Saturday, August 8, 2009
at
7:04 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
I attended Alicia Sotherland's pastel portrait workshop today in San Clemente, Ca.
I had a lot of fun and was grateful my friend Dianne attended also, for she drove and hauled supplies for me.
We worked with nu-pastels on suede matboard. Interesting. No preliminary sketch but began by putting in the background with a dark and finding our shapes. Alicia was a great teacher and I found myself really picking up some good tips. Alicia is a hands on teacher so she had a bit of a "hand" in this piece. This was from a photo from my trip to Guatemala in 2008
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pastel,
photo,
portrait
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Friday, May 15, 2009
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10:32 AM
| Posted by
mARTa
On Monday May 10th I had an appointment at the Jules Stein Eye Institute of UCLA for a consult on controlling my persistent battle with congenital glaucoma. I was there from 10am to 6pm for this first visit. When all was done the specialist said, "We will be doing emergency surgery on Wednesday." So on Tuesday I spent the day getting all the pre-op exams and tests done. Along with all this I had a previously scheduled appointment with a gynecologist because of the persistent uterine bleeding I've been experiencing for a few months now, despite the use of hormones. Well, that didn't go so well as she decided to do a biopsy then and there and send me next week for a trans pelvic ultrasound. Back up, one step at a time, just breath.
On Wednesday I had my eye surgery and despite the anesthesiologist not being able to get me completely sedated, I was calm enough to stay awake through the surgery. When I was done I was in pain and tiered. Rudy checked us into the UCLA guest house where I spent the night. Yesterday morning the doctor checked me again and said I had done really well with the surgery. The implant was doing its job and my pressure was way down. Very good news!
Yesterday evening was the opening reception for the student honors show at the college where I take my art classes. One of my paintings,
La Cinta Roja no. 2 was chosen for the show so I really wanted to go. With Rudy on my arm, a pair of dark glasses and a codeine tablet on board; I went to the show. I didn't stay long, but long enough to see my picture on the wall and chat with some friends.
Today I thought I might go to art class but I'm still sore and the light outside a bit too bright just yet. So, for now, no new art work to show. I wanted to share all this with you because I realize not all of you follow me on
Facebook or
Twitter (find me as marta gonzales or martasart). Maybe you were wondering where I'd gone to?
Posted In
photo,
thoughts Guatemala
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Saturday, November 15, 2008
at
1:48 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
We are on fire again in California. About 2 hours ago we heard about another fire 15 miles from us in Corona, Ca. We went out to pick up some printer ink and when we came out to the parking lot we already were faced with a massive plume of smoke. It took us 10 minutes to drive home and this is the view from our neighborhood. We came home running around the house closing windows and bringing in the dog. This second photo is looking out from my studio window. This is so sad and I'm feeling a bit too emotional. My Rudy is a firefighter and I'm thankful he is home for the next few days.
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major event,
photo
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Sunday, October 12, 2008
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2:14 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
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outdoor activity,
photo
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Wednesday, October 8, 2008
at
7:33 AM
| Posted by
mARTa
We did leave for a few days at the beach yesterday. Perfect weather and looking forward to relaxing with friends. But last week when I came home from Guatemala I had a notice that Social Security now wants me to have a mental status exam........am I crazy???? So this morning I left the beach to come back to Riverside (about 80 miles ) for my exam later this morning. Then I'll drive back in time for late afternoon munchies and vino with Rudy and our friends Joe and Donna. I kneaded
Nina's Sweet bread dough last night and put it in the oven this morning. I enjoyed a piece, warm from the oven, before taking off this morning. Joe likes my bread pudding so tomorrow the leftovers will appear as bread pudding for dessert.
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photo
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Monday, October 6, 2008
at
6:42 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
Oil painting exploration
I had wanted to share my adventure of Guatemala after getting back last Monday but I was barely home a few hours and got really sick with the stomach flu and an upper respiratory infection. I had been looking forward to going out for a nice steak dinner and instead drank Gatoraide and ate rice with broth for 2 days. I am on the road to recovery now and am feeling much better.
Tomorrow we leave for a few days at the beach in our 'casita' (our little trailer). So the Guatemala escapades will have to wait. Well, ok, here's the photo of me and the guys....no explanation needed right?
I spent the week catching up with my french homework and studying for today's test. I also had to catch up in the oil painting class. They were working on painting from a collage that had been put together from magazine images. I quickly put something together and then the instructor tweaked it some more and this was the result.
I really didn't care for the collage but with time slipping away I got started. I soon found that alizarin crimson was too smeary and I was fighting it. My bff Tricia helped me out by pointing out that A.C. being a transparent pigment would not go on smooth and opaque....dah...I should have figured it out myself. Then I went to
Jana's blog and knew that it would hold some wise words for me; which it did. So I didn't give up! I finished the painting in the studio today so I'm now all caught up with my school work. Now, I can enjoy the beach for a few days!
I feel bad that I haven't had time to browse the art blogs or leave comments to anyone. I will get back on track soon....I hope!
Posted In
oil painting,
photo,
travel
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Friday, September 5, 2008
at
12:08 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
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photo,
travel
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Thursday, September 4, 2008
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2:04 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
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photo,
travel
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Wednesday, August 13, 2008
at
5:33 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
We grew weary after the long day, deciding to skip the zoo and instead headed to Amy's apartment, which she so graciously offered while she was having fun in Las Vegas with her Seth. We soon fell asleep and woke to a beautiful summer day on Thursday.
Shon and Marta
The morning was cool so we skipped the kayaking and went to the tidepools at Point Loma. Oh what fun we had splashing in the surf and picking up sea shells. Annie a bit disappointed that we couldn't bring them home but satisfied to take photos of our treasures to later sketch and then return them to the ocean.
We finished off the adventure with a drive over the Coronado Bridge and a drive through the area, stopping at a lovely park for lunch under massive trees. Onto Seaport Village for a short shopping trip before heading home.
Posted In
fountain pen,
photo,
travel,
video,
watercolor
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Saturday, August 2, 2008
at
12:12 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
Today Rudy and I put my boat on top my car and headed out to Newport Beach to the bay. Rudy rented a boat and I took out my beauty for the first time this summer. We had so much fun! We paddled over to Newport Dunes and glided up on the shore and had a wonderful picnic lunch before getting back on the water. After a couple of hours we headed home with a stop at the kayak store to see the pretty new boats. Rudy is starting to want his own now so we are looking. Then we came home to the heat in Riverside, cleaned up the boat and headed to the back yard to have some more water fun in the pool. We are spent for the day but can't wait to go back out soon! I had time during our lunch to snap this photo with my iphone and draw my boat. I'll add color to it tomorrow!
Posted In
fountain pen,
moleskeine,
photo,
watercolor
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Wednesday, July 30, 2008
at
6:38 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
Flash is a wolf dog. I was told that Flash had free reign of the neighborhood of cabins in Tres Ritos, NM. On my first day at the New Mexico cabin Grace wanted to show me the creek and to try my hand at skipping stones with her. On our way there Flash saw us and barked as we came close. He soon ran over to us to check me out. We immediately became best friends and he decided to join us on our excursion.
While Grace and I sat and sketches the wildflowers, Flash roamed the area, ever our protector. Once he was sure the area was safe and free of
BEARS, he came and plopped himself down right next to me (smashing the flowers I was sketching). He sat until we were finished and then walked us back to the cabin, ever a gentleman, seeing us safely home.
I sketched this in charcoal from a photo I took of Flash when he sat next to me. I am hoping to get it into a mat soon and send it to Flash's owner, Shirley.
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charcoal,
photo,
travel
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
at
6:18 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
Rudy's fireboat station was featured in the local Long Beach Paper with a video and article. Click
HERE to see the video of my cute old guy. He is at the beginning of the video holding a hat. I'm very proud of him and try not too worry too much when he goes off to work for a few days.
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photo,
video
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Sunday, July 27, 2008
at
2:18 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
You can go to
Dianne's blog for a detailed description of our weekend trip to Long Beach, Ca. She is correct in that I got more sleep than she did but after joining her for lunch on Saturday I headed to the aquarium and while waiting in line I began to feel queasy. Unlike that hangover feeling, this was something I ate. I decided not to spend the money to sketch at the aquarium and instead headed for a restroom and then just tried to keep hydrated. I sat at the lighthouse and people watched and did a couple of sketches. Then I wandered to the bookstore and relaxed in the a/c till Dianne's class was over. We had a fun weekend and of course we didn't really get drunk, just happy! This is a photo of Dianne at the show; in case she's denying she was there:
Here is a view of the harbor from our hotel room:
and here is my sketch of the Queen Mary, as she sits docked for eternity it seems.
Posted In
fountain pen,
photo,
travel,
watercolor
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Wednesday, July 23, 2008
at
5:52 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
On our first day at the cabin Grace and I went for a walk to the creek. She wanted to show me how she skipped stones in the water and I gave it a try also. Once we'd exhausted our supply of small flat stones I sat to do some sketching. Of course I had extra supplies along in case Grace wanted to sketch; which she did
.
We sat in a clump of wild geraniums and choose those for our subject. We used the scrap wc paper I had brought along for her and my travel set of Neocolours. We quickly lost ourselves in conversation while we sketched. The wolf-dog that had accompanied us on our walk finally came and plopped himself down next to me. I had a new friend.
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other artist,
photo,
travel,
video,
watercolor
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Monday, July 21, 2008
at
6:57 AM
| Posted by
mARTa
click on sketch above to see all the New Mexico photos on Flickr
I am home and feeling much more relaxed and rejuvenated. It's amazing what a little r&r can do. I spent most of my time at my sister Marissas cabin in northern New Mexico. I had plenty of time to sketch/paint, hike, take lots of photos, knit and spend time with my Gracie, who at 11 years old still enjoys time with her nina mARTa.
I had no encounters with bears but the local dogs and squirrels came to welcome me to the woods. The flower fairies dressed for the occasion with their finest display of color and foliage. The birds all came out to sing and from the creek came a steady rhythm as it ebbed and flowed through the meadow.
Of course being a city girl, after a few days I was more than ready to come back to civilization: which for me is my iphone, city sites and the morning news!
Marissa, Terry, Elliott, Sara and Grace,
Thank you so very much for putting up with me. Now that I'm home I am realizing just how beneficial this break was for me. I love the cabin and the beauty that surrounds it. I know you will all enjoy it for many years to come. I loved spending time with all of you but my favorite time had to be the beautiful hike we did that last day up there. I am missing all of you. much love, nina
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photo,
thoughts,
travel,
watercolor
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Friday, July 18, 2008
at
7:20 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
Hi, this is Grace's Nina mARTa and I am guest posting to Grace's new blog: Grace's Kitchen Adventures. Grace is my lovely niece who lives in New Mexico and loves to bake and cook. I spent the past week visiting with her and her family in their new cabin in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. While there we all had fun baking and sketching. I shared with Grace my artistic knowhow and my famous sweet bread recipe for the bread machine. We made minor adjustments for the elevation (8,000 ft) and it turned out wonderful! I promised Grace that I would post the recipe to her blog, so please go visit her there and welcome her to blogging!
A New Mexico girl's adventures in cooking and baking.
ps: the bears didn't eat me!
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cooking,
guest post,
photo
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Tuesday, July 8, 2008
at
7:04 AM
| Posted by
mARTa
Tomorrow morning I'm boarding a small jet and flying off to New Mexico. I love to fly so the smaller plane doesn't bother me. The plus is the price is right and it's nonstop to Albuquerque. My sister Marissa and her family live there but have recently bought a vacation cabin in the Tres Ritos area; about 30 miles from Taos, NM. So on Thursday we are driving to spend several days at the cabin. She tells me there is no cell phone service, no phone yet, no internet access and no propane yet. But there is water and electricity. What she didn't tell me is:
There are bears!
photo credit: my niece Sara
My art supplies are wisely chosen, I have my backpack to pack, cameras to get ready, now, if I only could remember where I put those bear bells!
Will try to post if I find wifi but if not I'll share when I get back.....if the bears don't eat me!
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photo,
thoughts
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Friday, July 4, 2008
at
9:11 AM
| Posted by
mARTa
Last year's painted toes! And I spent it at work...not this year!!!! Yippi!!!!
Posted In
photo,
watercolor
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Friday, May 9, 2008
at
11:00 AM
| Posted by
mARTa
Miss Gracie c. late 1990s
half sheet Arches watercolour 140lb. cp
This is an email I received from my niece Grace who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico:Nina.I want to know the price of that painting of me on your website posted under nieces because I really want it!
Love gracie
And part of my response:
I love the watercolor of you I painted when you were a baby. You were only 1 year old; almost 2. You were sitting at my studio table painting a picture! I took a photo of you and then I painted the portrait from it. I am not going to ever sell it to you. I would like it if one day we can put it in a mat and frame and then it will be yours. But framing is a little expensive so that's why I haven't done it yet. But that painting has ALWAYS belonged to YOU!
All of us mommies, grandmas, aunties and daughters......wishing all a very ...
Happy Mother's Day
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photo,
portrait,
thoughts,
watercolor
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Wednesday, April 30, 2008
at
6:20 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
The onset of menopause came hand in hand with the start of my running program. I quickly began to see a drop in a few pounds but since the beginning of HRT I’ve gained a few pounds. But the running has been good for me and I’m enjoying my progress, although slow.
This past weekend I ran my first 5k in many years. My friend Dr. Karen De La Cruz, along with two other pediatric nurses, joined me for this event in Century City for the benefit of Children’s Cancer Research. The day was sizzling hot with temperature in the 90’s and quite humid. I had a difficult time because of it and my pace suffered. But after the race Karen and I headed to the Farmer’s Market in the Fairfax district for a nice celebration lunch. Now, to continue training for the next one!!!
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thoughts
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Costurera de Guatemala, originally uploaded by martasart.
