Pink Coyote

SALE One More Day + Home Sweet Home

*I'm too knee-deep in other affairs to go to animama and change all of the print prices back to 24 so please enjoy one more day of the 19 dollar print sale * Yay!

Being on a getaway to our friends' home was bliss. Their house is a haven by all accounts, not unlike Narnia, where there is fun lurking around every corner as well as yummy British foods such as Jam & Cream biscuits (it's a cookie, already). I'm *so grateful* to have friends who let us come and stay for a week. (Especially after I fell skirt over teats into a hedge at their wedding outside London in '93-thanks guys.)

There is so much to do back at home-fun stuff, mostly. I'm actually going to share some pics of my studio this week, something I've never really done at my blog  Since I'm celebrating four years of blogging this month, I thought it would be nice to give you a peek into my little creative space. Of course I started frantically cleaning at the thought of it, so it's turned into a beautifying week of chaotic sorts. I'm taking the week off from painting and instead putting things in order, etc. Allowing myself to take time off while I'm at home is practically unheard of, so I'm trying to take advantage of my generous gift (from me to me) and work my can off. I have to make it worth my while, right? I'm making hay while the sun shines, I suppose. Speaking of that damned sun....

It was a hundred and ten degrees today which means there will be no going out of the house this week with the littles, and Brandon will not be riding his bike to work, leaving me carless. Can you believe it? 110? Unspeakably brutal. I'm watching our peaches ripen and the rest of the plants melt.

 

Clearly taken in a climate other than the one I live in.

I'm also overhauling my banner and making some changes to the look of this blog which has been a long time comin'.

I received Momma Zen's post today, which reads: Attention is the most concrete expression of love. "What you pay attention to thrives. What you do not pay attention to withers and dies."

There shall be no withering here!

Southern Retreat

Escondido is beautiful, with a morning marine layer that makes having coffee on the patio so wonderful. The view from Terri's & Mark's home is incredible. Apparently the lake can be seen from one of the twins' room, but I haven't crept in there with my camera yet. I've not taken very many photos, but I wanted to share a couple of Ivy and Miles by the pool. We were here a year ago and I was just, just pregnant with the dumpling. I'm noticing how very much life can change in a year. I mean, look at that! A smiling person that resembles chubby candy!

 

 

Both of them have been sleeping so well here. I think it must be all of the playing we're doing. Miles isn't grieving bedtime like he does at home. He mourns sundown every day as if it were his last. Many nights he's said that he wanted to "start over the days", woefully, carrying that grief, wishing for one more moment to live before surrendering to the sandman.

I think I approach my work this way. Since I'm such a night owl and set to work long after the chickens have retired and the owls are out hoot-hooting outside my window, every minute counts. I love having uninterupted time to problem solve and mix my colors and flip through my notebook trying to trigger the exact way I saw it in my mind. If I only had more time, there's so much I could do!

 

Summer Solstice SALE + New Piece

I just made all of the prints in my shop 19 bucks, kids! They were 24, so get 'em while they're smokin'.

The sale is running through the 28th of the month. The only catch is that I'm leaving town, so orders will have to be shipped when I return to work on Tuesday, June 30th. Can you dig it? I also marked the Heron piece (GRACE) down from 110 to 85 because it is a lonely Heron. And Great. But really because it was created on 7/8" board and I've sold all of it's friends done on this size and have moved on to 1 5/8". Did I mention she's lonely? And Blue.

Summer Solstice is on Sunday, falling right on Father's Day this year which I think is so appropriate. It's a wonderful time to have a feast and honor the Sun gods in our lives and in the sky. We'll be celebrating from temperate Escondido, where I will perform You Are My Sunshine ad nauseaum to the five male children we'll be keeping company with! Langley, Luke, Jordan, Blake and Miles, get your noise cancellation headphones ready, dudes.

I finished a piece tonite which I am glad about-the color story having unfolded in my little hypnagogic euphoria (who needs drugs?) each time I went in (or rolled over) to nurse Ivy the past few nights. I love when fashion sees to it that there is plenty of citron on the market. Bring on the chartreuse and all of its friends, but leave the lemongrassishness for me. I love summer for this reason, because that is perhaps the only time one can find a proper citron colored tee shirt, which my greenish skin seems to dig. I long to snag a Treasury spot on Etsy so I can list all of my favorite goodies that are this color.

 

Harmony, mixed-media on 6"x6" birch board. Prints here!

Deer bridges the gap between domestic and wild. He lures us to exciting new quests. Because Deer is known for gentleness, he reminds us to be in peaceful communion with ourselves as we embark upon a new aspect of the journey. Growth with Deer is about seeking harmony with ourselves and our environment; about allowing mistakes, as we wander the forest of our inner creative process. Deer medicine suits those who tend toward self-criticism or harshness with others. His is a call to healthy communication and compassion. Deer is a very important ally when fear would keep one from adventure.

It's a little different from the others. I had fun with the whacked perspective. It looks a bit pinky in this scan. It is much more...vanilla in person. I must find a way to adjust that!

I want to give a shout out to all of the goldfishies out there that have stopped by or emailed, I'm so enjoying all of this classroom community!

Happy Father's Day to all of the amazing daddies out there and Happy Solstice to all of us savages! Have a wonderful longest-day-of-the-year!

Swimming

I'm taking Marisa Haedike's (of Creative Thursday) e-course, In the Fishbowl, and the first class was today. She has such a calming voice, I kept having to slide the audio button back a few mm's to relisten. I wonder if she missed her calling as a hypnotist? I loved the podcast, nevertheless.

Some of the questions that she put forth sound like some I've considered before. So I'm trying to hear them with fresh ears. It was in 1993 that my cellmate Nancy (in the prison of my dayjob as a clothing production manager, no drama here) introduced me to SARK, who at the time, was revolutionizing young women's lives with her cries to "Live juicy!" and "Eat mangoes naked!". She was the colorful, creative equivalent to Betty Freidan, in my world. It was then that I began allowing myself to consider being creative as a profession.

So much has transpired since then. For one, my Succulent Wild Women's group is turning ten years old this year. Unbelievable! We haven't called ourselves that since it's inception, but we are still rather succulent, I must say. I started my own business in 1999, in clothing, just the way I'd learned it.  I was trying to marry my new creative freedom with pretty much the only way I knew how to make a living in L.A., but I forgot how much I didn't love that job in the first place. I closed the company in 2003 and went back to school-to figure out how I could create a job that was more....creative. I gathered some tools there, but I have certainly taken the scenic route to what I'm doing now.

The first question is "Why do you love what you create?" and I'm starting to notice an uncomfortable feeling coming up, only tempered by knowing that the work I do now (my paintings) is the work I get totally lost in. I'm willing to stay up until four in the morning if I can do just a little more. I feel like my heart is totally in the right place at the moment. My paintings are my little babies. I feel a little afraid to name why I love them. I wonder why? I'm going to try anyway.

 

Awakening, mixed-media on board.

I love what I create because I think my paintings are a reflection of where I'm at in my life right now. They have relevance to me. Each of them is meaningful and helps me to grow in the process of making them. I have to admit, I love when someone tells me that a piece has moved them in some way or even just that they like the colors. I love the community that my work (in its own way) fits into. By community, I mean that small, but growing group of people out there all hooked into some similar ideas about how we humans operate and what we require to live satisfying lives. There are insights to be explored, risks to be taken, wild bits within us to rediscover.

I think of my work as gently supporting those notions. Like little colorful affirmations of what is circulating in the greater consciousness during a significant time in creative history. Just being "creative" feels like being superheroic to me because it opposes that which is destructive, without directly trying to control or stop things that must find their own way. I believe that living a creative life is choosing to live a whole new way; it shifts energy and gives birth to...goodness and thoughtfulness, authenticity. The promise in that is what I can taste just a teaser of when I'm creating.

Foxy Mama

Each time I create a painting in this series, I feel like I take on a little of the animal's medicine. Or maybe I'm already working with it, and that is how the idea comes about in the first place.

I typically think of an animal I want to make a painting around and then, when I'm just about to fall asleep, I can see the color story come through. If I can remember what to do, I set to work when I can (in my free time) and try to paint what I saw in my noggin.

I like the way this little fox turned out. I was having a conversation with her as I worked, trying to hear what it was she wanted me to tell you. The image I used makes her seem like she's dodging some snowflakes or weather of some kind, so that is sort of what came forward. Strange time of year for snowflakes, but I just do what I'm told! :) The prints have a nice contrast with these colors.

Here is my offering for the summer solstice altar!

  

CHANGE, mixed media on 6"x6" cradled birch board.

In this painting, Fox is graceful change. She begins her process opening up to new patterns she may not have considered before.  Fox changes herself to bring about a desired situation, not unlike shapeshifting. She may use camouflage or invisibility to burrow under and blend in if necessary, in order to find out how she fits in.  She listens carefully, creates comfort all around her, and tunes into her instincts. Her keen perception serves her well when the time comes to make a decision. Fox cozies up and protects herself before she trots off into her new adventure, expecting the unexpected, and willing to be guided. This little vixen is ready for whatever comes next!

Prints are in my animama shop now!

Giveaway at Kelly Rae

Quick! Hop over to kelly rae's blog and enter to win a print being given away! The print is Possibility (so kr) and she is giving away two of them....good luck! I believe she'll be closing comments soon...

Adoring Sonoma

What is not to love about wine country? I'd never had the unbelievable experience of driving through the gentle, green, rolling, oak-covered hills and tromping through giant redwood forests of the north bay. Our friends moved to Santa Rosa from Los Angeles in January and have been lovingly hounding us to visit since. It was relaxing and beautiful, to say the least! Though Ivy didn't enjoy every moment of the near 6 hour car ride, she held up very well. There were a couple of moments when our collective hairs stood on end, but we managed to get through it.

Below are some snaps of Armstrong woods and a few of the neat little boutique wineries we visited, all minutes from our hosts' home. I can't believe that people actually get to live here.

 

 

The view from the super-casual Iron Horse, where we came away with an UnOaked Chardonnay (super light and easy to drink), the Estate Chardonnay, and the BDX 3-Brandon's pick of reds. We love these three the best of all we tried, bearing in mind we really know nothing about the art of finer wine.

 

 

Carriage doors abound.

 

 

1400 year old trees are just my speed. I heart older men, so I was immediately smitten with Colonel Armstrong.

 

 

Ivy and I enjoy one of the billion gardens.

 

 

Yippeee for viticulture!

Mark and Jill took us to some of the neatest vineyards. This tasting room at Hop Kiln was my favorite of all. We enjoyed a bottle of their Big Red with dinner and brought home some goodies for later. I snuck outside to sit by the pond and nurse Ivy and a little mallard duck waddled over and plopped down right at my feet and gazed sweetly up at us. Of course, I didn't have my camera!

 

 

A wall of bottles at DeLoach.

 

 

I didn't try French Rabbit wine, but this sculpture using their completely recyclable tetra-pak containers captivated Rowan and Miles. Dontcha love Rowan's red purse?

 

We're recuperating today, snacking on goodies, unwinding and preparing for a road trip south next week as we take some time off from work to play.

 

Santa Rosa, Baby + Another Giveaway

While the Campbells venture north to visit friends (and tree friends) in beautiful Santa Rosa, Kelly Rae will be having a print giveaway on my behalf at her blog! Can it be? Two freebie jeebies in a week's time?! Can you guess which one will be up for grabs? Skip on over to try your luck!

(Dear Diary,) In unsurprising news, I am resigned to the fact that I simply have become nocturnal. It's my natural adaptation to having two children, which at times feels like ten. A whole different ballgame. Ivy is growing so quickly, she is stout and strong and I can hardly believe she was born almost twelve weeks ago. She is late to go down, but generally sleeps for about eight or nine hours straight. I didn't know it was possible! And instead of getting rest, I'm doinking around in here with the night creatures! I have major busy-body syndrome these days.

Though summer is still around the corner, we've already been driving up and down the state and this will continue through the end of June. We'll be visiting with friends we haven't seen (some in years) and make an attempt to escape the heat and manage the season here. When that's all done, we'll head out to Connecticut in July to attend a wedding that my camera can't wait to attend! And then, with luck in place, off to Squam in September. Our trip to North Carolina's been put on hold, for now, but I hope to make it there soon.

The Tiki Ti hasn't ever sailed her first voyage yet, and to be perfectly honest, I don't even know that she'll make it out this summer. Since her makeover almost two years ago, we've been so busy with other trips she's just been sitting in the driveway gathering dust. Each time I step inside I get a rush of camping urges-the smell of 50 year old wood and dust is daring me to hitch her up and park it somewhere. Making coffee and breakfast in a campground is one of my favorite alltime experiences. *sigh* We'll get her there in time. The old gal is a 1960 vintage, another summer isn't going to kill her.

 

 

I wish you the best of luck with the giveaway, and I'll be returning early next week to see what has happened in my absence! I'll be sure to give the giant redwoods a hug for you....

Meet DelMar

 

Full Name: DelMar Ontaglioni

Position: All-Weather Friend

Voted: Most Likely to Give Empathy

Loves: The outdoors, especially when the skies are cloudy and one can smell the herbs

Favorite food: Spaghetti and s'meatballs

Favorite song: Fire and Rain

Best Known For: Listening ears and stylish trousers

 

 

And the Winners ARE....

 

Mr. Peanut Butter and Honey for Breakfast Lips was kind enough to oblige.

Shell has a beautiful photography business in the Bay area and Molly has a deep & thoughtful blog here.

Congratulations, winners!

We're turning off the machine to go play in the waterhose...happy Monday!

Giveaway

I'm giving away two SANCTUARY prints which feature a dashing rhinoceros. They misprinted by about 1/16 of an inch and my eye just zeroes in on that stuff zap. So they are slightly imperfect, but lovely for those who are not into symmetry! Leave your comment and I'll announce the winners next Monday! Easy peasy.

Rhinoceros is associated with discriminating senses, ancient wisdom and solitude. They can teach us how to be comfortable in our own thick skin. This is good medicine for anyone seeking to make the quest into greater self reliance and less dependency. Rhino is called upon by those manifesting quietude and sanctuary within. This handsome fellow is temporarily departing the conscious realms and making the journey into deeper, wilder places...

 

I'm now including a little mini card version of all pieces of work with the *readings* written on the back. If you made a purchase from me prior to this fly bonus and would like me to send you one of these in your print post-haste, email me at pixiecampbell@gotsky.com.

Meantime, I'm totally inspired by tiny art galleries on wheels & you are beautiful.  YOU are beautiful.

And loving these eyelashes. He is beautiful. ME SO LUCKY!!!!!!!

 

 

Little House

The lovely explorer, Keri Smith and I share a love of tiny houses. I excitedly read her blog last week and began another tear through tiny home blogs, Jay Shafer's awesome site of Tumbleweed houses, gypsy vardos, and hobbity little earth dwellings.

 

The XS

What is it about the wee house that we love so much? From a simple little living room fort to a backyard yurt or tipi, a private treehouse or beautiful boat, I can't get enough of small spaces.

My godfather in another life, Carl Jung, said, "Everything in the unconscious seeks outward manifestation". One could run in any bloody direction with that, Carl. But as it applies to "stuff", I think it's worthwhile to investigate how we collect, what earthly items we cherish and what houses we dream of.

I'm dreaming of a tiny house in a wooded glen at the moment, as I'm deeply missing the trees once again...

And as for earthly items I cherish, here are a few:

1.Hairpins from the vintagebelljar

2.Jeans

3.My favorite mug and this tea

4.Perfect lip balm

5.Sewing machine

6.Yarn/needles

7.My collection of big feathers

8.My grandmother's cast iron skillet

9.Blockprinted dishtowels (sneaking in functional art wherever I can)

10.My worn-out copies of (surprise) Women Who Run With the Wolves, Gift from the Sea and Walden.

I'll keep this list going and encourage you to create your own- bearing in mind that if you only had 200 sq ft to live in, what would you bring with you? What are you afraid of not having?