Home projects

Hubby and I are busy working on home projects. After living in our new place for 2 months, we are tackling a long list of projects we've wanted to get done. We are painting our two hallways--the one by the bathroom and our entryway, pictured above. I love how the entryway is looking--the brick walls complimented by a terra cotta color around the closets and then a "Sedona Clay" color on the opposite wall (It really is called "sedona clay! It is a lighter shade than the terra cotta...sort of a earthy apricot/peach shade). Overall, the combination of paint colors gives it a bit of a southwest feel. And the colors definitely work well with the brick.

We are also trying to hang some shelves, which is proving a bit tricky. Our building is a renovated historic building that once housed a box company. The interior walls leave a bit to be desired...they didn't use the typical wood studs under the drywall, so it's hard to hang stuff. We are making it work, but there are some challenges.

Once the shelves are hung we will be ready to do more organizing and then start hanging some artwork--mine! We went over to the Jax studio today and brought home a number of finished paintings. The picture above shows a still life that will have a home above our fiestaware cabinet.

There will be more pictures as we finish projects. I am really happy with how our new home is looking (love having all that color on the walls!)

Oh, and a bonus today--when we ran out to get some additional hardware for hanging the shelves, we drove by one of my favorite local art supply stores, Wet Paint. They were having a sidewalk sale! I managed to scoop up some canvases at a great price. Yay!

Wedding Dance

I don't know this couple (they are from St. Paul though) and I'm certainly not the first to post this one (I guess they were on the Today show)...but I'm sharing this because of the pure joy of it...this couple started their life together in a creative way! Hats off! And enjoy!!!

The Dance

After putzin' around the house this morning doing some chores, I headed to the studio. Actually I got to the studio, but quickly decided I needed a little extra caffeine to get the creative juices going.

Yes, I wanted/needed that caffeine, but it was a little of a delay tactic as well. Sometimes there seems to be a little dance I go thru before I start creating. I sit down at my work desk. I organize supplies. I page through a few books/magazines. I think and think about what it is I want to work on (really I am visualizing). I juggle my paints and brushes some more. I look at work in progress. I look at work completed. Sometimes I call a friend.

The walk today was part of my dance. It allowed me to do some more thinking (visualizing) about what I wanted to work on.

So I came back from my walk caffeinated and ready to paint. The dance was over...and I was ready to work.

What kind of dance do you do before you start creating?

Thursday

It's been a long day at work. It's been an even longer week at work. Tonight I got home from working late for an event and was thrilled there was still some daylight left. Maybe it was the late afternoon coffee or the promise of the weekend just around the corner, but I had a short-lived burst of energy. I decided to make my way over to my Jax studio.

Alas, that burst of energy was gone in no time. It's so hard to change gears after spending all day in the office, helping people and then come home and try and be creative. Sometimes it works. Sometimes I just sit in the studio and think about projects.

And I guess just sitting there, dreaming about new works, is part of the creative process.

I have to say though, I'm anxious for the weekend and plenty of studio time. And hopefully not just dreaming, but creating, new works.

Tres Magnifique!

Outside the tents before the show

During intermission

A shot of our building, the Tilsner, taken from across the street--during intermission

A few days has past, but the memory of the show is no less spectacular. Cirque du Soleil's Kooza was as magnificient show as it promised to be. It's nothing like the circus I went to as a kid, that's for sure! Some clowns, but no animals...unless you count the "dog" that was "human-size" (if you know what I mean).

It was remarkable to finally step inside the tent...amazing to see all that fit under the "Big Top". I still can't believe there were some 2000 pretty comfortable seats there! Our seats were in the mid-price range...and offered a very good view of the show...I'm not sure there are "bad" seats, since wherever you sit you are reasonably close to the stage.

The acts and theatrics were...well, amazing. Everything from trapeze, high wire, juggling, slight of hand...all part of the show. Lots of drama, skill and humor. Even sexy...I'll never look at a unicycle the same way. The High Wire and Wheels of Death Acts were terrifying for me to watch ... many, many times I held my breath and wanted to close my eyes because I was afraid someone was going to end up hurt ...but they knew what they were doing.

A special night shared with my daughter...it doesn't get much better.

Kooza!

Tonight's the night that I take my daughter (pictured above) to see Cirque du Soleil's Kooza performance! Tomorrow is her 25th birthday (how did that happen?). We are excited (about the circus and her birthday...she is after all, the birthday princess)!!! I know that we can't take pictures during the performance, but I'm hoping to snap a few shots of the front of the tents (our apartment faces the backside). We're ready to be dazzled!!!

Poppy series

6 x 6

5 x 5

6 x 6

8 x 8

6 x 8

Sometimes you just need to paint things that make you smile, that give your heart a little lift. I've been painting these poppies, loving the combo of the vivid orange and bright green. They are very small canvases...ranging from 5x5 to 8x8. (These are just quick pics that I took this evening...I will need to re-shoot for better quality)

I'm not quite sure if I'm done painting poppies yet. Maybe I'll do some larger ones...or keep doing these little treasures. Perhaps I'll list them on Etsy.

What brings a smile to your heart?

My own pics of the tents

The tents are all up and the performances have begun. For the next 5-6 weeks we will have Cirque du Soleil performing their Kooza show just across the street from us.

It was interesting just watching the tents go up. Pretty amazing teamwork in action.

I am taking my daughter to a performance next week for her birthday. The tickets are pricey, but I figure this is a one-time opportunity. Plus I just couldn't watch those tents go up and not see the show.

I'll let you know how it goes.

(Oh, if you haven't already, check out the time-lapse photography of the tents going up that I posted just a few days ago)

Que sera sera

Today is like a free day. A day off from my "paying" job...because of the July 4th holiday (thankfully, I get Monday off as well). I have no big plans to go anywhere or do anything special and I sort of want to keep it that way. I don't want to think too hard about what to do with the day to make it "worthwhile". Whatever happens, happens. I'll probably take a walk with my daughter this morning to get some coffee. And at some point I will probably meander over to the studio and do some painting. But other than that...

Que sera sera

Cirque du Soleil--tents going up!

Someone in my building created this short video (time-lapse sort of thing) of the Kooza tents going up across the street. I have some still photos that I will be sharing...but this is awesome. It's pretty much what I've been watching outside my window.

It's short, so Enjoy!