Sleeping Dogs Studio

…our son has always shown artistic talent.  But like many who grew up around art and artists, he has so far shown little interest – science and math are more his style.

So I was surprised when he decided to embark upon this project, which started with a pair of plain, white canvas shoes, and ended like this:

He was extremely exacting and deliberate with the process…

…the lines were drawn and re-drawn, measured and re-measured…

…and the resulting “optical illusions” perfected.

I’m convinced!  Maybe science and art are natural partners…’cuz those are some styling shoes!

Photo by Don Madvig

“Every day is a new chance to choose.
Choose to change your perspective.
Choose to flip the switch in your mind. Turn on the light and stop fretting about with insecurity and doubt.
Choose to do your work and be free of distraction.
Choose to see the best in someone, or choose to bring out the worst in them.
…Choose to be a laser beam, with focused intention, or a scattered ray of light that doesn’t do any good.”

 - Ishita Gupta

You can see more wonderful and uplifting quotes here IF you have a Facebook account:  Positively Positive on Facebook

…for cats!  I LOVE these images from Business Cat, a hilarious website – you can even make your own cat poster if you like.  Click here for details:   Business Cat

Here are my favorites – some of these are getting framed for the studio…

From "Business Cat"

From "Business Cat"

From "Business Cat"

From "Business Cat"

…I have updated the “Events” Page on our Blog with those art fairs and shows we will be attending in 2011.  Unlike last year, when we stuck pretty close to home, we have applied to ten events.  The Spring events are up, and as the others are confirmed, I promise to keep updating the page so that you can see where we will be traveling near you throughout the year.  Stop by and see us if you can – it’s the best way to see the very latest in products, and for us to get the chance to know you better.

…the thing an artist does.

It’s not the medium or the oil or the price or whether it hangs on a wall or you eat it. What matters, what makes it art, is that the person who made it overcame the resistance, ignored the voice of doubt and made something worth making. Something risky. Something human.

Art is not in the eye of the beholder. It’s in the soul of the artist.”

by Seth Godin from “Seth’s Blog” at www.sethgodin.typepad.com

…unfortunately, I still have a paper obsession, so I’m going to have to add on to the house to accommodate all of these supplies..

Here are the latest forays into sewn bead jewelry – I still have to figure out the best way to photograph them, so these aren’t my best photos ever.

"Twisted Bead" necklace

It’s fun to stretch a little and find a new hobby that produces such different results with just a little change in technique.

This one incorporates dyed pearls, and has the clasp in the front...