non-obligatory blogging

Jimmy's been interested in working with metal and learning how to make some unusual jewelry with some of the odd bits and pieces he can get out of the trash at his job. Because they do some one of a kind sort of things in the machine shop, they also produce some one of a kind, kinda trash. Today he took some old turquoise beads that we had and some of the copper glob bits that he had brought home from work and made quite a lovely pendant, in my opinion. I don't think he's wondering anymore what he might like to try doing when he retires. :)

I've been so inspired by Elaine and Leau's great photography that I've decided to play some with taking (and messing with) some photos myself. Leau pointed me in the direction of some cool camera apps for my Droid. It was a really boring and lousy phone camera before I discovered Camera Zoom FX and a bunch of other fun apps with different effects. The photo above is a combination of some of the stuff from the Droid camera apps and a little bit Photoshopped.

Found the following quote today in an interview with artist Geninne Zlatkis . Love her blog and her birds. :) Albert Einstein once said “The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind." It reminds me of a scripture that I've chosen as my life's goal..."Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands..." 1 Thes. 4:11

  Yesterday morning I had to take a photo of the warm glow that the sunrise cast on everything. I used to think the dead grass was ugly but over the years I've come to appreciate its beauty (even without the pinkish-golden glow from the sunrise). What a different look we woke up to this morning. I had to take another photo of pretty much the same view from the east end of the deck just to show the contrast. Let it snow. I'm ready for it now. Have a warm and happy winter everyone.

How did I miss this new magazine about studios? Probably because I missed a lot last year starting when I blew out my knee exactly one year ago tomorrow. I had a lot of time on my hands and began obsessing about my own tiny, cluttered art space while sitting with my leg in that brace for two months. I also became fascinated by other artists' studios during that time so I'm anxious to get my hands on this magazine now that I know it's available. The current issue is of particular interest because New Mexico artist Pamela Armas and her studio are featured in it and also on the Where Women Create Blog where you can see several photos of Pamela's amazing 22,000 sq. ft. studio and art space. My friend Yvonne (who does the annual Egg Show here in Magdalena) knows Pamela and we tried to visit her last year when we attended the Mountainair Sunflower Festival but were disappointed to find that she was out of town. We're still hoping to get back there one of these days...

My son needed a journal/sketchbook for his cabinet/furniture building business and asked me to come up with something for him. Not sure this will hold up to being tossed in a backpack but it was a start. I'm working on a different flexible cover for it today. Maybe it will work better. (oh and try to ignore the puny elastic cord...I'm in search of some that's bigger but haven't had a chance to shop for it. Does anyone have a good source for bigger corded elastic in different colors?)