Encaustic inspiration

Janet Miller

Marie Pearson

I went to my first art workshop in a year or so yesterday. It had been so long since I sat down in a drawing studio and just painted with a group of people. Needless to say, it was very inspiring...mostly because I got to experiment with encaustics.

Janet Miller

Marie Pearson

My friend from graduate school, Marie, introduced me to this wax painting technique. I remember going to her house in Southeast Portland and seeing the waxy paintings drying in the sunlight. Tiny canisters of wax placed around the room, preparing for the next layer of color and texture to be added to the canvas. The way she adds subtle texture with the wax to such simple design, is stunning to me (especially now that I've tried it). And... did you know that you can carve into the wax? Carving away color makes my potter's 3D heart beat wildly.

I also love these Janet Miller  encaustics. She's from Seattle (note the Pacific Northwest influences) and I just eat up the layers of muted colors.. I wish I had studied both of these more before I made mine. I'm hesitant to show it to you because it's still in process. But maybe I can get some feedback? I'd love whatever you've got...

In process, by Nell

Happenings in the kitchen

There have been some really great things happening in our kitchen recently...

and I had to do some documenting.

Sandee says..."but where's mine?"

Happy Friday! 

We are staying home tonight...it was a long week. But damn did we eat well.

Enough to convert me

For the past couple of years many of my friends have been telling me to watch Glee. I'm not a huge TV watcher to begin with, so the commitment of getting into a new show is a little overwhelming and enough to deter me completely. But nevertheless I've tried it and honestly... the couple of times that I've watched this singing high school show I've admittedly turned it off within 10 minutes said "Not for me". 

"Maybe it's because I'm a teacher?" I say with a shrug. "I don't want to watch a show about a school because I spend ALL DAY teaching at one!" But those friends who knew me as the little 16 year old that would frolic down the hallways singing the soundtrack of Rent at the top of her lungs just roll their eyes, tell me I'm lame, and that I should give it another shot. 

Well guess what? I think this performance has converted me...it's just that good.

It's like I'm transformed into the 16 year old again when I watch this. First nodding, then tapping my feet, and now I am web searching for the song lyrics so I can sing along with every moment! Watch out middle school art students, your teacher is going to be singing Cielo and dancing around the room before you know it. 

Because singing always makes school more fun.

Ok...it's time to talk about some football

As you may have noticed, I am from Pittsburgh. The city of steel and land of the Pirmanti Bros sandwich. Where the two rivers merge into one, and you can get a free smiley face cookie every day if you are under the age of 12. It is a wonderful city, and although I have lived many places and will continue to move about, Pittsburgh is simply home. 

Growing up, I watched a lot of sports. Well really, a lot of Pittsburgh sports. My mom is what you call a "sports nut". She screams at the TV, plans her weekends around ESPN, and if I call with something to tell her at the same time Mike Tomlin is holding a press conference...its better for everyone if I call back later. This childhood of steeler, pirate, and penguin sports did two things for me. 1) I learned the games, I know the games, I love the games. 2) If it's not Pittsburgh, it really ain't sh*t as far as my attention span goes. Because in the end sports is simply not sports unless they are wearing black and gold.

But guess what? This weekend, that little problem is not a problem. Because the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing in the AFC Championships which is simply the biggest game of the season.Why you may ask? Because it is in Pittsburgh and the steaks of going or not going to Super Bowl XLV are pretty freakin' big. No rock star half time and no fluff commercials ends up equaling the hardest played game of the season. As Jeff Daniels would say, its a game with True Grit. And I may or may not be dressed like this.

                                               

So here we go Steelers!!! And for those of you that need some more fight songs in your life. This one will rock your world.

Happy Birthday Momma

She says it's not a big birthday but we all know my perspective on birthdays...they are always big. If you see her today make sure you give her an extra hug for me. But, you might not catch her because she'll be speeding past you on her sweet new birthday bike. Yes that's right, my mom got a bike for her birthday. Turns out we are never too old for bikes!

Your little bird loves you.

Oh sush your whining!

Found here via friend Rahree

OK...I'm the first to confess. Being sick bums me out. Granted, I'm not the grumpiest person that ever was, but I am certainty not Miss. Oh I'll be Fine either. All I can say is, thank goodness I have such a lovely boyfriend. He is so very patient. Not once did he roll his eyes or get annoyed and... he made me soup. Homemade with all the bells and whistles.

And even though I'm still not feeling up to par, I'm better than yesterday (thank you Ben and Aimee for lovely healing suggestions-zicam and ginger are running through my blood). And anyway, I'm officially taking the mind over matter approach.

Happy Friday! I feel great!

For the love of comfort

I am feeling slightly sick. It's not bad yet... but, a slight tingle in my throat, sniffles in my nose, and a pure desire to fall asleep at my desk makes me was to scream.... noooooo, not now!!! A long awaited mini-break to bright lights and sinful deeds begins on Friday and a head cold is just not in the picture. I have outfits put together, cocktails picked out, and plans to spend very little time in bed. So please, for the love of everything good in this world...go away!

 Maybe I'll just make something out of this lovely cookbook that I got for Christmas. Because even though I want to die at the awful timing of these irreversible sniffles, I do love soup and perhaps it will cure me. 

Any other healing tricks? I'll try anything!

An out of the box kind of year...

I'm not great at resolutions (even though I ALWAYS ask other people what their's are- maybe to jump start my brain into being into it). But really, one goal for the whole year? That just seems silly to me and quite frankly, very narrow minded.

So this year I'm picking something so simple that you can apply it to many life dimensions. AND, I can double it with a BIG project that I am working on at school... so really, I'm thinking outside the box....

Think outside the box #1

Think outside the box #2

Think outside the box #3

Think outside the box #4

Which color makes you THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX?

Dinner Parties and Red Sweaters

 I'm a little belated on these shots. But looking back on them, I knew I needed to share them with you.

Now that December is over I am feeling full from all the love, food, and warmth I was surrounded by. There is no doubt in my mind that holidays should only happen once a year. The intensity of food consumption and emotions is just too much to happen more than once. But I do feel so lucky to have spent it with such wonderful people, in such lovely homes.

And as you may have guessed, my new camera what attached to my hip through all of it. I already love you Nikon D5000.