Where is the rain?

I've been eyeing rain boots for some time. I walk to work and am generally trudging around the city more often than most.. and it's rainy here. Or at least it was... until I splurged on my super fancy Hunter Wellies. I love a classic green rain boot. Polka dots and plaid is fine mind you, but not for me. Not really. The classic wellie may now be high fashion due to Kate Moss Glastonbury Music Festival circa 2006, but I can't bring myself to wear rain boots in dry weather. That's ridiculous. Like the Queen, I will await a proper wet and blustery day to sport my wellies. Let's just hope it's soon.
The cold spell has also been poor company for encaustic painting. I can only have one heating element on in the shed at one time before blowing the breaker. I can either keep myself warm, or the wax, not both. I did manage to finish two small pieces and nearly finish a larger one before my toes froze.
It has been good knitting weather however...I'm on my third scarf and hope to break into hats or gasp sweaters next.

Candy Rings

6 x 6" oil on birch panel

I've always said that plastic is my favorite gemstone.
These small paintings were done last week. I'd been thinking of painting my plastic ring collection for some time. I didn't realize it would be so much fun. They remind me of little pieces of candy.
Note to self- always do at least 2 paintings of an idea.

Mail Art

My friend Leslie is an avid Mail Artist (that with a capital 'A' Leslie in case you're reading), and recently organized an exhibit of mail art at Central Library. I wasn't familiar with mail art or ATCs at all until I met Leslie, but had fun making the two collages above to send in for the library exhibit. There is indeed something wonderful about art sent via the postal system. I used to write long letters to friends with comic strips and elaborate gift packages. Now it seems I can't even type out an email. Apparently email is outdated now anyhow, and while texting is growing on me slightly, it's no match for snail mail. If it's not too late for resolutions, I think I ought to send more mail in 2008. I'd also like to receive more mail, other than the credit card offer, free tanning session variety...
Portland's DIY alert blogs about the library's mail art show here, and you can view the entire show online here.

2008

Here are some tamales to keep you satiated while I get back into painting mode. We made them for a Christmas Eve party using a recipe from my favorite Mexican cookbook.. I've always wanted to make tamales. It was time consuming, but with good friends and old school rap music to dance along to, it was a blast and they turned out delicious!
Now that the New Year is here it's time to get back to art. I've been busy knitting, sewing and baking the past months. Crumy weather seems to bring out the domestic in me and makes getting out into the art studio/shed more difficult. The weather is still crumy granted, but the wax and paint are finally calling me so stay tuned...