Tagged on Facebook....25 Random things about you.

I usually do not ever answer these type of thing but this one intreged me. So here is mine that I posted out on facebook this past week. If you are inspired write your own list.


Rules:
Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

Twenty five random things about me

1. My music collection is embarrassingly large.
2. I caught a record rainbow trout in Idaho when I was young
3. I used to shoot a 308 with my brothers on the ranch when we were bored
4. My brother Bill saved me from drowning in a river in Washington state
5. My favorite number is 307 and I have a silly explanation why
6. I cannot stand ignorant questions and have a hard time not showing it
7. I have extremely intense nightmares almost every night
8. I have had a bear climb through my van. Luckily we were not in it at the time. We were only sleeping in a tent a few feet away
9. I had the name of my daughter years before she was born. She is named after Anaïs Nin. Hopefully, she will not read any of it until she is in college
10. If I could go barefoot every were I would. But have an insane obsession for Christian Louboutin shoes and hope to own a pair someday. It makes no sense.
11. PRK was worth every penny and yet still in the middle of the night I sometimes try and reach for my glasses
12. My favorite place to read is in the bath tub.
13. I traded a ripped up jean jacket for my fantastic cat. Homme, is now 20 and still hanging on. I am sure that jean jacket has not lasted as long.
14. I once hid in a bathtub while there was a gun fight outside of my apartment window
15. I was once the only girl living in a all male gay apartment building in KC. It was in a really rough neighbor hood and I never felt safer in my life. Thanks boys.
16. One of my prized possessions is my Grandmother's rock collection.
17. After I saw my neighbor kick his cat, I stole it. Sebastion was a great cat and would go on walks with me in KC
18. I donate platelets every two to three weeks. They love it that I am AB+
19. I once put a knife in a live wall socket. I am lucky I am alive
20. I have a hard time talking to women. I have been working on this for years. Perhaps this is why my best friend is a guy
21. I once danced all night with a one armed man while my husband sang karaoke. We were named honorary hill-billies and invited to hang out with the wedding party we had just meet that morning.
22. I have to have my ice tea even when it's twenty below. I drink green tea by the gallons and my favorite glass of choice is a mason jar with a straw
23. I picked up my kids from school today in my PJ's
24. My favorite color is black even though I predominately paint in reds
25. If you give me an open bottle of wine, I will finish it.

Off Kilter

New work and one of the last of 2008. I thought it was fitting for me to have it a little "Off Kilter". I have found that I like my life so much better when it is not fitting into the gingerbread house with the perfect picket fence.

Have a safe holiday season and remember that coloring outside of the lines breeds creativity!!!

December and trying to keep on track

Winter is the hardest time for me to keep motivated in the studio. I am a girl of the sun and I work best when I get my time in the glow. This year, I have been working harder at keeping up my motivation and it is seeming to be working. Or perhaps, it's because I moved the thermostat up a few degrees. What ever it is I am simply happy that I am keeping a better work ethic than I did last year at this same time.

Things I wish I would complete....but probable will not are:

1. Redesign and build a new website. My website is just OK and I would like it to look a lot better. But it does function so there is no drastic drive to get it done www.spillarstudios.com
2. Paint my living room, dining room, and kitchen. They really need a new coat of paint. Perhaps, I will talk my husband into doing it.
3. Start on my master bathroom redo....it is frighting. Telling you that I still have the original 1960's pink tub, sink, and commode should give you a clue. This one, I know, will not be done due to the current economy but I want it done so badly that it had to be on the list.

Something to smile about.....

For those that know me rather well this should not come as a surprise. I am a klutz and there has been plenty of kidding about it over the years. The fact that Spillar is my last name has added to the humor. I do have to say that I do think it's rather funny myself and have many a good story to tell over a glass of wine about my many miss-stepped adventures.

So here is my latest story...On Sunday after a fantastic workout, I decided it was time to do some deep cleaning in my kitchen. I didn't even change out of my work out gear. I started on the stove and scrubbed for awhile and felt that there was a spot that need to soak for just a bit before I tried to tackle it again. This is where my first mistake started, I left the oven door open. Things were going great and I started on the fridge. Well, that went rather well and was happy to find my missing jar of capers in the process. After checking the clock I realized that I better start on lunch. I still had many contents of the refrigerator on my counters while I was waiting for the shelves to dry. But no problem, I am a multitasker and that was no issue. I stooped down scrubbed a bit on the oven spot, then I pushed the refrigerator contents aside so I could make chicken salad. Knowing all along that my youngest would complain about such a lunch. But doing it anyway because at some time in her life she is going to have to like food that is mixed. She is still in the separate but equal phase of her eating career. Bear in mind the oven door was still open while all this is going on and I had been gracefully side stepping the door all this time.

Well, things changed quickly, after I had just added my forth project of feeding my 20 year old cat, Homme. I was turned back around to my kitchen sink, thinking about why its so hard to scrub a oven, how did those capers get lost, is Homme really going to keep on meowing when the food is right in front of him, and last but not least what type of face while Anaïs have once she sees that not only had I contaminated her chicken by making chicken salad, I had also mixed the peas and corn together. As all these thoughts were going through my head, I did a classic Spillar, I turned rather quickly and ran my lower right leg right across the open edge of the oven door. I felt no pain, I knew it was bad. I must of yelped because both Anaïs and Parker came running in. I immediately told them to get their Dad. They got him quickly by calling out that I was hurt and gushing blood.

After sitting down and covering it in paper towels (ran out of large bandages from an earlier accident) and medical tape. I told them to hurry up and eat (that's the Mom in me... must take care of family first even though I really need to see a doctor). I sat and contemplated if they could stitch this mess and if so how many. I did not want to waste an emergency room visit. After a while I realized that I could not stop the bleeding and started wondering if it was because of my double platelet donation two days before. So I told the family to hurry up and eat and please toss all the contents of the fridge back in. Secretly, I was hoping that they put them back in the right places. I did not want to loose those capers again.

Then we all went to the emergency room. Fourteen stitches later, I am a proud owner of a wonderful smiley face wound.



The next morning, Parker came into the bedroom with a sheepish grin on his face. Then he produced a sharpie and a huge giggle. I knew immediately what he was planning. See the picture below of his wonderful addition to my leg.

My Mom's painting

I have mentioned over the years how I grew up watching my Mom paint so I thought I would share one of her paintings. She finished this one in 1980. We came across this building and truck on one of our summer vacations . Enjoy

Mr. Brown

My best friend and fellow artist asked me a bit ago if I have ever done a predominately yellow painting. I paint so many of the other primary colors but it is true that yellow has been under utilized in my studio. So in honer of Neil, whom got me back into painting, I give you all "Mr. Brown".

Ron Howards call to action.....

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

A new idea and direction.....

I have been pondering a new direction for a a while now and am determined to work it out this winter. The beginning of it all begins in the pile of wood in the picture above. On my long drive home from Alabama yesterday I had PLENTY of time to work the details out. I will start trying some of the ideas out over the next few weeks.

The beginning of the process is entirely out of my hands and fascinates me to no end. Every time a piece of veneer would drop the crowd would form and watch a few minutes and then drift off to somewhere else. I on the other hand stayed to see the process from start to finish the first time I saw it a few years ago. The only thought I had going through my mind every time a section would drop to the ground was about the painting that would eventually form on these sections of wood. Well, that was three years ago and the wood has sat. This year we went back out for the day but arrived to late to get many really good pieces. We had planned on filling the van up. Fortunately, I do have enough currently to get a nice collection of work going.

The Alabama Beach.....

I had to share the beauty of the Alabama Beach. Every evening after my show I would buy a bowl of "Shrimp and Grits" and sit at the shore and watch the tide come in. We live in such an amazing and beautiful world.

I HATE THIEVES........

So I received a hot stolen check recently and I have to say I am very mad indeed. Fortunately, it was not a expensive piece but it's the principle all the same. I chatted with this lady on two different days and was very friendly to her. We talked about my work, her friend named Bob, and the election. She came in the next day and after chatting for awhile, I told her that she could have my Obama pin and she was very excited.

Then the bitch decided that she wanted one of my Alphabet line series paintings. In fact she wanted one with her initial "K". So I proceded to pull out all my line paintings and produced the "KK" painting for her. She was very happy and asked if she could write a check. Of course I said yes. I had talked with her over a two day period and figured that she was not a thief. BOY WAS I WRONG........

So here is what I would like to say to her if I ever see her again.....

"YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF TRASH. FIRST OF ALL I AM A STRUGGLING MOM TRYING TO SUPPORT MY TWO CHILDREN, SECONDLY YOU STOLE A PIECE OF MY ART THAT I WORKED LONG and hard to make, and last but not least you stole those checks from some one else. I could have bought an entire week of groceries for my kids with that money....I have talked to the police and I hope you land in jail!!!!!!"

63 Gallons of gas....

I just had to get home to see my kids. I missed them so much. So I will be using a total of 63 extra gallons of gas an an extra 16 hours on the road to be able to see them at home for two days. I was in Gulf Shores Al this past weekend and will be leaving this Thursday for Northport, AL.

Last night when I drove in my kiddos were waiting in the circle for me. Parker came running up and jumped into my arms and Anaïs would not let go of me. Any miss givings about spending all the extra money on gas (that I do not have to spare) were forgotten as soon as I saw their faces. Worth every penny.

Christian Louboutin and Atlanta

I Just got home from my very first show in Atlanta and I have to say....I left craving my dream shoes. I was amazed by how many women wore high heels. They even walked gracefully on the sidewalks you see in the picture. I could NEVER do that but I do dream of one day owning my very own pair of Christian Louboutin's. For those that know me and those whom have met me at shows, this should come as a huge surprise. I rarely ever put on makeup. I don't think I have worn any in three months and possible longer. I live in my trademark flip-flops and usually have a funky skirt on with a black shirt. That is my uniform most of the time when I am not painting. I do own one pair of basic black pumps that get me through weddings and funerals but they are bland, PAINFUL, and at about $60+ all I could afford. They do not make me feel like a princess when I put them on.

This lady was fantastic and we were talking in my booth about shoes and blogging. She was one of those women that would look elegant in a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. She looked amazing in a simple yet very chic dress and shoes. So she was gracious enough to give me a shoe pose. Thank you and my dream lives on.....either of these would do.
Triclo Crisscross d'Orsay
Mary Jane Platform
So.....if you were wondering why I chose black over all the other fabulous shoes, I will explain... If I was ever lucky enough to receive a pair I would want them classic so I could wear them forever. A nice classic to carry me over the years.......A silly dream for a tom-boy at heart.

The Alphabet Line Series

I really REALLY REALLY want to keep this one but.....I am taking it to shows anyway. That is the way of a professional artist. For me to be able to keep painting, I must let paintings go. The title of this piece is "H3" and is 6x6 and will be coming to Atlanta with me this weekend.

I have decided this is the year that I am going to permanently place some artwork in my house. When it is my off season, I have my artwork hanging everywhere and I love to walk by and see them. But when show season starts, I strip my walls down and all you see is empty hooks of where art used to be. This year things are going to change. I will be keeping artwork up all year long. I will still keep them up for sale on my website but I will not be taking them down for shows.

www.spillarstudios.com

Clifford hogging the spot light!!

Clifford simply did not want to cooperate with me this afternoon. I think he felt that he was not getting enough attention and was determined to get some. As soon as I took this painting, titled "Method", to the deck to photograph it, Clifford decided to lay down right in front of it. Then I would get him to move and he would drop right down again. We repeated this about four more times before I gave in. I took this shot, turned off my camera, and spent a couple of minutes petting him. Then I was able to get my shot.

www.spillarstudios.com

Circles Circles Circle

I am back in studio and LOVING it!!!! It is amazing how all the outside troubles simply slip away while I paint. This painting is titled "Five '08" and it was tiny cut in lines through out the entire piece.

www.spillarstudios.com

CANCELLED Downers Grove

I am open for the rest of Saturday until 5 pm. All the other artist have left around me and the rest are. Packing up. I have no choice but to leave mysef at the end of the day

Please forgive me but I cannot update my website until I get home. As of right now it states I am open rain or shine both days. Well I am open today and it's raining. For anyone that comes out on Sunday please forgive me:( And I am truely sorry


Sharon

Pork Barrel

The email - Quinn Latimer and Lyra Kilston

Friends, compatriots, fellow-lamenters,

We are writing to you because of the fury and dread we have felt since the announcement of Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the Republican Party. We believe that this terrible decision has surpassed mere partisanship, and that it is a dangerous farce—on the part of a pandering and rudderless Presidential candidate—that has a real possibility of becoming fact.

Perhaps like us, as American women, you share the fear of what Ms. Palin and her professed beliefs and proven record could lead to for ourselves and for our present or future daughters. To date, she is against sex education, birth control, the pro-choice platform, environmental protection, alternative energy development, freedom of speech (as mayor she attempted to ban books and fired the librarian who refused), gun control, the separation of church and state, and polar bears. To say nothing of her complete lack of experience.

We want to clarify that we are not against Sarah Palin as a woman, a mother, or, for that matter, a parent of a pregnant teenager, but solely as a rash, incompetent, and all together devastating choice for Vice President. Ms. Palin's political views are in every way a slap in the face to the accomplishments that our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers so fiercely fought for, and that we've so demonstrably benefited from.

First and foremost, Ms. Palin does not represent us. She does not demonstrate or uphold our interests as American women. It is presumed that the inclusion of a woman on the Republican ticket could win over women voters. We want to disagree, publicly.

Therefore, we invite you to reply here with a short, succinct message about why you, as a woman living in this country, do not support this candidate as second-in-command for our nation.

Please include your name (last initial is fine), age, and place of residence.

We will post your responses on a blog called "Women Against Sarah Palin," which we intend to publicize as widely as possible. Please send us your reply at your earliest convenience—the greater the volume of responses we receive, the stronger our message will be.

Please email your responses to womensaynopalin@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and action.

VIVA!

Sincerely,

Quinn Latimer and Lyra Kilston
New York, NY
womensaynopalin@gmail.com
womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com

Tic Tac Toe

This is one of my all time favorite pieces of art that I created. The title is "Tic Tac Toe" and it now lives with a wonderful couple in Chicago! I ran into M&J again in Chicago this year and they told me they had moved and showed me the photos of their new place. I asked them half jokingly when I could move in. WOW, is all I can say. Plus, I am a little biased when I say....I think my art looks fantastic in their new abode.

They have also bought a few Daily's in the past two years and this is how they had them hung. I like the grouping. But, it reminds me that I need to go and paint so off I go.



www.spillarstudios.com

Silent and Live Auction 2008

I am proud to be donating this painting to the Silent and Live Auction 2008 which will benefit The Center on Halstead. The painting is titled "Mist" and the dimensions are 20x20. So if you have fallen in love with this one, click here to find out how you can place a bid.

A little known fact about art donations and why I rarely donate my artwork unless it is a superior cause....As an artist I am not entitled to deduct the full value of a painting on my taxes. I can only deduct the cost of materials. This does not include my time or the true value of the work. But if you owned one of my pieces and wanted to donate it you could deduct the full value of the art work.

The current status of H.R. 1524 is that it has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. The Senate also has S. 548