Linda & Opie's Burnt Offerings

A Perfect Get-A-Way...

Opie and I took a little trip to the Eastern Townships in Canada two weeks ago. We wanted to do something fun before his knee surgery and the PT which would come afterwards. We had a fantastic time and stayed in a wonderful B&B. Each town we visited was charming and I will do a proper blog post in the next few weeks with pictures. But I wanted to say that one of our best moments was a visit to the Abbaye de St - Benoit du Lac where we bought silver rosary rings and renewed our commitment to each other.
We did this in our first year together before we married at the Cloisters in N.Y. We bought rings at Tibet West in the Village, dipped them in Holy Water at the Cloisters, and made our lifetime commitment to each other. It was beautiful then... and now. I'm so blessed to be spending my life with my Soulmate.

A New Series in Progress...

being adopted - it was often difficult for me to feel connected with people, places, etc. until this year when Opie and I spent a month in Italy studying Printmaking and taking many many side trips. i was particularly moved by the colorful clotheslines everywhere - but especially in Burano which reminded me of my childhood in Brooklyn, N.Y. -- so in addition to the drypoint plates i made there -- i was very inspired to begin a new series of Mixed Media Paintings titled: From Brooklyn to Burano - and using actual dresses!

Since i've always considered myself the "fabric impaired" - i'd like to give a special thank you to the very talented Sue Pelletier, whose online workshop Loose Raw Paintings, has given me a new-found love of using it!

also i'd like to introduce you to a new book by a friend that's recently become available...

Maple Syrup and Fish Sauce…

the first fiction book from our friend Eric Rudd [the person responsible for converting the Mill we live in into Artist Loft’s].  It’s a romantic tale about a young writer, Bartholomew Stine, who was born and then cured of a rare genetic disorder, who experiences love, success, and tragedy while being watched over by his mentor, actor Dustin Hoffman. Bartholomew has much to face in life growing up, but scientific progress finally comes to his aid. As he deals with increased challenges after being medically cured through gene replacement, he has to confront life’s complexities and circumstances of his own making in the Berkshires, Los Angeles, Phu Quoc, Vietnam, and the small beach village of
Sayulita, Mexico. Learning about love and adult responsibility from two Vietnamese sisters, tears and laughter are shared by the young writer, his sibling, and his parents in this modern-day family story. If you’re looking for a compelling new read – then check this book out. It’s available in hardcover and an electronic version.

Printmaking and Our Month in Italy...

what a magical month we had. it surpassed all of my expectations and i learned so very much. it began with our renting an apartment in Florence for the month right on the Ponte Vecchio, so we could walk to practically everything... and we did!

the first week we explored the charms of Florence, visited the Museums and enjoyed the food and desserts. the seafood pasta and panna cotta were among our very favorites...

our Printmaking Residency at Il Bisonte with Linda Goodman began the second week. It was a 19 day day intensive focusing on non-toxic Monoprint, Drypoint and Chine Colle - and one of the most memorable experiences of my life. i came away from it with the solid foundation i was seeking that would allow me to go off in the completely new direction i had been looking for. even Opie, who majored in Printmaking at SVA in N.Y.C. over 40 years ago, was amazed and impressed with the new techniques of todays printmaking. here are some pics of Il Bisonte...

one of my happiest moments with a completely successful transfer...oh joy!

we both accomplished a lot and left with portfolios we're proud of. more on that later as it's too much for just one post... here's a picture of our group -- a good time was had by all!

we also took several side trips on the train (which was a great way to get around) and went to Lucca, Pisa, Venice for the Biennale, and Burano for Opie's birthday. it was magical and pics will follow soon... but we're both happy to be back home! 

 

 

Sketching and Printmaking in Florence...

we're so excited - an entire month in Florence of Sketching, Photography & Printmaking.

living the dream.....

life is good! 

Happiness IS a 3lb. Lobster...

they tried to escape - but escape was futile!

Our trip was fantastic. We first went to Boston to visit close friends – took a side trip to Salem - then went onto their place on the Cape – and finally back to their place in Boston. We OD’ed on great Seafood, Pizza, and Museums and – as they say - a good time was had by all! We took lots of pics. Too many for a single post – so we’ll start on the Cape cooking and eating our 3 lb. Lobsters… Yummo!

someone had to go first...

then the rest willingly followed...

and the feast begins...

yes... we ate the whole thing!

Gails’s house is on the water and a visual wonderland. Beauty, Peace and Tranquility all in one magical place… it did my soul good after the year from hell.

nirvana... isn't it!

We first visited the Edward Gorey House which celebrates and preserves his life and works – it was a huge treat, especially for Opie, since pen and ink was – and is - his thing!

Then we went galley hopping in Chatham – had some of the best Pizza since we left New York, and stopped at an estate sale or two where I got 3 wonderful straw hats (I do love my hats). Our last venture was a day trip to PTown. We parked at the beginning of town and walked to the very end (seemed like miles); stopping in every shop and gallery along the way and seeing the work of wonderful artists we weren’t familiar with. It was heaven. We ended our day at a seafood restaurant where Opie had whole-belly fried clams for the first time. We had only had strips in the past… so these were different (albeit a bit creepy for me!) I’ll stick with my Calamari… thank you!

as you can see PTown is picture perfect and so was the weather...

a tiny shop along the way had a "mosaic garden"

it reminded me of the 'fiesta-ware garden" at the factory in west va.

so much charm - we LOVED it here...

not to mention water for miles!

goodbye for now PTown...

On the walk back to the car, we stopped and had hand-dipped ice cream cones from Bliss Creamery. We had a vanilla/caramel combo with chocolate covered pretzels. All I can say is the Creamery was rightfully named.

Another post will follow soon about our time in Boston and Salem - but in the meantime – we wish you all a very Happy Halloween!

 

 

 

We Got our Kicks on Route 66

our trip to Sedona and Vegas was fantastic and we even got to drive along the iconic Route 66! we took tons of pics in Jerome, Sedona, along Rt 66, and in Vegas and will post about each place soon.

this pic was taken as we drove into the fabulous and funky town of Jerome - an artists delight to be sure! all of the images were enhanced by either opie or me on our iPads using a variety of apps, since the purpose of this trip was to sketch and take lots of photos. more on iPad photography apps later!

this was my first time in Sedona, which is a positive vortex. the rock formations were beyond majestic. although it was hot during the day, it was quite lovely in the morning and evenings. there was so much to see but i honestly think we covered it all. in any event, we had a blast!

we also took a 3 day pocket sketching class at the Sedona Art Center with the talented Kath Macaulay. it was a real treat to be on the other side of the table for a change! we'll post our sketches in the coming weeks.

we left Sedona and drove along Route 66 heading toward Vegas. it was a thrill to be on it since it was a major part of America. we knew we wanted to stop and eat - and settled on the Roadkill Cafe. it did not disappoint!

then we continued on to Vegas to visit opie's daughter sam who recently returned from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for children with aids. isn't she beautiful! it was also my first time there and she took us around and showed us the sights. red rock was amazing ... she hikes there quite a lot.

we even got to go to the the pawn shop. sam works right across the street from it. opie and i so love that show. it's both entertaining and informative. sadly the old man, my favorite character, was nowhere to be seen!

our trip ended with a tour of the neon museum - aka "the boneyard" - which is home to a bizillion neon signs of everything vegas! since it was so involved, we'll do a dedicated post about it in the upcoming weeks. right now this was our trip in a nutshell! i've wanted to post since we returned, but sadly we came back to find opie's mom re-hospitalized, and as of this posting, she's back in rehab. her health has been a merry-go-round ride since july but we're hoping she'll be better by Thanksgiving and back at home. your good thoughts are much appreciated.

 

Come Cruise with Us to Alaska

as many of you know, Art & Soul was going on an Aegean Cruise this August, but travel out of the country has been problematic at best... so our dear glenny has turned a negative into a wonderful positive and has organized a cruise through the Inside Passage of Alaska in that same time slot, but the ship is filling fast since that time of year is optimal -- so you need to send glenny a $200.00 deposit to reserve your spot by March 10th. Email her directly to make your reservations NOW!  
[email protected] 
Sign up by March 10 and get $300 in coupons and ship credit.

here's the particulars:

8 Days Cruising the Inside Passage
August 8-15, 2010

Day - Ports of Call
  
1. Seattle, WA
2. At Sea -- Class Time
3. Ketchikan, Alaska 
4. Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska (Scenic Cruising) & Juneau, Alaska
5. Skagway, Alaska
6.  At Sea --- Class Time 
7. Victoria, British Columbia
8. Seattle, WA 

It's a Princess cruise. Prices are based on double occupancy. Sail with us out of Seattle for 8 days beginning August 8, 2010. 

$1529 inside cabin

$1954 outside/view cabin

$2229 balcony

An Alaskan Travel Atlas-Map Journal Sketchbook & More…

Is what we will create together on this exciting adventure to one of the most majestic and incredible places ever.

more pics and a full workshop description can be found on this link:

http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/cruises.php  

if you've never taken a cruise before or have never been to Alaska, don't miss this great opportunity.

for anyone wishing to bring a partner or spouse who doesn't want to take the 2 day workshop part (w 2 optional evenings) - simply deduct $200.00 from the cost.

we hope you'll consider joining us for an artful and fantastic adventure.

South of the Border

Well it's time again for our yearly Mexico workshop in puerto vallarta and truthfully, it's none too soon! The New Year got off to a rough start health-wise between the after effects from the mold i inhaled at the mummy museum in guanajuarto, our angelus' rubber band surgery, opie's upcoming foot surgery and our northeast weather in general. when we return, I vow to post only happy things and really great pics (including the promised yet still unpublished pics from our fantastic trip to san miguel)

but happily, we're going from this...

to this...

wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day

Our Mexico Workshop PT 3 - The Workshop

our workshop this year was called "It's Your Party" - partly because it was my birthday but also because so many mediums share commonality. our group created lots of dolls, assemblage, books and jewelry.

opie, who is very into special effects and lomo cameras, took these photos using a few different ones. we've been teaching as a team since 1998.

 

sam was always close at hand to attend to everyones needs. doesn't she look like an angel.

 

here are some random shots of everyone in "creative mode" although laughter was ever-present. not all of them turned out well due to the various effects on them ... but you'll get a pretty good idea from the ones we've posted.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

there are more pictures, but with artfest in a little over a week, opie and i must finish preparing for it. it will be our 10th year teaching there and we're very excited to be returning once again.

and speaking of returning ... our next workshop in mexico is feb. 14 - 20 2010. it will be our 5th year and 7 people from this group are coming back - so there are only 5 spaces left. it you want a fun and nurturing experience in a paradise setting, consider joining us in one of our favorite countries. email us for more information. 2009's info is on our website - but the price is the same - and since our new book will be out by then - the workshop will be called DADA Dada DADA.

Our Mexico Workshop Pt 2 - Celebrations & Cuisine

man cannot live by bread alone and our chef Lalo treated us like royalty with his creative offerings.

lalo really knows how to get out of a traditional kitchen and rattle those pots and pans

 

the sound of the bell announcing meals was music to everyone's ears and a line would quickly form

 

here are some of the breakfasts we had - fresh fruits and sam''s special granola were abundant...

 

  

  

and the lunches were beyond fantastic - both healthy and delicious - here are a few...

  

  

  

  

feb. 19th was my birthday and lalo prepared a real feast of all my favorites over the years.

the cake was chocolate, moist and delicious...

 

the steak, mashed potatoes and fritters were to die for!

  

that evening our group went out to a dinner at El Arrayan, known for its authentic regional food.

   

the restaurant was charming

 

and a good time was had by all 

 

my present was pretty cool to (just kidding) opie met these guys in town...lol!

  

we'll pick this up in part 3, which will feature the workshop.