Pears, Pears, Pears

I went to the grocery store to pick up mustard and stuff, and I saw these little baby pears. They were this beautiful red and gold color. I had this urge to paint them. It's nice when I have that urge with fruit, because most often I have it with faces and people. But it's difficult to just grab someone, put them in a bag, and take them to your studio. Not to mention that it's probably illegal anyway.
So this is the result so far of my painting obsession with them.
I need to go back and get some more.

Those DAM Paintings

I took a few shots of some paintings that I really enjoyed when I went to the Denver Art Museum (DAM) with Christy. The red one was one of Christy's favorites. I wouldn't have been able to choose a favorite, but I have posted some memorable ones. I really loved the intimate little portrait of a man by Bastien-Lepage.
Also, there is a photo of the outside and inside of the museum. There were no right angles anywhere inside or outside. I am sure that architecturally this is quite a feat, but the effect it had on me was vertigo and queasiness. The artwork was displayed beautifully, and there were stations throughout the museum where you could sit and look through books or listen to music or watch videos. Very nice. Overall the collection was interestingly diverse, with everything from gothic to Native American to contemporary, including installation and video.

1/2 of Cato

Okay, I know. But I had to post this picture. I really should just get one of those Flicker things.

Cato - Potato

Sometimes, when I look at Cato, I know that he was a royal enlightened soul that reached nirvana, but decided to return to enjoy the perfection of being Cato.

For The Love Of The Weiner Dogs

When I was in Denver visiting Christy, I had the fortune of also hanging out with the weiners, Mr. Gibson and Miss Tika. I don't know why I don't have pics of Tika. Perhaps it was because most of the time she was buried under a blanket.
But here are a couple of pictures of Mr. Gibson, who was more than happy to pose for me. I suspect he has had his picture taken before by his Daddy. He wasn't sure what was his best side, so Mr. Gibson posed profile and front view, so everyone can see how handsome he is.
Last time I was there, I don't remember adoring the doggies so much. They are warm, cuddly love moochers. They just want to interact with you and sit on your lap. I fell in love. Puppy love. Give them a kiss for me.

Clouseau Has A Sweet Face

I am posting this picture because, one, it's cute, and two, I might use it as my new Pofile pic.

Goodbye, Wisdom Teeth

Yesterday, I voluntarily went to a very nice doctor to have him pry, hammer, chisel, and saw four teeth out of my head. Teeth that were very, very comfortable where they were. But also teeth that would occasionally cause me so much torment that I wanted to rip them out myself.
Blessedly, our health insurance covered my heavy sedation during the surgery, so that I would not remember the ordeal. I slept most of the rest of the day, still under influence of the pain killers. And then the pain killers wore off.... Holy Crap. Another blessing: huge horsepill Ibuprofen.
Now today, I am not recognizable as myself. I had prepared myself for 'some swelling', but I think that what has happened to my face is utterly absurd.

So, this is the reason for all the blog posts today. I ice my face ten minutes on, ten minutes off, and in between, I write a post. Am I working on my Bio?, nooooo.... Am I cleaning the apartment?, noooo.... am I doing anything constructive?, no. But I am eating a lot of chocolate pudding!

Some New Artwork

Here are some new sketches. Two oil sketches done while out painting with Frank and Mark. And two charcoal sketches of some lovely models.

Happy Valentine's Day

Ticking Clock, Baby Hats, and Real Estate

Saturday, I arrived in Denver, and Christy and I went directly to a baby shower. Christy had knitted two adorable baby hats as a gift. (The Mom-to-be is having twins)
It was fun, including fun games such as 'guess the baby food', and 'a memory game of looking into a basket at 36 baby items for a few seconds and then trying to write down all the things you can remember from it. Even with Christy and I working together we still didn't win the prize, but almost.
I was worried that being around all the baby talk and baby gifts, that I would have a ticking clock meltdown. But a left wanting to be pregnant just a tiny bit more than before. At this point, it doesn't really matter.
Does anyone know of a good term for when a woman wants to get pregnant, when the urge to have a baby is so strong. And NOT 'ticking clock'. That doesn't accurately describe the feeling. It makes it sound like merely a physical condition. I mean, really, there are all kinds of words for being horny, or mad, or sad, or so many other states of being, but no official word for this desire to create. That one thing without which, there would be no you or me. So WHY is there no good word for it? Any ideas?

After the baby shower, we relaxed back at Christy's lovely home, had some coffee, looked up potential real estate in Burbank. Here
is what Mark and I have to choose from. And then we waited 45 minutes for the world's most inept cab driver to pick us up. That is what is so fantastic about Christy; even waiting for a cab, and you are hungry and frustrated, you still have the best time!
Here is a picture of Christy at the Jazz club we went to after dinner. The fuzzy picture is when this drunk guy tried to take a picture of us. He did a good job at keeping the camera still, don't ya think?

Yes, Finally, A Post!

I know, I know. I have been back from Denver for three whole days, and no post! Don't get the wrong idea, I have so much to report! A weekend in Denver with Christy gives me weeks of posting subject matter. But just like fine wine, these things need to be sipped, sniffed, slurped, and spit out a little at a time. I just want to say that it was a much needed visit to my long time, closest, funnest, most lovely, BFITWWW!

Here is a picture of the beautiful Christy as we were dolled up, going to dinner in hip downtown Denver.

Weekend in Denver!

I am going to visit Christy this weekend! We are going to laugh, reminisce, cook, eat, drink, knit, play with weiner dogs, dance, sing, and probably do some things I can't tell you about. HA!

Oh, and I will touch snow! Yay!

Even More Pictures

I had to post some more pictures of the Birthday Outing. The hiking trails were so beautiful. There was this hawk of some kind that was just hanging out on the wire, completely ignoring all of us humans staring at it. And here is a pic of the aforementioned oil pumps.

Happy Birthday, Husband.

Sunday was Mark's birthday! We drove OUT of Los Angeles county to celebrate. It was a very warm day, high 80's, and sunny! We drove out to Ojai, where there are these working, and not working, oil pumps. I love anything industrial, old, and rusty. We took a big bunch of pictures of them, and drove on to Ojai to have a burrito at Ruben's Burrito's. Outsatanding food in this hole-in-the-wall place. Then on to Santa Barbara where we hiked up the Seven Falls trail. Except there were no falls because there has been no rain since last March. And drove back along side this most amazing sunset that no camera could capture. The clouds were streaked across the sky lit up in neon arange and pink, in contrast to the turquoise sky behind, and a powdery blue ocean. It was a wonderful day. Now I am no longer the 'older woman' for Mark. At least until October.

Really Big Hair

This is the sketch from last Wednesday's drawing group. The model wore this huge fake wig with a little cap. Very fun.

I See Famous People

So Mark and I were at Trader Joe's the other night because we needed spinach, and there is this couple there with an adorable baby. They are totally rock and roll punked out. The Mom has a tattoo on her arm that says "F**k Off", and the Dad is this big scary guy who is completely gah-gah and goo-goo-ing the little baby. Mark says to me, 'Isn't that the singer of Queens of The Stone Age? The cool thing about being in LA is that when you say,"Gee that looks like so-n-so", it IS that so-n-so. Of course this is so cool for Mark and me because we are big fans. We were awe-struck! I also have seen Steven Spielberg and Edie McClurg at this TJ's.

Cato

Just some new pics of Cato. He is quite a good model.

And he likes to eat bamboo leaves.

Festive

I took this shot on Christmas Eve Day. Thanks, Mom for the beautiful centerpiece. We hung our wedding painting next to the tree.

It was a very quiet Christmas Day. Just Mark and me. Opened a few gifts (Yay, I finally have an IPod!). I cooked, and then we ate!

Hope your Christmas was wonderful!

LA Is Not That Bad

A little while ago my good friend Amy told me that I had better stop badmouthing LA or she may never want to visit. And I thought,"Oh, yeah. And I do so very much want my friends to come visit!" Seriously, you are welcome anytime. I have a real nice air mattress, and I make killer vegan oat-walnut pancakes.

So here is a list of the good things about LA and Burbank. (Burbank is not officially a part of the City of Los Angeles):

1. Beautiful weather, of course.

2. Flowers bloom year round.

3. You see many, many gorgeous models and famous actors.

4. Stunningly beautiful wilderness and hiking.

5. Griffith Park is right next door. The largest municipal park in the country. There is horseback riding, hidden flower gardens, and picnicking.

6. The Pacific Ocean.

7. Many wonderful restaurants to choose from with any type of food you could think of. Peruvian, Oaxacan, Ethiopian, Korean, Vietnamese, Greek, Armenian, Thai, Indian, Tibetan, Moroccan, etc.

8. Great comedy clubs: Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade, the Improv, etc.

9. Transvestites.

10. Huge fancy theatres.

11. Short drive to Vegas, Big Sur, skiing, camping, & mountains.

12. Whatever you are into, anything at all, you will find a club or group dedicated to it.

13. Mulholland Drive.

14. You could go to tapings of The Price is Right, Ellen, or Jay Leno. Ellen and
Leno are walking distance from my apt. "Come on down!"

Well, That's off the top of my head.

I hope that makes you want to come visit!

New Year's Resolution

I don't think I have ever really made an official New Year's Resolution before. I have always thought that life changes should happen when they need to happen. But mostly coincidentally, I have decided to make some changes that I will make permanent.

1. Be Happy.

2. Become a Yogi.

3. Make Friends.

Number one seems very simple. Being happy is a choice. I choose to be happy. No longer will I let hormones, society, or jealousies affect my choice to be happy. Anyone who reads this blog knows first hand that I succumb to depression and lonliness way too often. I hope that I did not bring anyone down with those posts. If I did, then you choose happiness too!
I know that I will have moments when the stress or sadness will creep in. I resolve to study exactly why those feeling are knocking, and hopefully learn something from letting them go.

Number two is related to number one because I plan to use yoga as part of my process for achieving happiness. I joined City Yoga a couple weeks ago and have been going almost every day. I have always wanted to follow some physical discipline like ballet, martial arts, or yoga. Yoga was a good choice for me because I find the spiritual aspect just as challenging and inspiring as the body aspect. (It's freakin' hard). I find that practicing yoga combines the spiritual, mental and physical aspects just right. It has been very rewarding. I already feel a lifting of spirit!

And I think number three is related to one and two. I could go on and on about my lack of friend-making abilities. Christy once told me that when we were in 8th grade, people used to ask her,"Why are you friends with Joy? She's so scary." Yes, I was a bitter, angry, scared person. Probably necessary for being an artist, but not good for attracting friends. When I think back to all the friends I have had since high school, I notice that it was the other person who invited me along, and for some reason kept doing so. Maybe I never learned how to actively be a friend first. I notice that it would take me a long time to open up to someone. What am I afraid of? What's the worst that could happen. It doesn't help that I usually work alone all day, and all my spare time is spent at my easel. I would welcome any advice you might have in this department. I feel I need it.

So Happy New Year! I hope that there is a positive change for you and for the rest of the world. Be the positive change you want to see in the world!

Home Again

Friday, Mark, Cato, Clouseau and I were allowed back into our apartment. The kitties sang to me the whole way home in the car. Everything is fine. Got our Christmas tree and decorated it. Yay!

The only problem was that nobody (ahem, the landlord) had the gas turned back on. No heat, stove, or shower. Boo.

I was not going to let that get me down! We had a fabulous time hanging out and eating bagels and coffee with our wonderful downstairs neighbor, Tom. Yay!

Here is a pic of the cool motel we stayed in. Oops, I mean, the motel in which we stayed. Cato on the bed, perfectly calm, and Clouseau wedged in between the headboard and wall, where he hid most of the time. Also, Cato took some time to study the artwork in the motel room. And here is a pic of our apartment building tented. I drove by to see it that day. I thought it was weird how nobody parked in front of the building. I guess people are still afraid because 4 years ago a building exploded when they fumigated. Eek.

It feels so good to be home again. The kitties are happy! I appreciate a shower so much more than before, and we are ready for Christmas!

Christmas Cheer

Mark, Cato, Clouseau, and I are in a motel room for 3 days because our apartment building is being filled with highly toxic gas in an attempt to kill termites, and any other living thing that has the misfortune of being there. I have to say that I do not like the idea that everything we own is going to be permeated by this toxic gas. The 'bug guys', as we like to call them, told us that there is no danger, that the gas evaporates completely from everything. But make absolutely sure you double bag and securely tie all food in these special bags. And baby mattresses especially. Okay, what about adult matresses? Not them? I don't feel confident.

So after days of bagging all food in the fridge and cabinets(and pillows), we are all at the Safari Inn. Clouseau spent most of the day wedged in between the bed and the wall. Cato is fine, of course. I am a little stressed because the motel has a policy that pets are not allowed to be left unattended. So I have been in the motel room most of the day. Not too bad. Watched Law and Order reruns on TNT.

Until today, though, I have not been feeling any good Christmas spirit. Mostly because 5 days before Christmas we have been kicked out of our apartment, having poison gas sprayed on all our stuff, and staying in a motel room. And no Christmas tree.

I usually run around all day, with no spare time. So, with all this time on my hands, I decided to send a little 'Happy Holiday' note to everyone on my email list, make a few phone calls, and balance my checkbook. When I checked my email later, I had received so many sweet responses to my little e-note that I was struck with a burst of Christmas Spirit. Thank you everyone! I was actually going to post today about how I needed help getting into the spirit, but now I don't need to. Don't get me wrong , I still long to hear from you with anything you could say.

Mark and I are planning on decorating our tree this weekend, listening to Christmas music, do some last minute shopping (which I actually love, as long as a mall is not involved), and I am going to make all our favorite foods! Yeah, Christmas Spirit!

Friends

I miss my friends.

I miss my high school friends. I miss seeing you everyday in class, eating lunch in the cafeteria, going to the movies, cruising around in station wagons and Escorts. I miss the endless amount of time available to hang out and do nothing but talk and laugh. I miss feeling like I can take a ride over to your house and stay a while in the easy, fun, and accepting warmth of your friendship.

I miss Kitty and the hours spent in her amazing garden, learning about flowers and martinis. I miss pesto-fests on soft, warm evenings with the ladies from Pearl Paint gathering on the full moon.

I miss painting and drinking with the best artists in New Haven every Friday night.

I miss dancing and playing Cranium with Sherie and the most interesting, creative folks in CT. I took for granted how easy it was to find you and enjoy your company.

Thanks to all my friends! I treasure you. I am better for knowing you.

Sketch Class

This is Gina, another great model I had the privelege of studying the other week before
I contracted the plague.

Wedding Painting

I asked my good friend Ted Tihansky to paint Mark and I as we got married. He set up and painted as the ceremony was happening. It was something Mark and I always new we wanted. And the result is absolutely Ted, and does convey the beautiful light and magic of the day. We have something that is so unique, is so sentimentally valuable and precious, and will be historically valuable someday. Something we can pass down. It is an immense gift and treasure for us.

Thank you so much Ted!

New Haircut

While convalescing, I had some time to contemplate a new haircut. I have an appointment on Tuesday. Let me know which one you like.

Flu

Last Friday I started feeling a little dryness in the back of my throat. Little did I know that it was the first sign of the horrifying battle to be unleashed on my immune system. The same immune system that I once thought to be super-human and worthy of scientific study. The same one that kept me from contracting every childhood disease and sickness, even when my sister had it and we slept in the same bunk as children.

Don't get me wrong, every 2 years or so, I have had colds that usually last a few days. This is the first time since I was 10 that I have had the FLU. I have had a week to ponder the diabolical nature of the virus. They are fascinating and from the devil, I am sure of it.

So I apologize for not posting this past week. I was horizontal for most of it. I watched the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, plus all bonus material, A Room With A View, and Return of the Jedi. I took about 90 pictures of the cats, and drank many kegs of tea.

Now poor Mark has it. We share everything.

House Hunters

Back in the days when I had cable and spare time, I loved to watch House Hunters on HGTV. You get to follow someone as they look at house after house for one they like enough and can afford. Then at the end of the show the suspenseful phone call from the real estate agent telling them if their bid was accepted. You know that they are real people and not actors by the way they 'pretend' they are talking on the phone. And I love to see how the agents try to describe a gaping hole in the ceiling as an opportunity to put in skylights.

It's also exciting to see if the house hunters pick the house you like. Ooh, or are they going for the condo? Noooo! Go for the cute bungalow!! It had leaded glass windows and built in bookshelves! What's the matter with you?
How could you pass up that ultra-cool mid century mod architectural gem? Just because it didn't have a pool? Wah?
Oh, no, their offer was rejected!

Well, it's big drama, as you could imagine. So yesterday, after Mark and I went to the laundromat, we passed an open house sign for these new condos that are almost done. We were in just the right adventurous mood, so we thought 'why not?'. Now, we are not planning to buy anything right now. We just bought a couch. That's a big enough investment. We were just curious.

We asked to see the 2 bedroom sample unit. The salesman, nor any of the literature stated the square footage of the units, but they were pretty small. A tiny kitchen, tiny kitchen nook, tiny living room, and 2 tiny bedrooms. Our apartment is bigger. They had it decorated beautifully, with Bette Davis artsy photos, and Old Hollywood 40's themes. Half a million dollars and it could be yours!
It was fun pretending that we had a half a million dollars, and that the place was nice, but 'just too small for our needs'.

So we decided to drive around the neighborhood, and saw another open house. This time it was an actual house. A very cute house on a nice little quiet street. We would have loved this house. It had a lemon tree, orange tree, and a flagstone terrace in the back with a two car garage. A washer and dryer, and something rarely seen in LA, a refrigerator. Ooooohh. Four bedrooms, and a huge living/dining room area. The kitchen needs major updating. (The dishasher had fake wood veneer on the door.) Something must have been structurally wrong with it because it was listed at only $700,000. Or maybe the market is dropping. The agent there asked if we had been pre-aproved and if it was in our price range. We just said,'well, just a smidge over our price range'. Ha-ha!

A little while ago this experience would have made me sad. I would walk around staring longingly at houses, with tears in my eyes, telling myself,'we will never have a house.' But I decided that I think anything is possible. We can have a house. We deserve a house.

Not that I think starting a life and a family in an apartment is so bad. Millions do in New York. I like our apartment, love the neighbors, love the neighborhood. I just hate the idea of giving our weird landlord money every month, and getting no return.

What's your opinion? Is an apartment okay to raise a child? I grew up in apartments and condos, and I turned out pretty well.