Candid Studios

Thought I'd forgotten about blogging (you two people who might actually be reading this)?! I didn't...I just have been really busy. I'm posting some photos of the banner project stuff - 2009, and 2011's banners - so that I can "update" my portfolio. After the art show, I DID sell some things, which was good...but that money's gone...and so is a bunch of other money to bills. I was hoping to be able to save for my trip to England next Spring, but when it goes out as fast as it comes in, well, makes it pretty darned difficult to fly anywhere. I DID turn 20-20 between the last blog and now. I'm glad I quit smoking over five years ago - because I don't think I'd be able to ride my bike anywhere, let alone be able to walk up the hills here in town. Anyway, just checking in...posting some pics...usual stuff. :o)

4/15/11 Mermaids and Miniatures, Oh My! From Puffins to Peacocks, Grey Whales to Bunny tails, there is something for everyone in the current display of work by local artist Jennifer Larsen in the lobby of the Sylvia Beach Hotel. Titled, "It's More Than Just Black & White", this mixed media show means just that. Larsen has created black and white paintings as well as full-spectrum of color undersea paintings. Ranging from miniature pieces to large works, many of her canvases include vintage jewelry, freshwater pearls, fabric other "extras" to draw the eye and enhance the art. Also featured in the show are Larsen's well known needle felted characters as well as her stunning photography. Larsen has been painting all her life, and has been writing and creating her own comic strip for the last 17 years. After moving to Newport from Seattle, she took up needle felting, and has sold her creations all over the world through her on-line shop. Also a rep...

Mister Rogers may still be able to save Public Television, even years after his death. Please, if ANYONE is reading this, PLEASE watch the video and send it on to your state senator. We NEED Public Television! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXEuEUQIP3Q

Here's some pics of the front and back of the new (2010) banner for the Nye Beach Banner project. There are 40 artists going to donate their time and skills to making these banners which will be displayed in Nye Beach (in Newport, Oregon) through the summer on lamp posts. At the end of the summer - in November - they will be auctioned off in a silent auction and the proceeds (above initial costs) will be donated to support the arts in Newport! These are pics of the banner I did for this year....if you want to see pics of my 2009 banners, just ask! :o)en

I have been selected out of the (I don't know how many) loads of people who entered the "A Haunting We Will Go" contest for the ClothPaperScissors magazine! 14 finalists were selected, and the next thing to do is send in the actual item to the company and they'll decide from there! Scary. If this gets into the magazine, I might actually MAKE money on needlefelting....instead of just getting a couple dollars here and there! Now I just have to find a box to fit it into and safely ship it there! WAHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I did what I had planned. Uta and I had one last hurrah at the glass blowing shop. I had never made anything out of glass - not like this - so it was a BLAST!!! I'll be posting the video and pictures soon, but I think the glass float I made with Uta's ashes turned out excellent. Now, mom and louise want me to make a bunch of other floats using dead people. I don't think they understand how unhappy I am about Uta. Whatever. I still paint my nails black.

On Tuesday, February 2nd, my dog was put to sleep. She meant a lot to me, and I don't think it was her time. I don't know who reads this blog, if anyone, so I'm going to vent here. If I hurt your feelings, I'm sorry, but I'm pretty emotional about it. Uta just turned 15 in October 2009, and she was old, yes...but was it her time? Absolutely not. This video was taken just about 45 minutes before she was taken to the vet. Sure she was old, but she still liked to go out and wander around, walking with the cat, smelling all the things, etc. Boots used to go with us on our walks....no matter how short or long they were. I wasn't allowed to go with Uta to the vet. I had to say goodbye to my dog (technically my Moms dog, but Uta and I knew better) before they left. Mom said "I can't deal with YOU AND Uta AND me in the room!" What a load. I felt like I had let Uta down by not being there to let her know I wasn't abandoning her. Mom and Louise ...

I can't believe I've been so lax about keeping up with this! I've been really busy the last few months, so that's my excuse. I was making tons of new needlefelted things for a holiday craft fair, making Christmas presents, and I thought that I wasn't busy enough so I took it upon myself to take on a sign painting job and move to a new place, too. So, there. That's why I've been without words online lately. I feel terrible that I haven't kept up with my friends - and online is the only way that we have been communicating - and I don't know if any of them actually READ this, but if they do, I'm sorry I've been unreachable. I'll try to be better. :o)en

I'm gearing up (as best I can) for the Holiday House coming up on the 4, 5, & 6th of December. I recently (two weeks ago) messed up my back pretty badly, so I haven't been too into repetitive actions with my arm....which is what is involved when needle felting. I'll hopefully be posting more info later, but I have to rush off now to work on a sign painting that I'm getting paid for..... ....good thing too, because I need two more tires and I think my fuel line has sprung a leak. (crap.) :o)

My "reunion season" is officially over. I had a lot of fun at each one of the three reunions I attended. In some ways, they were VERY similar - and in others, very different. At the first one - in Spokane - the students put it on and the first night it was held at a "tavern" - but really it was held at the large gathering space OWNED by the tavern so it was cool that it was just the attendees, and not a bunch of other people randomly walking in and out of the party. They handed out goodie bags when you signed in - and they were specially made recycled bags printed with the school name and graduating year on them. Inside was a pint glass with the school name and "Class of 1989 Reunion" on them - a printed lanyard with a nicely made nametag that people could wear - a dvd of the photo montage - and some specially printed M&M's.... They had a huge table full of munchies (deli trays, breads, cheeses, fruits, and cakes) that people could graze on whi...