Tagged Again!

I've been tagged again by Mary Sheenan Winn, a wonderful painter, check out her blog! I especially like her little umbrellas. http://www.marysheehanwinn.blogspot.com/

So, once again, I have to tell 5 little known facts about myself then tag five other artists and invite them to do the same. So here goes:

1. I have 6 sisters and 5 brothers, I'm the fifth born. Now that's old school Mexico for ya.

2. I have very little to no sense of smell. Occasionally I'll smell something but I don't know what it is, I have no reference. Oddly enough, I get nauseous when someone is wearing too much perfume so I always have to hold my breath going through that department of a store. (and yes, I can taste food, and it wouldn't matter anyways cause I could probably win an eating contest)

3. I've had issues with Blue Jays ever since one ate the two baby hummingbirds that were nesting in our back yard. Although my latest infatuation is with the Magpie Jay I saw it in the movie "Stardust" and fell in love. . . . looks like an Eastern Jay that had a one night stand with a Magpie.

4. I've seen 2 Angels in my lifetime.

5. I am partially red and green color blind. Reds when they get too dark or too light turn grey, and the same with green, I'll often confuse the two cause they look the same grey to me. For years I thought mauve was just another wishy washy grey. I always have to look at the labels when I need to squish more paint out onto my palette and it takes me forever just to find those two colors in my paint box.

Now to tag some artists:

www.sandymaudlin.blogspot.com

www.rhcarpenter.blogspot.com (Happy Birthday Rhonda!)

www.vulturecafe.blogspot.com

www.jasonwaskey.blogspot.com

www.dailyartwest.com

Honoring The Elders

Transparent Watercolor 14" x 20"

I was asked about this painting in an email so I thought I'd share it on my blog. This is our twin Lily. I made this headdress for her because we think it's important for our kids to learn about their heritage, so this is a first step in learning about the Pomo traditions.

The moment she put it on, she took on a grace that reminded me of the traditional dancers at the roundhouse at Kule Loklo, Point Reyes National Seashore. She even stood the way they do before going in to dance. I had my camera so she could see what she looked like but I think I captured something more and hopefully I've conveyed it through this painting.

This was also the first time I'd done any bead work in about 8 years. I really enjoyed it and intend to do it more often.

Holding on to Traditions

Transparent Watercolor 14"x 20"

Here's another painting inspired by the dances at Kule Loklo, Point Reyes National Seashore. I'm fortunate enough to know this incredibly kind and patient Pomo Elder. Being around her is like taking a breath of fresh air. I'm grateful she allowed me to photograph her in her traditional headdress for some upcoming paintings.

Squash Blossoms

Happy New Year!

I've been wanting to paint squash blossoms since enjoying them in my quesadillas this summer and also painting my Ken Edwards pitcher. After a few days of holiday fall out, I got back to work and this painting seemed to flow out of the brushes by itself. . . I love when that happens especially since it hardly ever happens.

I tackled my most problematic color. . yellow! oddly enough, that was the easiest area to paint, go figure. This year, I intend to challenge myself to paint more and to continue growing as an artist.