Show Prep

Getting ready for an
art exhibition
can be quite daunting.

A week or two before the show . . .

Late nights determined to finish one more painting before the show, waking suddenly at 2 am when you remember that ‘one thing’ you forgot to do, trying to stay attentive to remaining somewhat balanced in your life (Hah! Hah!). You get the drift. All the little details; it’s exciting and exhausting. The hope, the anticipation, the energy. . .

Last night I was helping set up for tomorrow’s exhibition. It was fun. A little slow warming up, but once we finally decided to pick up a bottle of wine things loosened up a little. Of course Clem came back with the wine, and we realized we didn’t have a corkscrew! So, the hunt was on to find something to pull the darn cork out. Bill found a large hook (like a mug hook) and got to work on it. With a little leverage the cork was out, we said a little toast, turned on the jazz and we got into the groove.

The show is featuring the works of three artists - My work, Bill Cramer's landscapes, and Lisa Kaiser's miniature sculptures.

Here I posted two little snippets from my newest painting that will be at this show.











Here is the infamous mug hook that rescued the evening, properly placed on its throne - with the wine bottle cork still attached.


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Show Prep

FOOD is ART!

I like to eat food that is created by people who approach cooking as an art.





The process, the textures, the colors, the flavors, the presentation – it’s an art! My problem is that I have a tendency to appreciate it more than I should.














Eve's Island
Oil on canvas
30" x 40"








On my quest to eating better, exercising, and simply taking better care of my health I have tried to keep an open mind and learn more about my body (inside and out). Oh, I listen to what others have to say about what they do to take care of themselves, I read books, articles, and try to make sense of what the media reports on the latest concerns.

What I’ve determined from all of this is that we are each similar in many ways – mainly, we need food to fuel our bodies, and keep us alive. But we are also all so very unique in our genetic make up, chemistry, physical build, and lifestyles that all of it needs to be taken into consideration when we are trying to do what’s best for US.















My next determination is that we each need to research how we differ from everyone else in the world. A Doctor can’t tell you, and neither can your loved ones. Only you know your body better than anyone else, because you live in it, and you feel it. So, the best thing to do is pay close attention to what it’s telling you.

"The burden of food-related ill health measured in terms of mortality and morbidity is similar to that attributable to smoking.... The vast majority of the burden is attributable to unhealthy diets rather than to food-borne diseases."

— Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health


About a year ago, I had a good friend tell me about a book called, “Eat Right For Your Blood Type” by Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo. I found it to be an interesting theory and approach to optimized health. However, you need to know what your blood type is. I’ve discovered in my communications with others that very few people actually know their own blood type. I didn’t know mine. So I made the effort to find out what my blood type is and then I read the book. I discovered that my body responds to certain foods just as the book said my blood type does. Amazing! It explains why, and how our body is affected (short term and long term) by the foods we eat based on our blood types.
I've known for years that Chocolate and Caffeine have an adverse affect on me just by paying attention to my bodies reaction to them (fibroid cysts, and migraines). I knew this even before any doctor told me.

And I love Chocolate - what a bummer.
But I stay away from it.

I always wondered why one diet works for some people and not for others. Now I know, it’s because there is no one diet that addresses our individual chemistry make up, food intolerances, lifestyle, etc. We have to make the effort to learn about our own bodies, and pay attention to what it’s trying to tell us. Then we have a choice to make, we can choose to do what we have learned is right for our individual selves, or ignore them. Making those discoveries in the first place is an ART worth mastering! Of course, the next ART is figuring our how to eat right for yourself, when someone else in your household has a completely different blood type with different food intolerances, and concerns. Whew! Good luck!

"What we do today, right now, will have an accumulated effect on all of our tomorrows."
- Alexandra Stoddard , author, interior designer and philosopher of contemporary living

FOOD is ART!

Get Your Big Buns Here!

My booth at the Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival was located next to this fabulous bakery appropriately called, "Big Buns". They placed their small a-frame sign in front of my booth. I was tortured all weekend long by the scrumptious smell that permeated the surrounding area! It put about 5 extra pounds on me. Then of course I watched people walking out of the bakery about every 3 minutes with a multitude of different delectable treats. I couldn't help but indulge in a few sinful sensations myself. I felt like I needed to go to a confessional - and I'm not even Catholic!

Margo, the Big Buns Bakery Chef extraordinaire and business owner, really knows her stuff! Her 'Morning Buns' are fantastic, and her 'Coffee Cake' melts in your mouth.

I love the Carefree Art Festival. I love all the names of the streets in the city. "Ho Hum Rd, Easy Street, Lazy Lane, Never Mind Trail, . etc... " It's the perfect place to get your big buns! My artwork seems to fit in real well there, too. I've been called by some, "The artist that does all the "Lazy Women". " I take that as a compliment!

The Art at the festival was also top notch! It was a great weekend to sell Art! My next art festival is at the Fountain Hills Fine Art and Wine Festival on March 21, 2008.

Get Your Big Buns Here!

Tapas Anyone?

Good Food is an ART! I love it when I come across a restaurant with exceptionally good food -- good enough to spread the word. Soooo.......

El Gato Azul Restaurant in Historic Downtown Prescott, Arizona is one of my favorite local places to eat. Quaint little place for traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine. They usually have live music in the patio area on weekends, plus they occasionally have a Tequila tasting event, and a periodic wine tasting. If you ever make it there may I suggest trying their Tapas!!! Some of my favorite tapas are their Black Bean Cakes, Blackened Scallops, and Red Pepper Cream Salmon! YUM! Also, their Paella is packed with flavor!

Tapas Anyone?