Bunnies & Butterflies

day 3....so far so good

2012-01-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

Well....Day 3 of school is about to begin....
I have thoroughly enjoyed my first few days and look forward to the rest. The last time I took any courses was for my old job....I think it was for ITIL Certification. (Information Technology Infastructure Library - which is a series of documents that are used to aid the implementation of a framework for IT Service Management.) As you can imagine it was difficult to convince my brain to want to digest all that information. I found myself asking the question....what are you doing here?
Totally different situation now. I actually LOVE what I am learning! How refreshing. My brain is lapping it up.
I am learning all about Desk Top Publishing (DTP)....Got some new LINGO happening .....words like: body text, jumplines, kerning, tracking, serif & sans serif, drop caps, spot color, runarounds...etc.
I had to dig my BACKPACK out of the archives...and my little lunch bag....so much fun to pack my lunch everyday....a bundle of love for myself. My backpack is the perfect size and configuration....but lacks in color (black)....unlike this little GEM:

back to school......

2012-01-19T15:17:00.000-07:00

I just picked up my student card for Mount Royal University today.....
I am happy to be starting classes on Monday (Jan 23). Taking courses in publishing and design. I wasn't sure if I would make the registration in time....but it worked out....thank you UNIVERSE for providing for me! (special thanks to Trina for pushing things through).
Visiting the campus today was extremely chaotic...students everywhere....and they were all in the FAST lane. So I decided to make up my own slow lane of traffic. After getting my student ID card, I explored around....and happy to say that the building my classes are in is in the QUIET building.
I am abit apprehensive about my empathic situation...going into these classes....but it will provide lots of opportunity to learn how to cope.
2012 is off to a great start....can hardly wait to see what else is in store!

Laurie Anderson...and the art of story telling.....

2012-01-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

I went to see Laurie Anderson perform last night at The Grand theatre....wow
She is the ultimate story teller.
I came away with so much inspiration, insight and well being.
The first thing I noticed when she came on stage was her hair.
It is always about the hair....not sure why
The length was longer than I thought it was going to be and very messy....like she just woke up.
I loved it.
It reminded me of the first time I met Jesso Reno. I stood behind him at the Ayden Gallery in Vancouver watching him paint....and I was fascinated with his hair, which was of naturally formed dreads.
Perhaps this type of hair represents a free spirit?
anyway...once I got past the hair, Laurie's music took me away to another planet....and then her words locked me into a trance.
Her story telling was captivating.....impeccable timing....and purposeful enunciation.
I was drinking it all in.
At one point I wondered if being empathic allowed me to experience this on a deeper level.
I felt like I was saturated on a cellular level.....I didn't want to leave.
It was like floating in a warm liquid.
One of the highlights was when she used her synthesizer(?) to alter her voice.
(I put that on my to-do list for my next family gathering when I want to tell a story!)
It was beautiful to witness this creative being, Laurie Anderson, doing what she does best...and at the age of 63, it was a gift and a pleasure to receive her performance....because she doesn't have to do that and could be at home snuggled in her warm bed (which is what I would probably be doing)
Thank you Laurie Anderson for your gift and willing to share it with us.

snow balls o fun

2011-12-19T16:17:00.001-07:00

looks like the school kids were being creative.....I like how massive these big snow balls are...

Archie Bray Foundation

2011-11-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

After watching this video by Michael Demeng:

I checked out the Archie Bray website: http://www.archiebray.org/

I came across this amazing artist

Nathan Craven - www.nathancraven.com

I love that the artist encourages people to experience his artwork by taking their shoes off and walking on it....not only that, his stackable artwork can be re-stacked into a different pattern & colors to create a whole new peice.

AMAZING

I love it

revenge of the panty gods...

2011-11-19T13:56:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what is going on with my underpants these days.....but they keep falling down!
The panty gods must be having some fun with me. They are probably looking down from the heavens having a good old chuckle....especially when I am out and about.....trying to inconspicuously pull them up. I think I need to enlist the help of "Captain Underpants".....and then I will be VICTORIOUS!

angels among us......

2011-11-18T16:56:00.000-07:00

UNLIKELY ANGELS

Inspired by the song "What if God Was One of Us", these reconstructed figures remind us that Angels can come in many different packages. These Angels were made from toys that were deconstructed and re-assembled into an "Unlikely Angel".

"Liwet" - Angel of Inventions

" Jamaerah" - Angel of Manifestation

"Barbelo" - Angel of Goodness

These small peices (3" x 4") will be for sale at the show:

"HOME AND HEARTH"

December 2 - 23, 2011

opening night Dec 2 6-9 pm

EVANESCENCE GALLERY

61 - 8 Ave High River AB (403) 796-4873

www.evanescencegallery.com

in pursuit of the perfect pickle fork......

2011-11-14T21:44:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. White several years ago. She invited my sister and I over for afternoon tea and a little visit. Not only did she whip up a tasty snack (baked fresh from the oven), she told the most entertaining stories. It was then I knew I loved her.

This summer, my Mom, my sister and I, once again had the opportunity to have tea with Mrs. White. Not only did she cook up a snackers feast (with the most unique treats...her own recipes I'm sure), she set up her table with fancy china and old fashioned cutlery.

It was the pickle fork that caught my eye. It had a plunger on the end that would shove the pickle off the tines of the fork. My sister became enamored with it as well. So much, that she played with it endlessly during Mrs. White's entertaining stories.

This gave me an idea for my sister's birthday. I decided to track down such a fork for her and surprize her for her birthday.

Unsure where to start looking, I had heard about Ebay and decided to give it a try.

Much to my delight, there was a large choice of pickle forks to choose from on EBay. Unsure of how to bid or purchase items, I lost the first bid I put on an Art Deco pickle fork from the UK.

And then I found it....an exact replica of the pickle fork at Mrs. White's house!!! I placed my bid and succussfully won the fork. It was being shipped from New Zealand, so I was a little worried that it might not arrive in time for my sister's birthday.

So to be on the safe side....I continued looking and found another pickle fork that was similar. I placed a bid and won that one as well. This one was from the UK. So hopefully between the two forks, one would arrive in time.

I thought I was done with the pickle forks....but no....for some reason I kept on the look. Maybe it was reminder emails that EBay sends about all the pickle forks I looked at or ones that I might be interested in......anyway.....I found this one which had 3 prongs on the end....

Then I went to some local kitchen stores to see what they had.....the clerk showed me the "alien" pickle fork that had little prongs come out of the end to grab the pickle....

Waiting for the pickle forks to arrive.....
In the mean time, the forks would need a special container. So off I went to the thrift store to find a box. Unsure of the size, I took a guess and found a cool pen box. I brought it home, sanded and painted it and got it all ready.

Finally the pickle forks came in the mail...with a few days to spare! The packages were so cool. How these people packed up the forks to send them in the mail was so interesting. They came with little hand written notes, and the hand writing was interesting....giving me a sense of the person who sent the package. I couldn't bare to throw these notes and envelopes away...so I glued them in my journal.

The moment of truth was when I took one of the forks and tried to fit it in the box....a perfect fit! It even had room for two. So the second pickle fork went in as well.

Needless to say that my sister was more than thrilled to see the pickle forks...and we reminisced about Mrs. White's tea and her original pickle fork we had seen.

Shortly after her birthday, my sister ran into Mrs. White and proceeded to tell her about her gift. Mrs. White was excited and surprized that I was able to find a similar fork.

A few months went by, it was around Thanksgiving....my family and I had the pleasure of visiting with Mrs. White one afternoon. She was busy preparing for company that she would be entertaining the next day. Although we didn't plan to stay long, Mrs. White engaged us as usual with her wonderful stories and just before we left, she said she had something to show me.

She left the room and came back with a really interesting pie server. It had a plunger on it as well! Similar to the pickle fork! Can you believe it? Where does she find these things?!!....

new work....

2011-11-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

I just finished a new painting called: "Girls in the Garden"
ya I know...this is a little off season...or maybe I am just being hopeful

I received alot of positive feedback from the 5 panelled painting at Chianti's called" The Five Elements", so I was inspired to do another one that was similar. These Garden Girls came to life in my favorite colors (green / blue) and I used my favorite iron / rust paint technique on the background pattern. It almost makes it look like embossed velvet.

These will be available for viewing (and for sale) at Chianti's Restaurant - Willowpark Village on & after November 19th if you would like to see them in person.

Chianti's Restaurant
444 - 10816 MacLeod Trial South
Calgary, AB T2J 5N8
Phone: (403) 225-0010
Fax: (403) 271-6499
Email: WillowPark@ChiantiCafe.ca

my new book.....

2011-11-03T12:02:00.000-06:00

I just published another book on BLURB....it is called "My Hare Plane".
If you are interested in purchasing it, you can buy it on-line at:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2578775

They currently have a promotion on, if you spend $30 or more they give $10.00 off.
Use Promo Code: BIGTEN at checkout

Here is a sneak peek:

My HARE PLANE by Heather Brewster | Make Your Own Book

the divorce is final.....

2011-10-30T15:14:00.000-06:00

OK....it's final.....I have officially divorced myself from Safeway

I don't know why it took me so long

week after week, I would complain about the price of groceries, but not do anything about it....

Finally I decided to do some research and test shop elsewhere.

I was reluctant to make a change because after shopping at my local Safeway for so many years, I knew where everything was and all the product. I was so loyal...and developed a relationship with some of the staff. But the cost was getting to be too much.

After narrowing it down between Walmart & Supertstore, I found that the selection was better at Superstore and decided that it is THE ONE.

(on average I am saving around $50 per week)

Goodbye Safeway....I will still visit you from time to time

Call me when you decide to lower your prices

new painting for Chiantis....

2011-10-28T14:32:00.001-06:00

I just finished new painting for Chiantis.....

"The Merge"

more new work....

2011-10-19T12:01:00.000-06:00

I deleivered these to Evanescence Gallery in High River yesterday....
if you are interested in any of them, please contact my friend Arlene (gallery owner) at 403-796-4873

Firefly

Inner Glow

Family Lineage

In The Weeds

Me and My Dog

Namaste

New work for Modern Eyes Gallery

2011-10-13T11:40:00.000-06:00

For anyone who lives in the Edmonton area, I have recently sent a few paintings up to the gallery in St. Albert:

Modern Eyes Gallery & Gift

#103 , 5 Perron Street

St. Albert, AB T8N 1E3

(780) 459-9102

"tired"

"bumper pads"

"eyebrow wings"

"the listener"

"scaredy cats"

"letting go"

journal update.....

2011-09-23T13:45:00.000-06:00

I have painted, collaged and completed the PENWORK on "16 Page Amazing Journal". Now the next stage is to work on the lettering....adding some inpirational words and quotes.....

Here are some updated pictures.

more new work....

2011-09-20T19:25:00.000-06:00

I am delivering these new peices to Evanescence Gallery tomorrow. If you are interested in any of them, please contact Arlene @ 403.796.4873.

"Ascension"

I have been feeling pretty good lately...almost like I am flying....ascending into the warmth of the sun. I chuckle at this image because it looks like she has her head in the clouds. Sometimes I feel like my head is ALWAYs in the clouds!

"Lotus Lovers"

Reminds me of my trip to Bali a few years ago.

"My Hare Plane"

Two great loves of mine are rabbits and flying. I created the pilot first...not sure what he was riding (or flying) and then the rabbit appeared. When I was finished I struggled for a Title. I thought of "Rabbit Travel"...but it just didn't work...then I thought of "Have Hare Will Travel" (mimicing Have Gun Will Travel)...but that didn't work....and then all of a sudden HARE PLANE arrived.....so it became "My Hare Plane"

"The Quiet One Liked to Wear Noisy Boots"

Have you ever had someone walking behind you that had really noisy boots...so loud that you have to turn around to take a look? This one is in honor of my husband who tends to be a quiet guy....but what lacks in verbal noise, he makes up with noisy slippers and the spoon clanking when he stirs his coffee every morning. My theory is that quiet people like to make noise to announce their presence.

"Sharing the Magic"

I cry when I witness magic. It could be in the form of anything.....like kindness or sacrifice or vulnerbility. However it shows up...my eyes leak.

"The Comparison"

I love this one. I find myself doing the comparison alot. When I was physically challenged I would constantly compare my strength to those around me. In a way it was a form of measurement for me...to see how much I was improving. I also like to compare creative things to see how other people might approach solving the same problem.

Evanescence Gallery - 61 - 8 Ave SE - High River, AB

www.evanescencegallery.com

Kumihimo......japanese braiding

2011-09-17T16:49:00.000-06:00

This was my first attempt at Kumihimo - Japanese braiding

I was inspired to check this out because of a workshop that Teesha Moore is hosting at the Art Annex. It is called "All In A Cord" and taught by artist Keith Lo Bue. He is an amazing artist. I would love to go just to meet him & of course to learn the techniques.

Here is a link to the workshop:

http://www.teeshamoore.com/annex/what.html

Unfortunately I am unable to go to the workshop (in Seattle). So I thought I would do a little research and see if I could teach myself. I looked for a book on the subject, but nothing in stock. So I checked out a few video's on You-Tube. Then I went to Michaels to buy a peice of craft foam....and made my own Kumihimo disk.

a real one looks like this:

I would like to learn how to do other braids.....like some of the ones that I saw on Keith Lo Bue's blog....

http://keithlobue.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-neckpiece-in-progress-part-two.html

here are some pics from his blog...

such a cool assemblage peice made from an old victorian children's shoe

Here's his finished peice titled: "To The Invisible Girl"

new work.....

2011-09-09T15:46:00.001-06:00

I just dropped off some new work to ARTS ON ATLANTIC gallery....here are a few pics:

"The Performer" - I was going to title this one the name of those special jugglers that move balls around in their hands....I think it is called "Surface Juggling"....but couldn't remember, so it became "the performer" instead.

"My Protective Bubble" - this one certainly represents how I am learning to protect myself these days from absorbing energy that is not my own...(by creating an imaginary bubble around myself). I liked how the angel showed up...and I put her in a bubble too...maybe she is the protective bubble (?)

"The Flying Cat" - I think cats secretly want to be birds...or at least be able to fly like one. Flying cats make me smile.

"On The Merry-Go-Round" - this merry-go-round could represent alot of different things...I am trying to learn how to "get off" the merry-go-round.

"Levitate" - I think this guy is meditating about the taste of lemons.

"Helmet Power" - this one represents the feeling you get when you put on that special jacket, or shirt or hat that makes you feel fantastic or very powerful. I like how SERIOUS these guys all look...they want to be taken seriously...(but they just make me laugh).

Arts on Atlantic Gallery

1312 A – 9 Ave SE Calgary, AB T2G 0T3

403.264.6627

http://www.artsonatlantic.com/

paper pasting...done!

2011-09-03T13:16:00.004-06:00

I finally finished part 2 (collage) of my "16 Page Amazing Journal" ...now I can clean off my table and put all the paper bits away! Part 3 will be doing the PENWORK! how exciting....

here are a few favorite pages so far....

gum chewing incident.....

2011-09-02T10:06:00.004-06:00

Yesterday I went to a meeting and the lady sitting behind me was chewing gum. At first I didn't notice, but then the sound grew louder and louder...and she chewed faster and faster. It was starting to get to me....just like the sound of someone clicking the button on their pen...on & off.. on & off...on & off....

The sound of her chewing got so loud it penetrated my body. I couldn't believe no one else in the room was affected by it. I felt like I wanted to leave the room.....

Then all of a sudden I remembered about absorbing other peoples energy (Empathy 101). I realized that it wasn't the sound of this lady's chewing that agitated me....it was HER ENERGY. I realized that I took on her energy of feeling nervous and anxious. I felt it all through my body.

This realization and using a few tools I have learned from reading "Empowered by Empathy" by Rose Rosetree, I was able to subdue this intense feeling. It didn't dissappear altogether, but maybe with more skill and practice I will be successful to turn it off completely (when I want).

It amazes me that when you are learning something new, the universe provides opportunities for you to practice what you have learned. Another thing that is interesting, is that after I was able to shift this nervous, gum chewing energy....the lady got up and moved into a different seat that was across the room from me!

I am still reading this book (ya I know...slow at reading...absorbing each page)....but so far I have determined that the type of empathy I experience is:

"Emotional Oneness" - taking on on the emotions / feelings / energy of someone as if they were my own.

Sometimes I have experienced other types of empathy like:

"Physical Oneness " - taking on someone elses aches and pains as if they were my own.

There are several different forms of empathy that the author lists in the book, some of which are Physical, Emotional, Intellectual Shape Shifter, Spiritual and rare forms of empathy like Animal empath (ie. Monty Roberts - the horse whisperer) or like a Medical Intuitive like Caroline Myss.

The other thing that I learned about myself is that being an "unskilled" empath, I wasn't aware of energy I was absorbing and was just left feeling uncomfortable for the most part. I would turn to food and try to eat my way out of feeling weird. But now I am starting to identify these experiences and that is half the battle.

My goal is to master the skill of being an empath and turn it on and off at will.

Happy Birthday Leya!...

2011-08-29T15:21:00.004-06:00

I came up with the perfect gift idea for my neice...a fabric journal cover with an image of her dog Sadie on the front cover. I used the techniques from Teesha Moore's fabric journal video (just like the little bag I made earlier). Once again I flubbed up on the measurements and it shrank in size (after all the sewing and stuffing)....so the original journal was too large and wouldn't fit...I had to find a smaller one. Luckily everything worked out! It took me a few days to make and a lot of love....hope she likes it.

the fabric peices drying in the sun

the panels sewn and stuffed.......

the inside panel....

the completed journal cover....

creating borders.....

2011-08-24T13:36:00.003-06:00

After painting the pages of my "16 Page Amazing Journal"...I have been busy collaging borders on each page....I have loved doing this...and it is teaching me how to get out of my "head" and be more intuitive (sometimes it is challenging because I get way ahead of myself & try to control the outcome)....need to stay in the moment and just "slap things down" (as Teesha Moore would say)
Here are a few pics:
The first image is of the front and back covers

The next step is to finish collaging the centre of each page........

life in a bubble....

2011-08-23T16:08:00.004-06:00

I was first made aware of my empathic ability about 6 and a half years ago. I happened to be out of town and out of the blue I became very ill...I didn't know it at the time, but a family member (many miles away) was going through some turmoil and I was told that I (my body) was processing their "stuff".

Since then I have had some similiar experiences, which has brought the subject "empathy" more on my radar, although it wasn't until a few years ago that I could name it. As the universe would provide, I met someone who identified their ability as being "EMPATHIC". They described similar experiences that I have had and I now had a name / label for these experiences. Thank goodness.
I wanted to explore this further and find out HOW TO TURN IT OFF...because I felt like it was becoming harmful to me. But that pursuit was put on the back burner, and then I got sick with kidney failure. I find it interesting that my body knew instinctively to COCOON myself during the time I was really sick. Living in a bubble so to speak.
I haven't fully ventured too far from my bubble after my kidney transplant...and I feel like I need to learn some skills to deal with this emapthic gift before something else happens.....
Welcome to "Empathy 101"....
I have enrolled myself in some home schooling. First class is to read the book "EMPOWERED by EMPATHY" by Rose Rosetree. I started it today.....excellent read so far! I am so happy to get some tools in my belt. (I like that she calls it 25 ways to FLY in spirit.....I like flying)

I also watched a few videos by Judith Orloff: (here is a link to one of them)
http://www.drjudithorloff.com/CustomContentRetrieve.aspx?ID=273953

She has a check list for empaths:
- have you ever been labelled "oversensitive"
- do you get emotionally drained by crowds and need alone time to revive yourself (emotional emaths always want to go home!)
- are you very sensitive to smells, excessive talking or loud noises
- do you overeat or binge on carbs to relieve stress
- do you like to take your own car places so that you can get out quickly

I am so grateful for things like the internet that can provide information like this and that their are people that are willing to share their knowledge to help people like me....

THANK YOU

2011-08-19T11:11:00.002-06:00

I would love to take one of Michael Demeng's classes on "Cold Blooded Journals"....using a new product called Kroma Crackle....
http://michaeldemeng.blogspot.com/2011/04/cold-blooded-journals-with-kroma.html

...but I am unable to travel just yet.....so I thought I would get together with a friend and we would have our own makeshift class.....This is what I created so far:

I was trying to create a little buddha type face....unfortunately the Kroma Crackle slid down over the face and pooled at the sides....

I'm not finished with this yet....perhaps I will do a few color washes over top.....

mucking around....

2011-08-13T14:51:00.005-06:00

while I wait for things on my wish list...like a new computer....and Photo shop...I am making due with what I have and that is Paint shop pro.....I am trying to teach myself this program by trial and error.....here are some images I created using one of my paintings called "The Navigator"

16 page amazing journal.....

2011-08-13T14:33:00.004-06:00

I had a hard time finding a supplier for the "Fabriano Artistico" watercolor paper....but my intuition told me to go to Swinton's (which I hadn't been to in years). They not only had the Fabriano paper (that Teesha Moore suggests for making this journal), but they had a nice handmade paper from India. I bought a sheet of each and will experiment with both to see which one I like better.
I had fun painting the pages......here they are:

I think I like how the Fabriano one turned out better (shown on the left). The pages are a little stiffer. Now....on to the collage part.....

Here is the link to Teesha Moore's video on how to paint the journal: http://youtu.be/VqrcB49uS9M

fabric fun....

2011-08-06T16:15:00.004-06:00

Thanks to Teesha Moore and her YouTube videos, for getting me back into some creativity. The fabric journal video in particular was exciting to me because of the fabric and thread. I was having some uninspired days, so working with the fabric & thread (an old love of mine) brought me back to life!
Here is the link to her fabric journal video: http://youtu.be/2Cm4RoEsgl0

Here are the little pillows / panels I made......(one of them has a fabric transfer of my artwork)

I decided to sew my panels together to form a bag (instead of a journal)

Thank You Teesha Moore......I loved doing this.....

....now I am off to get paper to make the Amazing 16 Page Journal
Here is the link to the video: http://youtu.be/1z6qmXGRrsE

looking for "Joy" in all the wrong places....

2011-07-16T16:27:00.003-06:00

I loved the new scent coming from my sister's freshly laundered clothes...and when I asked her what she was wearing, she said that it was from her dryer sheets...they were FLEECY Aroma Therapy....and she thought they were called "JOY"

So off I went to the store to find some JOY and it wasn't there.....so then went to another store and unfortunately they were all out of JOY as well....I waited a week and then went back to find JOY and still none to be had....so I compromised and bought RELAX instead....it was a nice scent...but I still had a longing for JOY.

Then one day when I was talking to my sister on the phone, I remembered to ask her where she got her JOY from....she laughed and said that it wasn't JOY ...it was CALM

Funny how life gives you messages....here I am feeling pretty good after transplant surgery....wanting to get back into things....like going back to school next month or so...and the agency that is helping me with funding (which will be delayed for 6-12 months) are telling me to slow down and take time to heal....be CALM

Please remain CALM

Just like the announcers voice at the beginning of the Cirque Du Soleil show....in case of fire, please remain calm....if the tent starts filling up with water, no need to panic...Please remain CALM

so...CALM it is

goodbye gracie....goodbye......

2011-07-08T16:29:00.004-06:00

our dear Gracie is gone....
13 years old
thank you for all your love and warm soft cuddles
we will miss you

this ketchup cracks me up!....

2011-06-22T14:25:00.012-06:00

http://www.spreadhead.com/

Check out these fun toppers for your condiments....
I bought this ketchup one at Reids Stationers on 17th ave.
They have such cool gadgets in there.

coolest calling card...

2011-06-04T10:33:00.008-06:00

This has got to be the coolest thing I've seen in awhile...a business card in the form of a coin! If someone handed that to me....I would hire them on the spot....GREAT idea!

Artist: Joshua M. Smith
Website: www.hydro74.com

making REAL look PAINTED....

2011-06-03T11:51:00.012-06:00

Usually artists want their paintings to look realistic....
but here is an artist that makes the REAL look PAINTED!
ALEXA MEADE
http://www.alexameade.com/

happy birthday to JB!

2011-05-26T13:55:00.003-06:00

miss muffin is now 21...
the next chapter in her life has just begun
we wish her the best... in her life's quest
but most of all, we hope she has lots of FUN

clean windows.......

2011-04-11T09:25:00.005-06:00

Even though I am drugged up and sore from surgery
I have never felt better!
My new kidney is CONTENT
and my creative spark has returned
it is like someone cleaned my windows!

you've got to be KIDNEY!!!

2011-04-02T04:43:00.002-06:00

big surprize!

I just got home from the hospital with a new kidney!

Never in a million years did I expect the call from the hospital saying that they had a kidney for me considering the fact that I have alot of antibodies in my blood which makes it extremely unlikely for a tissue match with a donor

Thank you to the doctor that insisted on the tissue test for me and worked hard to make this happen and most importantly, a big thank you and gratitude to the family that agreed to donate the organs of their loved one that passed away suddenly

new things for 2011....

2011-03-13T15:07:00.006-06:00

sorry I haven't updated my BLOG in awhile.....

I was struggling with regular dialysis and feeling crappy

....then.....

in February I was introduced to Nocturnal Dialysis

(which is home dialysis that you can do during the night while you sleep or anytime during the day)

The staff there really made me feel welcome and positive.

After several weeks of training & installation of equipment,

I am now at home doing my own dialysis...can you believe it?

They said that I will start to feel alot better...

my energy will increase...

and the fog will lift out of my brain...

I am still feeling rough around the edges & hopeful

that once my schedule is tweeked...

I will feel GReAT and get back into the studio...

Oh ya...the other new thing is a replacement car

for my "Jackie Blue"

(she was hauled away in January by the ins. co. because she was written off)

I get to pick up my new (used) car on friday

PT CRUISER

OK...it's done!....

2010-09-02T11:53:00.007-06:00

just a few tweeks here & there and this one is done!

She looked really good on my living room wall

(which was set up as a makeshift studio in the meantime)

she is on her way to the new owner...& she will be missed....

Thank you Joseph for the opportunity to paint the beauty of a storm. I dedicate this to my pledge to the element of AIR. Capturing the essence of wind which can have great strength, endurance and power to move the biggest obstacles, even though it is invisible.

weathering the storm...

2010-08-27T11:53:00.002-06:00

I am just about done the commission painting....

it is 2 panels and is titled:

"weathering the storm"

Wishing (me) Well....

2010-08-23T09:00:00.014-06:00

It seems like everytime I get into my car,

the "Airplanes" song is playing.

It's the one that says:

" I could really use a wish right now....wish right now....wish right now"

I find myself singing along (outloud) and have it constantly stuck in my head...I have also started to collect items for an assemblage art piece for this song...

I can tell that the universe is listening....
because a few days ago I received a gift from a dear friend...

Inside was a "Wishing" rock

She brought it back from Mexico

(and the little fancy gift box she got from the cart before the horse)

www.thecartbeforethehorse.blogspot.com

The interesting thing is... the only rocks I have ever collected (2 little rocks) were from Mexico....(unlike my family who collects rocks all the time...especially my mom...who finds them anywhere and everywhere....infact.....if you were to check her pockets right now, you would probably find a handful......along with an unsuspecting kleenex!)

For now my new wishing rock and my elephant hair bracelet have found their way under my pillow (where magic happens)

painting today! YEY

2010-08-20T13:55:00.002-06:00

Woke up to a WONDERFUL STORM this morning...

lots of lightening and thunder

I feel so good.....I got out my painting gear and got a good start on the commission peice....

now it is time for a break...

I think I will go for a walk and get my juices flowing

Elephant hair bracelet

2010-08-08T13:15:00.006-06:00

I have never heard of an Elephant Hair Bracelet...

let alone ELEPHANT HAIR

(do they really have hair??)

....but I received this magical gift yesterday from a lady named Danny

I met Danny just a few days ago down at Art Central for "First Thursday". She came into my studio and really liked my work. She bought my "Palette Painting" book and gave me many generous compliments...

We re-connected yesterday as she decided to purchase some artwork...not only that...but she wanted to give me a gift. She said the moment that she met me (on Thursday), she knew that she was going to give me this bracelet...

She said that when she was very sick several years ago, a stranger gave it to her for luck & healing and to pass it along when the time was right. She said that she has been holding on to it for a long time...waiting for the right person to give it to.

I told her that I was surprized that she would give me such an item, considering she had no idea about my health issues and I could really use some luck & healing right now.

She said that she just had a feeling that I needed it!

I LOVE the fact that the bracelet is made from silver TUBES

(iconic for me with kidney disease & dialysis tubes)

Unfortunately, the bracelet is too small to fit so I will try to incorporate onto a necklace I think....

Here are some other types of Elephant hair bracelets....

They say that the hair is thick & plasticky

"Chant of a Poor Man"

2010-08-07T10:18:00.011-06:00

There were 4 of us that painted....

the song chosen was:

"Chant of a Poor Man"

(by Leftfield)

The rules were to paint anything while listening to the song,

feeling the vibe of the song.... and complete it within an hour

I thought it was interesting that I have heard this song many times before (although I didn't know the name of the song)...but I always thought they were saying " charm of a woman" (instead of "chant of a poor man")

but that is no surprize...I am known to make up my own lyrics...

for example the song by Creedence Clearwater Revival -

"Bad Moon on the Rise"

I thought they were saying: " there's a bathroom on the right"

anyway, near the end of this song, he says "I'm somewhere else"

(which I LOVE)

or....he could be saying "I am so far out"

either way....it fits with the painting I created...

Here are the paintings done by the other artists

artwork to music.....

2010-07-28T16:08:00.003-06:00

A few years ago, a friend of mine bought one of my paintings

and told me it reminded him of a song by Johnny Cash....

Since then I have fantasized having an art show

where the artwork reflected or was painted to a certain song....

alas....here we are today...

I have decided to have an impromtu art contest with

some fellow artists (anyone can join)

where we each take turns to pick a specific song

and then we each do a peice of artwork

listening to the song or reflecting the song etc.

(the person that picks the song decides what the rules are during their turn)

At the end of the deadline, we come together and compare our peices

some of us on the same page or maybe not (?)

anyway....

Here is my peice

"I Won't Back Down" (by Tom Petty)

(can you see the little dialysis tubes?)

see lyrics listed below

Well I won't back down
No I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down

No I'll stand my ground, won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin me down
gonna stand my ground
and I won't back down

Chorus:
(and I won't back down)
Hey Baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down)
Hey I will stand my ground
And I won't back down

Well I know what's right, I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin me around
But I'll stand my ground
And I won't back down

Chorus

*this song was recently talked about at a memorial for Chris Melnychuk (a fellow artist friend)
who recently passed away from tongue cancer. He had a strong will to live and it makes sense that he would enjoy this song. It inspires me to keep plugging along

the crows are back......

2010-07-23T10:04:00.006-06:00

I had no idea that my friend in Edmonton

is such a master at taking crow pictures....

I am so happy that she shared these photos with me

because it really helped me get back into my studio

after these long months of just focusing on my health....

Don't these birds look so REGAL?

not scruffy looking like the crows around here...

Here are my paintings...inspired by these photos....

This one is called:

looking back with no regrets

This one is called:

heading in the right direction

feels like a mushroom day......

2010-07-22T12:45:00.002-06:00

I think I will crawl back into bed......

maybe the sun will come out later and I will feel better

pancake syrup

2010-07-08T15:24:00.011-06:00

It's that time of year again...CALGARY STAMPEDE

and lots of free pancake breakfasts...

I was in the grocery store yesterday and saw

three teenage boys in front of me in the check-out line....

They looked like they were probably 16 or 17 years old (but then I am a bad judge of age)....

They were each buying 4 bottles of pancake syrup....

My first thought was that they were hosting a pancake breakfast

and were sent to the store to get syrup....

But why were they each buying four bottles? I wondered....

Why didn't one guy buy all the bottles?

Perhaps they were each in charge of hosting their own breakfasts? hmmmm....

Then I noticed that they were having difficultly figuring out how much money to give the clerk....and she had to tell them where to grab their change (coin dispenser)....

Had they never been shopping before at the grocery store???

WEIRD....I thought

Then when I got up to the clerk, she told me that those boys were

from the Chec Republic and they were buying Maple Syrup to take back home.

It all made sense then....the four bottles each...and the currency /cash issue...

my perseption antenna was a little off!

my itsy bisty teeny weeny ponytail...is GONE

2010-07-06T20:42:00.004-06:00

I have never really been attached to my hair...
Once I participated in a charity event:
"Shave Your Lid for a Kid" and had my long hair shaved off...
and I also had dreads put in my hair
But there is something about losing your hair...
clumps at a time (because of strong medication)
that is a little scary....
and what makes it worse is that the medication makes
your face all puffy as well...
I could probably handle one or the other at one time
but to be bald and puffy at once??
Anyway....
I was hanging on to my teeny pony tail for too long
I finally got it chopped off yesterday...

My last few strands of hair

are now in the follicle graveyard.....

I am happy to report that

there are signs of hair growth!

My hair is coming back! YEY

going to KENTUCKY?

2010-06-30T09:56:00.003-06:00

I had a DREAM a few nights ago....

I had over-extended my time in the pool

and was one of the last ones to get out...

my friends and I ran to the parking lot across the street, dripping wet...

we saw a tow truck removing cars

One of my friends noticed that the tow truck

was hooked up to his vehicle....

He ran up to the tow truck driver and asked if he could

release his car......and the driver obliged

Then the tow truck hooked up to another friends car...

She did the same and asked the driver to release her car...

He obliged

At this point I noticed that I can't see my car...

it was missing

did the tow truck already haul it away?

So I went up to the driver and asked him if he towed my car

He said "yes"

I asked him " Where is it? Is it at the Impound Lot?"

He said "No"....."It is in KENTUCKY"

K E N T U C K Y ?

Feeling hopeless....I explained that I needed my car for a special appt.

He said " Well, you will need to go to Kentucky to get it"

My interpretation of this dream has to do with living with this newly acquired cronic condition....

The friends in the dream represent the 2 people that I have met at dialysis, who recently had surgery the same time as me....theirs were successful...mine was not. Perhaps their car represents their progress along this dialysis/ kidney failure journey...they are free to go.

My car is stuck in a place that seems unreachable.

I guess I need to decide how committed I am to the journey ahead.

Most days I feel defeated...so I find myself on the fence

I need to decide whether to stay or to leave....

or in this case....go to KENTUCKY!

Reality TV and ART?

2010-06-21T09:19:00.004-06:00

There is a new show called "Work of Art"
coming to Bravo this month....
I am so glad to see some exciting exposure to the art community!

http://www.bravo.ca/television/workofart/index.asp

Happy Birthday JB!

2010-05-26T15:57:00.001-06:00

no longer a teen....she turns 20 years old today!

i love collage...

2010-03-12T13:08:00.003-07:00

meet "Beverly"....she is one of my new butterfly girls
working with collage allows my hands to be busy
even though they are still shakey from meds.....
check out my new work:
http://heatherbrewster.com/new%20work.htm

cool wearables....

2010-02-13T22:00:00.006-07:00

My daughter Jennifer and her friend Natalie

have made some really cool wearable art....

funky hoods with dreads, organic jewlery & leatherwork

check out their first sale together down at ART CENTRAL

"DRESS THE GROUND"

on March 4th 6-9 pm

click here for details:

http://www.heatherbrewster.com/events.htm

cool mandalas.....

2009-11-16T11:18:00.007-07:00

I came across these great digital art mandalas & had to share....
they are from artist Steve Radic
http://www.redbubble.com/people/paxempire

NOA....here I come

2009-11-05T05:36:00.003-07:00

My car is all packed.....ready to go to Edmonton for the show!
I didn't sleep much last night...but that is usual
If you are interested in checking out the Night of Artists show....
click here for details:
http://www.heatherbrewster.com/new%20work.htm

Night of Artists Show...don't miss it!

2009-11-03T07:15:00.002-07:00

I am excited for the Night of Artists show this weekend!

The KUNAMOSKT - West Coast Mural will be unveiled

Let me know if you would like some tickets to come

It is in Edmonton at Trans Alta Art Barns, Nov 5,6 & 7

click here for more details:

www.nightofartists.com

Chocolate Dipping....

2009-09-28T09:07:00.022-06:00

Have you ever encountered something so sweet that makes your heart melt? My friend Sheri W. really outdid herself in this Chocolate escapade...
She came from out of town to visit with me and brought me a little bundle of chocolates from Bernard Callebaut.
She wasn't sure if I liked chocolate or not...and so in sued a discussion of chocolate....

We discussed many chocolate delights, including a little painting I did a few years ago titled "Chocolate Dipping". She said that she had spotted that in a local gallery and really liked it and wondered if it was still available. I was surpirzed that she noticed it because it is slightly odd and perhaps not that memorable...but to me it was one of my favorite paintings. I told her that I often thought that I would claim it back from the gallery as my own and have it hang in my house and label it "collection of the artist". She agreed with me and said without a doubt to go and get it and have it for myself. I agreed and said I would probably do that when I had the time.
After we finished our wonderful visit, Sheri left to go explore the shops including "CHOKLAT" in Inglewood. (They actually make chocolate from the cocoa bean, instead of importing it).

A week or so went by and I received a parcel in my mailbox.
It was from Sheri W.
It felt like a peice of artwork.
I feverishly unwrapped it.....I wondered what kind of artwork she would be sending me.
LOW AND BEHOLD.....here it was....my own little creation
"Chocolate Dipping"

I guess while she was at the CHOKLAT shop she realized that the gallery that had this painting was just across the street...so she decided to buy it for me and send it to me as a surprize. She even included a cute card and a gift certificate for the CHOKLAT shop. How incredibly sweet.....and so thoughtful.

I am so blessed.

Thank You Sheri W.!

a mind blowing experience....

2009-09-17T17:56:00.002-06:00

Don't miss the ART of ABUNDANCE sale this Sunday!
lots of cool things to check out...

Tonight is first thursday at ART CENTRAL...

2009-09-03T16:22:00.004-06:00

Here are some more $ 66 paintings for my sale tonight

Hope you can make it....

springboard action....

2009-09-02T21:44:00.009-06:00

I just finished 2 new peices for the EMCO showroom...
one is titled "train spotting II" and the other is "springboard"

a detail view:

4 Celestial Guardians

2009-08-28T13:58:00.001-06:00

whew....the guardians are ready to guard

and bring health and prosperity....

Feng Shui art...almost done!

2009-08-26T17:51:00.016-06:00

just one more to go...the black tortoise
on these paintings I have used iron, copper and bronze paint that has been oxidized
If you want to see them in more detail...click on link to my website:
http://www.heatherbrewster.com/new%20work.htm

Feng Shui Art.....

2009-08-20T09:25:00.002-06:00

I having been working on the Feng Shui art peices all week...
There are 4 paintings...representing the 4 Celestial Guardians
- green dragon of the east
- red phoenix of the south
- white tiger of the west
- black tortoise of the north

Here is my "White Tiger" design

Glow With the Flow.....

2009-08-13T10:39:00.008-06:00

my glowing sea anemone is FINISHED!
I am sending it in today for the West Coast Mural project...
you can see the live grid at:
http://www.muralmosaic.com/kunamokst.html
(my panel # is 46)

Glow with the Flow....

The ocean is full of creatures that are so beautiful.

Perhaps it is the water that enhances their beauty, making them look so graceful as they float along or flutter their tentacles & translucent membranes. One of my favorite creatures is the Sea Anemone. It is like an ocean flower, round in shape and tentacles for petals. Some anemones are fluorescent and glow in the dark. Inspired by this, I have used flourescent and glow paint which makes it come alive in the dark.

2009-08-12T12:47:00.001-06:00

a summary....

2009-08-12T12:25:00.010-06:00

well its day 3 at painting this "Kunamoskt" panel...
I think I am almost done...
I touched up the outer ring...& toned down the tentacles

added more glow in the dark paint...
and some "interference" paint (my fav)

and I varnished each individual bump of paint
with high gloss varnish to make them look wet....

2009-08-11T10:57:00.005-06:00

still workin on the panel today...
it took overnight for the dimensional paint to dry
I added a wash of turquiose paint to the background
and around the inner circle....

then I added another wash of various colors
and the "glow in the dark paint"
now I am waiting for that to dry....

2009-08-10T14:42:00.004-06:00

applying the first layer of paint....
this is dimensional paint

first layer of painting is done...
now I am waiting for it to dry....

2009-08-10T13:04:00.000-06:00

ok...here is the design.....
now I get to paint!

KUNAMOSKT

2009-08-10T10:20:00.008-06:00

I am working on my mural panel today...
for "Kunamoskt" - West Coast Mural
here is what the panel looks like now:

Click link for other cool mural panels
http://www.muralmosaic.com/

Happy Birthday LMS!

2009-08-09T08:27:00.002-06:00

Hope you had a wonderful day yesterday!!
love ya

its show time!

2009-08-06T08:35:00.004-06:00

my studio is lookin' hot...
thanks to my sweetness for helping me out setting everything up...hope to see lots of people there tonight...Art Central has some music & food & art going on....good times!
hope you can come down and check it out

new work for sale this Thursday

2009-08-04T18:23:00.015-06:00

Here are some new Palette Paintings that I made

for my $ 66 sale on Thursday....

(for sale details: click the link to my website in previous post or on the side)

I think my favorite is the orange and black one

called " embracing the edge of darkness"

Palette Paintings are made from my old dried up palettes of paint, to view more you can go to www.palettepaintings.com

$ 66 SALE! Don't miss it....

2009-08-04T09:42:00.007-06:00

I am clearing out!
All the art work is on sale for just $ 66 each!

ART CENTRAL
Lower Level - Studio 5B
100 - 7 Ave SE, Calgary AB

THURSDAY August 6, 2009 - 6 to 9 pm

Click on this link to see what is for sale:

http://www.heatherbrewster.com/images/events/66%20sale.htm

2009-07-30T18:03:00.004-06:00

I hung my art work at Paradigm Health today...
here are some pics....

Happy Birthday SES!

2009-07-29T07:33:00.002-06:00

Lets play at the ocean today! Hope you have a great day!

mark your calendars.....

2009-07-27T19:07:00.003-06:00

The first annual "Art of Abundance" show & sale is scheduled for Sunday Sept 20 from 11 am to 5 pm. It will be a great group show of some fantastic art, jewelry, wands, home decor, clothing and much more...hope you can come!
More details to come....

EMCO paintings....

2009-07-25T14:51:00.020-06:00

Here are the paintings that are going to be displayed in
the EMCO showroom in Lethbridge.....
(they are all for sale, so let me know if you are interested)
seaflower mandala 36 x 36 $ 800

cathedral mandala 36 x 36 $ 800

train spotting 36 x 48 $ 900

in alignment 24 x 36 $ 800

bunny rock....

2009-07-22T08:16:00.015-06:00

Anyone close to me knows that I have this connection with bunnies....so it was no surprize to receive this picture of a rock from my mom (who collects rocks...along with other members of my family...I never got the rock enthusiast gene, so I spend my time poking fun at them...or as I call it "rock mocking").

It took me awhile to see the bunny at first...probably because my sister sent me the pic as a huge file and I only saw the top corner at first and then had to navigate over to find the dark spot...and then what I focused on was something that looked like an eye of a lizard....then it looked like a creature from Bart Simpson....

Once I resized the image, I was able to see the bunny...
a glorious little brown bunny...just like the ones that pop out of no where to visit me.

patience my child....

2009-07-20T09:53:00.008-06:00

been waiting for paint to dry......

after painting over my first attempt....

here is the final verdict......

working backwards....

2009-07-13T08:30:00.009-06:00

Do you ever feel like you are working backwards?
Like having an art show for instance....

I think the regular progression of having an art exhibition would be to:
- paint a body of work...
- let it sit and gel...
- touch up as needed....
- contemplate the theme...
- pick the best pieces...
- set the time and date...
- book the show

as opposed to my experience:
- show gets booked (sometimes without my knowledge)...
- feature piece is frantically painted for the magazine promo...
- theme is contemplated (this is where my crystal ball comes in handy)...
- paint the rest of the paintings and pray that they match the theme and are dry in time for the show!

Well...I have to say...what ever my experience...the universe never lets me down. I was given a couple of days notice to come up with a feature piece and a theme and this is what arrived:

44 DEEP - an introspection of the layers of our life experience or perhaps our surrounding aura. Excavating through the layers of paint (sometimes 44 layers deep) is like a journey inward searching for the truth.

butterfly tattoo

2009-07-09T12:32:00.003-06:00

I am really enjoying the tattoo design work...
maybe I could do this full time (?)
anyone hiring??

new stuff....

2009-07-06T16:38:00.006-06:00

I just finished some new paintings....
they will be going up to Edmonton for Capital Ex
too bad the photo doesn't capture the interference paint...
garden mandala 30 x 30 $ 450

lo shu square 24 x 24 $ 300

jennifer jennifer jennifer.....

2009-07-03T08:06:00.007-06:00

The show was a little dead last night

(probably because everyone was out at the CALGARY STAMPEDE)

but I had fun with a few people trying on my

"black tipped baby mohawk"

here is Mariko (I loved her hair cut)

and Reia...

who was very funny...so whitty about the barbie doll legs

The highlight at Art Central was the

Jen 11 show at the Uppercase Gallery

it is a group show from eleven artists named
JENNIFER

Here are some of my favorites:
Jennifer Khoshbin

Jennifer Maestre

Jen Bradford
LOVE HER WORK!!!

the Jen video:

Jen11 from UPPERCASE gallery on Vimeo.

my creative concoctions....

2009-07-01T16:16:00.014-06:00

Please join me tomorrow night

at Art Central from 5-9pm

(lower level studio 5B)

www.artcentral.ca

you can check out my:

lucky seven

little ole cow-poke

bolted in

breathe

stomach driven (steering with his stomach)

you make my mind wander

you blow my mind

black tipped mohawk

horse mural at Calgary Stampede

2009-06-30T08:04:00.011-06:00

check out the HORSE MURAL at the
Calgary Stampede

Phil Alain and Lewis Lavoie

from

MURAL MOSAIC

have organized this great mural project

check out their website for details:

www.muralmosaic.com

created by 174 artists, each painting their own panel

which forms the horse mural when they are put together

Here is the panel I painted...

"Iron Horse" -panel # 62

I saw the sign...

2009-06-29T08:50:00.004-06:00

I saw this sign in Vancouver last week.....

I guess I better get MOVING...

good thing I started going for my daily walk again

beautiful bleeding hearts...

2009-06-28T08:45:00.007-06:00

I love how these look like they have a droplet of water

dripping from the center

I also love this quote from Eckhart Tolle:

"Flowers, more fleeting, more ethereal than the plants out of which they emerged, would become like messengers from another realm, like a bridge between the world of physical forms and the formless. They not only had a scent that was delicate and pleasing to humans, but also brought a fragrance from the realm of spirit."

pretty poppies

2009-06-27T09:01:00.000-06:00

I saw some incredible poppies on my walk this morning...

my poppy mandala...

eating crow....

2009-06-26T08:53:00.000-06:00

I guess it was me after all...

yes....I am the GUILTY party....

It was me that forgot to return the dinner plate.

funny how the blame got shifted to my sister...

I guess I will have to eat crow

...so sorry Lindy Loo that you had to suffer the rath of the plate berate

basement babies?...

2009-06-24T08:53:00.000-06:00

I was attempting to make some basement babies yesterday...

and this is what arrived....

vancouver art scene....

2009-06-23T09:19:00.001-06:00

I have always enjoyed perusing the unique art
from the Vancouver art galleries

and my last visit didn't disappoint.....

here are some favorites from the

MANDY TSUNG

This is one of her "Belladonna" paintings that
was on display at the Ayden gallery...
but check out these great "eye" paintings
from her website http://www.mandytsung.com/

J. SHEA

KRISTIAN ADAM

and from some other galleries.....

BELLA TOTINO

I love how she titles her paintings...

like this one which is called
"I don't know what I am doing that for"

or this one....which is called:
"Saturday night weiners and beans"

CAROL HAIGH

Jesse Reno workshop

2009-06-22T11:07:00.000-06:00

JESSE RENO

Jesse Reno "Never Doubt Your Ability to See the Future" 24 x 48

I just got back from painting with Jesse Reno in Vancouver...

Here are some of my paintings...

this one is probably my fav......which guy is flying?

we started off applying paint to the surface with our fingers...

covering the entire surface with random colors

I haven't finger painted in a very long time

and it was FANTASTIC!!

remember?

running your hands through the gooey mess?

once we had our surfaces covered...then we starting adding shapes like eyes or circles....
then we outlined an image in the colored mess
making it the foreground and blocked out
the background with a solid color,
which was the hardest part because we were all
used to making the colored mess the background.
We also added bits of drawing with charcoal or black crayon
and oil pastels....and sometimes drawing with our eyes closed.

Here is the progression of one of Jesse's paintings...

Here is Jesse Reno with artist Lana Guerra

I can remember meeting Jesse for the first time...
I was fascinated by his hair....
(which is probably when my desire for dreadlocks started!)

Jesse & Leanne

THANK YOU to LEANNE
from Rubydog's Art House
for putting on this workshop...
taking great care of me & all of us!

guilty pleasure....

2009-06-17T07:32:00.001-06:00

well...I hate to admit it

but I have this guilty pleasure of secretly taking

a page from magazine while I wait at the dentist or doctors office.

Why is it that all the good articles or reference material

shows up at that moment in that magazine??

Sometimes the magazines are really old so its not like I can go buy

the same magazine....so I shamefully rip and tear.

It all started when I was waiting for my daughter at the

orthodontist...and I came across this great picture of a diamond....

It really inspired me and there was no way I could leave without

taking that image. So I painstaking started to rip the page from the

spine of the magazine...a 1/4 inch at a time so that no one

would notice. I have seemed to master that technique

pretty good now...(not that I do this alot)

BTW...Here is the painting that was inspired by the diamond picture....

I know...I know...how horrible it is for the next person that
comes along reading an article and they flip the page and the
end of their story is missing...I apologize.
That same thing has happened to me when I was using a phone book
at a pay phone...(payback I guess)

I do believe in the law of give and take...and the karma thing

so I understand that there will be some payback / balance created....

and I am ok with that.

Anyway...CHECK OUT this article from my recent dr ofc visit...

ELEPHANTS are so fascinating!

I love that fact that they are led by the oldest female! GIRL POWER

This article has rekindled my desire to go to Thialand
and stay at one of those elephant camps where you get
assigned an elephant and feed and care for them during your stay.
I LOVE that fact that elephants are so large but they are so gentle.

When I go...I will have to include a side trip to Bali of course!

Hindu goddess?....

2009-06-16T08:09:00.001-06:00

Here is a fantastic creation done by my neice Leya...

it reminds me of the Hindu Goddess Durga...

An embodiment of creative feminine force,

Durga exists in a state of self-sufficiency and fierce compassion.

Durga manifests fearlessness and patience, and never

loses her sense of humor, even during spiritual battles of epic proportion.

Durga

the spoils....

2009-06-16T07:56:00.000-06:00

I couldn't have asked for a more glorious day...

I basked in the sun...and in the well wishes of friends and family

I am so blessed...

who knew that this magical soap was laying in wait for me?

ENCHANTED MEADOW Creamy hand soap

smells so heavenly

this really pushed my day over the top!

LOVE IT!

Thank you everyone...I am so grateful

in an art trance.....

2009-06-13T10:48:00.000-06:00

BRUCE PASHAK

I am captivated by the work of this Vancouver artist

it puts me in a trance....just staring in AW

His treatment of the background reminded me of the collage work
we did with Anahata in Bali when creating the mandalas.
I was also intrigued with his use of graphite
and how it flows into the painted portion.

http://www.brucepashak.com

DAVID ROBINSON
This fantastic sculpture is currently showing at the New Zones Gallery.
I love the body structure and the silky appearance of the skin

http://www.robinsonstudio.com

what a treat!

2009-06-13T10:07:00.001-06:00

I got together with my good friend Charlene

for some pre-birthday treats... She is looking so cute on her front step...

her house is so amazing, it should be featured in a magazine

I love the flowers that she always has on the front steps
We got to check out a few galleries...

and the bathroom too...with pebbles in the sink

There was a great home decor shop along the way that had this fantastic lamp...

at first I thought it was made from buttons but then I saw the shells....

so cool ....of course the birthday dinner wouldn't be the same without the

toffee-sticky-pudding-chocolate-cake-melt-in-your-mouth-with-creamy-ice-cream!

already feeling spoiled...I also received this gorgeous silk scarf
I think I am going to wrap it up in my hair somehow...
I just love the ORANGE color!

Thanks Charlene for a wonderful evening!

Plumeria Perfume...for real?

2009-06-11T19:13:00.000-06:00

remember the Plumeria flower from Bali?....

the scent is wonderous...

we were all thinking that they should make a perfume from it..

WELL lookee here...

check out this essential oil....smells just like it

It is called "CHAMPA"

Its from a store called SAJE

Here is a link to their website:

http://www.saje.ca/

They have so many great products...
I really like the Scent Ball, Car Scenter & the Nebulizers

Sum Noo Werk...

2009-06-09T17:31:00.000-06:00

I just finished some new scratchboard peices...
and driving them up to Modern Eyes Gallery tomorrow

"checking things out"

" threaded together II"

"the quiet one"

" swinging"

"stargazing"

"peering through the window of opportunity"

"laying in wait"

"inner glow"

"contemplating the flight plan"

Johnston Canyon....who knew?

2009-06-07T12:16:00.000-06:00

What a gem of a place....

and who knew it even existed?

If it wasn't for a random promo fax...

we would have never been to

Johnston Canyon!

The Cabins were wonderful...

we got a really great discount on a 4 person bungalow

regularly $314...and paid $135

check out the bathroom...

the nice walkways made for a wonderful hike

The hike to the lower falls was about 30 minutes....

and about 60 minutes to the upper falls

and there was lots to see along the way...
like 2 purple flowers that we all took pictures of

and some mossy clumps

and the "foot"

and the "s" tree

and the logger lady

It is located just outside of Banff...
about a 2 hour drive from Calgary
I will definitely go again
good times!