Practicing Tourism

This afternoon I set out on a mission to the Pike Place Market to practice being a tourist. Or attempt to.

You see, I enjoy walking the Market many days of the week as I pass through on my way to work. I often hurridly dash through at lunchtime to my favorite eateries. I've gotten quite good over the years at the 10 minute in and out, crowd-dodging soup run.

But I realized the other day that I hardly ever take pictures of the market. Maybe it is because I see these scenes every day. Maybe it is because I'm always dashing around throngs of tourists taking pictures. Either way it occured to me that for as much as I dearly love the Market, it is sorely lacking in representation here.

So I turned on the muse and set out during a rare not-quite-hungry-yet lunch break to wander slowly and take some pictures. I made it one HALF block in before my muse got a better idea and pulled me up a sun soaked wooden stairway to Lisa Harris Gallery. Much to my own shame I had actually never been up there before. I had perused their website. I had seen their show announcement cards come in to the office but alas, had never gone. Always too busy practicing that crowd-dodging soup beeline I suppose.

I'm glad I finally did and it was a nice moment indeed for they were installing the new series of work by Terry Furchgott. This image barely does colors justice. Such rich saturation and electric bright juxtopositions. I fell in love with this piece so was quite happy to find it on Terry's website.

Girl in a Blue Dress by Terry Furchgott

"Girl in a Blue Dress" 

Thank you muse - you never truly lead me astray.

Seven Days of a Beautiful Life

 This whole month I've been calendar booked. One fantastic thing after the next and I think I finally get what I've been doing.

Living.

Embracing my beautiful life here in Seattle with all the amazing people I am blessed to call friends.

There have been Skate Parties and Sewing Parties.

 

There was an evening chuckling over and enjoying my favorite childhood film on the big screen. 

Can you guess what it is?

Here's another hint: Tom Cruise & Tim Curry

What? Still don't know what I'm talking about? How bout this:

On Thursday I enjoyed a wonderful play based on a Thousand Nights and a Night performed by Brightwater's sixth grade class whose teacher (and playwright) is a dear friend. I sincerely loved seeing her classroom where she works her beautiful work and the Brightwater school itself made me wish I could be a student there. 

I mean - how come we don't have cubbies anymore as adults? I think the world needs more cubbies.

 And then there was yesterday which was my first full day off in what felt like ages. 

I spent it by journeying around Vashon Island to visit with fellow artist Grace Willard. We went on microcosm seeking hikes, toured a circuit of local farmstands and bought way too much tea. (Err - I bought way too much tea.)

Fern Cove

Estuary Nurse Log Microcosm

Flowering mosses

 Coming soon to a painting near here - BARNACLES!

Something about their clingy-crusty ways is calling to me...
Good thing today is a painting day.

 

PS: Can I move in here? This sat right on the shore overlooking the estuary tides. See the little yellow chair inside?

Art Binging

Visiting Gallery 206 at Ghost Gallery

 I've been gluttonously art binging. Yes. Three art walks in two days, guerrilla film making a viewing, creative collaboration playing and paint-o-thon-in. Yes oh yes.

Last Friday's Opening of "Pretty, Sexy, Girly, Dirty" at Bherd

Discovery of a new favorite local artist, Sarah Bear

Collaborative Play

And of course, I've been painting.

Even got in some creative collaboration time with some friends including the talented Betsy Schairer. We attacked a panel with a gusto of color and had a marvelous time.

One week until I hang this show and there are still countless pieces "in progress".  I'm buzzing with inspiration and energy - there are ALWAYS so many more pieces that I want to do and so many more ideas that I have during this pre-show crunch time.

It's kind of like going on a major binge - but in an oh-so-good soul-food sorta way!

Will they become artworks in time?

Studio Sneaky Peeks

 Sneaky sneak peek!  

Look - see? Those flowers that caught my eye at the Market today were totally a business purchase. Honest.

 And the cackling crows are emerging...

Where Do Your Colors Come From?

 Was thinking about color and inspiration today and decided to go on a little photo adventure around my home. Partially because a certain Dove asked ... but also probably because this third day of being snow bound has me seeing my home in a new light - a snow-melt quality of light. Just loving and appreciating all of my little collections and I'm beginning to notice just how many of their colors have ended up influencing my paintings. So it really is true - an artist's studio environment can be pretty poignant!

Also - in other snow-bound news I've been watching this and plan to indulge in the last episode tonight. Been loving all the details in their sets - the studios, the sketches and each artist's personal disarray. Got to love the BBC for really doing their homework!

Art and Inspiration in the Big City

Gold Mountain playing out at Golden Gardens

 I've been enjoying some art-filled time back in Seattle while house-sitting for some friends:

"Congregation Over Annihilation (beehives)" by Jesse Link at the COCA exhibit

A poignant and interesting quote spotted on a car parked outside my old home downtown.

COCA's Heaven and Earth Exhibition at Carkeek Park

"Organica/Mechanica" by Zucker, Turner, Jacobson

"Conversation with a Forest" by Stephen Rock

"Deconstruction of Babel" by Miguel Edwards

A Gorgeous Afternoon