How is everyone? I've been overly busy at work and kinda felt yukie for the past few days. I haven't listed anything yet on ebay (Art or antiques) because of the above, but I will!
My girlfriend V just called and invited me to go with her to the Sacramento Arts Festival that starts tomorrow and it runs through the weekend! That will be fun ---Thank you V!
Other news...
Kip loaded a bunch of software on my new laptop, (well three programs) I said I could load the software myself (but he insisted) I knew it was just because he wanted to play on it. I told him that he needed to buy one and he said nah...your the nerd of the house...I wouldn't use it very much...but I can use yours occasionally right? I said "Of course you can't honey :)" lol!
I was serious :) I love personalizing my computer to exactly how I like it and ---well, I'm terrible I guess, but I don't wanna share!!! wah! Oh well, we will see. ;)
Just down the street from me is the Tower Theatre. I thought I'd snap a picture to show you all.
Blurb I found: "This theatre is a Sacramento landmark. Its exterior is reminiscent of a typical 1950s movie theatre, and its interior is a showcase of movie memorabilia. Occasionally, the theatre will show a just released film on one of its three screens; however, it is known for showing artistic and foreign films."
Isn't it neat? I should stop by there again and take a few pics of the front for you to see.
I got one of those aromatherapy/essential oil glass lamp diffusers at the grocery store this past weekend. I just tried it out last night, and it works great! Kind of a nice switch from smoking up the house with incense all the time. The one I got was real simple like this one I found on ebay... and then I found this website that gave recipes for a bunch of different "good smelly smell combinations!"
K...more later.
Lo**
Hi All! Over the weekend I finally got Ray's and Joe's painting matted. (The one below is Joe's...geez from the EBSQ Show that was in July?) anyway...I need to cut one more black mat for it...then get a frame...then Joe I'll be sending it to you, I promise!
Also I got two new toys...
A Lolo Laptop and cheap but nice Epson Scanner!! (Say Hi you two)
I just charged the battery up yesterday on the laptop...and haven't loaded any of my software programs on it yet, but I LOVE IT!!!
I really needed a new scanner and Erikie, I think I told you I liked HP scanners? Well, I ended up buying an Epson instead...don't ask me why. I really like it so far. I wish they made scanner bed larger though. It barely fits a 9" x 12" :(
And this picture is to show LilJif my tray where I put my candles...it's a shame I cover it up ...but ohwell....there you go Jenn.
Still looking into switching IPS services etc etc...:( what a hassle. I also activated my Antique Ebay ID (passitonantiques) and will be listing some collectibles that I have leftover from having a space at the local antique mall. I also will be listing a few watercolors under my Art Ebay ID too (rasehallstudios)
I'll keep you posted when something goes live ok? Oh, and I'll tell you when Nutty goes live too :)
Have a great Monday all,
Lo**
Here's the finished commission of Ray's wife Janice and their cat Skippy. I really think it turned out nicely if I don't say so myself :) It's watercolor and is 9" x 12". Ray, I'll be matting it today and shipping out to the address you gave me on Monday!
Close up of Skippy the cat and Close up of Janice.
Well, it's a beautiful sunny day out so I'm not gonna hang around on the computer much til tonight...I'm going to go to the frame store, art store, and maybe to Macy's to have a Lovely Lo** day :) Had a killer week at work...(that's why there was the lack in postings) and I need a change in scenery :)
I also need to get caught up reading everyone elses blogs and journals! ---So that I'll be doing tonight.
Kip and I are in the process of looking into switching our IPS provider and IPP provider...AND we will hopefully be getting off this stupid Dial Up stuff! Once we do that and everything is up and running...I'm thinking about getting a webcam ;) (not so you can see me!--gawd no)...but so you can watch me paint occationally? What do you think? You will all have to get used to the my chipped nail polish if I do this ok?
Ok all, have a great day!
Lo**
Happy Thursday all!
Here's a few pieces from one of my many collections. They are in the kitchen window. I just got that nice big aloe vera plant at Trader Joes :) They have the healthiest plants there. Oh! and I tried out this great chicken ---It was in the Frozen Food section called Orange Mandarin Chicken (alot like the Panda Express orange chicken at the Mall).
It's litle nuggets of white chicken meat that you bake first-- then you warm up these packets of orangeeee-gingeree-teriyakieee sauce in the microwave and when the chicken is done you toss it with the chicken and have it on top of some jasmine rice. It was really REALLY good! So if any of you guys have a TJ's grocery store where you live I'd buy some! I think the whole bag (that serves two hungry people is like $4.50?
More later,
Lo**
Well, Hi all! I’m almost done with Ray’s commission watercolor of Janice, (his lovely wife) but tonight I’m not going to show you any progress shot. I will just show you it when it’s all done ok?
Anyway, I’m very happy to say that a couple days ago I booked a flight for Kip and I and my Mother-In-Law to go see my Brother-In-Law in Seattle, Washington during Thanksgiving. Whee! 9 whole days gone!---and also I took an additional few days off work on top of that which make it a 16 days off! I know...OMG!!!
The last time I was in Seattle was about ---geez-- 7-8 years ago maybe? and that was for my BIL’s wedding. So anyway, I hope to go to Pikes Place Market (I’ve never been there) to buy some stuff to cook for Thanksgiving dinner and just to shop around in general :) ---as well as visit a few art galleries in Seattle maybe during the time we are there.
Depending on the weather, Kip wants to do some golfing with his brother and we want to maybe take the ferry to Whidbey Island again for lunch or something? We did that last time we were there, and really thought that was fun---I mean the ferry ride was very cool :) ---and obviously we will enjoy being with my cute nieces that are 6 years old and 13?
Kip’s Mom and I will prolly go antique shopping a few days...and you know just veg around the house.
What everyone is expecting from our visit is MY FAMOUS SMOKED TURKEY!!! yes! I make it every year and my B-I-L loves it!---well, everyone loves it :)
It’s going to be a really fun trip I can’t wait!!
Bye!
Lo**
Here's another progress shot...Whiskers and stuff to be added to Skippy the Cat background flowers still need finishing...and bottom background too...oh, and yes, I still haven't gotten around to finishing your hair Janice ---then a few details to the whole piece and it'll be soup! ---I mean done :)
More Later! Happy Monday all :)
Lo**
Skippy the cat is making his entrance now...still deciding on a background color...still working on your hair Janice...yep, it's just another progress shot :)
How's everyone's Friday night going? are you all good? I hope so. Bye!
Lo**
Another progress shot of Ray's commission..:) Still working on Janice's hair... as well as the rest :)---I'll be doing a little more painting on it tonight then I have a date to watch SURVIVOR! Island of F-I-R-E!! lol! Yep it's a "hot" date! Fire geeeeet it?---Sounds so dramatic and tribal-ee huh?
YIKES! Survivor is on an hour before I thought it was gonna be! Wow! I'm glad I had the TV on!...K, bye!
Have a nice evening all!--Lo**
I was downtown the other day on my lunch hour...and went into this store and saw a wall of stickers...low and behold who's artwork do I spy? But Jasmine Becket-Griffith!
This lady was posed above the doorway to the store...
See here they are!
Here's a far away shot of more of the stickers... and some sew on patches too. I wanted one of these leather patterned bracelets...but I'm too old for them I'm afraid...
I did buy these rubber finger puppets...(yep, not too old for them! lol!) Geez, they were a bargain at 49 cents each! Don't they look cute all lined up on the frame edge? I think they do. :)
I know people might (are) sick of reality tv shows...but I still really enjoy Survivor and tonight is the premier of the Brand New One! Yeah! So, who else is gonna watch it? I already know Joe is a big fan...but maybe more of you? Lets pick people and get a Survivor pool going-- Yes? No? OH COMMON!
Worked on my "Janice/Skippy" watercolor last night, made clam chowder for dinner, started writting out a list of stuff I've gotta do. I'm getting overwhelmed again :(
So what are you guys all up to? :::Spill!::::
How's the weather? It's still hot here...90's :(
Lo**
Ok...Here's a little progress on Ray's painting of his wife Janice and their cat (Skippy?) I think thats what his name was? ...K, remember it's still in very early stages...and it could change along the way slightly--ok? Her fave flower is the Bird of Paradise so that's kinda stuck in there too.
Ray? I can't tell from the pic you sent me, but does Janice have some light freckles? (Or I guess I could ask you Janice! Do you have freckles? and do you want me to add a few?)
P.S. I'll post a few more shoe pics soon Carrie. :) But here's just one more for you today :) (wow Silvery leather!---cool huh?) shhhh.... don't tell joe :)
Lo**
Happy Tuesday to everyone.
Here's a little sexy shoe post for you all. (epecially Carrie) Yes...even for the guys...They are VERY artsy and VERY Italian...and VERY Expensive. I hope you enjoy the pics. Thank you Zoe at Franco Ferrini Shoes/Sacramento, CA. for letting me take pictures of all your gorgeous shoes!! (Hey! maybe they'll give me a discount on my next Trollbead or Pandora Bead purchase since I gave them some freebee advertising?)
Here's a $490.00 little sporty gem...
Tired of these yet?
and the last ones...
Yes I actually took more pictures if anyone wants to look at a few others? Aren't they great??? So what's your favorite pair?
Lo**
Hi All! (I didn't say y'all)
The art shows Saturday night were very fun, we had a beautiful sunset too see? Here's my painting in the W.A.S.H. show...it got a pretty good spot. Poor Kip's was kinda hung over in the corner :(
The little appetizer tray of Brie cheese and green grapes went over nicely. Well, in the picture it doesn't look like anyone wants to get close it it!!! lol!---but they did...eventually)
I think Kip ate all the Hot N'spicy Cheese-it's outta that little molded foil cup I so cleverly made. Did you see that the Cheese-It people just came out with a BBQ flavored one too? Geez...next they'll have that yukie salsa lime one that suppose to taste like you are eatting a margarita or something.
Speaking of BBQ!...
I made oven Baked Pork BBQ spare ribs. They came out really really tender, super messy and just plain stick in your teeth good. I usually like ribs just baked in a really hot oven with just salt and pepper...they are all crunchy and taste great that way. Well, I think so anyway, thats how my Mom always made them...so I guess I'm just used to that version vs. these messier ones.
So anyway, here's the ones I made last night.
You start out by covering them with thin slices of lemon and onion and a 1/2 cup of water....cover with foiland bake for an hour.
Then you whip up some homemade sauce. 1 c. Ketcup, 1/4 c. vinegar, 1 tsp. chili powder, 1/2 teas. salt, 2 T. worch. sauce, 1/4 packed brown sugar & 1 Teas. dry mustard...cook on the stove for 15 mins til' thickens.
Then after the hour is up on the ribs, dump the lemon, onion and the liquid, and cut the slabs up into smaller pieces. Brush on the sauce and bake for another hour and a half or til tender.
Basting frequently...(oh! both times the oven is at 350 degrees)
k...please pass the toothpicks!
Thats it for today--So how is everyone? Hi Ronnie! Hi John! So when are you gonna pipe up in here Ronnie? You know...leave a comment? (jk)
Tonight or tomorrow, I want to show you the progress on Ray's commission watercolor (if he says I can show progression pics of it online :) Ray is that cool?
Lo**
Remember when I said I thought I had burned up the motor on our new fancy smancy (less than 6 month old esspesso maker?) but I didn't after all? Well!! I had some moola to spend since I didn't have to replace that darn thing :P
I'm kiddding of course... But today I went to this store (it's actually a very expensive Italian shoe store) that sell the sterling Pandora charms that I buy for my bracelets. They are quite addicting to buy...as I got my friend Valerie hooked on them as well.
Anyway...I bought two new ones for myself today. Kinda expensive ones too. I couldn't really justify it...so in my head I thought of that stupid espresso maker...See? If I had burned up that motor, I would have had to shell out a few hundred bucks to replace the darn thing. (because YES a good cup of coffee is THAT important in the Hall household) But since I didn't... I thought, hey! I can buy these charms--no guilt!!!---(they weren't a couple hundred dollars...) but gawd.... I'm so bad...
Here are the two new ones I got. (Valerie...they are NOT Pandora...they are something new called Trollbeads....the Pandora guys brother came out with these!) Only a few of these beads will fit on the Pandora brand bracelets.
K are bored yet? Lol!
You can't really see on that bottom one that it has an black opal, an amethyst and a garnet stone...along with these neat faces carved in it. :)
opps! geez, I've gotta get going. We are off to the Art shows. I signed up to bring an appetizer to the Watercolor Show reception that Kip and I both have a painting in...ya, I thought green grapes, herb brie cheese and some crackers sounded pretty good? doesn't it?
(those are hot and spicy Cheese It's I threw in there for a little color :)
I think after we go to that show we will head downtown to a few other galleries....I'll try and take some secret agent Lolo Pictures of the festivities.
It's a nice warm Sacramento night out (95 degrees at 6pm) ...perfect to view art and all the wacky art peeps lingering in the streets.
Have a Great Saturday night all!!!
Hey LilJif...your art show is coming up in October right?
Lo**
Hey guess what?!!!!
I just check the EBSQ Art Show for the Pet Portrait swap...and it looks like yours truly got a Members Mention (Kinda like an Honorable Mention given by the members of EBSQ Self Representing Artists) Thanks all who voted for my painting of Caren's bunny Traveler!
I just came across this painting while adding some new pictures to my website last night.
I did a couple years ago...it's 18" x 24" It's one of the first pieces where I added my pen details to the background. Looks pretty nice now, but I remember at the time I wasn't happy with the "idea" I knew nothing when it came to archieving pictures of my artwork too...so I don't even have a high res. version of this puppy :(---and yes, it's gone...sold to Kip's Aunt in Colorado.
Yesterday I went to the Art store because they are having a month long sale...(back to school and all) I picked out a normal steel ruler with a cork back because my old one got a big dent in the side. But when the art store gal saw the one I was buying she talked me into trying a different kind.
I know Yawn...I'm blogging about a ruler.
K here's the scoop on it...it's made by Alumicolor. It has a black rubber backing strip and it is just wonderful! They said it won't warp like the steel ones do sometimes...talk about staying put--and it does! I know it's just a ruler...but good tools are kinda fun to find so I thought I'd pass that along. I got the 24" one and it was under $10.00.
Then I got a tube of Peacock Blue watercolor paint. (Holbein) it's nice!! very staining though. It's a bright bright turquoise....and a ** star rating, which isn't very permanent, but I thought I'd mix it with more perm blues anyway.
This Saturday is the W.A.S.H. Art Show. Kip and I will be going to that as well as running around to some more second saturday art show openings. At the ToyRoom Gallery next weekend they will be showing artists from the "Short Center North" (a center for adults with developmental disabilities) over 200 pieces I just found out!! I can't wait :)
Speaking of art shows...I never did get out to the CA. State Fair Show :(
ok All I must get ready for work now.
Have a good day!
Lo**
Good Morning all. I received my "Pet Portrait Swap" painting of Carrie our parrot from Caren Goodrich yesterday :) It looks kinda neat just sitting on my bookshelf doesn't it? Great job Caren thanks again! I think tomorrow the 9th is the last date to vote on your favorite for the show (Well, you have to be an EBSQ member to vote) The winner gets a $100.00 gift certif to MisterArt :) that'd be nice to get...
I love this cat picture that Dan posted yesterday. I dont think I've ever seen grass green eyes as dark as these on a kitty before. It such a great picture....Is that one of your cats Dan?
more at lunchtime...
Happy Wed. all,
It's Tuesday---the weekend is over, Labor Day is over, the State Fair is over, school starts for the neighbor kids...and I go back to my hole in the wall office for another day filled with...umm, not sure, I can't even remember what I was working on because that was 4 days ago!
Have a good day all...I'll write more in a bit. (Yes, hopefully something a little more interesting)
--Lo**
Sorry no pity parties are alowwed here in my blog! :) So have a good rest of the day Ray!
Lo**
Happy Labor Day! I hope you have it off work...or are doing something fun today. I was up early for a day off...6am? I think it was? Anyway, I wanted to do some stuff outside early before it got hot. (Yes, and look at me I'm sitting here in front of the computer typing this) I wish I learned how to type in school but I didn't. I still type with one digit :) I guess I could teach myself...but I think I've been doing it this way for 25 years it's gonna be hard to do it the correct way? You think?---anyway, I'm pretty fast with my "speed digit."
A little more progress...
OH NO! Just had an accident :( I think I broke our fancy espresso machine :( I forgot it was on, all the water drained out...and I think I burned up the motor. Gawd. Not a good way to start out the day. Even though I added water...nothing is filtering through now :( wah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---and those aren't fakey tears either... :( Our other espesso machine had an auto shutoff and I keep forgetting that this one didn't. CRAP! SHOOT! DARN! (Yes I'm saying the other words too...)
K, I'm letting it cool off then I'll try it again...keep your fingers crossed?
Feeling terrible,
Lo**
!!!UPDATE!!!
I didn't burn up our espresso machine after all :) It works perfect! Yeah for me. Open up the door to my dog house I want out!
Well, here's little more progress on "Flow." (closeup) I thought I was going to paint most the day yesterday, but I ended up doing a bunch of much needed housework. So maybe today will be my painting day. Also I didn't fix and new recipe last night (Yea Joe...no spam enchlidas...) Kip and I went to the little Bistro place down the street from us and just had a quick dinner there.
It got pretty hot again yesterday 94---geez felt hotter than that, and today it's going to be 100 :( Actually it's suppose to be in the 100's for the next three days. (wonderful) Hear that Dan? More heat...yuk. Gimmie fall!
I went to C*** Plus today :) and took some reference pictures to paint from. Just colors & pattern shots...but boy I got some good ones! In the process I snapped a few others. This cool bed with these sheer red canopy curtain thingies...
and this neat end table was right next to it :)
Here's a very cool head planter vase that I would have bought but it had a fakey palm glued into it...how would you pry that out I wonder? It was like cemented into the pot :(
Oh well, Have a nice creative Sunday all!
Lo*
I get to paint all day :)
I might try a new recipe out tonight... I'm in the mood to cook something. Not sure what yet...thinking. Any suggestions?
Here's another artist link that Erikie showed me last week. She is just amazing. Meet "Moira"
Hi All!
I took a vacation day today from work...so I'm kinda walking around in circles not knowing what to start on. I do have to run some boring errands like getting groceries, go to the bank, etc...but I need to do SOMETHING FUN! Don't I?
I slept crappy last night because it got really windy and actually was kinda weird and spooky outside. It was 90+ degrees yesterday then the temp dropped so fast and the wind kicked up ---I guess I just don't like weather changes that fast :( I would be such a baby if I lived in the mid west or some other state than California, since here the weather is pretty constant. (I think I've said that before haven't I?)
Well anyway, all my windchimes were whippin' all around (especially that really big 5 ft long one I have) and it was just wild out. Kip slept through it all naturally. Why can't I do that?
So, I decided to get up at 2:30am and painted for a couple hours. I worked on that painting above. For some reason it got the name "Flow" but thats not it's official title. It's 18" x 24.
I got my HC magazine in the mail a few days ago and they had an article called:
Where Are They Now?
Catch up with some of the many artists we've featured over the years in HOME COMPANION and find out what they've been up to lately."
There's 36 artists total some were interviewed back in 1996. It's pretty fun to look through the list and pull up their websites to see their art again.
Here's some of the links to the Artists I liked.
Debbee-Sculptor, painter, figure designer
Lynn- Multi Media Collage artist
Well, thats just a few!
Ok, I'm going now... Have a great Friday everyone and be careful driving if your getting outta town this Labor Day weekend.
:)
Lo**
So are the checkered swim trunks on that guy for real?
Hey all! sorry I didn't pop in here sooner but I've been sick :( I caught a barf bug last night and was pretty much ...well sick. I tried to go into work...showered, got dressed, makeup the whole routine, but it wasn't to be. I went back to bed and slept til 3pm :( I still have a raging headache, a slight fever, and my ribs hurt from barkin' so much (did I hear an awwww?...ty :)
I wanted to show Annie from MI. this picture since I promised...
Have a nice night all, I don't have much to say except I wish my head would stop throbbing. :P
Lo**
