Candid Studios

Six months since my last confession - I mean, BLOG...and now it's darned near impossible to get onto my blog.  Weird.  I thought technology and it's "advancements" were supposed to make it EASIER to use...not more difficult! I've been busy with projects and paintings and keeping track of my Mom and her partner during various stages of illness & surgeries.  Not to mention working two jobs. My project list is still a mile long, but some of the top priority ones have been completed...however...whenever I finish one thing, two or three things get added.  Not sure if there's enough time in my lifetime to get it all done...but I keep plugging away...hoping.

I have a list (in my head) a mile long of projects I need to start working on....and I just keep adding to it daily! I really should write it down somewhere to keep track...(now where did I put that dry erase board?)...but time keeps slipping away from me. Just wanted to write a little bit...in case anyone's paying attention. p.s. going to Vegas with my Dad in a week...so YAY!!!! but of course, no projects getting done then, either!

Finished with this year's ornaments! I swap with Swap-bot!

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 ...