Quick Journal Pages

I have not done much as planned today but I went shopping for a new table for my studio, one that could be adjusted at least in terms of height. I found one and spent a good amount of time putting it together but it is just wonderful and will give me more room to make more papers at the same time or larger sheets.
So I am posting a trio of journal pages from last week, pages quickly done but nevertheless enjoyable.
The drawing I did for Oct 28 is of Charles VIII, king of France in 1483.

Some Tarte aux Pommes left

Not much though, especially after my son David carved a large morsel out for his beloved and himself...
YES, it is delicious, wish you were here....especially with a bit of the bubbly!

YUM! La Tarte aux Pommes

To reward myself and everyone else around me, I made this tarte aux pommes in the afternoon.. Can't tell you yet how it came out!

5K Race

Slept well last night, felt light, flat course, sunny, no wind, did well:26'07", although we think that the course was short a few yards (?).Got my medal!

Red Papers

I am well pleased with them, after all I am just beginning, plenty of time to improve, especially with new carved stamps....soon...soon.
I still have about 6 red/rose papers to print before I will allow myself to play with another color...what discipline:-)

Red, Rouge, Scarlet, Crimson, Vermilion.......

These are my feet on their way to the studio and some 30 minutes later a view of the crime scene...
Stay tuned for the final results tomorrow.
Dinner ce soir, will consist of pasta with mushrooms, French bread (duh!), greens with French vinaigrette (duh again), NO dessert : 5K race tomorrow.
I have to be honest though.....I am sipping a delicious cool kir.
For those of you who happen to not know what this drink is, yeah, it's a drink, not a kiss, your comment will reward you with an explanation.

The Garden Path to my Studio

Fall in My Little Corner

Oh the beauty ....to be savored before the winter comes claiming its turn...
I spent some time in the garden, digging out some mint that had become invasive near the pond. Of course, I know, I know that's what mint does...it thinks that we will benefit with all those cool mojitos at the end of our summer days, and that we love the fragrance when we bruise gently the leaves as we pass by....all of this is true but the arrogance of mint, my friends...is not to be believed!

Progress

I was not able to get a good picture of the new stamp so I give up because it is taking too much of my precious time.
I used a motif from an oriental rug in our living room which i simplified.....I'm not stupid! You can compare the rug motif and the stamp.
Then I made this paper , equally difficult to photograph due to its high shiny gold.
I don't know if you can see the beautiful greenish iridescent flecks under the gold.
How painful it will be to tear it, cut it.......perhaps waste some of it? No, every tiny itsy bitsy piece will go in my "Tiny Little Handmade Paper Pieces Basket".

Stay Tuned....New Papers, New Stamp

Later today, yes, promise!

New Stamp Finished and not Virgin any more...

Many mistakes made along the carving road but I learned a lot and I can't wait to start a new one.
Then I stamped it over a paper I did the other day using one commercial stamp and one of my own which I made during my workshop.
I did try to proof it but could not really make much improvement without messing up.
Exciting!

Of Aloe Plant, Artful Papers and Other Things...

I absolutely love our big aloe plant and it was getting awfully cold around here so Steve helped me shelter it in my studio.....kind of reminds us of the Little Shop of Horrors.....
I have been working on more papers but they are difficult to photograph so I will upload only one picture.to be kind to your eyes.
And then I thought you might enjoy a glimpse of the entrance to my studio....any comments, kind comments I mean...?
Finally our medals, well deserved in the windy and cold Sunday morning race!

My cup of Tea After the Race

Blogger is still having problems uploading pictures, frustrating...
I think my time was 27'26". We are going back for the awards ceremony at 10am.
I did not do as well as I was hoping but still I am happy.
I think that I was 2nd of my age group.....wonder how many...
Steve did very well, even though he too did not get a new PR.He was 3rd.
More later and this time I hope that I can upload pictures.....grrrrr....

Race Tomorrow, 5K at 7:10

It will be cold!
Off to bed.
Could not upload pictures, system down.

Working Away, Guys!

My cup of you guess what as I am taking a break....

Papers, Papers, More Papers!

Well, if you wonder where I have been these past few days..........yes, in my studio making those precious papers but I better not get too attached to them as Anne Bagby says because eventually I will need to cut them, rip them, ouch....
It is a lot of fun, a wonderful feeling of freedom, just like a kid playing with colors without a thought about what people will think.
By the way, they were a little difficult to photograph and I did not want to spend too much time.

Acrylic Painting: "Meditation"

Done in 2002. Steve took a picture of me as a general guide, nothing too realistic as you can see, especially my face!!!
I am working in my studio making papers, waiting for some to dry so I have a few minutes to spare.

Yikes....France Lost!

I am SO disappointed: we lost to England in Rugby today. The British were hanging in there, we made too many mistakes in spite of our great talent so they won, not a great victory mind you.
On the art topic, here is an oil painting I did while undergoing chemo in 1991.
Dimensions: 30" x 20".

Of The Season of Fall, New Girls and Painting

I am supposed to be in my studio working but but but.....
First again I want to say that Autumn here is just splendid, glorious days of warm sun, iridescent light and gentle tumble of golden leaves....and a pumpkin landing on our wise man's head.
Very exciting news for the family, the arrival of our 3 new girls.....3 months old or so I was told.
2 whites and 1 brown! Beautiful composition, they are vigorous, alert, talkative....already.
Finally I thought that I really should make an effort to upload some art pictures so here are a couple of paintings I did a while back.

Oops.....I forgot the other stuff

It is an absolutely beautiful time in Albuquerque right now, autumn is just glorious and I wanted to share a few pictures:

More about the International Balloon Fiesta and Other Stuff!

I forgot to mention that this Balloon Fiesta is a big deal and we always have a multitude of foreign nations represented, France, England, Germany, etc. to name a few. One year there was a beautiful Chanel balloon, from France obviously...
We have special shapes: dogs, eagle, tower, bees, fish, panda, familiar Disney characters, beer can(!)etc. It's a lot of fun and an awesome sight to see more than 700 balloons take off (by waves).
Also very early in the morning there is a "Dawn Patrol", at night a stunning "Glodeo".
Thousands come from all over for this event, book your hotel early!

This Morning,,,,Flight of the Nations Day, continued.

This Morning' Sky Near my House

Gives you an idea although there were hundreds of them....
How do you like those blue skies, guys?

Hello, Friends ...........I'm Back!

I kind of goofed all day yesterday and no, I am not feeling guilty one bit!
Back in my studio for a few minutes I took pictures of the 2 pieces I did in:
1- Anne Bagby's class, right and
2 - Misty Mawn's class: left

Back Home!

Yes, I am back home....and well, very tired...
Coconut and Diablo seem to act as if we never left...business as usual....don't come too close unless you have food in your hand!!!
I have not even finished packing but I am going to bed.
More tomorrow with a few pictures of Portland, the workshops, the food, even maybe picture of a cup of tea.

Foie gras for dessert?

My Friends, this is it, we have reached a new .....high:

YES, you are not going insane, Steve ordered Profiteroles with foie gras at Le Pigeon tonight in Portland, Oregon and....
it was insanely delicious, something only a mad chef could concoct for equally insane foodies.
More about this meal when back home in Albuquerque.
And also more about my workshop with Misty Mawn today.

Creme Brulee at the Sheraton, Portland Airport

3 words:
It is awesome!
Very tired so,
Hugs to all
Talk to you soon

Off and Running...well, not really!

Yes, I have had my 1st day of workshop with Anne Bagby and I already have learned a bunch, so happy...
I had homework to do, 1 to 3 drawings of faces, I did 1, given the fact that:
1- We had dinner in an absolutely marvellous restaurant "Paley's Place" and, well, you know, we had to quench our thirst...Just wonderful!
2- I am TIRED
3- I am OLD
4- I am WRINKLED..........O, no, that has nothing to do with the above, right????Time to go to bed!
But before I go to lalaland:
Met Kecia yesterday and I was not disappointed, she is tall, thin and beautiful BUT a really genuine nice girl.
Also met Nikki, Lisa, Mary, Sandy, all great persons.
Hugs to all, well all the above and a few more but not exactly all, if you know what I mean.....

Here we are all Installed in our Room at the Sheraton!

Steve is behind his computer and so am I.
Trip was uneventful but for the last minute rush trying to get it all together at the house.
So we left late.....but made it in time at the airport.
From the plane Portland looks very nice and green but all shrouded in a monotonous dove grey.
Doves are nice though! And the wind......but at least so far it is not raining.
Steve and I are worried about our waist line and so have decided not to pig out every evening so as not to undermine too much our running form....This morning at the Denver Airport I indulged in scrambled eggs Benedict with 1 quart of some nauseating looking whitish sauce with brownish little pieces all over: turned out it was tasty crumbled sausage.....I am ashamed of my little self, I ate A LOT of it!!!!
We shall see what we shall see....YUM YUM YUM, Portland has wonderful restaurants: Le Pigeon, Carafe, Clyde Common, Paley's Place to name a few.
Will post later, alligator!