We Are In This Together

Hello friends,
I have been thinking of you all and hoping everyone is doing ok. These are difficult and trying times, aren't they?
The situation seems to change every day. San Francisco is locked up -- museums, libraries, concert halls, schools,  etc are all closed. Supermarket shelves are empty.
People are anxious.
If we were to try to be kind, stop hoarding and share what we have, things would be better.
Kindness goes a long way.

We need art and beauty more than ever in our lives. Put on some beautiful music. Make a pot of tea. Sit down and write a letter to someone you love.

I am very lucky I know...I have loads of art supplies and a studio to work in.  No small children who are locked out of school. Many small and large businesses are suffering and people who cannot afford to miss paychecks are out of work. My heart goes out to them.

I cancelled two trips already and was feeling a little sorry for myself until I started thinking about the folks who are really suffering. Those who are sick and those who are out of work. Now I am trying to think of ways to help out.

What are you going to do?
I am going to try to be calm and live my life and wash my hands a lot. Make a lot of art so I will actually have something to show for this time period. I am still seeing friends one on one. Being isolated isn't good for the soul.
When I heard the SF Public Library was closing, I raced down to get a big pile of books to read
since I'll have more time at home. I may take an online art class. Work outside in my garden. Do some embroidery and slow stitching.
Make some Irish soda bread and cookies and deliver them to my neighbors.

It wouldn't hurt to work on cleaning up my studio a bit either.

I don't hoard and I hope I can find simple things like milk and vegetables.
I am happy to have a supply of Peets coffee and some gin, just in case things keep on getting worse.

Keep your sense of humor. Look for beauty. Find the grace notes. Help each other.

I thought I would try to post on the blog more to keep in touch with you all. I think a lot of us are feeling a little lonely these days. 
I would really like to invite everyone over to my house for a nice meal.

Let's keep in touch, ok?
By the way, if you have trouble commenting in the blog, just clear your cookies -- clear history -- and you should be able too.
I need to hear back from you friends.
Stay stay out there.

ART SAVES LIVES!

Oh Hell Ya!

You get invited to an all day art field trip and what are you going to say?
Hell ya!

San Francisco-to-Sacramento
Chico-to-Sacramento
Davis/Sacramento-to-Sacramento

Cars of artists all arriving at the same place at the same time. Yes, you can count me in.
This group of women have been meeting once a year for years and many are old friends who went to school together.
I was honored to be invited along.
Thanks to all the lovely women I met who made me feel welcome even though it was my first time with the group.
I hope it won't be the last.

RAFT
First stop - RAFT in Sacramento (Resource Area for Teaching)

My first visit to RAFT. A little like our beloved SF Scrap. A resource for teachers (and a few artists thrown into the mix too).
I managed to find a few things. Mailing envelopes are certainly always useful.

Teachers like stickers.

Lots to look at with thoughts of creative reuse.

PANAMA FACTORY GALLERY
Next stop - Grand opening of the Panama Factory Gallery.
Artist studios in a fabulous old pottery making building which still has a giant (walk-in size) kiln.
Panama Pottery
4421 24th Street, Sacramento CA
I recommend a stop if you are in the area. Very interesting place to explore.

Inside Panama Pottery -- lots to see!

LUNCH
Next Stop - lunch! Of course when you get about twenty artists together you've got to have lunch.
And amazingly we found a restaurant with a big enough table to all sit together.

AFTER LUNCH
After lunch there was an afternoon of talking, snacking, sharing, show & tell and art demos.
My pal Monica is on the left and she is showing an assortment of little books she makes in her workshops.

All sorts of origami folded booklets and envelopes......everyone wanted to sign up for a workshop from her.

Another artist, Linda Clark Johnson, brought a box of her beautiful cards and let everyone take one. Kim brought her wonderful BE KIND stickers.
Read about her Be Kind Project by clicking here.

Cyanotypes in the making.....
At lunchtime we also saw a show of wonderful cyanotype collages by
linda clark johnson
You can see some by clicking he link above. Linda showed us all how to make ATC sized cyanotypes by laying leaves on the coated paper and leaving them out in the sun.

Here she is washing the them after they are finished being exposed to the light.

I love the blue color and now I am excited to get busy making some cyanotypes of my own.
But I wonder if we actually have enough sun here in SF to do it...better not try it on a foggy day.

There was also a demo on painting tee shirts....

I missed out on that one but the tee shirts sure came out cool....

More show-and-tell -- origami this time.

The whole afternoon just flew by!

There was still time for a piece of cheesecake before everyone hit the road.
Two hours home to SF and two hours to Chico.
Sacramento was a great place to all meet up and share some art and fun.
What a wonderful tradition this is -- friends and artists meeting once a year for a day dedicated to
looking at, talking about, showing
ART.
I wish they would all make a trip to San Francisco sometime!

Special thanks to Monica, for inviting me and Melissa for hosting everyone in her house.

Art Walk

Clarion Alley in SF. Take a walk.

Clarion Alley

Maybe you will want to bring a camera

Won't show you anymore -- have to save some surprises for your walk.
And there is a Thrift Shop right around the corner too.
Go for a walk.