A cloudy day at the cemetery

My sister wanted to go to the cemetery to decorate our mother's plot, so the Toot and I picked her up and off we went.

It was a beautiful day and I was lucky to get some nice pictures.

We miss our mom, especially during the holidays. I still think of her everyday. Just today as I was driving to my sister's house I had do drive through our old neighborhood and as I drove towards Sycamore Park I saw a small older woman walking up the sidewalk who reminded me of my mother. This was from a distance. Sometimes I like to see things fuzzy because of this. It's easier to image her sweet face when I see something blurry that'll remind me of her.



Sis and Toot...




















The cemetery has always been a calming place for me. It has always been a safe place to just release my worries or forgive and pray in my own way.

Avocado and Flowers

Doing some early morning uploading of work while my sweets are asleep. I've been wanting to do more of these pieces. Landscapes. Calm places that I often have dreams about. Wish I had one of those dreams this morning.

Another tutorial

You're cute!
I've had a busy week and I got another quick lesson from Super Manny on how to put a video on my blog. I was missing out on all these extra tools and now I hope to add more visuals. It sure is a lot of fun to learn some new things to use on the computer. This is a wonderful tool and I'm going to learn as much as I can in, "Mommy Time".

I am still painting and trying to build up a group to sell originals on Etsy.

There is so much to post, but I'm limited in time. We're off to the park in a few minutes and I've got to get the Toot ready to go play a little.

We saw the light.

We went to see an exhibit of James Turrell this past weekend and it was an ethereal experience. An exhibit of light and space. Pretty trippy man!
This was at the Pomona College Museum of Art and it was a nice break from our weekend routine. I loved it! You can read more about the artist here।
It took me almost two hours to get this post up. I'm not going to say much more because the Toot is sleeping on my shoulder and I'm getting hot and tired.

To the rescue!

Super Manny came by and has shown me how to get hyper links on my blog. This is terrific. I learned a lot today and will be having fun with my new info!

Blue Moon and Fire.....New Piece

Lights Not Out in LA

It's such a joke how an event like this in Los Angeles can't be accomplished. Our family participated and it was amazing that the news (an hour after the scheduled event) never mentioned anything about it. I looked online and again nothing. This morning I finally found a small write up by the LA Times and I just shake my head from disappointment. If your interested in reading the article. - copy and paste this link from the LA Times to read it.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-lights21oct21,1,365977.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california

A whole year the officials had to publicize this and they didn't do much to make people aware of this event. I didn't hear about it until yesterday morning. A quick blurb in the news. Another is scheduled for March 29th.

Lights Out LA

Let's turn all our lights, tv and radios on off tonight at 8pm to 9pm. Get your candles ready or sit in the dark and just enjoy the dark. I know we'll be participating and we've got our candles and books ready. Toot and I went to the library and I'm so excited to have found Anne Lamott's book, Grace (Eventually). I didn't have to spend a cent for this! You've got to love the library.

Mi Altar para Dia de los Muertos

I haven't had time to post. I've been painting. Adding photos to my altar of family and friends who have passed on. Taking the Toot to her class. Getting her clothes ready for the cold weather. Going to the library to get new books to read. I've baked a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting for my brother in law Guzie, and it was delicious! I love this weather because I can cook and bake again. Home smells and feels great!

I will be putting up photos of the altar today. My battery is charging at the moment. The little one is sleeping and I've got some Mabo Tofu to make!

I'm going to be working on a group of pieces and I will be posting them on Etsy. These will be originals and hopefully I can get them up in a month. I have to give myself a deadline or else I won't get them done soon.

Got to go. I have to take advantage of this nap time.

...........................I'm back (4 hours later) and here are my photos....

My nephew Gilbert

My uncle Estanislado "Stanley" or "Tanis"

My grandmother Antelma (Anselma)

My husband's father Pedro and brother Peter (top row right and 2nd row #4)

My mother Dolores and grandmother Domitila

My friend Thelma

My mother again

Our friend Bob A.

My uncle Mario and again my grandmother Domitila

My cousin Eric

My dog Ashley

I will be adding more things to the altar as we get closer to November 2nd.

Just for fun

Something from my sketchbook. Having a little fun with the sprinkles.
I'm up late and I'm taking advantage of the quiet time. Today I worked on my altar for the Day of the Dead. I usually start a few weeks before and keep adding gifts, flowers and photos. This year I've added two friends, Bob and Thelma. I will include a photo of the alter in a few days.

Composition 2 " Leaves"

Composition 1 "Leaves"

It would be nice to have a full hour to do some sketches or some simple line drawings. It would be nice. So instead I'm photographing compositions because it is quick and it is the only time I can pinch while tending to the little Toot.
She and I were at the park this afternoon and I got so involved in choosing the leaves for my composition. I loved the warm colors and the delicate dry skins. This made the trip to the park a little more interesting for both of us. I like it when there aren't a lot of kids and parents because the conversations can be so dull. There is so much to discover when I look closely at what is around me. I did see cigarette butts and trash too and I could easily get some disgusting images, but let's not go there. No, let's stick to the pretty. And breatttthhhhhe. Enjoy!

Dusting off my gouache tubes

That sounds funny. I'll go with it anyway.....


Yeah, they're pretty old. But the pigments are still pliable. I hope. I got a blister on my finger trying to open some of the tubes. It's a great feeling when I make an image from what's inside these little fellas. To be painting again makes me grateful.


If you look closely you can see the prices and the names of some art supply stores that haven't existed in over 10 years or more. The prices are also visible.


Its been a long time since you could buy a tube of Winsor & Newton gouache for $1.85. Looking at these old gouache price labels reminds me of Otis and the great time I had there. I am grateful.

I'm catching a cold....and a new car seat for Toot

Well, it feels like I've caught the cold from Dada. It's not too bad yet and hopefully it will stay like that.
Tootie and I went to the CHP facility to have her forward facing car seat installed this morning. She was so happy in her new seat and the great new view (Me). Funny, now she's talking more. I don't understand what she is saying, but I agree and add my two cents.

And finally.....

I knew I could get a better image up. Although I regret adding the black. It's just a test.
I will be doing more quick sketches for the fun of it.

I've tried...She is Green...again.

Here is an image which is a little better. I don't have much time to keep tweeking the image in the different software. The little one will be waking soon and she needs tending to.

Let's hope this day isn't as warm as yesterday. Think coooool.

She is Green

"She is Green" a digital image. I haven't done a woman for a while. This was fun. Just something quick to keep me smooth.
Sorry about the blur. I'm working on it.