What’s New!

Pirate Booty

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:28:48 -0700

This photo makes me think of a treasure chest overflowing with pewter doubloons...
just add a few pearl strands and you'd have pirate booty!

I've spent the last few weeks experimenting with my tools, playing, doodling on metal.
Lots of fun, great results AND I learned a lot in the process.

These little pewter gems (and MORE) are on display and available for purchase at Gallery 225 in Gilbert, Arizona.

Exploring the embossabilities!
~lynda

A Storm Brewing

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:40:28 -0700

When a storm is brewing, we can literally “smell” the rain. Moisture laden clouds don’t usually make it over this last hill. Today they did and the heavy rainfall was quick and glorious.

This evening’s bonus surprise - A double rainbow!

Who loves ya baby!

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 10:24:35 -0700

No need to consult the calendar, summer has officially arrived. We are experiencing triple digit heat in the Phoenix area and our thermometer display is almost completely RED... we are in the “teens”. YOWZA!

Even in the desert heat, animals continue to thrive. We help our “locals” out a bit with fresh water every morning and evening. Check out the small covey of quail come to visit (photo above).

Although Arizona’s monsoon season officially started June 15th, the rain has not made an appearance here (yet). We look forward to cloudy skies, gusty winds, and the drenching rain that follows. Until then, it looks like it’s just gonna be WARM <wink>.

What’s on your front porch?

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 16:43:15 -0700

Living remote, and especially this time of year, means checking your porch for snakes BEFORE you step out the door. This beautiful 5-foot specimen (gopher snake?) is definitely not a “viper” or rattlesnake... the ones we want to watch out for. You can see his head is oval not spade shaped and the tip of his tail is evident on the right. Nice pointy little tip -- no rattles! So he gets to live another day since we think he’s a good snake to have around, although the rodents and lizards probably don’t like him very much.
Bon appétit.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Fri, 14 May 2010 12:10:15 -0700

Living in the desert, I am constantly reminded to keep my eyes open, staying aware and alert to what’s going on around me. Good advice for any artist!

Today’s photo offering is a great example of desert camoflauge. The only reason I happened to see this horned lizard at all was that he moved his head and I caught the motion out of the corner of my eye. He had the perfect camouflage, effectively blending in to his surroundings, hiding in plain sight.

A year ago (March 2009) I posted photos of a younger version of this incredible reptile. Now, and then, he was very receptive to having his photo taken. This fellow is much larger, about the size of my palm. Of course, I want to believe it’s the same lizard, and that he has not only survived but thrived. I hope our paths will cross again.

Tickled pink!

Sat, 1 May 2010 11:05:24 -0700

Tickled pink meaning - To be delighted. The weather here is still cool enough to work/play outside until early afternoon. Our mornings have been cloudy and we can see rain falling to the North. Nighttime temps are brisk (at least for Arizonans), in the 30-50 degree range. Windows are left open to allow fresh air to circulate, with thermal blinds biding their time at the top of the window frame. No city noises assaulting my ears, only the subtle hum of bees and bugs. Birds chirping, singing to their mates and children. The wind - a bit gusty at times, can be heard weaving its way through the trees. Our wildflowers have shed their colorful finery for drab brown and turned to seed, the birds feasting on their dried offerings. Local cacti are almost tropical in their spring display, positively neon with blooms. The mesquite trees dangle their fragrant blossom clusters, successfully tempting a myriad of pollinators. This is the upper desert, full of life, movement, song, preparing itself for the hot summer ahead.

Quail in the Cholla Patch

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:00:04 -0700

Yesterday one of our furry kids (Bo) came limping home looking like a “pin cushion”. His nose and muzzle, inside his mouth, and all four feet COVERED in cholla spines. For those of you who have never experienced a cholla up close and personal, take it from Bo, BEWARE and give them wide berth! Their loose-jointed branches break off easily in segments and their sharp thorny spines have barbed ends - making them great propagators - attaching themselves to whatever comes along. Cholla spines are tenacious and painful to extract. We’re still chasing poor Bo around with the tweezers.

The picture above was taken from a safe arm’s length of a mature Chain-Fruit Cholla, also known as a “Jumping Cholla”. This particular cactus stands well over seven feet tall and is one of several congregated in what we call the “Cholla Patch”. Check out those needle-like spines! The dark hole in the center is an active wren’s nest. This is probably where the puppy-pin-cushion saga started. Bo loves to chase flying birds and in his excitement he apparently ran right over the protective wire fencing and found himself knee-deep in cholla buds.

Today while we were out reinforcing the barrier fence surrounding the cholla patch, we noticed the wren family occupying the cholla’s penthouse apartment while several flights below, hidden in the basement and surrounded by dying wildflowers, is... can you see her? ...a mama quail, sitting on her nest. Hopefully, in a few weeks we’ll be seeing a covey of quail. The babies are so cute and they hatch hungry and ready to run around. Now we know to be watching for ‘em!

Hunting for Easter Eggs

Sun, 4 Apr 2010 20:01:18 -0700

While walking the dogs on Easter morning, I noticed this little “gem” nestled amongst the desert grasses and wildflowers. At first glance, doesn’t the criss-cross pattern of the cactus spines remind you of an intricately decorated Easter Egg? Nature is God’s Art.

One Woman’s Wildflowers

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:46:30 -0700

Spring has arrived and one woman’s wildflowers are someone else’s “weeds”. They sure grow ‘em thick and tall out here in Arizona. The desert is an amazing ecosystem. Awakened by a wee bit of rain, seeds that may have laid dormant for perhaps years burst their protective husks and push up through newly moistened soil to thrive and blossom. I’ve noticed that not all plants appear each year, they apparently must wait until their time and the moisture are just right. This year we’re seeing a lot (okay, a whole lot!) of Fiddleneck, also called Tarweed. The view from our kitchen window is a meadow bursting with lovely yellow flowers, but in a few weeks those lush green fiddlenecks will begin to seed, their stems turning brown and brittle. Not so pretty anymore and also a FIRE danger! So, I am enjoying the beautiful display now knowing that very soon, I will join forces and become one with our “weed whacker”.

P.S. I had to share this photo of my irises. A gift from our neighbor Jack, after thinning his iris beds a few years ago. I transplanted them and this is the first year they have bloomed. Happy dance!

Back at the ranch...

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:26:47 -0700

I love visiting Linda and Tom at the After Midnight Art Ranch. Their customized art retreats feature great food, amazing vistas and fabulous new friends. The ranch is a perfect place to go and PLAY, relax, have fun.

Did you know you can customize your own retreat... What art form interests you? I bet they teach it at the After Midnight Art Ranch! Contact Linda to personalize an art retreat week created just for you... invite your friends to join or make new ones there. Workshop enrollment is limited by design and you will be delighted with the one-on-one attention you receive.

When I arrived on Tuesday afternoon, the guest artists were in the middle of paper making activities. Blenders whirling, water swishing, screens flashing, couch sheets, and ultimately the book press! Papers were dried overnight and released to their owners the following day -- Ooh la la!

Wednesday we had a metal embossing marathon. Copper bookmarks, “torched” of course! Origami folds, handmade tassels and Pewter embellished concertina books. Thank you Ann, Ann(e), Arlene and Sue for your enthusiasm and willingness to try your hand at Repujado, the fine art of Metal Embossing. Your finished pieces are gorgeous and I know they will be enjoyed for many years to come.

Thursday was a bonus treat for me because Terry and Annette Medaris had arrived to teach Terry’s unique style of blending colored pencils. Terry’s artwork is bright and colorful. He designs his own rubber stamps and retails an amazing array of coloring books, bookmarks, magnets, etc. I think his use of color is absolutely delicious. Click HERE to see for yourself!

Speaking of delicious, I have to mention Tom! Oops - not that Tom isn’t delicious, but his meals certainly are. I hear there might even be an After Midnight Art Ranch cookbook in the works. YUM. Thank you Tom for feeding us all AND catering to our diet restrictions and chocolate addictions <wink>.

Friday, I waved goodbye to my new friends as they headed over to visit the After Midnight Art Ranch onsite store. They were going to do a little shopping and then head out for a day of exploring; destinations to include nearby Patagonia, the Empire Ranch, a really cool and artsy junk yard, the Day of the Dead Museum, lunch at Viaggio Italiano, then on to Tubac and Buffalo Gals. I wish I could have stayed another day and played on... sigh...

Photos courtesy of Arlene. Thank you!