Cats and Dogs

The Pittsburgh Arts Festival traditionally brings us rain and this year was no different. The day before it was set to open we saw a whopping 2.25 inches of rain in 24 hours. Things eventually dried up and then it was a delightful production.

 Later, I enjoyed my own little arts festival. Usually, I use floral subjects and watercolors but this time, I was feeling reckless and decided to be a tad more daring. So, I packed up my pastels and trotted off to the nearest park. The benches were all occupied and I had to trot back to the car. I found a few blankets in the trunk that I always knew would someday come in handy  

I spotted a tree under which I could set up my travelling art studio but was a little nervous sitting under the tree with all those dog walkers strolling by. Sometimes the pooches get so inquisitive. Since I was balancing the pastels and sketchbook on my lap, I couldn't make a quicky get away if I had to. Eventually I did have a visitor.  A cute little pug came by and simply stopped to stare. He stood completely motionless. I asked his owner if he was always "like that" and the  owner said he did this because he was friendly. Huh? I found it very strange. He didn't bark. He didn't wag his tail. He didn't move. Perhaps he was lovestruck. You see, I was trying my luck with pet portraitures. Meet Sasha, an adorable Shorkie. I've been sketching her for practice before I try the real thing. And you may also remember Saphire, the Siamese SophistiCat of posts from a time passed. Thank goodness that Saphire was hiding deep in my sketchbook or I fear that funny pug would not have been so motionless. A few microscopic bugs also dropped by and let's just say that they became one with the artwork when I tried to brush them away.

I've also been wasting spending a lot of time fooling around with doodling exploring abstract designs. I found it to be very zen but without purpose until I started to find ways to incorporate it into my work. It has given me a fresh way to look at things as I played around with inserting different backgrounds and color. Yep, you guessed it. Here they are. So, which do you like better, cats or dogs?

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." - Pablo Picasso

Art with a View

Nationally, Pittsburgh is definitely known as a sports town. We have the very popular Pittsburgh Steelers, the winning Pittsburgh Penguins, and the nostaligic Pittsburgh Pirates. There are other sports teams I am sure, such as the Pittsburgh Power and the Passion. However, more up my alley are the ubiquitous art forums that our area has to offer.

 There are literally hundreds of hidden galleries, streets lined with art spaces, gigantic murals on the sides of buildings, mirror mosaics on houses, neighborhood museums, and tons of art and craft shows. The list is endless. Even if you are not an art enthusiast but you are from Pittsburgh, you know that the Arts Festival is right around the corner. It also usually brings with it a share of rainy days. I still do not have my corner booth this year :( but that is OK. I shall have way less stress as a visitor at this event.

Speaking of sports (and art) there is the expression that goes something like this..."I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out." Well, here's a twist on it. "I was on the top floor of a downtown building and an art project jumped out." The view was stunning and I couldn't stop staring and studying the vista. All I had with me was a number 2 pencil and a small note pad but it was enough to get started. Later, that evening I added some color and tried to gain dimension with colored pencils. If you are familiar with the Pittsburgh Skyline, you should hopefully be able to recognize the PPG Building and that little yellow hut at the top left corner is the famous Pittsburgh Incline. Seriously, that was my view from the window. Stunning!

"A day wasted is one without laughter." - E.E. Cummings

Resolute

First, I just have to say that it is January 12, 2013 and it is 65 degrees. No, that's not the temperature inside. That is the temperature outside and I love it. The snow has melted and the daffodils have been fooled because they are poking up out of the ground. I am pretending that spring is right around the corner, rather than more winter weather.

But alas, it is still more like New Year's resolution time. Every morning I ask God for help with the more serious resolutions and to prep me for the day by granting me patience, wisdom, empathy and productivity. I guess that is probably more like asking for pwep for the day.  Unfortunately, I am sad to say that by nightfall I have usually fallen short with each one but always hope that I have another day to try again and do better.

So, I also like to fool around by coming up with really silly resolutions. Like, trying to get better at doing the wobble dance. You'll have to google that because I can't quite find the words to describe it well. I also figure that I may get better at the wobble if I practice every time for 2 minutes while brushing my teeth. Now that's time management. I'll have to look for that egg timer I misplaced.

Lots of people make that traditional resolution of eating healthier. Fish is good for you so I am thinking of trying Sushi for the first time. And while I am at it, I guess I can throw jello into that category as well. They are both good for you and challenging to swallow because of that squiggly quality. I'll try to get "high school skinny" but for me that goal should probably be more like "junior high skinny." Have to go further back in time for me to get to that "skinny era." So, its time cupcake, to get back into the yoga routine. Taking the recycling to the curb does not count as exercise.

"Gray butterfly! Have you a dream for going. Or are you the blind wind's blowing?" ~Dana Burnet

Around new year's, I had a moment when I just picked up the paintbrush and felt like painting on the wall...freestyle. No planning, no thinking, just enjoying the feel of the paint sliding, sloshing and dripping around on the wall. Well, actually I did have a little bit of an idea in mind. I wanted to give the butterflies a home by starting a butterfly garden. It was fun but if the flowers and leaves look a little stilted and tense, it's probably because I was wearing beige paints while painting. This was such a spontaneous moment, that I didn't even put on a paint smock. Maybe, I'll tend to the garden and add more flowers to keep it growing, but for right now, it will have to do.

Journey Through the Rain Forest with Friends

Quirky's Blog Bog World

Muffled woman's voice: "I think I see her. Quiet now, don't spook her. She's over there, behind the frog, floating on that chartreuse lily pad. She is sooo tiny as she gently glides through the Bog. Listen closely and you can hear her flapping shimmery wings playing the Moonlight Sonata. Then, when she rests on the flower and her wings stop moving, the music also stops.



Saphire, the Slinky Siamese SophistiCat!



Her name is Zephora and she is my garden nymph friend. I think you met her once before in another post. Her chakra is a beautiful shade of azure blue and it is lightly tinged with a ring of magenta. Zephora's mystical talents along with her interesting friends have taken us all on many magical journeys. I'd like to introduce to you to her friends who live in the bog and tell you all about our blog adventures.

Zephora's best friend is Elvert. He is one of the colorful Gubknits who lives in the bog right next door. Elvert is such a comedian and he loves to make Zephora laugh with his corny jokes and pranks.

Saphire, the slinky Siamese SophistiCat is the Fashion Buyer for the pond's only Boutique. She knows where to find the most beautiful and the most softest forest fur. Saphire has big gorgeous blue eyes and she is such a Diva! Saphire is married to King Siam, the Siamese Cat from Siam. They just had 4 little kittens.

Then there is Dazzle the Dancing Dragonfly. She teaches the Expressive Yoga Dance classes in the bog.  Dazzles' best friend is Sweet Pea, the Sugarbug. Sweet Pea is so kind and she loves to snap her fingers and keep the rhythm for Dazzle when she dances.

The Blog Bog World

And oh yeah, I'm Quirky. I think we have already met. I'm the artiste friend who is staying in the Bog's third floor loft studio. I'll keep you posted on our escapades and toss in a few sketches and watercolors along the way. You're gonna be our new friend to join Quirky's Blog Bog World!"

"Art is the only way of leaving home without running away." - Twyla Tharp

Enveloped

 I learned that it is amazingly easy to make your own mailing envelopes. Who knew? And talk about going green and being on the cutting edge of tres artsy. You can use those really pretty pictures from those old calendars for the paper. If you are like me, you can never bear to part with the beautiful photographs but never knew what you could do with them. And that shiny paper that some of them are made with is so easy to manipulate and works really well. Wrapping paper and wall paper are also other types of materials that you can try using. Its fun to keep an eye open for other types of paper that might create a unique packing for your that special greeting card.

Aside from being another original, one of the best advantages about making your own envelopes is that you don't ever have to worry about not being able to find an envelope for that hard to find card size.

You can google for easy directions and even find patterns on the web to make your own tailored envelopes. Or you can simply take an old envelope apart and use it as a pattern. Once you start to focus on envelopes, I bet you will never before have noticed all these details. I find it both fun and fascinating but maybe that's just me being quirky again.

As always, I think this is also a good project for children. Will keep them busy for hours. Once you get promoted to Chief Envelope Maker, you can even make your own envelope glue from a simple recipe of clear gelatin and corn syrup and add your favorite flavoring like peppermint or cinnamon. Yum! Then you'll be ready to open up your very own envelope production factory.

Did you know bearcats mark their territory with a popcorn scented excretion? They are really cute little animals whose scientfic name is Binturong and they live in the Rainforest Canopies of Southeast Asia. The original meaning of their name has been lost as the language from which their name was derived is now extinct. Bearcats are also on the list of threatened animals. They make a chuckling sound which makes them sound happy. But make no mistake because that is actually a warning that these vicious animals are really annoyed.

Green Inspirations: Expressions with Found Treasures

I don’t know why anyone would ever buy or send an ordinary store bought card ever again. Ok, so it is probably just me, but I see so many potential exciting and unique things with which to create interesting and quite recyclable green greetings. Pretty sure Hallmark will not wish for many of you to read any further. I call my newest Art Card Line “Green Inspirations by Tamara.” The Art Work also doubles as a "special present." Gives new meaning to "Gift Card". LOL. And with no expiration date to worry about.

It all started with my pursuit of thinking about what I could do with all those really pretty paint chips that I am so attracted to and which accumulated when I was trying to decide on a color scheme. Well, I simply couldn’t toss them out. I am enchanted by all the vibrant colors. And some were sooo shimmery while others were textured.

Then one day, all of a sudden, and out of nowhere, the idea came to me. Voila, another ephiphany. Fun, colorful, and fairly easy to make cards! And a great project for children.

I try to pay attention to the important things during the workday. Really I do. Focus, focus, focus. But sometimes I feel like a flitting butterfly going from one flower to the next and and then simply back to the last one. How many times have I watched them do that and wonder when will they ever learn? Why do they leave the flower in the first place, only to go back to the same one and try again?

Ok, so I am pretty sure that I know that I am not a butterfly. But I am also on a quest. Here’s what I’m really thinking about most of the time. What’s my next quirky art project gonna be? My latest thing is simply looking for items to stash in what I am calling my “found box”. Sparkly things always catch my eye. Yes, I know all that glitters is not gold except it is in the art and craft supply world. I have no idea what I am going to do with this junk treasure. It’s just another way for me to escape for a while and an interesting way to wonder through this universe… keeping your eyes always peeled for a hidden find or an inspirational trinket.

"Build a dream and the dream will build you." - Robert Schuller

Novemberfest!

It seems that every year around this time, I make a concerted effort to appreciate the Autumn experience. For instance, take this little guy. I found him just hanging around. Yeah, I do know that is his job. Fall inspires great art and craft ideas and this scarecrow decorative door knob hanger is no exception. It’s a really easy project for the smaller children since they can simply color the pieces and assemble them. Then  the “bigger kids” (I guess that’s me) get to use their fine motor skills to design more intricate and fashionable accoutrements. You can find the pattern and instructions at www.dltk-holidays.com/fall/mscarecrowdoorknob.htm

I’ve also had some other interesting backyard visitors this November. I was able to run and get to the camera to capture this gobble of turkeys. They started to scamper away as I tried to get closer so I hope you can see them. I have to wonder if it is the same family of birds that was strolling across the street this past summer. A momma turkey with at least 7 or 8 of her hatchlings had been out taking an early morning stroll and caused quite a stir and traffic jam in the neighborhood. Ahhh but they grow up so quickly these days. Sigh.

The deer always seem to move in closer to the house this time of the year. I think that they are in search of any greenery that has yet to be touched by the frost or that they have yet to munch on. I was awed by this one lone fellow who was proudly sporting his rack. I forgot to count the points on his antlers as he majestically strutted across the back yard.

I’ve been playing around with a fresco recipe to make holiday ornaments but so far nothing that I am ready to unveil here. Unless of course, we all need a laugh. The fresco does however, have a nice interesting feel to it when it is being painted. Quite fun but I haven’t yet got a hold of the technique. Remember Frieda Kahlo’s husband Diego Rivera? He apparently, was quite the fresco painter. And of course you know Leonardo’s Last Supper being one of the most famous frescoes.

But I digress again. Back to why I think that this is great time of the year. I’ve decided that it is really the beginning of spring for me. We just have to get through winter first.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

For the Birds

It seems like you cannot travel around town anymore without hitting major road construction projects. This results in what seems like endless hours of traffic gridlock. You have heard about all the controversial and sometimes amusing things that drivers do to make use of this "down time". There is that endless talking on the cell phone, which truth be told, folks do way too much--everywhere. There is the painting of fingernails, the shaving of a five o'clock shadow, putting on more (?) makeup, trying to fix that bad hairdo, and of course that perpetual texting. I'm sure the list of things goes on and on.

Moi, I like to stare into the tree lined hillsides or the landscaped front yards. I've discovered where the naturally occurring waterfalls spring up after a heavy downpour. And yes, I keep my camera nearby, although it is usually stashed deep inside my big bag, hidden underneath the watercolors and brushes. So, imagine my delight when this time, as I was staring into the purple blooms of thistle that I saw what I call a little yellow wild canary. Oh, I have seen them before but I always get excited. When I was a child, yellow was my favorite color and I still enjoy it. Especially when it is found in nature. I am watching this tiny guy whirling about and then I see it. Another one. As my eyes zoom in and focus, I realize there are hundreds. This must be their hot hang out- spot; the place to be for a write up in the scene column of these wild spirits.


Traffic is now at a total standstill and I am compelled to dig through my bag on the back seat, fighting the seat belt harness that is now strangling me, and wrenching my shoulder to get to the camera. In a flash, my hand is out the window, clicking away. I wonder what the driver behind me must be thinking and I am sure the yellow birds are glaring at me for the intrusion. I, of course simply giggle at my quirkiness.

Despite all these machinations, I still don't think of myself as much of a bird person. However, I remember one Christmas visit to a pet store about 20 years ago when a giant parrot and I became fast friends. He was sitting on a perch, cage free but I do not recall if he was tethered. Nonetheless, I started prattling away to him and it was like the first time anyone was ever really listening to me. Like I had something incredibly important to say. Did you know that when parrots listen their pupils actively enlarge and dilate? I later read that somewhere when I was trying to understand our bonding behavior. I remember how the parrot followed me around the store with his eyes as we continued our conversation. I simply attributed his strange fascination with me to the red sweater that I was wearing. I have no idea whether he even saw in colors. I was so sad that I could not take him home with me because I know that parrots are incredibly high maintenance. Aside from their seed cracking, seed flinging habits, they can live forever so you need an understanding attorney to draw up your will. They also require an inordinate amount of social interaction to keep them happy and healthy. I actually would be all over that requirement but one perched on my should may pose a problem for me gaining entrée to oh...let's just say my job. Don't think there is a "take your bird to work day" yet. Or maybe there is and I just don't fly in the right circles.

"Originality does not consist in saying what no one has ever said before, but in saying exactly what you think yourself." - James Stephens, Irish poet and novelist (1882-1951)

Purpose is Life

Finding the perfect balance between structure and freedom for those of us who like to color outside the lines can be daunting. I’m always trying to find ways of remaining focused and organized while not settling into too much of a monotonous routine. Building that structure while generating productivity and holding onto life sustaining inspiration and passion. Avoiding ennui. Purpose is life, n’est-ce pas?

If you have been playing along here on my blog, you may have spied upon a certain format. I like to chatter endlessly about art and nature and share a pic or two with you of my recent paintings. Many of them have simultaneously floated through the Quirky Artiste’s World on E-Bay and have found new homes across the United States and around the World. Such an honor for me! Planning and organizing this work occupies my thoughts and structures my days to help make it through the more challenging ones. Yes, it is good to have a pass time that can de-stress instead of distress.

I also like to add a platitude along the way for added interest. In today’s internet world, we are overwhelmed by a plethora of information and are barraged with fun facts. All literally at the tip of our fingers. So, I thought that I would tease through some of them and pull out a few that I thought are of particular interest. An added new segment to the Quirky Artiste’s Blog. Funny though, that the first interesting piece of info featured here comes from the old fashioned way of reading a book. Did you know that there are 121 references to dreams in the Bible? No, I have never actually counted them myself but I am back to reading another one of Sylvia Browne’s books. This one is called The Book of Dreams. Fits in nicely with my previous themes, don’t you think? See you on my next fun filled adventure of interesting facts. 

Dancer Looking 4 Fun Guy!

Over the years I have tried to focus on generating more original artwork. It’s fairly easy to replicate someone else’s ideas. I suppose if you are too talented in that department and can throw together a really good, let’s just say-- vase of irises, they might call it…hmmm…forgery. But some really intriguing art suspense dramas have unraveled around that practice. Both fictional and non fictional. Always safer to be an original:)


I think that genuine creativity, however, is producing something fascinating, provocative, and brand new. The caveat of course is that the results may not be very appealing…to the artist or to anyone else for that matter. Dreaming up new ideas can be really fun if you don’t stress over it but rather “just be in the moment” Just “let it happen”. Very Zen. Working hard while…hardly working. Always trying to find that delicate balance. Reveling in the experience of making art when it actually happens.

A really good place for me to release a free flowing explosion of ideas is in the garden. The fresh air, sunshine, and yeah even the occasional creepy crawly bug release the tension and inspires. Ok, so sometimes I worry about being too “creative.” I am cleaning up the winter debris in the yard and become mesmerized by the fungus growing on an old tree stump. I am certain that I hear maracas and Spanish music playing somewhere and then I see the skirt start to swirl. Next to the tree stump is a bunch of buck eye shells that have fallen. At first, I think that I have found the bodice to the skirt but I decide that the size and thorny things on the shells would make much better hair for my new dancing friend. I know that I have a stash of other things back in my imaginary art studio that will work for her face, arms, and feet. I am however, ruminating on picking out the perfect earrings for her outfit. Funny how art mirrors life. Putting together this dancer was incredibly fun to do even if it is …well, we’ll just call it “unique.” Dancer in search of a Fungi! Get it? LOL.

"A friend is a single soul, dwelling in two bodies." - Aristotle

Puffy Paint

I learned about "Puffy Paint" at my Art Therapy Workshop. The ingredients are an equal portion of shaving cream with Elmers Glue. The mixture can be tinted with tempera paint. This no bake recipe results in a wonderfully messy and textured finger paint. Haven't tried it yet but I got some more strange looks from the cashier when I bought 5 cans of shaving cream and a quart of glue. Hey, I left one can on the shelf in case someone came in next with a shaving emergency. Tee Hee.

Art as Psychotherapy. I'm putting on my professorial uniform to share with you what else I learned. Art therapy as a profession first emerged in the 1940's with psychoanalysts who were also artists. One's art, instead of dreams would be used in psychotherapy sessions. That, probably took longer than the painting of the Sistine Chapel.

Art as Therapy. The Contemporary Art Therapist is trained in both the fields of social science and art. The premise is that the art someone creates reflects the essence of the individual. This heretofore untapped expression can be used by the trained clinician to address therapeutic issues.

Developmental Art. If you ask someone to draw a house or a person, you can use their art as a tool to ascertain their level of cognitive development. This has nothing to do with whether they can "draw". Think about what a typical drawing produced by a 14 year old looks like and compare that with a typical drawing produced by a 4 year old. This approach can be used to enhance developmental skills.

Therapeutic Art is simply the soothing effect obtained by many from indulging in art or craft activities.


April 2011 is Autism Awareness Month. May will be Children's Mental Health Awareness Month. "All children are artists. The problem is remaining as one as an adult."-Picasso

Springeinstein: Genius Rock Star?

I report this event every year and I'm not really sure why. Since it occurs annually...its not so much news...But my daffodils are peeking through. Yay! A much better indicator of spring than Ground Hog's Day. And every year after the daffodils bloom we inevitably get a frost. Very sad.

My rain garden had to be re-designed because it is not doing what it needed to do. It's on a hillside so the engineering is a bit over my head. My planning attempts are "just do something and see what happens." Einstein would be very disappointed with this approach. His brilliance came from an innate ability to imagine what would happen in reality, thereby avoiding my “trial and error approach.” I’m guessing this was a real time saver for him and prevented a few unnecessary faux pas.


I had my spring calendar marked for months in advance to attend a one hour presentation on art therapy. Any formal training in this area is brand new information for me so I was riveted. If you are also interested in this field, you should check out http://www.arttherapy.org. Easy enough address to remember and a professional web site with lots of great links. The free online book titled Artist In-Residence Training was an interesting and easy read.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Yep, believe it or not, Albert Einstein said that.

The Journaling of a Quirky Artiste

Before we had another 7.9 inches of snow and then another .4 inches to top it off, I heard a cardinal singing at dawn. You can always tell it is a cardinal because they sing “purty, purty, purty”. Listen the next time. They know that they are so pretty, that’s why they sing that.

Before the 8.3” of snow dropped in, it was 60 degrees for a couple of days. I went on a leisurely stroll that turned into one of my arts and crafts scavenger hunts. I found these really cute teeny tiny pine cones and then these other really thorny weird looking nut shells. The photo here is of Haitian Folk Art made from seeds. It hangs in my kitchen and though it may fall apart soon, I still love it. I now have an idea about what to do with my stash of miniature pine cones and weird thorny shells.

I decided to get out of the house. I indulged myself by lingering about in my favorite Art Store. Thank goodness I did not buy any more supplies that I did not need. Then I went grocery shopping to stock up on bread and milk before the snowstorm and before the run on the shelves. I bought Gouache Fingerpaint instead. Who knew? I forgot to pick up the milk and bread. Ooops. But now I had something to do during the snowstorm although nothing to go on my cereal.

I played racquetball on Monday and on Tuesday, I bought pretty new ultramarine racquetballs with matching blue grip tape for the racquet handle. I learned that there are more ultramarine color racquetballs sold than any other color. I was still sore on Friday and haven’t played again since.

I tried to break my chocolate habit now that all the Valentine’s candy was gone. Didn’t go so well. Hunted until I found some chocolate in my car. From Christmas? Didn’t matter. It was still sweet.

I turned the soil over in my garden just a little bit to get into the mood. And then it snowed.

White Tree Fine Art

They really shouldn’t play music outside at the gas station where I fill up my car. This week, the temperature was a wind chill of below zero. Brrrr. I watched the guy in a florescent green vest and bright cherry red nose start to do calisthenics in the parking lot to keep warm. He was trying to jump somebody’s dead car battery.


So if heeee can exercise, I figure I can start to tap my toes (just a little bit) to keep warm. Hmmm. It felt good to move and darn if I wasn’t shivering as much now. Taoi Cruz was singing over the loudspeaker “I came to dance, dance, dance.” So I slip into that easy heel, toe, heel, toe move and no one seems to notice it much. For me, the surveillance camera simply becomes an accidental opportunity to make my own dance video. The music continues…“I throw my hands up in the air, saying ay, oh. Baby, let’s go…”


The wind is whipping the snow around and folks are rushing with their morning cup of hot coffee and jump back into their cars before it turns into a frozen mocha. No one is paying me much mind and just as I am about to break into a few grand pliets…I am saved by the sound of the click of the pump. My gas tank is full and my dance routine is over. I am jolted back into reality, give one last glance around, grab my receipt, and quickly slink back into my car (with a dancer's grace of course). As I drive away, my swagger is gone and by now I’m starting to realize that hopefully there was no tape in that camera.



White Tree Fine Art came in third place on Live to Dance. They are incredible and are aptly described as poetry in motion. You have to take a mindful moment to view their video.

Still a Stillerz Fan

Can't really explain how it happened. When did I become a Stillerz Fan? You can't really say that I am only a "fair weather fan" because if you live in Pittsburgh, you know that we are on track for becoming at least the 6th snowiest winter on record. No fair weather here.

The snowman is not in my front yard but rather in my neighbor's. I actually slammed on my brakes (and I need new brakes...don't care much for that grinding sound), threw the car into reverse and backed up. I don't do so well backing up in a straight line. Didn't go toooo far up onto the curb or up on the lawn (I'm hoping). All just so that I could take a few quick pics of this cool (cold?) cute guy. No, I do not mean the wolf who stared (and barked) at me the whole time. He growled and I sweetly meowed back at him. Tee hee. Good thing for invisible fences. Whew! what Stillerz Fans will do for their team!

Here we go...

Fashion Creations for Summer! LOL

You are viewing Another Original by Tamara. This time, the Quirky Artiste has returned with a stunningly unique wearable art design. Inspired by my fascination for organic patterns, this floral fashion flows onto a basic yet elegant midnight black 100% cotton tank top. The size is small, with a 15” side seam.

I used vibrant shades of red, orange, copper, green, and yellow fabric paints to create a shimmering and textured surface. These paints are washable and amazingly durable. No paint brushes could be used but the colors were blended as if I was working on a canvas. The result is an ultra artsy look that is ready for you to wear and show off. Wear this top with your black yoga pants to create a sleek profile or with your fav blue jeans for a more kicky feel. Either way, this tank top comes with a warning label. It is not for the timid to wear, for you are sure to draw the compliments.

The artwork is signed by moi, in my trademark fashion and the signature is integrated into the vines. As always, the design is an original, guaranteed to be one of a kind. Visit My World on E-bay.

Thanks for viewing. I always enjoy sharing my art. It makes my heart soar.
Another Original by Tamara
Functional Art: Decorating the World in Work and Play
Inspired by Nature, Serendipity and a Fascination with Color.
Transcend the Ordinary and Express Your Original Essence.

A Unique Gift for Others

New Beginnings

For the holidays, I bought those “ready to bake”, plop them onto a cookie sheet, and send them into the oven, Christmas shaped sugar cookies. I had a coupon. I was very sad because I could not buy the chocolate chip ones (which I really wanted) because some people in my family do not consider it to be real chocolate unless it costs at least $20 a pound. I, on the other hand, will crave anything that remotely resembles chocolate. I think I remember reading somewhere once, (probably on someone’s blog, the source of much of my “news” these days), that white chocolate is not really chocolate at all. And I also learned that just because you think that you can draw, it does not automatically mean that you should be permitted to decorate cookies. Oh dear. The icing that came in the “kit” was a vibrant shade of red. It made me incredibly nervous because I have never seen such an electric shade, even in my acrylic paints. I think it had to involve cadmium and that is not something that should be in foods.

I also made pumpkin molasses muffins from the summer pumpkins that I grew. Tired of existing on pumpkin soup, I needed something different. It was experiment. I had no idea whether I liked molasses. Still not sure what it really is. Did you know that elephants love it? Read that too …on the label…but still no ingredients listed except…molasses. Some of the stores were actually out of it. Huh? All that did was to spur me on to find some.

Oh, I’m really not as domestic as all this makes me sound. One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to do better in that department. Hard to do with all these paintbrushes always stuck in my ponytail. That resolution is doomed to be quickly broken along with exercising more and eating right. Not happenin’.


New Year’s is always a soulful time of the year for me. End of a year or the beginning of a new one? Never really sure. It is a time for reflection on years gone by but I am filled with hope that the future brings good things. I’m thinking of global world goals along with the little treasures that life brings. Somewhere, a tiny cocoon has been snuggly spun. Its sole challenge is to stay sound and warm through the upcoming frigid winter months, to emerge in its time, and to keep the wonder and awe alive in us all.

Peace to you all in 2011.

Daring to Dream

May was a good month in Pittsburgh if your were into gallery shows. June brought the 3 Rivers Arts Festival which is the largest free showing of its kind in the nation. Well, so they say. I am thinking that I will add to my Wish List "setting up one of those cute little booths some day" at the Arts Festival. Hmmm, I think I shall squeeze that one in before I travel through the thickest and deepest part of the Rain Forest and after I have perused Le Louvre. Ahhh, we dare to dream.

I took some pics at the Arts Festival but forgot the camera card and can't seem to find the software that would enable me to upload them onto the computer. Not sure that the photos would have been all that interesting. 'Cept maybe the ones of the nice policeman on horseback and of the friendly man who was walking those even friendlier yet very huge and now quite cultured dogs. They had artists doing caricatures and if I wouldn't have been too embarrassed to sit there while everyone stared, pointed and commented, I would have had one done. I did get some ideas though for maybe taking another stroll through our Cultural District and trying again to photograph some of its offerings for you.

Sometimes I overwork my paintings with too much detail. Makes for a unique and identifiable style if you enjoy all that jazziness I guess. Some say that a more simpler design is better, especially with watercolors. So, I put all my energy into relaxing (is that an oxymoron?), encouraging more of a free flow approach, and trying out the more pastel (i.e. less BOLD) hues. It was fun and I think I like the results. Of course, its the calming effect of the water, the feeling of the bay side breeze, and watching that prickly sea grass blowing in the wind that is always soooo mesmerizing for me.

Its not so much about painting. Its more about keeping busy.
-Grandma Moses

Thinking About Future Generations

Sometimes I really worry about our planet. Despite the recession from which we are struggling to recover, we still produce and consume a great quantity of goods. And we simply waste and toss aside with little thought, a large quantity of precious resources in the process. Recently, someone remarked "you shouldn't worry about things over which you have no control. If you are going to worry, it should be about something over which you have control."

And so that provocative comment started me to thinking more. I remembered back when the electricity was out for 3 days. Aside from the obvious result of conserving electricity (which while recyclable still has an impact on our environment with its production), my fireplace got a real workout. The house also got cleaned out on my quest to stay warm. Items that would have gone to a nearby landfill instead became part of my garden when I spread their ashes.

And so yes, this got me to thinking. Again. Maybe I do have just a little control here. Or maybe I have just given myself more chores to do that will hopefully keep me out of trouble. But I am trying to recycle those things that heretofore, I normally wouldn't. Like that peanut butter jar. Despite the battle in which we engage every time I try to clean it out before tossing it into the recycling bin. Very messy job. I also dump my coffee grounds, eggshells, and banana peels into an empty coffee can that I can take out to my cannas for a yummy el fresco backyard snack. If you remember, they are big eaters and quite into health foods these days.

This may not seem at all like a monumental achievement but I think that my friendly sanitation engineers and I have a much more simpatico relationship now that they only have to haul away a teeny tiny bag which looks so dainty sitting at the end of my driveway each week. And I'm certain I shall find something else to soon angst about.

Oh and BTW, I am ashamed to say that I stole that cute dragonfly clipped onto my orchid friend. I decided that it would look a lot cuter in my hair. I might give it back...maybe. That's your quirky fashion tip of the day!

Work isn't to make money; you work to justify life. Marc Chagall