PAREIDOLIA--WHAT'S THAT? YOU ASK...

A Leprechaun's ear perhaps?

Pareidolia is one of the delightful words I first heard from the lips of chalk artist extraordinaire David Zinn. 

On the final day of his visit here in Laguna Beach, having contributed 12 wonderful examples of sidewalk art to our community, there was a workshop for the public. I was sad to have to miss it. So, as I walked around town and Heisler Park looking for pieces eleven and twelve, I noticed many spots I thought could be put to good use.

This is pareidolia--an extraordinary piece of our brain power that has us always on the alert for possible patterns in the world around us. Logic need not apply and perhaps the more whimsical and illogical the better.

Many times when people will ask how I see what I see in the world, I question them, "What did you see in your wallpaper, in the clouds, etc, as a child?" This may be the key--to get back to that child in us. And what better way to do it than with chalk? Thank you, David Zinn, for reminding us all.

I see an old man's beard. You?

TEMPORARY ART, SURE...BUT WHY WOULD SOMEONE DESTROY IT?

Turtle from sidewalk weeds

David Zinn at work

Today I set out to find more of David Zinn's delightful creatures along the sidewalks and alleys of Laguna. I was convinced in my mind that there must be one at City Hall, but I had looked and looked on two separate days and today scoured the site with no result. So I texted someone who would know and she informed me that she was sad to say that it and one other had been "removed." I call that destruction myself, as it was certainly not sanctioned removal. SAD! Why wasn't the public allowed to view them all during this five day event? Kinda crazy. Of course the whole intent is temporary art, but this destruction just doesn't feel right somehow. Still, I treasure my time looking and the eight that I've found.

Tiny Pigasus portrait

MORE DAVID ZINN--TOO MUCH FUN

I am having way too much fun with this. Hope you are enjoying the view. I ran into David Zinn again today and he said he had created seven so far. Was greatly relieved as I had figured more were done by now. I am only missing one, but I sure found a lot of interesting places where he might do more of these delights. :) And, while talking with him, I got to learn two new words, which thrilled me, wordsmith that I am--anamorphosis and pareidolia. 

Such an interesting man and fascinating artwork.

More tomorrow as I continue the quest!  But I'm NOT telling where to find them.

DAVID ZINN--CREATING FOR THE JOY OF IT!

Hard to believe 

I had already planned this blog post for today when I started out on my walk this morning. Plans changed when I saw this young man bent low and working again. I had seen him yesterday, but did not know what he was doing. Today, I stopped and was blessed to get to talk to the phenomenal David Zinn.

I have been following his work for a while and find the process and the work itself completely fascinating.

It's hard for some to understand an artist of this caliber working in chalk, drawing his wonderful monsters and animals in cracks in the sidewalk, on curbs, on objects found along the way...you name it. 

Sure, he is now making money doing this, but initially of course he was creating simply for the joy of creating.

David and I talked for a while about his process and where he lives in Michigan and even about hoarding. A delightful man; delightful creations. Tomorrow, I intend to walk around the whole town until I find more of his joy. Ultimately, there will be sixteen pieces created over the course of his five days here in Laguna. Also, there is a workshop in Heisler Park on Saturday. But I am content and happy having spoken with him today. He is even more special than I had thought.

Here's to continuing to create for the joy of it!

SINGING ALONG

It has been a crazy week filled with ups and downs and stresses and joys (just a normal week, right?) And so I am really looking forward to tomorrow's Mixed Media Playtime workshop. The opportunity to sit with friends and create and laugh, enjoy the potluck dishes and the wine....Well, I look forward to the day with a song in my heart.

PROUD AS A PEACOCK!

Quail disguised as a peacock?

Yeah, I know.  The image is a quail, not a peacock, but I don't think I have ever drawn or painted a peacock, so this is what you get.

Growing up, my mother somehow felt it was wrong to express pride. I didn't get it then and I don't get it now. There are just things I am darned proud of and proud to admit I am proud of. 

I am proud to be a trustee for a very worthwhile entity--Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund. This fund, started by a generous donation from artist John Eagle, offers art instruction FREE to underserved populations.

SAEF has funded classes for at-risk students through Project Access and KDF Homes. Illumination Foundation and American Family Housing have brought students--children and adults for classes taught by local artists and artisans.Thanks to a generous grant from the Festival of Arts Foundation we have been able to offer multiple classes to military and their family members. 

All of these efforts have proven to be extremely gratifying. 
And so, yes, I am proud to be a part of this organization and to serve with a group of other trustees whose part in this I value highly. 

LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY...AND NOT EVEN IRISH

An angel for today

At play today with myriad projects, I feel so very lucky. Simply to be. Simply to be able. Simply to be able to play at the joyful things that pop into my head on this beautiful, warm, sunny day. 

Maybe it's the change after days and weeks of rain. Perhaps it is that, after months of caregiving, there is light at the end of that tunnel. Likely, it is only the joy of being.

At any rate, on this glorious day, I feel lucky, Irish or not.

BORROWING BLOG

She would have appreciated the inherent joy here, I think

A busy week with birthdays, losses, and more, it seems there just has not been the time or the moment to write--though I wanted to, for sure.

And here, some more borrowed words from a master of the written word that I dedicate to an artist gone too soon, Michele Taylor:

When you look back on a lifetime and think of what has been given to the world by your presence, inevitably you think of your art, whatever it may be, as the gift you have made to the world in acknowledgment of the gift you have been given, which is the life itself....That work is not an expression of the desire for praise or recognition, but the deepest manifestation of your gratitude for the gift of life. (Stanley Kunitz)

AH, MORNING!

Color play

It's morning. and again I am that lucky person who is in it. (Mary Oliver)

A symphony of the senses seems to greet me each day.

Morning brings birdsong in abundance at this time of year. The voices of finches and mockingbirds, doves and crows, along with the more rare oriole, the blue jay, the occasional screech of an overhead hawk are all braided together into a long cord of sound.

The doves call, "Where are you, you, you?" My mind answers, "I am here, here, here." And yet, am I here? There is something in these sounds that sparks memories of so many distant past moments.

Part of the richness of life comes from sweet or bittersweet familiarity found in sight, sound, smell, taste that often inexorably draws us back into our past. For just a brief moment of time we can get to be four years old or fourteen and hold tight to something special uniquely to us.

Our lives are thus intricately woven symphonies of a mingling of the senses and memories of our past. I am a lucky morning person, too, Mary.

RAINY DAY JOYS

So many options for playtime!

The rains just keep coming. So why not use this time to play? I remember when I was a kid that on these days I would play with the many forms of creation that might show up. Here I am doing it again so many years later.

Art journal prep, playing with tag options, and so many other playtime possibilities. It's a lot of fun!

What do you do on a rainy day?

JOYS OF GRANDPARENTING...PART 2

Oh, these boys! Today we celebrate the second of three...and what a celebration he is! Here's to now twelve-year-old Hank. I remember clearly walking with family friend Dave and older brother Christian through the nighttime streets of NYC to see this beautiful child for the very first time. 

Beautiful boy

Always intense

Artistic in so many ways...here, body art

And, today on his twelfth birthday, the hair color of the day is PURPLE...quite fitting for the royalty this young man is!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HANK!