Le Papier

Last year I received this writing paper for a gift and I loved it then but it is more special now that I have been to Paris. I have been very fortunate to have spent two weeks in France recently. The Eiffel Tower really is beautiful and looking much bigger than I imagined! Anyway, I love this paper and box for the design and charm and memory making qualities. Someday I'll open it and write a note to someone, somewhere .....who might be inspired to visit France as I was!

T-shirt Bird

I'm wondering if I should add more birds to this t-shirt that I did as a demonstration for a student.

Fun with stencils!

The Tide!! Looking Nice!

Yesterday I rode our new rail service, The Tide, to my studio from the border of my city, where it starts, to downtown Norfolk. I wanted to see how long it would take me to get to my studio. It was twice as long - 45 minutes! It takes 15-20 minutes to drive to the train's parking area. Then 20 more minutes to ride the train. So, timewise it doesn't work well for me! :-(  My city is debating whether it wants to expand it because they aren't sure how well it will do. Of course, the cost! The train is certainly a novelty around here! It's a good start but clearly, it needs to be expanded. Anyway, it was a good ride from a different perspective! 

Another Thinker

I wonder if Rodin would approve of this Thinker. This called for an investigation into the history of the original sculpture (1902) by Rodin, of which I should probably know but somehow missed. The statue was originally named The Poet and was part of a commission by the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris to create a monumental portal  to act as the door of the museum. On Wikipedia it says that it was meant to depict Dante in front of the Gates of Hell, pondering his great poem. In the end, it seems only a miniature of the statue sits atop the gates of the museum. And a frog ponders flies over our garden gates!

The Butterfly Plant

Have you ever seen a butterfly plant? Oh, it is very unusual and difficult to find. They bloom only for a short time where a pond is shallow and the small fish swim gently near the warm surface. Almost silently. Near dawn.


linocut  6" x  8"
2005

Pet Photo Exhibition

Saturday was the annual Great American Dog and Cat Photo Exhibition and party at my art center. The center partners with local Humane Societies  to promote the Art of Photography (amateur) and the love of animals. Dogs and cats are invited and other types of pets are welcome - someone brought their pig this year! I wanted to adopt this cat, it was so sweet! But here it looks exhausted - maybe too much action from too many dogs! Anyway, the guests were mostly well-behaved and I believe most enjoyed the party. (Although I noticed that one pug was frightened into its owner's lap when a much bigger dog started to sing Happy Birthday!)