LOST IN ART

Fuller Lodge Art Center Exhibition

The theme was "The 60th Anniversary of Los Alamos-Past and Present".  It is the people of Los Alamos that make up "The History of Los Alamos-Past and Present"  The show was fun and lively and I wish that Mr. Ed Grothus was still around to appreciate the photographs that I took of his store and museum, The Black Hole.  To further capture the essence of The Black Hole, this collection of photographs seen in my previous posts have been framed using salvaged sliding glass cabine doors from The Black Hole.  Now I leave you with a few of my memories of this wonderful event.
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Book Arts

I love book arts.  It is a tedious and time consuming interest, but the outcome is so delicious to touch and look through.  I am finally going to start to photograph my handmade books and upload them.  Currently, my favorite handmade book is on display at The Santa Fe Rotunda Annual Book Arts Exhibit which is sponsored by The Book Arts Group of Santa Fe.  This book was made last December as a collaborative present for our book arts teacher.  I made the covers and the spine is an old accordion bellows that I cut up from my husband's collection of accordion parts.  Eight of us made pages to insert into the book. I enjoy the diversity one comes up with when collaborating.

The 60th Anniversary of Los Alamos-Past and Present

Check out the website for this show at www.artfulnm.org and click on Preview of Exhibition to see some of my work.  The show opens on Frida, June 19th with a reception from 5-7 pm.

Thank you LK Ludwig, Kelly, and Michelle-Published!

I belong to a marvelous on-line group of mixed-media artist who occasionally puts together a project that we can opt to participate in as a collaboration.  I have done a few collaborations with my group and the outcome has always been an outstanding surprise of beautiful artwork.  Two of the projects I participated in were put together in book form.  The first book was subsequently sent off for possible publication and it was accepted.  My piece is featured on page 61.  This is a great little book for those interested in doing a project on your own or in a group collaboration. 

"MaMa Said There'd Be Days Like This"

I have been busy with just every day life. Unexpected things happen and we delve into the dark abyss to gather strength, hope, faith, love, and to remember that there will always be challenges to face in life no matter how big or small.  Last month, my husband noticed blood in my dogs urine, so after a long weekend wait, I took her in and she was treated for a urinary tract infection.  That's minor and easy enough to treat.  But, my deepest nightmare is that Scotties tend to have a genetic predispostion to bladder cancer.  I know, because I have lost three wonderful Scotties to this disease already.  After 10 days of antibiotics and still some microscopic blood, I told the vet it was time for an ultrasound.  This was scheduled the next day and it was that day two weeks ago that my fears were validated.  I was told, "oh you got it early-just 1 cm and easily treatable".  I was hopeful that the location and size was a sure bet to beating this monster.  But, the surgical specialist revealed that the tumor was much bigger and required extensive surgery, leaving her a bladder the size of a walnut.  I was so devastated to put her through that.  Then, she was to come home on Friday and I get a call that her renal panel is climbing and she is leaking urine into her belly.  This required another operation-immediately.  Well, it was touch and go but she is home now and wearing diapers till the leaking stops.  The bladder will expand over the next few weeks and then I can pick up the tarps on the floor.  This wasn't enough-mama said.  My husband went in for a routine eye exam on Tuesday this week and was told he needed an emergency laser surgery for a tear in his retina.  Come Wednesday, the specialist tells him he has two tears and a detached retina.  Another emergency surgery, this time in the hospital.  I appreciate so much the independence that good health allows and the hardships that it doesn't allow.  I still have frames to drill holes in and make thread for bolts for a show this month and the work is due next week.  Well, somehow we march on, doing what needs to be done, keeping faith that all will turn out for the best, and these days too shall pass.  I want to post art, make art, breath and smell art, but right now, I am just treading the coals in the fire.  I shall return, perhaps a bit stronger next time around, but forever changed by the experiences that life brings me.