TRICKS AND TREATS AND JUST PLAIN FUN!

From just a few of the techniques learned

Sunday's workshop was just full of fun techniques, many of which turned into Halloween fun in honor of the season.
We played with backgrounds, adhering materials, skins, image transfers and more while munching on good food...and treats (Nadine's pumpkin cookies were a big hit!)
We spoke of many things--upcoming trips, tests, book clubs, and lots more while getting to know each other in the midst of all the creative energy. 
What a full and wonderful day! I'm always grateful and happy that I have this opportunity for teaching...and play!

ROAD TRIP REDUX

Oregon color at Natural Bridge

Another road trip with daughter Jenna has ended. This year we headed north to Oregon and Washington. We were just ahead of California's disastrous wildfires. As we traveled through wind and smoke, we were saddened for all the terrible loss.
On our hikes to so many beautiful waterfalls, through so many heavily forested areas in Oregon, we met some interesting people and got some good exercise. Then, Jenna's knee acted up and our travels became a bit more sedate. Still great though to be in the beauty of it all.
Heading through Portland to Port Townsend, around the Olympic Peninsula and back up to Gig Harbor we saw many sights and visited with friends. Then, down the Oregon Coast before heading back inland to Ashland and straight down the 5 to home. 
A great trip! It was good to be away from news, social media, and traffic while seeing so many wondrous sights. I look forward to the next road trip, but for now had better hustle to get ready for the upcoming mixed media workshop and finish commissioned pieces put on the back burner til now.

10/5/1937

Today would have been my dad's 103rd birthday. A really happy guy, he lived his life with ease and played right to the end at age 90. Though he had macular degeneration and was mostly blind, even in his last week he played golf with his buddies. They graciously would help as needed and he loved the game, just as he had so loved basketball through his first thirty-five years. 
This isn't anything about art, but since play is so important to art in my mind, it seems appropriate to honor one of my "sources" on this day.
Happy Birthday, Dad. You may only have made it to 90, but you live on in all of us.