Inspiration and Belly dancing at Medfest

This past weekend was a huge gathering of belly dancers for an event called Medfest. There are nonstop performances for two days. All the women are beautifully and exotically dressed and it's a very colorful affair. One of the best troupe's I saw perform was Troupe Hypnotica...they do tribal belly dance. A little girl in front of the stage was transfixed by them and was dancing around in her princess outfit. It was priceless. I also saw more flags and I'm still inspired to make some from fabric scraps.

Hollyhocks

This summer I've been noticing Hollyhocks and wondering why I don't have any in my garden. Aren't they pretty? Next year I will have some.

Fort Worden Beach - Port Townsend

This is the lighthouse at Point Wilson

The porch of the Caretaker's house.

Fishing

There is lots of driftwood on the beach here.

Looking down

I loved the texture on this rusty door.

Old hinge.

As I promised, I'm posting more photos from my trip to Port Townsend last week. These are from the beach at Fort Worden which used to be an Army post for the Artillery Division. The beach there is windswept and a the main focal point is the lighthouse.

Port Townsend Inspiration - Uptown/Downtown

An historic building on Water Street downtown.

This is Potpourri in Uptown, owned by Jeanne Moore. She's an interior designer and has the largest selection of fabric samples on the peninsula. This was like a candy store for me with all the textiles. She made these flags which you see on other shops on Lawrence Street. They are made from old swatch books. I want to try making some of these.

This is the screen of the old Rose Theatre. I saw "Away we Go". Loved it. The movies are introduced by a real live person. It's a great place.

Poppies are everywhere.

I liked this front porch in the Uptown neighborhood.

Sweet Laurette, bakery and restaurant on Lawrence.

The flower shop, Uptown.

Last weekend I drove up to Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula for a two day road trip. It's an old Victorian town which was originally supposed to be the state capitol. It' on the northwestern tip of the peninsula and is known for it's great architecture and artistic community. I'll be posting several sets of pictures from my trip: this first set is the uptown neighborhood and downtown. There are cute shops and restaurants, bakeries and a wonderful farmer's market on Saturday mornings. The flowers in Port Townsend are amazing. Enjoy!

Tomatoes

This is my first tomato of the summer.
I like the way my fingers smell after I touch a tomato plant. It's a pure summer smell.

Summer Girl with Freckles - Watercolor painting

This is one of the new paintings I've done recently, inspired by summer and the beach.

New items for sale in my Etsy store.

Check out the latest things I have for sale here at my Artnest Etsy Shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5823533

Inspiration at Anthropologie

I visited Anthropologie yesterday for inspiration. I am always amazed by their visual displays. It's like going to a mini art show and they use common things for materials. I am obsessed with their dish towels. Wouldn't they make great curtains? The whisk reminds me of the late graphic designer Tibor Kalman who collected egg beaters. I think the hanging half domes are papier mache. Impressive.

collage

In the course making one piece of art a day for a month, I'm revisiting collage. Here's a new one (burgundy and chartreuse). The other two were made two years ago. I think they all go together nicely. I'm having fun.
The items and many more are available in my etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5823533
Stop by to see what's new.

One Month of Art

I've been doing a new piece of art everyday and will continue for 30 days. Today is number 15. Here are a few of the pieces I've done so far.

Contrast - Eastern Washington

The scenery on the way to Walla Walla is so different than western washington.....so spacious.

Be careful with your fireworks....

Happy Fourth of July!