Oiseaux

Autumn Swap 2009, or: Rampant Joyful Generosity

Last year I participated in Sofia Barão's Autumn Swap: I put together a surprise package for Kate in Australia, and received one from Danielle in Ohio, and in the process gained two new brilliant, creative friends.

This year I signed up again, and was so occupied with pulling together a package for my new recipient (more on that later) that I completely forgot I had a package coming to me. I was just returning from the post office with Beau when we drove up to find a big box on top of the mailbox. Beau said, "Look, Mommy, it might be from Santa!" and we ran inside to open it up.

The package came from Liz Kalloch, and talk about rampant joyful generosity! It might as well have been from Santa... a really cool, artistic Santa...

.. and I've been having a lot of synchronicities in my life lately, and Liz's package was full of them.

First of all, Liz lives in San Rafael, CA, where I used to live as a little girl.

Secondly, I open up a card from LIz (one she designed) and the message on the card is exactly the same sentiment as two pieces of art I've been working on.

Then I open up a custom-made aromatherapy oil blend that LIz made herself ("for Joy & Creativity") and a beautiful burner.. I open up the oil, and the scent is a dead ringer for one of my favorite aromatherapy candles that's been discontinued for years!

The rest of the box is like Christmas morning:

• Two (two!) books: The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner (I've been needing a new book for months now) and The Vision Board by Joyce Schwarz.
• Raspberries in dark chocolate.. danger!
• Shimmering gel pens (had to hide them from Beau)
• beautifully designed sticky notes (ditto)
• a "Oiseaux" CD of mixed songs, that included one of my favorite songs ever, "Golden" by Jill Scott
• a collection of goodies designed by Liz: a bird journal, magnets, a gorgeous pocket calendar for 2010, and six greeting cards!

At this point there was paper and bubble wrap everywhere, and Beau's attention had been happily diverted when I noticed there was a secret trap door at the bottom of the box, and in it was a beautiful matted piece of art, entitled Song of Revival!

 

Such incredible generosity.. I was so humbled.

 

Liz is an exceptional artist and designer, with two blogs: one for design and one for knitting. She also has an etsy shop that you must visit. I so look forward to enjoying all of her gifts, and for getting to know her better.. I am already a fan of her blogs.

***Thank you, Liz!!!!!***

Snow Flower

New Bookplates

I found the most gorgeous children's book from 1917, and now there are two new bookplate designs coming to my shop:

 

 

and a set of Blank Mixed Bird bookplates, to boot:

 

Holiday presents, anyone???

:)

Harvest

What perfect timing to receive this issue of Harvest Magazine in my mailbox the other day! I'd just gotten home with pomegranates and a tiny pumpkin (autumnal faire) when I found this waiting for me. The magazine's lovely editor Imogen Stubbs contacted me several months back about using some of my artwork for this issue, and I had completely forgotten that I had a copy on its way. Serendipitously enough, Dan-ah Kim's beautiful work is also in the magazine, and I'm such a fan of her work. If you live in Australia, please hunt down a copy, I can't wait to read mine.

Also, I just came across Jess Gonacha Swift's mission statement on her blog. I was completely bowled over. I'd never even considered coming up with a mission statement for myself as an artist... until now..

350 Show at Zinnia

These little beauties are heading to South Pasadena to be a part of Zinnia's 350 Show, opening Saturday, October 24th. There will be 350 panels in the show, all selling for amazingly affordable prices, with a portion of the proceeds going to 350 Carbon. If you are in Los Angeles, please stop by for a peek, and grab a piece of gorgeous, ridiculously easy-on-the-wallet art! 

(I will be there, too.. buying early Christmas gifts and helping the environment at the same time)

Here are close ups of my panels:

 

Angel Wing, mixed media on panel, 4.75 x 4.75 inches

 

It's the Year to Fly, mixed media on panel, 4.75 x 4.75 inches

 

Good Omen, mixed media on panel, 4.75 x 4.75 inches

 

Tide Flower, mixed media on panel, 4.75 x 4.75 inches

You do

Miriam

New Math

I love this. I LOVE it! 

Craig Damrauer's New Math T-shirt is the first thing on my Christmas list this year. And I can't wait to use the "yeah but you didn't" retort the next time I hear someone grumble about my favorite Cy Twombly piece.

Soloist

Celebrating Autumn with 100 degree heat

And I wish I could write a bit about this, but Typepad keeps insisting that everything I type be turned into a link, so I shall continue with another post when I am free of this silliness. BTW, it is HOT here. Really really hot.

***

Add on:

Now that I can type normally (yay!) I wanted to mention that Sofia Barão is hosting her Autumn Swap again this year. I was a part of it last year.. I had a blast and made two new friends: one in the US and the other in Australia. Check it out, it's really really fun.