The Red Balloon Is Here! The Red Balloon Is Here!
I found myself squealing with unprecedented youthful delight.
He at his computer, unimpressed replies – “oh that’s nice honey”
and without pause goes back to what he was doing.
Awaking with a tinge of blue hovering around my disposition this morning,
with sponge in hand and sink graced with the remains of last nights dinner,
I stood contemplating the future events of my day,
when all of a sudden it bounced right in front of my window.
That is when the forementioned squealing commenced as I watched it
hop (not drift) along my neighbors side yard.
A rather choppy flight and not appearing to be in any particular hurry despite the slightly assertive wind.
I ran to the next window to see where it was headed and found it was stuck under a cypress tree.
It seemed to be held in tightly by the branches, and I stepped away to get my camera.
A few seconds later, all ready to take a good shot, it was gone and no where to be seen.
Swiftly I navigated around the internal periphery of my house
looking out every window to see if I could spot it, but it was nowhere to be found.
I am accepting this gift of levity and taking it as a sweet and gentle reminder
to get out of my head, get outside and light-heartedly bounce around a bit – see where the day takes me.
Thanks for the inspiration, powers that be…

Every year in the beginning of summer our entire elementary school would await the day
our teacher would announce that we would be seeing ‘The Red Balloon.’
This announcement was not only deeply anticipated because we enjoyed the movie so much,
but it’s viewing was also a sure sign that in a matter of days we would be free to fly off on our respective adventures wherever the summer should take us.

Did they ever play this movie in class at your school?

Recently I had the opportunity to re-connect with the kind and friendly Michelle Love, an  inspired designer of clothing, costumes, belly dance ensembles, finely etched leather goods, and a variety of exquisitely designed home furnishings. Down a green and glorious path flanked with fragrant jasmine and vibrant purple clematis, she welcomed me into her place of creation. Upon entering you are met immediately with the impressive presence of her huge cutting table.  Precisely placed packets of various projects in their many stages of evolution lay stacked along the perimeter seemingly overseen by a completely serious commercial sewing machine on the opposite side of the room.

One could sense just standing there in that space that a great amount of heart and soul must have been poured into each individual garment she had created. Her surname obviously not a misnomer, she seems to infuse love and great care into everything she fashions.

And aren’t these pattern weights fantastic? She told me a friend brought them to her long ago from Burma – Very old and surprisingly heavy, their original use being opium weights – hmm – fascinating…

To see her portfolio or to consult with her regarding a special project you may have, call or email:

Michelle Love at (310) 780-6382, mlove90277@yahoo.com

Whether it is sketches etching out the feel of the beat of Istanbul, the arcs and waves of ink in cascades of flowing feminine locks, angry women in party dresses or miles of glorious poppies like the gorgeous piece above, I am always intrigued to see what Samantha Zaza has to share for the day. Her art is inspiring, whimsical, informative and filled with heart. I am moved by the movement she creates atop a plain flat surface – just beautiful – and her words enable me to see, smell and taste of new lands near and far – go visit her sites and explore …

Before it gets popped in the mail, here is my December mailing for a new Texas connection made from the Benevolent Postcard Society. It feels so good to be drawing again!

This was November’s, and here was October’s

I received this David LaChapelle from a lovely woman in Paris – I dub her “Couture Ballerina Bearing Gifts of Flowers and Kittens”, and here she rests perched upon my living room altar.

And here she is as “Caged Ballerina With Henckel” – strategically shot in my KitchenAid alla my sweet creative boy Adam

This water color was sent to me last month
from a BPS Secret Society Member who resides on the Northern Coast of California.
An inspired painting exemplifying their love of the beach in Fall.

I am so loving this postcard exchange experience. Both fun to create, share and form new alliances with folks around the world, as well as receive happy surprises in my mailbox from the kind hearts of strangers!

Greetings!
Join me at the Many Faces of Art this coming Saturday
where I will be showcasing the fine art of Reflexology by providing
10 and 20 minute mini sessions throughout the day.
(Enjoy a great savings at only $1 per minute!)
Come sample the wonderful aromas of Sole Garden Natural Body Products
and while your there, don’t forget to enter our drawing:

Back to back one-hour Reflexology sessions for you and a friend !

Take some time out of your day to enjoy fine art, food, fun and of course RELAXATION in this gorgeous setting with it’s amazing beach cities views!
I look forward to seeing you there!
Best Wishes, Donna

Fifty percent of all proceeds will be donated to 1736 Family Crisis Center

For directions to the Faire click here

The beginnings of juicy goodness at Orly’s Attachment Theory Workshop

Had a blast with Mom, and friends old and new enjoying a six hour Art Journaling extravaganza as only Orly can pull off so seamlessly and deliciously!

What fun – the day started with an introductory exploration with friendly strangers (my table buddy Brian had great energy to share space with throughout the day), and proceeded with other thought provoking prompts, exploration of new mediums, a fantastic group of people which enhanced the really wonderful feeling in the room (although we were all somewhat introspective which was exactly where it needed to be I suppose), and an out of this world middle eastern feast!

Looks quite tasty doesn’t it? It was, and this is all that was left!

Not to be confused with scrap booking, Art Journaling is something quite different.
I will let Orly explain it briefly to you here though, as she surely knows better then I.

This was another table mates portfolio of journaling materials – a fabulous image she let me photograph. Everyone had their own way of organizing their bits of life that would at some point find their way on the glorious blank pages. And if we didn’t have much to work with or that exact thing that would bring our composition to the next level, Orly had quite a grand selection of ephemera (new word for me) to amuse us. So much enticing stuff to wade through. She got me to see ticket stubs and grocery lists in a whole new light.

Orly holds several classes throughout each week – go here to see her present schedule. If you happen to be in the Port Townsend, Washington area October 21 to 25 – don’t miss the opportunity to sit in on her class at Journalfest - both mood altering and potentially life changing, not to mention just pure unadulterated fun – she is a very warm, funny, engaging and entertaining girl !

My last page of the day on patterns and combining patterns with others to make entirely new patterns. Only four pages and not even entirely completed in six hours – a lovely way to relax and go deep or stay light – whichever serves you in that moment. You should try it sometime.

The entrance to J Woeste in Los Olivos – a truly magical place!

Some days they would be anyway…

A brief, generic ‘having a great time – wish you were here’, sometimes a deeper gesture to encourage a reconnection, a snapshot glimpse of an enchanting place you’ve yet to experience yourself, a quick message of love and devotion possibly accented with a hint or a smack of sultriness, steam or scent of perfume, or coupons to entice you into purchasing a new product or service, and now, for me and for 250 plus others around the world, a unique way to just share a short, sweet message of unconditional optimism – a grand way to shine a flicker of light, blast of color, texture and design in between the not as exciting packets of junk mail and bills. Can’t wait to receive my first card from the Benevolent Postcard Society, I await its arrival with keen anticipation – and I hope my new friend likes the one I sent along, my beloved sheep from the LA zoo. Thank you so much to Lori Langille for letting me be a part of this beautifully inspired project – just made it in under the wire – I am so thrilled.

Minor diversion during mise en place.

Too much time on my hands?

Possibly, but now I just have to fold in the corners and dump it in a pot.