Can you believe this???? We have lived in Portland for 12 years now as transplants from Minnesota and I am still having a hard time getting used to flowers blooming in late January!!! The first of the Hellebores have started to produce blooms with dozens more varieties in my garden on the way soon.
Here is one absolutely covered with buds
A grainy goldfinch photo through my studio window
The snowdrops will be blooming in a week or two
The varigated English Ivy absolutely plasters my fence now
And Lillian and her mommy Megawatt are apparently feeling the shift in seasons with this 50 degree day
Look at that silver chin on my old lady. I love Meg so much!!!
A pretty Mother/Daughter shot
Lillian was in rare form today acting like a puppy
Chubby old Meg runs like a water buffalo and her daughter flys circles around her like the wind
And last but not least…above is a new piece of artwork I created inspired by some photos I took at a recent dog show in Portland!! This will be available on Zazzle and my Imagekind gallery this week.
Have a fantabulous Sunday my friends. I will update about some new additions to the trip itinerary on Monday . I’m getting so excited to go I can hardly contain myself!!!
We finally got some snow!!! Yeah, this is pretty pathetic (see video in media center below too) but the dogs think its heaven. Old Meggie was falling asleep sitting up as the snowflakes kisses her muzzle. I love this photo above. She is such a dear dear dog!!
Of course then she woke up and all heck broke loose. She was play bowing to me to chase her BELOW
I have been getting a lot of inquiries from the panda groups and friends about when we leave for China and our itinerary….so below you will find our schedule for the journey which can also be accessed any time in the upper right hand column of the blog along with my audio/video travel updates
CLICK IMAGE BELOW TO ACCESS THE FULL SIZED ITINERARY AS WELL
THE CALENDAR IS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2010
This is just a small sampling of what we are doing on the trip. Next week I will be writing a detailed description of the places we will see and the people we are meeting with. I have some wonderful news and updates to come in the days and weeks ahead!!!
AND UH OH….ANOTHER NEW PANDBAG!!!
This one is called “FIRE AND ICE” and will be up on the website later today. If you are interested before it is posted just let me know and I can email you the details.
The last 3 bags never made it up there because they were spotted on Facebook and Flickr first and quickly adopted…. so here is a FIRST LOOK at the new bag!!
ABOVE is the back of the bag….absolutely amazing tie dye work on this one. The front has SEVEN 3/4″ mirrors on it to catch the light!!
My label on the inside of the bag
Have a fantastic day my friends . I will be in touch very soon
Well there is no doubt how much I adore pandas..Live and breathe pandas…. and am just plain ole tickled black and white over pandas. I would be creating panda art even if not a single other soul in the world gave a rip about pandas because that’s just the way I roll!!
Fortunately this little black and white bear has endeared itself to the entire planet which is the hope we all cling to for his existance. At PANDAS INTERNATIONAL their slogan “Endangered means there is time…Extinction is Forever” is what keeps me motivated and ready to give what I can, when I can to help preserve the habitat for the 1600 Pandas left in the wild..It’s not always possible to send cash so my art is the next best thing I can offer…and of course my time to spread the panda luv.
YES MY FRIENDS.. only 1600 pandas exist in the wild..that’s it!. Think about this number for a moment…just think how few 1600 is. It is frighteningly low. But I am getting off track. That is just one of those reality checks I need to remind myself of often because the popularity of pandas leads most to believe they are plentiful, when they are not…and I have been known to let my guard down too!!
So to get back on track..the reason for this post…a little black and white brag and a CONGRATS to Pandas International on your 10 years of very hard work and dedication to this wonderful cause!!!!
I am so excited that Pandas International (Thank you founder Suzanne Braden) chose my artwork to represent their 10th Anniversary Year in existence. What an honor!! My “INTO THE SUN” panda artwork will be featured on all Pandas International branding and merchandise for the Chinese Year of the Tiger 2010.
The advertising for their fundraising dinner just came in the mail today and I was blown away at how classy the entire “Black and White” theme turned out…the PI graphics department totally did my artwork justice and I can’t thank them all enough for beautifully showcasing my design I donated to this incredible non profit
Pandas International has done such wonderful work for our pandas to help protect them from extincition. Whatever way we can all help whether it be through art donations to auctions, education, enlightment of our younger generations, or cash donations…they need all we can afford to give for our black and white friends
THE DINNER SPONSOR INVITATION I RECIEVED TODAY
THE BACK OF THE INVITE INSERT WITH ARTIST INFO AND OUR PROJECT PANDA LOGO..(thank you so much Suzanne..unnecessary but sooooooooooo incredibly appreciated)
If anyone is able to make it to this important event, please contact PANDAS INTERNATIONAL to make your reservation and/or become an event sponsor if you can. Unfortunately I will not be able to make it as Gayle and I will be in Chengdu at that time , but we will be there in panda spirit in our finest black and white attire!!
Suzanne sent this timeless quote in her letter asking for sponsorship of the dinner on February 20, 2010 in Colorado. I thought you all would like to read this too.
What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great lonliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth.
Chief Seattle
Suquamish & Duwamish
Ok guys…I’m first going to start you off with the sweetest shot I took from my sons wedding this past Sept 19th. It was a quick hello and goodbye as we left the day after the festivities to head for Egypt, but we made the very best of our time there. This photo really reflects the old fashioned charm of this outdoor wedding and of course Kates great taste in color…ORANGE!!!
When the official photos come in from the pro photographer, I’ll see if Bry and Kate will let me share them with you….but for now you get to see the wedding through the bizarre and sometimes twisted view of a blind photographer who loves candid shots!!
Here’s another one that is quite respectable if I do say so myself….I took this as they were walking over to the trees to get ready for the ceremony..nothing formal…just 2 beautiful people in love and both so nervous (in a good way) you could feel it through the grass
This is a great shot of the grandmas all lined up…I asked which one was “See No Evil”, “Hear no Evil” , and “Speak No Evil”………not sure if that went over very well but I had a good “inside my brain” belly laugh anyhow. They looked so cute all sitting in a row. Thats my mom in the middle, my ex’s mom to the left (so great to catch up with Barb) and to the right Kates grandma
Mom, I love this one of you!!! Wish the photo were larger
And this is usually how people see me so I decided we needed a respectable photo of the photographer who is Kates cousin
As you can see…….things start getting “candid” really fast
The vows have been taken and Bry is resting against a tree. I caught him in a deep reflective moment. If there were a thought bubble over his head it woudl say “WHERES THE BEER!!!” It was pretty darned toasty out for late September. A beautiful day in the lower 80’s but those suits get hot no matter what the temp when you are getting married
I do believe Steve was either warming up to sing the National Anthem (OH NO) or unplugging his ears from the plane ride
Ok..to keep our own marriage happy as a clam…I need to post a respectable photo of Steve….well a little extra BLING never hurt any photo!!
Of course Bryan couldn’t be left out of the moment so he put on his very best male model pose to showcase Bling Bling!!! That panda was tickled black and white to go to a wedding!!!
Self Portrait time!!!! Kates brother was having fun and taking lots of photos too
OMG …so much like her mom……This is a woman on a Mission. My daughter Liz was so much help to Kate and Bry that day. Her handsome guy Andy’s expression is priceless. He knows as well as I do this is one determined girl when she sets her sights on ANYTHING
My kids ROCK!!! I miss them both so much and photos like this make me miss them all the more. At the risk of publically embarassing both of them…….I Love you to bits~!!!
Left to right is Bryans uncle, “Tom”, Kate, Bryans dad..Jon, Liz,Brys grandma Barbara, and of course BRY!
Now we fast forward to the reception where Bryan and Kate set up a “Photo Booth” on the porch . What a blast!! Everyone got to go in and a camera was on a tripod with a remote control. This one of me and my kids turned out so cute!!! You all were asking about the hulking huge glass necklace I made for the wedding……..well here it is!!! I had to be careful not to bend over too fast for fear of getting a concussion from it before our trip!
More guests taking their turn and Bry and Kate!!
And finally…a super sweet shot that Liz took of Mama Sandra hugging her new daughter! It was a day we will never forget. As I said, I’ll get the links to the official wedding photos and the photobooth albums for you to see all the goodies. I videotaped the entire ceremony too and will post it when I get that uploaded.
Everyone have a super weekend!!! I’ll write more tomorrow and have an announcement to make too!
BE SURE TO CHECK THE NEW AUDIOBOO
Hi everyone!!! Well you probably know by now we are here in Cairo and have so much planned this week !!! Our first couple of days were just catch up on jet lag time and getting to know the city a bit. Now comes the fun of visiting the pyramids and sphinx!!
Today is Steves birthday and the “kids” wanted to do something special for him so they posed for this virtual greeting card in his honor. I’m not sure whether Meg or Lillian did the hack mummy wrap on Bling but I guess it’s the thought that counts! They really enjoyed the challenge an Bling just giggled because it tickled a lot!!
Becky , I hope all is well at home and the girls are behaving well. Give them a special treat for us today for Steves birthday!!
I’ll be posting photos later today so please make sure to stop back in and we love to get your comments!!!
Luv from Cairo
Sandra and Steve!!!
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