Tabula Rasa

I can't believe a new year is upon us! 

As I look around this wintry, dormant landscape, 

I see a blank slate, a place to start, a beginning,

and it's just waiting to come alive. 

Happy New Year!

Merry Merry

Merry Christmas to all!

And to all a good night!

Goodness

Candy canes. Sweet treats. Tis the season. 

It's my Christmas baking extravaganza!

I'm making peppermint bark, date pinwheels,

hazelnut cocoa coins, shortbread walnuts and gingerbread.

Every year I divide everything in two and trade cookies with my

dear friend Shelby, who is also baking as we speak.

I must say we turn out a pretty fine collection every year

and I can't wait until we exchange!

Together

Covey No. 3

A new covey in my shop this weekend.

A most peculiar flock.

Golden Gate

I was in the San Francisco bay area for a few days this past week.

We were celebrating my grandmother's 90th birthday!

She was truly delighted to have her family with her for the occasion.

I did have a moment to stop at the SFMOMA and 

peek at the 75th Anniversary Show.

This installation by Barry McGee was so striking!

I read this fascinating article on the SFMOMA blog about 

the conservation and installation challenges that museums 

face when dealing with contemporary art such as this piece.

And it wouldn't be a San Francisco trip without 

the scenic drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, 

climbing up the long and winding roads

to my grandmother's house.

A Moment

Time Stood Still IV

Baby Steps

It's been a couple of weeks so I  thought 

I'd give you a little update on Birdie.

Besides, who can resist more puppy pictures?

We've spent this Thanksgiving weekend romping in the fields.

Birdie has found a new passion: the soccer ball.

We're working on dribbling, though it may take a while.

In the mean time she's doing well with the essential 

commands and beginning to adjust to her new routine.

Fade

Seems like autumn days are quickly fading into winter.

There's a distinct chill in the air, the smell of damp decay,

leaves and pine cones are scattered on the ground.

It feels like Thanksgiving.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful weekend.

The Last Grasshopper

The last grasshopper of the season.

I took these pictures several weeks ago and

since then we've had a bit of frost and true autumn weather.

As this year is quickly coming to a close,

I thought we should take one last look.

Isn't he a charmer?

Starting Over

Starting over with a new puppy is both exhausting and rewarding.

Birdie is doing well and quickly learning to sit and lie down.

Today I feel a tiny bit back to normal.

We are starting to develop a little routine,

which means I can finally get some work done!

So, there are new feathers in my shop today!

Ladybird

Meet our Birdie!

She's had some ups and downs in her short life,

but she's found a new home with us!

Birdie is a mutt; she has some border collie markings

and perhaps a little bit of terrier. It's hard to tell. She's a mystery.

She's very lovable and has a lot of energy and likes to take long naps.

She is in good health, but has a little sore on her neck, 

which is why she is wearing the lamp shade,

also known as the elizabethan collar.

Isn't she adorable?

Monographs and Paperweights

I love collecting books. Especially monographs. 

They are always out because not only do I love to look, 

I use them as paperweights.

 I like to imagine that my studio assistants at atelier Golly Bard 

are none other than Edgar Degas, David Hockney, Egon Scheile, 

Francesco Clemente, Louise Borgeouis, Alice Neel, Edward Gorey, 

Rebecca Horn - Oh, the list goes on and on. 

Can you imagine all of that creativity in one place?

Splendor in the Grass

Voila! My pheasants are finished!

Aren't they a handsome couple?

They will be in my shop tonight.

Have a wonderful weekend all!

Studio | Ring Necks

I don't really like taking pictures of work in progress.

The work seems so bare, unfinished, unresolved.

Nevertheless, most of the time, this is how I begin,

without a real plan or line to follow.

I mix a soupy mess of paint and lay down some washes.

I walk away, let things settle, and think about what to do next.

I hold my breath a lot, because it can go well 

or land in the garbage bin at any point.

All I know is I have pheasants on my brain, ring necks.

I'm working on a pair of them. They are quite large.

Will you ever see them? I'm hopeful.

They are much further along now.

Maybe by the weekend.

I can't promise anything yet.

Big Bambú

When I arrived in New York on Sunday I only had about an hour or so 

to dash over to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see 

Mike and Doug Starn's Big Bambú installation on the rooftop terrace.

 It was exquisite. I didn't get to climb it, but I took lots of pictures. 

I hope you will take a peek at my Flickr collection. 

It's a spectacular structure and the backdrop of Central Park 

and the Manhattan skyline is splendid.

***

The lucky winner of my giveaway has been 

announced and is posted here!

Dash

I had to dash up to New York for a couple of days.  

I know Halloween is over but the decorations are so much fun.

I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures as I walked along the city streets.

Giveaway | Log

I'm having my last giveaway of the year!

I'm knot kidding! Log No. 32 could be yours!

Simply answer the question below by Tuesday, November 2nd

 I will pick a name out of a hat and 

announce the winner next Wednesday.

***

So here's the question...

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck,

if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

***

p.s.

there's no right answer

p.p.s.

humor is always appreciated

p.p.p.s.

do leave a link or a way for me to contact you!

good luck!

***

and the winner is...

Gloria Freshley

Congratulations!

Everyone Needs An Albino Squirrel

This is my eccentric gift guide for Halloween.

I must admit I would probably choose these items any time of year,

but you probably know that about me.

Doesn't everyone need an albino squirrel?

Take a peek at these curiosities in my treasury on Etsy!

Flown

This week has just flown by!  There's a new little bluebird

and a whole lot of feathers in my shop today.

Happy Friday all!

Cubbing

The fox hunting season has begun in our area.

Last Saturday their meet took place behind the church in town.

The hounds were pretty excited as they awaited 

the huntsman to sound his horn!

Tally ho!

Meander

Meandering down country roads.