history of heart disease in his family both his parents died that way. He/We (are in this fast car together) driving down the road at 95 mph the brick wall looked miles away so tiny and then it's right there! No time to react then BAM!#  Being a type A personality with ADHD he eats stress for breakfast, lunch and ice-cream for dinner. Now we get to walk every day, eat a heart healthy diet and quit smoking, which is going very well. We are taking an inventory of things in our life both good and bad. We are given the opportunity to work on the habits that are not good, replace old habits with good habits like meditation, exercise and learning how to keep the stressors out of our lives. Unfortunately for some of us it takes something like almost being dead to do the things that will make the quality of life better and last longer.

Take it from me there is nothing worse than regrets when a person we love in our life suddenly dies and we did not let them know they are so loved.  So today show someone special they are loved!

I am hopeful and prayerful that things will change for the better and the rest of our days will be happy ones.

Van Goughesque Sunflowers

Van Goughesque Sunflowers

Judy Vars

16x20

400.00

It's Spring!!! However here in Alaska it's called break-up, after record snowfalls the mountains of snow are melting. This creates quite a mess, our driveway slopes toward our house so we have put sandbags by the front door to keep the melting snow and ice away from my studio.

So instead of daffodils and crocuses pushing their way through the fresh soil we get mud and gravel.

Oh I am not complaining, not much anyway. It is just that when everyone else is enjoying the newness of spring - we are sandbagging, wearing rubber sloggers slipping around on the ice and driving around our filthy cars and waiting for things to dry up. The daylight has returned in fact we now have 13 hours of sun.

So instead of whining excessively… I went to the flower shop and asked for sunflowers, daffodils, and bleeding hearts and painted a Van Goughesque picture. I love the yellow flowers with the complementary vase color of purple and just a touch of red making a lively painting that literally sings.

Ah yellow psychologically the happiest color of the color spectrum…yet it is interesting that yellow can also signify jealousy, sadness and quarantine. Let’s not go there.

“Oh yes! He loved yellow, did good Vincent...When the two of us were together in Arles, both of us insane, and constantly at war over beautiful colors, I adored red; where could I find a perfect vermilion?” -- Paul Gauguin

"Don't Ya Eat the Yellow Snow" by Frank Zappa

My Desert Metaphor

The desert has it's own mystery and beauty. My home range is the flat lands of the Great Salt Lake.

In my childhood, I see me and my family driving from Salt Lake City to my Grandmas house in California.  Late - late into the night my mother and I go speeding down the straight lonely I-80.

In the blue velvet sky is the meteor shower of the century is occurring all around our pink and black Cadillac.

Alone on the highway mom turns off the headlights and we drive for awhile by luck and instincts.

We had never beheld a shower of falling stars and probably not ever see this phenomenon again.  What is that old saying? is it: When a star falls an angel loses it's wings? or when you wish upon a falling star your wish will come true? Mom and I discuss this, we talk of the wonders of God's universe sharing our hearts of hearts. For a moment in infinity speeding down the desert highway, Mom and I share complete awe and understanding.

Desert Metaphor

Judy Vars

12x24

Encaustic Beeswax

350.00

Window Dressings - Take a walk down Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood with me.

WOW look at me in one of the most creative places on the planet with my art featured at Candle Delirium in West Hollywood.

The Gold and Blue ballons representing Alaska are for me!  My new friend Anthony is an ardent collector of art, a fascinating man who loves my creations, he is the owner of Candle Delirium

The Worlds Largest Purveyor of luxury candles since 2003
.http://www.candledelirium.com/Delirium-Co-Candles

How we met is another story.... http://cabinfeverinalaska.blogspot.com/2011/11/candle-delerium-in-west-hollywood.html

Check out my new web site: http://cabinfeverinalaska.fineartstudioonline.com/

Sometimes it's hard to be humble. LOL