whack-a-doodle? yes I am, but so is Heather!

fried prawns party bird 2009 mixed media by jen

Well. I'm not even really sure what I should say, but I thought I should say something. I haven't blogged in awhile because I haven't really felt like I have something relevant to say. I guess I could confess to feeling a little overwhelmed--which actually is a constant state in this season of my life. But in contrast, I feel like I've got it all under control. Always balance. Always dark, always light. Always good, always bad. Always flow, always opposition...and on and on. What is she talking about? I don't know, or do I? This is turning out kind of funny.

Anyway, inspiring to me today is the book I'm (and probably Heather) currently reading for our book club, called The Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. I'm working on my 10,000 hours of something (?) to become proficient and successful. By the way, our book club is called "the most awesome book club ever," and although I've never participated in a book club (or any club that I can think of for that matter), it does seem to be the most awesome. It was founded and named by Jason, Heather's husband, a writing and reading fanatic.

Also inspiring is a little etsy shop http://www.clevernettle.etsy.com/. There are only a few items, but they're truly unique and cool--particularly the zine and the booklet about famous Bills.

Last and always inspiring to me (especially Saturdays)--reggae. I really pondered my love and connection with this musical comforter in my life, and how it came to be. It was like a first love; I stumbled upon it at 16 and have loved it since. It actually was on my first date. My friend Steve organized his school dance, a reggae theme, and brought me as his date. Maybe I had heard reggae before, but in the gymnasium on the big system, back to back cuts all night long, it made quite an impression on me. I then moved to Bob, Gregory, Frankie Paul, and some how discovered KCMU's positive vibrations--the Saturday morning reggae show. Reggae Charlie, selector back in the day, selected the soundtrack to my youth, and I've been listening since. Sometimes I wonder if I'll be a crazy old Grandma, still breakin it down to some bumpin dancehall or dub step...and I think, yeah, probably so.

Well, I guess that's it for my whack-a-doodle thoughts for today. Thanks to you reader, for letting me indulge, especially in my public professing of my love for reggae (it's the closest thing I could do to marrying it, although that has not yet been legalized in the state of Washington).

(jen)

New artist friends and old

bon voyage blue bird 2009 by jennifer

Heather and I met the other night at the Edmond's Artwalk. We had intended to visit my friend Megan Burke's (http://megancburke.com/index.html) art reception at the local theatre and see a play production after, but considering it was Heather and me, we were late and became distracted by something shiny (like other art and a new artist friend).

At Ombu Salon, we came upon the art of D. Ora Wolf (not fair, cool artist name). Deb is a woman of inspiration--architect, interior designer, artist, and has made more friends and connections in the few months she's lived in the Northwest than I've made in my life [I guess it pays to be friendly and out going]. Her work can be seen at Ora Creative (http://www.wolfcreative.com/Oracreative), my favorites are probably her FORMS and FACES.

After bonding with our new friend Deb, Heather and I decided to hurry on down to see the jewelry of Michelle Lenae in person. Heather is hoping to have her husband pick out a ring for a birthday/Mother's Day gift--nice. Michelle has a fresh etsy presence at http://www.michellelenae.etsy.com/.

I'm off to have a cup of coffee and chat with my friend Heather. We had a slumber party last night and we're notorious for lazing around when together.

(jen)

Here it is...

Peep salad

Here it is, by popular demand, my famous Peep salad. I know it's a little late, but with a little effort, two computers, two people, a somewhat working camera, a somewhat in-tact camera USB cord, and a disc, I am finally able to upload some photos. [me + technology = dysfunction]

Anyway, it's not too late. In fact, you might find Peeps marked 75% off at your local grocer, and if you're like Heather, you'd rather they're a little stale anyway.

Peep salad:

1 package of blue chicks

1 package of yellow chicks

1 package of orange chicks

1 package of purple chicks

1 package of pink bunnies

1 package of green bunnies

Combine all Peeps in a large bowl and toss gingerly (so not to remove their faces), and voila!

*for those watching their cholesterol, you can substitute the orange and blue chicks for all yellow.

I just thought I'd share my notable recipe with all people who don't want to put forth the cooking effort, but really want to bring a dish that looks like you did.

...And Heather, be honest, didn't the peep salad go just as fast as the traditional salad at Sunday dinner?

(jen)

Thank you friends for coming to see our art.

menage et trois 2009 by jennifer culp

I've been hesitant to post something on the blog, because my camera is not working at the moment, and I can't upload new images, like the Peep salad I made to bring to Heather's family's Easter dinner today (don't worry, when my camera is working again I'll include an image and the recipe).

Heather brought her camera to our show on Friday night, but the pictures don't really promote our work so well, they mostly feature us making goofy poses during our evening out. All in all, Friday night was fun and we appreciate all those who came out to see our art. Our art will show along side the art of Craig James Logghe at Naked City Brewery Taphouse for the next month. I was sitting across from an abstract piece by Craig James Logghe for a good portion of the night; I think it was entitled My Brain, and now I can't get it out of mine--I connected with it, as well as one I think was entitled Don't Cage the Octopus. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the Greenwood/Phinney area.

*on another note...I hadn't seen Heather since my birthday, and I received my gift from her--a 36"x 36" mantra piece stating I will be good (like seen at the top right portion of our blog). I love it and hung it in a prominent position in my home, and now I attempt to live up to it's proclamation (however it is to be interpreted). Thank you Heather, it's my favorite!

(jen)

Bill and a Block Party

forget me not by Heather Jarvis 2009

So here is my latest labor of love.

I painted it for my good friends Scooter and Tim (also the owners of my 'Bart' portrait) who lost little Bart's companion Bill suddenly this year. Before Bill's passing I had already decided to paint Bart because I loved the picture of him running into the frame, but once we learned of Bill's death I knew I had to paint Bill as well.

I found a great picture of him standing in their yard looking back over his shoulder (do dogs have shoulders?) and I thought it would make a great portrait. I have it hanging in my dining room and the more I look at it the more attached I get to it... it will be hard to part with, but I really hope they like it. It will be part of our next show this Friday at Naked City Taphouse so they'll have to wait a month to get it.

By the way, I just learned (by accident really) that our show going to not only be part of the Greenwood/Phinney Art up/Open up art walk, but also part of the Seattle Summer Street Party!! It's a party - a twenty-two block street party from 6 to 9 p.m. Greenwood Avenue N is being opened up from N 65th to N 87th Street so that pedestrians and bicyclists can come out to play and explore local businesses, check out great art, and party! It's going to be fun!

You can download a map of the art walk at: http://www.artupgreenwood-phinney.blogspot.com/

And more details about block party here: http://www.seattlecan.org/summerstreets/greenwood.html

Hope to see you all there!

Chow!

(Heather)

Nothing good comes easy: 3 links

by jen (today)

Thanks to Heather for that sweet post on Friday for my birthday. I really missed her this weekend.

Dinner on Saturday night was at Mary's (as in Mary Hawk from the Feb. group art show), because her husband's birthday is the day before mine, so they put out the most deliciously beautiful sushi spread for us. Thanks Mary and Jonas--gracious hosts and entertainers extraordinaire.

On to 3 links:
*But first a little heads-up. The three this week will take a little work if you're up for the challenge, but anything good doesn't come easy, right?

1. Baltimore Museum of Art--there is a children's Matisse online activity that I think is worth while for kids to experience. I've used it as a tool when presenting a lesson on Matisse for my volunteer work as an art docent at elementary schools. For younger kids, they will probably need help navigating and reading. Matisse's dog, Raoudi, takes you through a colorful lesson about Matisse, which takes about 10 minutes, and at the end, you've collected items for a portfolio that can be used to create and print your own Matisse masterpiece.

DIRECTIONS: From the link (http://artbma.org/families/activities.html#Matisse), click online activity.

2. Kexp--yes, I know I reference kexp a lot, but it is so inspirational. Today it was Preachin' the Blues, hosted by Johnny Horn. There is a particular song that made me laugh out loud when I heard it, called Conversation With Collins, by Albert Collins. He's recounting a bluesy story between he and his lady, and it's awesome (I can dig it). The beauty is, he not only tells it verbally, but he illustrates the conversation with his guitar, and you can hear the banter. It actually inspired a piece I listed in my etsy store today called still mad.

DIRECTIONS: from the link (http://kexp.org/ondemand.asp) go to streaming archive,

then listen by time and submit Sun. Apr. 5 at 10:54 am--that pops you right into the beginning of the song.
I personally think the whole show should be listened to, but this song in particular *as well as use what you got, by Freddy King (10:35 am), which made me smile really big.

3. Vincenzo Rizzo--this link goes to Vincenzo Rizzo's etsy shop, full of very cool art, and makes me wonder how one person could produce so much original art that is so affordable? Nice. (http://www.vincenzorizzo.etsy.com/)

I wasn't kidding. You kind of have to work for the links this week, but they're good.

(jen)

Happy Birthday to You!!!

Today is Jen's birthday.

We made excellent plans to hang out and have a paint-fest slumber party to celebrate followed up with a party with friends tomorrow... but...

I went and ruined everything by waking up sick!!! Ugh! I skated through this whole awful flu season unscathed, even after caring for, snuggling and kissing on my sick kids. I felt untouchable. Apparently not so much. I just wish it wasn't today of ALL days, when more than anything I want to be celebrating my bff.

So, I will make this up to you Jen, I promise we will have THE most awesome belated birthday hang-out fest EVER... asap!

Also, know that this is going to be your best year yet! It's SO exciting! I can't wait to experience it with you.

I wish you a great day (even without me) I LOVE YOU GOBS AND GOBS!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

XO,

Heather

just working out some issues

a different kind of bird 2009 by jennifer culp

The past couple of days I've been adding paintings to my shop that are markers to issues I may have--one being the unexplainable problem I have with naked lady mud-flaps. I'm not sure what my deal is, but when I see them, I'm automatically ticked off. I guess I decided to take the naked lady back, back away from the guy who feels he has to advertise his love for naked ladies, and instead feature her as a work of art.

I also started creating some little bird paintings that are meant to be inspirational pieces, but for the derelict minded (like Heather and me). They were actually inspired by a little porcelain bird I gave to Heather for her birthday one year. It was beautiful and said something like "generous" on it's belly. These little pieces I'm creating are a little more realistic for girls like we, with one stating, eat dirt.

That's that. Gotta get back to work; our show is like a week away.

(jen)