Saturday, January 31, 2009

Home, sweetly home.

I'm so glad to be home.  I was honored to be able to be at my Aunt Cathy's funeral as her struggle with cancer deeply touched me.  As you can imagine it was difficult.  It was also nice to see family that I hadn't seen in 10 + years.  Everyone is growing up and turning into their mothers... (or fathers).  Including me.  The cycle of life continues.  No one shall stop the hands of time.  

I'm exhausted.  I don't like winter.  I don't like grey as a sky color.  I don't like the color of the sky when it snows.  I don't like it when my jeans feel like stainless steel and just as cold.  I don't like the cold air burning my lungs.  I don't like slipping on ice.  I don't like fluffy snow that won't be formed into anything.  5 degrees is not for me.  I don't like putting on a bunch of clothes just to have to take them off 5 minutes later... 

On the other hand... Lulu played in the snow for as long as we'd let her... no coming in and out the door for her.  She is a rather warm natured child with a very nice furnace warming her soul.  She loved finding chunks of ice in the snow and icicles.  Then she made things out of them.  I watched from the comfort of the picture window at my Great Aunt Gloria's house.  I'll be posting pics sometime in the nearer future.  

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Saturday


Yesterday my aunt Cathy died.  Her battle with cancer is over.  

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Here is the Python and the Runaway Circus with Old Horsey!!!!







Sometimes you just gotta do it yourself.

As I continually try and reach out in my life... often the plan backfires.  Perhaps I say or do too much.  I am annoying like the kid who just won't leave you alone and keeps asking prying questions.  Still, I wouldn't find that kid annoying and people who "get it" wouldn't find that kid annoying.  It must be me.  I must be the one who "doesn't get along well with others"... but the fact of the matter is that I get along too well with others and I'm the gal calling one too many times.  When I stop, when I'm no longer in your life--will you miss me?  Will you regret all those times you thought I was annoying and childish?  Will I ever grow up?  I don't even know what that means... Perhaps I'll never be sophisticated, never be  whatever a normal is person.  I think I'm okay with that.  Perhaps life is better lived alone.  All these attempts to reach out seem pretty futile when they are ignored.  

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

World's Tiniest Postal Service...

http://leafcutterdesigns.blogspot.com/  Check out the World's tiniest postal service! Feel free to send me one!!!

I spent the afternoon with a Python and will spend the evening with circus performers... could anything be more grand?  


Wednesday...

Ahhh... the bitter cold chill has reached Florida... brrrrrrrrr.  I'm wearing Dad's old violet sweater... a remnant of his high school, early marriage, Air force days.  It's keeping me warm and cozy like a hug.  

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tuesday, Inauguration day!

They Might BE Giants video.

What's shakin' at 3:30 am?  Gonna be a big day today--huge, monumental.  Trying to decide where we are going to watch the inauguration.  Should we venture out to a viewing party or should we watch it on the internet?  Seeing my dislike of large crowds and political events... we may just stay home and the fact that the weatherman said last night that it was going to be cold, cold, cold today.  I suddenly feel like there are not enough clothes in the world that could warm my chilled bones.  

I started working on some artist trading cards last night featuring Gretchen my favorite rag doll girl.  I love her.  I think they turned out fabulous and are much better than previous trading cards that I've made.  (why?  they are much more original--more little me)  

Wii FIT... ouch, sore today.  You would think that pretending to hula-hoop couldn't pain you too much... not so.  I was not a believer and now I am.  I was not lost and now I am not found. I will not begin to list the places of my soreness.  I didn't properly stretch afterwords... I thought, "Stretch?  Is this really exercise?"  Turns out trying to beat your cookie crumbs Wii records--after they are about a week ahead of you is... virtually impossible.  Still, I must try.  Ben has a future in ski jumping... that kid can soar on skis.  (And in real life news, Ben is a pretty great skier...)  I'm feeling the hope.  And, yes, it is exercise.  (in a non traditional, video game-type way).  

Speaking of hope and CHANGE--don't forget to Chromatophore... my mail art show--submissions due by 1 August, 2009.  I'm getting excited for the opening of the show... although no concrete time or place... I'm working on it... never worry, never fear, Robin Hood will soon be here... hiccup.  I bought a FABULOUS pendent on etsy last night.  It is a photograph of an octopus by photographer Elisa Lazo de Valdez. Her work is fantabulous.  To see more of her work click on the link at her blog.  

Remember the last time to visit the Gulfcoast Museum of Art is this Sunday.  And Christopher Still's work is definitely worth seeing.  

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Miniature Art Society of FL Show at Dunedin FIne Art Center



I had two pieces in the show and they both sold.  I'm ecstatic.  The show will go until February 8th.  Yesterday was opening day.  I guess one of the pieces sold in the first 25 minutes yesterday.  The other sold today--first day open to the public.  It's a fantastic show and if you are in the area you should check it out! 

Design for Mankind

Design for Mankind's Call for ART due Feb. 1st via email... 

I did the first part of this collaborative work which was to give words of encouragement. I wrote, "Love Always Prevails."  Now part two is to design a postcard selecting any one of the words of encouragement and illustrate it.  Due date is February 1st.  So visit the website, pick one of 400 phrases, and let your creative juices flow.  You must then email your piece to Erin at Design for Mankind.  Thanks Erin this should be fun!  

SUNDAY

A GREAT STORY ON ANDREW WYETH

I loved reading this newspaper article on Andrew Wyeth.  When I was in high school I bought a copy of the Helga Pictures. [The Helga Pictures] 
I studied it.  And on one of my moves from point a to b I got rid of it.  Andrew died last week at the age of 91.  He leaves behind not only his own legacy but that of his children and grandchildren who are also artists.  Heredity, environment or a little of both?

In contrast, I went to a Peter Max show last night at the Twist and Shout.  Perhaps Max is more like the Warhol "Whore"...  There were avid beanie baby collectors purchasing his prints up.  Although, as far as I know,--no one is really getting rich off of Beanie Babies... I'm just saying.  I'm sure the buyers really just like the Max and everyone likes the man of the hour.  And yes, I met him and had him sign a postcard--just for the history of it all.    


Thursday, January 15, 2009

thursday again




THURsDAY


THURSDAY

Morphine... slipping in and out of consciousness,
Sleeping, loosing track of days, hours, minutes,
The last time you talked to me was the last time,
No pain, no sanity, sentences slipping into words, 
Words jumbled, confused, with memories, dreams, 
And a final hope.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

WEDNESDAY

Immunity Broth 4c of organic vegetable broth 4-6 oz. of organic cooking greens (chard, collard greens, mustard greens, kale, spinach) 2 shallots and/or garlic cloves, chopped 2 carrots, sliced Bring shallots, carrots, garlic and broth to a low boil for 5 minutes. Stir in organic cooking greens. Stir for 2 minutes, cover and remove from heat. After 10 mins drink a cup of the warm nurturing broth--serve veges over rice, noodles, etc.


For those of you struggling with colds, coughs and the like... try immunity broth. It also helps those with AIDs. Not that I'm a doctor or giving advice... none of that happening here!

Also oregano oil is good this time of year...

Tonight... dinner with the folks... tomorrow is their anniversary! Another year under the belt of marriage! ?????!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

TUESDAY

SHE MADE IT... all the way to romania in one piece! well i'm off to the dentist.  lulu is already crying.  joy of joys being a mom and making a pact with the devil of a dentist. No offense dental man.  Smile like you mean it. 



13 JANUARY 2009

Jennifer Zoellner




Monday, January 12, 2009

MONDAY

ugh.  ugh. ugh. it was a 3 ugh art class.  Let's just say that I normally paint while listening to the Killers.  I felt like I didn't want to talk to anyone.  I felt antisocial and UPTIGHT.  I guess I'm usually at home on a monday night working on mail art or some sketch book type project... and I was in a room with a bunch of other people painting... landscape.  I see where I went wrong... I didn't take charge of my vision... I didn't bring a big enough canvas cause I can paint pretty quick... too quick, too nervous.... i won't even post the piece that i finished.  Actually I'm going to give it to my folks for their anniversary--it's the kind of thing they would like.  Ted lit candles and placed them ALL over the bathroom so I'm going to take a bath... all girly... bubbles and all... goodbye cruel painting class! 

Sunday, January 11, 2009

SUNDAY


I'm listening to Adele 19.  Can't get myself to pick up the phone and make the call that I need to make.  ugh.  I'm feeling lazy... stubborn.  Here is a pic of me sad cause they canceled the art class that I wanted to take... low admission.  UGH.  I actually cried when Ted delivered the news.  I haven't picked up the catalog to see what replacement class I could take.  A friend told me that everything happens for a reason.  Blah blah blah... and the reason was  not enough people signed up.  In the meantime I'm wearing my favorite Oilily shirt and trying to maintain a positive attitude.  I'm thinking of going to Ginny and Jane E's today  to give them a copy of my zine since I wrote a nice little article about their adorable shop/cafe.  I have to call and see if they are open, if they'll be there themselves... I can't remember who I met... was it Ginny or Jane E?  I'm really BAD with names.  REALLY BAD.  
Onward... 

Friday, January 9, 2009

Glitter mail art



There is a call for Glitter mail art... here was mine...  The copper mini glitter is free to move about the piece... So if you have a lot of black glitter at home you may want to send a piece... no judging just smiles. 

fun for all... Por la Mar 4


Smithsonian Postal Museum in Washington D.C.  --a neat online exhibit of stamps!  

Hello friend.  Or perhaps two friends... Anyway answered prayers today.  Two friends going through possible trials have been spared thus far.  Thank you God.  

This weekend is the Visual Aids show in NYC.  My first minor flash of art in the big apple... it blows my mind.  Even to think that I'm one of 1500 artists is kind of cool to me.  I'm happy to be a minnow in a sea of tunas.  Or perhaps I'm a sperm in the middle of a sea of whales... anyway you get the picture.  All too vividly I'm sure.  Sorry.  

It's been an exciting week for me.  I finished Por la Mar Zine #4 this week.  It's a little zine I write just for the fun of it and sell it on Etsy.  Perhaps I have another outlet to sell it in... maybe... I'm not sure what I want to do.  

Next weekend is the opening of the Miniature Art Society show in Dunedin, FL... Dunedin Art Center me thinks...  We also signed up to meet Peter Max at the Arts Center in St. Petersburg... so it will be a booked weekend.  My two miniature pieces are not that thrilling... but hey a show is a show... ??? The piece that I really liked wasn't even accepted! Thus is life.

I think I'll stick to mail art... everyone loves a mail artist... ha.  Hey, I got my first add and pass today... I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do... ??? HELP! 

Nighty night. 

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

If Test Tower was a burger...

Launchball, learn and have fun!!

 http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/launchpad/launchball

This is a fun little game that will help you learn about motion, cause and effect and 
physics.  It's somewhat addicting... and of course the 10 year old crumbcake finished every
game on the website in less than an hour... ugh. 

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Go see the Christopher Still exhibit

Christopher Still at the Gulf Coast Museum of Art... The crumbcakes and I went to the show today. It was fabulous. He is a magnificent artist... And hard to believe that January 25th--the last day of his show will also be the last day that the Gulf Coast Museum of Art will be open. They will be closing their doors--perhaps opening in a "better location". We hope so. How could we let this art museum go?? How could it of happened? What makes or breaks a museum? We've driven a number of times from South St. Pete to Largo to see shows there... we've paid the fees for tickets, we've bought the programs... we've couldn't of been the only ones... I hope all of you go to this show... take time see the museum one last time, take the journey into the mind of Christopher Still.



Monday, January 5, 2009

ARTISTAMP 2008: Wackystuff






A little present in today's mail delivery... a stamp swap I participated in! I guess I was most enthralled by the Canadian stamp of Audry Hepburn... I so love her beauty and grace.  All of the stamps are super cool and I'm told that I have to use them... no saving them away in a secret stash...how bout in a sketch book project? Thank you Wackystuff for putting together such a fun swap!! For those of you who don't know what any of this is about... Artistamps are stamps that are homemade and are used as faux postage to add some life, style, class, statement to our mailings... Anything goes--make your own stamps!!!!  And join the underworld of weird art stamp people... hee hee. 

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Mail art to be sent out tomorrow!






Tangerine jelly and chocolate chip cookies

My last day of freedom and I'm spending it cooking and cleaning. Ben and I have been working on some joint projects... he picks and juices the tangerines and I make the jelly. It's quite easy once you have the juice. Here is the recipe... I found it on the Kraft Sure Jell webpage... you won't find it in the box directions.
3 cups citrus juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 box Sure Jell fruit pectin
1/2 tsp. butter
4 1/2 cups sugar measured in a separate bowl
Prepare your jars and lids as usual in box directions (boiling...)
Stir pectin into juices in sauce pot. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to a FULL ROLLING BOIL on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, skim off foam with metal spoon.
Ladle immediately into prepared jars.
Process 5 minutes
Cool completely, then store, give away, eat!!
Then after that mess was cleaned up we started making mini chocolate chip cookies... just for the fun of it. Ben wanted to make them for his friends. He's a sweetheart!
Here's to the last day of winter break!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

My first day of 2009





It was a good day.  
Sunny, cool breeze, rough waves at times,
Freedom, nature and a girl who refused to take her mask off all day.


I wish the mail was running today.


Every day we don't get mail is kind of a sad day for me.  I am somewhat obsessed with mail.  I always have been.  It gave me no greater joy as a child to go out and "get the mail."  I'm not sure what I was looking for in that bundle of ads and bills--perhaps a letter from a distant friend or relative or later... a college acceptance letter. Back in my day kids, if you had a friend who lived far away--like someone you met at camp or on a vacation... you had to write letters to keep in touch or make phone calls... Of course phone calls could get pricey so letter writing was the thing.  I wonder if kids these days still pass notes... or is it all about the texting?  

 I ran across this pic yesterday.  Too funny--I'm the round face girl on the left.  Time flies when you are growing old.