strange

photo by Elaine A. Russell


in the whole "weird" category.....

the day before yesterday, I came home to water all over my kitchen floor, my son walking about with a garbage bag.. and my hubby shaking his head.

Apparently... a ground squirrel (probably the same little bastard that ate my garden this year) came in through the window. He ran around the kitchen, and ducked behind the refridgerator just as our 3 dogs came screaming in after him. Presumably, with nothing better to do... he decided to chew his way through the tubings that go from our water treatment system to the ice machine in the freezer... causing the puddle.
My son...ever the valiant warrior... decided he could catch the squirrel with a garbage bag and a stick. Upon poking the wee beastie.... the squirrel decided he had had enough fun for the day and ran through the kitchen and out another window.
My dogs are ashamed of themselves. You can see it in the man-dog's eyes. It's as if he was saying " I almost had him... he was right there ... "
The man-dog keeps going out to the patio and looking in the trees for another chance...sighing heavily.

So. Yesterday, after my hubby had found the appropriate shut off valves for the water to stop the puddling....we got a repairman in. And... a whopping $288 dollars later... it is fixed. New filters to the system, new tubing, yearly system maintenance. Yikes.

Lesson in all of this ? Not sure. But I am thinking that next time I see the squirrels, I will be less inclined to think they are so cute.

we are all works in progress

photo by Elaine A. Russell


We are all works in progress. No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. We come into this world with nothing but our heart and our hands. We try, but we don't always get things right all the time.
Part of being human is making mistakes. Learning from them... trying not to make them again... making the best of less than perfect situations.

Friendships are hard to cultivate and maintain. I know... sounds like a garden. And in a way.. it is. You put yourself out there with the best of intentions, and hope that goodness comes from your efforts. You nurture things to the best of your abilities... but sometimes the weather just sucks... or the dirt is lacking... or you screwed up and didn't pull enough weeds.

I have made some good friends in this lifetime. And I hope to keep these friendships for a very long time. But I also understand that sometimes there is only so much that you can do. Some plants won't grow in your climate... much as you like them. Much as you want them to stay. Much as you try to make things work. And for now-- I just need to convince myself.. that that is OK.

waterfall

photo by Elaine A. Russell

When I was doing the 9x9 show at the Factory on 5th, there was this awesome water installation just outside the south end studios. I am not sure who made it, but it has an incredibly calming effect on me. I have always been drawn to water... and even man-made installations are no exception.
The photo for today is of the installation... using a slow exposure, and slightly saturated colors.

I am in the in-between times. Getting ready for the Aki Matsuri show on the 27th..... trying to get my finances and such in order so that we can fix up our house.... downsizing our stuff... etc.
I think the next few months are probably going to be a healing and rejuvinating time for me. A time for the finishing of old projects, to make way for new. A time to figure out what I really really want, and forming plans to make it happen. And also ... a time to really enjoy what I have.

dancing

photo by Elaine A. Russell

So -- a day of rest. Real rest. Awesome. And I am dancing inside. Actually... I am dancing on the outside too... it's just not a pretty picture.

Things are beginning to look up
  • I've managed to have some pretty fabulous shows the past couple months. Not so much in terms of money.. but in positive feedback
  • I am coming to terms with this new life as an artist
  • money issues that have plagued us for over 15yrs... are finally (maybe) being resolved
  • we have the opportunity to fix up our house !! Woo Hoo !! we may have a working sink again
  • the kiddos are doing well in college
  • the hubby is well
  • good friends... good times

The photos shows 2 of the girls in the Rogue Bindis that showed at the Offcenter Arts festival on Sunday. You can see more at: http://www.roguebindis.com/home

We Art the People Show yesterday



photos by Elaine A. Russell


The festival yesterday was awesome. Sometimes I really want to kick myself. I have lived her since 1995, and there are things that I just never got around to seeing or hearing about. Probably because I was working so much, so hard, for so long.
Now -- I seem to have (or is it make) more time for things like this.

The premise behind Offcenter Arts is a noble one. Providing a place to make and create art for little or no money.. to take classes in art and techniques .... to provide an art community if you will, to everyone regardless of race, orientation, income, etc.
The festival is a celebration. The music was fantastic... the parade of HUGE handmade puppets was extraordinary .. the food and variety of vendor booths -- fantastic.

As a vendor, I was thrilled that so many people took the time to look and really see... touch... and talk about my art. That was awesome. I enjoyed the comraderie from several other booth vendors... as well as customers. During a couple of "breaks" away from my booth ...I was able to leisurely wander about. There was alot of jewelry (which I make.. so I wanted to see what else was out there ). However, I was surprised --especially considering the audience and local economics... that things were priced as high as they were. Don't misunderstand.. I think that art (generally speaking) can be horribly under-priced and under-valued. But I was surprised that people weren't providing a variety or items at all price points. I heard several vendors chatting about how they weren't selling as much as they had hoped to be. ... and yet, were primarily offering items over $50.

I was impressed by the shear vastness of the variety of items shown. Everything from handmade purses, to hats, to birdhouses, to paintings, to wood carvings, to glass mosaics, to silk scarves, to hand woven rugs, to handmade paper arts and recycle arts.
I wish that I had taken photos of some of the vaiety of crafts.... but alas... I did not.

I was also impressed by how nice people were. Just ... genuinely nice. Taking the time to talk to people.. to enjoy the music... to take in all the art.
Another great day.

We Art the People show

photo taken inside Saggios Restaurant on Central Ave
... by Elaine A. Russell


Well.. today is the We Art the People Show -- sponsored by Offcenter Arts (http://www.offcenterarts.org/)
  • When: 10 am - 5pm
  • Where: Robinson Park ( Central Ave and 8th Streets in downtown ABQ )
  • What: Over 100 vendor booths, as well as The 7th Annual Giant Puppet Parade....art, music, theater, & spontaneous fun.

I got about an hour of sleep last night. I had moved Buffy ( the problem dog -- cuz she's a spaz ) into our bedroom to get her used to the idea of not being in my son's room at night anymore. Well... she did not sleep... and neither did I. The hubby had to get up for work at 2:30am *don't ask*...so I just got up with him and worked on cleaning, organizing and packing things up for the show today.


If you get a chance, come on down. It looks like it's going to be alot of fun :)


a brief lull

photo by Elaine A. Russell ( shadow of my drink at Starbuck's ... as it reflected on the overstuffed chair next to me )


It is a very brief lull between shows.
I learned alot from doing the 9x9 show...and it was fun. I learned what kind of people gravitate towards my art/ photography... what they like about it... what it is about my photography that inspires people.
I learned that what I have to offer the world with my photography is valuable, and is appreciated.

Today is a nice, but short break. I slept in this morning, and am doing some last minute work on some art pieces. Tonight the hubby and I are having dinner with friends. It is all good.

Tomorrow, is a little bit of madness again. I am showing at the Offcenter Arts show, entitled "We Art the People." It is held in Robinson Park, off of Central Ave and 8th. Show opens around 10am, and is an all-day event with a parade, individual shows, music, etc.
Please come by if you get the opportunity. There are over 100 vendors at this show... something for everyone !


Fat Boy Slim-Weapons of Choice

the last hurrah

Tonight is the last showing of the 9x9x9 show at the Factory on 5th.
Please come if you can -- the show runs from 6-9pm.



Artwork shown by ( left to right, top to bottom)
Regina Portscheller, Leau Phillips, JoFish, Robert Redus, Glenn Bigelow, Elaine Russell, Trish Rogers, Raine Klover, Paula Scott.

An overview of one of the walls of art....


photos by Elaine A. Russell

ok ok ok

collage of my entries in the 9x9 show, photos on canvas
by Elaine A. Russell

ok... So yesterday's blog was a bit silly. Sometimes I flop. Actually, alot of times I flop. And I think that's OK. Life is one big learning experience sometimes.

Last night was the first night of 3 showings of the 9x9 show... and it was good. There were quite a few people who came. And there were alot of pleasant reviews of the work. Several of the artists have already sold pieces... so if you are interested.. you'd better come quick.

I got to meet and chat with several really cool people.... some art students who really liked my work... and I got to meet Leighanna Light... a local mixed media artist. I have talked to her on-line, but this was my first opportunity to meet her in person.
I also sat and talked with Trish Rogers, another local and fabulous mixed media artist, along with Annie Hooten (local polymer clay artist), Teresa Jones (local lampwork glass artist), and Hands of Man tile artist, Elizabeth Loring.
************************
I had an intersting time deciding what to enter in this show. In the end, I decided on photos from my series on the Factory on 5th. The show is being held at the Factory, and it is a really cool building. I have been taking photos of it since getting a studio there in January.... and am always in awe of the interesting bits in the architecture.
For this show, I selected 9 of my favorite shots and took them to Kiko at Masks Y Mas -- who did a fabulous job printing and stretching the canvas for me. I then painted the sides of the canvas black to accentuate the photos, and embellished the pieces with shards of glass from the parking lot of the Factory on 5th. Years ago, the Factory was the site of a glass making plant, and I thought it was fitting to include the shards in the art pieces.
The photo for today's blog is an assemblage of the photos I presented in the 9x9 show.

it's the p






photos by Elaine A. Russell


too many "p" words today.... ( a prolific proportion )
photos.. from a phriend's property... of pumkins, peppers.. and pretty posey's....
yummy pita's the other day...
and prickly plants on the patio.....

and now I have to promenade.. to the pulmonologist....
perhaps... it will be pleasant....

and tonight.. the PREMIER showing of the 9x9 show (promptly @ 6-9)

The Pita Pit

photos by Elaine A. Russell


Sunday afternoon... the daughter and I stopped at the Pita Pit on Central Ave near UNM. In all the time we have lived here, this is one place we just never got around to stopping at. And what a shame.

The Pita Pit sorta resembles a Subway restaurant in layout.... but the food is definitely Mediterranean in style. Gyros, Pitas, babaganoush.... fabulous. Everything is fresh and affordable.

Messy.... but dang.. they are good.

As a "bonus" .. they have a sitting area out back. Someone has taken a definite effort to bring in some desert friendly plants, and landscaping designs so that it's not just a few tables near the alleyways. It's actually quite nice.

And an even nicer "bonus" ... the guys who work there are really friendly, and really enjoy their jobs.... and it shows.

it's late ... I know

photo by Elaine A. Russell

It's late. Later than I usually post... ah well. I am tired. This is a crazy busy month for me.

As you know, I am in 3 shows this month... much more hectic than I usually schedule things.
Today all the artists participating in the 9x9 show came to the Factory on 5th to hang their art. It was great to see everyone's pieces... there are some really nice ones.... and I think the people who come to the show will be pleased.
>>hint hint<< --come out if you can.... ( Wednesday thru Friday, 6-9pm each night ).

Because I am trying to get back on track health wise... I also have at least one.. usually 2.. doctors appts each week for the next couple of months. eesh. Starting tomorrow.
This is going to be logistically tricky, as both of the kids are going to community college.... have classes at different times, and I will need the car as well for my appts....and the 3 of us basically share a car.

So -- for tonight... I am trying to rest and be calm.
The photo above is one I took at the base of the Sandias, near the Tramway... overlooking the city. I don't have a ton of experience taking nighttime shots.. so I have been trying to take more lately. This one, I intentionally did more on the dark side... more dreamy... more "just woke up and it's 3am... kind of look to them.....

Cholla cactus sunsets

photo by Elaine A. Russell

The other night, my daughter and I went over towards the base of the Sandias. We were picking up a camera that someone was giving away on Freecycle... so we stopped to check out the view. It was quickly getting dark... so I wasn't sure that any of my photos were actually going to turn out.

This one, I was happy with.

I will miss the massive sunsets when we move from here... but in the meantime... I'm thinking I need to get out more and do some scenary shots. Anyone want to come ?

a nice long weekend

photo by Elaine A. Russell
Our Lady of Guadalupe... taken at the Daily Grind Cafe on Central Ave


a nice long weekend.....and I need it.

So much to do in a short amount of time. Starting Wednesday.. is the 9x9x9 Show to be held at the Factory on 5th. This is exciting. I am looking forward to seeing what everyone has done for this special show.

I have all my art back from the printers.. and am doing some last minute embellishing.

I am organizing my home studio... and it has been fun. I am finding things I had forgotten I had.. and lots of things to list for sale in my Etsy shop.

And I have 2 more shows coming up this month to get ready for. WOOT !
* We Art the People Show -- sponsored by Offcenter Arts...September 13th
* Aki Matsuri -- sponsored by the JACL here in ABQ..... September 27th

More info to come on these fabulous shows !

crazy busy



photos by Elaine A. Russell

So -- more photos from when my daughter and I went to the Daily Grind on Central Ave. In case you haven't figured it out... I think this place is great. I think it is truly one of ABQ's hidden gems. http://albuquerque.citysearch.com/profile/6941921/albuquerque_nm/daily_grind.html


The past couple days/ week ... have been really busy. I ended up moving my portion of the art studio home, and have been trying to get it all organized in my home (garage) studio. I absolutely loved working at the Factory on 5th... mainly for the opportunity to work with other like-minded creative souls. Plus... it's an incredibly cool building.
However, I found that I was spending the majority of my time there socializing... instead of doing the work that I needed to be doing. So -- I am thinking that a more isolating environment; while not as much fun... will hopefully force me to concentrate and work more.


Yesterday, I had my annual physical exam. My doctor is fabulous... I just hate going to the doctor's. I think she has me convinced that I should go ahead and file paperwork for disability. I was told to file back in 97 when I had major cancer problems... and I just never have done it. And, coupled with the SLE and numerous other issues.... my medical file looks insane.
But.. it's getting to the point where I can't afford to see the doctors that I need too, or get the meds I need too, or get the tests I need too.... and so... she has me convinced.


And today --- we had an appraiser come out to the house to do a survey of the house and property. If things go well, we are hoping to get a home improvement loan so that we can do some very much needed repairs and remodeling around the house.
So-- as you can see.... busy busy... crazy crazy. But I think it's all good.

OMG

photo by Elaine A. Russell
So -- I had planned on a totally different post than what is here... but sometimes ya just gotta go with what is the inspiration for the day.

I was browsing blogs... and was struck by some of the genius out there. No. Really.

I saw this quote:
"When I'm old and have retired from a logic directed lifestyle --I'm not going to a nursing home. I'll find the library with the poorest security and have a sleeping bag under a table somewhere. "
... coupled with this link. http://curiousexpeditions.org/?p=78 Fabulous.

Then I spent more time than I care to admit... looking at this site.
http://www.sexypeople-blog.com/
OMG. Words cannot describe how wonderful this is. I laughed til I cried. I sympathised. Been there... done that. Awesome.

hello



photos by Elaine A. Russell


Today was fun. I went downtown early today after I drove my daughter to CNM for her morning classes. I found what I thought was the main/only library to return a book that I had borrowed from a friend. Turns out... it was the main library (on Copper and 5th)....but did you know that the library system here in ABQ has 17 branches to visit ? Holy crap. It took me only about 5 minutes and the filling out of one form to get a library card... and I was off and running. Ended up getting seasons 2-5 of "Six Feet Under" on dvd to watch... now I just need to find Season One .. hopefully on Netflix -- this week. Coolness. I also found 2 great books on photography... and a CD by Joan Osborne and one by the Chieftains. Awesome sauce.
You can check out more about the ABQ Library system here: http://www.cabq.gov/library/

From there... I drove around a bit near Walter and Edith streets... looking at the fabulous Victorian homes.

Then I went to "Daily Grind." When my hubby and moved here in 95, I remember seeing this place ( it was a photo shop then) and I loved the architecture. So.. I decided to stop. Turns out.. it is one of ABQ's best kept secrets. This place has it all. Great food (coffee and the breakfast special --- which was an omelet and home fries, fresh watermelon, and a bagel with cream cheese ). I had the options of sitting inside the cafe itself, the front room ( looks like it used to be a sun porch ), out front along Central Ave and watch the traffic.. or ...the side/back patio. What -- you say -- a side patio ? Yes. And it was rather like wandering down the proverbial rabbit hole. Through this little side alley way.. past walls of art and little tables... you come to a hidden patio and garden area. Trees... birds... studio apts way out back... what looks like a couple shops... etc. Fantastic. Nice and private.. secluded... yet in the heart of downtown. It was enchanting. I spoke with the owners, who were kind enough to show me the remnants of a really old mural on the south-facing wall... very cool. Apparently, the Daily Grind has been in this location for the past 3yrs. http://albuquerque.citysearch.com/profile/6941921/albuquerque_nm/daily_grind.html

After picking up my daughter from classes, we went back again... so that I could show her the place. This time I got to enjoy their fresh brewed iced tea... and tried to cool off from the massive heat wave this afternoon.

Next, took my daughter to the main library so that she could get a card... and a couple hours later... we emerged with even more greatness. ....cue the cool Rasta music cd she found.....
After dinner (stuff from Nothin But Noodles ! )... we traveled across the city to the foothills of the Sandias to get an older Polaroid camera from a fellow Freecycler (http://www.freecycle.org/ ). Luckily, it came with some rather outdated... yellow cast... but very cool film... and she got an interesting shot.

Such fun. Great day. Awesome. You just never know what to expect.. and I don't think I would want it any other way... at least.. not today :)

Nick Sedillos

UPDATE ! You can reach Nick at nick.sedillos@gmail.com , and his blog is at http://swizzlestuck.blogspot.com/




I've been trying to get a hold of this artist to tell him I wanted to do a blog post on him... but all my emails are getting returned... so... if you see or know Nick Sedillos... tell him I like his work.. and that I posted about him today :)


Nick is showing his work at Winnings Coffee Co right near UNM. http://www.winningcoffeeco.com/
Above is a small collage of some of his work. Great job Nick :)
Click on the photo to see it bigger....