I awoke this morning to this amazing picture courtesy of my beautiful friend Isabel. She lives in Spain and is in Peru on vacation.

I would love to take credit for this shot, but ,alas, I must give credit where due.

The Serape's  wrapped on the fence give dimension and color to an amazing pastoral scene.

Monochromatic shots and paintings can loose their intrigued, but the snap of color in the shot

Created a scene that is mesmerizing.

Each time I look at it I see something new and have the urge to step out of time into this scene.

Of course, art is subjective, but in keeping with the heart beat of this blog, I hope to share many ways to look at the world.

Thank you Isabel for letting me use this picture.

Putt..putt..toot, toot....is it 1972?  Walking around Mazatlan can make you feel like you have stepped through a loop in time. Grab a beer, take a walk on the beach and listen to the rock and roll emanating from the beach bars. Peek inside and you might see a gang of grey haired rockers strumming to the beat of their youth or perhaps a youngster or two playing back into time. Nonetheless the music plays on and the aarp gang bounces along with boundless energy.

My favorite step back in time is the old Volkswagen beetles that line the streets . They chug along to the rattle of the cobblestones and the strain of the engines and bring back strong memories of the seventies.  The best part though is the kaleidoscope of colors they create. Maybe one sees the original red body, but a new fender from the junk yard and hood from one of uncle Che's no longer running ,but still useful old bugs.  Don't bother with repainting or making it blend....it works fine as is and lends just one more touch of art to the streets of Mazatlan . Perhaps the best part is the nostalgia it brings to all us old rockers .....hanging ten or loosing ourselves to the beach music, or maybe just cruising around in that beetle, breeze flowing through the hair, music blaring from the radio and ,perhaps , headed to a beach bar.  What was I thinking having mine be all the same color?  Oh the art to be had....if only I knew.

slowing down...

Entering a third world country is like having a plunge in a cold lake in the middle of winter......the force shocks your senses and existence, and makes you yearn for the warmth of familiar arms.

I sit surrounded by buildings so white that they make your eyes hurt; skies so blue that you swear you could see your reflection; palm trees that make you sway to their movement in the breeze, but also I feel like I am drowning in a sea of frustration.  Nothing works as it should and nothing is fixed in a timely manner........mananna amaiga, could mean next Tuesday or behind. How does a women with a wound up get it done now personality cope?  Learning patience.....a virtue I have little of!!!

Slowly I learn to dance to the rhythm of their music......slow the heart beat.....hips learn to move at a different pace...mind unfurls in release........it is not easy, but is paradise a reward that ask nothing in return?  I take a deep breath and look up at the sky and head to the beach.

Just meandering down the road like a couple of turtles....slow, but sure.  Spent a couple days with my 90 year old aunt.  What an inspiration for all of us......she runs circles around me and, those that know me well, know that is not an easy task. At ninety she is sharp as a tack, looks like a model and plays golf.  I hang around her hoping for some of her energy.  Her eye for fashion and decoration is beyond reproach. She has traveled the world and can share stories until you slide off the sofa from shear exhaustion!!!!  She lives  in a golf community and as I was walking the other day...to try to loose this storeroom of cookies I carry.....I came across this tree......great way to start an art trip....

Perhaps I am watching too much fantasy TV.....?

The Monster Tree Greets Me With  Smile......or I hope it is a smile.....I didn't stick around.

Art in Nature is such a gift.............

 

A few weeks ago we were taking a back highway to our destination when we were stopped for some road construction. At first it seemed rather bothersome because we had been enjoying the vista so much, but then my attitude totally changed. I looked over to see this amazing array of colors in the winter foliage.  My normal personality is to charge forward, but if I had moved on quickly , I would have lost this opportunity.  You do, as they say, have to stop and smell the roses and you will always be rewarded.  One finds art in many forms, if only the eyes remain open, the spirit slows down and the heart accepts the challenge. 

 



I don't know about the rest of you, but I am exhausted.  Really thinking of taking a nap or maybe a long hot bath....

Christmas was special this year for I spent lots of time with family and friends.  It is this camaraderie  that makes any holiday a blessing. It is a hoot to listen to the little ones at Christmas and watch them grow with the years and become more aware of their surroundings and the happiness of others.

Each year I give the kids a gift of charity.  This year, since they both play soccer, I gave soccer balls to kids that would otherwise not have them.. Their parents take this time to explain how important it is to give to others that might not have has much opportunity as they do.  They were very proud......

Least this post get too serious....another special moment was when Luna opened her tutu......"It is beautiful!".....could my heart melt anymore? 

The sun is shinning....the hummingbird is peeking in the window... and I am looking forward to my travels to the sun and indulging in the art....

The "Beautiful TuTu"

Winding down or winding up?

Just a couple days before Christmas and I am feeling rather frazzled.  Of course, aren't we all, but just doesn't seem like the time of year to be learning how to create a blog.....this isn't the first time that I have said those very words, or similar , to myself.  I seem to thrive in chaos....having said that, I wonder if most artist feel the same way?  If my heels are spinning and my hair afire, then I am accomplishing something...ha, or so I think.

My father use to say......"will you sit down"
My deceased husband use to say....."do you ever sit down"
My new friend says.............."you never sit down"

Observant men in my life. 

So, I added some blogs to follow today and you will see them on my page....another milestone.....must seem simple to you seasoned bloggers, but each step has been a baby step for me....no giant leaps here. 

On top of it all....I try to prepare for being away for four months....today...estimating taxes...geez!

Thank goodness that I have someone house-sitting for me.....one last worry....for sure....

Soon I will be doing this, but of course after a hard day of painting and taking pictures....now where is that Pina Colada?Winding down or winding up?