a work in progress...

For some reason known only to the art gods...I have to create this piece of art incorporating the Union Jack. Perhaps it is the upcoming Olympics being held in London, starting July 27th... 125 days to go...and counting. Perhaps I am being asked to explore my roots through these vintage photographs of my relatives... Perhaps it's just time I work large... 28 x 14... I don't know where this is going... or where it will end up... I have more sense than to ask... but when it is done, I will post it if you like... though it may be awhile... I have been brooding over this piece for awhile now... I think I'm posting it so I get going on it... I work best under pressure.

be unruly...twitter with me...

It will be my first Twitter Party..

March 21st
6:00 PST

Its the Launch Twitter Party for the new book

THE PULSE OF MIXED MEDIA

I had the proud pleasure of being a part of this amazing book...

come talk to us about it...

6:00 pm PST

9:00 pm EST

http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/2012/03/twitter-launch-party.html  

If you want instructions on how to join in...click the box above.
You'll need to bring the hashtag #PulseBook
and if you twitter party all the time... hope to tweet ya there.

Beannachtai na feile padraig

That's Gaelic for St. Patrick's Day greetings!

Here's a hand painted image I shot on Inishmaan (Inis Meáin/Inis Meadhóin in the Aran Islands Oileáin Árann.
 I have  a real connection to these remote Islands, they simply fascinate me ... I am looking forward to the day I can explore them once again.  My trip there was one of the best adventures I ever had. 

For more images I photographed and hand painted in Ireland you can see here

But today...I will raise a glass and hope you enjoy the luck of the Irish today...

ps: did you know you can now follow me now on Pinterest ....?

a few words from Fred...

April 3rd is the USA release date for our book "The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook".
Here's a few words from the author of the book who weaved our stories all together.
You might want to pause the music at the bottom of my blog before starting the movie
if you want to hear that familiar music...

happy heart day...

I also forgot to mention I have some small art pieces at Zinnia where they have their Valentine art show

Petite Valentin on display till the end of the month. 

Have a loving day and night...

a day of wine and choices...

Europa Village and winery in Temecula, California was the happening place yesterday with an art show and wine tasting.

Wine was available for the tasting.  My favorite of the day... Libido , with En Vie running a close second.

 Art from the Gallery 8 was placed in the courtyard of the vineyard while a live band played.  Here is one of my hand painted photographs that is available at Gallery 8. 

Visiting with Academy Award winning actor George Chakiris who had brought his beautiful silver jewelry that is available at Gallery 8 and Lauren Nixon (Gallery 8 owner).  

Right: I welcomed artist Christina Ramos, the newest Gallery 8 artist in residence.  

A trip to wine country is a great get-away.  Europa Village is just one of many winery's along  La Serena Way in Temecula. You can rent a bus or limo before you arrive and get away from it all while being driven from winery to winery. Above: I share a glass with a group of friendly folks from San Diego. 

I was surprised when Jess Whitehill brought me these classic photographs below from our dancing days together at the Bill Jacoby Dance Studio.  Jess is sporting the dark hair and white jacket below.

The dancers we could remember in this picture were left to right: Todd Schumaker, Barbara Ross, my sister Veronica - 2nd row: Bill Jacoby, me, Will Shoemaker, Joanne, Don Keefer - 1st row: Susan Keller, Jess Whitehill.

Thanks Jess for the pics and the memories.  

The drive home was easy...and it made me how many fun places there are to go that are within reach of the city. Wine country in Temecula is one of those fun places.. I will return, and next time I want to take a balloon ride!

watchmen or what?

I received this amazing and curious set of dinnerware as a gift recently. I don't know anything about it...except I love it to death. The architectural feel and the sketched watchmen are an unusual combination. Has anyone got any ideas on where I might find info about this curiosity? When I google it brings up people who are dishing on the graphic novel Watchmen... : -/  

Perhaps these illustrations are not watchmen at all?...

Are these buildings English Tudor?

  

I just know someone will recognize the style of these gun toting chaps... and some history behind this tea set...Do you know where to look?

the bark side...

student of life...

It wasn't too long ago, while rummaging through an old truck,  I found my worn and tired teacher bear that belonged to my teddy bear school I played with when I was about 6 or 7 years old...  I posted her picture...and one of my bloggers sent me to a site to where this original teddy bear school (just like my old loved one) was being sold.  I couldn't believe it, and I couldn't resist it either. My original teacher bear has no arms or eyes anymore (and she convalesces in a teacup) while the new teacher (who only has 1 eye) sits and educates her 5 eager students...It may be silly, but it is comforting when I look upon this classroom setting. And I cannot help but wonder who sits in that empty seat...where is that bear?)

All these mini desks remind me of my days in the classroom...and some pictures from the Treasure Trunk...Below seen here with our teacher Mrs. Klampt during Lost In Space days with Howard Rice (Room 222), Bill Mumy (Lost In Space) and Stefan Arngrim (Land of the Giants).

Mrs. Vizard...Lad: A Dog

left: Mrs Klamt - Sound of Music, Los Angeles,  right: Mrs. Seaman, Austria

here are the winners!

Thank you...all who participated in my Pasticcio Quartz Giveaway!

I loved your favorite things...

here are the winners...

cooljinglepuff

cheyenne-millie

somepinkflowers

Please leave me your mailing address in the comment box below...(I won't publish it)
and I'll send pasticcio quartz issue 12 to you right away.

Thanks for playing...

zip-a-dee-do-dah...

What's the happiest place on earth? Why it's the place in your heart when you get invited to Disneyland by your kids.

 Could our insides withold the rockin and rollin of the Matterhorn? the darkness of Space Mountain (at 8 am I might add)? the death defying drops in the Tower of Terror ( at 9:30 pm)? The walk from Disneyland Park...to California Adventure and back again? 

 With the nifty i-phone app MOUSE TIME and the expertise of our season pass kids... we were able to get fast passes, plan the park day and be able to squeeze the most out of it. 

 It was fantastical...
magical...

I had forgotten how much fun the parks could be!

                              

                                                            Truly a zip-a-dee-doo-dah day...

Last week to enter my giveaway below...

and i say...

be safe...be happy...be patient...be kind...be true...
make time for friends...and be good to yourself...

Don't forget to enter my giveaway in the post below...
cheers to a new year!

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive,
and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.

anais nin