The Story Behind Helping Hand

Imagine yourself on one of those tourist adventures in St Lucia (a tropical island in the West Indies). Imagine that you just completed the open-topped-jeep part of the adventure and you saw parts of the rain forest, a cocoa plantation, some waterfalls, the Gros and Petit Pitons (volcanic plugs), and some sulfur springs. You ate lunch at a picturesque, quaint restaurant that overlooks the Caribbean Sea. Now you are relaxing on the boat part of the adventure. There’s rum punch for all, made in a plastic garbage can, and the music of the island is blaring from speakers that probably need replacing. You are enjoying the warm summer rays on your face and the wind in your hair as the boat glides over the aquamarine colored water. Beautifully and brightly colored houses and shops line the shoreline as you pass……

This was where I was when I captured the image that inspired “Dive Shop”.

Upon coming into view of the dive shop, I observed several young men in a small boat and they appeared to be fishing. I couldn’t see from where I was, whether or not they had been successful in their attempts to catch fish. Who knows, maybe they weren’t fishing at all. But in my mind, and in my memory, they were. This scene stayed in my mind as I left this beautiful island.

When I returned home, this adventure and scene inspired several works of art. As you, may or may not, know, I always create my work in groups of two. One piece is the image ingrained in mind (and in pixels). The other is an interpretation of the scene in an abstract or figurative way. Everyone needs a “Helping Hand” and now and then, so far away, back at home, I wished this for them!

More about St Lucia (though not an authoritative source :)
St Lucia

My Dad, the Benchwarmer!

No, this isn’t about sports, and my dad was a good athlete, so I doubt he sat on the sidelines much. This IS, however, about a “bench.”

I have always LOVED working with my hands, working with tools, and creating “stuff.” My first recollection of constructing anything was when I made a “bench” for my dad. I don’t recall my age. If I had to guess, I would say I was between 5-7 years. I don’t remember, either, whether the “bench” was for his birthday or for Father’s Day. I do, however, remember how ingenious, creative and innovative I felt I was. This “bench” was the best idea ever and would be a wonderful gift!!

Okay, so my dad actually helped me build the “bench, ” but the idea was MINE. First, we (he) cut a 2” x 4” board into 3 pieces. We used a hand saw and mitre box. This is the actual saw and mitre box. (My dad keeps almost everything.)

Second, we connected the three pieces with nails and a hammer (sorry, he did NOT keep the bench to show you):

Third, I painted the “bench” myself in shades of blue , and presented “my” gift to Dad. He was grateful, but, I’m fairly confident that he never actually warmed the bench. :)

Through this first memorable experience of using tools and construction, I learned to be proud and empowered by my ideas. I still feel that way each and every time I finish a piece of artwork now! My tools today are much more sophisticated, however!!

Blog Name Change- 2 X

Saturday, I changed the blog name.

Today, I changed the blog name again. The new new title encompasses me better!

And on the blog wagon I go (again.)

wow...a long time

well..not sure why i haven't updated the blog.. A LOT has happened over the past 18 months...more later

Old Pecan Street Art Festival

Saturday May 3, 2008
I cannot believe that I never wanted to do the Pecan St Art festival. Thousands passed by my booth, and I spoke with many interesting and fun people. My location was great! I was on 6^th St between San Jacinto and Brazos. Since many people entered at Brazos, I was almost at the beginning. It was awesome! A very exciting part of Saturday was when a couple came into my booth at the very end of the evening and purchased 3 pieces! Yeehaw!! This was the first time this had happened, so it was very, very exciting! They came into my booth and decided on "Austin Alive," but then decided to get 2 more. Their reasoning was that "RAWRRRRR" represented him, "Behind Every Great Building" represented her and "Austin Alive" represented the two of them together. This was a cool interpretation, And very exciting!!! 

Sunday May 4, 2008
I arrived at my booth to find that it had been inhabited overnight by a visitor. There was security, but the person obviously entered my tent when the security patrol had passed. He/she left behind liquid remnants. The velvet cover on from my table was soaked with urine. I am sure that he/she didn’t want to get caught, so by urinating on the velvet cover, none leaked out to street giving away his/her location. It was soooooooo disgusting!!! Luckily for me, the 24 hr store across the way gave me a plastic bag so that I could take the cover off and wrap it up. And I had antibacterial wipes with which to wash my hands afterwards. I was fortunate enough to have another velvet cover that I used to replace the wet one. As a matter of fact I have 5 total velvet covers, so the person could have stayed for 3 more nights (J/K--gross)… My neighbors happen to sell fragrance oils, so Kiki came over and dropped some around my booth. Ocean Breeze replaced the yucky urine smell….Ha Ha……..I will definitely find a way to lock my zippers so that my tent isn’t as easily accessible. The whole story is very funny now…….………LOL….

In addition to the overnight visitor excitement, I spoke with several people about possible exhibitions. Both are local restaurants, with Kerbey Lane being a place that I really like to eat (especially their Kerbey Queso…yum yum….I love cheese). I am not sure exactly when the exhibitions will take place, but I will update you as soon as I know!

Overall, the Pecan St Art Festival was a great time! I love people watching and talking with people so it was right up my alley. The days were long, but well worth it. I will give it a try in the fall so that I can compare to my results this past weekend.

PS
The Madonna CD is excellent. I have listened to it non-stop for the last week. I really like it. My

favorite song on it right now is “She’s Not Me.”