Taking a Break & Self-Portrait Friday

I am off to North Africa today and so am taking a break from blogging. (Not that I have been that dedicated of late anyway, as you, Dear Reader, are already well aware!) I will be on a trip with Caravan-Serai Tours at the start and then will do a little independent travel in Morocco at the end of my trip. I promise to post lots photos and a full report when I return, mid May.

I am posting my Friday self-portrait, however. Please note, I am actually posting it on FRIDAY!

Until then, take good care of yourselves and please, wish my husband and cat well....they will have to fend for themselves!

Self Portrait Friday 24 hours late....again

My dear friend Gwen sent me a link to a fascinating little video about manipulating Pogo prints. I am having a great time trying different ideas and while I can't say I've gotten it down pat, I am making progress. Best of all, I'm having a great time!

(In case you haven't yet met Pogo printer by Polaroid, check it out!)

Photo Manipulation: Zink-PoGo from Frenky on Vimeo.

ArtFest 2010 Catch Up

Here's a toast to ArtFest 2010! Tracy and Teesha Moore have outdone themselves once again. I had THE BEST TIME! Every year I think that they won't be able to make it better, more fun, more jam-packed and every year they prove me wrong.

Even the weather co-operated.

I took classes from Catherine Witherall in PMC bead and ring making, a class from Bee Shay that was delightful and on my last day I finally had a class with Lynne Perrella (whom I have been trying to get into one of her classes for five years!). Each class was wonderful and I learned a long ton from each of my teachers.

Classmate in Bee's class who was really into her painting....and I can't remember her name, unfortunately!

Bee helping a student in her Draw It, Paint It class on Friday.

My painting from Bee's class. This is Lady Phyllis Sopwith, wife of Tom Sopwith (of Sopwith Camel fame). She was described in an article in the London Times from the mid 1930s as having "pretty teeth" but I suspect most people who are familiar with her name remember her for being the navigator on an America's Cup challenger in 1934 and 1937. There was time for some early morning beach combing.....

....and a little shopping in Port Townsend....here's Bee modeling a hat. I think she looks like she's having an IDEA! I'd have bought one of these amazing felted hats but the $300+ price tag was waaaaaaay over my hat budget! But my goodness, they are really cool hats.

Nonie and Bee at lunch at The Silverwater Cafe in Port Townsend.

Cheap advertising for a surprisingly good coffee shop.

Morning reflections at Port Hudson, one of my favorite places to start my daily walk.

If you ever have a chance to attend ArtFest, RUN don't walk to sign up. It's magical.

Doing what I love best (Self-Portrait Friday)

Painting.

Have I mentioned how much I love the process of painting? When I get into "the zone" it feels free and exhilarating like swimming or dancing. I lose all track of time and place, I am just moving and flowing and color and texture. It's magic. When I was young I only ever felt that way when I was swimming. Now I have painting, too. Lucky me.

O, lucky lucky me!


Painted in Lynne Perrella's Go For Baroque class at ArtFest 2010