Happy New Year!

Dexter on Christmas Day

(The "stadium" he's referring to at the end of the video was his term for a manger for our tiny nativity scene. We don't have a "stadium" for them.)

Hope you all had great holidays! The snow was fun, until it wasn't any more, but I used the enforced time at home to add some much needed color to the house. My first project has been a half bathroom off our dining room. This is not where I would have put a bathroom, but a previous owner made it (somewhat sloppily) out of a former pantry.

I had started redecorating it a couple of months ago when I covered the ugly plastic coated floor with a collage made from magazine pages. I later glazed the floor with a burnt sienna wash and sealed it. I used some leftover green paint for the walls, but it didn't look so hot. The floor looked like the worst of the 70's and didn't go with the walls.

While in Mexico, at artist Eve de Bona's home, I had looked at a book called,
Maya Color. When we got back I ordered a used copy of the book, which came promptly. The pictures were so inspiring. I used one of the photographs for inspiration and in one day transformed the small room into a bit of Mexico.

Previous Work on Bathroom (Before)

Here's our newly Mexican-ized "powder room." (After)

Guadalupe

I removed the old picture from a vintage garage-sale frame, and printed this one out from the internet. This is, of course, the Virgin of Guadalupe, beloved in Mexico and New Mexico, and one of my favorites.

Wall left of sink

The mirror above was already in the room. I added framed copies of a collage and a photograph I took in Mexico. The shrine on the mirror (which I later put on the counter, instead) was one my daughter made of Dexter and gave me for Mother's Day one year. Dot helped me choose the colors for the bathroom the night before I transformed it. The first layer was a yellow-gold and the second a ragged wash of reddish-brown.

Wall right of sink

At this point in composing, I'm asking myself if this is totally boring to others. If it is, feel free to stop reading without guilt! I am inordinately excited by my bathroom creation--as much as if I'd painted a picture. I hope to paint on canvas or wood again one day soon, but it all comes from the same place! For those who decide to keep reading, I'll add that part of the challenge and fun of this project was in using only items I already had in the house. I dug out the wooden cross, which I had bought years ago at a studio sale of Mar Goman's. It was a perfect size and color for the room and it says "Spiritus Novus" which is in keeping with how I'm feeling this New Year. The picture of the apples in the center is actually covering the wall fan.

My great-grandmother's painting near the door. I've sent for a tin switch plate and then all will be finished, this time around.

Starting next week, I'll be showing work at Twin Paradox cafe for January. Hope you'll stop by and have some of their delicious treats, such as yummy home-made soups and heavenly desserts. I'll be showing some small hand-embellished reproductions ( very affordable) as well as original work.

Further exciting news for me this year: I've expanded my teaching venues. In addition to classes at The Art of Your Life Studio, I'll be teaching at Art and Soul Retreats in Hampton, Virginia and Portland, Oregon. I'll also teach classes at the Village Gallery of Arts and at Paperdoll, both in Portland. Scheduling is in process for both the Village Gallery and Paperdoll. I'll update the schedule on my website as it develops. I just learned about an amazing site that connects students with just the classes they are looking for. It's called TeachStreet and I've put all my classes on it. Each teacher listed can include many photos of their work and their student's work. Check it out! Thanks to Shelly of Village Gallery of Arts for telling me about this site!

Here's my next class, which has one opening!

The Forgiving Medium

No, I’m not talking about a compassionate clairvoyant, but a fun and supportive acrylic workshop for beginners or those who want to try new methods! We’ll cover many ways to use acrylics and mediums. Bring your enthusiasm and leave with two or more paintings!

January 11, 2009: 11-5 PM

Tuition: 90. (Supplies included)

The Art of Your Life Studio

1210 SE Oak St. Portland

Register online at my site

One of my goals for this year is More Color! What some of yours?

Viva Oaxaca!

Paper flags near the zocalo

We returned from Oaxaca Thursday evening, and it is now Sunday afternoon. I am just now beginning to unpack and wash clothes and to write this entry. I've noticed my reluctance to do both these things. The chore of unpacking I can understand, but I have been surprised how I put off this blog report of the trip. I finally realized it is because both activities mean that the trip is really over. I've enjoyed lounging around in our cozy house, watching the snow, while wrapped in a Mexican shawl and a pleasant, jet-lagged, dreamy mist. It feels like I could walk into the next room and be back in the sun filled gardens of the Casa Colonial. It's a treat to have the time to ponder insights I've gained, new friends I've met, and let the experience settle.
Now I am looking forward to sharing some of the trip with you!


As mentioned in my previous post, we endured delays in getting to Oaxaca. Here's a journal entry showing how I felt the night we slept at the Houston Airport.

No stars hotel

Finally, two days late, we arrived. We pulled up to this door, set into an old building on a side street of Oaxaca city. I had a moment of panic, having thought we would be more in the country.

The famous purple door

Once inside the door, this is what we saw!

Entryway and patio

We joined the Casa Colonial owner, Jane, and the rest of the writing group for margaritas and getting acquainted. From then on, the trip was fantastic.

While Dot and the others were in their morning writing class, I got to sleep in or sit in a hammock, journaling or reading, or doing nothing.

One section of the beautiful gardens

I'd never seen grapefruit this size!


Ariel's daughter, Maia, suns herself in the courtyard

In the afternoons we'd walk around the city.

Cathedral

Santo Domingo


Interior of Santo Domingo

This church (above) is an amazing example of Mexican Baroque design. Dot isn't crazy about churches, but Maria and I were determined to see this one, both of us being enamored of Catholic iconography. Several of us managed a quick visit to this compelling site.

Max eyes the musicians

I now have to confess that on the flight over, I fell in love. The object of my affection is 16 month old Maximilian, son of Ariel and Maria. He in turn, fell in love with musicians at the zocalo, or main plaza where todo el mundo hang out.

Max and the musicians

Lots of excitement went on the whole time we were in Oaxaca. First, there was the celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe, which was in full swing when we arrived. Later there was the special day for The Virgin of Soledad (loneliness) who is the incarnation of Mary for Oaxaca. We heard fireworks and music late into the night. The zocalo was decorated for Christmas and was full of locals and tourists just enjoying being alive.

The zocalo at night

Even though I was the only one of our group not attending the writing workshop, the others were very friendly to me. I got to hang out with such strong, interesting, and lively young women. Shell had her two girls with her, one who is 15 and one who is four. They were delightful also.

One day we took a trip to Monte Alban, outside of Oaxaca city. This is the site of a Zapotec settlement, many thousands of years old. We were lucky that our trip was arranged so that we could be there early when it was not too hot yet, and when hardly anyone was there aside from our group. The view and the ruins are magical.

Part of Monte Alban

Here I am at Monte Alban, holding my journal and wearing the rebozo my grandmother bought in Mexico in 1953.

Gabby (from The Bronx, NYC) and Colleen (from Portland)

Closeup of ancient carving

The writing group meets at Monte Alban. Dot presents her writing.

Ariel inspires the group with a new assignment

Another view of Monte Alban

A favorite of all of us was the mercado near the zocalo. It's kind of a one stop shopping center, but far more exciting to us gringas than Freddy's is.

A typical food shop at the Market

Working in my journal was challenging. I had only a cheap kid's paint set and crayons to work on, in addition to any collage materials I could come by. No art supply stores in Oaxaca City! Still, limits can yield inspiration, so I plunged ahead.

Pages done at Monte Alban


Documentation of my new purse, made of leather and handspun, dyed, and woven wool

On the right I copied a small painting that is on a wall at the Casa Colonial, showing Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Soledad, and Frida Kaho.

Collage pages in my journal. These are made from newspapers and advertisements I picked up on the trip. In the middle right is a postcard of La Virgen de Soledad.

Ariel's mother, Eve de Bona, lives in Oaxaca. She arranged a trip for us to a village outside the city where the Navarro family live and work. This talented family produces backstrap weavings, and other fine crafts. Painter Gerardo Navarro's work is strong and affecting.

Dona Sirena by Gerardo Navarro

Mi Lupita by Gerardo Navarro

Eve arranged another wonderful outing for us. We went to her house for comida, the main meal of the Mexican day, usually held at 2 PM. Her friend, Sol, prepared the meal which was one of the most delicious I've ever had. I could live forever on the soup that comprised our first course! Eve created an elegant table for this wonderful meal. Eve's home is beautiful and filled with light and art. I felt that I could have stayed there forever!

Kait, Angela, and Gabby in background, with Maria and Max in forground

Eve is a very talented painter. It was a thrill to see her work and her studio!

Eve's anatomy advisor reposes in the studio

Eve, right with Noel, a workshop participant who lives in Oaxaca

One of Eve's sketches


A work in progress, depicting Eve's late husband, John


Eve's rooftop view

Oaxaca is a great place to find visual gems. I took a lot of pictures and could have taken many more. This festive place has done a lot to renew my inspiration.

I took this photo by accident, but I love it!

Oaxaca even offers Chinese food

Just a typical street view!

Krytsee, from Portland, at the zocalo. She's wearing one of the rebozos we bought there.

Another inspiration seen on the street

Some large puppets seen in the street. They were at least eight feet tall.

I went to an antique shop where there were many wonderful things. Most were very expensive but I did score this book for collage. It is an old copy of a diary by writer Amado Nervi. As it is coverless and falling apart, I won't feel bad about using the pages for art work.

My antique store find.

It was very hard to leave Oaxaca, especially as we'd missed a couple of days while stranded in Houston. Still, it was a wonderful vacation for me and filled me with new inspiration and energy. One of the ongoing struggles for artists is to stay inspired and fill ourselves with new experiences. I knew I'd gotten "overdrawn" on my inspiration account and this trip did all that I had hoped to fill up that account and give me time to relax.

Yesterday my friend and former student, Mary Stilwell, came by for a visit. She now lives in Nebraska and is here for vacation and to see family. We agreed to "nag" and support each other in finding and making time for our art and to slow down!

I've done another thing I said I'd never do. I got a small fake tree. But it's a fiber optic tree and its small blinking lights look great with the tin ornaments I got in Mexico.

My gloriously fake tree

Close up of bird on top of tree

Thanks to Dot for taking me with you, to Ariel and Maria for new friendships, to the workshop participants for your sharing the fun with me, to the staff at the Casa Colonial for a perfect stay, and to Eve for your hospitality and inspiration!

Wish You Were Here!

Veranda at Casa Colonial

Just a brief note from Oaxaca--it's heavenly here! As Portland freezes, we are basking in warm sunny days and perfect nights. Alas, this must come to an end as we return to the States tomorrow.

We were supposed to arrive here last Wednesday but were stranded in the Houston airport where we slept, if you can call it that, Wed. night. They promised us a flight the next morning, but reneged. We spent Thursday and Thursday night in a Travelodge in Houston. Not exactly what we had in mind. At least Dot knew she wasn't missing the workshop itself, as Ariel Gore and her family were on the same flight and stranded also.

Once we got here, all inconvenience was forgotten--it is heaven. There is so much more to see and do here. Hope to return someday!

More later...

Our bathroom