April 29, 2010

ALERT ALERT ALERT - Hartz pet products are harmful to your pet! Please do not use any Hartz products on your wee dogs or cats if you love them. See link for more information! This is just deplorable!

http://www.hartzvictims.org/

April 8, 2010

Yes, yes, I admit, I am TERRIBLE at blogging. So much time goes by between my posts, it's a wonder that anyone remembers me and my Scottie art. (BTW, thank you to all who DO!).

Actually, I've been thinking about painting some new pieces soon. Thinking a LOT about painting, even DREAMING about it. I wonder if this is my inner muse trying to poke and prod me into picking up a brush again or whether maybe my long lost Scottie boyo, Mackie, is sending me messages in the gentle but insistent way he had when it came to begging for pizza crust....he would sit up right at your feet so you were forced to gaze upon his uh...unmentionables, until you gave him a treat just to be spared the sight. LOL

Whatever the source of my recent craving to paint, I am enjoying the anticipation of creation (hey! that rhymes!). My days are pretty much given over to the management and overseeing of a boutique luxury resort and spa and I am loving it and the desert in which it (and I) resides. I've discovered the California desert is a beautiful place, especially in the cooler months of the year. The windswept skies, the desert flora and fauna, the clean air and perfect sunny days are all wonderful but best enjoyed the nine months that are NOT summer. I can see now why folks make the desert their home...but lordie, the summer. NOT looking forward to the coming heat...though I suppose we'll survive it again.

Meanwhile, my Scottie girlie, Merriweather, is about 10 years old and grey threads are starting to appear in her fur. She is as much the perennial puppy as ever, but our play periods are shorter these days and interspersed with lots of naps. I do not wish to even think about losing her, especially when I still cry some nights for my lost Mackie boy.

So....we shall see if the Scottie muse continues to call over the next few weeks...perhaps I will make a stop by the art store just to look at some stretched canvas...just to look....

November 16 2009

Yes, I know - as usual it has been a LOOOONNG time since I have posted here. Like John Lennon says, "Life is what happens while you make other plans." And our lives have taken some unexpected twists and turns these past few months. We moved from our beloved New Mexico to sunny California, where I accepted a job offer to help manage and launch a small resort in the Palm Springs area. Merriweather loves road trips and this one was no exception for fun and sightseeing.

We settled in finally and just as I was thinking the desert WAS NOT the perfect place to be in the summer heat (can you say 120 degrees? Ach!), I was offered the position of General Manager. I took about 4 days to really think it through and then accepted the position (not without a good dose of trepidation). Happily, we are discovering that once the summer heat melts away, it is pretty gosh-durned wonderful here in the California desert. Sunny days in the 70's, nights chilly and clear....very reminiscent of Santa Fe. And taking over the management of a resort and spa has been a lovely challenge and learning experience and also a lot of fun. Life is good and Merry and I are thriving, though we still miss our Mackie boyo who passed away one year ago this month (what a shock for me to realize this as I write it here), and always will miss him very much.

So folks, no painting has been done for some time since our new path is taking up a LOT of my time for now, but my set of paints and brushes and canvas and wood sits forlornly on the tiny counter in my back office....and I know it will beckon "come hither!" until one day...perhaps soon...I will set aside some time one quiet afternoon and pick up a brush.....

AROO! Till next time!

March 9 2009

I just discovered a new site that is giving ebay a run for their money - Bonanzle.com! It is a fun place to buy and sell, the folks are friendly, the fees are almost non-existent (yay for us poor overcharged ebay sellers!) and they even have a messaging and chat system in place so you can chat in real time with any seller you want to dicker with or just say howdy! I LOVE this!

I am selling both my Halloween folk art (Grim Prim Stiudio) and my Scottie art there so be sure to drop by from time to time! The site has a nifty feature called a "bonanza" that a seller can offer anytime and allow all items in their "booth" to be offered at a discount....and I do plan to take advantage of this! Also, as always, I love hearing from friends and patrons, so any suggestions as to what you would like to see in my booth, let me know!

February 15 2009

We've left Santa Fe and are back in the Albuquerque area staying with friends on their horse rescue ranch. They have a total menagerie of animals, from a herd of horses and donkeys and even a young cow (Miss Moo) to multiple ranch dogs to cats and assorted birdies in assorted corners of the house. Everyone gets along pretty well, though one of the younger pups has a bad habit of barking at the horses (the horses do not appreciate his sense of humor). And the pair of ringneck doves perched outside our bedroom door seem to love cooing their dovey songs at all hours...though sweet, it does take some getting used to.

My son Nick is learning to care for the horses (well, ok, so far he's just learned to help with their watering...). I'm a country girl and was raised like many a young girl to be enamored with horses, so just being around them again is a treat. There is a miniature stallion named Romeo who is a real hoot. His diminutive size doesn't prevent him from believing in his own greatness and he eyes the enormous Shire mare, Bella, with suave assertiveness. She, of course, simply ignores his passionate looks.

Merriwether was a little spooked by the other dogs at first. They are very LARGE dogs, mostly lab mixes of the most gigantic sizes though all are totally laid back and friendly. Merry had to put on a show of typical Scottie bravado and growled and kicked the earth whenever one dared come near. After a few days though, she began to realize they offered no threat and she started with the "happy tail" and deigned to exchange butt-sniffing courtesies. Now she happily goes outside for long stretches of time and on several occasions, I have caught her actually playing and frapping with two of the friendlier boys. So all is well.

I just listed two new little paintings on ebay - one I call "Dog Day Afternoon" a little tongue in cheek painting of a Scottie taking the afternoon off and watching TV while snacking on munchies and tea. The other was a late night inspiration (I was thinking of my lost Mackie boy again) and is a folk art version of Madonna of the Scotties. Check out both and let me know what you think. I am always open to suggestions and ideas - you never know what may find its way into my art!

January 26 2009

As usual, I am totally journal-challenged. I have good intentions to try and write, if not every day, at least frequently, however life tends to intrude and the universe conspires to prevent me from doing that. (It's SO much easier to blame it on the universe than on my own negligence.)

This month finds my little family in beautiful and fascinating Santa Fe! We are staying at a hotel while searching for new digs. It's like being homeless but with benefits. My youngest son, now 18, is considering college and searching for work but this recession is really taking its toll on folks, and the going is difficult. Sales are down for my artwork, web clients are holding off on updates and our pocketbook is starting to fill with moths....but still I find so many things to be thankful for. Life is truly what you make it and I like to make it as enjoyable as I can.

The weather has so far been kind, days in the 50's, nights are a bit chillier at 20-25 degrees but it is refreshing. The air is clean and the skies are gorgeously turquoise, the sunsets are inspiring! I absolutely love the adobe structures throughout the area, with their latilla fences (made of thin stripped juniper branches about 6-8 feet high, they are typically southwestern!) and the colors vary from soft tan to adobe reds. Many use bright turquoise, purples, red or green on the wood doors and trims. A most pleasing combination. It just feels GOOD here!

Though our life is a bit difficult at this point and the future uncertain, I feel sure that it will bring better times and happier days as long as we hold on to what gives us joy.

December 13 2008

I'm sitting here watching the gusty winds blow the juniper trees into a frenzy outside. Our first real winter storm is supposedly on its way starting today and continuing on through the week. I am not happy about this. I really dislike winter (I won't say hate but intense dislike about sums it up). Without sounding too pitiful, let's just say that we've been living rough these past 6 months. Not everyone will understand what it's like choosing to live in a rural area of the Southwest mountains. Above us are the Rockies, to the south are the Manzano's, we're smack dab in the Sandia mountain range, commonly called the East Mountains to those who reside in nearby Albuquerque. (those of us who actually live here laughingly call them the WEST Mountains since from OUR point of view, ABQ is to the west of us. heh heh liddle choke). Anyway, back to my point. Winter is not my friend, not when you can't afford propane to heat water or run your furnace. We do have a wood stove but the price of firewood prevents me from buying more than a few sticks at a time. Let's just say that being a self-employed artist during a recession is quite an exciting challenge.

Part of me believes very much in the independent pioneer spirit. I am fairly self-sufficient; one of those women who actually enjoy browsing the power tool section at Home Depot. But there are times...most of them between the months of December and March, that I sigh a lot and wistfully remember having a husband to handle those little emergencies like water pipes freezing and cars not starting in the cold. I also dream alot of places like Florida and the Bahamas. Just give me a long clean white beach with a few palm trees and a sarong and I'm there.

Ah well, back to real life. I'll just finish up this cup of coffee and then it's paint like mad and drive into town to use the WIFI so I can list some ebay art tonight. I just hope the roads don't ice up before I make it home. Whine whine.....SIGH.

Care to comment? Just email me and I'll post your note here.

December 5 2008

I'm still working on finishing up the site re-design so bear with me if you're visiting this week. As usual, I have too many things on my "To Do" list and not enough time on my hands. Part of the reason I started re-designing the site was to take my mind off losing my Scottie boyo, Mackie. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge on November 10 and I was completely devastated. For days, I couldn't even function. It felt like I was dying, too and you know what? I didn't care. That was how hard his death hit me. I knew I loved my wee beasties, but I really had no idea how much.

Mack's death wasn't entirely unexpected but his death was so sudden and so fast, that it was like a car wreck for me. One day he was feeling poorly but still eating like the little food-hound he was and cuddling with me at night, the next he was sitting outside by himself, and preparing himself for death. I knew that at the time, watching him sit quietly and not coming when I called him in, like he usually would do, hoping for a treat. He knew his time was upon him and he did his best to let me know...but I just didn't want to accept it. Still don't really, though it HAS gotten easier since then.

There are memories I want to share and there are dark thoughts I must keep to myself. Some things are too intense and too private to ever see the light of day and the night of Mackie's passing is one of those. I do know that his sweet little spirit is running free with the big dogs. He was always an adventurer, my Mackie. And both our souls are at peace....but lord, it was hard and not something I am looking to repeat anytime soon. Though I do have Miss Merriweather, my Scottie girl of 9 years. I know that one day she, too, will fly this earth and that my heart will once more be broken. But until then, we rejoice in life, love and all the good things that wee dogs can teach us with their kind and benevolent presence in our life. Dogs truly are the gods of joy! Fly free, sweet Mackie, until we meet again. I love you.

Care to comment? Just email me and I'll post your note here.

Famous Scotties
Did you know there have been many famous Scotties in history? OK, maybe the wee dogs themselves weren't as famous as their owners! Do you recognize any of these names? Rue McClanahan had a Scottie, as did James Thurber, Queen Victoria, E.B. White, Charles Lindbergh, Lionel Barrymore, Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Ronald Reagan, Julie Andrews and Bonnie Raitt, to name just a few. 

Perhaps the most famous Scot was Fala, owned by President Franklin Roosevelt. Fala traveled almost everywhere with the President. Immortalized along with his beloved master in the FDR Memorial in Washington, DC, Fala sits patiently. You can click on the picture for more Fala pics and FDR info.

And of course, there was our most recent Scottie White House resident, Barney Bush. An adorable young lad who already has the makings of a true diplomat, you can read more about Barney here.

Photo credit REUTERS/Larry Downing