some new journal pages

HOLY COW!!!

I had NO IDEA it has been so long since I published something on here. so I doubt anyone is reading it any longer. I find it weird to publish a magazine and do a blog...I hate repeating myself...so it has all been going into the magazine.

Anyway...I know alot of folks have been asking about journaling workshops, so we finally got some posted on our website www.teeshamoore.com click on workshops.

We have been crazy busy these days with our hands in all sorts of projects...one of which was to get our studio conducive to having workshops...a monumental task. But it is close to being there, so we felt confident to finally start having folks out our way to play and learn.

tommorrow is also the day to register for artfiberfest...the fabric retreat that is held in port townsend in october. We are keeping it small this next year so make sure to sign up early before we have to cut it off.

will post more soon. I mostly just like to look at pics when I look at blogs so I want to do the same here.

Journal Books set of 4

I have just finished a set of 4 books of my journal pages. Each booK is 40 pages, so there are 160 journal pages in all. It will be mailing around jan. 2nd. The set is $30 and can be found on the publications page of my website www.teeshamoore.com. The above pictures are some newer pages I just did lately.

Art & Life 10

So, I just got word that issue 10 was taken to the post office on december 12th, so should be winding it's way to you amidst the stream of christmas cards. If you have expired, you will be seeing a postcard instead.

tokyo pictures

I know, I know...it's ABOUT time I blogged! and I have so much to blog about! This fall was as crazy as they come and I knew that if I could just make it through to thanksgiving I could let out a giant sigh and that everything would be ok. but getting there was going to be taxing. and it was. but I am on the other side of thanksgiving and am still in one piece. anyway...tracy took tons and tons of pictures in tokyo and he has his on a flicker site. here are the links:

Tokyo - a photoset on Flickr

Design Festa - a photoset on Flickr

Of course, these are unfiltered so you will see it all from sprinkler heads he thought were interesting to a plate of food that I thought was particularly appetizing to things I asked tracy to get a shot of for me for inspirational purposes to just weird things. But it will give you a taste of crazy tokyo. I journaled on 24 pages while I was there (one of them shown here)...everyday chronicalling the events, my thoughts and other stuff and I have included them all in Art & Life issue 10 (which is now at the printer and is due to be mailed around the 10th of dec.). Anyway...as soon as I get my photos off my camera, I will share some juicy ones here.

that's it for now. enjoy the pictures but leave yourself some time. there are over 600 of them.

Looks like the book is out now that I am a part of. Just got my copy the other day. I'm amazed to see my art on the pages. I mean...I've been in many other books but this is the first time I have been really featured. I am SO not good with working with publishers that it just hasn't worked out in the past. I'm not difficult, it's just that I freeze when I am trying to do something for someone else. Anyway...Holly Harrison never would take no for an answer and somehow managed to get something out of me. She's amazing....and this book is really fun. I'm proud to be part of it.

In other news, I am getting my handsome husband back home tonight after being gone for 3 weeks. He did a whirlwind tour starting with a camping trip with his buddies in Ithica, then onto scotland for a week with our youngest daughter who has ALWAYS wanted to visit and lastly ending up in london for a week at a LOMO convention. Whew...I have been one lonely girl but had more work than I knew what to do with so was able to keep busy...really busy.

Artfest is unofficially full with about 550 folks. and most of those sent in their forms on the opening day of registration...YIKES!!! I mean...I am so happy artfest is so popular but it meant that not everyone got their first choices, and some not even their 2nd or 3rd choices.

Art & Life just came back from the printers so my very good friend, Theo Ellsworth is helping me out right now by packaging, addressing, stamping and mailing off all the subscriptions copies right now. Go Theo Go! He's probably buried under heaps of magazines in his living room right now. I hope we're still friends when he's done. LOL

well I'm gonna get a little more work done before I head to the airport to get Tracy & Trista. Man, I miss him so much, I can hardly stand it.

bumbershoot inspiration

Today we went to Bumbershoot. I don't remember it being so jam packed last year. We made a beeline for the Flatstock show and I picked up a couple more posters to go with what I got last year. Fun seeing the indie crafters but we all felt the need to split. Too many folks. I guess I'm getting old. I don't like crowds much anymore. we decided to try out Tom Douglass's newest restaurant, Serious Pie (a pizza joint). We've tried all his other restaurants and they all are my favorite in the city. He's such a cool guy too. He gave me one of his crabcake cookbooks....! just gave it to me and wrote in the front. anyhoo...Serious Pie is supposed to be very hard to get into but wasn't too bad at 3pm on a saturday. Since there were 4 of us, we tried 4 different pizza's. All were fabulous.

Last night, our daughter, tiffany (http://www.tiphoni.com/) put up some new rubber stamps on her site (actually go to the above site and then link over to her orange bus studios website to see them). My favorite is the 3 layered cake above. Gotta have that one! all the rest are cool too. She's getting quite a group of fans of her work! That's cool to see.

Meanwhile I came home from bumbershoot and finally designed the logo for artfiberfest, happening in october. I really never needed the logo until now since I need to print up some totes and stuff. anyway...it was now or never so I was inspired to do the logo above. I like it and think I will go with it, unless I draw something better tonight.

and you thought you wouldn't hear from me for another 3 months! LOL.

august 30 update.

oh great! I've been forgetting about my blog lately. I can blame it on summer....and getting a new computer...and work... I found these small paintings I did in a class with Diane Culhane awhile back. She's so awesome. She took a break from teaching and is going gung ho on her paintings but said she'll probably come back sooner or later and teach again.

Artfest 2008 is looming and the dam is about to break loose on registering for it. If you want to come, sept. 4th is the day to get your form postmarked. From the emails and enquiries I've been getting, I have a feeling it will be full within a couple of days of sept. 4th. More information can be found at http://www.teeshamoore.com/

we have a few spots left for artfiberfest in october. if you want to come email me your choices and I'll check on them and send you an email back. we have a bunch of things planned for our group of about 100 that we could never do with our artfest group of 500...so it's been fun thinking along different lines of activities.

Tracy and Trista are heading to Ithaca, NY next wednesday...just in time to miss the artfest onslaught of mail. They will be camping with their WOW (world of warcraft) guild and can't wait. then they are off from there to scotland to spend a week exploring. Trista has always wanted to go and for a girl who never watched movies or tv growing up, she managed to watch the movie, braveheart, like 50 times. then they are heading to London for the Lomo world congress meet. They are both super excited about this event that only happens once every 10 years. If you know Tracy, you'll know about his fanatic attachment to his lomo cameras and the lomography world. and he got trista hooked too. SO...no hubby for 18 days. I'm actually really Looking forward to it.

Tiffany and I intend on visiting some 5 star gourmet restaurants a few times while they are gone. We are both foodies and this will be the perfect time to experiment and have some fun. I'm not sure if I can entice her into coming home and helping me with artfest registrations or not yet. She's been super busy with webdesign but is getting really bad carpel tunnel syndrome from it. so we need to find a specialist for that.

In 2 days we are heading to Bumbershoot. I can't wait. I love seeing Flatstock...a screen printed poster show. it's fabulous and I get so inspired. I also love seeing the indie crafters. But they make me feel old and outdated. It didn't seem that long ago when I was the new fresh face on the craft scene. oh well...I love getting older (oddly enough) and all the things that come with it...even the fresh faced young artists who are making names for themselves.

Well, I need to get back to my magazine (issue 9) which is almost wrapped up. But thought I'd say Hi to All my friends out there in blog land. I KNOW I always say this but it's for real this time...I will update soon. I pinky swear.

fun in CA.

first, I wanted to remind you that we will be at the carson rubber stamp convention this weekend if any of you are inclined to come on over. we'll have our new line of rubber stamps as well as collage sheets to match. more info at http://www.astampinthehand.com/

ok...2nd...I had to tell you what we did today. Deb Denton, penguin keeper at seaworld and super cool friend I know through artfest gave us a private tour today and allowed us to stand with the 300 penguins (in the 20 degree freezer they live in), walk with a flamingo (as tall as we were), feed 3 manatees (my hand went inside their mouth!) and I petted some dolphins...oh and did I mention the emperor and other penguins we were able to pet and get up close to??? Tracy and I are in a state of wonder and bliss after our fantastic day.

well...I am in a hotel room right now, using tracy's computer so I'll write more when I get home. just wanted to post about our fun day.

thanks deb. you are as cool as those penguins...no...you are way cooler!

ATTN. ALL ART & LIFE SUBSCRIBERS

Due to various reasons, we have decided to eliminate the "auto renew" feature of our subscriptions (to Art & Life) through paypal. If you subscribed through paypal, you will be a receiving a cancellation notice. This notice is only for the the auto renew, not your actual subscription. From now on, you will receive a notice with the last issue of your subscription informing you that it is time to renew.

Starting with issue 8 (which will be in the mail the week of june 25th) we will be upgrading all subscriptions to first class mailing.

BUY THIS BOOK!!!

Drop everything, drive to the nearest bookstore and buy Foolsgold by Susan Wooldridge. I am TOTALLY serious! I just opened it up this morning over my bowl of cereal and by the 4th page of the introduction, I had to put it down and go fix my mascara that had started to spread around my moist eyes. Susan is a gem and really, truly gets it. She puts feelings into words and reminds us why creativity is SO important. Get the book...you won't regret it.

starting june with a bang.

I can breathe again. Alot has been going on but today I felt as if a huge weight was lifted. I just finished Art & Life issue 8 about an hour ago and I am happy with it. So now Tracy is formatting it for the printer and hopefully will get that sent tonight.

Last week we flew to Providence to help tiffany pack up her dorm room and ship the whole thing. Whew...24 boxes later, we were done. She showed us around the city and then we attended her graduation last saturday in the blistering heat (yes it was outside and it was just plain cruel of RISD to make the students sit out in the sun in their black polyester robes)! We went to Newport and found out from a local that the best deal in town was Benjamin's where they served 2 lobsters for $30. Oh my goodness, when they came out, our little table held 6 whole lobsters that were to die for. Super sweet meat. I was in heaven for the rest of the day. We also found some great shopping in providence, namely Figments. I loved the store and the owner. It was different and quirky and a must if you visit that city.

Tracy and I had found an apartment for Tiff before we left up on Capitol Hill so she could move in right away. We were holding our breath that she'd like it and she LOVED it. whew! It's a one-bedroom with tons of huge windows. It sits on the corner so has windows on 2 sides. She has a view of downtown seattle including the space needle and has a corner deck to boot. So what's not to love?! One trip to Ikea and she had enough to get her started on her limited budget.

So, tonight I am sitting down and starting the arduous process of picking workshops for the 2008 Artfest retreat. I have piles and piles sitting on my desk, looking all eager and perky. There are always so many great choices to choose from and only so many classrooms, so it's a fun but gut wrenching time of year for me when I have to say no to so many.

time for dinner...gotta run.

Just call me fickle

I changed my mind on my workshops I am teaching this summer & fall. I got a ton of requests for my fabric journal, so I am bringing it back. It will replace the sunday class for those of you who already looked at the listings. If you are viewing from AOL, keep in mind that it takes days sometimes to upload changes to the website. But you can view the description and see more photos if you go to www.teeshamoore.com and click on workshops. We are about half full on all our classes, so let meknow soon if you care to come.

I put this picture up of a purse I made to advertise my artfiberfest retreat happening october 17-21. The first wave of registrations have been processed (about 100) and there are still spaces in all the workshops. Artfiberfest has such a different feel about it...it's more mellow and more intimate because of the smaller group. It's a great place to get your feet wet if you have not been to (the bigger and crazier) artfest. to look at the workshops visit www.teeshamoore.com and click on artfiberfest.

we are heading to providence in a couple of weeks to attend our daughter's RISD graduation while trying to find her an apt. in seattle so she has someplace of her own when she comes home. It's exciting to be looking again at seattle apts. Some time ago I had wanted to get a place in seattle (a 2nd home if you will), but when it came down to it, I realized I like my home, studio & acreage in the country and more importantly we just didn't want to spend the money on it. Still...Seattle has such energy, and it's fun looking at places.

We still have spaces in our workshops we are teaching in los angeles in july (Gardena actually). I am trying to put together a party, slide show, journaling jam, etc. on that saturday night between the 2 days of workshops, so we have more time to just hang out with our students. We are really looking forward to it since we don't get out to teach all that often anymore.

workshops in july and oct.

The workshops are up on our site now www.teeshamoore.com and click on workshops. I am taking registrations for all our Gardena, CA. classes and Cindy at www.paperstudio.com is handling all the Tempe, AZ workshop sign-ups. Tracy will provide a sample for his "old school chalkboard journal" by the end of the week. I was playing with a chalkboard that my niece had sent me when all of a sudden an idea clicked which Tracy loved...so we have to order some to be able to make the sample...but it will be really cool. Anyhoo...I am running like a mad chicken today with tons & tons on my lists...so that's it for now.

May update

I wanted everyone to know that issue 7 has finally been mailed as of today. Yes, I know it is late...it won't happen again, I promise. well...issue 8 may be a week or two late, but I am catching up. Since we mailed them ourselves this time (no bulk mailing), you should all see them next week.

On other news, I am receiving a bunch of registrations for Artfiberfest this week, so tommorrow I'll start logging everyone in. I'm really excited for this smaller version of Artfest....and from the registrations it looks like I'm not the only one. If you wanted to come, now is the time to register!

The teaching packets went out for Artfest last week, so the teachers are busy working on their proposals. Tracy designed the logo for 2008 and I was delighted with it. He usually only draws monsters and aliens so when I saw this little guy I was shocked! Thought you might like to see it early.

Tracy and I decided to attend the Original Rubber Stamp Convention in Carson, CA in July this summer after a long hiatus from doing shows. We are flying in a week early and both teaching 2 all-day classes (July 7-8) in Gardena and then we'll have our collection of rubber stamps for sale as well as an all-new collection too! More information on the show can be seen at www.astampinthehand.com . For the workshop descriptions, give me this weekend to get them up on the site (I'll list the link here too). AND...we will also be teaching in Phoenix at the annual "Under The Covers" journaling show during October 6-7. This happens at The Paper Studio in Tempe, AZ. INfo on that will also be up very soon.

More and more plans have been set in motion around here for various projects. I'll let you in on them when I can. But that's the update for now. Busy busy busy!!! That's the way I like it though!

delightful mystery

I just had to take a picture. I took all the dolls down off my walls and threw them in a heap in one of our guest rooms. I forgot they were in there when my bi-monthly housekeepers came the other day. when they left, I was delighted to see them all lined up on the couch in that room. Actually...I am wondering if it was the houskekeepers or....they might have decided to all climb up on that couch themselves. we may never know...

I'm speechless!!!

I AM OVERWHELMED AT THE MOMENT...I just got home from the post office where I received a box from Deb Denton. I was talking to Tracy about some other things on the phone while I was standing in the kitchen opening this mysterious box. It didn't look like a box for the art asylum room, as I was peeling back the hot pink and orange tissue. I gasped when I saw the most amazing book/journal I have ever seen. I told Tracy that I needed to call him back...

At least 39 artists from past artfests contributed a 5x7 handmade page that is beautifully bound into a gorgeous book! Tracy arrived home only about 10 minutes later and I was choking back the emotion as I was reading the letter aloud to him. All we could both say was WOW!!! I will be sitting down after my work day is through tonight and reading through every single page and just savoring every little detail. Boy you really know how to make someone feel like the queen of the universe!

...you all just have to see it. I'll bring it to Artfest so you can stop by and see it in the gallery! To everyone who contributed...I don't even know what to say...Thank you from the bottom of my heart doesn't even begin to cut it. I'm still in wonder and amazement!

finally finished the artfest logo!

all artfest attendees are welcome to download it and use it in anything they are doing for artfest.

I'm back from my lull...

well...if anyone is still reading my blog, I apologize for how long it's taken me to update it. Good grief! I really do have no excuses since tracy bought me a laptop (a very tiny sony vaio) for christmas. I sit with it on my lap at night on my orange couch surfing around the internet while watching my favorite tv shows like lost, 24, top chef, heroes!, battlestar galactica!!! and beauty and the geek (ok, I admit I kinda like it...I like smart geeky guys!). So I guess I could have updated sooner. I've been wrapped up in urgent projects/work during the day which is usually when my mind is into all this stuff. Anyway...I am SO excited that I get to print my art & life magazine in full color now. It has completely re-energized my love of creating zines again. Black and white is SO "been there, done that" for me. So I am super excited about the possibilities...which from my vantage point are endless!

Artfest is humming right along. We are at 505 attendees and the energy is rising around all things related to it. I am putting the finishing touches on the yearbook before it goes to the printer. It's been fun to assemble even though it was rather nightmarish thinking about keeping track of 100's and 100's of photos.

Life is really really good. It seems to be running at a good pace for me...not too busy, not too slow. of course there are always way more things I want to do than I have time for, but I know that will be the story of my life.

ooops...got power again

just realized I got power back on monday, but didn't update my site like I said I would. Been working around the clock to get orders out before christmas, new registrations for artfest that are christmas presents and new subscriptions. The power outage was no fun at all. Although I do think we were wimps compared with other (way worse) disasters that have happened in other states. we have friends who live just a mile away who are still without power (in 30 degree weather). 6 days now....and everywhere you drive you see trees layong on top of dented houses. anyway...this picture is a painted door I bought from a street artist in portland. Haven't figured out where to put it yet.

no power

if anyone is trying to get ahold of me, we have had no power for 3 days and they are saying it will be 4-5 more!! eeeeyikes! Last night the temp. dropped below freezing so we slept under 7 blankets to keep warm. I am learning that I am NOT a pioneer woman at heart. we finally ran into my daughters' seattle apartment to take a shower and let folks know I am not able to reply to emails. will post here the minute we have power again.

the masked crusader of bouffant hairdo's

I thought I'd show you my latest project I've been working on while I watch tv. It was supposed to be marie antoinette but ended up looking like a superhero you might see on saturday morning cartoons. It's about 4x4 and I have NO idea what I will do with it.

shhhhh...don't tell tracy!

I never know what to get for tracy's stocking...usually it's a variety of pens and pencils and stupid stuff he doesn't need. Recently I've been so inspired by Katie Kendrick's little dolls that I suddenly had an idea. I'd sneak tracy's journal when he wasn't looking, make a bunch of copies of his drawings and make little zetti dolls for him. This was what came of the crazy idea. don't worry...he never reads my blog. he's been warned not to look anyway. I don't worry about it because he likes surprises.

i love pink

I was surprised and delighted today when I poured a bottle of dragonfruit flavored juice over some ice. The color of this juice is the prettiest color of pink...perfect for the next cupcake party! and it's delicious too. one of those simple things that just made me SO happy.

recent artwork

I'm involved with a self portrait collaborative project and this was a fabric journal/book that lesley riley made with pull out pages that we can sew on. not my best work but there is something I like about it. I used copic markers on the fabric (brush tip).

snow pretty

I've been sicker than a dog the last few days, but waking up to the snow made me feel a little more lively. see what we made? LOL...just kidding!

christmas in the air

I know it isn't even thanksgiving yet but couldn't resist a little holiday decorating. Mary Stanley told me about this place in seattle called "Maxine's" and I went crazy. For anyone coming to Artfest, you might want to plan a stop here....and then Mary say's to eat at The Snappy Dragon close by...which I will do the next time I go. Anyway...here is just a taste of christmas for my thanksgiving guests coming over. Then the day after turkey day is when we go chop down a tree high up on the mountain and finish the rest of the holiday decorations. ...is the fake snow too cheesy? I usually don't do much holiday decorating so this is all new to me...

lookie whoooo just flew in!

These guys just flew all the way from santa barbara, CA. and when I was taking pictures of them, I'd blink and they popped up in a different spot. Rascally little fellows! I decided to name them Fred, Ned and Ed. They seemed to like those names. Mary Stanley (see my links) made them for a bazaar and when I saw them on her blog, I knew I'd have to adopt them. I have developed this thing for owls but hadn't found any I liked until I saw these. To say I flipped out was an understatement. I knew I needed all 3 brothers. To split them up would have been very sad for them...and me. Mary rug hooked them and then stuffed them. I proudly own quite a few things from her now and they all make me enormously happy.

I just got new glasses...my first pair of transition bifocals. YIKES! The doctor told me I am simply getting old and that's what eyes do. Thanks doc for reminding me! Right now everything looks as if I am in the matrix movie, moving slightly as my eyes adjust to all the different levels of seeing in the lenses. I feel as if I am in an alternate reality that is moving and breathing and an illusion. I was told it takes about a week to get used to. I'm hoping it takes less!

projects & more

I wanted to show the project I have been working on lately. It is a collaborative type of project that involves 8 women and the subject matter is birds, feathers, nests, & eggs. Anahata sent 8 cigar boxes for us to do something with. I decided to decorate it and make a journal for it. She had made hers into a shrine that is really cool. It will be interesting to see what the other ladies do with theirs. Anyway...it is done and will be moving along soon.

In other news, I recently purchased a 1" button maker and a 3-1/2" one too because it makes coasters with your own artwork....oh and mirrors too. I want to start making some stuff as giveaways (for our orders) and do other stuff too. They've been fun to play around with.

I finished art & life six last tuesday which is why you haven't heard from me for awhile. I just had my nose to the grindstone and wasn't coming up for air until I was done. You still won't see it for about a month. The printer takes 2 weeks and the mailing house takes a few days and then the mail takes a couple of weeks. But it isn't due until december anyway...so expect it around the middle of december I'd guess.

I am starting a routine tommorrow where I have scheduled to "read & answer emails" twice a week. I feel they are overtaking my life and I haven't had time to do other things I want to do. So we will see how that goes (will be interesting since I recieve about 100 a day). I've basically divided the day into 2 parts. I will work on a specific area in the morning and another one in the afternoon...i.e...art & life, artfest, artfiberfest, collaborations, making stuff to sell, errands, emails, personal art projects, zettiology, web stuff (includes blogging), etc. It undoubtedly will take some tweaking but I am giving it my best shot (once again)...it's my ongoing nemesis...

pan's labyrinth movie!

I keep trying to upload a picture from this movie but I can't so I'll just tell you to go to www.panslabyrinth.com This is a new movie coming out in december that looks like my kind of flick. My friend lise just told me about it and I can't wait! Well, we are heading to portland right now in fact...tracy just gave me the thumbs up that he is ready to go...we are heading down to see our dear friend, Theo Ellsworth who will be at the Stumptown comicfest tommorrow & sunday. will write more on my return.

this and that...

LOL...sorry for the random pictures but I have been searching through whatever is on my computer. This happens to be one of my favorite stores (Uwajimaya) and I shot it right before the manager came and told me "no take pictures in store".

So I was supposed to blog yesterday...or so my daytimer states. I decided to cruise around some other blogs first. That was my downfall. They were all so cool with cool graphics and everything that by the end I was feeling rather inept at this whole thing. I turned my writing back onto my magazine and wrote like crazy for the rest of the day. But whatever...I need to be inspired by other blogs, not intimidated by them (easier said than done).

Today I am cleaning my office from top to bottom. I just can't stand it any longer. Yesterday Tracy came in to talk to me while I was writing and could barely see me over the piles all over my desk. I've just had so many projects lately that I jump from one to the other with no time inbetween to regroup. It feels really good to see what's what again.

I want to find my camera again and start taking pics for my blog. I have the most fun doing that. Tiphoni just mailed me her new stamp designs, so I told her I'd get them to the Engravers by monday. I know she is going to go like crazy to get her new images up on her site asap. She has been inundated with homework, new website work and special orders. She keeps calling me and I keep rooting for her to hang in there. She's flabbergasted by all the praise and business she's received lately over her art. The downside for me...I need work done too on my website and now am getting pushed to the side in favor of her new clients. Oh well...it's fun to see her SO excited.

next post will have some fun art...I promise!

So, we went to Bodies; The Exhibition on Sunday in Seattle and I liked it. Not as much as I thought I would, but it was still utterly amazing. I wasn't grossed out at all by it....not really sure why some people are. There were alot of people there and everyone seemed in awe. Although after going through the first couple of rooms I whispered to Tracy that they should have named the exhibit; MEAT. Because that was what all the muscles looked like. The highlight room for me was the blood vessel room. These are the most delicate and intricate "sculptures" I have ever seen. It has made me view myself differently. There is the aspect of all the "meat" and the greyish organs and everything else. But then I remember that the beautiful blood vessel system is inside me too. It reminds me that we are a beautiful spiritual being inside of an earthbound "organic" casing. What has intrigued me the most since the show was the similiarity between our rib bone and tale bone and a whales (which they show next to each other). Anyway...if you can afford the $25, go. If not, it's not a life or death situation if you don't go. I have to say that I came away from it with more respect for my body. I am now hoping that relates to me getting more exercise and eating better. we'll see.

we went to check out a "funky studio loft" above shorty's in belltown. It was only $400 but the building seemed like a hangout for drug addicts. It was really bad and the rooms were even worse. When we finally got out of there, we both let out a big sigh. the search goes on.

Day in seattle

OK fine. I know I said every other day I'd blog. I guess I need to work up to that. This last week was spent sweating bullets on issue #6. It just wasn't coming along in it's normal flowing fashion. So when Tracy had to do some work yesterday in Seattle and asked if I wanted to tag along, I jumped at the chance. The first stop was a job he had to look at. I sat in the car for 10 minutes and in that time came up with 4 ideas to write about for the zine. Amazing what a fresh change of scenery will do. Next he had to go to a coffee house to work up a bid, so off we went to Vivace on capitol hill. I've been a non-coffee drinker for quite a few months now so, when he said he'd be about an hour, I took off down Broadway. Found a super cool magazine store with tons of titles I had never seen before and walked out of there 1/2 hour later with 2 bags full. We knew Trista had a 2 hour break between classes, so we made a pit stop at The Baguette Box for a few tofu sandwiches ( I LIVE for these!!!) and told her we were on our way. We scooped her up and had a wonderful picnic outside....yes, in seattle....yes in the middle of october!

So we were on our way back to the car when we spotted a car that literally was packed full of garbage on the passengers seat and the back seat...and this thing was packed up to the top of the seats....amazing. Since I was looking at it & not where I was going, my foot caught on bump in the pavement and the next thing I knew, it seemed like 10 seconds I was flying through the air parrallel with the ground. When I hit, it wasn't a pretty sight. Blood was dripping from a seriously scraped knee and since I had shorts on, it was so lovely.

We took Trista back to the CS (computer science) building on the UW campus and off we went. Next stop was OKOK in Ballard. I love that store and the guy who owns it is really cool. Bought way too many books but enjoyed every minute of it. Then we finagled our way down to Belltown to see the new exhibits at roq la rue and the BLVD gallery. I love skateboard art and was not disappointed. We walked around down there looking for studio space to rent and talked to a few of our friends who work down there. Tracy had never eaten at Flying Fish, so I took him there and at 5:30 we were sitting out on the sidewalk, eating al fresco. It was lovely and delicious. The seafood bisque is to die for.

After that things got real ugly. We had seen that Jan Svankmeier was showing a film on the other side of town, so we hopped in the car and found this little theatre (NW Film Forum). The movie was called Lunacy and I would NOT recommend it! Ugh! I'm still trying to shake this depressing movie off. I think everyone knew what we did not, because there were only 5 of us in the theatre. Oh well...win some, lose some. Afterward, Tracy was eyeballing some of the hoppin' bars and coffeehouses to journal at, but I was getting sleepy.

I had wanted to see the "Bodies" exhibit (yes, same one that has been in New York), but will have to save that for another day. My girls think I'm crazy for wanting to see it, but I can't wait....I mean, when else will I get to see the amazing work of art in the human body??? Tiffany said "even hardened RISD students were getting grossed out by it". I was cracking up...what's a "hardened RISD student"? It is now 6am on saturday morning and boy do I feel energized from yesterday. It's time to zoom, zoom, zoom on issue 6.

Back to life again!

I feel like a crud for dropping the ball on my blog entries. I recently heard from a few students I had in Tempe that they look at my blog every day hoping... So...I am going to try to update every other day at the minimum. Tracy and I just got back from a fun journal weekend in tempe. Robin and Vynnie curated a journal show at Cindy and Gary's 'The Paper Studio' shop. Tracy taught relic journals and metal journals and I taught visual journaling and had the best students. It was a blast. Robin and Vynnie took us to phoenix's first friday artwalk which blew me away. There was group of 8 of us (tracy, me, robin, vynnie, anahata-taught along with us during the event, fran meneley-an artist in the show, andrew & juanita-2 of our students) who all went out for thai food at one of the best places in phoenix. So to get to talk to other artists is something we don't get to do very often and we were diggin' it. Then onto the artwalk. By this time it was dark but there were tons and tons of people milling about. the energy was unbelievable with young artists selling their handmade creations along the sidewalk and garage bands playing just beyond sound distance of each other. There were some really cool, very unstuffy galleries and boutiques we ventured into and bought a few things. Tracy bought some pencil drawings by a guy who looked about 18. His girlfriend seemed ecstatic. You got the feeling that was going to help with rent that month. The whole affair was amazing and super energizing. Tracy and I could have stayed until the last artist decided to pack it in, but there were some east coasters in our midst who were tired so, we left. Vynnie said that we only explored 25% of the event. I couldn't believe it! Later, in our hotel room, tracy and I were scheming ways of trying to do the same thing in seattle. I think our weather would work against us but boy oh boy...were we excited about the prospect. If you are ever there on a first friday, you MUST GO!!! It is worth a plane ticket to go down.

It also re-sparked an idea we keep having about renting an artist studio in downtown seattle. We always thought that when our girls left home, we'd move out of the country and into a loft in downtown seattle where we'd always get inspired by the energy that big cities pulse with. However, when that time came (2 years ago) we realized we love our home and our studio in the country and our trees and our fenced acre that sophie (our norwegian elkhound/chow) likes to run around in, so we dropped the dream. Recently though, we were realizing that maybe we can have our cake and eat it too!!! If we can find a rental space for a decent price, then we can go to the city on the weekends and make art and hang out with all the other cool artists at our favorite haunts. So I will keep you informed. It's a juicy idea that holds much excitement.

Being on a trip also snapped me out of my life at the moment and made me realize that I haven't made any significant art for a year. I couldn't believe it. Sure I have journaled and journaled some more...but nothing beyond that. So that is also on my agenda to get worked back into my life. I miss it and don't want to become complacent about it. Will update as I do it.

Lastly...I saw a word today that was inspiring, so I thought I'd share it here. TWIRL. Hope it conjures up a whole lot of creative ideas for you too. I'll write again on thursday.

curious questions

I'm laughing because I have just received a couple emails from people wondering if tracy and I are doing ok...as in "getting along". I'm assuming this is because tracy just took our youngest daughter, trista on a trip to hike the waterfalls of Ithaca. She is 20 and sometimes seems to just get too caught up in the problems of the world. So, since he has wanted to go back, off they went before school started back up again. This just happened to coincide with artfest registration. It won't next year...that's all I have to say about THAT! LOL. All I've done for a week straight is log in all 480 attendees and get their confirmation packets collated, filled out and packaged. All by myself. and yes, it was grueling, but it's all part of it and I'm cool with it. I was on a high for the first half of the week from maxing out my retreat within 2 days....it still blows my mind. I headed on down to the video store and rented 7 movies to watch while I was doing the boring stuff. MOst of them were OK...but the couple that really stood out were "Crash" & "Bee Season". I would highly recommend both of them. Which reminds me of another movie that I LOVED...see "lady in the water" by m. night shamalalaman..... or however you spell it. I want to see it again! really good...but then I love all of his movies. Anyhow...yes, tracy and I are doing ok...great in fact! Beyond super! I made the mistake of thinking we were celebrating our 25th anniversay last year but actually it's this year...I can't remember my age either...I think I'm 43. But anyway...thanks for your concern. oh...and sorry for no picture this time. I can't seem to upload anything today. it's weird.

summer, fall and artfest registration!

I'm so excited for fall to get here. I LOVE our seasons and it always seems as one is wrapping itself up, the eagerness for the next in line gets stronger. I love summer too but it is so fast paced as us seattleites feel as if we need to cram half a year into 3 little months of sun because if we don't, we won't get any more. Here is what I loved about summer and what I am anticipating for fall:

Summer: farmer's markets, growing cherry tomatoes & herbs, hiking, picking wild blackberries in my own yard, swimming, eating meals on the patio, smelling a bbq from next door, hearing kids playing outside my office window, laying in the hot sun, long summer nights, fairs & festivals (well sorta...too many people), having all the windows down in the car, the lush vegetation all around, campfires in the backyard (along with hobo dinners*), warm wind blowing through our house and making the curtains sway gently, picnics...

Fall: more farmer's markets (yay!), hiking in cooler weather (ah!), crunchy leaves, making soup, snuggling in, shorter days, kids back at college, full moons, the swath of warm colors (yellow to red) all over the hills around the valley we live in, candy corn at halloween, leaves whooshing up as you drive down the road, crisp air, more reading, slower pace, more art making...

Fall also means it is ARTFEST REGISTRATION TIME. Sept. 5th is the date to mail those puppies in. if you haven't seen it yet, look at the Artfest line-up on www.teeshamoore.com. It's amazing and the teachers are really jazzed.

*hobo dinners are made using heavy foil and forming packets. Simply add a chunk of ground beef (naturally raised, of course!), grated carrots, grated potatoes, onions, (all organic from the farmers market!!) salt and pepper, close the foil packet up and cook it in the fire. It's so good. But the fun part is letting everyone make their own the way they want to. Me- I mix it all together like a meatloaf then spread it into a patty (to cook faster) and add worcestershire sauce, garlic and other spices. Tracy adds beer to his to add flavor and steam. Trista (who is vegetarian) uses a boca burger. Tiffany adds ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, and a plethora of stuff. Much better than hot dogs and just as easy.

gone for a week

I took this photo in our back yard as the sun was filtering through the trees. It was like this for maybe a minute or two and then gone. Anyway...I felt the need to let everyone know that we will be gone for a week from 8/7 to 8/14. we have rented a beach cabin in sequim where, when the tide comes in, it comes right up under the cabin...talk about right ON the beach. We'll be hiking around hurricane ridge, heading out to one of the most beautiful spots on the planet, Neah Bay (farthest northwestern tip of the united states) and soaking in the Sol Duc Hot Springs. The rest of the time we'll be building forts out on the Dungenous Spit out of driftwood and hunting for cool finds along the beach. Will take some pics and post them when we return.

no journalfest for awhile

since I have been getting quite a few inquiries into "journalfest", I thought I'd let everyone know that if it even happens it will probably be a very small retreat where Tracy and I will be teaching journal making and journal keeping. But it is still on the back burner and will have to stay there for a few months. I got into a pickle this summer and completely bit off more than I could chew and just finally had to say "NO MORE new projects for awhile!" I really want to devote my energy to artfest, artfiberfest and art & life. if I have time left over, I want to make art...I NEED to make art. I tend to let cats out of the bag while considering t