saturdaynight

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

Noche De Muertos Art Show Flyer

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

Here is the flyer for the art show that my Mexican Shrine will be a part of… It should be a really fun night!

Granny’s Retro House

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

I stayed at my 82-year old Granny Dorothy’s house while in Portland. She and my Grandpa lived in the house that he built, over 50 years ago, and she still lives there today! Her house is the same as I remember it as a little kid! It is truly retro, none of the interior decoration has changed, and it’s both comforting and delightful to visit and know that everything will be as it always has, in it’s same place. I tried to capture some of the design elements when I was there… She has the most awesome linoleum (cool 50’s stars and funky pastel squares) and countertops (turquoise blue with gold flecks in it.) The house retains so many handcrafted touches that I hope never leave. The bathroom and kitchen cabinets are very non-cabinet looking, they actually look more like furniture (in beautiful beech and cherry colored wood) to me than those awful pre-fab cabinets so common today. Her overall color scheme is blue and green, and unfortunately I didn’t capture the living room, which is completely blue and green (green shag carpet, pale green walls, green/blue upholstered sofa.) I like the color combo and it will always remind me of my Granny. I’m sure that my visual aesthetics are influenced by growing up near and around this home, full of color and history! I love 50’s design, kitsch and all! Plastic doilies are just amazing! But seriously, it’s pretty comforting to recall one phone number and address that has been the same for twice the length of my life. And to show up and know you’ll eat the same home-cooked meals, and rely on the same familiar love and support! You Go Granny Dot!

Week in Photos…

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

I’m back from my week in Portland. I was unprepared for the cool and wet weather, why didn’t I pack my newly finished scarf? I just could not believe it was cold enough to wear it, and I didn’t pack it! Needless to say, I caught a cold, and spent the rest of the week drinking lots of tea and oj and taking it easy. I did manage to squeeze in a few more visits with others. I wandered down to Portland State University to walk the park blocks of my alma matter, and thought of Ian, Selena, and Melissa, now all in far away places, but just a few years ago, we were all there! I visited another fellow sculptor from PSU, Jules and her adorable dog Lucy and we walked around Alberta Street. I finally caught up with my former co-worker and good friend Jenn, and we spent hours just catching up on the past year and a half! Tara and I spent an afternoon working in her art studio, I continued on my drawings, and she painted. We also took Ben out for lunch at Sweet Basil for his birthday, and finally got to meet his little puppy, as well as the cats! We managed to squeeze in a little shopping on NW 23rd as well. Markie and I went to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Oregon Historical Society and Produce Row for lunch. He made breakfast for Granny and I too. It was a really great trip, so good to see all the old friends and family and familiar haunts!
*Forgot to mention my trip back to Reed College! I saw my former bosses (Marty & Marianne) and also made the rounds to see what everyone else was up to! It was a very nice afternoon!

weekinphotos

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

Fall is here in Portland! I realized it’s been 7 months since I last visited, so needless to say, people’s lives have moved on and changed, as is natural, and it’s fun to see what’s new! Tons of new babies, new houses, new marriages, new jobs, new plants, and more and more. We’ve been to the goodfoot, Coca and Jake’s house and met the Floyd baby (lil Hayden), saw Tara dance at her Japanese Dance Recital, visited downtown and Hawthorne and Belmont, drank coffee at Stumptown, visited Jon’s record store (Anthem Records) and even said hi to Caprice. More adventures to come!

weekinphotos2

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

This past week included some sewing, knitting, and saying goodbye to Jenni and Adrian, good luck in the big apple! It also included Manny running around their garage sale wearing an impromptu leprechan costume, complete with green rolling rock beer in hand. And on those days when I just cannot draw another thing, I wander around the house looking for things to dress up Lulu in. She complies, and is quite photogenic, no? And I finally finished sewing the face on the little orange bunny I started sewing in NY, for Jason & Kristine’s new baby, Josephine Lula! I used to share an art studio in Portland with those crazy kids, and now they’re parents! I’ll check in and see who the baby looks most like when I’m in Portland, and hand over the little softie to the cutie. Also notice that although I’m modeling my new (very warm) 2-color scarf, I am also wearing a tank top! It’s weird that we are having some of the hottest days of summer right NOW! I certainly look forward to the 66 degree Portland days, complete with rain. Melissa said I should take my corduroys… hahaha.

sarah_liberty2

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

My Dad Steve always tells me this, to not let the bastards get me down. Hey, look at me, I’m at the statue of liberty, and not only have the bastards NOT got me down (as evidenced by the coy smile.) Whenever any of my friends have problems, I just tell them, “hey! don’t let the bastards get you down!”

Anyways, I have been working on my portfolio every day, I should scan some of those drawings and show you’s! I have also finished knitting a scarf and have started another. Hey, I know it’s freaking 85 degrees here in Santa Barbara, but I can pretend that I might wear one someday, or somewhere, in a real winter climate. You never know!

I am going to Portland on Friday for a week, and I will see family and friends, including Dad, and I am intent on finding out just ‘who’ the bastards are… I never asked, because I kind of like the idea of just lumping every jerk and every jerk-type-thing into the ‘bastard’ catagory. If you’re having a bad day, don’t worry, and most of all “Don’t let those bastards get you down!”