Plug it in

"Shadow Plug" Photograph

Ok, so I guess I'm into plugs? What I found so cool about this above photo though is that it created itself on some canvas I had just primed the other day. The canvas was on the floor and the light streaming in through the window painted an interesting shadow image from the dangling cord of my overhead lamp and work bench. The image below is an oil pastel painting I did in 2004 which is mysteriously similar. Pretty intriguing!

"Espresso Plug"
6.5" x 8" oil pastel on paper
If you're interested in purchasing this painting email me

**And hey...check out this amazing video that I found at Bronwyn's "Visual Art in Queensland, Australia" blog. Great find, Bronwyn!

Down from the mountain

Elk family in Rocky Mountain National Park

Well, I can't say it was a restful trip to Steamboat Springs...although we did have a great time. I unfortunately had a migraine the entire time...oh joy. I was determined not to let it stop me though...so we went on two beautiful hikes while we were there. It was totally worth it...but let me give some advice to my fellow migraine sufferers out there...don't hike for five hours at 10,000 feet if you have one! It pretty much did me in! I spent Tuesday and yesterday splat out on the sofa most likely with my tongue hanging out...muttering in some unknown language.

Me at Gilpin Lake outside of Steamboat Springs

So enough of that...on to the good stuff. We did have one really magical moment on the Gilpin Lake hike (which I am standing near in the above picture). After hiking or should I say climbing for three hours, we stopped for lunch at this beautiful, pristine mountain lake. We were the only people there. As we were finishing up our goodies...we both heard a loud schwooshing sound. We looked up and about 15 feet from us was an enormous Bald Eagle fluttering in mid-air. He got a little spooked when he saw us so off he went to the other side of the lake, perching himself on a tree.

The magical thing about it other than seeing this beautiful creature up close in it's natural habitat...was that in that moment...I felt Abby's presence. I really think she might have been trying to say hello to us in a very special way...in a very special place. Abby loved hiking with us more than anything so it would make sense that she would be there. Thanks for visiting us, baby girl.

I'll be back soon with some new art. I've been taking a little break this week...but the creative wheels are starting to chug again. Let's hope anyway!

Still Life and Steamboat Springs

"Three Apricots"
6" x 8" acrylic and collage on canvas

Just finished this painting today. I saw these apricots at the store the other day and had to paint them. They just looked so perdy and plump. This painting is available for purchase at my Etsy Store here.

James and I are leaving tomorrow for three days in Steamboat Springs. We've lived in Colorado for 11 years now and have not been to Steamboat yet. That's shameful for a Coloradan! Aside from the San Francisco trip to visit family (and we don't call that vacation!)...we haven't been away for some r&r since Abby passed. I could really feel it this week; unmotivated, tired, cranky and bored with the normalcy of every day. We are in the midst of planning a big trip for Oct/Nov...but decided we'd better run screaming out of the house and up to the mountains this weekend to save our sanity!

I will leave you with this "appropriate for the occasion" poem from my favorite little poetry book and wish you all a very nice weekend. Be back on Tuesday!

Flowers last
a long, long time
if they have
what they need.

Why is it
that I neglect
myself?

I need to feed
on beauty,
walk more often
under starlight,
listen to the wind,
and rest my weariness.

Then my flowers
will last
a long, long time.

~Joyce Rupp

Miss Pandora #2

"Pandora" #2
12" x 13" acrylic on canvas
commission

Guess who?! Miss Pandora is back! This time...she's without dress...in all her piggy nakedness. She's out on the farm on a beautiful sunny day. What could make a piggy more happy? Did you know that Miss Pandora's favorite foods are cheerios and blueberries? Not the normal piggy slop I must say. Pandora is not only beautiful...she has good taste!

Little Bitty Bike Journal

Little Bitty Bike Journal is 5" x 6.5"

This is my first hand painted "little bitty journal". I bought the beautiful handmade book in Hawaii awhile back...and thought it would be a cool idea to paint something on the front and back. It's a different expression of my "retro childhood" series. If you're interested, you can purchase it at my Etsy shop here.

Speaking of Etsy, there was a good article about it in this week's Business Week Magazine. A very nice coming attraction will be the ability for a person to buy several items from different artists and pay for them in one transaction. They are also slated to add currency conversion and foreign language support in 2008. Yes!

By the way...thank you so much for all of your congrats and support regarding my inclusion in the new "Best of America" book series. A big thank you also goes to William Lehman from Artist Hideout for featuring me in a recent podcast regarding this. Check out Artist Hideout for some great critiques and information on all things art.

Pandora the Piggy #2 is coming very soon. Stay tuned!

Sweet Baby Abby

I did this mixed media drawing of Abby Louise a long time ago when she was probably 5 years old. I've been missing her a lot this week and had a dream about her the other night. I think I've only seen her in my dreams twice now since she passed. Maybe she thinks it's too much for me just yet. Anyhoo...needed to write about it so here's the poem that came through today.

THE VISITOR

She came to me
in a dream
last night.

She must have seen
the tear slip past my cheek
forming a bleeding puddle
of distress.

She let me stroke
her graceful coat
of sweet softness.

She put her head
in my trembling hands
and our eyes met
in acceptance.

The dream ended too fast
and she was gone.
Though it was enough
to leave her
paw on my heart
until next time.

~Linda O'Neill

Pastel Painting Award

Yipdeedoodaday...I have some mondo cool news! I am one of the Artists featured in the "Best of America, Pastel Artists and Artisans" new book. This was a national competition and my oil pastel paintings, "Teapot" and "Ball Jar" were chosen to be included. The book (along with other books in the series) is available online and will be available at bookstores across the country including Borders Books. Thank you, Kennedy Promotions!

"Teapot" ~sold
6.5" x 8" oil pastel on paper

"Ball Jar" ~sold
5" x 7" oil pastel on paper

And on another note...I'm really excited because I just signed up to take Shari Beaubien's "Mixed Media Collage" class at the Creative Underground in Fort Collins. If any of you live in close proximity to Fort Collins, Colorado...please join us. Shari is a wonderful friend and excellent Artist. You won't want to miss out on this one!

Little Red Wagon

"Little Red Wagon"
6" x 7" acrylic and collage on canvas

Seems I'm on a retro kick lately...but I'm having fun! This is the latest in the series. It's available at my Etsy shop here.

We're having a blissful day here in Colorado. Compared to the 90-100 degree temps we've had lately...it has been cool, windy and rainy this morning. I headed out for an early walk and let the chilliness of it all fall over me. What a welcome relief.

By the way, if you haven't yet read about artist, Katherine Dunn's idea for "Pino's Pies"...you should check out her blog "Apifera Farm" today. Also head to her new blog, Donkey Dreams and Pino's Pies. There is a wonderful post "The Beginning of a Dream" that will surely bring a tear to your eye and warm your heart.

Bye Emmie!

Plum worn out from too much fun!

Just wanted to say "we miss you" to Emmie this morning. Shennon (hi Shen!) and Greg picked him up last night so he is back home with his people now. I really do miss him this morning. He has such a sweet soul, just like Abby Louise did...and well...just like all dogs do and it was a real gift and a pleasure to have him around. He really made me miss Abby...but at the same time...brought back so many wonderful memories of how a dog can enrich your life so much. He made us laugh with his silly antics, he gave us a lot of lovin' kissies and he made us open our hearts a little again after the sadness of losing Abby. Thanks Emmett, you silly boy. We love you!

uh oh...me be tagged

Emmett in the yard

So I've been tagged by Clare's Sunflower Sky to name eight random facts about myself. Ok Clare, you sassy thing...you're on!

The Rules: Each person posts the rules before their list, and then they list eight things about themselves. At the end of the post, that person tags and links to 8 other people; then visits those people's sites and comments, letting them know that they have been tagged, and for them to come read your post so they will know what to do.

Eight random facts about me:

• I am crazy about everything Italian. James and I have been to Italy twice (once for our honeymoon)...and I would go back every year if I could.

• Probably related to the obsessive Italy thing...my favorite food is parmesan cheese. I eat it on everything...even chinese and mexican food. Any kind of bread is a close second.
  

• You wouldn't know it now...ha!...but I was homecoming queen in high school. I look back at the pictures of what I wore in utter horror.

• I love to swim and I can pretty much swim non stop forever...but I can't run a mile without being miserable. My most favorite activity though is hiking.
  

• I don't like to admit this...but I love watching "All My Children". I Tivo it and sneak it in when I can.
  

• My favorite flavor of ice cream is pistachio.

• I don't like loud noises. I can't see a movie in a theater without wearing earplugs. My mom always calls me "tender ears" because of it.
  

• I "erg" now. James rows for the Boulder Rowing Club...so we bought a rowing machine last year. I started rowing on it so I would be strong enough to carry Abby. Now I'm hooked and row four days a week to keep some upper body strength.

I'm tagging...

PawPrints
Cowbelly
TaraRossStudios
IHeartDogsStudio
LindsayBrackeen
KristieLaRose

Mr. Emmett

This is Emmett...or Mr. Emmett, Emmie, Emmers, Pigman being a few other nicknames I like to call him. He is staying with James and I for a few days. His real people are Shennon and Greg...good friends of ours who are taking a mini vacation in Crested Butte.

It's kind of strange having a dog around again after losing Abby three months ago. I think Abby is watching us all though, laughing at Emmett's goofiness...and saying, "oh he's SUCH a Lab!".

He's a real cutie though...and we're enjoying having him stay at Chez O'Neill. He's already won both of our hearts with his silly antics and his sweet heart. You're the best, Mr. Emmett!

Have a great weekend everyone!

A beautiful cat, a beautiful legacy

"Hopey"
10" x 11" acrylic and collage on canvas

This is my latest commission, Miss Hopey the cat. Hopey was a very special lady to Carol Hine, the director of SAINTS Animal Sanctuary in beautiful British Columbia. Carol has said that, "It is because of her that SAINTS is here today". So thank you Hopey, because SAINTS is one incredible place. It is an end of life sanctuary that takes in elderly animals in need that have nowhere else to go. As it says in their mission statement, SAINTS provides a special place for these animals to be loved, cherished, and to receive proper medical care for the rest of their days.

SAINTS is very dear to my heart...it makes me think of Abby Louise and how she needed such special love and care the last months of her life. It was an honor for us to provide that for her but it's heartbreaking to think of other animals that are in that situation without a loving family to take care of them. Thank you Carol...for starting a sanctuary that is so greatly needed. And thank you again, Hopey for your inspiration.

Monday stuff 'n things

"Frustration"
by Christine Humphries
9" x 12" Etching

Has it been hot where you live? Geez, it's been hot here!...100 degrees yesterday and I think again today with no real relief in sight. I might as well be joining my friend and fellow artist, Karine Swenson in her new home in Palm Springs! (Hi Karine!) And I'm trying to be GREEN but thank god for air conditioning!

The above etching was just sent to me as a gift by another wonderful Artist and friend, Christine Humphries (thank you, Christine!) from I Heart Dogs Studio. She and I share a printmaking past so this beautiful etching is especially dear to me. I just love it. You should check out her dog portraits and other work too...she's a very talented Artist. Christine even creates dog tile mosaics which are so cool!

Having lunch today with my friend, Kathleen and Mary who was Abby's dog sitter...at the Boulder Dushanbe Tea House. Mary was "dog sitter extaordinaire" and Abby just loved her. It will be nice to see her again and I know Abby will be watching over us and listening in...and having her own bowl of iced chai.

Have a nice Monday, everyone. Back in touch soon with Hopey the Cat!