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.

Although purely utilitarian in nature, the initial impact of this image was a bit startling. From the vantage point of my lens capturing the shackles around these beautiful bronze bubble toes, I felt a twinge of sadness until I followed the path of the metal upwards.

Delightful isn’t she? Completely appropriate word for her I think. Light, fun, goofy – just like the rest of her friends in the garden. Just look at them.

For more images of Phillip Glashoff’s sculptural whimsy and other wonderous works at the Judith Hale Gallery in Los Olivos – click here.

But back for a moment to the emotions stirred from the original image – such a perfect metaphor really, for how the human spirit is able to overcome adversity. When we are “held captive” or “stuck” by either external sources or our own fears, what is it that gives some individuals the strength to persevere, to keep trying to move forward, the personal power to overthrow their adversaries, the desire to continue to survive and prevail? Is it just undying faith? The unwavering belief that this is not their destiny and the best will surely come sometime soon? Do they maintain their fortitude on behalf of another? Do they just shut themselves off from the reality of the earthly situation and venture off to another more loving, peaceful place in their own minds? How is it that some people have endured a life time of repeated loss, tragedy and hardship and still their soul has the capacity to soar? I have met people like this as you may have too – circumstances that would break a good share of us seem to make these people shine even brighter. Is it a profound sense of gratitude that they maintain for what they DO have? Do they just continue to count their blessings? Do they see the gift in the experience no matter how potentially crushing and catastrophic it is?

This act of seeing the gift in every situation is not a new idea, but if we could master just this one practice, just think about how the course of our lives could be altered for the better. Sometimes it is very difficult to find the gift in a situation, but if you write down every bit of your past baggage, every occurrence that repeatedly flies back into your life to reek havoc, every devastating tragedy that you have withstood, and partner it with a gift you received from it – I bet you would be surprised how you can turn your focus around and these past happenings will be empowering rather than sabotaging. You will be able to move on. You don’t have to forget, but your focus will be different and it will open you to inspiration and the strong urge to create once again.

Give it a go and let me know how it works out for you. Those silver linings – we just have to keep searching them out.

Nestled under the Eucalyptus, carved into the side of a hill is a magical land
where imaginations have converged.
Saunter over pathways of wood chips (breathe in the earthiness – it’s heavenly)
and you will find an eclectic array of artistic offerings
sprawled across expanses of wall, and shelved within newly individually fabricated booths.
Nosh on tasty lunch type fare and enjoy a cool drink
while listening to local musicians play anything from
folk, honky tonk, rock, reggae, world, blues and jazz.

Need to unleash your creative side?
Participate and enjoy a wide variety of workshops for folks of all ages
from ceramics to print making – check their site for schedule of events.

One of our favorite things to watch though is the Glass Blowing Demonstration
Such an amazing art to observe, and a fascinating process to behold.
The results are just stunning and it is interesting to see the unique style of handling and working with the glass that each individual artist imparts.

I think best of show for me this year would have to be
an artist named Isaac Anderson.
As if his painted photographs weren’t captivating enough,
his frames were incredible.
Plaster over wood so he told me, but gave the presence of solid stone.
Check his site out and see if it doesn’t move you too.

The Sawdust Art Festival is on daily from 10 to 10 until August 30th.
Fourth of July hours – 10 to 6

Go check out their site for more details, and do plan on visiting before the summer is out, being amongst tall trees is certainly reason enough to visit, but there is just so much more…

Experience deep relaxation, improved health and enhanced well-being through this transformative holistic practice.
Bring a friend or meet new ones and learn how to help one another decompress, detoxify, and achieve that glorious altered state this work is known for!

Folks just like you have reported relief from symptoms such as:
Headaches and Migraines * Digestive Disturbances * Nasal Congestion
Hormonal Imbalances * Sleep Deprivation and Muscular Aches and Pains

Clients have also stated that since receiving Reflexology, they have:
Improved stamina and endurance during sporting events
Diminished anxiety and depression * Better coping skills
Increased mobility and flexibility * Decreased chronic pain
and they have remembered to stop holding their breath!

Come join me and see how Reflexology can enhance your well being and bring you to deeper levels of relaxation than you have ever reached before!
I look forward to seeing you – Donna

Classes are held through South Bay Adult School and begin:

Tuesday, March 24, 2009
For 4 meetings – 3/24, 3/31, 4/14 and 4/21/09

From 7:00pm to 8:30pm

In the Cafeteria at Mira Costa High School
701 South Peck Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 372 – 5456

For E-Z Online Registration go to:
www.southbayadult.org

And while your at it, check out all of the other fine classes South Bay Adult School has to offer like Orly’s:

ART JOURNALING – EXPRESSIONS AND EXPLORATIONS

Reacquaint yourself with your natural born creativity and join Orly on a jaunty journal journey. Craft a personal journal that’s filled with inspiration and energy, joy and discovery. Visually express your inner landscapes and the worlds around you through writing, sketching, painting, doodling, scribbling and collaging.

South Bay Adult School has been offering a fine assortment of reasonably priced classes to enrich the beach cities community for many many years. Whether it be English As A Second Language, Swimming, Conversational French, Belly Dancing, Wine Tasting, Classical Guitar, Tango, Photography, Parenting or Memory Enhancement (just to name a few) you can be sure that you will receive great value for your money and a fun and informative time should be had by all!

Presented with this lovely handcrafted gift from my sweet friend Orly, I was at once exceptionally excited and surprisingly intimidated. It has been quite some time since I have done any writing off the keypad. Possessing pretty pitiful penmanship, my concerns were about how to begin – what if I mess up on the first page- then the whole book is pretty much ruined. Orly’s response: “Journals are for messes. They are designed for experiments and explorations. Start writing…you can always erase, tape some nice paper on it like the chocolate wrapper. You can paint on it, tear it, write again, fold it, scribble on it, decorate it, or move on to the next page….It’s for no one to see (unless you want to show it)..there is just no such thing as ‘ruining it’..You don’t have to show “penmanship” or any other “XXXXships”…Journals don’t care…they want you to use and abuse them. If it’s too daunting to start on an empty page..get some cheap watercolor, paint a background and then your writing. Just don’t listen to your mind…It’s talking too much..(: “

So with my fear at bay I ventured forth into the night, pen in hand and just began…

12/8/08

I am blessed by the LOVE I am able to give and receive in this fine lifetime. I have met so many gorgeous souls, and I have learned from many gorgeous and not so gorgeous souls, and every instance and every connection has been a gift. The gift is not always recognized immediately, sometimes it takes many years or many lifetimes, but when that recognition comes so do the small threads of self actualization and with each thread the fabric of our being is lovely and lovingly sewed. At that precise nano-second of lucidity all of our enemies become our lovers, our faithful friends, our mothers, our fundamental nurturers – that are provided for us so we may venture further along our chosen path. Those we would never have anticipated that we would sit across the table and break bread with become our breakfast buddies, tablemates, and well-revered chefs of the daily menus of our lives. And with each meal there is yet another blessing, and that blessing is to savor the moments and eat heartily!

Thank you Orly for helping me begin again!

Stay tuned here in the near future for next years schedule of Orly’s Art Journaling classes – sure to be a fun and illuminating time at her “… jaunty journey journal jams!”

Greetings!

I hope you are all happy and well at the beginning of this holiday season!

Just wanted to make you aware of several exciting events happening around town this weekend…
You will find Silvia and her exquisite Healing Stone Creations
on December 6 & 7 from 10am to 6pm at:

The Conscious Gift Show
at the Los Angeles Hilton
5711 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

www.consciousgiftshow.com

Visit Silvia and see all of the gorgeous new crystal pendants, earrings and pendulums she has created – perfect for the very special people on your holiday shopping list! Admission is free and she will be holding space with many other artists and vendors who bring you “Gifts for the Soul – an extraordinary selection of Magical & Unique Handmade Gift Items.”

On the evening of December 7th, from 5pm to 10pm, make sure you find yourself at:

The Core – Your Perfect Center
4450 West 182nd Street
Redondo Beach, CA
(310) 542-2182
www.thecoreypc.com

Where you will find Orly who will be showcasing her beautifully designed mandala and inspirational card collections (perfect for sending as singles or gift giving as a set), at The Core’s much anticipated Concert/Trunk Show and Holiday Extravaganza! Relax with fantastic music and tasty treats as you stroll inspired through the wonderful gallery they have created for you just for this special event.
Call now and order tickets as space is limited and tickets are going fast! (310) 542-2182.

Then there is Myung Jin Kim who will be participating with other studio artists in the Holiday Spectacular Studio Sale at Angles Gate Cultural Center on December 6 and 7 from 11am to 4pm in Building H.

www.angelsgateart.org/calendar.html

So, go enjoy some holiday cheer and find unique, conscious, soulful, and amazingly creative and fun gifts for everyone on your shopping list this season!

Go visit Silvia and enjoy an inspiring weekend with the Power of Art!

Over 200 works of art displayed in the unique environment of the dormant AES Power Plant.
The Power of Art will include poetry reading, creative writing workshop, figure drawing workshop, Hands on Art workshops, Sea Lab workshop, story time, film, curator talk, Theatre, music and dance. Brought to you by the Redondo Beach Art Group. All events are FREE to the public.

Friday 10/17

7 – 10pm—ARTISTS’ RECEPTION – Hosted by Spectrum Catering.

FABULOUS SILENT AUCTION

Chuito Valdes—music

Redondo Beach Art Group All Media

Exhibit “SWITCHED ON” — Curator Scott Canty

Portrait Gallery—Curator Mary Oliver

Gift Gallery—Art Crafts by RBAG artists

Dialogue Project—Mike Garibaldi Frick

Sponsored by Redondo Beach Art Group

and Crowne Plaza Hotel and Marina

“Whirlwind 2008”—Cathie Goldberg

Saturday 10/18

10:30am—Dance Forever Studio

11am—Creative Writing Workshop Judith

Prager/Harry Youtt UCLA EXT. Writers

Program

11am—Freeman Valley Quintet (classical)

Noon – 1pm—Hands on Art workshop:

“Warhol Pop Art Portraits”

1:30pm—South Bay Little Angels

1:30pm—Entourage (folk)

3 – 4pm—Hands on Art Workshop:

“Abstract Monoprints”

4:30pm—Curator Talk – Scott Canty

Meet the Artists

5:30pm—“Power of Words” Poetry Reading

7 – 8pm—Fashion Show – “Tactile Textiles”

– Juried by Georgette Gantner

8pm—Redondo Union High School Salsa

Dance Team

8:45pm—Free To Be Me Drum Circle

Sunday 10/19

10:00 – 11:00am—A is for Artist, B is for

Brush: A Family Storytime – Kimberly

Bishop, Librarian,

Redondo Beach Public Library

11 – Noon—“Gyotaku: The Art of Fish

Rubbing” – Kris Perez, SeaLab Public

Programs Supervisor. All Ages

Workshop

Noon—Fusion Dance Studio – Hip Hop

12:30pm—Classique (Avant Garde Jazz)

1 – 3pm—Figure Drawing with Richard

Stevens. Sponsored by Cannery Row

Studios

2pm—Join Miriam and dance NIA

3 – 4:30pm—Film Screenings.

“Alta Vista Power of Art” By Tomas

Klouda

“Dialogue Project” By Mike Garibaldi

Frick

Meet the Directors

4:30pm—LA Metro Brass Band

5:30 – 7pm—POWER OF ART DINNER

THEATRE.

7 – 8pm—Margate (contemporary rock)

* program is subject to change
See website for a complete updated schedule www.redondobeachartgroup.org

What a great time Silvia and I had at the Life Drawing Marathon yesterday held at El Camino College.
I haven’t drawn in so long it just felt really wonderful to get my hands dirty with charcoal and start sketching. With a very skilled live model who repeatedly put herself into very elegant and challenging poses, it was quite a feeling of accomplishment to reap a result with anything remotely close to what I was seeing, having had no previous live instruction with live models. I used to work with books many moons ago – Anatomy for the Artist was a favorite one from my teens, but I have since forgotten anything I may have picked up there.

In any case, I certainly look forward to next month when it will be offered on:

Sunday, July 27, 2008 from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and the last one for the summer on

Sunday, August 31 from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

The cost is $23.00 for the whole day less an hour break for lunch, and they have two rooms available.
The room we were in that we chose to stay in for the entire afternoon, had one model that broke up the time into a few warm up sessions of 5 minutes, then a few of 15 minutes and then a couple half hours, then a break and then we came back and she started the same way again. The other room had one model who sat in the same position throughout the entire day.

People used charcoal, pastels, pencils and paints and the pieces that were created were all really unique and beautiful. A nice mixture of people all at different ages and stages of experience, and some great tunes to work to. Just an inspiring day all the way around!

For more information, check out this link for the El Camino Community Education brochure, and we will look forward to seeing you there!