Etsy Treasury

"Think Spring...."(clicky)


Yay! Thrilled to be included in the above Etsy Treasury...! Thanks, Windi!

Nibblefest Art Contest: "Life On Mars (Sunken Dream)"

Nibblefest Art Contest on eBay: ACEO "Life on Mars (Sunken Dream)" (clicky for link)

One of three ACEO entries by me for this month's Nibblefest Art Contest (NFAC), the theme for February being 'Dreams'.....

When reflecting upon this month's theme, the first things that came to mind were favorite songs of mine that happen to have the word 'Dream' in their lyrics. I thought long and hard about all the tunes I know and cherish from a lifetime of listening that feature the word 'dream' -- a surprising number to choose from as song after song popped into my head. So many in fact that I found it very difficult to narrow them down to a mere three -- though in the end, after much deliberation, I finally managed to whittle the list. As such, one song that I have always loved, but also been a little haunted by, with its intriguing poetic lyricism, soaring vocals and swirling orchestral, is David Bowie's 'Life on Mars', about a lonely, unhappy girl who attempts (unsuccessfully) to find solace and escape from her difficult life through the watching of films (and I know I had to have spent many long HOURS listening (and pondering) this classic tune as a pensive and moody middle-teen):

".....But a friend is nowhere to be seen.
Now she walks through her sunken dream
to the seat with the clearest view,
and she's hooked to the silver screen...... "

So here we see her, 'the girl with the mousy hair', as she sits alone in the darkened theatre, enduring yet another nonsensical movie that says nothing to her about her life....



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Breast Cancer Series: "A Little Bird Told Me...."

A Little Bird Told Me....


This piece, the 2nd in my Breast Cancer Series (as painted for the art show of a local breast cancer symposium in which I was invited to participate a few months ago) reflects upon the rumor circle that reverberates through one's community, and even beyond, on the news and collective realization of one's cancer diagnosis. While typically the old saying "A little bird told me' traditionally suggests tidings of positive circumstances to celebrate, this little bird brings news of a decidedly different nature....


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Breast Cancer Series: "Early Bird"

"Early Bird"


A few weeks ago I had the good fortune to attend a day-long, local breast cancer symposium, wherein we pampered registrants were treated to speakers and presenters, plus a nice lunch. Also part of the day's events was a small, themed art show, for which I felt very privileged to be asked to participate. Exploring my personal experience with breast cancer through art has been something I've wanted to do for some time now, and I was glad and grateful for the opportunity and invitation to put something together.

The above piece (one of four), entitled 'Early Bird', addresses the conundrum typically faced when diagnosed with breast cancer (or any cancer) -- that being just how early our malignancies may, or may not, have been detected. It's a clear and simple fact in cancer prognosis that earlier is better. But how early is 'early' enough...? We all understand being diagnosed at Stage 0 is preferable to Stage 1, and Stage 1 preferable to Stage 2, and so on. In my own case, my lump was discovered before it had spread too terribly far (thankfully) -- yet not before its pesky malignant cells had indeed invaded, if only microscopically, one sole sentinel lymph node, automatically pushing me into the Stage 2 category, and catapulting me upon the medical path of aggressive chemotherapy protocol.

Now with it all behind me, and my current status what's known in the biz as 'NED' (No Evidence of Disease), I do believe and trust that the many decisions made regarding my treatment and care were the right ones. And yet, I will still probably always be questioning, in the back of my mind, whether my 'early' was 'early enough'....

Dali's Mustache

ACEO: Mustache of Salvadore Dali
(click for auction)


One of three ACEO entries by me for this week's ACEO Enthusiasts Challenge on ebay, the theme for the week being 'Mustache'.....

When reflecting upon the concept of 'Mustache' for this challenge, three particularly famous mustaches of three particularly famous creatives immediately sprang to mind. This particular ACEO features the mustache of the indomitable surrealist Salvador Dali......

Nibblefest Art Contest: "Owl Moon"

ACEO: 'Owl Moon'
(click for auction linky)

Yes, it's that time of the month again -- for the Nibblefest Art Contest on Ebay that is. This month's theme was, suitably, 'Owls'.....

Having always been rather partial to owls (and our feathered friends in general), with their appealing features and mysterious nocturnal habits, I was looking forward to participating this month, and was pleased when these wee entries just sort of painted themselves. Here I tried to channel the owl I think I occasionally hear in my neighborhood somewhere nearby in the evenings (this despite living in an urban area smack in the middle of town)....

ACEO SEHA October Theme: 'Witch Girl'

ACEO: 'Witch Girl'
(click for auction link)

Another of my three entries into this month's SEHA (Society of Eclectic Halloween Artists) Monthly Theme, the theme being 'Trick-or-Treat'. Growing up, without a doubt my favorite costume of all was 'witch'. I remember the chewed up old black and flowing choir robe we'd somehow acquired that made the most wonderful 'witch dress' -- that, combined with a hopelessly ratty and ancient long-haired wig, a broom, and a green rubber mask that I'd picked at the dime store up along the way (a little nod to that green mask with the skin tone here -- never mind it was seriously hot and sweaty under there and difficult to breath), I felt perfectly and fabulously Witchy-Poo, and ready to Trick-or-Treat with the best of 'em. Ah, the memories!