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

Rennaisance 2012

I took a whirl through Phipps Conservatory over the holidays and thought you might like to join me in a brief pictorial tour. The Rain Forest was still on display, juxtaposed against pointsettas and sparkly Christmas Trees.

Rain Forest Art



Walk with me & tour the Rain Forest

It's kinda an end of the year tradition for me. I like to go through drawers, closets, and filing cabinets... cleaning, organizing, and tossing out items. It's a good feeling for me and sometimes I even make really good discoveries. Usually about long forgotten treasures that were stowed away in a forgotten place.I guess it sets the right frame of mind for me in order to usher in new beginnings. A time to take inventory perhaps, just like the stores do. Assess what you wish to hold onto in the hopes that it prospers or maybe you wish to discard something because it is taking up precious space or no longer holds any promise.

I also do that resolution thing I guess. But this time with a twist...They are a blend of the serious, quirky, and wistful. 

Holidays at Phipps Conservatory



1. Find and interview a garden nymph about their experiences as a tiny creature living in nature. Will make a great blog post.
2. Capture and bottle the essence of laughter, bliss, friendship, and love.
3. Fall into the income bracket when I have to pay the IRS taxes on my Art sales.
4. Particpate in "Affair in the Park"  or maybe in "Art All Night" (both local art festivals).
5. Be kind and soothe the aching soul.
6. Paint a symphony.
7. Nourish the spirit.
8. Move into my new imaginary third floor loft art studio.
9. Go green greener.
10. Of course, no list would be complete without achieving World Peace or finding a cure for cancer.

Bloomin' Christmas

Beary Merry New Year!!!

Dale Chilully

Going Green for Christmas

During the hot summer months, when I am masterminding my pruning plan attack, my strategy must include finding a concealed spot of evergreens to secure my Christmas cache. Always hard to imagine (though I have finally caught on after experiencing many years of season changes) that yes – 90 degree weather eventually yields to sub freezing temperatures. So, my stash must be somewhere that I can get to easily should we have two feet of snow - but not so evident that should I not get to it, another year’s growth will not matter.

You have to understand that someone had outlined my entire backyard with evergreen trees. Planted about ten feet apart…if they all were allowed to grow freely, you would not be able to find the house, let alone any other living creature.

Sadly, one by one, I had to cut many of them down before I was swallowed up into the enchanted forest. But then I discovered something I thought was amazing and which I wish I knew before so many of my green friends became mulch. If they were simply “topped,” their growth was stunted and their underbrush filled in, becoming thick and lush. Great boughs of fur (ha ha Jerry Lee Lewis) for my floral arrangements.

I’ve been thinking about this whole “going green” phenomenon. Gram, was doing it way before it was fashionable. The Great Depression and the paucity of resources had that effect on many folks. For me, in grade school, it was called the ecology movement. I remember bringing in the empty carton of 8 pack glass coca-cola bottles in exchange for a baby pine tree to plant. Hmmmm. And you wonder where all those evergreen trees came from?

Today, going green has a way more mandatory ring to it. Our consumption of resources continues to grow and our output of disposable, non biodegradable products has exponentially grown. I worry about running out of space and not just in my filing cabinet drawers or wardrobe closet. So, I do my small part by making holiday decorations from my backyard rather than polyurethanervinylchlorateresin…Artists today chicly call these items “found treasure objects” and this inventory fits nicely into the starving artist’s budget.

“Necessity is the mother of invention.”-Ben Franklin. Artists have always known this for a very long time.

I Came to Fly

"I came to fly." That's a line out of song by Rhianna I think. It is a cool sentiment.

I recently read an article that said that those who logged in at least 10,000 hours of piano practice by the age of 20 years were judged to be amongst the most skilled musicians. Whew! That is a lot of serious practicing. Like 2 to 3 hours a day by my calculations. Those who had a mere 8,000 hours of practice were viewed to be of moderate proficiency and those who managed to get in only 5,000 hours were amongst the least skilled.

Now I have to admit that I was probably drawing chalk pictures on the sidewalk or pushing my cat around in my baby doll stroller during my piano lesson era. My goal (well really it was my piano teacher's goal) was to practice at least 1/2 hour a day. Even if I hit that mark (and I am pretty sure that I didn't) I'm looking at a mere 1,872 hours of practice.

The research article did strike a chord in me however (LOL). I continue to hammer (Tee Hee) away some 30 years later on a few of the same compositions... still desperately trying to improve upon my playing. I think that with only a few more thousand hours of practice and finger exercises... who knows...I hope that perhaps practice might just someday make perfect.

I remember reading the following quote somewhere, a long time ago that went something like this..."I could've read every book in the library but the seats in there were too hard." There are a lot of factors beyond our control but everyday we all have decisions to make on how to use each precious second of our days. The challenge is to figure out what we can do with them and to persevere when the chairs are too hard.

Did You Know?

To get a weather report when you are out in the garden...check the Morning Glories. Their trumpet shaped flowers close before a rainfall.

There are more than one hundred natural elements on the periodic table but chlorine is one of the few to have an odor.

Soaring

Eagles can fly above low lying clouds to avoid the bad weather below.

For most of Western culinary history, basil has been viewed with some suspicion, particularly because of its belief that is leaves spontaneously breed scorpions.

Brontophobia is the fear of thunderstorms.

The grass is always greener on the other side:  Look at the blades at your feet and from this sharp angle you see mostly tips. From a distance, you see full blades from the side.

A seagull is not a specific species of bird, but one of many types of gulls that lives near the sea.

So....did you know all of that? Happy Turkey Day from the Quirky Artiste!

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

Annual View From a Park Bench

There is something inexplicably delightful about a lovely park bench posing in a strategic location. It may be the feeling of the sun’s mid-day rays or maybe the view of the bumblebees buzzing in and out and around and about (are you dizzy yet?) of the gorgeous garden flowers that is so enchanting. Regardless, if you allow yourself to become one with the nature around, you can be momentarily lost in a world of solace and calm.

So…you can imagine that I am always in search of that “perfect” park bench on which to recline. I guess its another holy grail I suppose. It was at the end of this summer that I discovered another such coveted experience. I slipped away at every chance and especially when one of those elusive “summer like” fall days crossed my path.

These little watercolor paintings are the results. I also found this quote etched into another favorite park bench spot. “Too short a time to be there but a long time to be gone.” At first, I did not understand it, but then a second later the realization dawned and now I absolutely adore its sentiments. I hope you have a favorite park bench and a favorite quote that you could carve into it. Escape along with me in its prose. One Love and Peace from the Quirky Artiste.

"Every day one should at least hear one little song, read one good poem, see one fine painting and - if at all possible - speak a few sensible words." - Johann Wolfang von Goethe

Sand Stand

 Name of my ocean front boutique or new I-phone accessory? Periodically, I think about how nice it might be to live all year long along the Outer Banks. Specifically, North Carolina. And more specifically Ocracoke Island.

I can still feel the salty sea air and the balmy breeze during the ferry rides to and fro from this remote island. The coveted spot on the vessel for me was always to perch on the helm to catch the wind and ocean spray as the ship lurched and crashed through the waves. And you know, it always reminds me of that very famous scene from the Titanic when Kate and Leo are perched on the figurehead, gazing into the ocean.

But back to the Ocracoke Ferry where seagulls could always be found waiting dockside because their eagle eye would spot that huge bag of cheese popcorn, tucked securely under someone’s arm. Such fun to toss up handfuls and watch the acrobatic results. I loved the sound of their squawking appreciative delights. Such chatterboxes.


And then there is the ample supply of sand for building endless rows of sandcastles. I wonder what one could do these days with their cell phone at the beach, and then it came to me. I bet your I-phone would set snuggly into one of the (castle towers) for extra strong reception. LOL.

I often think about packing up my paints and opening up a little boutique down there. I could walk for miles during the day along deserted beaches and gathering seashells. And then long into the evening, sit on the beach, fashioning them into ankle bracelets as the moonlight reflected off of the pounding surf. Ahhhhh.

And of course, I would be willing to share the island with the wild ponies, hiding in the swaying sea oats. I hope that they would not mind if maybe I even tried to sketch a few of them. Though, not so good at drawing horses. But practice makes perfect. Then, every summer without fail, it seems around the time that we get to the hurricanes that start with the letter “I”, I re-evaluate my re-location plans and unpack my portfolio.

Another season has passed but the warm pleasant memories of seaside frolicking shall not. One love and peace from the Quirky Artiste.

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."
--Steve Jobs, Stanford commencement speech, June 2005

Dreaming

Close Your Eyes...

 



If a dream is realistic, it's not really a dream. It's a to-do. - Kim and Jason Kotecki



Go ahead. Don't be afraid. Dream. What do you see? I see a brilliant blue sky with puffy marshmallow clouds and I start to float away. Weightless (no worry about those chunky chocolate cookies I just ate. Or that I experimented and tried dipping them in Hershey's chocolate syrup too. Yum).

OK. Forget about the chocolate chip cookies. Try again to focus. Take a deep breath and clear your mind. Feel your muscles begin to unwind and untie those knots. The tension is ebbing. Wait for it. Calgon will take you away.

Now I see a warm, sunny bayou. It is soooo relaxing and calm. Your heart rate is slow, strong, and even. What do you hear? At first I hear silence. Aaahh. Then I hear the wings of a tiny hummingbird. Ohhh but I do not see him. Does not mean that he is not with me? You are full of nature's joy, relaxed, peaceful, and filled with bliss. No worries. No annoying aches. Samahdi.

Time's up. Say your prayers and you can come back down to earth now. Deep sigh. Time to go to work. But don't worry, we can do this together again tomorrow. The best things in life really are free. Sometimes we just don't take a mindful moment to read the price tag. One Love and Peace.

Aloha

Hawaii has always seemed like a dreamy place. Did you know that the Hawaiian alphabet was written by 19th century missionaries? It has 5 vowels but only 7 consonants. Hawaii consists of 8 main islands and it is the most isolated population center on the face of the earth.

I'm thinking that maybe I'll relocate there instead of Costa Rica. Island flowers and colors are used to represent each of the islands. I would have lots of inspirations to choose from for my watercolor greeting cards. The flower for the big island of Hawaii is Lehua Ohia and the island's color is red. It is the only state that grows coffee. Hmmm. I wonder if there is a Starbucks there? Hawaii has its own time zone and, yep you guessed it- it is called - Hawaiin Standard Time and there is no daylight savings time there. I never really understood daylight savings time, so that's another good reason to move to Hawaii.

The highest recorded temperature is 96'F and the lowest is 56'F. The average daytime temperature in January is 72'F. Are you packing your bags yet? There are no racial or ethnic majorities in Hawaii. Everyone is a minority. Legend says that the island of Nihau is the original home to the goddess Pele. I think she shall make a good neighbor for me. The island Nihau has a population of 230. Well, of course when I arrive it will be 231. But if you are counting Princess Pele, make that 232. We will all have to squeeze into a spacious 69 square miles of island.

For something to do when you are not picking sea shells and stringing a necklace out of them, you can visit the Wai Golf Course- it is Hawaii's first municipal course. The Island of Kalaaupapa was once a leper colony administered by Father Damien. Hawaii is home to Kilauea Volcano - the world's most active. OK, so maybe there's that one small drawback about living in the middle of the ocean on a huge rock of lava. But Mauna Kea Island is the worldwide leader in harvesting macadamia nuts and orchids. What more could you need? Aloha! Oh yeah, of course you can come visit me.

"A man who works with his hands is a laborer, a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman, but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist." - Louis Nizer, American lawyer (1902-1994).

That Time of the Year



While his eyes saw the sky, his soul saw Heaven. - K. Smith

I have never really been a fan of football. However, there is something about this time of the year for me that conjures up vivid recollections of the start of a new school year and of high school football games. I am sorry to see the end of summer but I do enjoy the traditions that go along with the changes of the seasons and in the weather. Well, at least it means a change in the wardrobe.

I guess my memories all start from when as youngster, I would accompany my father to the Friday night events. I would diligently plan ahead to insure that I had an ample supply of confetti.  Mostly it was just torn up pieces of newspaper that I would shred during the week with my friends. If I was really lucky I could get my hands on the fancy kind from the keypunch machines. I never really watched the game much. But I could be found jumping up, shouting, wildly waving my arms around, throwing up handfuls of confetti, and cheering while I was secretly waiting for the halftime show. I knew some of the music the marching band played because it was the same stuff every week and I loved watching the majorettes. Oh, I never ever was one myself-despite spending hours whirling and twirling about and being the proud owner of several batons during my carefree childhood dancing days.

My own high school days are decades behind me now but the warm days and cool nights remind me of high school football games as if they were yesterday. The beginning of a school year brought the anticipation of new and exciting adventures. I guess that's what it was. Not really sure. I remember decorating the floats for Homecoming, painting signs for the games, and selling boosters to pay for those saddle shoes and bobby socks.  Now, I listen to the high school band practicing in the evening from the rocker on my front porch, blanket on my lap.  Through the evening haze I can see the glare off in the distance of the powerful stadium lights and I feel myself drift away. My head starts to dip. I  can hardly keep my eyes open and I wonder how I was ever able to stay up so late.  Gotta go. It's way past my bedtime now.



Few things leave me as speechless as does the elegant lipstick red canna.

The greeting is now faded by my garden rock under the favorite Japanese Maple still says "Welcome to Tamara's Garden."

The Nicotina Plant. Though a wildflower, I read once that they grow at Giverny. That of course, has made it an heirloom flower as treasured as a jewel for me. And the deer do not like them. Miracle of miracles.



Monet and Paper Doll Inspirations

Admittedly, I enjoy the airy soothing colors that Monet employed in his palette. His  paintings always seem to make me feel better.  But I am not certain that I would call him my favorite artist. Most think that he is my favorite and rather than running through my long list of favorites) along with the explanations for my choices, I politely smile and agree that Claude is my mentor. The essence of each of these distinctive artist becomes their Art. I admire Frieda Kahlo for her fighting spirit and love of animals; Van Gogh for his brooding soul; Degas for his fascination with ballerinas; Pissaro for his use of color and movement; Rubens for his intricate 3 dimensional detail work; Cassat for her study of children and for being from Pittsburgh; Chagall for his philosophizing; Grandma Moses for being a late bloomer; Edvard Munch for the audio portion of his talent (i.e. the scream I can hear); Salvadore Dali for his wild imagination, and the list goes on and on.

It's not surprising however, that Monet's  style seems to have influenced my own, whether consciously or not. Ok, so when I try to paint the beautiful gardens of Giverny or the relaxing ponds of floating water lilies, maybe not so unconsciously.  They say to paint what you love but I also paint what I feel works and flows easily for me. That of course, tends to be flowers and water and landscapes. Truth be told, I'd rather be doing fashion figure designs. Do you remember paper dolls, a.k.a. "cut-outs?" Do you think they even make them anymore for children? I tried to google them to see if they did. LOL  I remember spending hours with my crayons and colored pencils, pretending I was a fashion designer and creating clothes for their wardrobe. Hmmm.  Now I wonder where I last left those crayons and pencils?

Bridge on the River Luangwa

Hawaii comes to my mind when I think about exotic flowers. Rain forests also come to mind but I usually think of Costa Rica with them. Costa Rica's name means "rich coast" because it has so many types of animals, plants, and other critters all in one place. More than any other spot around the world.

Here, in my rain garden, we get about 36.68 inches a year. To qualify as a rain forest, you need a lot more rainfall than that. Most rain forests are found in South America and around the equator. But places you do not typically think of as tropical, also have rain forests. They are are found in West Africa and in the U.S. The largest temperate ones are found on the Pacific coast of North America. They stretch from Oregon to Alaska for a mere 1,200 miles.

The forests of Mount Waiʻaleʻale in Hawaii are one of the wettest spots around, getting a whopping 460 inches of rain a year. Did you know it easily gets 90 inches during the month of May? With all that water around, I bet the plein air painters never run out of waterscape scenes to paint. This is a watercolor painting of the Luangwa River in Africa. I took a little canoe ride in my imagination. I hope you can feel the mugginess as you travel down the river, during the rainy season. The hot burning sun is reflected off of the mysterious swampy waters below. An observer described this painting as interesting and I would agree as it not my usual style of painting. Although I am not certain that "interesting" was not a euphemism for something else. The trees were done with many washes of dark colors to capture the impenetrable darkness of the dense rain forest foliage. I hope you enjoy the journey!

   Some people have a bucket list or their 3 wishes already drawn up and ready to go...just in case that genie shows up. Me, I have a pocket full of magical Pixie Dust. Oh, it's not really mine. It was given to me on loan by Zephora the Fairy. She is my tiny, sparkly, diaphanous friend. Yeah, I know what you are thinking. Where did I ever find a friend whose name starts with a Z? Her hair is a long swirl of blushing pink, her skin a translucent mystical pale blue and her gown a venerable rainbow of colors that I'm pretty sure is Vera Wang. A shimmering blend of lamé with a touch of spandex to show off her petite physique. She lives in the mist of the most beautiful and colorful place. This is an acrylic painting of her home. Don't confuse Zephora with a gnome whom also lives in nature. Did you know that gnomes have an uncanny ability to stand perfectly still giving them the appearance of not being real? Tee Hee. Someday, when I am not so busy, I shall pay Zephora another visit. In the meantime, I am dreaming about what to do with my pocket full of pixie dust. Smile.


"You become what you love." - Catherine of Siena

Send Me Away With A Love Song...Art is meant to be evocative.

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)

Wildflower Project: Part II

You would think that I got enough yard work at home. But even out and about I am in the meadows picking a wildflower bouquet. Timely bouquet. Everyone should have a good father to look up to...no matter how tall you are or where he is. Happy Father's Day.

The Wildflower Project

Have you ever driven along the highway and noticed all of the wildflowers? Have you ever wished that you could have that same selection and plant some of them in your own garden? One early dewy spring morning I was fascinated by these fluffy little grasses that were growing along the side of the road. Maybe it was just the way the sunlight was catching them but I do not think that I have ever seen them before. I was really wishing that I could have them in my yard and almost ran my car off the road. I easily drift off into my own world and am not so good a driver to begin with. Did you know that while she was in the whitehouse, Ladybird Johnson's Project was the Wildflower Highway Beautification Project. Guess that's why they call it seed money.

"For happiness one needs security, but joy can spring like a flower even from the cliffs of despair." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh, American writer (1906-2001).

The Art of Giving

Hope you enjoyed the long holiday weekend. An anonymous kind soul put a flag in the yard of every house, lining our entire street with red, white, and blue. Very impressive and quite moving. Did you know that on May 30, 1958, unidentified American service members killed in World War II and the Korean War were interred in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery?

If you've seen one of my Memorial Day Bouquets, you've seen them all. So, I did not take any photos of them for you this year. Truth be told, I was running behind schedule and did not have the time to find the camera. Rushing around and working under pressure resulted in three floral sprays with their own unique personalities. With all of the rain that we have had so far, I had lots of flowers and foliage to choose from out of the yard. Both the peonies and the rhododendron were simultaneously and still in full bloom. That is not usually the case this time of the year and I have lots of pruning and work ahead of me. We experienced near record breaking 90 degree weather this week. Good thing I stocked up on popsicles and ice cream.

Once again, May seemed to be the kick-off month for art exhibits. It started with the annual "Art All Night" production and ended with the beautiful opening of a show titled "The Art of Giving." Very talented artists who are hearing impaired gifted their art to line the walls of a nursing home. The works have become part of a fixed exhibit for the residents. I think it is now my favorite collection.

"The most exciting happiness is the happiness generated by forces beyond your control." - Ogden Nash (1902-1971).

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