"Johnny Cash" one of our new steers

Johnny's brother Hank Williams

Lucy & Ethel

Millie

Along with the steers, we’ve added some ‘hair’ sheep – no shearing required. They are slowly becoming accustomed to people. They love blackberries as much as the goats and are pretty cute I’ve been reseeding the pastures, cleaning the barn more often, and enjoying tending a few more animals. The goats are a bit jealous of all the new additions, but are a real help in teaching the newbies that we are to be trusted. Them, and the grain bucket doesn’t hurt either, heh!

I’ve also been spending lots of my time trying to reconfigure my website. It was overdue for a new look, and I’m hoping to be able to reveal it before the holidays

My blogging hiatus has also allowed me some time for renewing my reading passion. Here are some of the great reads that have been keeping me busy, offline and on!

First off: I highly recommend this recent read:

I’d also like to mention some of the fabulous blogs that have been keeping me busy at the computer:

Pomegranates and Paper – a real-world artist/attorney with a fabulous sense of humor and richly visual life

Works by Tracy Helgeson – wife, mother, small farmer and fabulous artist from upstate New York

Unlikely Diplomat – copywriter & foodie living in Paris and learning French. Can I say HYSTERICAL French vocab lessons?

My Month of Hundreds – Portlander Jill Ginsberg’s inspiring project to honor her mother’s memory and connect to her world.

Check them out for some fabulous writing & art! What have you been reading? I’m always on the lookout for a good read

I’d like to share some of the things I love about the light in autumn and images that remind me of them:

• Energy
• Color
• Passion
• Excitement
• Harvest

And some of the things and images that thrill me about the ever increasing darkness:

• Mystery
• Interior Warmth
• Gatherings
• Rest
• Glittering Stars, Shimmering Lights

As you can tell, I’m really getting excited about the holidays. I even started my Christmas shopping at last weekend’s Open Studio.  I’ve been marking lots of favorites for my shopping list on Etsy. One of the nice results is that my artwork has been featured in this wonderful treasury! Check out all the creative gift giving and decorating ideas! You can click on any of the images to go to the etsy site directly!

‘We’ll dance till Sunrise…’ by WhiteRabbit7

Truly, Madly, Deeply – … rutharmitage $19.00	Vamp Moxiedoll $32.00	The TEMPTRESS converti… dominiqueansar… $89.98
Raven Leather Mask SundriesAndPlu… $45.00	Fabric Flower Shoe Clip… No144 $28.00	SALE – Vintage Mercedes… 8milecreekdesi… $35.00
Redwood Glossy Lip Tint… FlourishBathBo… $6.00	Headband Red Wool Felt … sewZinski $12.00	Photo Lamp – Love jerseymaids $45.00
Cookies and Cream Bodac… LollipopsSugar… $6.00	Pretty, red, detailed p… cloudninecreat… $18.00	14 karat white gold vi… ValerieKStudio $525.00
1950′s black laurel… Thrush $84.00	Dorothy – 8×10 Original… ellemoss $30.00	My Circus Train Pulls T… juliebcreative $200.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

I’ve been making a few treasuries myself: I have a few of these items checked for people on my shopping list

‘Soft and Sweet a Treasury Challenge’ by rutharmitage

This is a Team Discovery challenge treasury made up of undiscovered shops (less than 20 sales) and team members. Anyone can join in this challenge. http://etsyteamdiscovery.blogspot.com/2010/10/monday-treasury-challenge-vintage.html

Snowy Owl Felt Pin junebugsinjuly $15.00	Softie Monkey MeeMonkey $46.00	very grey shine brooch xxxRedStitcHxx… $18.00
Colorful Cotton Cap – H… ShirleyKnits $22.00	I Dream in Tangerine – … ReaganJuel $40.00	vintage cotton thread o… thefoxparade $3.50
Lavender Silk Shawl Nat… materialconcer… $50.00	Palest Citrine Briolett… LisaRaspino $15.00	Colosseum Sketch OhThePlaces $25.00
DiBA DoG .. Sterling Si… DiBAdog $35.00	Original watercolor and… tahliaday $150.00	Ivory Moonstone Oxidize… jenniferdarezz… $70.00
Parisian VintageTravel … ScrapHappyLyre… $15.00	Bendable white mustache… TheTangledWeb $5.00	Casablanca TrenchCoat WhiteRabbit7 $28.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

And here is another!

‘Everyone wishes for Silver and Gold’ by rutharmitage

Enjoy! This is a non team challenge, find out more at http://treasurychallengenonteam.blogspot.com/2010/10/nonteam-treasury-challenge-1.htm

Vintage French Stock Ce… pinkcrowstudio $800.00	Leather Writing Journal… AwakenJournali… $45.00	Unconditional Love Alte… GatheringStars $18.00
Elegant Pirolette turnyourhead $149.95	Bad hair day in the avi… concentric $25.00	Sasha corset in brocade… Espalore $449.00
Vintage Sheffield Silve… birdie1 $24.00	Honeycomb Necklace, Jew… EternalEden $32.00	Freya the Feather-taile… Blubies $43.00
Little Ochre Pitcher fo… meadowpoint $12.00	Rustic Sunshine Silver … OriginalHardwa… $44.00	We Heart Fall-Goldtone … toniandtree $25.00
5mm hand forged hammere… RavensRefuge $585.00	Fabulous Antique Vintag… birdie1 $119.00	Trinket Keepsake box funwallart $25.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Have a GREAT weekend! Get out & see some art

Enjoy the day! I’m off to enjoy a cool morning in the garden, then a long afternoon in the studio!

‘floating’ by PaulaArt

in the mood for lightness

8×12 – One Day I Slowly Floa… lightleaks $38.00	Magreb, a goatskin cuff by L… LaTouchables $55.00	PINK FLOYD’S LEARNING TO… BeeKai $16.00
FOR HIM – Handknited Cowl Silvia66 $53.00	Original large Watercolor – … rutharmitage $195.00	Blue Bird and Red Mittens ConstantDreame… $20.00
6 oz flask, japanese floral … wickedpen $18.00	Success is 1 step at a time … dragonhouseofy… $4.00	The feather (5/50) movezerb $25.00
Winter bottles Jo2SF $100.00	Boja 06 – Fine art photograp… JKphotography $25.00	Beech Nut Warmers InnerWild $58.00
Found Object Assemblage Ikeb… LuneRouge $65.00	Two Trees ArtGoods $10.00	Garden Goddess Shoe Mudgoddess $120.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

I created this treasury this morning. Shopping on Etsy can be a daunting experience with so many listings to sort through. Treasuries like this are a way to see a group of favorites and browse quickly. You can find my treasury here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=124211 I’d love it if you visited the site & took a look! You may find something new & exciting!

I’ve listed some originals on my etsy site that I unframed to make way for the new paintings going to Riversea this month. Buying unframed originals can be a great way to save money… buy the painting now, frame it later.  I have a couple more to list in the next week or so, so keep checking back! I’m also planning to list some note cards with my images soon.

Creative work makes me happy, but the subsequent pauses for rest are all the more painful, for then one begins to think things over. – Hugo Wolf, Composer

"Gathering" Watercolor on Yupo 25"x25"

I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted! Tomorrow will be my opening reception at Riversea Gallery, and I’m both looking forward to seeing the work hung, and aprehensive. It is always a jittery feeling wondering how the paintings will all look together, whether any will sell, whether anyone else will like them.

When I delivered the paintings on Wednesday I was very excited by the feeling of accomplishment. It has been a good month getting so much work done, and seeing their positive response was gratifying. But now, on the eve of the reception, I start to have doubts. Thank goodness for the steadfast few of my friends who have promised to be there to ease my jitters!

There is so much to be said for making a public declaration. Once it’s out there, it really motivates a person to follow through! I recently sent an email newsletter to my email contact list. If you’d like to join, you’ll find a button on the sidebar to sign up! The newsletter has resulted in a few small sales (Thank You!) and a bit more productivity for me. I publicly stated that I’d be listing a few unframed originals on my Etsy site, and now I’ve done so! Also, if you haven’t checked out the new class listing on TeachStreet, be sure to do that. I’m trying to make it really easy to sign up!

Have a great Weekend

part of our new flock

 I’ve been busy this past week painting, getting photos taken of the new work, planning my framing strategy, writing my artist’s statement, and generally worrying whether my paintings are looking their best. It’s kind of like the frenzy of getting ready to give birth!

Amidst all this activity, spring has arrived here on the farm. We’ve been planning our garden spaces, adding new babies to the flock, enjoying the new blossoms, building fences, and generally nesting in our new home. Here are some images to share:

An orchid shows her beautiful face in the window

Artist buddy Laura Mack's new baby at the Salem Art Association Auction

Jamee Linton and her cute husband at the auction

I’ve really been enjoying the support of my fellow artists lately. It is difficult to imagine what it’s like to put yourself out there, at an auction, exhibition or gallery unless you’ve been there yourself. It’s nice to compare notes, and realize you’re not the only one!

One of the ways I connect with fellow artists is by blogging. It was nice to meet artist and professor Jessica Burke at the Salem Art Association auction on Saturday night. We had exchanged messages via blog, but it was so much fun to meet her in person! Blogging is not just for networking, but also inspiration. Leslie Avon Miller shared a thought-provoking question on her coaching blog this weekend:

What is one of the top energy boosters in your creative practice (or life) that nourishes your creativity, your body and soul, and how can you honor that even more?

For me, it’s not just nature and life, but also music and poetry. I almost always have music on in my studio… all types. I love the random setting on my ipod, and it’s always interesting the way the songs that come up serendipitously dovetail into what I’m painting. I keep my poetry books close by, and sometimes type out parts of poems to keep on my inspiration board. These are some of the things that provide my daily inspiration, what about you?

Winter Morning View

I’d be interested in your response to this question… leave me a comment!

New work, influenced by my new surroundings!

"Private Tune" watercolor on paper 9x12"

I’ve been really focusing on my studio habit this month in preparation for my show at Riversea Gallery next month. This means I have to say no to more social things, be really focused on routines and habits, and be really efficient in my household tasks. A lot of support from my husband helps too!

I’ve noticed that the search for new inspirations has really opened me up to trying to pick up other habits too. Spring is a great time to do this! We seem to have increased energy, the light lasts longer, and I can feel new things shooting up everywhere.

One of the new things happening for me is the advent of more landscape influence in my work. I wrote that I had felt this coming on in this post…way back in August. I had such a positive response to the landscape painting I did for The Whistling Season show for Lake Oswego Reads, and it was so much fun to do too…. The painting even sold at the show! Maybe the recent press in The Oregonian was an influence there… In the actual newspaper my image was featured. I always wonder who the purchaser is. If you are an artist, does this make you curious too?

Meeting Ivan Doig was a huge inspiration. He was a brilliant speaker, easy to talk to at our exhibit and had wonderful things to say about the creative process. When someone asked me how I got such color into my landscape, he quipped: “Just tell them the same thing I do: you used your imagination!” Another thing Doig said that has stuck with me was a quote from Vladimir Nabokov about writing: “The writer must use the PASSION of a scientist and the PRECISION of an artist.”  By this he meant that to be creative, you must be a passionate explorer… one who is always asking ‘what if’? But you must also be able to find the perfect balance of imagination and reality… be the artist who can fool us into believing that the illusion before us is real.

I had a nice compliment this week from someone who bought a print on ETSY… she said my painting made her think she WAS the girl in the yellow dress at the flower market. That is always my clue to when a painting is finished… I can forget about the details and feel myself in the painting. Here is a new one… I am walking the dog It has undergone a few minor changes since I photographed it, but it is near completion at this stage. Look for the differences when/if you see it in person. After I get the show together, I will be rephotographing things and updating my website (finally!) I also plan to list a new class here in my home studio. It will be Thursday mornings, starting in mid-May. More details to follow

Winter Evening Walk, Watercolor on Yupo

 I will leave you with part of an inspiring, motivating poem by Mary Anne Radmacher  (used with permission) that I have hanging in my studio to remind me to work hard:

Be avid,

Create apart from perfection. Risk failure. Cover your words with sweat. Run a little.

My favorite part is “cover your words with sweat.” That’s what I’ve been trying to do lately….