Holy Yard Sale Batman!

My neighbor and I decided to get up early this morning because a friend was having a group yard sale and we knew we'd find something good. What we didn't know is that the whole block was one giant sale. I scored on a handmade quilt (which I love), a cute blue table, vintage seltzer bottles and old wooden cabinet (actually, I got those last week), and a couple baskets plus some odds and ends. Check out the title on the back of my funky 1968 painting! There's no way I'd leave that behind. The lady said it was painted by an old friend of hers.... who evidently didn't have children of her own.

Why do I always find things when I'm trying to clear out? Isn't that always the way.

Greta....tell your sister I LOVE the quilt and the pillow covers she made! Even Art was shocked when I told him it was only $20 bucks. It has already followed me out to the hammock and around the house. I feel like Linus on Charlie Brown.

Corners of my house

I recently bought this triple galvanized stand from a really nice shop owner on Etsy. It needed a minor repair when it arrived but now it's as good as new.
My initial idea was to use it to hold glassware for parties but it really can't handle a lot of weight so instead it's part of my garden table. What do you think?


Oh, and I had to sneak a picture of Betty in. This is her new favorite spot in the yard. I don't mind her sleeping all day since she works the night shift around here. Hardest working cat ever. Sure wish her work ethic would rub off on the other two.

Before and After-Vintage Work Table

Isn't she cute?

It took several coats of lemon yellow paint and a trip to the hardware store to create the drawer pull. I was told that the glass was actually an insulator piece.

This great muti-functional table will be part of the Pannikin's summer display next week. I can already see their cute dish towels hanging on the rods underneath.

The Pannikin has asked me to provide them with vintage pieces on a regular schedule now. So far everything I've brought in has sold within the first week so I'm very excited to rehab some more funky treasures.

Bring it!

You know, every time someone predicts that the end is coming............I end up with a really good buzz, lounging in my hammock with all my pets wondering about. Literally, there are dogs, cats and chickens cruising around the yard just loving life.

Art and I did do a major weeding in the front yard and mowing in the back for the first part of the day. Wanted to leave with a good conscience I guess.
Several neighbors came by to admire our efforts. I told them I wanted to end this world with a clean slate and stop torturing them with our weedy curb appeal.

Two friends came to celebrate our "going away party" ........ which never happened.

So to all you christian fundamentalists..........thank you so much. Can't wait to do it again.

to do list

While browsing through pictures I took of my backyard last year..... it is clear that I need to dedicate tomorrow to weeding, mowing, and if I'm lucky It'll look like this again. Right now it looks like all the weeds I pulled before Easter have returned and are twice the size.

Of course, you are all more than welcome to help. (wishful thinking I know)



WAIT!!! Art just informed me that the world is supposed to end tomorrow, so I may change my plans. I'm not going to spend my last day doing chores. Maybe we should have a going away party?

Just finished

Here's a peak at my latest series of sea creatures painted on birch wood. This is the first batch that I made from scratch. Sawing, sanding, and routering a keyhole in the back for hanging proved to be a lot harder to do than I thought, but allowed me to make larger random sizes.
Prints and originals will be available online hopefully by the end of the week.

I also wanted to thank all of you who came by my booth at the art festival last weekend. I'm still in recovery mode but also feeling a little high about the whole experience. Everyone was so friendly and supportive. The art jury awarded me the prize for "best acrylic/oil Painter" for the show. What an unexpected surprise!
I was so busy all day that I pretty much collapsed into a ball when I got home.

Looking forward to doing it again next year. (sorry I didn't have a chance to snap any pictures)

Saturday fun

Now that Blogger is back and working I can let you all know about my friend Bianca's pop-up shop going on tomorrow at Bixby and Ball in Solana beach on Cedros Ave. I'm going to try and pry myself away from my own show preparations and get a peek.

News Flash!

Part of being the featured artist for the North Park Festival of the Arts meant that I had to do a local news interview. I was so nervous and you could totally see it in my interview. I looked like a dear in headlights or maybe I just stopped breathing. Thank god it was only a minute long. Look how dark it was. I have no idea what I'm doing with my arms while I wait outside. I couldn't stop fidgeting.

The girl in charge of promotions was smart getting me to agree before she sprung the details. I had to be downtown by 6am! That means... up at 4am and out the door by 5:15 to beat traffic.
So now it's 11 o'clock and I'm fully dressed and wearing make-up. That's a rare occasion and shouldn't be wasted here at home...so off I go for a coffee break with the girls.

The best part of the morning was driving back and seeing my image on all the festival posters in every shop and restaurant we passed. What a trip.

Eeeeeeek!

Something very excited and also extremely terrifying is happening tomorrow. This image of Max captures my emotions perfectly.

How's that for suspense?

Still painting away

I'm taking a much needed break from the studio right now. Still painting like a crazy person...... getting the last two pieces done before this weekend. The North Park Art Festival is Sunday and the weather calls for scattered showers but it looks like it might not happen. Cross your fingers for sunshine.

Above are some lovely random pictures my brother-in-law Zuri took with his handy dandy I-Phone.
Look at that beautiful furboy Max. Such a ham.
These shots will have to do till I have something worthwhile to share. Until then, happy Tuesday.

New at Barrels and Branches

I just filled my space over at Barrels and Branches with more vintage furniture and some plantings in old concrete urns and vintage pottery.
This gate-leg table is such a solid piece and so great for small spaces. It was hard to let go of the turquoise and white stool but I already have one of my own. I love things that are cute and practicle at the same time.

Okay then........ back to painting.

Painting...painting..........and more painting!

The North Park Festival is in two weeks so I've been painting away and there is plenty more to do.
Here are a set of three GIANT sea life paintings on wood that I just finished. I'm thinking of hanging them from my tent which will offer both shade and a little ambiance. Then they will be off to the Sea Rocket Bistro for the month of July along with some smaller pieces. I'll give you more info on that when the time comes.
Right now I need to just focus on painting.........which is really hard when the weather is so hot and the beach is calling my name. I did get to spend yesterday soaking up the sun with my family so I'm good for now.... just wish the water would warm up.