NEW!

I've been spending lots of time in the studio lately, making new work- good times...
All available in my newly updated SHOP - take a look!!

SING!

So tonight, a good friend asked me why there wasn't any audio on my blog....what he was referring to was my singing.

Singing is sort of a new/old friend in my life.  I've been singing all my life, I grew up with music, living with singers and even a vocal coach, but I've only been training for the last 5-6 years, and performing for the last 3 or so years.

On August 5th of this year, I had a solo performance called "Sight. Sound" which coincided with a showing of my art.  It was at a beautiful venue in University City called The Chapel.  A gorgeous renovated space that is now a non-profit performance and gallery space.

I created a piece of art for every song in my show- totaling 15 pieces, and it was a really special evening.  Some of the songs, I had been wanting to sing for years.  It was very personal for me- with snippets of stories of my experiences in life, where I've been, where I am going, etc...The show was sold out a week in advance, and a real hit- I hope to do it again real soon!!!

Here are a few images to share...

Me on stage at the Chapel- with my rockin' music director and brilliant beyond words collaborative partner, Rick Jensen.

One of the paintings I made- this one, "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us".   A song about Sister Rosetta Tharpe- she and I share a birthday!

"Some of These Days"- yes, the old Sophie Tucker tune.... (this piece is still for sale)


I sold 5 paintings that night- yay!!! That means there are 10 left, so contact me if you are interested in seeing any of the others.

Rick and I earlier this year, recording a 3 song demo CD at Phat Buddha studios- downtown STL.  Rick is also a sound engineer in addition to his amazing piano skills- so I had 2 engineers that day- good stuff.

So, to fulfill the request for some audio, here is a short audio/video piece- the painting goes with the song...hope you like it!!!

Having a Ball!!!

OK- I must admit, I'm quite obsessed with these little yellow balls of wonderment- they are called "Billy Balls" or Craspedia.  We used them for my sister's wedding last weekend, as they added a sweet a sense of fun and artistic flavor.

Now that the wedding is over, I asked for a large bundle- as I just can't get enough of these fun yellow creatures, and hated to see them thrown out.

Tonight, I took every vase I could find in the house and filled them- now it's craspedia city around here, but I don't care....without water, they have a very long life- I have some older ones that still look great, and they are at least 2 years old.

First, I filled my favorite vase of all- a handmade, wood-fired, stoneware vase by my awesome friend, David East.  Every important occasion in our life seems to get a bouquet in this vase- so why stop now?!?!  Painting in the background is a fave of mine by Jennifer Mercede from Portland, OR.

Then my friend Susan Arruda's 2 beautiful vases- porcelain, wood-fired goodness!  I miss Susan so much- we were 2am studio pals way back when- what a talent.

and then Diana Fayt's cool hand carved vase- wishing now it was one of her blue or green ones, to contrast the yellow, but I cannot complain- I love this piece.  

Lastly- some vintage Pyrex beakers- I found them a couple of years ago, just before they were being tossed out by an old science classroom- what a find!!!

SO, next time you are looking for a fun addition and pop of yellow color in a whimsical arrangement or bouquet- give the "Billy Ball" a try.  Dear Craspedia- you rock!!!        And you are quite photogenic, too.

ONE GREAT YEAR OF SHARING- #1

Hooray!!!
I'm so excited for today- my first giveaway in the One Great Year of Sharing.  This is one of my all time treasured books- which was a great source of inspiration during our big bakery rehab in the city.
The "Essential House Book" by Terence Conran is a staple is the world of home design books.

I'm tossing in a sweet box of unsharpened pencils that were given to me by a paper rep back when I worked at KO.  They are so beautiful, I never could bring myself to use them- hopefully you will!!

The first person to respond will be awarded this package.  You must be able to pick it up this week in St. Louis (63141).

SHARING.

Right now marks a new path for me- a time of big changes, new challenges, a new sense of myself as a creative being, and a time to share.

When I was little, and going to church every Sunday, I remember a program they had called "One Great Hour of Sharing".  It was always during Easter, and was a special little cardboard box that would assemble into a little bank- and go towards a hunger mission, if I remember correctly.

While I look around my home, I see so many wonderful things- that I would like to share, that I have enjoyed, but now they look a little bit lonely.

So, starting tomorrow, I will begin my own "One Great Year of Sharing", and each Sunday, for one year, I will post an item to give away.

This will not be junk, or just stuff I would give to Goodwill, but things that are special, but also need a new path of their own.  I'm starting in my library- one of my very favorite places of all.   We'll see where it goes from there.

The items I post will go to the first taker every Sunday.
Please respond by commenting.
If you are the recipient of an item, I ask that you please wait a month before you try again.
Each item will be available for pick up in St. Louis once awarded, or you can have someone in St. Louis pick it up for you if you give me their info.
I really prefer not to ship any items, but if I know you, and you chip in some money for shipping, we can likely make it work.
Items will not be large.
They will just want your love and appreciation.

Have fun-
See you tomorrow!!