So many beautiful things.

There is just so much beauty and abundance in the world.

So many living and growing things.

This is what has been keeping my eyes busy this week.

What about for you?

Thankful.

I have so many things in life to be thankful for...

Here is an incomplete list.

I am thankful first and foremost for my mother.

She birthed me into this world, raised and loved me,

and is my rock in all storms.

My life would not exist or be as full without her.

I am thankful for friendships.

Old, cherished, ancient ones that will be in my life forever.

New, fresh, exciting ones that bring spontaneity and verve.

And especially the rekindled ones, that give me hope

that things come back around and that broken

things can be mended.

I am thankful for farmland, open roads and sea.

I know that I would not have survived this summer 

in one piece without them.  

Thank you Oregon for being such a beautiful state.

I am thankful for animals. 

Who grace our lives with unconditional love,

are up for spontaneous adventure,

and who's antics provide hours of distracting entertainment.

I am thankful for hard work.

Which helps me reach further than I thought I could.

Helps me realize my own strength and endurance.

And creates a release for a busy mind.

I am thankful for good food, great books,

and time to learn, grow and share.

In a months time I will begin a six month artistic retreat 

on the Oregon coast.  Stay tuned for more adventure...

Scratchboard Progression.

I thought you might like to see how I work.

So here is a little series of shots taken as I worked

on this new scratchboard of Toots the goat.

First I draw the major outlines of my subjects body.

And then start on one little corner creating scratches

that create texture and shading.

I continue, and give myself pep talks to keep going.

Sometimes I get anxious about how it will turn out.

And finally when I feel I have scratched enough,

I say it's done.  

It's such a fun art form.  I feel quite lucky to have stumbled upon it.

Artist of the Month at Crafty Wonderland.

I feel so honored to be selected to be November's Artist of the Month

at the Crafty Wonderland shop in downtown Portland.

Cathy and Torie did such a fantastic job setting up my wares.

Head on down to the shop and find my Original Collages,

Collage and Scratchboard Prints, Magnets, Jewelry and Notecards.

Plus a few other fun bits and bobs.

Here is a link to the Crafty Wonderland write up about me

with more pictures and information.

Plus, come see me at the Super Colossal Crafty Wonderland Sale,

December 8th and 9th at the Oregon Convention Center.

Mail Call.

I got the greatest package today from my friend Diane.

She is the best pen pal on the planet.

First off, her penmanship is scriptlicious.

Second, everything comes in a tiny envelope with more scripty goodness.

Third, you get the tiniest book ever created.

This one is the size of my thumb nail.

And forth you get a letter all the way from Indonesia.

Again, the mail service is incredible.

Farm Life.

I've been farm sitting.  And I am filled with good feels as Opal would say.

Morning chores, 100 degree heat sparkling on golden pasture, the sweet smell

of rotting apples and ripe plums, water to goats and sheep, scratching a sweet 

dogs ruff, watching ducks parade into shade, testing electric fences, swimming

in a river to cool down, making art underneath a cherry tree, teaching new dogs

old tricks, watching the sunset, washing up, sleeping out. Perfect day.

Art Camp 2012.

Last week I had the pleasure of teaching at Lori Shippy's Art Camp.

It's an artful gathering of children of all ages for a week long art making adventure.

The kids worked on drawing, sculpting, natural dying and of course jumping double dutch.

I brought in some roving and together we made a fantastic collection of felted river rocks.

Everybody had fun learning to wet felt.

We made rocks in blues, greens, greys and white.

Even the parents joined in.

Art camp is not only special because of all the art making and creative time.

But also because all the proceeds go to support the Togo Well Project,

helping to bring fresh clean drinking water to many communities.

Thanks Lori for inviting me to be part of such an inspirational week.