This is some of my artwork from the last 2 years. I weaved a theme into all these pieces. I wanted to show that women are more than sexual objects. I showed their strength whether they were naked, semi-clothed, or fully dressed. I varied techniques to make these pieces. I drew, collaged, and photographed images of women. I am thinking of reworking these pieces into 1 larger piece. Some ideas are bouncing around in my head! I like to incorporate nudes into my artwork. 2 HUGE influences on my work are my dear friend and amazing artist, Juliana Coles, and Anh Duong. I LOVE Anh Duong's book, "(Self) Portraits". I find myself constantly refering back to it. Now, I just wish Juliana would publish a book of her work. The best way I can describe Juliana's work is raw, honest, and provocative. There is nothing I have seen in the last few years that comes close to Juliana's artwork. At the end of this month, I will be taking a weekend class that Juliana is teaching @ Carol Park's spectacular house/studio. I am so grateful for every moment of every class I have taken with Juliana because she has challenged me as an artist and person in ways no one else has. After her classes, you feel exhausted emotionally, mentally, and physically. If you ever get an opportunity to take a class she is teaching, don't walk; "run" (as my other dear friend, Kelly Kilmer says) to it!

The last of the Valentine's Day mail art. The first and middle shots are back and front views of my last cards. I knocked these 3 out on last Tuesday night, got them in the mail on Wednesday morning, and kept my fingers crossed that they would get to their recipients by Valentine's Day! Well, I KNOW that 1 definitely got to its owner since I personally delivered it. The bottom shot is from my favorite postcards that I created for the mail art swap that Carol hosted. It was hard saying 'goodbye'. I made about 52 valentines for the Valentine's Day tea/luncheon swap and I bought 2 dozen Valentine's Day cards that I mailed to family and friends. I am very proud to say, that somehow, with all the craziness of my job and the long hours I keep @ work, I STILL managed to meet all of Cupid's deadlines. YES!

I was sick most of the weekend. Actually, I'm not sure if 'sick' is the right word. I felt crappy from the tetanus shot I got on Thursday, as part of my physical. I had a fever, my arm is (still) swollen, and I have had the sniffles all weekend. Yesterday morning, I got sick of feeling crappy, so I spent some time in my garden. I cut several camelias and iceberg roses and put these beauties into a glass and added water. They are now sitting on my work table in my studio. My favorite flower is the peony. Unfortunately, Southern California's warm winter climate is not compatible with the type of environment a peony needs in order to grow. And peonies have a very short blooming season: about 6 weeks in late spring, during the months of April and May, then, they are gone until the following year. But while they are around, they are spectacular to behold.

Two photos of Cat Stevens from the early 1970's. I was and am still a HUGE fan of his. The bottom photo was made into a poster that a certain 11-year-old girl had on her wall for several years. I am not embarrassed to admit to that!

Cat Stevens - I Think I See the Light

One of my all-time favorite movies, "Harold and Maude". I think Cat Stevens had a ball doing the music for this movie. Although I have only seen this movie a few times, it is as hysterical as when I first saw it, back in 1971.

Yusuf - (Cat Stevens) - Heaven/Where True Love Goes

Yusuf Islam - Cat Stevens' return to performing. God, how much I missed hearing him perform.

Cat Stevens - Moonshadow (live)

I have been in love with Cat Stevens since I was 11! No surprise my husband strongly resembles Cat Stevens. I somehow forgot to add the 'Cat' to my artist links. How could I forget one of my all-time favorite artists?! I am SO happy that he is singing and recording again. His music and message are as relevant today as they were in the early 70's. A beautiful, gentle man who has been sorely missed on the music scene...