Merry Christmas!! It has been a cold and snowy winter, so far, in South-Eastern Colorado. My horses are round and fuzzy and my toes have threatened to chip off, more than once, feeding in the snow.
  Complaining? Not me, not this year. I've discovered some new things about myself, things that are allowing me to relax into being who I am. One of those things is realizing that I don't do a lot of art during the warmer months; I simply don't have time, between working and horse keeping, let alone family goodies.
  Winter is my solace, my art escape.When the weather doesn't agree with work, I'm doing art. There are some new items on Etsy, and more to come, as I have tried to pace myself and find a new way to balance time and the lack of wanting to waste it in front of the computer.
I'm training horses, full time, and I cannot tell you where; Yep, that part sucks, as does being unable to work when the weather isn't fair. However, it is a dream come true and I'm so happy that I find myself pinching my arm to ensure it's real! Life has a beautiful way of balancing itself out, doesn't it?
  No more excuses about only blogging when I get up the gumption... I think you'll enjoy them even if they're not sent to you every hour on the hour, LOL.
Here's my newest Etsy listing...

Enjoy your self!

Hot, hot hot

Ok, so I love Colorado a lot, but the Bahamas are starting to look really dang good... 72 degrees sounds much better than this string of 100's we've been experiencing.
I've been painting the house, landscaping, and other chores outside, & I think I more closely resemble my red-skinned ancestors than the white part. LOL.

Truly Beautiful

  Although our lives take twists and turns we cannot imagine or prepare for, we find treasures in the bends. 

I found a truly Beautiful treasure, in my newest wild horse adoption, from Lasting Partnerships (thanks Michele!).
After-all, I've named her O-Wo-Di-I (I'll double check my spelling, later, but it means 'Beautiful').

Her name, when I adopted her, was Quinn. Sure, a fine name, but it reminded me of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and I just couldn't be reminded of a dang TV show every time I called my horse's name! So, I'm sticking to 'Beautiful' until she tells me her name (We'll call her B, in this blog, for time's sake).
  It is an amazing thing, but she is so much like Vegas, and is a buckskin, too.
  As with all my animals, they're sequestered and given 1-on-1 attention until they're comfortable with me and their new home. She really seemed to relish it, whereas most horses pine for the herd. B watched as my truck came and went and neighed for me when I was outside or nearby, and although she has a huge private property boundary, welcomes a tight hug most of all.
  More to come, gotta go to work.

So long ago... Til now. Black Hills Energy Monopoly is BS

Good morning, everybody!
It has been so very long, I know. My world is turning a 360 degree turn and I'm holding on with all my might.
Recently, I've considered changing this from an 'Art Blog', to just my blog. Reasoning? Well, let's just say that the last post was, at least, the last time I've done anything art related (unless you count telling customers that they should apply to a gallery).
  My personal life has truly been a driving factor for the reworkings, but just like everyone else, the cost of everything has really caused the change.
Don't even get me started on how Black Hills Energy is going to raise our rates by 20%, right after building a new facility, near Pueblo. Their monopoly is BS, sign the petition!!

  I'm now working full time plus, with two+ jobs. My new job is at a locally run pet store, where I work a minimum of 40 hours a week. Although it is a great place to work and a fun environment, the hours envelope everything; My commute is 45 minutes, one way, and from the time I wake up & do chores to the time I go to bed, I've worked well beyond 16 hours a day, with zero time for art or horse or anything else.
  I think, when people ask how many hours a day you work, we should include the hours that are worked at other non-job, job hours; Don't you?! LOL. If we did that, might as well say I work 18 hours+ per day, lol.
  Anyhoo... My attempts at using my phone (to post blogs) have, so far, been unsuccessful. Otherwise, you would've been enjoying at least some posts, recently. It seems that they appear only as x's and o's. As much as I like sharing kisses and hugs, it was not very productive for blog reads.
  My mustang page is still on my mind, although I'm still trying to figure out how to spin it. Maybe, this morning, I'll start... Maybe??
Keeping it real, folks... Hope to hear about your life, too!

Choo Choo train

 Chugga chugga chugga! Woot woot! I have been working, so steadily and long, that I feel like a choo-choo train. My body aches and sleep creeps up on me, even in moments like these, between sentences.
  The most bizarre twists and turns have been happening, in my art life; abstract or art that is less than representational has found it's way into my world, as are little fishy creatures.
   The fish are probably no surprise, as I've mentioned the furniture re-do's on here, but did you recognize the artwork? Me neither! I don't know where it's coming from, but am guessing that it is due to changes in my own little world.
  I've built an eight foot long, three and a half foot tall stand that will hold a very heavy aquarium or multiples of them. It has pretty trim with leaves and vine, and is stained an ebony color, with four open shelves (the intention is to close two of them). Everyone keeps asking me, "Why?!", so I'll answer here- because I wanted to! lol.
  It all began (sounds like the beginning of a goofy story, doesn't it?) when a local pet store owner mentioned the need for someone to breed fish and, you guessed it, I jumped in, with both feet. Then, things started rolling faster and faster, one thing led to another, and it seems that the fishy business was, and is, calling my name.
  A Craig's list ad offered an old Wal-mart tank setup, from a display removal, and I went to see it, and ended up bringing it home. Have you ever seen a Wal-mart fish display?! They're long and very heavy, very heavy.
  So, in my quest to spend less than I make, I taught myself how to build a stand that had some 'oomph', and build I did.
  No excuses about not posting on my blog, I know I am behind on it, but thought I would just offer simple explanations.
Gotta catch that train, will post again soon and try to remember how easy it is on Blogger (thank you Blogger!!).
Happy Trails,
lil' ol' me

....of all trades

Whew, I cannot believe it has been a week since my last posting. Surely, there was some kind of time warp in there, somewhere?!
  I've been very busy with all my endeavors and thought it would be a good idea to say, "hello", to all my peeps.
Altogether, there are about 436 things that I am doing, lol. Ok, I didn't really count them, but it is probably not too far off.
  What kind of art do you do? My life IS art! Everything from painting (I like all mediums except watercolor), furniture re-do, vintage inspired, photo work, Steam punk, and now- fish tank stands. Believe me, I left out at least half of them.
  It can be exhausting to choose one over the other, and I presently have several projects on the bench, literally.
Taking time to list on Etsy, promote my art, update my blog and site (site-which doesn't happen much), are things that really hit that good ol' back burner. However, I'm getting it organized and getting better at it, all the time.
How are your projects coming? What makes it easier, for you, to create?

Something Fishy This Way Comes

  Well..... I know, it's a deep subject..
I"m struggling to write a decent post, this morning; my thoughts are scattered here and there like the filings for this year's taxes. Know what I mean?
  My art has taken many forms, and I'm indulging in the freedom of it. After all- Who would have thought I would be making a statement on vintage furniture, as fish stands?!
  Yes, I'm at it again. This time, I have taken 'before' photos, so that you can see what a massive transformation it is. This one is really going to push my envelope, as far as a contemporary look. I've been a bit constrained and cannot wait to show you this one.
  Sometimes, when I'm having a slow period in my bread and butter art (like my paintings), I feel removed or detached and somehow lacking in my responsibilities. Regardless of the fact that my life is an ever moving hustle and bustle, it still feels that way.
  Just once, I would like to really sleep in, but as soon as the glorious sun hits my skin, my mind is already humming with the creative buzz.
  I'm teaching myself that creating art is a responsibility, not just the bread and butter stuff, but any of it, even just the processing part. It would be a waste to just do what other people think I should be doing, just because they think I should be doing it.
  The funny thing about feeling detached (in creating art other than $ making), is that it is a learned response and truly has nothing to do with not doing something; I think it has to do with feeling outside of my comfort zone, especially when it is doing something new and unusual, for me. Sure, I'm addicted to coloring outside the lines, but sometimes it takes someone jabbing my elbow, to do it.
  Moral of the story? Find where your lines are, get over the push to only do what is profitable, do it for ART, do it for YOUR SELF.
  Like my funky fish stands... Gotta love how much 'outside the box' it is!
'Til next time... Happy creating.

Promised Pics of Painted Vintage Radio - Contemporary Aquarium Stand

  Good morning! How are you on this unseasonably warm day?
I promised you pics, and here they are.
  My newest adventure, in art, has been to airbrush contemporary painting on vintage and antique furniture... Yep, the transformation is astounding- but there isn't an old pic of the old radio to show you, yet.... I'm still searching.
  This was so fun and turned out so well, I think I will offer this as a service. Send me your furniture or order something, before my prices go up- I have half a dozen old radios that could easily be transformed (ok, not easily, but would look great).
  This is a vintage radio that had two speakers in the bottom, covered by an old metal grate and crusty brown fabric. It was a yucky light brown and so it was sanded, primered, painted, then I airbrushed it.Yes, I know the handles are crooked (I noticed after I loaded the pics), they will be updated and these were just stuck in there for your viewing pleasure.
  The transformation happened within a 48 hour span, I won't tell you  how much of that time was spent airbrushing it, but let's just say it was a considerable amount of the whole project. ;)

 

Almost there!

I have pictures! I have to run errands, in town, but will upload them ASAP.
ANDDDD..... I have a special surprise, for you!!

Changes

There are a lot of changes, that have already occurred, with the new year; One of my closest friends has moved away, a relationship is ending, one is beginning, and my email address has changed.
  Sure, it doesn't seem like much, but changing your email is a terrible life experience. LOL.
If you want to contact me, just do it through my blog, we'll get it together.

PS
Yes, pictures are still forthcoming, on the past two projects. B')

Week past to rambling

Here I am, a week since I blogged and I can hardly believe it. The days string along like dominoes in a line, tipping one and soon it's all of them. Yikes.
  I LOVE and thrive on busy, it is terrific, but this is cagey. LOL.
Just thought I'd write you a short note on my newest artistic ventures (which includes music, refinishing antique radio, ephemera goodies, painting with airbrush, coloring my hair, and other fun stuff), then I realized that this last part pretty much sums it up.
  The best part of my week (thanks to some friends for that ever present question)? It was airbrushing an old antique, stand alone radio that I was gifted from the old Radio Ray's closing, in downtown Pueblo.
  It is now abstract and doesn't resemble the original, whatsoever. I'm bummed that we didn't take a picture of it before hand, but could give you a clue when we drag out the rest of them and take pics of similar radios.
  So, pics to come... Don't I keep saying that? I wish pics were easier to upload, then you could have instant gratifications. ;)
  TTFN

Exciting days

Good morning race fans! LOL
I'm off to the art race, this morning; I have several projects in the works, but today's project is definitely a first (on every level) for me; I'm creating a mixed media art piece with a late relative in it.
   I've painted my daughter, my cat, and even my horse, but have never really attempted a piece with the direct emotion that this one will portray. I'm counting on the fact that my dad won't read this, as it is a piece that I'll be doing for him.  Sometimes, it is good that he doesn't read my blog, LOL.
  For some bizarre reason, I have had reservations about putting out such a clear path to my inner mosts, which is so odd because I'm, generally, very forthright about my emotions and thoughts.
  It should be fun and a learning experience.
  What have you done, in your art, that pushed the envelope for you? Let me know, I would love to hear your feedback.

Steampunk on the workbench

  Are you done mulling about with leftover holiday duties? I'm barely done, but unable to peel myself away from the workshop any longer.
 Though time easily escapes my grasp as I follow up on emails, marketing duties, catching up with friends, or just simple daily chores (that seem to compound when I need art the most), I usually get to a point where I just say, "Phooey! That other stuff must wait!"
  Today is that day, or rather, last night. The nearly-spotless art room began re-manifesting itself, and my workbench has an interesting array of particles, just waiting to become a whole something.
  My idea is clear, but my art-visions usually start out that way and gradually emerge as a mere reflection of that idea. However, I do know that the path is Steampunk!

 Ah, that lovely bi-gone era, now a pop-culture thing, with such passionate use of the recycle bin. Yep, I can thank my friend, Susan, for her influence in that direction (reuse of stuff).
  Here is a picture of what my workbench area is looking like; I know, I know, could be anything, right?! Ha ha, this is the fun part- where it all comes together.
  Stay tuned, that's not all, folks.....