.........AND SO IT BEGINS ONE WORLD ONE HEART

SALAAM (PEACE) AND WELCOME TO MY BLOG.............


I am gearing up for the journey on this magic carpet ride.......... One World One Heart!
I love found objects! A&E's Hoarder Show on TV frightens me a bit........because I think I might qualify as a case study on one of their episodes. I would dare say that I make very little eye contact most places I go because I am always searching for great finds. When I go on an outing, or on vacation I take pictures of cracks in walls,

and sidewalks.......junk piles etc. etc.
and if I invite people up to see my etchings.......that's what they really see. I am a hopeless collector of stuff......that may not have a purpose at the moment, but will someday. My husband would like to slide some of my trash stash inside these piles of grapevines on our vineyard, for a new pagan cleanliness ceremony.
However, I have found a kindred spirit in Michael deMeng and his wonderful vision of found transformations.
Some of you might have met him and had the pleasure of having a class session with him. I did so this past October. Finally, confirmation that you can never have too many finds. He loves junk too. My give away this year is this piece below that I created while in his class.

After looking through my loads of junk this is what evolved. My First Crush...... Lots of opportunities to think with this piece, which started with an orange crush soda can I found on the road one day. Who is the crush.....the girl or the cat......could it be the rock had a part in this too........I'll leave that up to you.
If you would like to participate in my

give away please leave a comment on my blog. You may leave a comment up until midnight February 14th California time. I will select a winner on February 15th. I create only one of a kind pieces, so there will never be another one like this. Make sure I can contact you at your blog address. I hope the one who wants this the "mostess" wins! Thank you for visiting my blog. I look forward to meeting all of you, and viewing your blogs, as well.

Although, my Reluctant Juggler shown above is not a giveaway, I may need him to help me draw the number of the lucky OWOH winner!

That Works................

So, I am sure you have all looked at something you have created at one time or another and said "WOW.......now that really works! If you love the piece then no matter who tries to bargain for it....you think......NO deal. It is still glowing from your creative energy.....the aura around it has not even left the work space. .how could you possibly part with it? If you attend a show, you might also recognize the keepers by their hefty price tag. But then, you know the old rationalization...........Well, if someone is willing to pay the price, then I am compelled to sell it..........of course never dreaming that anyone would dare make such an offer. Sometimes we try to save these fave pieces too by marking a sign that says they're sold. Such are a very few pieces of my work that reside in my home.........ones I actually did keep.

There is usually regret about the pieces that were really never intended to be sold............no matter what.. ....even if someone was willing to pay the price.........here are a few of my sold regrets........never to be exactly recreated again, since I make one-of-a-kind. Sniff, sniff, I can even remember who bought each piece......which is a temptation.....they are only an email or a phone call away. Can you recall art like other goods?

BATBOY
GHOST BABY

GRAVEYARD TRICK OR TREATER

The Devils Rejects

Darrow's Manymphs On the Go!

Something Nagging at my Head

Kitty Katdaver
Miss Issippi and Nemrod

Look Ma...........Yes Hands!

Something to keep you entertained.........on a long winter's night in between.............bursts of artistic creativity...............AND

I have been known to make a few shadow gestures myself.......but enough about that! This is great fun to do, providing you are double jointed in some cases.......... But Wait it does not cost you $19.99. Think of the fun you could also have being the life, and, or the entertainment at your next gathering. What a way to surround yourself with a crowd...before you know it you might be signing autographs. I became invisible once at a party, and played a whole game of tennis in a living room full of people, without them knowing, seriously,...(oh those parties from the past)......this is much easier to do than that. Could also be a workout, or warm up for those hands on a chilly morning before working in the studio. Let your hands be your guide. Artistic people it's always about the hands!

My Pretty Ponies........

I went to Virginia City Nevada a few months ago to visit my favorite bookstore, the Mark Twain Bookstore to be precise.Every nook and corner is filled with early history of the west and the Comstock. On this particular day I picked up a book titled A Pony in the Picture. A book filled with children and their ponies. As ponies were often a gift at Christmas, I thought it would be fun to show the sheer joy of this treasured moment.

I was not lucky enough to have a pony of my own, but I remember riding at the pony ring every opportunity I could get. I made sure though, that both my girls had the pony experience. There may have been one little problem, however, in pony protocol. It seems I had heard somewhere that if they were to lie down......it could be a symptom of colic....... a condition that could sometimes be fatal. My poor pretty ponies were not allowed to lie down for more than a second the entire time they lived with us. It's safe to say they were probably happier when they moved on to greener pastures. I later found out that it is OK to let a pony lie down once in a while. Luckily these ponies in the pictures were not under my watch. .....see the smiles on their faces, or are the bridles too tight?

Happy Holidays......and may all your pony wishes come in some form, or another!

Amazed to be HollyDazed............

These "cute" Santa's above have either /or names, but they are all California....... in orgin.........for instance.......there's Santa Barbara, Santa Francisco, Santa Ana, Santa Anita and so on.

Something happens.........during the holiday season.......that doesn't happen very often, in fact hardly at all any other time of the year...........I become briefly hollydazed.........led into a semi-precious trance......prone to make nice......and cute in spite of myself. It is a an affliction that is very unsettling. Maybe it is the thrill of the challenge to do something a bit more center. Anyway one thing I know for sure is that people do not like certain of their holiday icons messed with.........especially those associated with Christmas. You make an off kilter Santa, or Angel........and you are asking for it! You might as well rent a ring...............and hire a ref........because you are in for a fight. I once made a Santa in Bondage...........and you would have thought I stabbed Christmas through the heart. I think you always need to be true to your self no matter what...though.....so with that in mind........the Christmas holiday it seems does have an auspicious background depending upon what your religious beliefs are.....so I will have to be content to let these Holiday Pop UPs, etc reek rebellion..........

Eeek Creepy Cheer!
Buck Tooth Hollygaze!

Romanoffs ? reincarnated.........
Child of the Holiday Corn and Mom........

Revenge of the Holiday Bow..........

Unknown Gnome..............

Blah....Blah ...Blah....so there! But wait, I,Krampus,am a part of the early Christmas holiday tradition!

Pieces of Eight

Arrrrrrrrrrrrgh Matey............

Being pulled in many directions........... pretty soon I will literally be pieces of eight. I am catching up, backing up, making up, taking up, breaking up, mixing up, turning up, and digging up. Meanwhile I watch my cat simply sit on a box, and stare blankly off into space. It would be great to occasionally just sit on a box, instead of having to pull something out of a box, decorate the box, fill the box, mail the box, nail the box.........you get the picture. Not complaining mind you..........just musing. Reality check...for me....as I get older life does not become less complicated. So with that in mind........I have some catching up to do here.

Even though Halloween has officially gone and passed...........it will remain with me all year long. A few pictures of how the Disney people gussy up for Halloween.


Main Street

Little Shop of Horrors

Day of the Dead
And now on to Trick or Treat........

This is what it is all about......candy in the hand is worth more than candy in a bucket.
This citizen party bunny hander outer........is all handed out....... kids are getting their own.

Finally....last but not least a spectacular winter show.....the WHITE BARN WINTER FAIR goes on.........November 20 and 22....10am-5pm .....2727 Sulphur Springs Rd.....in St. Helena California. Celebrate the season with local artists and find one of a kind gifts for the holidays. A few examples of what I will have there to offer.

Clown Alley
Berry Bling the perfect accessory for the season.......with Tin you're In.......


What....Elves when in doubt.................

Snow Jesture............

Snow Babies.........my version.....not breakable......you can roll them around on the floor....they'll beg for more.

Hope to see you there.........for more info about the show and for a complete list of more amazing events at the White Barn visit.........www.THEWHITEBARN.ORG