White Christmas

White Christmas
Originally uploaded by V G.

We had a White Christmas, involving a 1 hour drive there and 1 hour back trip. We didn't spend too much time out in the snow, but it was very memorable and worth the drive.
It was me, Z, my husand and G'ma (my husband's mom).
We drove up to Wrightwood Ski Resort and played in the "no snowplay" zone. We were getting a kick out of the sign that says "no snowplay" and watching all of the people who obviously did not
pay attention to the sign either. On Christmas day it seemed like a hard rule to enforce. There were also so many people disobeying the sign that it would have been hard to stop. We didn't last long in the cold, but we were very happy for the memory of Z's first snow experience.

This is Not a Rock.

This is Not a Rock.
Originally uploaded by V G.

Z says: This is not a rock.
V says: What is it?
Z: says: It's a heart

This was at the beach today. We had a beautiful Magritte surrealist moment.
Z saw me (V) drawing a heart in the sand just minutes before he (Z) found this heart.

I heart that Z found this heart and declared that it was not a rock.

Mama love.

"Hotdog" painting

Hotdog
Originally uploaded by V G.

This "Hotdog" painting was for an art auction benefit for PAWS/LA in 2003. 12 x12" acrylic on canvas.
I was reminded of this painting due to a mini PowerPoint presentation I did today at San Bernardino Valley College with my very good friend, my art collaborator, Meredith (Fine Art Photography). We were invited to talk to the painting class there when the painting instructor found out we were making a trip out to visit the art gallery. So, it was a fun day of talking and thinking of art. In preparation for the talk, I got to look through some digital files of paintings on my computer, the ones I could find, to make this presentation. A project I still have yet to do is organize my digital files of paintings. I still have them on different computers in various folders, with titles I may have forgotten until I start browsing my hard drive. Back to this painting... The dog is Elmo Diddle, Meredith's dog, who let me take photos of and study her dog curled up like a hot dog. The main reason for our visit out to San Bernardino Valley College Art Gallery was to see the new gallery space and start thinking of our proposal for an art show. In 1999, Meredith and I did a colloborative work called Pet/Circus at SBVC Art Gallery before it moved to the new building it is in now.
We did this show before either of us had kids, so preparing for a
new show now will be a lot more challenging time wise, but easier in other ways. At any rate, I'm excited about it and just as curious as anyone else as to what we will come up with. We have some ideas brewing which I'm sure I'll post about more as we get more into it.
We think this project may happen next fall in 2008. I'd better start painting now.

Native American Dancer

Native American Dancer
Originally uploaded by V G.

This Native American did a dance and storytelling at my son's daycare last Friday for their annual Fall Festival. I was very impressed with him and how he presented himself. He told a story of the flute and did some samples of different Native American dances. Part of me (I'm sure it's the 50% Chippewa) wants to know more about the Native American stories. Over this past Thanksgiving my mom, who is 100% Chippewa reminded me that Iron Eyes Cody, Hollywood's most famous Indian, was not really even an Indian. Ironically, he fooled just about everyone, even myself when I was young. He was a good actor and really lived the part. I'm going off on a tangent here, but an interesting fact is that my grandma lived next door to Iron Eyes Cody in Silverlake, CA when I was very young for many years. When visiting my grandma, I got to go next door and visit Iron Eyes Cody and had always believed he was an Indian. He had many great Indian costumes. My grandma was a good friend to him. Iron Eyes attended my grandmother's funeral in 1992. Just Google "Iron Eyes Cody" and see the Wikipedia definition. It's interesting. In his heart and soul, he was a Native American. And...going back to this image I posted, it reminded me of
how little I know of my Native American heritage. One day I'd like to explore more of the storytelling.

Dandelions Rock!

Dandelions Rock!
Originally uploaded by V G.

Rock On!
Toddlers know what's happening.
I would buy it.
Actually the nuts and bolts of this image came out of a "bummer" accident when I had the wrong setting on my camera, totally overexposing some cool photos of my son. I still loved the images and was kicking myself in the butt that I had the wrong setting. I was desperately trying to salvage them in some way.
Then, "Ah ha!" tonight it hit me how cool overexposure can be when used with a purpose, like fashion or music cover art.
Did I ever mention I like fantasy?

Acorns

Acorns
Originally uploaded by V G.

I went for a hike this Sunday with my son. We walked. I carried him about a third of the way. He's getting better and better about walking. It used to be one half of the time that I'd have to carry him.
He's two years old. Say no more. We make a lot of stops. One stop was to look at acorns on the ground. For me it was looking and arranging. For my son, it is looking, picking up, and throwing. He especially likes to find the things I arrange so that he can pick it up and throw it. Here's a little cirlce of acorns I arranged before they were randomly scattered again by my son.
Happy Thanksgiving fellow bloggers!

I Want to See Wicked!

I Want to See Wicked!
Originally uploaded by V G.

We were in Hollywood last weekend and walked by the Pantages Theatre. I've been hearing great things about Wicked, the Musical.
Tonight the Wizard of OZ was on TV and reminded me of wanting to see Wicked. I always love Glinda, the good witch and still hate the Wicked Witch of the West. From what I hear, Wicked is the story of Glinda and the Wicked Witch during their formative years. Maybe I will get a chance to see Wicked one day? It's also funny that the Wizard of OZ was on tonight, because my son has been playing with my witch hat. I call him the wizard. When I wear it, I am the witch. Whoever has the hat on chases the others around the house.
Anyway, you may be wondering why I was walking around Hollywood near twighlight? I was going to the PAWS/LA art auction at the Avalon with my husband and son to see how
the exhibit turned out. I got to see my Pink Night Owl painting for the last time. It turns out that we won a bid in the silent auction for a Meredith Parmelee photograph on canvas, "3 birds". This was a nice surprise since Meredith is a great friend and I LOVE her work. We didn't stay at the auction for long, but apparently long enough to be a high bidder in the silent auction.