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
The early evening was settling in with the sun low in the sky last night. A rich warm glow casts over the inner fenced yard where my dogs love to bask like lions …..moving from shade to sun and back again. It was so peaceful as I drank my tea and watched the birds coming in for their evening meal at the feeding station……..THEN…it happened…..
ZOOMIES…….the one thing chow owners all know only too well and see far too seldom. Our chows are normally very cat like as a breed and very dignified….., but every once in a while, out of the blue………..the sudden urge to race around in circles comes over them with ears pinned back and tail straight out as though the wind was under their wings…….. and it is rare to catch it on “film”.
ZOOMED IN ON THE CLASSIC ZOOMIE EXPRESSION
By the time you grab the camera, the short burst is done with and the ZOOMIES have subsided….. with the 30 second athlete looking at you as if to say “you didn’t see that!!!”
As luck would have it I happened to have my camera in hand photographing birds… just as Lillian started her laps and I caught this first photo of her taunting her old mama Meg…then moments later , Meg got a geriatric burst of steam and put her little brat child to shame. I was laughing so hard I could barely take the pix. I adore these two girls so much. The joy our animal companions bring into our world is priceless
Above is a beautiful portrait of Meg sitting in that warm toned sunlight after her aerobics. My friend Bonnie suggested I make a card on Zazzle from this one and I am pretty sure I will. That soft feminine expression over the shoulder is so haughty
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BELOW IS A VIDEO I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON OF THE ANIMALS WE PHOTOGRAPHED IN AFRICA
TURN ON THE VOLUME. I WILL BE ADDING MORE TO THIS SOON BUT COULDN’T WAIT TO SHARE!
This video contains some of my favorite images of animals from our trip in 2007…there is audio too.
AND…..I now have a new JOURNEYS link at the top of GRAFFITI GOSSIP where I am in the process of building a page that highlights all of our travel links. You can always find my most recent videos, travel map, and travel photos by going to that link
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BELOW…..A FRIDAY PANDA PENDANT SPECIAL!!!
TIPSY HAS BEEN ADOPTED…MORE TO COME SOON!
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This adorable little panda named Tipsy is having the time of her life playing in the garden. Rich and saturated purples, magenta red and greens set the perfect foil to make little TIPSY practically jump off the pendant!!
The fused glass is 1/4″ thick with the design below the magnifying layer which gives so much depth and saturation to this piece. I added 5 glitterful genuine Swarovski crystals to the surface to catch the light as well.
The silver bail is large and will fit most chains or cords
The coordinating framable print/card has a faded image on writing paper which is tacked to the inside the rich black card. You write over the art which gives this greeting card a nice tipsy twist!!
The pendant measures almost 2″ square
The card is 6 1/2 square
This pendant and card set is 48.00 plus 2.00 shipping.
THIS IS A ONE OF A KIND SET , PRICED TO FIT THE BUDGET !!
TIPSY HAS BEEN ADOPTED..MORE TO COME SOON
ABOVE: OUTSIDE OF CARD NEXT TO THE PENDANT
ABOVE: INSIDE WRITING SURFACE OF CARD NEXT TO THE PENDANT.
The pendant will come to you hanging over this faded area…beautifully displayed for gift giving or for yourself
There is nothing that makes me happier than the earliest harvest from my garden from which I can create an impromptu dinner from. Steve hit the beer festival today and I was on my own, so VEGGIES it will be for dinner.
I had a perfectly ripened avocado sitting here so I wandered out into the garden and picked the first ripe cherry tomatos off the vine!! I adore these golden orange varieties with their high sugar/low acid content. YUMMMMMMY they are like eating candy off the vine!!
I thinly sliced a whole jalapeno and Thai chile from the garden , a garlic clove …also from my beds, a bit of basil julienned, a half of a lemon squeezed in, and all 12 cherry tomatoes I picked no more than 5 minutes before I took this first photo
The house now smells like a garlic and basil factory and I’m in culinary heaven!!! I pre mushed up the avocado with the lemon juice, added a pinch of seasalt, then gently folded in the quartered tomatos , peppers and basil
The final step. I grilled 2 white corn tortillas on a griddle covered in grated cheddar (goat cheese is yummy too) Then I topped the one tortilla with the guacamole, topped with the second tortilla, used a pizza cutter to cut…….then CHOW TIME was here!!!!!! I feel like Snoopy!! IT’S SUPPERTIME SUPPERTIME OH ITS SUPPERTIME!! LOL
Oh…and before I forget…my friend Bill Buell is a master at making the hottest habanero sauce on the planet and has hooked me up with a supply whenever I run out. I spread a thin layer of Bills NUCLEAR WASTE, on the tortillas before I sprinked on the cheese. My tummy is comfortable numb as I write as well as my mouth!!! THANKS BILL!! I love that stuff!!
Above are the peppers on the vine this evening before I picked a few
Here is the Cherry tomato after I plucked off the ripe ones tonite. This is the yellow pear variety
So that concludes PART ONE. of your CHOW TIME blog update!!!!
PART TWO is quite different from above. The photo below only tells part of the story. In May 2009, a Chow Rescue Facility in Pennsylvania was shut down and 92 Chows were seized by the authorities. You can find out much more at the website Christine Farnell and I put together to try to fundraise 4000.00 to help with the vet bills to keep these dogs on the healing path.
I know a few of you may have seen this on my WORLDCHOW MAGAZINE already but I didn’t want to miss anyone who might have an interest in helping us help these beautiful chows.
CLICK THE PHOTO BELOW TO GO TO THE WEBSITE TO LEARN MUCH MORE ABOUT OUR MISSION
Many of the dogs were suffering from various ailments including but not limited to parasites, heartworm, skin and ear infections and one was said to have been picked up by this rescue person with injuries suffered from a vehicle collision.
Vets and shelters have provided emergency care for these dogs but the time has come where they need to be adopted to their forever homes and the bills for their recovery have to be paid.
The way we look at it, a goal of $4000 U.S. will settle most of the current vet bills, several have already been paid for by generous guarantors.
ONLY 10.00 EACH FROM 400 PEOPLE AND WE CAN QUICKLY REACH OUR GOAL!! We reached the $1000.00 mark today in only 3 days of fundraising but we need your help to ultimately reach the 4000.00 goal.
An auction will also be set up with many really impressive and ‘in demand’ artists’ pieces being offered.
We will keep you posted on the auction progress as it happens.
Today we plead with you to help those who have helped these suffering animals. We ask you to take whatever you can afford and pledge it toward the rehab and repair of these poor little Chows who were left abandoned and forgotten.
