Stella takes a ride.

I have kids of all ages in my neighborhood…And there are dogs of all assortments that go with them. But Stella…now Stella has a mind of her own…and the kids must come along with her. I happened to be drinking a glass of chocolate soy milk, at my kitchen window, when Stella (with her companion Sophia)…went gliding up the street. Stella sits very stoic at the front of the skateboard while Sophia kicks out one leg for speed and then hunkers down…both knees on the board. Stella never looks worried, always facing front as lookout, completely comfortable with her ride. I had to run outside to get them as they went by…Meet the kids and the incomparable Stella…

Fistful of Swoon

Out of Washington DC: Mark Charles Heidinger and Rose Guerin know as “Vandaveer”. This is a spectacular B/W video with a beautifully haunting soundtrack.
The song title: Fistful of Swoon

Monkeys on the pier!

The month of August is designated free movie night at pierside. They bring in a giant blow up screen and project a different movie each Thursday at dark. Tonight’s feature was The Wizard of OZ and there were lots of folks down there enjoying the old classic right along with their kids. I have always hated the monkey scene and tonight was no exception. Those things used to scare the heck outta me. I saw one little girl who reminded me…well…of me.

818 Opening

The 818 opening had a wonderful turnout. I’m very happy to see the younger crowd coming to appreciate the art and the music…and naturally…the FOOD!

I’m embarrassed to say that the day before, I had been playing with my white balance buttons…and well…my memory isn’t what it used to be. I didn’t even notice until I was importing into Lightroom…a tad late.
It took me a while to get anything at all to show you…please forgive the green, dark people…(not a word Jim).

The Artists all came out to say hello. I enjoyed speaking with them all. Jamie Oliff told me his ideas come from the famous old bar in Hollywood, The Dresden. He sits at the bar, orders cranberry juice and sketches all “The Players” on a napkin. Then he goes home, and with only black acrylic paint, he produces what you see. The white is actually the canvas surface! He said he would take me there to shoot anytime. I am definitely going to visit soon and with the proper settings!

Katie Chappell provided the music for the evening, and when she took her break, other friends entertained us. I was sorry not to get their names. Both young women have beautiful, resonating voices…and the young man…well, he actually played the box he was sitting on like a bongo. I was mesmerized by the sound. It reminded me so much of Ireland and the “In the bar and out” musicians. So wonderful to have so many talented people all together.

Jamie had kids all around her in an impromptu art class. Very fun to see Moms scattered around them. We were also joined for the first time by Cynthia Morehouse (flower in hair), who makes the most beautiful Latin-Catholic inspired jewelry and our newest Glass artist, Dominick Camera (Hat). A big welcome to both.

I dedicate this opening to the Homeless Gentleman (whom at the time, I didn’t know was homeless) that accosted me in the Hallway (2 hours prior to the party) over 8 Pacifico beers. I don’t drink, but I imagine they were worth it. And a very special thanks to no less than 7 of Huntington Beach’s finest, who responded within minutes, calming a very shook up woman and taking control after frantic calls from hair salon and pizza parlor witnesses… who saw my husband running down the middle of a very bust street… in hot pursuit after the much larger guy. His back pack was a bit weighted down, what with the frozen steaks, coffee, beer and all. 😉

My special thanks as always to Jamie, Susan and Micheal, who without their help and love…this would not be possible. Emma will do the lead in…with her favorite painting, The Lighthouse, by Tak Ioka.

Number Lore

I have, for the last 5 days, been working on the sales tax for the gallery. Now for those of you that don’t know me, numbers and my brain don’t always coincide. You can ask all the folks at my bank. We’re on a first name basis. Imagine a meteor hitting a small planet at a rather accelerated speed. It’s not that I’ve sold a great deal and there’s a plethora of receipts (not sure what people see in that word). After all…It is art we’re talking here people. But the fact that I’m doing any type of accounting is about the equivalent of me making a pot roast with all the trimmings. It’s quite an unnatural thing.

I feel certain that my accountant ascertained something in me early on that made him come up with an “idiot proof” chart. I’m to fill in “only the little green squares”. I’m to “utilize the drop down menus” and use “only the categories created”. He’s made it “H proof”. It won’t let me type ANYWHERE I’m not supposed to. Ahh, what’s the fun in that? He asked me to send him a small portion of my handiwork to be certain I wasn’t “coloring outside the lines”…screwing up his perfectly executed spread sheet. It even gives me a big red “OK” when I’ve done a good job. Kinda the equivalent of one of those gold stars in elementary school. I sent off my first draft. Sadly…it was for the year 2009 ;(

I did all the requested revisions to round one. I’ve just completed my 4th quarter, sent it off and am eagerly awaiting my grade. It took 6 cups of thick, black, pumpkin spice coffee just to finish. I remember the day when he looked me straight in the eye and asked me if I knew not to keep writing checks if I didn’t have any money in the account. I’m still chuckling over that. I distinctly remember my Father asking my Mother that very same thing! I can say in all honesty, on that one point, I’m pretty clear. I still wish I’d said “That’s when I’m supposed to pull out my credit card, right?…What’s life without messing with the analyticals?

As far as my relationship with numbers goes, I’m not concerned. One of the bank tellers yesterday told me I had wonderful “fashion sense”. The next teller readily agreed and so did the head of business accounts (and he’s a man). So you see…no worries…I already have some form of “sense” down. 😉

Opening Night…

Tonight is MaryBeth Leonard’s opening with 23 works in the main gallery (22 featured here minus one on easel) and 4 in the classroom. Joining her will be Elleni Maureas playing Classical and Jazz flute and bringing up the rear, best kinda “art” I know, food extroidinare…We are happy to welcome a brand new member, our food artist (Yeah!) Jenny Walker. Certainly hope to see all of you there. Well, maybe not ALL of you. I want to sample the food too! Good time guaranteed for all. See you at 7pm… And yes, shoes can be worn with or without socks, but please, no USC fight songs. 😉

Elleni Maureas

While getting ready for the next show, I kept searching for the musical entertainment to coincide perfectly with MaryBeth’s Treescapes. I was lucky enough to find Elleni Maureas (with help from her Mother) just back from New York and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Ms. Elleni Maureas is a living legacy of a family of musicians. Both of her parents are accomplished professional musicians in Southern California and she was raised in an environment of constant musical stimulation and support. She began her studies in music on the flute at age 9 and later went on to study privately.

Elleni graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnomusicology. In addition to an extensive background in classical music, she has studied and played music from the Near East, Brazil, and the Balkans, as well as jazz. She is also a graduate of New York University, attaining her Master’s in Jazz Studies (performance).

On January 10th, Elleni will be performing solo classical and Brazilian Bossa Nova (the later I had to familiarize and listen up on).
Oh My…You lucky devils will all be pleased 😉

Gathering at the Tombstones

Photography by Photo444

Haunting Mariachi

Photography by Photo444

Ghastly Mariachi Trumpet

Photography by Photo444