Thursday morning

"How breathtaking it is to start out on a journey into the unknown.  How much easier, more comfortable, and reassuring it is to stay where we are among familiar faces and places.  Even if where we presently are is not all that we would prefer, it is at least known.  That in itself is somehow comforting.  To start off in new directions - about to encounter who knows what, at risk of the way becoming confused at any point - takes courage."  -Peter London, No More Secondhand Art

New paintings.

Grounded, oil on canvas.  14 x 11 inches. 

Over the Water, oil on canvas.  14 x 11 inches. 

Please help

I have a friend here in Joshua Tree who has found that she can no longer keep her dogs.  These dogs are sweet and have been well-loved.  I am going to post photos and brief descriptions of each dog, and if any of you out there are interested in giving one of these cuties a home, please leave a comment and let me know.  I promised my friend I would do what I could to help her find good homes for her beloved friends.

Brody.

Brody is a two year old German Shepard/Labrador mix. Brody is a very sweet and gentle dog. He has a very passive personality and is always polite with new dogs and people. Brody loves to play and go for walks, he is trained on a leash. Brody is house trained and understands verbal commands such as sit, down, and stay. Brody would be a wonderful family dog. He loves children and loves to play. He would also be a very good dog for an older person in need of a companion. He is a very calm and gentle dog. I am in a heartbreaking situation and am unable to keep Brody. He has his own dog bed and food dishes, as well as all of his toys. Brody needs a loving home.

Jake.

Jake is a one year old German Shepard/Rottweiler mix. He is a very lovable dog and loves to snuggle. He also loves to play fetch and go for walks. He is spoiled and loves to play with all his toys. Jake is trained and does very well on a leash, He is house trained and knows verbal commands such as sit, down, and stay. He trains very easily and is a people pleasing dog. Jake is still a puppy and is very high energy and needs to go to a home where someone has plenty of time to spend with him. Jake does like people however he does not like children very much. He might not do well in a home with young children. I am in a heartbreaking situation and am unable to keep Jake. Jake has his own dog bed and food dishes and lots of toys. He just needs a good home.
If you know of someone who might need a dog in their life, please let me know!

In other news, I have been in the studio over the weekend, and I will have photos of new paintings soon.  Hopefully, the blog will not continue to be as neglected as it has been lately.  Sometimes, I just don't have that much to say.

The desert flowers are fading, but a few hardy late bloomers are managing to hang on with the unusually cool temperatures we have enjoyed.  We even got some rain yesterday! 

Backyard coyote

Today, Mr. Pono got a bath.  After the bath, he decided he needed to recline in the warm desert sunshine to dry.  While he was drying contentedly in the front yard, we had a visit from a neighborly coyote in the back yard.  I was talking to my Dad on the phone, but I told him I would call him back when said coyote got really close.  I hung up the phone and dashed for the beloved camera.  I swear this coyote behaved just like Pono often does.  There is no doubt of their kinship.

I normally have water in this saucer for the bunnies. 

When it began to yip in standard coyote fashion, Pono in the front yard finally discovered its presence and began to bark furiously.  It was at this point the coyote finally ran away.  I am so happy, because now I have some good material for drawings and maybe even a painting.  Maybe.  The desert wonderland never disappoints.

I have begun to list a few more monotypes on etsy.  Hop on over and take a look, if you care to see.

I am amazed that I have posted 350 times here on this blog.  Are you sick of me yet???  I love you all, my dear, dear readers. 

Fauna

The desert air is scented with the flowers blooming.  The wind has finally calmed to a reasonable level, and I sit at the computer, quietly admiring a cottontail that is helping me with my weed problem.  Life is good.  Pono is at my feet, panting and ready for his evening stroll.

We had a good time in Henderson, and got a chance to meet some lovely people.  The wind did become a problem, and I am happy that my whole booth didn't blow over, as did the booth of my neighbor across the way who was selling some really cute hats.  At one point, there were about six people holding my booth down, and I did have to take it all down early.  I apologize to anyone who came after I had taken my booth down.  I did try to hold out as long as I could!

Our next outdoor art festival will be the Sunnyvale Art and Wine Festival on June 5th and 6th.  If you are near Sunnyvale, please stop by!!!  I'd love to see you.  Show hours are from 9:30 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday, and the Festival is located in downtown Sunnyvale.

This spring has seen an abundance of babies in our local desert.  Recently, two mourning doves left their nest under the eaves.  They seemed to think the barbeque grill was a safe haven, and I managed to snap a couple of photos before they finally flew off for good.

We also have been visited by a tiny cottontail rabbit this past week.  I wish the mother would appear beside it, for scale.  You will just have to believe me when I say that this tiny bunny is a precious, minuscule version of the ones normally devouring my landscaping. 

I leave you with photos of two of my newest oil paintings, called Forest Sojourn I and II.  They both measure 12 x 12 inches. 

 

Have a terrific weekend, all of you crazy cats!

A quick flower fix

The van is loaded for Henderson's ArtFest, and we will leave in just a couple of hours.  So I must not tarry.  But I did think you needed some more flowers, to start the weekend out right.  Here.

Some of you may recall that the paper bag bush is a favorite of mine.  It smells a bit like grapes.  (Reflecting, there really isn't a flower I don't like, so perhaps it is more accurate to say that when I see this one, it is my favorite at the moment.)

Have a tremendous weekend, you dear blog readers!

Events and openings

It's been a busy week, preparing for Artfest this weekend in Henderson, NV.  M helped me set up the display panels and canopy, for a dry run.  I had to see how it was all going to look, and how long it would take us to set up.  Once the new panels were up with art on them, I got excited.  There is something wonderful about seeing one's own art displayed on walls.  Here is a little preview, for those of you who won't get to see what it looks like.

If you are close by and fancy seeing this in person, I will be on Water Street, booth number 200, from 10 to 5 Saturday and Sunday!

The desert continues to enchant with its magical flowers and creatures.  I do my best to capture just a bit of it for you, my dear, dear readers.  I wish you could walk alongside me, so we could marvel together.  We will just have to do it virtually, which is better than not at all.

This weekend in Joshua Tree, there will be gallery openings galore!  My friend, Lily Stockman is showing with Brian Leatart at the True World Gallery.  The Red Arrow will be having an opening with artists from Alaska. Last, but certainly not least, the new JTAG will be having an opening, and I am proud to announce that I will be a part of that.  My new paintings of the Joshua Tree will be hanging in the newest gallery this Saturday, and I am sorry I won't be there.  It is hard to be in two places at once!  Perhaps one of you local blog readers can stop by and tell me how it was.