donating my time & creativity -

It has been over a month since i blogged last - and I am barely able to make it to any one elses blog for even a comment or two. I haven't been working away feverishly in my studio, but i have been donating my time and creativity to a worthy cause.

First I took the month of September (which spilled into and continued thru October) DE-cluttering my house. My husband had begged me to find a consistent place to put the mail, so he could find his bills/checks. (yes, thats important) I started in the kitchen on my little desk and worked thru the entire house (including my studio) The only room untouched is the actual (small) storage area in the basement. I also moved furniture around in the house/donated a bunch of stuff and stripped some wallpaper and repainted (the mudroom). I have been productive - busy - exhausted (yet relieved and refreshed - and ready for a new start) here are some before and afters of our mudroom. (soon to be laundry room)



As for my creativity - my girl scout troop is keeping me on my toes and busy. October my Brownies earned their sewing patch. They first hand sewed their own plushies (monsters/ghosts or bats). Then the girls machine sewed their pwn trickORtreat bags with the help of some moms who joined in. And when they were done with their bags, they came down to my studio and i taught them the basics of silkscreen. And in black and orange we decorated each bag one of a kind!




Now with 2 months of reorganizing, regrouping and decluttering - and a creative girl scout meeting under my belt it is time for me to get out my screens and ink and she what i can do. Update to follow much sooner this time.

"i will name him Otto"

i (finally) finished a series of 9 pieces to be hung in my friends babies room. They have a new baby named Otto - and i was so pleased to have found a vintage dr. suess book - "a fish out of water" - where the fishes name is Otto. it was perfect for the occassion. I packaged them up and sent them off to go live in LA. with becky.brian & otto. I hope they love them.

9 pieces hanging

how lazy am i - i have had 9 pieces sitting in a stack waiting to be hung in my living room for almost A YEAR! dreading making 9 perfect measurements to make them hang perfect. and all for nothing. I actually just used push pins because the pieces arent heavy - and then my holes were a lot smaller if i needed to tweak them one side to another. It only took about a half an hour.... and i LOVE them greeting me when i walk in the room.

Custom Onsies

We racked our brain thinking of something we could MAKE for our dear friends baby that was born the beginning of August. Finally we decided to make a series of custom Tshirts. Mia and Ryan drew some pictures for baby Otto shirts. and then we all printed them. I think they turned out really cute.

creative summer -->

I might not be having the most productive & creative summer - but my daughter is. I came across the coolest camp of the summer - - - or i should say - - the coolest camp IN DENVER (for girls...and boys who dig sewing crafts!) We were off to a rocky start....when she heard none of her friends could go with her, she was in tears and dragging her feet to HAVE to go... but when i came to pick her up the first day she had made her first PLUSHIE - - named "stitcky" and was SO proud of herself! Her teacher even said she was a "machine" and for those who really know me - - -you know that warmed my heart! (i TOO am a machine... when i like to do something) its hammer down..... WORK! (like a machine) It was a great way to spend some summer afternoons. and both girls will be going back next year!!!! Here are some photos from a proud mom -
Mia & "Stitchy"

The classroom that is downstairs - in Fancy Tiger (on Broadway in Denver)

the store from the top floor

Find me in Historic Downtown Littleton & Boulder

Find me (well - my work) in Historic Downtown Littleton & Boulder.
My work can now be found at } Willow An Artisan's Market
located in Littleton @ 2400 W Main St and
in Boulder @ 1500 Pearl St



This friday, July 3rd I will be featured at the Boulder location.
I won't be able to make it because i am celebrating the 4th with my girls in Clearlake,Iowa

pssst.... behind the scenes

here are some behind the scene photos from the day before the show started. There is so much work to be done in the end. Thank you so much to John, Scott, Paul for the hard manual labor! and to Karen, Leah, Brandy, Alice, Rick, Kathryn & my mom for watching my ladies.

friends of S.A.M. 2009

thank you all for your constant support and for stopping by to keep us sane... when during these shows we are anything..BUT!

brandy,ryan,paul. john and jim, dori and john, zoe and pauline
kathryn with eva. diego,cecilia, maria. lynne,dani and me. marc. tom,Q and Truman
the strahls, Madalyn and my people, scott, Leah, Brandy and the conjoined twins, Leah again
Liz & Tom, Darcy & Channing, Marc, Kim & Grace, Karen and...... sunshine wheat!
(and i missed a few of you with my camera.. sorry)

Thank you for coming out }

The Summer Art Market this year was anything but DULL!

Friday afternoon the skies were dark and ominous. The clouds seemed to be hanging out to the north, but the entire time we were setting up we were surrounded by lightening. It put us all a bit on edge. At least the rain stayed away while we were working outside.
Saturday morning was beautiful. No clouds, not too hot and we were BUSY. We had some great early sales and it was nice to see some of our favorite returning customers - as well as meet some people. We are also so lucky to have so many good friends stop by to support us - say hi, bring food, beer, keep us company, help out, watch our girls - etc. We couldnt do it without all of you.
Sunday morning was also beautiful - we had no idea what was in store for us. We had moderate sales in the morning - it was off to a slower start, which is to be expected anyway. But at 2PM, right when we should have been starting the rush for the final sales of the weekend (all my favorite sales when someone has thought about a piece they have seen earlier in the show - and they rush back and hope its there, and most of the time they go home with it because it was meant to be, or we find one to make them happy) - instead we were headed for cover from a funnel cloud. The tornado warning sirens went off. Here in Denver that usually means that people go outside to look for a tornado, but this particular time you could see one forming, right above where we were. The girls were with us - so the 3 of us went to the basement of the Art Students League while John stayed behind and packed up the artwork. (watching the skies incase he needed to run for cover) We were down there for about 40+ minutes before we came back up and attempted to remain open for sales. although - in that 40 minutes about 1/2 of the booths had packed up and left. so it wasnt very inviting for anyone to continue shopping. about 330 we started packing it all up. We had about 20 minutes left when the skies opened and we were soaked. It was a steady rain - i have never had an arts festival like this. At the end of it all, we were very pleased that no one was hurt, and that we made the money we were hoping to - to make it a success. Lets hope next year the rain has moved on. (its been like Seattle around here)

Here are some favorite photos:
Setting up Friday


4 mountain dews got me thru saturday.

when they are old enough - they will be amazing helpers and i will pay them well

johns work


pre-tornado warning

wondering just how long the weather would hold out


in the basement with about 80 others (in this section)

NEW WORK - this weekend - SUMMER ART MARKET

Here is a peek at some new work.

5x10" (14 pictured below) $100-120 each


5x5" (16 pictured below) $60 each


6x6" (9 pictured below) $80 each


10x10" (3 pictured below) $150 each


New Work by John -

email x 492 people on my mailing list

If you are in Denver this weekend - - - come check out the SUMMER ART MARKET at 2nd & Grant. Our booth is #172 which is closer to Sherman and 2nd street. We will be there from 10-5PM Saturday & Sunday. Come say Hi.



here are some links with info:
booth maps
parking suggestions

FREE DEMONSTRATIONS AT SUMMER ART MARKET

Andrea Kemp Portrait Painting June 13, 2009 10-11 am

Rick Brogan Fundamentals of Drawing June 13, 2009 11:30 am-12:30 pm

** Cristine Boyd Ceramic Surface Decoration June 13, 2009 1-2 pm

Michael Gadlin Abstract Painting with Acrylics June 13, 2009 3-4 pm

Jo Fitsell Collage: Paper & Fiber June 14, 2009 10-11 am

Steve Tracy Abstract Painting with Oil June 14, 2009 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Andi Mascarenas Sculpting the Figure in Clay June 14, 2009 1-2 pm

Tim Flynn Wire Sculpture June 14, 2009 3-4

NEW work & a NEW SIZE

I have many new things to show and share this year. First is the new size - a lovely long 5x10" and they sell for $100.

The houses for me have always represented a place and relationship. my place in the world...and the relationships i have, where i have landed, where I want to go - to visit or to live. The people (friends and family) in my life and where they are in relationship to me. My family talks a lot about selling it all.. making like more simple and moving to far away land. John wants ocean and I want land and space. (and you cant really have both) So - i am working thru where would be a good place to land. (although - for the record .... we did just "LAND" somewhere 2 1/2 years ago - so it is not like we haven't just made some tough choices and unpacked lots of boxes and acquired MORE stuff.)

more to come - but here is a start....,

S L E E P ?

NOT YET! - i will sleep June 15th. The SUMMER ART MARKET IS COMING UP QUICK! and it is my only show for the summer.. HOORAY! I usually like to do a few shows a year, but after last year i was exhausted and drained. I decided to work more on my online sales and less on shows and travels to the shows. So this year - one show - one week from now. THEN my summer can start!

off to work...... with special thanks to caffeine.

art show

SUMMER HAS STARTED - and so has the art. this is the art show the girls put on for me at Johns studio.

I am tickled........

I am tickled PINK or BLUE that my friend Becky - - (and Brian) are HAVING A BABY! I was wanting to surprise becky and come to her babyshower - - - but it is on the same day as my one show of the year. so instead - luckily the ladies (Cate & Laurie) let me surprise them with doing the shower invites. I wish i could have made them fancier!! and i wish i could have found my damm corner rounder in time to round the corners and make it to fed ex by 530 ... but besides that... i thought they turned out cute. if ONLY i knew if it was a boy or a girl.... (just have to tease those who like to WAIT)

packrat?

just when i want to sell it all and move far far away and simplify my life.. i walk into my studio and i am reminded of the core of my being. i am a packrat.... collector.... (horder?)..... and it would be very very hard for me to condense. ill think about that later. Im off to go buy more ink.

more help from Ryan

I had a naked monkey on my desk today. I will love this photo forever. It won't be too long before she is too long to be ON my desk, and wont want to be naked for a photo either... (well, i hope)

new bird }

meet the new bird.... many of him.

burning some midnight oil - - -

It is time to loose some sleep - - - The Summer Art Market is coming up - - - in a little more then a month. I have to go now and buy a case of mountain dew.


i love working on new backgrounds and laying them all out like a quilt.

more of those lucious colors...

Yes... i love mixing new colors and having it all done and ready. As soon as I got my desk ready to print... i had a visitor. She thinks that its HER desk and those "cubbies" are hers as well. I was in HER way. But i did enjoy the company!

new colors

a sneak peek of some new colors for new work

tagged -

Ryan (my youngest) tagged me with her infamous style of drawing and signature. I left it on my hand for as long as i could and considered what a nice tattoo it would make. (alright - slightly large and on my left hand.. but i still love it and wore it well and long)

Prints DONE - now on to Tshirts

I have been printing day and night and have just caught up with round number one of Tshirt orders. I think they are super cute! I have had some help along the way (as you will see) Tootie helped, John helped for one night, Tootie helped (moral support) and then Cheeto supervised and she also guarded the shirts when they were done printing. If you would like a Tshirt and have not already ordered, let me know. I am buying shirts/sizes as needed and as i can find them. The price for all shirts is not $20 kids/womes/mens. The sales shirts i had found to offer the lower $15/18 are all gone. I still think its a great deal on a cute shirt for a great price and cause!

Posters & TShirts - cataract surgery fund for Tootie

"Now I Can See" Prints - Posters - now available. (as well as Tshirts) The posters & tshirts were designed and printed by myself and my husband, John. With a ton of help from Scott and so many others. 8 color silkscreened poster - paper size is 11"x18" (printed image 10"x15") - Edition of 90, signed & numbered. 100% of the sales go to Tooties Cataract Surgery Fund. Posters are $25 each (shipping in a cardboard tube available for $3) TShirts are available in various colors & sizes. (see below) Mens & Womens for $18 and kids for $15 (plus shipping cost) Thank you so much for your time to come to my blog and check out the prints, supporting the cause and/or forwarding this to your dog loving friends & family.



Womens Tshirt design: Available in a thin fitted womens Tshirt (all sizes) - Orange & Pink with a black imprint.

Mens Tshirt design: Available in white shirts with a black imprint.

Kids Tshirt design: Available in various colors/sizes with a black imprint.

If you are interested in Tshirts - please email me with the specifics you want and I will let you know if i have or can find
that size and color. Thanks!

please email your orders or questions to: lisajohnston@mac.com

tootie poster progress

We decided to make posters and tshirts to raise money for Tooties surgery fund. Tootie is our 4 year old Boston Terrier who has developed cataracts in both eyes. We have been referred to a specialist in time to regain her sight (with pricey surgery) Given her age - we have to give her a chance to be able to see again. Right now she is "legally blind" so she cant drive a car or watch TV. (that was a joke) anyway. John and I collaborated which is more difficult than you would think. We designed the poster and then took this weekend and printed an edition. (100+) We couldnt have done it without so much help from our family and friends. My mom donated the money for our supplies, then we had help from Scott who hung in there helping for the entire weekend, help from Francesca and Gabriella - and Mia and Ryan who hung out and played non stop at the studio together. Then Alice, Leah (aka Miss P), Paulie and Rob - for moral support, opinions, paper holding, and company. We are going to be selling the posters for $25. and soon we will make t-shirts also. UPDATE ON SPECIFICS COMING SOON!

no art until the paper work is done...

Same time each year - i take time off working, painting, thinking to do that horrible business stuff that everyone has to do. paperwork, sorting, inventory and ..ahhhhh.. taxes. We don't do our own, but i have to be organized so that someone else can do them. When I am finished with all the particulars keeping me from my studio - i have many things on my to do list.

First project: SAVE TOOTIE! poster. Tootie is our sweet 4 yr old Boston Terrier who was just diagnosed with Cataracs. She needs surgery to restore her eye sight. We are going to be offering art - for a donation to the "save tootie fund" I will keep you all posted on what we will be doing.

summer art market - deadline - MISSED!

I was having a terrible start to my saturday morning and then it got worse. I looked down at my calendar that sits on my desk - and there was my list of TO DO's on friday.
Beckys birthday! - happy birthday Becky
Mail/deliver Mia's party invites
return Library books
Apply to Summer Art Market - deadline today.

I thought about it early on in the day on friday, and called to ask john if he wanted me to apply for him.
Then i was needing to call the Art Students League to make sure we were current on our membership.
although, i never got that far. I just plain forgot. I am wondering why i waited until the last minute.
It had been on my calendar for 2 weeks. I feel totally responsible - but devistated. it is my biggest source of income for the year - especially now that i am not going to do any shows out of town for a few years.

I am crossing my fingers they will allow me to enter late - and preparing myself if they can't. I need some good thoughts my way (please) :)

another invite - -

another invite - - and a fun party to look forward to. Mia wanted an ART party this year. She is so excited about it. We arent sure what kind of "art" we are doing yet. It may be silkscreen, painting or a bunch of different stations. ?? I will of course share photos of all the kids getting dirty and having fun - after the party.

finally - a treasury to share

i really like this one - i did it in record time from my favorites.
dont' look at this treasury!

Holy Valentine

I know - I know - I know 49 shrinkydink necklaces (24 of them personalized) is an insane project to take on 5 days before the girls valentines parties.... but I did it anyway. This has taken the majority of the girls (and my) freetime this week. On top of being sick. I was left to put strings on them all and stuff them in the envelopes. Now - back to regularly scheduled programming. (like an illustration job I have due monday)




Since Ryan is in preschool and the kids like to play mailman - they all have to be the same since they cant read the names and sort them with accuracy. Thank goodness - it had to have saved me a few hours.

I am so proud of Mia and her bubble letters. She does them like a pro. And John taught her how to do lightening bolts for the boys. She will be Queen of Doodles in just a couple years. (bubble letters and lightening bolts! what a pair)

Get your HEART on! 2 dozen new pieces for your SWEET Thing!

New work for sale - FREE shipping in the month of February. Check it out - click here to view the sale.

Online VALENTINE'S SALE!

For you and your SWEET-Thing! I have 24 NEW pieces inspired by the month of the VALENTINE. From $60-$80. Original, One of a kind, ready to hang- mixed media, silkscreens on wood. There are some real funny ones. Sale starts WEDNESDAY, FEB 4TH.

in the works } SALE NEXT WEEK

I have been spotted working late in my studio again. It feels good to be printing again. I haven't printed since last fall. Here is a sneak peek. There are a couple new variations of colors that i love. {SALE starts next week}

Printsy interview -

I had forgotten to post this here on my blog. Thanks Kate for the great interview.
Here is the post Printsy interview - Lisa Wharton

A "catch you all up" on a personal note. . .

My blog has fallen to the bottom of my list - just for a few weeks - while I catch up and get ready for 2009. I have a few things new and different for 2009 since I last blogged. The first needs an introduction... We have a new member in our family, Cheeto, who is a sweet orange kitten we adopted at the Dumb Friends League on Halloween. She is such a great cat, and i see many late night studio adventures in our future together. (photos to come)

Then we have this new thing called "chiari" It sounds like a cool new yogo pose- but its actually called Arnold Chiari Malformation. I was diagnosed with this before Christmas. I had been having strange enough symptoms that made me take note. While working too long, late and hard getting ready for the KC show i would have numbness in my arms and legs (it was sparatic and more so just annoying) Then i started having headrushes. 50+ a day. I would get them while laying down not moving and the dr. confirmed it wasnt low blood pressure. She urged me to get an MRI which i put off knowing that WebMD said i had either MS or a Brain Tumor (neither of which did i care to have or know about!!) I only decided to get the initial MRI because my daughters preschool teacher died suddenly from complications of a brain tumor she didnt know she had. (she left 3 young daughters and a husband) I got the MRI, was diagnosed with Cervical Stenosis - only to go to a Neurologist and have him tell me it was Chiari. You can google it - but basically its a condition where my brain is resting on my spinal cord not allowing the essential spinal fluid to travel back and forth thru my body. It is something you can have all your life and not have symptoms, or it is something that may reguire surgery. We have been waiting to see the Neurosurgeon since Nov. and finally my appt. is this friday. SO, it has slowed me down a bit. Mainly because i need to rest and not over do it. But - i will be back printing soon (probably within the week)

NEXT - exciting news. I am now a girl scout troop leader! There was no troop for her at her school, so after talking to a few moms and learning there was some interest - i started my own troop. #3654 (not a bad number either...wwfew) I have 10 girls registered, we are selling cookies and our first official meeting is this Wednesday! It has been a LOT of work, but i think it will be great time spent with my daughter and her classmates. I am also lucky to now have a co-leader to help.

and finally - O B A M A. What a great thing to celebrate for 2009. I was raised by conservative republicans in the midwest with very little diversity in my first 18 years -and ended up at a liberal arts college in a city with tremendous diversity. I have been on both sides of the political scale. Learning very right and then very left. I will admit that i voted for "W" in his first term because i was not willing to put in the time and energy to make my own decisions politically. I took what my families views were as fact and did little questioning. I believe this country has come far and so have I. I have great hopes for the next four and eight years for myself, my family, my country and this world.

If only i had a few elves to work for me . . .

I havent blogs in weeks. That rarely happens. I have been busy and so far behind. I got my christmas cards designed, printed, cut, stuffed, addressed and then mailed off today...FINALLY! Here it is - christmas 2 days away and i havent wrapped one gift! I better get on it!

{thankful} Paper Fortune Teller

I am thankful for having kids that remind me to do cool things like this. and I am also thankful for google and youtube for helping me remember HOW to do these. I had totally forgotten. Now, go make one and E N J O Y those wonderul fortunes.

great printmaking show {denver}

the opening was last weekend - and i didn't find the time to post about it - but didn't want to forget. There is a locals PRINTMAKING show at INK Lounge in Belmar. It has student and professional work and its a great mix. I have 2 pieces in the show - although, i didn't get any photos of my work while i was there. (silly me)
Here is a flickr page with some images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14868235@N02/sets/72157609812790779/

Ink Lounge
Block 07 Belmar
445 S. Saulsbury St., Studio H
Lakewood, CO 80226

and they are also having an OPEN HOUSE-
Ink Lounge Open House :: Sun, Dec 7
2:00pm-6:00pm :: Wine, Cookies, Print

Thank you all }

I have had an amazing start to my first quarterly sale. i have sold 11 pieces directly from my sale, and 4 others that weren't listed on my sale page that went well in the series that a customer bought. Then I shipped 9 pieces to a store in Seattle and I am talking to 3 other stores around the U.S. I am pleased with the all of the wonderful feedback and interest i have gotten. I do still have more work for sale from my sale page and from my etsy shop.

If you know of any stores/shops/boutiques/galleries in your area who carry artwork ($60-$200 price range) - please email me or leave me a comment. If you give me a lead I will give you 25% off any item(s) you buy - for the remainder of the year. ALSO, stay tuned for a new section on my blog and website, places to find my work. So far I am in Denver, Birmingham and Seattle.

Here is the first piece i sold off of my sale page. It was a piece that my daughter Mia helped me do (i let her pick the colors when i was printing) I think its a gorgeous one, and it found a great home here in Colorado.

{ONLINE} ART SALE - STARTS TODAY

Please check out my first ONLINE ART SALE! It was a lot of work, i lost some sleep, missed some meals, (but replaced them with halloween candy), got my kids to school late today..... but in the end - it is all worth it. IT'S LIVE! and special thanks to Chris - my web guy who made it all "work" (email me if you need a web guy of your own - i will share him) Here is the link - ENJOY and PLEASE forward this on to any and everybody! It needs as many eyes as possible. www.lisawharton.com

Sale } coming soon

I have been working hard getting ready for my first ONLINE ART SALE. A week from today I will have 42 pieces of work for sale. The prices range from $60- $185 and i have 5x5s up to 12x12s. There are some great pieces I am excited to find good homes for. I will also be updating my etsy page hopefully in the next week with originals. Not just prints anymore. Stay Tuned and come back for updates.

OBAMA PINS! free for the taking!

Last week at a soccer game a friend gave us some awesome BARACK OBAMA pins they had made at a pin party in the neighborhood. i LOVED the idea and wanted more to hand out to my friends. I spent a day getting the artwork ready and then john, myself, mia, ryan and their friend jordan sat down and decorated them with glitter/stars/etc. I took them and got them laminated and i think they turned out so cute! (thanks Alice for the great idea) I have about 50 made (although - gave away about 15 at preschool this morning in about 2 minutes) I can always make more - SO - if you want one, email me your address. ( lisajohnston@mac.com) and i will try to get them in the mail asap! in time so everyone can show their support before election day.

on my table i had some artwork i was packing up to take to a gallery - someone put barack in the house. i think it looks better that way... don't you?

ETSY FRONT PAGE

it was fun to get an email from jodie - and go to etsy and see myself on the front page as i was running out the door. WOOHOO. its a strong reminder for me to get back on the etsy wagon. Etsy is tough - i can't seem to crack the code on how to be successful on etsy. BUT I have many pieces to add (soon) and i am still working for an online sale of some sort the first week of NOVEMBER. I will also have a BLOG GIVEAWAY to kick that off!! Stay Tuned. (and thanks for the front page fellow etsyer... i didnt catch who made the list)

Jay Vollmar - love it

I should have posted this months ago. We went to Jay Vollmars show this summer at the Ink Lounge and bought some amazing (silkscreen) prints. Here is one i just hung up in our dining room. I was waiting to frame it - but since its on velvet - i just tacked it on the wall for now and I think it looks great there (even with the hideous, gold, glittered, flocked wallpaper). This is actually the show invite that was also for sale. His website is: http://jayvollmar.com/ Check him out!

hung some new artwork this weekend -

We got the hammer and nails out this weekend and hung some new artwork up. Both Mia and Ryan picked out a piece of mine to hang up in their rooms. Mia picked out a print of Bekah Ash's for her room. I wish we could have gotten a big original painting - it remains on my list of things to purchase. Ryan got a large Jay Vollmar piece for her room (in the photo on he back wall) AND - in for foreground we hung our new piece from Amanda Blake. I also wish we could have afforded to bring home a big one - but this was a very nice trade from Amanda. We couldn't decide where to hang it - and both girls wanted it in their rooms - so it ended up right in the middle of both rooms. It is the in the middle when you come up the stairs so its the first thing you see. OH - we also have a new piece from ZOA ACE, but i forgot to take a photo. We hung that one in the playroom. anyway - THANKS AMANDA FOR THE TRADE. If you havent been to her site - here is the link - http://www.amandablakeart.com/
http://www.amandablakeart.blogspot.com/
I like how in this first photo when i asked them to both stand in their rooms, they stood (by chance) like the girl in the painting.

TO DO:

Below are my two lists. There is nothing to show scale - but they are 17" long. 1. House stuff to do. 2. General/Business stuff to do. With great joy, I have been slowly marking off things completed. It feels so nice to not be under the deadline of a show. To have free time. I am actually going to go watch a movie now. (2nd one this week)

portrait by jeff strahl.

I thought i would finally share a photo taken of me recently by a fellow artist/photographer who is also a friend. Jeff and Sarah own many pieces of my artwork (thanks for all the support guys) - probably a piece or two from each series from the last few years. Anyway, in the peak of my craziness about a month ago Jeff came over to get first pick before i went to KC, and while he was here he took my picture. It's not often i get my picture taken by anyone other then myself, my kids or my (photographer) husband -and specifically in that order.

and - for an update. i could use a life size cardboard cut out of myself to place in my studio - because i have been marked absent! I haven't been down there for 5 minutes, havent picked up one thing, or screwed the caps on my drying ink. NOTHING. i think i will TRY to make it down this week to get it cleaned up, but it might be the NEXT week. who knows.

(pppsstt... I do know there will be an online sale with my originals NOVEMBER 7TH, so stay tuned.)

back home - and ready to relax

we are home. it is so nice to be home. (i have been thinking about this show in KC being done since early august) i am finally spending some time being human again. I get to be a mom. (a good one who can sit down and play and can make dinner instead of ordering it) I have been unloading, reorganizing, calling in credit card slips, going to the bank, doing laundry and playing some major catch up. I also quit the mountain dew cold turkey, but so far so good. i always need a bit of detox after a show. Now on to getting me selling online so i dont HAVE to do festivals to get my work out there.

here are some photos -
my booth - friday night


one of my favorites - sold.

we were so fortunate to get to see sandy and cameron every day/night. we went to freds twice and then got to go see their house on sunday night.

the open road - thru kansas. we made it back quick. its the time change that helps.

Kansas City - Plaza Art Fair BOOTH 507.

Here I am - come see me and my new work! and thanks for everyone who has already come out. i appreciate it!

Kansas City Plaza Art Fair - we are headed there

Its 1:04 AM... i have been packing ALL DAY! first thing this morning we played tetris with all the tupperware, walls, etc. and we were able to get everything into 1 car. BUT, us. well - there was TIGHT room for 5 and the weight limit is 1300lbs. we were close, you could tell. my tires were sagging. it didnt look good. we thought about it all day and by 7PM - with just 20 minutes of daylight... we made the executive call to take 2 cars. it will be another $160 for gas. (OUCH) but we cant think of any other way to safely make it there. I am also including a photo of my favorite piece. I believe it will be on sale for $600 - unless i decide i simply cant part with it. and finally, a photo of my TRASHED studio. Bummer i had to leave it this way. i sure didnt want to come home to a mess. But - the dishes are washed, clothes are all folded and else where its generally clean. BE THINKING HAPPY THOUGHTS. It looks like we will have great weather. AND - - - if you are in KC! - come out and see the show. FRI 5-10. SAT 10-10 (ouch) and SUN 11-5. I THINK i am booth # 507 (if its not 507, its very close) i should know this. sorry.

finishing up - packing up

282 NEW PIECES SINCE JULY - 90 FROM MY LAST SHOW - 11 TO FINISH UP.
this was my last late night. its 3:06AM and i am off to bed. I will finish up what I can in the morning and call it DONE.
We have worked so hard this summer, and specifically this last week. John has been teasing and calling me a Jeff Koons -
(he is an artist who dosent do his own work, only thinks of the concept and then lets his factory DO the art) Well, well -
i am NO Jeff Koons, but i will admit it takes a village to get it all done. Scott and John cut my wood, I paid Mitchell to sand (some of the) wood, I did the artwork - then my mom painted the sides brown for me, John drilled the key hole hangers in the back, John and I sprayed the work with spray fix, Paul and John shot the work and Brandy cut bubblewrap. i must FORMALLY THANK MY VILLAGE for all their hard work!!!! and my girls for hanging in there. we are ALMOST done!

in progress -

All of my work has multiple layers of printing. Especially my large pieces. I work and work on those to get the perfect texture - which means the perfect mistake, that looks beautiful - that i cant duplicate (unfortunatly) There are so many factors when printing this way. The color and texture of the ink, the weather - hot? dry? humid? cold?, and then which screen i use - and which pencil. (not to sharp - worn, and just pefect) Here is a piece that I started a few days ago and spent literally 2 hours screening the background blue. (over and over)


i got great texture - i love it.

I took it outside to sand it and just as i was about to sand it - a drop of water from the garage door landed right in the blue space to the left of the house. i was so upset. its now back on my desk waiting to be reprinted.

beautiful birds

I finished up all my birds this week. I love looking at them all together.


this was one of my favorites. i love that. "the subject is thinking" is the bird taking a course in 'thinking" ?
OR, is the bird the subject. ?

took time to have fun

To throw a party is many hours of stress, lots of money and time. In the hours leading up to the party, i always wonder if i will do this again - cause how could i... im exhausted and drained. But, then the party starts and the stress is forgotten. We had the annual studio party this last friday. We had a great turn out on a cold and damp night - probably a little over 100 people. Admas band played, there was good food and lots and lots of New Belgium Beer.

...... now, back to work!

big hopes for labor day -

i have had it on my calendar for over a month to find a babysitter and use this weekend to work as many hours possible to finish up for the KC show. What a bust. I couldn't find a sitter - not for an hour, so John bucked up and took kid duty for the weekend. BUT THEN - Ryan got sick. I could tell she wasn't feeling well on friday night, but i was hoping saturday would be a whole new day. i could send john and the kids off to the pool, the zoo - a costco run, to play at the studio and even visit relatives. Instead, saturday morning brought 103.6 fever.
we made a tent out of her bunkbed and john put a small TV in there so she could watch movies and relax. and I stayed with her and cleaned up the upstairs while she slept.

by sunday she was feeling better. we layed low and john got out some crafts for them to do. i thought these were cute.



On monday everyone was feeling better, but myself. i had a sore throat and feeling really worn out.
Good think Ryan was able to come down and help me pull some screens. It was her first time getting to pull it herself. she was very proud.


I did start some new work. I think i have about 30 new ones started and a week to complete them. Also 12 large pieces to finish that i am stalling on cause i am not sure what to do to them. Its tuesday now and i am OH SO SICK. stuffed up, chills, sore throat - the works. Its a busy week too. 2 soccer practices for mia, a game and practice for ryan on saturday, johns studio party friday night and the last week to WORK. ahhhhhh, no pressure.

took a small break -

I have had a busy week without even touching my squeege. I have a few bits and pieces to share.

First i took a break on sunday to go with my family to visit grandma mary and grandpa johnny. Grandma Mary would have been 99yrs old Sunday - and she passed 9 years ago next month. Her passing left a hole in our lives - as did the passing of all of our grandparents (we have just one left between both john and I) So - grandma Mary got some new pretty flowers at her headstone (or what do they call it when you are in a mausoleum?)


Then I spent some time helping John with his party invites. These were time intensive. We (john, scott and I) printed 200+ invites and then I addressed about 150 to send out. They were 3 color silkscreens with tight registration on chipboard. It took a lot longer then expected, but i think they turned out really nice.


and THEN - we enjoyed the crowds, the history and the hype of the DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION in Denver. I am a fond fan of Barack Obama, so it was nice to soak in the festivites. They had some amazing art around town, news stations, parties/etc. We took the girls downtown just to be among it all. I only wish that we would have been at the stadium last night. John was suppose to shoot it for a magazine but his pass disappeared (from the magazine contact he had) when it was too late to hustle for a new one. here are some photos from what we saw.






NOW - for the long labor day weekend - i MUST get to work!!!!

I was tagged, and now i am going to tag.

This is my first time, so lets see if i can follow directions.
Jesse from Cape Town, South Africa has a great blog.
she was my tagger. here is her address: http://jezzeblog.blogspot.com/

Now I am going to tag six others. (here I go)
1. http://www.rebeccahahnhelloworld.typepad.com/ a best friend of mine. love everything she does.
2. http://feedthedogwhoblogs.blogspot.com/ - LOVE her work! check it out!
3. http://valentinaramos.blogspot.com/ LOVE HER BIRDS.
4. http://erikatysse.blogspot.com/ fellow mom artist whose work is oh so lovely!
5. http://mizudesigns.blogspot.com/ fellow printmaker with great stuff!
6. http://mleeprints.blogspot.com/ fellow printmaker/wonder mom!
7. http://www.johnjohnstonphotography.com/blog/ my husband - who is super talented!
(he wont play along im sure, but i thought i would include his blog anyway)


6 unspectacular quirks of MINE:
1. I only write with a Sharpie. (i would rather not write, then write with a ballpoint pen)
2. I will only get into a bed that is made. unmade beds make me cringe.
3. i am a pack-rat
4. I never leave the house without wondering if i will get home safe.
5. i am addicted to "iced venti 8 pump soy chais" (dammit, i HATE that i NEED them)
6. i am picky with my underwear and socks! it sometimes takes 3,4,5 changes before im happy with how they FEEL!


Here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking to them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they've been tagged.

they are coming along -happy

my desk is so happy this week with pretty birds. here are some favorites.

stacks undone

i've been playing with new backgrounds. I have been loving a few new number backgrounds, a few new maps too.

Oye' Stacks!!

I now have my brown squared - on to colored squares. The sorting and the stacking is so visually pleasing to me, (and my OCD) that I tend to take pause and enjoy this stage before I get to start working on each one. I have never done this many at once, so its important for me to have a system in place. I am going to print some backgrounds and then I will be on to working on them individually to finish them.

some favorites to share

I am winding down on my house pieces. I LOVE doing the house series. I liked what I had started completing last week, and then on thursday we took a last minute vacation to see family. When I got back sunuday night I looked over my work to familiarize myself to it again and i LOVE my pieces. I am going to have a hard time parting with some of these.

round 2

I have that nice pile of (mostly sanded) wood - now its time to screen print it all solid brown. I printed 114 this evening - with another 80 to go. THEN i get to start on new bird pieces. i can't wait to see how they will change and turn out.

houses everywhere

I have quiet a stack of pieces I am working on. I had a great day yesterday printing. Tons of houses and numbers. I saved the big ones to do this week, i cant wait to get to work on them also. Here is what it looked like last night when i was done.

Thanks for the WOOD!

hehe - A HUGE thank you to my friend scott who sacrificed an afternoon last week in front of the table saw cutting my wood. Thank you also to John for going to pick up the wood and shleping it back to the studio. THEN - thank you to Mitchell for getting a great start on sanding my wood for me on sunday. I dont have the skills to work to table saw (safely), but i do know and love how to sand. However - with the KC show just weeks away and little or no babysitter in my future, i need every moment to print.

Check out his new sight -

My husband - (who if you don't know) is a talented commercial/editorial photographer. He has a new website that is long overdue. There is some great new stuff on his site, and a blog of his own. http://www.johnjohnstonphotography.com/

Art camp x2

With summer winding down "we" (the ladies) are officially bored - so this week we had more playdates, and more art camp.
First we made fish and used texture (different papers for the scales) on one side and then glitter and sparkles on the other side.





The next day we did FASHION art camp. Mia and I have been watching Project Runway and she is inspired to design and sew. I don't have the sewing skills to teach her the right way so I stalled and we made their ideas out of paper. I asked them what their dresses were going to look like sleeves, no sleeves, straps? and then length/etc and then I helped them with the basic sketch.. Then I cut it out of larger, thicker paper and they colored to "fabric" and decorated them. They were so proud, and so was i!

Madalyns

Ryans

Mias

back to work . . .

I am back to work. I had a good reason to get hustling this week. My dear friend (and my daughters favorite sitter/superhero/person) Rhaetia was having her going away party saturday night. I had promised artwork, so i had to deliver! I have made some beautiful new backgrounds for screens this week. MAPS! Denver, Chicago, Manhattan and Kansas City so far. I had a beautiful screen done of Denver to use on her piece and while driving home from the studio it RIPPED. This is my first ripped screen and i was just sick about it! I did end up getting it all done. The only photo I got of it - was once I gave it to Rhaetia. The piece is now traveling across country to its new home San Francisco .

it was such nice light when i was working at the studio this week

lining the film up can be difficult- to make a 16x16inch piece i need to line up 4 sheets (then x2)

i make my negs with a double thick piece of transparency laser printer film.

the sad rip in my screen

the newest piece i gave to rhaetia. (i think it was 12x12 - it might have been 10x10) you think i should know.

NEW WORK } on etsy this week

I will be listing new work in my etsy shop this week. Here is a sneak peak
of what i will be listing. Prints from my most recent work/show.

it was a week of sanding

That's all I have done this week is sand my wood. It's been boring but i have to do it.
Now I am on to scanning and making new screens. Then -printing new work soon. aaahhh

Art Camp mural

My girls and I have been doing "art camp" at least once a week this summer. Mia and I have talked about re-doing the mural downstairs for awhile. This week was as good as any. We drew out our idea and then went and bought some base paint. I then drew and cut out all of our ideas (trees, butterflies, flowers, etc) I would draw the outline of things and my girls would paint them all. They did a fabulous job helping. We are not done, but I thought I would share where we have been and where we left off. The original mural was done in the late 60's, and while i liked that one, I think the girls are excited to make that room their own. Later we will finish all the critters and the flowers and I am attempting to turn the tallest tree into a family tree - with peoples names on the roots. I will post it when it is done.

Kansas City} September 19/21st

I got my acceptance letter last friday while on vacation visiting friends in Salt Lake. I will be at the Plaza Art Fair in KC/MO in September. I am excited and honored to be juried into the show again this year. It also means i have a BUSY 11 weeks ahead. I better get on it. Right now I am painting a mural with my daughters in our studio. I will post photos soon.

{PRINTSY} prints - treasury

I have had 2 treasuries this week. Lucky me! This one i did was for the PRINTMAKERS on ETSY street team.

I am finally resurfacing to life

Arts festivals take the wind out of me. I leave myself so exhausted by the time the show starts, i muster up all the personality I have to enjoy all the people that come out to see me/us, and new people I get to meet. Then I enjoy the feeling of money in my pocket (since it is feast or famine being a stay at home mom/working artist who only gets to put herself and work first a few weeks out of the year) and then...... I 1. enjoy my kids and my family and 2. SLEEP and catch up on TV i have tivo'ed.

Over the last week I have gone to the pool, spent time with friends, gone out to dinner a few times, had a picnic in the backyard, watched my girls play in the sprinkler (and joined in), planted flowers with my girls, went to the farmers market, watched them ride their bikes with friends (and joined in), shopped, went to the library, went hiking, caught up on laundry, organized and made some lists. For relaxing - it was productive relaxing.

Here are some photos from the last week.
having a picnic and reading our library books

mia helping me with flowers

ryan warming up after swimming.

not the best bike safety photo - but she does where her helmet and clothes 95% of the time.

just what i needed for a drive to the mountians


mount evans - the tallest paved road in north america. and did i mention i am terrified of heights!
I had attempted to make it to the top ten years ago, and only attempted it again because i had forgotten just how scarey the drive is. there is NO room for error. that snow line is the road- with straight drops.

Incredibly - incredible show this weekend.

What a great show we had! It was incredible! It exceeded our expectations. We had such a great mix of returning customers and people who had never seen or purchased our work. I sold so many of my favorites (but i think they all have good homes). John sold my favorite piece as well - but also to a great home! AND - We felt so loved. We had so many friends stop by to show us they care! Mandy started it out with a pre-show the night before. Then we had (left to right) The Strahls, The Hansens, Lynne & Damon, Paul, Tom & Liz, superheros from buntport!! (jessica, matt and rhaetia!), The Ooms family, The Mead family, Janee and adorable kids and then the Ryan family. ((and not pictured, Scott and John, The Rivers, The Trautmans, The Larsons and The Giesens -happy anniversary))


OOH, the Ryan family. To whom i am forever indebted! I do not take favors easily, but Karen and Jason were total lifesavers on sunday. They stopped by in the thick of a huge melt down! Ryan had gotten a pine needle in her foot and was screaming as if she needed an ambulance - which sent Desi (who lived on the corner who i had met once before) to go get tweezers and a band-aid and while all that was happening - i got a bloody nose. Moments later, after only 2 hours in our tent with us - our kids were walking off with the Ryans to go play with the slip and slide. Special Thanks to my mom who watched the girls all day saturday, Scott who alwayshelps a ton, Paul for shooting my work - and thanks for lunch saturday and The Ryan family who helped out so much - - and on fathers day of all days.

Summer Art Market - THIS WEEKEND

This will be our 4th SUMMER ART MARKET and we are excited! The show is at the Art Students League of Denver
200 Grant st -Denver, CO BOOTH #164. The dates/times are Saturday & Sunday - June 14th & 15th from 10AM - 5PM.
We hope to see everyone there!

John has new books, boxes and shelves.

I have new works with birds, houses and dresses.
The newest bird art with text is fun. Its text taken from sentences in books, so it's text out of context.

Time is up - raise your hands.

Just like on my favorite reality shows like Top Chef and Project Runway- The clock has run out and it is time for me to raise my hands in the air and be happy with what I have completed. At last count I have 127 pieces. (im not sure I have ever had every piece in the same place at the same time though - so there will be a more final count later) This weekend I left time to drill all the holes in the back of my pieces and shoot them all for possible prints, promos and my website. Thank you so much Paul for helping me out today! Here are most of my pieces. This week I have to paint the sides of each piece. That alone will take hours.

my pile is growing and so are the circles under my eyes

ahh - mountain dew. You KNOW i am getting ready for a show when i bring home a 12 pack of Mountain Dew. It appeared this week. I did have a sitter this week (7 hours worth) - but the majority of my printing got done between the hours of 10PM and 3AM. every night I would vow to get the girls in bed earlier and get working in the 9 o clock hour so I could stop by 1. Each night it was harder to get them to bed and harder to stop working. I have really been having a good time.

Thursday night was tough - For some reason I thought it was necessary to have TWO mountain dews. I finished my second one around 1:30AM and went off to bed around 3. I laid down and thought to myself... "good thing I am exhausted so I can fall right to sleep." Next thought - "Oh my god, what if i CANT fall asleep".. "If i go to bed right now - i MIGHT get 5 hours" - - ok, dont look at the clock. dooonnnt look at the clock.. "DONT DO IT" 3:06, 3:17, 3:44, DONT LOOK AT THE CLOCK! 4:16 "What if i am awake when the sun comes up, what if my kids wake up before I get to bed" 4:17AM - Ryan crawls into bed with us. I panic and move into Mia's bedroom to cuddle and enjoy the sound of the fan. 4:34 was the last time I looked at the clock. The lucky part was that my family let me sleep until 9AM. I can function on 5 hours, so i was pretty OK the next day with a short 20 minute nap with my girls.

Here are some photos of what things are looking like.

Design For Mankind -

Im sure (almost) ALL of us bloggers frequent Design for Mankind - so many have already seen that I was featured the other day on the site. It was so exciting and such an honor! Thanks Erin. Here is the link incase you missed it. http://www.designformankind.com/2008/06/library-card-series.html And as for the series of library cards and flashcards, I am currently sold out of them BUT will be making more and posting them in my etsy shop sometime this summer. (i can't wait, they are so much fun to do)

Civic Center Park illustrations } finished

I finished up the illustration job I got a couple weeks ago. It was a really fun job. Big screens - on wood and the colors that I love. I did four of each design - but i thought I would share one of each. Then I will post when I get the finals with the text from the art director. August at Cultivator is the one I am working with, and he does amazing stuff - so I can't wait to see them DONE.

this holiday weekend brought a lot of things -

I super unfortunately had to miss my sisters high school graduation for a hundred reasons. But while I was missing it, i was keeping very busy. First we all healed. I had super bad allergies last week which turned into a cold, and everyone in my household had the same thing. Then we had a kindergarten performance for Mia and then a dance recital (tinkerbell) for Ryan. This weekend also gave way to a treasury on etsy - that made front page (yea!) AND a long studio day to work. I had a babysitter for a few hours so I was able to work on the Civic Center Park illustration job and also some artwork. I actually worked sunday night until 2AM. I didn't want to stop even then, but knew i had to. I was trying to finish up about a dozen house pieces, but i ended up starting a dozen more that i love. And - lastly - the weekend brought a soggy memorial day BBQ at the studio. It was very wet and chilly, but the food was good and the company was better. (val, paul, brandy, mark and my people)

she passed me note

i had just headed downstairs to work when Mia came down and passed me a note. I thought it was cute and wanted to share. I am glad she was happy today. Lately she has been telling me I am to busy for her. (which is heartbreaking) Its tough to get ready for a show, work on an illustration deadline, make everyone feel like they get enough momma time - and do all my momma work. (it's never ending) BUT, I TRY my hardest!

Various stages of done

This first one pictured is finally DONE! I love this piece. It is to date the largest piece of artwork I have ever made. it is 18"x18" Not huge, but huge for me. My dear husband and dear friend, scott, will be cutting me more 18x18s this week so I can work on more. (i am still doing more 4"x4" also)

These pieces are in progress, but I really like them both. Im not sure what I will do next. This one on the left needs some sanding on the edges for sure.

love = squares

**P.S. DOES NO ONE LIKE THESE? there were no comments, i am getting ready to go finish these up - but maybe only i like them. ** i love square work. I love stacks of wood and pieces that butt up to each other and are the same perfect size. They get me hot. They aren't all done, and there are many more to come - but I thought I would share. Pictured are 16 pieces of 4x4 work. I am thinking about shooting them this way as well and making a special print.

here is what i came up with

I started with these comps from August for this Civic Center Park project -


I made some new screens and printed all day monday - i think i came up with some that I really like.

a working mothers day -with fun

I had a great Mothers Day. (even though i had to work) The weather was beautiful and so we all went to the studio. My mom came also and we all had Chubbys for breakfast (YUM) I never get the original chubbys anymore. After we ate, the girls played outside all day. Mia learned to how to climb a tree, and Ryan wasnt far behind. I worked - making new negs and burning new screens. I am working on a deadline for a comp/proposal for Civic Center Park campaign (to raise money for the park) It is due tuesday, so I wasn't able to not work on sunday. Family time and new screens made for the perfect day. Here are some photos.

First Treasury on Etsy

I have been trying for a treasury since late April. I was having NO luck. I had even set my alarm acouple times at 3:30(am) and 4:15(am) I was so excited on saturday night when It asked me for the title of my treasury. WHOOOHOO. I named it - "happy mothers day to me" next time i will have to come up with a more unique name - but give me a break - it was 2:53AM!
here is a link that will work for a moment - http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=43889

visually pleasing

All my ink is mixed now - it should last me for the summer. I mixed for about 5 hours - and when i was done i was so pleased. They are so visually pleasing to me. It was worth the time to get it organized.

monday - mixed ink

I have been having to start and stop and mix ink randomly though out the week - so i thought i would take a day and mix all my colors. AND get some real containers instead of using sour cream containers and salsa jars. While i like reusing my containers, it dosen't always work - i dont think some of the lids are air tight. So - here is the big mess - mixing.

I got into the SUMMER ART MARKET 2008

The Summer Art Market -at the Denver Art Students League is my favorite show. Its close to my house so no traveling, it is small and all the artists are friendly, it gets the word out about arts in Denver - and great classes at the League and I have a good following of return customers there. I don't always get in though - it is not juried, spots are given to artists taking classes there. This year there were no classes that fit my schedule that I wanted to take, so I was cringing when I applied to the show - i didnt think there would be much chance I would get in. AND I DIDNT. BUT, they emailed last week and someone canceled so I now have a spot. (John and I are sharing a booth) Quickly upon getting the news and paying our booth fee - I went down to the studio and started sanding wood for new pieces. I have a TON of work to do in the next month. The show is June 13th & 14th!

My little sister is graduating from high school

It is true - we didnt grow up together. Kimberly is my half sister and I was almost 16 when she was born, so by the time she was conscious, walking and talking, I was off to college in KC and visited acouple times a year. Well - time FLIES, especially when you are old. I made Kimberly's OPEN HOUSE invitations. I think they turned out SUPER cute. The biggest bummer was -that my fancy new roto-trim paper cutter i ordered on ebay didnt show up in time for me to use it. They were all hand cut and the corners rounded with a single corner punch.

What I am working on

I have about a dozen started on the house series.

houses - lovely houses

I have worked with images of houses forever. I am usually speaking about moving, finding my place, being angst ridden - searching forever with no luck. Now that we have moved and we are pretty settled (16 months now) I started a new series of houses. These are houses with relationships. The houses/families close together, ones with roots and ones torn apart. I am having fun with these. I am also printing some fairly large (for me) 18x18. These are fun because my biggest screen is 15x15 - so i am having to overlap and its creating some lovely, happy mistakes. I am headed to work on them right now.

NEW original works & prints on ETSY

I have new work listed - so go check it out.
I have originals for sale as well as prints. Prices range from $16 - $185.

identity crisis

sneak peak at what my new etsy banner may look like.

New work & prints are coming

I have been working hard getting ready to put up some new work on my etsy shop. I'm not sure if i will start from scratch or add to what I currently have. I have to give a special thanks to John, Scott and Stephanie for helping me get it all done. and a thank you to Mandy and Becky for your opinions and counsel. I hope to have new work going up Monday. Here are some prints I have made and also a print with the original side by side.