by Susan Lobb Porter | Art, Life, Studio |
It rained hard enough last night for the power to go out. Poured throughout the day today. Snow. Hail. Going to keep on going like that for another 24 hours.
Welcome to April.
When I came home from work tonight the first thing I did was check the studio. The new studio, Studio-Grande-under-construction. Even though the sky was opening up like some fanatical end-of-the-world-scenario, it was dry inside. DRY!!! Not a puddle in sight. No drips. No buckets. No horse shavings strewn around the floor to sop up the puddles.
It. Was. DRY.
Oh, what a difference a roof makes.
I went inside and savored it. Walked around feeling the space that for the first time did NOT include some reminder of the outdoors. A space that completely sheltered me from the elements. The air was cold but it wasn’t moving, wasn’t blowing in through cracks. The rain was on the other side of the windows. It smelled like lumber in there. And cold concrete, if there is such a smell.
Each phase of the construction has filled me with a sense of gratitude. Because this place is being created to honor my creativity. It’s my space to paint and spill and celebrate whatever it is inside me that HAS to make things.
And I’m so grateful for the love that’s gone into this place. For Mama, who left me the money to finance the construction. For Mr. Spouse, who also has the need to create and has taken this project beyond what I first envisioned.
This weekend we’ll put up the insulation. Weekend after that, the sheetrock. There’ll be cabinets to assemble, concrete countertops to pour. If all goes as planned, I’ll be in there in early June.
And I can’t wait! Got a business to get up and running. Painting. Teaching. Marketing. Letting my light shine.
It’s about time.
Speaking about business, be sure to check out my Facebook page, SLPorter, Mixed Media. I’ll be posting a little something there every day. Brief little bits of studio news, new art or something from my classes. Arty Life Lite. And if you like what you see, please do me a great big favor and click the ‘like’ button on the top of the page. I want to get more ‘likes’ than Coca-Cola. I only have 41.something million to go.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Random Acts of Art |
YAY, it’s WEDNESDAY!!! OMG, you know what that means…cartwheels! Backflips! Handsprings! Because…ta-da it’s time for RANDOM ACTS of ART, Wednesday edition.
And now that we’ve got all that jumping around out of the way, would someone please call the chiropractor? Because being an acrobat in Cirque du Soleil is not in my future. Nor was it ever in my past.
But a girl can dream, can’t she….
So now as I settle in with an ice pack, a brief recap of RANDOM ACTS of ART WEDNESDAY for those who are new. It’s simple, really. A little something I started doing on Valentine’s Day. It was so much fun I decided to keep doing it. And I invite the world to join me. All you have to do is make a little arty something, leave it somewhere like on a trail or a restaurant for a random stranger to find. And after leaving little bit of anonymous luvvvv to brighten a someone’s day, take a photo. Then share it on your blog. And share the link here.
My Random Acts weren’t so random this week. First came sister Marjorie Ellen’s beautiful arty tokens, all the way from Norway.
Aren’t they gorgeous? Just some local rocks she covers with gold leaf and decorates with a tag from Yogi tea. She sent them with a special request, that I put them where Mama can find them.
So I put them in the oak grove where we put Mama last year. One year ago this past week.
And that’s where I put my own rocks. And sister Perci left some flowers. All nestled next to Mama’s big rock.
So for me it wasn’t about being random this week. It was just about spreading the luvvv right here at home.
And now it’s your turn. Got any RAA to share? Leave your link just below the post, where it says You’re next. Click here to enter. Can’t wait to see what you’ve got! The link stays open until Saturday midnight, California time.
Oh! And if you haven’t been to my Facebook page, check it out here. Got a couple art albums going there. And while you’re at it, do me a favor and ‘like’ the page, okay? I’ll be your best friend if you do, promise. I’ll even buy a box of Girl Scout cookies from your kid next year.
by Susan Lobb Porter | All things Chocolate, Life |
Warning: The post you are about to read was written under the influence of an unholy amount of sugar coursing through my veins. I am not responsible for a single offending thing I say in this post.
Or EVER, for that matter.
I’m writing this post on Easter Sunday. This is the most holy of days in the Christian calendar. On the O’Holy o’meter it’s OFF. THE. CHARTS. Which is why Christians everywhere engage in ritual sacrifice of rabbits and chickens on this most sacred of days. To celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
What’s not to celebrate? I’d come back for chocolate too.
Pause here to bow your head and genuflect. Show some respect. Because those cute little critters down below… they’re about to have their HEADS EATEN OFF. And they haven’t a clue.
They are the innocents. Who. MUST. Die. For us.
Look at them. So…cheerful. So unsuspecting. Well, maybe not the bunny. Her smile looks rather forced to me. And WHAT is that she’s clutching? OMG! A little purse. She thinks she’s going shopping. Or to the movies. Oh, why doesn’t someone SAVE her??? Where is PETA (Confectionery division) when you need them? Where?
Because if someone doesn’t STOP ME, I will do what I was raised to do. WITH THE CHURCH’S BLESSING!!!
Starting with the ears. I will break them off her tiny little head with my bare hands. Just. Like. That. And then, as she watches (still smiling but it’s a horrified smile) I will BITE PEEP’S HEAD OFF. And. Swallow. It. Whole.
And then I’ll get back to Miss Bunny….
But I will spare you the details. It’s not a pretty sight but it MUST BE DONE. To honor new life. New beginnings. The glories of spring.
Unless you live in the southern hemisphere. Where Easter co-insides with the decent into the hell of winter. That REALLY sucks theologically, doesn’t it? You want my advice? Go eat a chocolate ‘roo. It’ll make you feel better. Maybe.
Change of topic:
Put a couple of albums of art up on my FaceBook page. It’s like an Arty Life Lite. Kind of. Come on over and check it out. And while you’re there, PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLUH-ESE click the ‘like’ button on the top of the page. ‘Cause that Zuckerberg kid said I could trade them in for a PONY when I get enough of ’em.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Art, Life, Parents |
Spent a lot of time in Studio Grande today. Painting. And cleaning the non-studio part of the cottage. The part where Mama lived. Amazing how art stuff can migrate from one room to another. Must do that at night when no one is looking.
And who the hell made all that mess anyway???
I’m not usually into cleaning. Not enough to interrupt a painting frenzy. But this week marks the first anniversary of Mama’s passing. ‘Passing’ being a euphemism for cashing in her one way ticket for Jesusland. I’m sure she’s quite happy there. What’s not to like? Lambies. Angels. Floating around with Daddy on a cloud, feeling no pain with all the heavenly libations.
But best of all, the millions and BILLIONS of souls who haven’t heard her stories yet. OMG, she’s in HEAVEN!
And this, the first anniversary of her passing over to the other side, falls on Passover. What a co-incidence! I mean, how fitting is that?
So I cleaned. Well, not really cleaned. I straightened things up, scooped the kitty poop out of the litter box. Fresh sheets on the bed. That sort of thing. Got some family coming in for the anniversary. We’ll talk about Mama. Have a nice dinner. Eat some chocolate.
I’ll tell you all about it on Monday. Or not.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Art, Random Acts of Art |
Somewhere in the vast reaches of CyberLand I stumbled across Kelly Rae Roberts. Yes, THE Kelly Rae. Artist. Entrepeneaur. And this week, inadvertent contributor to RANDOM ACTS of ART WEDNESDAY.
RAAW, for those of you who are new here, is the act of leaving little bits o’art out and about in public places. Anonymous little gifts to brighten up a stranger’s day. We are making people smile in Australia. The USA. Europa. We are taking over the world with luvvvvv. One arty token at a time. And taking it one step further by sharing photographs of what we make and where we hide it.
Back up. BACK UP! What’s this about Kelly Rae Roberts? Well, check this out. (Arrow pointing down) Go ahead. Scroll down and take a good look.
Doesn’t that make you want to jump up and down and HUG somebody??? You can read all the juicy details about how she came up with this and, best of all my sweetums, the link to download the PDF so you can print them up yourself and further spread the luvvvv. You can read it here.
I taped this to the staff room door at work today. By the time I went home it was missing a few tags.
On the way home I went out and spread some luvvv. I headed for a hiking trail that runs behind where I work. Lots of foot traffic during the day.
But on the way I couldn’t resist this storm drain.
The trail was rich with opportunities. Plain sight hides that may or may not be noticed. Like the Memory Garden.
And this monument to the movers who made the trail possible.
And a little hidey-hole right in the middle of the path. What a surprise for the walker who happens to look down.
And now for a peek at some wonderful little watercolor RAAs sent to me by Betty Thompson. Wouldn’t you just love to stumble upon one of these when you’re out and about? But if you want to find one you’re going to have to search around Sacramento, California. Betty didn’t say where she hid them…but maybe she will in the comments (That’s a hint, Betty!)
Abstract Flower art card by Betty Thompson
Bridge Street Bridge art card by Betty Thompson
'Camellia' art card by Betty Thompson
'Park' art card by Betty Thompson
'Merganser' art card by Betty Thompson
So now it’s your turn. Anyone hide anything this week? Got something to share? This is a blog hop, you know the drill. Just go right down below where it says ‘You are next…click here to enter’ and follow the directions to enter the link to your RAA post. The link will stay open until midnight Saturday. California time.
And if you don’t have a blog, you can send the photos to me like Betty did. Send them to me by Tuesday. Details are good, like where you hid them. If I get too many I’ll just put them in a slideshow.
Can’t wait to see your RANDOM ACTS of ART!
