Wow, we had so much fun Plein Air painting in the backyard today. Dave Zaboski was intrigued with my panorama size seascape of Will Roger’s State Beach, so we did a raw canvas trade and he took on the challenge of doing his first largest Plein Air oil painting in an afternoon. When asked how he was doing “I’m cranking” was his reply, and so he happily was and his gorgeous painting emerged.
When Dave said he was going to paint the Buddha on the wall, I decided to do the same. I’ve painted several masonite panel studies of the grove of oaks beyond the Buddha and painting the Buddha would be refreshing. Reverend Karen Wylie from Symphony of Life, gave an excellent sermon today, or better yet, spirit spoke about allowing and having faith in Spirit. And so, I let spirit move through me for painting, allowing the landscape and Buddha to merge through color. The painting now resides in the Meditation room of attorney, Ken Knabe in Cleveland, Ohio.
And my favorite photos of the afternoon has to be these two…
Buddha with Amazing Grace…
Dave Zaboski is a Divine artist and illustrator. Keep an eye for his new illustrative children’s book written by Deepak Chopra that will be available this New Year!
History in the Making!
Mojave Desert
December 7, 2009.
My sister, Linda Nilsen, Accredited Space Agent
joined press, future astronauts and VIP guests, including Governors Bill Richardson & Arnold Schwarzenegger for the unveiling of SpaceShipTwo, VSS Enterprise, the first commercial spaceline.
I remember the days of playing 1 potatoe - 2 potatoe and singing the melody to our favorite cartoon the “Jetsons”. Never did I ever dream that one day she would be selling voyages to the first passenger spaceship!
I’m so proud of Linda, Owner of Blue Ribbon Cruise & Travel. Her career in the travel industry is flying beyond the imagination and I’m so grateful to be under her wing!
So if you’re ready for a journey out of this world and have $200,000 spare change for a ticket, we’ll be pleased to reserve a seat for you.
Sit back, put on full screen & experience a slice of History documented by Steve Kuriga
Crystal Cruises Voyage of Arabian Treasures
DUBAI to ATHENS
Sailing May 12- 26, 2010
14 days visiting 7 ports
World renowned Designer Samer Khadra of K and K Studio, will begin our journey with a guided tour of the peerless architecture and design treasures of Dubai.
Then we’ll board the luxurious 6 star Crystal Symphony and set sail for the voyage of a lifetime.
From Luxor to Athens, we’ll visit the works of ancient master builders while socializing with fellow designers on the number one cruise line in the world, voted World’s best of any resort or hotel.
I’ve sailed extensively on Crystal Cruises as a guest lecturer, including a 103 day World Cruise on the Crystal Symphony. Being a Certified Expert Crystal Cruise Agent: with her sister, Linda Nilsen, owner of Blue Ribbon Cruise & Travel we’re offering generous amenities for our journey, including prepaid gratuities and shipboard credit.
Crystal Cruises amazing 2 for 1 cruise fares, inclusive airfare from most major US gateways and $1000 “Spend as you wish” per person promotions, creates a golden opportunity to join your fellow designers for an enlightening exploration.
Also, joining on board for the celebration “Crystal Society 20th Anniversary” are President, Gregg Michel and his wife Adriana and the amazing White House Chef, Jack Hanny.
This is a very popular cruise with fares starting at $7,200 with inclusive airfare per person.
For more information about our International Designers Adventure; Valerie is available to assist you at 760 855-2441 or email val@blueribboncruise.com
Renaissance week, Oct 8th, 2009 at Monica Ros School in Ojai…. “Excusee?!” Are youa da Lisa? Youa very beautiful” “No!!”, “Shes ova dere”! “Oh no, dats a photo, I need da real livin Mona Lisa, in da breathin flesh…”
“MaMa Mia!! Ver isda Mona Lisa? Hava yua see her?” “Noa!!” “Dis isa verry bigga dilema…I musta findher toa paint her portrait…if youa see her, pleasea, sendha toa me. OK? Graze…”
And so, Leonardo searched the play yard asking all the queens, knights, peasants, philosphers, scientists, bakers, hat makers, etc…
Searched the classrooms and begged for assistance to paint the Mona Lisa on the hand ball court wall in an afternoon and if he didn’t find her, he just might have to do a painting of himself…. Oh my goodness, 9 years to paint the Mona Lisa and at Monica Ros, to do it in an afternoon would take a miracle.
And a miracle it was… The children poised to be the Mona Lisa and they were fascinated. Everyone worked very fast, like little bees on honey with their little brushes…. Smocks on gowns and armor, there were so many assistants at times, Leonardo had to stay in the wings to oversee.
He noticed how the children painted with their wrests & taught them how to paint from their legs, using their entire bodies to make energetic strokes! Bravo!! They were & are magnificent!!!
I love Ojai! What a beautiful loving community that is abundant with friendliness, spirituality and creativity.
Janis has opened her door for my artwork and gifts to be available for the 2009 Ojai Studio Art Detour. The Studio Detour is a collection of over 50 artists at 28 different locations in Ojai. The Ojai Studio Art Tour is simultaneous. Please visit Janis Art Garden Gallery & Workshop,October 10th-11th from 10am-5pm with an Artist Reception on October 10th from 6pm-9pm at STUDIO 201 #109 N. Blanch Street, Downtown Ojai.
You may be wondering, what is the difference between the Tour & Detour?
For some reason or another, artists that live in Ojai & are not part of the “Studio Art Tour”, have come together & created a free “Studio Detour”. Being new to Ojai, the jury process is long and limited to become part of the “Studio Tour” for this year. I gratefully support all artists on all tours and am very excited to share my artwork and collection of gifts from my online cafepress/freemanart gift shop with the community.
Saint John’s Health Center Artwall is a unique way of bringing art into a healing environment at the Howard Keck Diagnostic and Treatment Center. A large 17 foot tall digital wall made up of 16 50-inch” monitors, has rotating exhibitions of local artists.
“Art carries a therapeutic message that can greatly enhance the healing environment,” said Marla Koosed, Saint John’s Art Program curator. “Instead of presenting art in a traditional manner, we want to engage visitors in a sensory experience that evokes a soothing, therapeutic setting.”
And now featured on their home page for the “Spirit of Place” exhibit, is “Alice Hopping”, Chinese brush painting. Alice, short for “Alice in Wonderland”, which is the truth, born several years ago on the inspirational Malibu private ranch that inspires the painted pond series, became a special character of the menagerie of animals. For some, they think she is a horse, a dog, etc…but she is a donkey & filled with lots of spirit.
The newborns are always so much fun to study and paint. Also included in the exhibit is “Myth” sleeping, my little Mythy Myth(dog), who mythsteriously disappeared into the desert only to live up to his name.
A digital image from my first video “The Spirit of Art” taken at Point Dume Beach Malibu of my footprint in the sand, sandwiched between the footprint of wind in the sand is sandwiched between the brush paintings on the Media Wall. This image reflects our connection and freedom with the earth, our vulnerability of life, essence and preciousness of time and the magnificent art of God.
Wow… lots of color, emotion, personal expression with a wide range of subject matter & techniques awaits you. That is just a glimpse of what I noticed when dropping off my artworks & the artists were still streaming in with art. This is going to be a very exciting show. The exhibit is unjuried with each member exhibiting up to 3 pieces…I thought it was juried, so I brought in a diverse range of pieces “Summer Chill” which I painted for the exhibit, “Time Out” a digital print & “Hot Tin Roof” a large spiritual painting. Hope to see you there & if you can’t make it for the reception, the exhibit runs til September 2nd.
While your in Ojai, you must visit Janis Hansen, owner of the amazing Art Garden Gallery. Her passion for the arts thrives with an intriguing collection of works from talented local artists & craftsman. On exhibit is my first Ojai plein air oil painting on board from “Meditation Mount”.
Also at Art Garden Gallery, Ojai are several of my Buddha with nature spiritual digital photographs.
What a wonderful surprise to open the mail and receive a card commending me for my contribution of Art in the Antelope Valley from Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor Mike Antonovich and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Although it is a great honor to be commended, it was only possible by the group effort of many people involved. I would like to take this opportunity to share this commencement and thank all of the participating artists, AV College Art Gallery staff, AV Press and volunteers who have contributed and assisted in bringing outstanding art exhibitions to enrich the Antelope Valley Community.
“BlossOming Muse” © 2010 Digital Photograph, 20″ x 16″, A single explosion of vibrational beauty was blossoming on the hillside terrace at Glen Muse. Ojai Center for the Arts, will host a series of my paintings and photography in their Fireplace Room for the month of March. On exhibit in the Main Gallery will be paintings by Santa Barbara Artist Laurie MacMillan. On exhibit will be photographs taken during Glen Muse Open House this past Thanksgiving during the Yuletide Madrigali performance. 
“Madrigali Muse” is a photograph captured outside looking in, at the event. “There was something very mesmerizing and intriguing viewing the event from outside through a curtain of antique leaded glass.” On March 13, Monica Ros School is having their big fundraiser “Evening Bash”. Jim Cherry and I donated “BlossOming Muse” for the Fine Art Auction. Please visit the website to bid and buy tickets! (link to come shortly) Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave. “Awesome Art” Ojai High Schools Annual Exhibit, March 4 - April 11, Reception Thursday, March 11, 4-6pm Join us and meet new Museum Director Michele Ellis Pracy. My art will be on exhibit for being one of the three judges.
History in the Making!
