How does the seed get planted for a creative idea? A week ago in Santa Fe I took this photo of the St. Francis Cathedral wrapped in plastic for repairs because as soon as I saw it i thought “Aha! I wonder if that is where Christo & Jean Claude got the idea for their wrapped buildings?”

Ideas come to me from many sources- could be a casual conversation where someone mentions the phrase “planting a seed”- that got me to thinking that before anything comes to fruition first the seed must be planted and the work of tending it done- thus my most recent painting “Planting the Seed:” a detail of the postcard & hand planting the seed & the unprofessionally photographed whole painting

Other times it is an object I see- I found this awesome “Lucky Lotteria” votive candle at the General Store in Madrid & it is the inspiration for the new assemblage piece I am working on:”Please God Make ME the winner!”

Dreams, books, fairy tales, saints, sinners, other artist’s art works, proverbs, life situations, nature…all can inspire- what inspires you?

Just got back from a delightful visit to the small art town of Madrid, New Mexico. Madrid is located 15 minutes south of Santa Fe on Hwy. 14. The beautiful scenic drive (along with a “found object” treasure hunt at Tammy’s junk yard) and the interesting galleries of Madrid make this trip a day worth remembering. Years ago when I first moved to Santa Fe a friend of mine owned the 1st house on the left going into Madrid. There was a General Store & a place that sold Guatemalan huiples and the biker bar at the other end of town- there were a few residents but most of the old coal mining town was boarded up.It has become an art filled community that is fun to poke around in- there are restaurants & the biker bar available for refreshments.

Our first stop was the “Color & Light Gallery“- (I highly recommend visiting this gallery- beautiful art work & delightful owner!) -we were attracted by Brian Andreas’ Story People hanging & standing on the walls outside. Brian writes touching “stories” that he prints on his wooden sculptures. One in particular that “spoke” to me was:”She left pieces of her life behind her everywhere she went. It’s easier to feel the sunlight without them she said.”

I feel that sometimes words and/or phrases on art work are absolutely paramount to creating an emotional connection with the viewer. What do you think?

Here are 3 paintings that I have done with my “stories” on them: “Everything is Going to Be All Right”; ”

My Sister of the Night”;

and “The Road Less Traveled” which says:”She came to me in a dream, floating upon the cinnamon breeze. Within her belly I beheld a world- not of highways, fast food joints & corporate ladders- but that of the road less traveled.” Madrid is a place like that.

Halloween is my favorite holiday- that’s the New Orleans Mardi Gras upbringing influence- I love making my costume as much as the parties & fellowship of my fellow Halloween lovers!! This year one of my friends said she was going as Alice in Wonderland & suggested that I go as one of the characters-I cannot resist being a queen- whether of the Underworld or of Hearts -it doesn’t matter! So… off to the local thrift store to find costume parts. I always like to be much taller or wider or bigger in some way while in costume so I knew I wanted to make a VERY BIG Queen’s crown/head dress of some sort. Luckily the Elizabeth Guild Thrift Store had just put out some red velvet & animal print kid’s costumes along with fairy wings- I quickly snagged those. Then lo & behold- the PERFECT Queen’s dress: black satin with a red satin lace up bodice. I am known as the “Glue Gun & Glitter Queen” when it comes to costume making- why sew it if you can glue gun it!? and glitter covers ALL mistakes!!!! Joe 2 became the “Ace of Spades” and Katie the “Cheshire Cat” and of course, the one who started all of the fun: Sarah as “Alice”. It was a bit nippy outside so I wore my grandmother’s mink to ward off the chill- in case you are wondering- I DID NOT kill or buy the fur- (i admit I am a bit politically correct paranoid!

Joe & I made interesting shadows!!