I'm a published artist!

Back in January this year I was a participant in an international art journal project. Artwork was created in 4 art journals by 70 artists from 11 countries (including me!) The result is "Many Hands, Many Lands," 158 pages of AWESOME-NESS! LoL! Now available on Blurb.com in both hardcover and softcover editions. I ordered a copy and am just waiting for it to get here!

The project was started by artist Gray Reef, leader of the Ning community "Lovin' Mixed Media" and all proceeds from the sale of the book go to support the web hosting costs of the Ning group (which is FREE to join, so check it out!) Watch Gary talk about "Many Hands, Many Lands" on Youtube.

Feelin' the Love

For the past few months I've been a member of a Ning community called Lovin' Mixed Media. It's an Artist's Community run by Australian Gary Reef (who happens to live in a forest in Norway). I found Gary by accident on Youtube one day. His videos (there are tons) show he is sincere in wanting to help other artists develop into more well-rounded professionals, and his down-to-earth style is really easy to like! I started out watching his "Technique of the Week" videos.



After subscribing to Gary's Youtube videos I later decided to join his Ning site (which is free by the way) and have been enjoying the support and feedback of other like-minded artists, learning techniques from Gary (for FREE!!) and participating in the monthly art challenges. I would encourage any artist who needs support or wants to push themselves a little further (in a fun and gentle way) to join (for FREE! Did I say that yet? Ha ha!) and check out Lovin' Mixed Media!

Du Buh Du Designs Art Dolls

Get ready, folks! It's the Annual Mad Hatters Tea Party! Duh Buh Du Designs is about to update her Etsy site witha new collection of 7 Art Dolls! If you have been wanting to buy one, now is your chance. She's also giving away one of her coveted art dolls! Hurry up and enter for your chance to win!

First ever Sweet Potato Harvest (Fall 2009)

It's dusk and I just quickly dug up the first sweet potatoes from our first-ever sweet potato harvest. We planted 2 kinds of sweet potatoes in May 2009, and we are now a bit late getting them up as it is the end of November already. There has been lots and lots of rain this year so there are a few rot spots here and there. Overall these are perfectly edible and look quite nice for a first try. Should I make tempura or pie first? Or maybe the Japanese traditional "Daigaku Imo" would be a good use of these?

Beautiful People

I saw an amazing video today about the beautiful Omo people of Ethiopia, who use their own bodies as canvas, looking lovely in almost nothing except for the creative body paint, flowers and leaves they choose to decorate themselves with.

After seeing the video, I immediately googled the photographer, Hans Sylvester, but didn't find much on him except that he is an accomplished nature photographer. So then I went over to Amazon and found "Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration from Africa."

I ordered "Natural Fashion" and can't wait to delve into it when it gets here! There was also a 2-book set by the same photographer: Ethiopia: Peoples of the Omo Valley. Nice but a little pricey at $78.00.

Also found a book by photographer Carol Beckwith called African Ceremonies, and I am sooooo coveting the 2-book hardcover edition!

The only reason I didn't order African Ceremonies is because Amazon for some reason refuses to ship this overseas. I have tried buying a used copy of the set from the various people listed on Amazon, and though there are several used sets of this book listed for about $40, none are able to ship overseas. I did find one seller selling this for $105 that would ship overseas, but when you compare $40 to $105 (not including shipping to Japan) the splurge becomes less enticing. Maybe I should have it sent to my mother's place in the USA and have her forward it to me?

Technically it's a sketchbook....

...but it is starting to look more and more like an art journal. Well, I actually don't know, so tell me- what is the DIFFERENCE?

One would think a sketchbook would be full of "sketches" and an art journal would be full of "art." One sounds more humble than the other, and one sounds somewhat pretentious. How do you know the difference? Oh, and by the way, I have never kept a "journal" of any kind in my entire life. I guess I never really felt there was anything about my life worth writing about. So when I think of an art journal, I think of there basically just being some art in it, with the journaling part being entirely optional.

When I look back at the sketches, or "art" I have made, I remember the ideas, feelings, and events that were going on and which inspired me to make the art in the first place. Is that not basically the same as what a journal does, i.e. remind you of the moment? I think rather than "Art Journal, " I might prefer the term "Visual Journal." It seems less highbrow and more true to the way I use it- as a visual way to remember important moments or feelings that have passed.

Self-Portrait Wednesday

It was a beautiful day for a walk in the rice fields with the dog. Couldn't ask for more perfect weather- sunny but not hot (the only kind of weather I really like). Many of the neighbors were out harvesting their rice, so the air was filled with the scent of freshly cut rice and the buzzing of tiny Japan-sized combines and trucks hauling the rice to and fro. Both the dog and I were very happy.