Quiltus Completus

Gosh. So I pretty much fell off the face of the earth and I do apologize. I blame it all on the weather.

We had some amazing weather here in the NW as of late and I had to take advantage of it. Lots of hiking, going to the beach, lounging on the deck with a cup of coffee and a sketchbook... Heavenly. I also got a good jump on my container garden and will post pics of it here shortly. But first, while I was absent from the blog, my hands were certainly kept busy...

After starting my first quilt at the end of last summer, I finally *finally* finished it this week. Hoowah.I made the entire thing completely by hand (alas, I have no sewing machine). It was a learning experience and indeed, I learned a lot along the way. The most important? Just digging in and doing it. Also, I think it's important not to over-think/over-plan it. I had to remind myself that quite a few times.But I'm quite thrilled with the result and am already scheming on plans for the next one (whenever that may be).
Cat + quilt = happiness......

Anyway, I'm also knee-deep in rough/quick sketches and plans on a new series of paintings. The over-all theme confronts the need to remain positive and strong even in dark and negative situations. Very relevant to what's going on in this crazy world of ours (and it is crazy, isn't it?) as well as what many of us (including myself) should be doing.

I think the paintings (when I finally get to that stage) will be a smidgen darker and more serious than my work typically is, with plenty of symbolism and allegory.

Well kids, the sun is out and I really should go and have a bite to eat. Take care, everyone!

Sneaky Birds

Today I spent a good portion of my day in the garden (I'm growing my own veggie & fruit garden this year!). The sun was out, the birds were singing, people were mowing their lawns... Yup, it's definitely Spring.

Meanwhile, a few feet away, my neighbor's cat was lazily playing with a not-quite-dead shrew. For like, 15 minutes. He'd toss the shrew, let it run away, grab it again, bat it some more, yawn, let it run some more, etc.

"Are you ever just going to finish the poor thing off?" I said to the cat, who ignored me.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, swooped down a stealthy Steller's Jay, who nabbed the shrew right out from under the cat's nose and flew off with it dangling from her beak.

"Whoa," I said aloud.

Needless to say, the cat was stunned (stunned!). He couldn't believe that someone--a bird, no less--had stolen his shrew. It was quite the insult.

"Serves ya right."

Man, Nature is pretty cool. As a side note, I also had no idea that jays eat rodents--but apparently, they do. Go figure.

I'll come back in the next day or two with a larger, more visual post (promise!). I just had to tell you all what I saw.

Have a great day, everyone! Hope you're doing well!

Shop Update

A date has been settled on for the "Oceanic Explorations" online update! At last, at last. It's a bit last minute, but this coming Monday, April 6th at 2pm PST (5pm EST) the shop will be teeming with my newest paintings for sale from my most recent show. Huzzah! Quite a few in all shapes and sizes.

Like this one...

Or this one...And yup, even this one...
I hope to see you then!