Making Pendants!

I'm a feature lampwork demonstrator at Circle Craft in downtown Vancouver on Thursday, and I'm putting some work into the TAG (Totally Awesome Glass!) gallery, so I'm getting re-aquainted with wiring.....doing up some pendants with some of the new beads that I've made. The picture above is of one of the beads that I've made recently, I love this style so much!

Busy, happy, it's all good!!

Practice with Layers

This is multiple layers of thin acrylic washes that I've treated with isopropyl acohol to create the sort of shadowy circles.It reminds me a bit of an old tapestry, definitely has a 'textile' feel, I think.

Finished with Gloss varnish, 24 x 36, Gallery wrapped stretched canvas.

New Painting, Almost Done!

A new acrylic painting, this one is 24 x 48 inches on stretched canvas. Although it appears distorted, that's because I haven't read up on how to avoid that effect when taking the photo...but I'll have to learn! 

I think this needs a bit more work, but I'm happy with it so far! Have a good week, everyone!

Making Beads, Painting, Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

That's about it for now, I'm getting back into the glass-melting groove, and working on two paintings.  All is well.  I'll be back with some pictures by late this week....have a good Tuesday, everyone!

Newest Painting!

This is 24 x 30 inches, acrylic on canvas. "Headgames II" Hope you like it, I sure had fun painting it....

Home From Fantastic Moscow, a Short Post

I arrived home from Moscow last night, and I'm still a bit jet-lagged, so only one picture for now. This wonderful statue is one of 76 statues in the Moscow Metro station "Ploschad Revolutsii". The Metro is simply unbelievable. The stations are like museums; each has a theme, and some of them are simply filled with astonishingly lovely works of art. 

This statue of a soldier and his dog is one of four similar statues in this station, you will notice that the dog's nose is shiny....because almost everyone gives it a gentle touch as they pass by; this is for good luck.

Moscow is an incredible city, and I was privileged to have a wonderful and thoughtful guide to show me so much in such a short time, (Thank you, Julia!!) I have lots of pictures that I'll be posting, but this is one of my favorites; a little Moscow doggy that everyone who passes by touches, and maybe loves a little bit.

My Second Day of Teaching in Moscow!

Today was my second day of teaching, (this is me with today's students), this has been such an incredible experience, with a very talented and patient group of students. For some reason, today I was a walking disaster...dropping hot beads on the floor, etc. Fortunately, no damage was done, and no one was hurt, at least not badly hurt, thank goodness.These wonderful people have a good sense of humor, and I'm grateful for that! One more day, and then I'll so some sightseeing and *ahem* shopping. Just a bit of shopping.

I'm in Moscow!!

I arrived last night, safe and sound. It's very different here, and I'm a bit jet-lagged, but it's pretty incredible.

Just one picture for now; the view from my room.

More later!

A Really Great Weekend

Just had an incredible weekend of teaching. Seriously incredible. I'm beat, but man...I'm happy.  Thanks to:

Bev, Melanie, Pam, Earlyn, Andrea, and Sue for being such a great (and fun, and friendly), group, you guys did difficult stuff, and you ROCKED it!!  It doesn't get any better, seriously.

And Joanne, as always....you and your studio are a joy.

Now I'm going to have a beer and start packing for Russia. Have a great week, everyone!!

Teaching in Vancouver Tomorrow!

As always, it's a joy to be teaching at Joanne Andrighetti's studio in Vancouver.  It's the kickoff of a busy month for me, but since I adore teaching, I'm a pretty happy gal.

Next Wednesday I'm off to Moscow, home on the 11th, and then off to (Warm!!) and sunny California on the 20th.

Have a great weekend, everyone....I'm going to do my best to stay in touch.  

Heading For Russia (!!) Next Month!

Yep, I'm excited.  Teaching in Moscow... ( with a spare day..or two, for shopping, WooHoo!!). 

In other news: The recliner has arrived. I propose a metaphor regarding the recliner:

"A room filled with carefully selected, reasonably intelligent people (this would be my existing furniture...work with me here, okay??)  has been invaded by a stranger.(The recliner.) He's big and burly, doesn't really fit in...yet he's handsome in a kind of Russell Crowe/unshaved yet, incredibly sexy fashion. (Like in "3:10 To Yuma". Swoon.). You think that you could love him, or at least 'pretend to love him',  given time. A dirty job, but someone has to do it."

Needless to say, I'm going to have to change the carpets. I'm okay with that.

Gourmet Magazine is Closing

I have mixed feelings about this. I bought this magazine faithfully for at least 20 years, the writing was wonderful, the recipes dependable. Even when I lived in Frobisher Bay (as it was known when I lived there) on Baffin Island, I read Gourmet.

When Ruth Reichl took over as editor I was cautiously optimistic; I hoped that she'd update the magazine while keeping it's spirit intact. Instead she created a messy hodgepodge of a publication that I just couldn't warm up to, and I ceased regularly purchasing the magazine several years ago. (Except for the Christmas edition, always worth buying.)

I have dozens of copies of Gourmet from the 1940s to the 1960s, and I'll continue to treasure them.....but as for what Gourmet magazine has become, I can't say that I'll miss it. I feel for the staff, though; this must be dreadful for them.