Jo's Photography

This is the work of Jo Genito. She is a dear friend who made up her mind to become a photographer and did just that. I really like her work and subject matter. She had a sell out show at The Photo Shop in San Luis Obispo. People have commented that her work makes them happy. If you meet Jo you would experience what a good soul she is and in some way this goodness melds into her finished shots. She likes to shoot with her 35mm digital Canon and carries her point and shoot with her in her travels. Photography is a big world and there are so many chances to take advantage of what to shoot. Jo is doing just that.

Dan's Contemporary Abstract Art

This is the Art of Dan Holland, my husband. I love these large canvas paintings he is pumping out. Thank goodness that we do not have to store children's bicycles in the garage because where would the paintings go to? I am a fan of his work. It is exciting to me. He goes to life drawing every week and paints every chance he can. His work is alive.

Dave Woody

                                                            

Above is a portrait done by  Dave Woody titled "Laura" and it was the grand prize winner in the 2009 National Portrait Gallery Show. The first time I saw the above portrait in the LA Times Art Section of the newspaper, I was interested in Dave Woody's work. The National Portrait Gallery is hosting the competition this year. The call for entries for the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition is Sept. 1, 2011. I am forever grateful to Mrs. Boochever for her lifelong appreciation and docent work in Museums that exhibit Portraiture. Her generous endowment gave us something to look forward to in the art world. And for the record, the winner gets 25,000 dollars. Now I just have to find my potential subjects.

PCPA Presents Hairspray

                                                

My dear friend Lorie treated me to a night under the stars in Solvang to celebrate Hairspray the Musical set in 1962 Baltimore where everything is bigger than life. Lorie knows how much I love this Movie and the play was fabulous. You will bust a gut seeing the great Tracy Turnblad twist and turn on the Corny Collins Show. Her Mom Edna is dynamite and the scene at the end is unforgettable of Edna coming out of the giant Hairspray bottle. The cast is fantastic in singing and dancing. I have fond memories of my mom and I cannot stop thinking about her and us and the 1960s in Hairspray. Theatre stars are the hardest working souls on this earth. Lorie, I am forever grateful.

Yoshitomo Nara

                            

I love Yoshitomo Nara. He is an amazing artist from Japan. He is known across the world.  I have seen his sculptures and paintings in SF. I recently got the latest book of his art and it is great. The packaging alone is worth the price. Maybe I am stuck in my teen angst but I love his images. The characters he paints are memorable, and although they appear angry, they are approachable. I feel that his art is the ultimate in expression of what we feel and do not always express. His early inspiration for his art is music. He has also designed album covers for some Japanese punk bands. His work is intrinsic and I can feel it. Thank you Yoshitomo for helping us to remember and express. People that work with Yoshitomo in the art field say that he is an artist full of surprises and contradictions. In  Nara's words, "If you look only at the surface, my work will not really reveal itself to you."

Good Morning With a Smile

This is Jazmin. On a rare occasion, I drive through McDonalds for my early morning coffee and Jazmin greets me. What a stylish girl with a fabulous smile. Then she tells me to "have a nice day". What a start to a busy day in health care. McDonalds is lucky to have such great staff to get you through the grind.

Enter the Flower and Bug World

Macro photography has its own place in the photo world. I remember the first time my friend/teacher Shawn introduced me to Macro. He loaned me his Macro lens and I went to our garden in Carpinteria and played with the hefty lens. The reason I like Macro is that you enter the world of the flower and bug and you discover things you would not have seen with your eye. Roses that had their life in the limelight would be cast away until you rediscover them with the Macro. I use a Canon EOS Elan II, and the 100mm Macro lens with 200 or 400 S Kodak film and if I pick up an extra shift I use the Portra version of the film. Life is good.

Open to Obon

                    

The Santa Maria Obon Festival is on Sunday, July 24 at 313 W Tunnel St.  Our friend Rada, of Fabric Xpressions designed the shirt above "miso cute" for her Japanese friend. Obon is one of the most important Japanese traditions. People believe that their ancestors' spirits come back to their homes to be reunited with their family during Obon. There will be bonsai, Taiko drums, Marital Arts, and crafts. There will also be the  Bon Odori, the traditional dance of the festival. Pack your 35 mm camera, enjoy the free festival and check out Rada's  geisha girl tees. Then go home and watch USA and Japan play some soccer. I call this a perfect Sunday.

The Love of Volunteering

My husband Dan is with his work group from PG@E at the Central Coast Food Bank. This IT work group volunteered 3 hours of their time, sorting and cleaning food, washing trucks, and doing cement repair work. The Food Bank Coalition distributes food directly to people in need. I have never seen my husband Dan so energized as he was on volunteer day. Perhaps there is something to say for people who give their time to help others by making a difference in our community. You too can feel happy like these PG@E employees and donate your time and service to the Food Bank Coalition.

The Ultimate is Jousting

Jousting goes back to the Medieval times. You have two armor-clad opponents charging at each other on horses while wielding 11 foot long wooden lances. You can view this at the 27th Annual Central Coast Renaissance Festival July 16 and 17, 2011. This is a unique festival where over 800 costumed participants come to El Chorro Regional Park to celebrate the year 1585 while attending the Royal Joust, and sipping the finest ales, and eating some yummy foods. Now that is entertainment. And do not be intimidated. You do not have to come in costume.

Sky Power

                                                

Our family friend Bob Winn is the owner of Sky Power Systems, a company founded in 2001 that designs and installs solar-electric systems for businesses and homes in the Bay area. I have read all the testimonials and overall customers are satisfied because of pricing, the way they are treated, individualized solar plans, the look of these systems, the high performance of the installed systems, the design of the systems, warranty issues, the communication of the work projects, and the company is known for doing what they promise the customers. In this economy it seems like people would be likely to spend their money on custom solar shopping to benefit their living situations. Call  Bob Winn to educate yourself about having this in your home or business. And for the record, the photo above is from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, a mission launched for NASA. We frequent the Palm Theatre in San Luis Obispo and CJs Cafe in Arroyo Grande, the Palm is Solar and CJs is thinking about it.

Off to Louisville

                                                               

My sister Deb goes off to Louisville, Ky, next week for a work conference. The New York Times Sunday Newspaper highlighted Louisville today. So I came home from a great breakfast at CJs with my husband and started to fire out my Sunday blog on Louisville. If I were going there this week I would pack my hasselblad to take photos in the old brick facades that line the wide streets. Because Deb does not eat much sugar I would have to sneak over to Cake Flour for a small slice of cake. I think I could talk her into the Paul Paletti Gallery where there is a current fine art photography show of Napoli Senza Titolo (Naples Untitled). If my sister Anita came to Louisville she would be talking us into shopping in the East Market District to hit the new boutiques. Three sisters in Louisville. We could do some damage. And Deb when your day is done, be sure to hit the Louisville Beer Store and sit out back on their patio and have you a strong dark ale.

Margareta's Jewelry at the Centennial Celebration in AG

Come see Margareta Lund and her gorgeous jewelry at the Arroyo Grande Centennial Day Celebration July 10, 2011 at Heritage Square Park and Bridge Street. I have been a fan of Margareta's jewelry for years when she had her jewels in Lunds. There will be live bands, food booths, and vendors with games and interesting things for the whole family. There will also be some historical displays at the Centennial Day Celebration. The company that I work for, Compass Health is one of the official Centennial Celebration Sponsors.  Come out for some good old fashioned Centennial Fun. Saturday July 10, 11-5:30.

Glamour Cats

The book is a true find
Julie Jackson is the author and the photographs are shot by Jill Johnson. Glamourpuss The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs is one to own for pure pleasure.

Happy Fourth of July

The best fireworks I have ever seen were in Long Beach, Ca. On the Fourth of July, we can appreciate that Summer is really upon us. Get the grill hot and throw on some chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers or whatever gets you in the mood for the grill scene. Enjoy the kids doing their little sparklers in their driveways and alleys. Have a picnic, watch a baseball game, go to the county fair or enjoy the Circus Vargus if you are lucky enough to have it in your town. But remember what matters most. The Fourth of July is Independence Day, a Federal Holiday, commemorating the Declaration Of Independence.

Happy Birthday Dido

Dido is my beautiful sister Deb. Happy Birthday to a very special sister. I love you Deb and this one is for you kid. And many more. Enjoy your day. It belongs to you.