a story unto its own...

So here it is...My daughter Becca has moved...After saving her pennies, she's bought her own place, and she and her two cats Oscar and Bella have moved with her...She graduated from college and then came back home to save up to purchase her own place. And that day has come...I have loved having her here...though she works everyday and has her own life, it was great having her around...and even though she has not gone far...it just won't be the same around the homestead not seeing her shiny face everyday.
I am so very proud of my girl...
and this...has sparked dreams...and out of my dreams, comes my art...a series in fact of 14 separate panels of art...soon to be published in a magazine...but just because it's been said and done...and it's my life right now...

Here's a few of them...


sigh...each panel a story unto its own...

veggies, chairs and calenders

I did some gardening today. Here are my flowering leeks...and my itsy bitsy corn. It's so cute...how can you tell when corn is ripe for picking?
My yellow tomatoes are yummy, we had them in our salad tonight.
I'm really proud of my potager garden, though real veggie growers are probably having a chuckle.

I am really into chairs right now...I don't know why...but I am.

I fell for this set of three chairs through the window of Merchant Voyage in Loveland, Colorado...and I plan to dress them up for seasonal occasions. Here is their summer look with seashells. I just love them...

This is a new 2009 calendar published by Amber Lotus. One of my collages "Mosaic Seasons" appears in it, though I'm not sure what month. I haven't seen it in person yet but it looks like a pretty cool calendar. I see they are available on Amazon if you are ready to accept another year is just around the corner.

honestly...

I did not set up this shot...honestly...this display of self expression stared at me when I lifted my cereal bowl from the table this morning...and it kind of reflects how I have felt the last couple of weeks...

This video however put a smile on my face...

hot off the press!

Pasticcio Quartz 4 is hot off the press!
We've upped the ante, with a smashing selection of work from new artists (and a few established faves) stretching the walls of our print gallery,
a complementary bookshelf brimming over with self-published and handmade volumes to surprise and delight, and some enigmatic words defined.
Guest contributors share suggestions, thoughts, and vision.
Take a leap into blog land with Lisa Hoffman,
consider the demise of the iconic Polaroid with Wally Bock,
and attend a summertime chalk art extravaganza with Corina Gerety.
Mary Beth Shaw explains why certain images bear repeating,
we have a convo with Lou Robinson - art.and.ghosts,
and you can digest it all over a slice of delectable Rose Petal Pie.
If you're already a Pasticcio fan, issue 4 is indispensable. And if you've just heard about it, you're in for a delicious visual treat.

Here's where you will find us to order:
stores.lulu.com/cartwrightandfishburn

Pasticcio Quartz has evolved into a QUARTZ: a QUality ART Zine! A veritable treasure trove in an full color, glossy, 8.5 x 8.5 package. It is lovingly compiled, designed, mused over, laid out and written by:
Sarah Fishburn and myself

If you want us to email you when each issue is released go to: pasticciopublications@yahoo.com and leave us your email address.
Submissions are welcome for future issues, go to this page to see the guidelines:
acartwrightstudio.com/pasticcio.htm

my favorite things

...some of my favorite things around Fort Collins....The magical store EsScentuals is a wonderful experience from the minute you walk through the door. Soaps, bath aromatics, fragrances, bath linens, jewelry and a wide array of gifts (they sell my Tableaux here)...

There is an enchanting mixed media art exhibit called She Was Quite Overcome! by the artist Caterina Giglio . EsScentuals even offers facials and message when you venture down the stairs. I bought a cool birdcage here too (that was a challenge to bring home)...It was all quite an experience for the senses.
EsScentuals
142 S College Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Dots...everywhere around the city of Fort Collins...on trash bins and walls...Pretty awesome...

CooperSmith's Pub and Brewing for a homemade brew....
#5 Old Town Square
Cool shoe store with Crocs next door too....
and if you like southwest art, dishes and stuff go to South by Southwest
South by Southwest
119 E Lincoln Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80524

people get postponed

Because of some unforeseen circumstances the PEOPLE group show has been postponed 1 week till Sunday the 20th. If you were planning to attend the Artists Reception we hope you can still make it a week later.

don't stop...

I wish I was Jack Bauer...with the ability to stay up for 48 hours, never sleep and still look damn refreshed... but no...I just wish I could catch up...that's all...so many things swirling around and pending...my file is spilling over.

Lots going on this weekend in LA.
Pal Bill Mumy is playing a gig at Universal Citywalk on Saturday. He's got a new album "Circular" coming out.

Next Sunday...we have a PEOPLE group show opening at A Studio Gallery. Lots of inspiration and oh so cool photographs will be hanging. The show runs through August 8th.

July 20th - August 8th 2008

Artist Reception
5:00 - 7:00
4260 Lankershim Blvd.
Studio City, 91604
astudiogallery.com

I posted some of my new Memorandum Tableaux up on Etsy...sometimes we just need a word to serve as a reminder...

stars and stripes...

July 4th is here.... barbecues, warm weather... and realizing the year is half over already...
I have been working hard with my partner Ms. Sarah on Pasticcio QUARTZ (QUality ART Zine) Issue 4...it's almost done and will be available by the end of the month if not before. It's put me a bit behind on some art thoughts hovering in my head. If I don't get it out soon I will explode.

Thanks for all your kind comments on my parents anniversary...They just sent me this picture my Dad grabbed of Dodger in his new carry bag...he looks like a stuffed animal! My Mom's head is cut off but you can tell she is enjoying her new friend.
I found this picture of my nephew Dakota when he was 2...he's 16 now...but he's wrapped in the spirit of the holiday. Have a safe and wonderful day...

forgot to pick a future he'd like, so now he's practicing for the one he's got
Brian Andreas

diamonds in the rough...

Sometimes there are diamonds in your life. Like this web that caught the morning dew and wouldn't let go...This is kind of like my family...a web of diamonds in the rough, coming together and celebrating this past week...Celebrating what? My parents surprise 61st Anniversary party.

They were surprised alright...and the party was a load of fun with friends from the past gathering together on a warm summers night to celebrate with us.
Becca and brother Chris congratulate themselves on their appetizers

Jesse snaps some pics when the banner with their wedding picture is unfolded...
everyone signed it to commemorate the evening.

the clan

But that was not all, the adventure continued...
the next day we headed to the Bowers Museum.
We came here to see what is sometimes called the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World - The Terra Cotta Warriors - Guardians of China's First Emperor.

Aunt Mary, Veronica, Chris, Dad and Mom
How great we could all be together...



The warriors were really amazing. My parents were not able to see them when they had visited China several years ago, so here was their chance to fulfill that wish. So much intrigue and mystery tied up in these amazing statues. The Emperor had 7,000 statues made to watch over him in his afterlife. Can you imagine? A selection of them made the journey to Los Angeles. Here we are standing by photographs of them because you can't take pictures inside.


I like this cool primitive animal statue...


After our visit with the warriors we headed to one of our favorite haunts,
We hit Balboa Island for lunch and a walkabout...
then we topped off the weekend with a real diamond in the rough...
meet Dodger Brit...my parents new pup...
He's a a Yorkie-ton... a Coton de Tulear/ Yorkshire Terrier Hybrid.
We call him Dodger Dog...
He's so darling...we are sure Dodger Dog will keep my parents on their toes and youthful as ever and bring them tons of joy for years to come...don't you think?

my o' my

from this...

to this...

in 23 years today...my o' my...how my Jesse has grown...

uprisefilms.com