First Champion Ribbon

My baby girl was stunning at her first competition. It was a very exciting weekend!!

Miss Tahitian Pearls getting ready to load up.

Yippee!! The first of many to come ---- I hope!

Asilomar 09

Asilomar is such a wonderful location for a creative retreat. Everyone who attended loved the setting and it truly is quite spectacular. I attempted to have a good time, but had to leave early due to strep throat and the beginnings of a nasty bout with shingles. If you have had them, you understand only too well. If you have NOT --- GET THE VACCINE! I never want to go thru this again -- even after all this time, I still cannot wear a bra and must take a dose of heavy medication to make it thru the day. No fun. But if you email me midway thru the drug dose --- I'm pretty darn happy!

Vendor Night

Michael

Michael and students

Making certain that everyone stayed on the paths and did not litter!!

Could there be anything sweeter?

Can't live without my daily latte. We found a Starbucks in Pacific Grove.....and found more than coffee!!

Look closely in the R and B

Leaving on a Jet Plane

We are getting ready to head to Asilomar. With a heat wave hitting our area, it will be a nice break being on the coast. Maria is packing a small store to take -- we KNOW how wonderful that is going to be!! We will also have sweatshirts and T's with Michelle Bernard's fabulous logo.

Path leading to the beach

I was very naughty and invited friends in for cookies last year. Shhhhhhh -- dont tell the Rangers. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't work with wildlife on a daily basis. So, please, do not follow my lead!! These little cuties can get a bit nasty if you dont deliver in a timely manner. Actually -- I can get a bit nasty if I dont get snacks in a timely manner -- must be why I am good with animals; we understand one another.

Doesn't this look like a statue?? NOT! Cant wait to see them again, happily grazing as we walk by. Off to pack!

Rock n Roll in Hampton

Hampton was nothing short of AMAZING! We had such a good time, it was difficult to leave and return home. This event just gets better and better. The hours flew by each day -- laughter and creativity was everywhere. I rented a mobility scooter and it had two speeds --- turtle or rabbit. Occasionally, I needed rabbit to zip around the Convention Center--and would forget to turn it back to turtle. Needless to say, we had some interesting near disasters as I went flying by a table or nearly took out a pedestrian. Dale Wigley began to refer to me as "Barney Oldfield". For those of you who are too young to recognize the name -- ahem -- Barney was a pioneer race car driver. Fortunately -- we have no photos of me on rabbit/turtle.

Thanks to Ranger Industries, Bonnie Edgenton and Michelle Bernard for another wonderful Opening Night project. Many of you know that Michelle created our logo for Rock n Roll -- which was loved by all! It is going to be difficult to "retire" this one.

In our quest to bring new and exciting elements to the events, Maria arranged for Susan Pickering Rothamel from US Artquest to join us each day in the store/office. Susan demoed US Artquest products and dazzled us with her charming self. She was a fabulous hit and we are hoping she can bring her dog and pony show to Portland.

The calm before the storm. After 3 days of prep Collage is ready to go!!

Susan Pickering Rothamel of US Artquest

Sally Jean's Tiara girls -- each one stunning.




Busy store

The Mechanical Bird class taught by Charlie and Kerin Slaughter

Play time in the store area. The Make and Takes were a hit!

We didn't have a large response to the call for altered Rock n Roll art -- but the pieces we received were incredible.

An altered guitar -- how amazing is this??!!

And the winner is ---- Kathy Cawthon!!


Elvis has left the building! Say goodbye Jennifer and Richard.

Two Heads are Better than ONE!

It is true!!! Two Heads ARE better than one!! Well, at least when it is two fabulous artists coming together to create a most special class. Stephanie Lee and Misty Mawn are collaborating on a two day class this summer. It will be held at the Portland Embassy Suites in July. All information is available on the Art & Soul website.

Art Fun

I was fortunate to be able take Linda & Opie O'Briens class "Dada Diaries" at Artfest. I say fortunate because I came within nano seconds of not attending. I've never played with metal, have no tools and began to think that I was an idiot signing up for this class. Linda and Opie, however, had other ideas and gave me the gentle nudge that I needed to follow thru. And I can say that I had an absolute BLAST! This is a good example of attending a class having no idea what you want to do and therefore not planning ahead and bringing tons of supplies. There was not a lot of decision making -- I used what was in my stash. And here is the result. The torso contains a small book that can be removed. The arms are those things used to pry up paint can lids -- I have no idea why I had them in my bag, but yippeeee for me! Needless to say, my compatriots made some amazing, envious pieces -- but I am pretty darn pleased!

Big hug from Linda as I finished my project

Mary Stanley and Opie working hard to make our pieces fabulous

Happy Easter

Hope you had a wonderful day today!! We had brunch at the Sheraton and there was quite a food artist at the restaurant.

Anyone for a class in food animals????

Vonnie, Abby & Mr. E. Bunny

Me and Luke

Vonnie, Wade & Derek