Finally Back!

[wendy lee lynds]

dear creative community: finally back in town. had a few days of much-needed re-grouping/re-couping then got an unexpected, but pleasant visit from my sister and her friend. nice to be able to show off our island, despite the raindrops!.whidbey island is so beautiful, even in the mist. spent one day in pj's working on altered books, too. always a treat!

time away from my home is always interesting. i'm gleefully newly-wed (amost four years, but i plan on being on my honeymoon FOREVER!) so i don't like to be away from my guy for too long (or my puppy, vallyn). this trip was almost two weeks and that was WAY TOO LONG for me!

wonderful to help my artistic, ceramic-painting friend at the "art in the park" art fest in boulder city, NV, though. she had a 13% increase in sales over last year, despite high winds and a different set-up for the vendors (YEAH). apparently, i really am still her "good luck charm". LOL! we were concerned about the placement of the our booth this year (would people find us?), but we shouldn't have worried! god took very good care of us. there were some funny moments in the casino one evening with three brothers that were elvis presley impersonators, but that, my friends, is a story for another day!! TEEHEE! and julianne hit a 250.00 jackpot! that was pretty cool, too!

several highlights i wanted to share, artistically-speaking, while back in los angeles:

1. the norton simon in pasadena, CA. headed there with my 18 year old son, benjamin. it amazes me that i lived in the san fernando valley for all those years and when do i see the norton simon and the j. paul getty?? AFTER moving away! how silly is that? <silly grin> anyhow, while musuems are nice, my big love is seeing anything abstract impressionistic. and i wanted to share the one painting that took my breath away. sam francis' "basel mural I". 151-3/4 x 237-3/8 inches....massive, unbelievable piece. just riveting. here's the link to view, but honestly, if you have the chance, go see it for yourself. it's in their permenant collection! ( http://www.nortonsimon.org/collections/highlights.asp?period=20H&page=2&resultnum=19).

the NS also had a special exhibit for the work of alexei jawlensky, who was a frined of kandinsky's and invovled with the famous "blue group" of artists in the new york art scene. his work with painting faces was interesting, as later in his life he distilled his paintings down to gestures "suggesting" a face, but that were really so simple..........with lovely colors (gouche can really have some nice effects) and lines that, especially from far away..........all in a line on one wall, were really quite arresting. investigate him. really quite charming work.

2. my son works at laurel canyon and sunset blvd. at the laemelles' independent film theater..........got to see the film "my kid could paint that" for FREE! cool. the film is a documentary over the talents of a small child whose paintings are now selling for over 20K! even her giclee's currently are selling for between $450-650! the film questions if marla olmstead is producing these works herself (and is a prodigy?)......or has a little help from dad. an interesting question, and one that you are left pondering as you leave the theater. check out her website for more information on this amazing little gal (http://www.marlaolmstead.com/home.html) and here is the website for the film, too. find out more for yourself: (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/my_kid_could_paint_that/?critic=column)

this week i have much to attend to:

1. a project for a mission group that is in downtown seattle. this group, "mary's place," works with homeless women. a brave young woman had the brilliant idea to have women artists create portraits of women helped by this minsitry, publish a big art book, hold an auction and raise money for this endeavor! the piece needs to be done by november 3rd. (i really need to get-a-move-on). my gal is "sunshine".......i've met with her several times this year. as i am a collage artist and not a strictly realist portrait artist, this will be "my" perception of "sunshine" done in collage. i am hoping to make an accurate and lovely work in tribute of sunshine's courage and strength.

2. i also am teaching a class in the fundamentals of collage at the coupeville arts center (www.coupevillearts.org) in coupeville on the 10th. this is my first official teaching gig (i'm totally thrilled), although i have dome a few demo's and classes for friends. i'm pretty excited about it and pretty nervous, too. have to pull together a few more ideas and get my notes in order for that event!

3. am also participating in a group art show and sale in coupeville with 9 other incredible women artists and need to frame a few things for that event, as well.

am hoping that by mid-november all will quiet down and i will be able to work on a few artistic things for friends and family forthe chirstmas season.

had a wonderful meeting with a life/creativity coach on the island who specializes in "passionate marketing", her name is teri jo summer. but, that, is another story for another time.........i've got to get working........oh, yea, all that and learning to scan things for the start of my website. if god is willing and i get all my art together and all the text and get it to my almost-son-in-law, that will be up and running early 2008!

do hope all is groovy with all of you fine folks!

GO CREATE SOMETHING!

wendy lee

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Hi Wendy Lee!

I am amazed at all you are doing and I just was listening to Bernadette's lovely interview on the radio and noticed a comment you had left there on her page, so I came by to see you ...

I sure would love to meet you some day. I am in Central Oregon, so perhaps that might be possible one day ... Hope so!

Congratulations for finding a wonderful mate to have and to hold =) I'm at the beginning stages of starting over after 35 years of marriage ... And Mr. Wonderful has not appeared yet ... because I have spent my life being quite unaware of my own heart's desire!

I am a transplant from Southern California, and I went to the Norton Simon Museum once when there was a large exhibit of Edgar Degas. Seeing those images in person was awesome for me and changed my way of looking at everything.

Hugs and Happiness!

Barb

[wendy lee lynds]

with both hands and my teeth. he's not going ANYWHERE!! teehee! i'm a lucky gal............

[DJ]

You go girl! Hold on to him!
:-) DJ

[wendy lee lynds]

ps. i beleive in late bloomers, too. i married this time at 47!! (O:

[wendy lee lynds]

wonderful to hear, dj!! good news for all of us. funny, i have the "christian marriage" that i always wanted and my current and forever sweeite doesn't exactly profess a "faith", although was raised by a pentecostal mom. he lives the ideals and the values that i always thought i had in my "other life".....and didn't have, not really. all talk, all church and no substance. i question god, sometimes, as our relationship is truly something extraordinary and not what my church friends would have picked for me....at first glance, that is!! then, at second?? even my prophetic, church-going, holy-roller bestest friend sees and knows without a doubt that this man is for me. and funny, still? i wouldn't be an artist or doing ANYTHING that i'm doing right now without his love and unconditional support. i never truly had that before! i thank god reverantly/ferverantly and forever for michael daily..........oxox wendy

[DJ]

Welcome back, Wendy!
All your projects and possibilities make me want to "go make something," indeed!
Note: My hubby & I are married only six years, and we still feel like newlyweds, so it IS possible! I waited for my prince and GOT HIM! Whee. God brought him to me as I was turning 38 years young, so there is hope for everyone!
We have a triangle love affair = The triangle is a very strong shape, and especially so when one corner is the First Creator Himself!
Wishing you a blessed marriage and happy creating,
~DJ

[wendy lee lynds]

hey, robyne: will be happy to tlak about the marketing gig. it's in process, but lots to share. will do so soon! i promise, BEFORE next year!! yes, some think marla is being coached by dad, or that "someone" is finishing her work.....hmmmm, i'm inclined to think not............just my feeling.......be good! wendy

[RobynG]

Wow, there is so much to comment about. You have been busy! Checked out Marla's site and she is amazing. I read an article about her some time ago. Do they really think she's getting help? I love Sam Francis' work and wish I could see the real thing. I'm also very interested in "passionate marketing" when you have time ......maybe next year.LOL.

[wendy lee lynds]

heidi: you are so right about the size of that piece. altho, that's a bit big for me, i would really like to tackle some larger canvases. took a class at the beginning of october where we were getting braver and getting bigger. that's the goal this year. large abstracts.............and you, what have you been up to?? wendy

[Heidi]

Welcome back, Wendy, your creative juices seem to be flowing. That Basel Mural is huge, hard to imagine what it´s like in real life - (and hard to imagine what one would do faced with a blank canvas that size - either inspired or paralyzed!)

Your upcoming projects sound exciting, I hope you will find time to pop in with a progress report now and then!

Heidi