Painting Progress and Book Reviews

I worked a little bit more on the bowl of fruit painting last night. Maybe it doesn't seem like much progress, but I'm trying to be patient and let the layers dry before applying the next. Watercolour is new to me and I get excited by the colour and keep adding more and before you know it, it has turned into mud.


Then I stopped and finished reading this-
I have to say that I really did not like it. Now I am not normally the kind of person who will just dismiss a book. I can almost always find some aspect that I find intriguing or worthy. I think that in the case of The Time In Between I just didn't like or believe the characters, except for maybe the dad. They seemed self-indulgent and foolish, making decisions that seemed dangerous without regard for themselves or one another. Has anyone else read this? What did you think? I am surprised that this was a Giller Prize winner. I usually like Giller Prize winners. For example I really liked Clara Callan, Mercy Among the Children, and A Fine Balance; as well as finalists such as A Complicated Kindness, A Recipe for Bees, and The Island Walkers.


Now I can move on to this-
Light on Life- The Yoga Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, and Ultimate Freedom by B.K.S. Iyengar.
I read the Introduction:Freedom Awaits the other day and it was as though Mr. Iyengar was speaking with me; his words were so personable, simple, and true. I think that I am really going to enjoy this and that it will inspire a more dedicated practice. I will keep you posted.

Life is just a bowl of....mangos?

I woke up this morning with the regrets of excess. This trip has been wonderful, don't get me wrong, but there is only so much luxury one can handle before they start feeling, well, like a lump on a log.

So today I vowed to attempt a bit of studioing. Although it is only the very beginnings of a painting, I at least feel I'm more in the looking mind frame. Enough so that I can justify a jump in the pool!

Red, red, everywhere

Nothing is really quite so great in the lush green of the tropics than the colour red. The perfect compliment, it's no wonder that many of the flowers here are red. I love seeing poinsettias in their full glory-- not just temporary Christmas decorations slated for a quick and spindly death in wintery Edmonton-- but real shrubbery filling yards. Look at this house I snapped this picture of the other day -- gorgeous. These people obviously love red. Even their house is red!

Signs, signs (for jodie anne)

So I have a bit of a signage thing, a whole collection in fact. I don't really know when it started, but I am fascinated by signs--especially hand painted signs. Maybe this fascination is growing because now in a wonderful world of computer graphics anybody can have a "perfect" sign. Now what fun is that?

Jodie Anne's dad is a sign painter, which I have always thought would be a great job. Although I think I would only like to hand paint signs. It really is a fading art. And if I'm being honest, the novelty would probably fade pretty quickly after a few figure skating club banners.

I really liked this unsubtle stairway plea to come and spend your money. Maybe they thought if they hid their message within pretty tiles and nice words like beautiful and good friends, that their request to buy would be less noticeable?

Well, there is a little sampling so far. Now I have to put on some sunscreen and get to the pool -- so I can work in my sketck book as promised. It is studio day after all.

Going to the Chapel(s)

Visited a street in Waimea today that had several places of worship. This photo is from this street. Isn't the custardy yellow church pretty with the aqua sky? Such a strange composition, but I like it.


And then there was this one-



















Man, do they know how to do colour here!

Incredibly unfair

Ms. Lauryn Hill will be performing the evening that I will be boarding a plane to leave paradise. How sad. When I first saw the gig posters I was ecstatic....then I saw the date, tried to justify extending my stay by a day or the possibility of watching her perform and then miraculously getting to the airport on time. But the Voice of Reason kindly but firmly said it just wasn't going to happen this time. Ah, shucks.

Dirve with Caution

I promise to dirve with caution-- only because that African Tulip tree matches so well.

Ao hemolele (perfect day)

So today was the much anticipated trip to Hawi (anticipated anyway for Christine and I).
Hawi, in and of itself, is beautiful and sweet with it's colourful store fronts and overall quaintness-- but it is also home to the most beautiful little store, Persimmon. We discovered it on our travels last year and have been anxious to return. So anxious that we were waiting outside for the store to open. The poor shop woman didn't even have a moment to quietly start her day before we broke down the door! She was very friendly and helpful, commenting on our accents and mentioning the unseasonably cool weather (as I wiped the sweat from my brow!-cute.).


Then we popped over to Pololu Valley Lookout. Such big landscape and such a perfect place for a portrait -- how grand!

We're too blessed

So we are here, blissfully overcoming jet-lag.

It's warm and the air is soft and everyone is relaxed and filled with the spirit of aloha.
The colours are amazing,
shown true by both flora and fauna.
It makes me dream of moving here and building a little house and a little studio so I could paint and watch the sea and grow a beautiful garden. Wouldn't that be so lovely?
We saw this sign on a little reconnoiter today -- it makes me happy to know that they know that it is perfect here too.

Only a few more days.....

This upcoming Saturday morning I will be heading off to the big island of Hawaii for a three week visit. Lucky me. My job has been hectic and ridiculous lately and I am quite tempted not to come back at all, especially after the day I just had.

Okay, I would miss walking Kya in the snow. She just thinks the snow is the greatest, which is great 'cause so do I. She reminds me that it can be fun -- not just cold. Also snow related--Joelley asked me to take her out for a little cross country ski lesson yesterday. We had so much fun. She was such a good sport and quick learner (which can be quite a challenge the first time out). She commented at one point while we were out in the middle of a field with long blue shadows and pines perfectly covered with snow, that she half expected bunnies to come hopping across our path because it was just so picture perfect -- like a Christmas card. Lovely.


I would also miss my studio-mates -- which really I already do. We haven't quite gotten back into the swing of things out there, what with the holidays and all. We worked this past Saturday but I was distracted and had to leave early for an eye appointment. Sorry girls. Luckily they are understanding. They will also be working in the studio while I'm away and they'll email me their progress, and I'll email them mine. We did this last year when I was away and it was really great -- it almost felt like I was there in that I was inspired by their work and wanted to work too. Digital cameras and email -- how did we ever live without them?


It will be wonderful to wake up and do sun salutation in the beautifully warm climate, and then drink a nice Kona coffee. Perhaps that will be followed with some reading and relaxing? Maybe some snorkeling or swimming? Watercolours poolside? How about exploring a volcano? So very much to do I'm sure I'll be busy -- in a good way. One thing that is for sure - Hale Mala will be Oma'Oma'O, relaxed, and loving it for the next three weeks. I'll be sure to post our adventures.

Aloha and Mahalo.

Garden of Love

Over at Studiosavant (I'm sorry I cannot for the life of me get the link to work - click on the Studiosavant link on the side bar, the name of the post is Flat Pack) today mc posted an edited version of his Flat submission to the AGA.

My particular favourite, and one not seen on the studiosavant post, is Jardin D'Amour. I love the squished trigger on the upper right hand side. There is something so simple and comical in its exclamation. These objects are so successful in showing the unexpected delight to be found in the discarded. I just love that.

I am hoping that Jardin will find a home at Hale Mala Oma'Oma'O. It does seem obvious, doesn't it? What with all the amour between the two of us it would be like sealing it all with a kiss.

The Sweetest Pea

Kya is my wonderfully sweet pupsy-lou. And did I mention she is a great studio dog? Well, she really is. It may have a little bit to do with the fact that she is sort of obsessed with my studio-mate, Jodie. Maybe it's because it's cooler than the house. Could it possibly be that she likes my loud off key singing that is common-place in there? I guess I'll never really know, but I do know that she makes it nice to be in there. She also provides a valid reason for needed mental breaks. Often these breaks (also known as long walks) give me time to think over what I've been working on, removing myself far enough to make decisions. In turn, these walks also have the added bonus of offering inspiring sights of the river valley.

Thanks Ky.

Dreaming of colours to come

I was talking to my mother this afternoon. We were discussing how January is the start of garden dreaming -- planning what to plant and new things to try. There is something satisfying in the smell of dirt and the planting of minuscule seeds that turn into beauties like the Zinnias in this photo (grown in the garden last summer). Zinnias are my favorite with their inspiring colour. Last year I planted about 5 or 6 different varieties. Giants, cactus, pom poms, and a dreamland lime green variety. It's so fun to head off to Apache Seeds to see what new varieties they have this year and to talk to the other gardeners about what they've tried and what are their favourites. Any suggestions?

Welcome to the House of the Green Garden

So, it's 2007: the start of a new year and of this blog.

The intent of this blog for me is to document the things in my life that I find beautiful and inspiring. My work in the studio is very much reliant on seeing everyday items and scenes, and having them whisper to me of their importance, their form, their colour. For example, this picture of my breakfast table -- it is just begging to be put on paper. I know I won't be able to resist the remembered smell of fresh baked ginger scones with ginger marmalade (thanks again Santa), or of fresh coffee with home-made Irish Cream, or the bright light from the sun reflecting off the snow outside. Numerous moments throughout the day, such as this table, remind me that I'm alive and that life is beautiful and that I just need to take the time to see it.















A Happy New Year to you all. Here's to a year full of health and happiness, comfort and joy, colours that sing, views that inspire, and friendships that strengthen.