DATE: 04/21/2008 07:20:00 / MOOD: full of life

Through eMails, another member and I began discussing animal portraits and he mentiion how difficult it must be to capture the personality of an animal and how it must be more difficult than people.

Interesting:  Several years ago, I was thrilled to get the commission for a dalmation dog that had died and the owner wanted her pet immortalized.   When I gathered my materials and sat down to actually do the work, it came to me that if each spot was not right in shape, size and position, she would not recognize her pet.  I did the work and she was thrilled but I never care to paint another portrait of a spotted animal.

Then, I took on the task of 18 Tulsa Zoo portraits.  One was the newest edition to the giraffe family - a 6 week little girl who was  everyone's pride and joy.  The same rules apply with these spots - like a puzzle.  Whew!

me

View Entry

DATE: 04/17/2008 11:36:06 / MOOD: full of life

It was a lazy kinda afternoon when I finished the commission for a local veterinarian.  She had asked for a logo to use on her sign down at the road and to put on her stationery.  I thought I could catch her before she went home for the day and being the end of the day, she would have time for me.  I called and was told to "come on over".

When I got there, the receptionist informed me that the doctor was busy with a last minute emergency so I took a seat in the waiting area.  It wasn't long before the doc emerged from an exam room with an elderly couple and their big old bear of a dog.

While everyone was busy with check out papers and paying the bill, this burnt sienna fella came over to check me out.  I did the baby talk that dogs like so well and he turned his back side for me to scratch.  Seems we were hitting it off famously.

I could tell in the tone of voices that the couple was ready to leave so I stook up to be noticed.  When I stood, everyone turned to look just as my new friend hiked his leg and peed down the front of my jeans.

View Entry

DATE: 03/21/2008 09:22:13 / MOOD: full of life

After spending way too much time on Scuttlebutt, I forced myself to dress, gather my daily cup of coffee and nuke dinner left overs for breakfast.  First thing to tackle is a new shipment of foam core that needs to be cut to back prints.

Question: How do you get a 32 x 40 case of Bainbridge foam core out of a packing case of the same dimensions?  I am 4' 10" and weigh 110 pounds (give or take 20 pounds).  This is a prat fall - slapstick in the making.  I lift the case and turn it upside down.  Gravity should help, right?  Wrong!  I shake it and slap the bottom side which is now the top - nothing!

Okay   There is more an one way to skin the proverbial feline.  Lay it down and pull the case out.  Good idea if I could get a hold.  A-hah!  Cut the tape holding the flap and use it.  Great, it's not a flap; the case has a lid rather than flaps at either end.  Okay, I'll play.  I cut the end of the box top to create a flap.  This will do it.  Apparently, only if I work out at a gym on a regular basis.  Hhhhhhhha!  Now I am attempting to hold the packing case with my bare feet while pulling on the flap of the inner box.  Can't get a good foot hold.

Back to the drawing board.  Think, think, think.  If I remove a few of the boards from the inner case, maybe I can get a better hold with my lower digits.  The first board is always the hardest to "un wedge".  It finally comes out with a flourish and I am on my back, contemplating the ceiling with a board of foam core covering me.  BRING  THE  CAMERA

My heels are pressed against the packing case sides and I manage to pull the box 6 inches out when I realize my present dilemma:  the tall and short of it is, there is no room to bring the box out any further when I am already in a position that could be the envy of every 12 year old gymnast in the known world.  Without the leverage of my feet against the case, I am, again at a stand still.  Where did I hide the M&M's?

Side note (lest you think me more a dunce than I am):  I don't want to cut the boxes open as I need them to pack art from my studio for the relocation.

Scarf down coffee as I stare at the box waiting for it to talk to me.  It could happen.

If I remove enough foam core, the box will become light enough that I could wriggle it out of the packing case.  In theory, this is feasible; in actuality - I'm about to find out.

A moment of prayer to ask for longer arms and to contemplate how in the ____ my supplier got this box into a shipping case of the same dimension.  Walking from one side to the other and wriggling a fraction of an inch at a time, I gain ground.

Picture this:  me, with back to wall for stability, one foot pushing on this huge packing case while pulling on the inner box at arms length.  VICTORY!   finally.

By the way, I had to remove every single piece of foam core to achieve the end result.  Tip:  If ever you find yourself in this situation, do not lay the foam core on top of the packing case while trying to remove the inner box.  

me

View Entry

DATE: 02/21/2008 08:33:03 / MOOD: full of life

Just received a very interesting forward from a friend about women's safety.  This is particularly for women artists who travel and for any woman in this time or men who know women .  It is a little long to type in here but I am happy to send it to you if you will send me your eMail.     me

View Entry

DATE: 02/11/2008 08:10:37 / MOOD: full of life

On 1-12-08, I wrote regarding an eMail I received to purchase from my web site using a cashier's check and shipping to South Africa.  Well, I answered that eMail with my payment and shipping requirements and got no reply.

Almost a month to the day later, I received the same eMail with the same story BUT signed with a different name: moving from London to South Africa and want to buy with a cashier check the most expensive painting I am presently offering and a smaller one.

Again, I told them I would not ship to South Africa (only a London address), the check had to be for the amount of the sale only (because they were inquiring about more than one, I even offered by customer discount) AND I would hold the art until I knew the check had cleared.  I offered to accept V/MC and pointed out my PayPal shopping cart for immediate shipping.        I have not received any reply.

Stay alert out there ! ! !           me

View Entry

DATE: 01/24/2008 08:17:17 / MOOD: full of life

Glad to hear from so many about a get to gether and meet each other.  General tone seems to be that it will happen next month.  NOT SO

Planning and organization are key.  I am compiling a list of those who contact me with interest and comments you make about your situations and preferences.  I am also busy (full time free lande artist) and this will be a year or more in the making. 

The "Powers That Be" have caught this on the wind and it seems they have had thoughts along the same line.  Will keep everyone posted.     me

View Entry

DATE: 01/22/2008 12:37:35 / MOOD: full of life

In a time of times past, Corn Maiden went to Creator to say how pleased she was to be one of the three food staples of the Iroquois peoples (squash and beans being her sisters) and asked if there was more that she could do for the people.

Creator (He Who's Name Cannot Be Spoken) thought on this and decided he would make a doll in her lovely image to travel from village to village.  She would make the people happy with her beauty and play with the children.  This he did and she began her journeys.  In time, she became so filled with vanity for her beauty and spent many hours at the rivers and lakes admiring herself in the reflection. 

Creator spoke to her and reminded her that this is not her purpose.  Vanity is of nothing important.  She was humbled and vowed to fullfill her purpose of creation.  After a time, she forgot her pormise and returned to spending much time in admiration of her reflection.  Creator saw this and sent Screech Owl to take her reflection from the waters.  She then spent her days in service to others and became much loved among the people.  After much time had passed, she passed a lake and saw her reflection had returned.  She was old with skin like leather and hair that had lost its raven color.  It did not matter; her bones were warmed by the love she generated all around her.

Corn Maiden saw the lesson in this and began making corn husk dolls with no face to give to the children to teach the folly of vanity.

View Entry

DATE: 01/22/2008 08:16:04 / MOOD: full of life

Okay I'm an oil painter of wildlife.  BUT . . . .

My dolls are selling!  Y E S ! ! !   Have not had them to a show, yet.  Have not advertised them, yet.  Just started in May of 07 but they are selling and I have 3 at the grand opening of Standing Bear Museum.  I was trying to build an inventory for a show but they keep leaving.

It started as a hobby - something to do with my hands while in front of the TV at night when hubby needs company.  (If my hands are not busy, they put food in my mouth.)  These are hand carved, wooden, No Face Indian dolls.  No Face dolls exist in many American Indian cultures from various materials: Sioux make them of leather, Navajo make them of cloth, Iroquois make them of corn husk and on and on.  (Kachinas by the Hopi are carved wood but display ceremonial masks.)  I love carving these dolls. 

No Face dolls have one universal theme: vanity.  They are not created as toys but rather cherished "companions" that teach tradition and entertain with folklore.   

I would love to show you some but have not learned to work URL to upload into this section.   They can be seen on my web site www.rousart.com on the page bearing their name and on the "Sold" page.  

Will load to my gallery on this site as temporary.

View Entry

DATE: 01/16/2008 11:51:35 / MOOD: full of life

Let's get together and meet each other.  The idea comes from Deb Megelssen and I second the motion. 

In which area of the country is most of our membership?  Lets pick a spot aiming in that direction that is easy access find a meeting place for a social gathering.

This could expand into workshops and lectures in a great social setting.  We might even have a critique session or a brainstorming. 

Anyone else up for this?

View Entry