Carolyn Anne Anderson's Blog

The Origins of the book "Steven's Art House of Bombs" by Oz Anderson

2010-05-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

The Origin of "Steven's Art House of Bombs" a story by Oz

My oldest son Oskar wrote a book for the PBS kids young writers and illustrators contest.

He had heard about the contest as they were running "commercials" between his favorite PBS television shows. It caught his attention as one of the winning prizes (at the national level) was a laptop computer. My computer is very old (it's from before I was even born mom!) and I always complain about it. Oz said to me one day- "I am going to enter that contest and win you a new computer so you'll have a fast new one!"

The day we went to the Arizona Book Festival we picked up an application form at the PBS booth. That same afternoon was the open studio tour and Oskar came to "work" with me at the gallery. It was the second day of the tour and it was really slow. The gallery was quiet for hours. So Oz got a lot of time to hang out with one of his favorite adults Steven Derks (who owns the gallery where I show my art).

The back of the gallery is where all the welding takes place and there is a black smith shop. He loves to watch the guys weld. To sit quietly drawing so that the adults forget he's there and he can eavesdrop on their conversations. He told me he loves the "only grown up" words they use when they are working, even though he knows he's not supposed to say them. I love how he interacts with the art there. Like once he said, come here mom- look at this one! "shhh... its like a secret". He often describes them as sounds, "that one is too loud it hurts my ears!".
(Interestingly Axel interacts very differently with the art- that's another blog entry)

Oskar brought his camera which has all these fun settings for kids that can distort and twist images. When he filled up his memory card he asked to use my camera. That day he learned to use the "Zoom" feature and spent about an hour photographing things at "macro" close range. He had taken enough photos to also fill my memory card. Photos of Steven's sculptures, interesting every day objects, well interesting from a 4 year old's perspective, the other guys working in the back, lots of things. Then he sat with his sketch book and drew pictures of the sculptures- and other things little boys do when they hang out all afternoon at a gallery with their mom.

He sat and made up poems about the pieces. His favorite ones are the sculptures that look like cartoon bombs.

Here's a Link to see one of Steven's Bomb Sculptures

Here is one of Oskar's Photographs of Steven's Sculptures

Afterward Oskar emailed Steven jokes and ideas he has for sculptures and titles.

The other sculptures that are Oskar's favorites are the ones he called the "baby doll balloon" sculptures. He often makes reenactments of these ones at home.

I will have to post some photos of his version of the baby doll sculptures.

What he wrote that day at the gallery and a few emails later became parts of the book along with all his photographs.

The next week- we took out the packet and Oz decided to write his book about Steven. I printed out 50 or so of his best photographs so he could pick out what he wanted to use. He set to work. The whole process took him over a month. We worked on it a little bit almost 2-3 days a week for over a month. I have to say I am very proud of him that he finished it. For him the writing was the hardest part- as he was only 4 years old at the time. It's a lot of work for a 4 year old to write a sentence! Then when there is a mistake and he wants to make it perfect and do it again. Some days we just did a sentence. Towards the end we decided that we would type it together. And man, did he put a lot of work into it- and he didn't give up.

What I love about the book- and the process- was how it really is sort of a peek into how Oskar's mind works. How I had to really practice staying out of it- and out of his thing, let him decide where he wanted to go with it. Also what it became was a book about a friendship between Oskar and Steven- expressed in a way only a 4 year old could. I could care less about the contest- I love that I have the book. That I have a little window to who he was that day- the weeks- it came together.

I hope other parents- contest or not- consider doing a project like this. It was really worth the time and effort.

Here are some pictures of the awards party

I love how excited Axel was for him "YEAH BRO BRO!"!

Oskar, Axel and Steven

Here is the Video of Arizona Illustrated Coverage of the Party

The Arizona Illustrated Episode will Air Wednesday May 25 at 6:30 on Tucson channel 6.

The producers told me they will upload the entire book and it will be available to view online sometime next week on the KUAT COMMUNITY WEBSITE.

Wine Label Contest- Please Vote

2010-05-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

Just a blog entry to shamelessly ask for a vote for a contest.

Click Here To See The Contest.

Mutt Lynch Winery (the wonderful folks who donated all the wine for the Wiemaraner Rescue show we did last year) is having their annual Wine Bottle Label Design contest.

My submission is the painting of Tyler running into the woods (seen above).
It is entry
#8 called "Return to Gaia"- Carolyn Anne Anderson
if you want to consider voting for it.

Also- as I know LOTS of you on the blog list are dog lovers- click over and check out all the beautiful dog art! There are lots of talented artists who are participating- some of the pieces are amazing!

The host of the contest is "Dog Art Today" and there are lots of links to dog artists and interesting stuff to read on the blog.

You can also just CLICK HERE and vote for #8 directly if you so desire.

Voting ends May 25 at Noon, 2010

If you enjoy wine- check out Mutt Lynch Wines- they do a lot to support many dog charities and events.

Pollos Del Pueblo

2010-03-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

New Pollos del Pueblo Paintings

Spring 2010

Chicken Dinnerware 36 x 40 Acrylic on Canvas

Chickens at Sabino Canyon 12 x12"

Beyond Pollos 24 x 24" Acrylic on Canvas

Chicks Dig Wigs 24 x 24 Acrylic on Canvas

The Bay Horse Tavern 12 x 20"

The Triple T 40x40"

Currently Showing at

Gallery 801
801 North Main
Tucson, AZ 85716

520-370-1610

www.artinarizona.com

*****NEW******

As of March 2010 I have Glicee' available of some paintings. Glicee are precise reproductions rendered on stretched on canvas through ArtsEye/Photographic Works in Tucson.

Please email Carolyn AT Muttbutt.com if you are interested. Prices vary by size but are approximately 1/3 the cost of the original painting.

Please visit Photographic Works' website for more information on the glicee process. Arts Eye is a local Tucson business that specializes in glicee reproduction and is an industry leader in the field. I have been very happy with the glicee reproductions they have made of my work and I have a couple samples I can show if you if you are interested in a purchasing glicee.

Currently I have Glicee availabe for three paintings. With a 3-4 week waiting period I can produce a glicee on some available work. Please contact me if you are interested in a glicee of a specific piece not shown below.

Hen Party at the Rialto 18 x18 Glicee $400

Weimaraner Glicee 30 x 36 $800

Tibetan Prayer Flags 18x18 Glicee $350

The glicee can be produced larger or smaller with a variation in cost. The prices above reflect glicees produced on stretched canvas. The cost is less for glicee on paper/canvas.

I also have affordable digital prints for $85 (13 x 19") and $35 (8.5 x 12")available at Gallery 801 and on ETSY www.muttbuttdotcom.etsy.com

These are digitally rendered prints, photographic archival quality, printed on Moab Photo Rag paper.

2010-03-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

New Meditation/Healing Paintings
March 13 & 15 , 2010

The Energy of Kryael # 1 and #2

The Energy of Kyrael #2

The Energy of Kyrael #1

Valentines Art Happening Gallery 801

2010-02-11T22:18:00.001-08:00

Check Out the Mention in Today's Arizona Daily Star!
February 12, 2010 Caliente Section

Stop by Gallery 801 this weekend for our Valentine's Day Event!

Feb 13 and 14th 10-5 PM
801 North Main
Tucson, AZ
520-370-1610
www.artinarizona.com

Great Valentines Gifts Available in All Price Ranges

Signed Carolyn Anderson Prints starting at $35

Heart Inspired Sculptures by Steven Derks from $200-$400

Lots More! Hope to see you there.

Tucson Weekly Review of Solo Show and "Pollos del Pueblo" Paintings

2009-10-14T16:04:00.000-07:00

Pat's Chili Dogs
24" x 30"
Acrylic on Canvas
Showing at Gallery 801, Tucson, AZ

Carolyn Anne Anderson 2009
Pollos del Pueblo Series.

Margaret Regan of the Tucson Weekly reviews my solo show and the series of paintings called "Pollos del Pueblo".

Click Here To Read The Review Online.

Press Release: Carolyn Anderson's Solo Show September 2009

2009-09-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

Press Release
Contact: Carolyn Anne Anderson
Email: Carolyn@muttbutt.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

Fowl Play!
Chickens, Dogs, and Pandas take over Gallery 801
For Carolyn Anderson’s Solo Show.

TUCSON, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009- What do the No-Tel Motel, The Buffet, fighting roosters, and a bunch of hens have in common? They are all subjects in a series of paintings titled “Pollos del Pueblo” which feature chickens and iconic Tucson landmarks. The poultry paintings are on display at Gallery 801 as part of a show featuring the artwork of Carolyn Anne Anderson.

Steven Derks and Gallery 801 present Carolyn Anne Anderson’s first solo exhibition on view September 26 through October 17, 2009. This retrospective of a Tucson emerging artist covers her work from 2005 to the present. An opening reception will be held Saturday, September 26, 6-9 PM, at Gallery 801, 801 North Main.

Anderson’s introspective acrylics on canvas and water color paintings explore humans/animal relationships. Drawing on her personal experiences, imagined urban interactions and her own quirky and whimsical style; the show features paintings of critters of all types in familiar and surreal locations. Subjects including dueling roosters fighting in front of the Buffet tavern, a Panda, Swan and Weimaraner dancing in a grove of birch trees, and a beloved Black Labrador running into a misty forest provide the viewer with much to consider, as well as insight into the artist’s imagination. Anderson’s paintings explore influential animal relationships, the search for life’s meaning, hidden mystery alongside the mundane and finding humor and joy in everyday situations.

Earlier this year when David Aguirre of Dinnerware Gallery put out a call for artists to create chicken inspired art for an event called “Pollos del Pueblo”, Anderson responded with a painting of hens en route to the iconic Hotel Congress. This inspired a series of paintings with chickens that feature favorite Tucson landmarks including the Buffet Tavern, The Rialto Theatre, The Loft, and the No-Tel Motel.

Here’s what local critics have had to say about the series. Erl Kimmich, a documentary film maker comments on the painting Why Did The Chicken? "...this painting makes me think of Edward Hopper. While striking a certain nostalgic nerve in me, an unresolved brilliance seems to bleach the Congress side of the street as would the Tucson noonday sun.” Tucson Art Blogger Rachelle Diaz of Tuscene.com called Anderson's series "a charming, quirky mixture of classic painterly cityscape meets comic strip panel." The series recently appeared on MOCO the Blog of Modern and Contemporary and will be highlighted in the Tucson Lifestyles November Issue.

The retrospective will also include many of the paintings Anderson is best known for: her large scale images of dogs with deep soulful eyes. In 2005, Anderson began a series of paintings with canine subjects. Using a wheelchair for mobility after an SUV roll-over accident caused a paralyzing spinal cord injury Anderson acquired a service dog to help her cultivate more independence. The close relationship with “Tyler”, a Black Labrador Retriever, inspired a series of over 30 paintings featuring dogs.

Chickens, dogs, and other creatures will accompany Gallery 801 visitors on a journey into the unpredictable and quirky world of Anderson’s imagination. The show runs through October 17th with gallery hours Tuesday through Sunday 10-5pm. Gallery 801 is located at 801 North Main at the corners of Main and University. Visit Gallery 801’ website www.artinarizona or call 520-370-1610 for more information. You can see Anderson’s artwork online at www.muttbutt.com .

Show Events:
Opening Reception
Saturday, September 26, 6-9 PM: music provided by Kevin McCalix and Cinder Bridge, hors d’oeuvres and samplings of award winning wines by Mutt Lynch Winery (www.muttlynchwinery.com). Free and open to the public.

Facebook Event Page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=93474561261&ref=ts

Art and Wine for the Weimaraners:
In celebration of Anderson’s series of canine inspired art, Gallery 801 will host an event as part of the show entitled “Art and Wine for The Weimaraners”, Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 3-6 PM. Chris and Brenda Lynch, the dog loving, wine making couple who own Mutt Lynch Winery in Healdsburg, CA; will be providing guests tasting samples of several of their award winning wines. Kevin McCalix and Cinder Bridge will be performing live music. The event is open to the public with a $5 donation to Arizona Weimaraner Rescue.

Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=119981745988&ref=ts

GALLERY INFO
Gallery 801
801 North Main
Tucson, AZ
Owner: Steven Derks
Gallery Phone: 520-370-1610
Gallery Website: www.artinarizona.com
Gallery Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tucson-AZ/Gallery-801/49688199309

Additional Websites:
Carolyn Anderson’s Website www.muttbutt.com
Steven Derks’ Website www.stevenderks.com
Mutt Lynch Winery www.muttlynchwinery.com
Cinder Bridge www.cinderbridge.com
Arizona Weimaraner Rescue www.azweimrescue.org
Tucson Revivalist Artist Collective www.tracartists.com
Tweet Tucson (A Blog of Gallery 801 and TRAC Happenings)
www.tweettucson.com

Carolyn Anderson's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Anne-Anderson/8201664321?ref=ts

-End-

Tibetan Peace Flag Paintings

2009-09-10T21:17:00.001-07:00

Here are two new paintings in my Tibetan Peace Flag series.

The new ones

Watercolor Study 11 x 14

16 x 16 Acrylic on Canvas

A painting of Peace Flags from 2008

Tibetan Peace Flags 2008
12 x 14
Acrylic on Canvas

This painting was used as the cover art for Diane Mandle's "Being Well: The Journey" a CD of guided meditations and sacred instruments including Tibetan singing bowls and gongs.

You can read more about the CD and learn about healing and sacred instruments at Diane Mandle's website SoundEnergyHealing.com

Art and Wine for the Weimaraners

2009-09-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

Sunday October 4, 2009, 3-6 PM
Gallery 801, 801 North Main

$5 Donation to Arizona Weimaraner Rescue

Wine Tasting of Mutt Lynch Winery's award winning wines, musical performance by Cinder Bridge and Kevin McCalix.

And of course- the canine inspired artwork of Carolyn Anne Anderson.

On Facebook?
RSVP for the event online and share the event info with your Facebook friends!

Click Here for the Facebook Event Invitation

Mutt Lynch Winery
www.muttlynchwinery.com

New Water Color Series

2009-09-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

Gallery 801 & TuScene on NPR

2009-06-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Our local NPR station KUAZ's show AZ Spotlight had a story on the arts and the economy this morning. They ran the AZ Illustrated feature on Gallery 801 and TRAC. You can listen to it and watch the video online on the KUAZ website. The story features Steven Derks, a brief interview with me, and in the video you can see my boys running around the gallery.

They also interviewed artist Rachelle Diaz of the local Tucson blog www.tuscene.com . Diaz's blog covers all the shows and happening on the Southern Arizona arts scene.

Click Here or on the image below to listen to the interview online.

Print Auctioned Off To Support Tucson YMCA

2009-06-22T09:12:00.001-07:00

"Why Did The Chicken" 8 x 10 Signed, Framed Print being auctioned off.

Click Here To See The Listing

Benefit Online Silent Auction For Tucson Family YMCA

Gallery 801 on Arizona Illustrated June 16, 2009

2009-06-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

Arizona Illustrated June 16, 2009

Upcoming KUAT Segment

2009-06-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

Friday June 5th Steven Derks and I were filmed at Gallery 801 for an upcoming segment on KUAT's Arizona Illustrated. The segment is about arts and the economy. I was told they are interviewing several local artists about using new marketing techniques like social networking i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc. to stay afloat in a down economy. I talked about TRAC (Tucson Revivalist Artist Collective) a group that Steven Derks founded that I am a part of that has put together a few shows at 801. For more on TRAC visit their website. To learn more about the show we put together called "Home Tweet Home" utilizing twitter click here: www.tweettucson.com . You can also follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/tweettucson and www.twitter.com/muttbutt .

Here are some photos of KUAT producer Sooyeon Lee, her crew, and my toddlers getting into mischief at Gallery 801. The segment should air sometime this week. I'll post the time and date when I know.

Home Tweet Home Opening

2009-05-25T20:13:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from the May 9, 2009 opening at Gallery 801's show "Home Tweet Home"

We had an incredible turnout! It was a lot of fun.

Thanks everyone who came.

Carolyn and Carl Anderson at the opening (in front of artwork by Steven Derks)

If you click over to www.tweettucson.com subscribe to the blog and you'll get updates with incredible photos of the artist's new artwork and all the happenings around Gallery 801.

You can also follow the show on twitter at www.twitter.com/tweettucson

New Pollos Del Pueblo Painting

2009-05-25T20:10:00.001-07:00

Here it is!
The new Pollo del Pueblo painting.

It's called "Hen Party at the Rialto"
20 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas
$950
Currently showing at Gallery 801
801 North Main, Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone 520-370-1610

Here are some of my fabulous girlfriends who came out for the reception

Pollos on Moco Loco & Caliente Blogs

2009-05-15T18:53:00.000-07:00

My new series called "Pollos del Pueblo" which features chickens out on the town in Tucson, AZ was featured in the blog Moco Loco. Moco Loco is a blog of modern and contemporary art. To read the entry click on the link below below.

Moco Loco

They were also featured in the Arizona Daily Star's Thursday May 14, 2009 Caliente Blog

Tweethearts of the Rodeo

2009-04-29T14:27:00.001-07:00

Home Tweet Home

Gallery 801’s new show wants to tell the world about the Tucson Art Scene and How Tweet It Is

May 9, 2009 Gallery 801 opens “Home Tweet Home” a fine art show featuring Tucson artists on Tucson. From Steven Derks’ bright tiles baked in the Tucson sun, Bryan Crow’s abstract painting expressing dry-heat urban angst to cool tranquility, to J Randall Harris’ photographic travel posters featuring Tucson’s favorite destinations, the show features original work interpreting what we all love about the Old Pueblo. Painter Carolyn Anne Anderson has contributed a series for the show called “Pollos del Pueblo” featuring hens en route to Club Congress, a fowl couple leaving The No-Tel Motel, and inebriated roosters stumbling out of The Buffet. Her pollos offer a whimsical take on our city landscape. Edward McCain, who is best known for his award winning photographs featured in publications including Arizona Highways and Sunset Magazine will have an artist talk and book signing for his photo-documentary "7 Days in Tucson” at the gallery May 16, 1-3 pm. The show will also feature McCain’s photographs from the book.

In addition to the diverse artists represented, Home Tweet Home features an innovative interactive element. Art fans will be able to view the show at Gallery 801 and also online at www.tweettucson.com . Through the website you can click and transfer images, links, and artist information onto your blog, social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook, and Twitter.

Twitter is a micro-blogging platform that allows user to send 140 character messages to their followers called “Tweets”. For example, a visitor to the gallery can go to the tweetucson.com website and click the “tweet” button to post something like:

“Chicken’s At the No-Tel Motel? Check out a Painting by Tucson’s Carolyn Anderson muttbutt.com all part of Gallery 801s show tweettucson.com”

This allows visitors to the physical and online shows to interact with the work in a new way. The site also allows you to get to know the artists directly through Facebook, MySpace or to link directly to their individual websites.

The show came together when Steven Derks, Carolyn Anne Anderson, and Bryan Crow, members of the Tucson Revivalist Artists Collective, got together to brainstorm creative marketing ideas. The show grew out of an effort to offer people who want to support local artist an easy means to do so. Gallery 801 owner Derks states “Most people know Tucson has an incredible art community and are interested in supporting it. With this show we wanted to explore ways online that people can interact with the art, the artists, as the relationship goes both ways. The Twitter and Facebook component exponentially increases who can experience the show. The tweetucson.com website gives folks a free and easy opportunity to support local artist and give them exposure to thousands of people.”

“Tweeting” has the potential to bring about great publicity for our local artists and the Tucson arts scene as a whole.
Check Out “Home Tweet Home” opening May 9, 2009 at Gallery 801 and online at www.tweettucson.com.
With an opening artist’s reception Saturday May 9, 6-9 pm, Photographer Edward McCain’s Artist Talk and Book Signing Saturday May 16, 1-3 pm, the show runs through July 1, 2009.
Gallery 801 is located at 801 North Main and the corners of Main and University. For more information call 520-370-1610.

For more information about the artists mentioned above please visit their individual websites:
Carolyn Anne Anderson www.muttbutt.com
Lee Roy Beach www.leeroybeach.com
Bryan Crowe www.bryancrowartist.com
Steven Derks www.stevenderks.com
J Randall Harris www.jrandallharris.com
Edward McCain www.mccainphoto.com

Great Press Coverage In The Tucson Weekly

2009-03-25T23:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a story about Steven Derks, Bryan Crow and yours truly...

March 25 Tucson Weekly!

PBS Arte! Documentary

2009-03-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

Here is the PBS ARTe! Documentary I am in. My segment begins about 24 minutes right after R. Carlos Nakai the Native American flute player.

If you like the piece take a moment to let the producers know
http://about.azpm.org/contact/

My Art On D-Town

2009-03-16T23:08:00.001-07:00

This was a bit of a nice surprise today.

There is a Tucson Arts Show called "D-Town" and they filmed at Gallery 801. During some of the show they are standing in front of my paintings :-)

You can view it online at this address.

http://www.tucson12.tv/programs/DTown/index.php

Carolyn

Segment Coming Up on KUAT Channel 6 ARTe!

2009-03-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

Here's the KUAT Channel 6 Press Release ARTe
It will air Sunday March 22, 2009, 6:30 PM

TUCSON, Ariz. (March 6, 2009) – The first installment of the second season for the regional arts journal ARTe from Arizona Public Media features five area artists who use their art to inspire resilience for themselves and for others.

ARTe covers the vital and versatile arts scene in the Tucson area and Southern Arizona and is produced by Emmy award-winning producer Sooyeon Lee, who profiles some of the most talented visual and performing artists in the region for the journal. The five artists profiled in this installment of ARTe, called “Art and Inspirations”.

Date, time and channel
Sunday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. on KUAT6 and KUAT-HD (analog broadcast channel 6 and digital 6.1)

Where to watch
More information about the ARTe arts journal -- including when and where to watch -- can be found on the Arizona Public Media website at http://tv.azpm.org/originals/arte/

Artists featured
Mark Klett, Photographer
Rick DeMont, Olympian and Painter
Guillermo Gomez Pena, Performance Artist
R. Carlos Nakai, Native American Musician
Carolyn Anderson, Painter

Bios of artists featured on ARTe “Art and Inspirations”
MARK KLETT
Mark Klett photographs the intersection of cultures, landscapes and time. His background includes working as a geologist before turning to photography. Klett established his artistic perspective on the Western American landscape as the chief photographer for the Rephotographic Survey Project (1977-79), which rephotographed scenes visited by the first photographic surveys of the West in the 1860s and 1870s. Klett has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Buhl Foundation, and the Japan/U.S. Friendship Commission. His work has been exhibited, published and collected both nationally and internationally for over 25 years. He is the author of thirteen books including the recently released Saguaros (Radius Press and DAP, 2007), After the Ruins (University of California Press 2006), Yosemite in Time (Trinity University Press, 2005), and Third Views, Second Sights (Museum of New Mexico Press 2004). Mark Klett is Regents’ Professor of Art at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

RICK DEMONT
Rick DeMont was a swimmer who set a record for the1500m freestyle at the age of fifteen in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. But the International Olympic Committee took Rick DeMont's gold medal from the 400-meter freestyle at the 1972 Munich Games after he tested positive for a banned substance contained in his asthma medication. The U.S. Olympic Committee subsequently admitted that it had mishandled DeMont's medical information at the 1972 Olympics, and appealed in 2001 to the IOC to reinstate the medal, but the IOC refused to offer any official acknowledgement of DeMont's innocence. Now an established painter, DeMont talks about how painting helped him deal with distressful events, finally leading him to find serenity in life.

GUILLERMO GOMEZ PENA
Performance artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña was born and raised in Mexico City in 1955. He came to the United States in 1978 and has been exploring cross-cultural issues and North-South relations ever since. He works in a wide variety of media, including performance art, bilingual poetry, journalism, radio, television and video, and installation art. From 1983 until the mid-1990s, Gómez-Peña lived in San Diego/Tijuana, where he was a catalyst for the reinterpretation of American culture from the point of view of the contested terrain along the border between the United States and Mexico. His art focuses, on the one hand, the exotic and folkloric stereotypes of Mexico still popular in the United States; and on the other, the cultural nationalism often associated with politically charged Chicano art. He currently lives in San Francisco. He was a founding member of the Border Art Workshop/Taller de Arte Fronterizo and the editor of the experimental arts magazine The Broken Line/la Linea Quebrada. He has been a contributor to the national radio magazine Crossroads and the radio program Latino USA, and a contributing editor to High Performance magazine and The Drama Review, two of the leading magazines dealing with performance art. In 1991 he was the recipient of the prestigious John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship.

R. CARLOS NAKAI
Of Navajo-Ute heritage, R. Carlos Nakai is the world's premier performer of the Native American flute. He is responsible for the popularity of Native American music. Originally trained in classical trumpet and music theory, Nakai was given a traditional cedar wood flute as a gift and challenged to see what he could do with it. Since 1983, he has released over 40 albums. In addition to his solo appearances throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan, Nakai has worked with guitarist William Eaton, flutist Paul Horn, composers James DeMars and Phillip Glass, and various symphony orchestras.

Nakai has earned two gold records for Canyon Trilogy and Earth Spirit and has received eight Grammy® nominations. Nakai’s career has been shaped by a desire to communicate a sense of Native American culture and society that transcends the common stereotypes presented in mass media.

CAROLYN ANDERSON
When Carolyn Anderson was 17 years old, she was a passenger in a SUV accident. Surviving this event became a defining point in her life. When the doctors diagnosed Carolyn with permanent paralysis, she began a journey to health and healing. In 1996 a four-legged companion joined her on my path; Tyler J. Worthington, her black Labrador Retriever service dog. They've been together for the last decade and his love has truly transformed her life and who she is. Anderson says dogs have the incredible ability to teach us about love, acceptance, gratitude, and most of all, joy. Now a painter, Anderson tries to capture that amazing love that she received from dogs on her canvas.

Planetarium

2009-03-11T19:51:00.000-07:00

Last Friday the boys and I went to the BEST garage sale. It was a fund raiser for a girls soccer team. For $40 we purchased: 2 pogo sticks, a skate board, 5 soccer balls, a soccer ball net, a huge stack of picture books, winnie the pooh VHS Tape, a tape dispenser, solar powered flashlight, kids scrabble game, and the biggest prize of the day was.... (drumroll).... a brand new discovery store planetarium new in the box. Suffice it to say it was like Christmas when we got home. SO EXCITING.

The planetarium toy is the kind that is a round ball and projects the stars up on the ceiling. It also came with a DVD and an audio CD that explains all the constellations and instructions to look for them while you listen- and a laser pointer thing.

The boys could hardly wait for it to get dark so that we could try it out.

FINALLY after the sun went down we went into their bedroom and lit up the "sky" and put on the CD. It was really magical. Axel (my 2 year old) was completely mesmerized by the light show. I was so impressed that the boys took turns holding it. Amazingly they listened to 1 hour of a narrator talking about the planets and constellations (that's a LONG time for a 2 and 4 year old). It has started a whole interest in astronomy, planets, our solar system.

Here's a few photos I managed to capture of Axel in the dark. I think in them you can see his excitement and anticipation.

Most days I feel really lucky to be a stay at home mom. But today especially- sitting the the dark with them. The excitement and wonder, I don't know who was more excited them or me. Made me feel teeming with gratitude. I wanted to share these.

Win a FREE 13 x 19 Fine Art Print !!

2009-03-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

Supporters of Mutt Butt Dot Com!
Win A FREE 13 x 19 Fine Art Print

I am announcing my NEW MONTHLY NEWSLETTER!
Mailing List Sign Up Page

I am sure you are so excited you can hardly contain yourself! YIPPEEE more emails!

Now you may be hesitant and ask yourself... hmmmm...

WHY SHOULD I SIGN UP?
(here's a few reasons)

I won't share your email with anyone else.

I only send out a couple emails a month (I won't flood you with them everyday)

You can opt out at anytime by clicking "unsubscribe"

What's in it for me?

When you subscribe you'll be privy to a sneak peak of my new artwork before it is shown. Info on upcoming shows and events.

Mailings include my incredibly witty prose and funny jokes- now with misspellings and incomplete sentences!

NUMBER ONE. It really supports me by knowing who's interested in my art.

So you can feel good by simply clicking and entering your email- you are supporting a local artist. Let's face it. It's a hard economy for artists right now.
We can all use all the support we can get!

HERE'S ANOTHER GREAT REASON--- One lucky person who signs up between now and April 15, 2009 will win their choice of a 13 x 19 PRINT!

Click here to see the prints.
Carolyn's Etsy Shop

Click here to sign up!
Mailing List Sign Up Page

Thanks to everyone who has already signed up!
(If you've signed up in the past 2 weeks- you're already entered in the contest).

Carolyn

One More FREE and EASY way to support me and my art if you are a facebook user click over here
Carolyn's Face Book Artist Page
then clicking "Become a Fan"!

www. muttbutt. com

New Mobility Verbatim March 2009

2009-02-28T14:33:00.000-08:00

This is a feature in an upcoming issue of New Mobility.

Here's a PDF of the article if you'd like to read the text.

March 2009 "Verbatim"

It's a really great publication, especially for persons with disabilities, or their family members or caretakers.

Learn more or subscribe online at their website www.newmobility.com

C

25 Random Things- Via Facebook

2009-02-21T23:43:00.000-08:00

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 am nosey and want to know more about you.

1. I'll get the big one out of the way first. People ask, or some want to ask but don't know how is "what happened to you"?. I was in a SUV roll-over accident and broke my back, I am paralyzed from the waist down. The answers to the next questions are No, No and 17. No I wasn't driving, No I wasn't wearing my seat belt, and I was 17 years old at the time.

2. I was born in Wichita- grew up in Wisconsin in a town of about 800 people (799 after I left) where my dad was the Lutheran Minister. As teenager my life's dream was to be a Solid Gold Dancer, (second only to becoming Mrs. Han Solo). I used to dance around the yard in my little town with my girlfriends and imagine a producer from solid gold would drive by, be blown away by our routine to "Dancing Queen" or "Don't you want me" by the Human League. Slam on the brakes, sign a contract, and off to Hollywood!

3. I was hoping someone would get me a "Don't Blame Me - I Voted for Ron Paul" Bumper Sticker or T-shirt. But maybe for my birthday.

4. A guidance counselor told me once I'd grow up to be a real estate agent or the other woman.

5. I was voted "most likely to be convicted of a felony" by my high school class.

6. I studied Arabic at U C Berkeley in '97 with a bunch of CIA field agents

7. I haven't had a drink or smoke for over 11 years.

8. I gave birth (via c-section) to two healthy little boys- even when some doctors said that wasn't going to be possible to carry a baby to term.

9. I went to school with 2 famous people: recording diva and singer song writer Alice Peacock (www.alicepeacock.com) and actress Rachel Oliva (check out God, Inc on youtube, hilarious! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2f4heaG288 she's the redhead).

10. One time through an odd set of circumstances I ended up in the same room with Charlie Watts. He touched my shoulder and despite myself I didn't faint,melt, or throw up on myself.

11. I used to work at a fruit stand selling bananas and oranges in college. I used to work at a swap meet/flea market all through jr. high and high school. I am good at setting up folding tables, making change, and sidewalk salesmanship.

12. My college nick name was "Stan", I still answer to it, smile when I pick up the phone and someone asks for "Stan" as I know it's a dear friend I haven't seen for awhile.

13. My business is called "Mutt Butt" because I let my 3 1/2 year son old pick out the name. I was trying to think of something with "Mutt" in it because at the time I was painting people's dogs on commission and he said "butt" rhymes with "mutt", "butt" tee hee hee, "butt" hee he hee and continued to laugh until falling on the floor laughing, (literal ROFLMAO) and when I searched for domain names... "mutt butt" was there. Now... well now, I'm kind of stuck with it, but people definitely remember it. "butt" tee hee hee

14. I have an extensive salt and pepper shaker collection. My favorites being a collection of dogs in their dog houses, plastic kitchen appliance shakers, and a nudie stripper girl where you shake the salt out of removable boobies with Madonna rhinestone pointy pasties.

15. It wasn't until having children of my own did I truly realize how much and how deeply my parents loved me

16. I have a chapter I wrote in a book called "Foucault on Governance of Disability" before you run out and buy it- it's really kind of boring.

17. I used to contribute a comic in New Mobility magazine called "Dating and Disabled Girl"

18. I played on a women's wheelchair basketball team- and the men's U of A wildchairs team. I never was very good, but it was the first time I had ever met so many fabulous disabled women, it changed my life, and really helped form me into the person I am today. It gave me the courage to become a mom- as I met so many other moms who used wheelchairs.

19. This February I will have my art in a show- which has been a dream of mine since I was in high school. This is the first show I've ever been in. (www.artinarizona.com)

20. I find money on the ground almost anytime I for anywhere- from 5 cents to $100 bills and I have been that way ever since I was a little kid. Once on a family vacation at Disney World I found $200- 2 $100 folded together. Imagine being 8 at Disney with $200 at your disposal. Lucky me!

21. I am married to my soul mate and the man I've been in love with since I was 18 years old. Grateful for every minute we've had together- cherish each moment- and looking forward to the next 60 plus years together.

22. It's my goal in the next couple years to write and illustrate a children's book. Another Life goal is to attend the annual TED conference- and even more- BE ACCEPTED AS A PRESENTER!

23. In November I put down my service dog Tyler of 13 years. That was a hard day, but I got through it. He was a good dog and he made me a better person.

24. I love to give my art away to people I don't know or I have never met. I love that I can give something to someone that you can't buy- and that is different then anything else. Each time I give a piece away- the next week something really magical happens. every time. without fail. One time I gave a way a painting to someone I never met- the day I dropped it in the mail- Harpo Studios (Oprah) called about a piece for her show. I totally believe in random acts of kindness having the ability to change yourself and the world.

25. At 35 years old I finally figured out what I am here to do and I couldn't be happier. Everything that has happened brought me to here- and I have nothing but gratitude for each moment on the journey. For me personally- the secret to life is Joy, finding it in each moment- going towards it, basking in it, and I am grateful each day for my kids- as that comes so naturally for them- they remind me if I ever forget.

Photos From The Show

2009-02-18T19:01:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from the TRAC show opening at Gallery 801, 801 North Main, Tucson, AZ. The show is up until February 28, 2009. Stop by and see it! More information online at www.artinarizona.com.

Bryan Crow www.bryancrowartist.com

Photo by Karen Dombroski Sobel www.kadsphotos.com

Photo by Karen Dombroski Sobel www.kadsphotos.com

Photo by Karen Dombroski Sobel www.kadsphotos.com

Photo by Karen Dombroski Sobel www.kadsphotos.com
Steven Derks- Gallery 801 Owner

Two Trees by Yeats

2009-02-04T18:22:00.001-08:00

I've been added to "A Treasury of Birches" on etsy
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=42187

"One could do worse than become a swinger of trees" Robert Frost

THE TWO TREES

by: William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)

BELOVED, gaze in thine own heart,
The holy tree is growing there;
From joy the holy branches start,
And all the trembling flowers they bear.
The changing colours of its fruit
Have dowered the stars with merry light;
The surety of its hidden root
Has planted quiet in the night;
The shaking of its leafy head
Has given the waves their melody,
And made my lips and music wed,
Murmuring a wizard song for thee.
There the Loves a circle go,
The flaming circle of our days,
Gyring, spiring to and fro
In those great ignorant leafy ways;
Remembering all that shaken hair
And how the wingèd sandals dart,
Thine eyes grow full of tender care:
Beloved, gaze in thine own heart.

Gaze no more in the bitter glass
The demons, with their subtle guile,
Lift up before us when they pass,
Or only gaze a little while;
For there a fatal image grows
That the stormy night receives,
Roots half hidden under snows,
Broken boughs and blackened leaves.
For all things turn to barrenness
In the dim glass the demons hold,
The glass of outer weariness,
Made when God slept in times of old.
There, through the broken branches, go
The ravens of unresting thought;
Flying, crying, to and fro,
Cruel claw and hungry throat,
Or else they stand and sniff the wind,
And shake their ragged wings; alas!
Thy tender eyes grow all unkind:
Gaze no more in the bitter glass.

Loki Blue Dog

2009-01-30T07:54:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple more pictures of the Loki our new rescued Weimeraner.

He's got a very sweet personality, gentle, but at the same time a maniac puppy. He's 10 months old. He'll chew up anything he can get into, jump the fence in our backyard with a single leap, and he can climb. He climbs like my 20 month old- his ball bounced and landed on a top shelf of a book case and he very daintily climbed up the furniture to get it- like a cat almost- BUT HE'S a 56 lb dog.

I am wondering if naming a dog after the Norse god of mischief might not be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

He is really easy to train. He's got sit, down, stay- pretty good- and now we're working on "drop it" and "leave it" especially when he gets the kids stuffed animals.

It's been fun to watch his personality come out- he's eager to please- and wants to be right there- in the mix with the kids. Playing right along.

Up For Bids...

2009-01-26T19:57:00.000-08:00

I have three pieces of art currently being auctioned off for charity.

1. Expansion- go to www.artinarizona.com and click on "silent auction" it's currently at $100 - all the proceeds go to Beads of Courage- a charity for children with cancer.

Expansion
Acrylic on Canvas
20 x 24

2. 13 x 19 Print of "Return to Gaia" go to www.artinarizona.com click on "silent auction" you can bid online again every cent goes to Beads of Courage.

3. 13 x 19 Print of "Return to Gaia" (same as above) benefit for Arizona Weimeraner Rescue- $85 plus shipping- buy online at Etsy follow this link

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20010830

To learn more about Beads of Courage watch this little youtube video

Loki Blue Dog

2009-01-24T21:45:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends-

Today we went up to Pheonix and got our dog from Wiemeraner rescue. We've been waiting since Nov. and things finally fell into place- and if I wasn't sure that this was "thee" dog- when she called to tell me all about--- heard the details...sounded good, "what's his name?" she looked around the paper... pause. "Tyler". I got goosebumps (that was the name of my lab and service dog of 13 years)

So alas- here's the new dog. He's 10 months and a big rowdy puppy- so we'll just have to see how this goes :-) the kids are so excited we just got them to sleep (it's almost 10:30 pm here).

Here are some photos- they'll be lots more in the next few days.

Check Facebook-http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Anne-Anderson/8201664321

He's a Blue Weimeraner- which isn't as common as the silver ones. So we decided to name him "Loki Blue Dog"

Love to you all

Carolyn

PS- Also a note- I now have a site on Etsy here- please book mark it- thanks!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6771044

Upcoming Show At Gallery 801 Tucson!!

2009-01-15T21:10:00.000-08:00

Press Release
Contact: Steven Derks, Gallery 801
Phone: 520-370-1610
Email: sgderks@mac.com
Website:www.artinarizona.com

Contact: Carolyn Anne Anderson
Email: carolyn@muttbutt.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2009

Tucson Revivalist Artists Collective
Upcoming Show January 31- February 28, 2009

January 31st Gallery 801 launches an exclusive exhibition showcasing nine of Tucson's top artists. The independent downtown gallery has selected more than 30 pieces representing the best of Tucson's diverse art scene and calling itself and the show the "Tucson Revivalist Artists Collective".

The collective has come together in an effort to breathe new life into the Tucson arts scene. When sculptor Steven Derks put out a call to fellow artists to brain storm ideas to creatively market art in a failing economy, what resulted was the Tucson Revivalist Artists Collective. TRAC is group of nine united by three core ideas: supporting fellow artists, reviving the Tucson arts scene, and using art to benefit local organizations that work to foster arts revival.

As part of their commitment to serving the community, they are making the show a benefit for a locally-based charity, Beads of Courage. Artists have committed artworks to a silent auction for the charity. An organization representative will be at their opening reception, February 5th, and will offer glass-blown bead-making demonstrations to the public.

Beads of Courage is a Tucson-based charity through which seriously ill children use art to support their recovery. Using colorful beads as meaningful symbols that represent milestones of their medical treatment, children participating in Beads of Courage collect and string together works of art as part of a positive coping strategy.

The Gallery 801 show will open to the public on Saturday, January 31 and run until Saturday February 28th, 2009 at 801 North Main at the corner of Main and University. A public opening and reception February 7 from 12 noon to 5 pm will feature artist talks and music by the Rosano Brothers. February 13 and 21 from 12 - 2 pm there will be artists lectures open to the public. "Tucson Revivalist Artists Collective Show" will be open for viewings Tuesday through Sunday 10 am- 5 pm.

Artists in TRAC include:
Carolyn Anne Anderson (www.muttbutt.com),
Bryan Crow (www.bryancrowartist.com),
Steven Derks (www.stevenderks.com ),
Karen A Dombrowski- Sobel (www.kadsphoto.com),
Beth Jonquil (www.bethjonquil.com ),
Dana Smith (www.danasmithgallery.com),
Rebecca Thompson (www.rebeccathompsonsculpture.com),
Ann Tracy-Lopez ( www.anntracylopez.com ), and
Margaret Zinser (www.mzglass.com).
For more information on the show please visit
TRAC's website atwww.artinarizona.com.
For more information on Beads of Courage please visit their website at www.beadsofcourage.net

Pilot Can at The Queer of God/ Flaming Lips- Random Music Game

2009-01-12T21:15:00.001-08:00

(It's a little freaky how it all came together- give it a try!- post a link in the comments if you blog your list)

Directions:

1. Put your iPod, iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Pick ten or more Random friends who like music as much as you do and tag them.

Jill's List

1) IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Oh No- Guadalajara Won't Do/Steely Dan?My Old School

2) HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Me and My Girl Friend Don't Wear No Clothes You Know, My Fingernails are made of Mother's Pearl/Summertime Rolls/Jane's Addiction

3) WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A MAN/WOMAN?
007, Ocean's 11, Rude Boys/ Desmond Dekker/007 Shanty Towm

4) HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
My Back is Broke- my feet are hurting
All I want is for you to make love to me/ Beast of Burden/Rolling Stones

5) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE PURPOSE?
outta this mess baby outta my head
dig me out/Dig Me Out/Sleater Kinney

6) WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Welfare Mothers, Make Better Lovers/Neil Young

7) WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
I'm so ugly, that's ok
Cause so are you/ Nirvana/Lithium

8) WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Everybody's Got Something to hide accept for me and my monkey/Beatles

9) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
I got the whiskey baby
I got the whiskey I got the cigarettes
Hotel rock'n'roll the discoteque
Electric super sex
Super Sex/Morphine

10) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
I got a girlfriend that's better than that
Girlfriend is Better/ Talking Heads

11) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Lucky Little Lady in the City of Lights/ LA Woman/Doors

12) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
If you can hear a piano fall you can hear me coming down the hall/White Stripes/Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground

13) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Already we'll all float on
Aliright don't worry even if things end up a bit to heavy

All Float ON- Modest Mouse

14) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
I miss the innocence I've known
Playing KISS covers, beautiful and stoned
Heavy Metal Drummer/Wilco

15) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTERESTS?
Free Money Patti Smith

16) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Rub upon my belly like guava jelly/ Bob Marley/ guava jelly

17) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Mamas and Papas insane /David Bowie/Oh You Pretty Things

18) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Seem like total silence was the only friend I have/ John Prine Illegal Smile

19) SONG THEY WILL PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Rock Lobster/B 52s

20) WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Pilot Can at The Queer of God/ Flaming Lips

Finally Joined Etsy

2009-01-12T20:13:00.000-08:00

Here's my new Etsy Page

MuttButtDotCom.etsy.com

I am offering prints through the site.

Carolyn

Upcoming Show at Gallery 801

2009-01-07T07:22:00.000-08:00

Press Release
Contact: Steven Derks, Gallery 801
Phone: 520-370-1610
Email: sgderks@mac.com
Website: www.artinarizona.com
Contact: Carolyn Anne Anderson
Email: carolyn@muttbutt.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2009

Art Thrives in Bad Economies
Local artists use current downturn to revive Tucson art scene

“Art is what will get us through this economic crisis” says veteran Tucson sculptor and painter Steven Derks. Derks is the owner of Gallery 801 located on Main and University near the heart of the Tucson downtown arts district. While some Tucson galleries have recently closed their doors, Derks has committed to taking a positive attitude about art and the economy. “When you look throughout history times of struggle are the times that produce the best art and the most influential movements. Artists always have to deal with job insecurities and unstable markets; the good ones know how to weather it, and sometimes outer hardship inspires artists to take greater risks, to step out of their comfort zone.”

Taking a proactive approach to the economic down turn, Derks put out a call to the local arts community to get together a group of artists who wanted to work together to create a show that artistically responded to recent events. What came out of the meeting was a core group of artists interested in enlivening the Tucson art scene. Calling themselves the “Tucson Revivalist Artists Collective” these artists have put together a body of work that will open at Gallery 801 Feb 7 and show from January 31- Feb 28, 2009.

The group includes Derks, painters Bryan Crow and Carolyn Anne Anderson. Crow says, “Art has the ability to transform, it helps us to cope. Almost every artist I know has a transformation story and their art played a role in that. When things get rough people crave escape- that’s where art can play a positive role.” He continues, “Art is a way of working through feelings. People are in a lot of fear right now; art has a way of identifying that and helping someone not feel so isolated”.

Even more than just reflecting what is going on in the world around us, the artists in Revivalist Collective want to put forward that art can have a role in transforming it. Anderson says “art has the ability to contribute to the collective imagination in a positive and dynamic way. Each artist in the group has a spiritual connection with their art and a commitment to the bigger picture. We wanted to put together a show with a group of artists that want to use are art to help energize the Tucson art scene” Derks adds, “In the beginning it was about brainstorming creative marketing techniques, keeping a positive outlook, but as it grew we realized there is a larger opportunity, because if the Tucson art scene picks up, everyone in the community will benefit.”

The group has centered around three core ideas: supporting fellow artists, reviving the Tucson arts scene, and using art to benefit local organizations that work to foster arts revival. As part of the commitment to serving the community they are making the show a benefit for local Tucson charity Beads of Courage. Artists have committed pieces to a silent auction for the charity. An organization representative will be at the opening and will offer glass blown bead making demonstrations to the public.

Beads of Courage is a Tucson based charity through which seriously ill children use art to support their recovery. Using colorful beads as meaningful symbols that represent milestones of their medical treatment, children participating in Beads of Courage collect and string together works of art as part of a positive coping strategy.

Executive director of Beads of Courage Jean Baruch said “When they contacted us it seemed like a perfect fit! We’re an arts centered charity and they are artists looking to support the community.” Anderson continues “its interesting that when you put it out there to the universe, everything falls together perfectly, synchronicity, opportunities, it all comes into place...” This organization hopes to keep that momentum going for artists and others throughout Tucson after the show has ended. Anderson adds, “It’s important to look at our economy as an opportunity, not a set back, art has the ability to remind us how to look inward for ideas and resources, to create our own reality, and to be in the now, the present, something good for all of us to practice in an ever changing world.”

Check out Tucson Revivalist Art Collective show January 31- February 28 at Gallery 801, 801 North Main. Opening February 7 from 12-5 pm, Artist Lectures and Demonstrations February 8 & 21 at 2 pm for more info on schedule and contributing artists check online at www.artinarizona.com .
For more info on Beads of Courage visit www.beadsofcourage.org .
For information on each of the artists mentioned above please see their individual websites:
Steven Derks www.stevenderks.com
Bryan Crow www.bryancrowartist.com
Carolyn Anne Anderson www.muttbutt.com

Trees

2008-12-19T23:02:00.001-08:00

I'll Blog Blog Blog more on this later. But basically I am still working on my own healing- health post surgery issues with this one. AND I keep coming to the conclusion that we are all interconnected.

Things I have Done In My Life

2008-12-17T19:31:00.000-08:00

I found this on Haley Hughes Blog and I thought I would give it a try. It's a list of life activities and events and you highlight in BOLD the things you've done.

Things I've done in my life (in bold):

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

Want to play along? Copy the list to your own blog (or email) and highlight the things you've done

Waiting for our New Dog

2008-12-13T21:22:00.000-08:00

Still waiting on a rescue group to approve us for a dog. It's been a week and the Labrador rescue people haven't answered any of my emails after our home inspection so I am wondering if we passed it. The other Lab rescue place can't do a home inspection for awhile and won't consider our application until we are inspected.

In the meantime we're checking out other dogs. Arizona Weimeraner Rescue just posted "Buddy" who has lots of potential for us. Wondering maybe if he's our dog.

I hope we find him soon. Oz is still so incredibly heartbroken about his dog. Me too. We need some doggy love to fill this household. It would be nice if we found a match for Christmas.

Here's a photo of "Buddy" from Az Weime Rescue and there are others if you happen to be in the market for a used Weimeraner!

Jewel Trees

2008-12-08T21:18:00.001-08:00

On The Wish Granting Jewel Tree of Tibet

I recently downloaded a recording of Robert Thurman's The Jewel Tree of Tibet: The Enlightenment Engine of Tibetan Buddhism from audible.com . This series of recordings has really altered how I see the world and inspired my recent spurt of tree paintings.

Recently Robert Thurman has taken the place of my former committee PhD chair as my favorite old fart academic father like guy. Oh by the way- Thurman- yes that Thurman, in addition to being Uma Thurman's dad, he is also the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor in Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Colombia University

In the recorded version of Jewel Tree Thurman takes the listener on a 6 lesson retreat on Tibetan Buddhism. Here's a snippet from a review in Publisher's Weekly:

Thurman successfully spins the text's interpretation so that it becomes more transparent to a Western audience. He describes Buddhist karma, for example, as "Darwinian evolution with an individual twist," and also cautions readers not to adopt some blissed-out, mind-emptying idea of Buddhism just because they imagine that it's Eastern and therefore superior. "When we seek to enter the path of enlightenment, we have to engage with society." On the other hand, he notes, we also need to embrace ascetics like monks and nuns, and invest generously in their work toward liberation. The book has some truly beautiful moments, as when Thurman encourages readers to meditate on the loving-kindness of their mothers (even the bad mothers, he says, made sacrifices to keep their children alive and fed), or when he offers 11 steps to compassion, love and happiness. Although there are a few hiccups - moments when it becomes obvious that the "root text" of Mentor Devotion is a tricky one indeed - this is a fine tool on the road to enlightenment.

Thurman is quirky, deep, a total lefty politically and gets his politics in every chance he gets- most of which I don't agree with, well the end result but would argue the path by which he gets there, but I honor that view- as it is similar to my husband's view and he presents them in a hilarious way. He has these amazing rants that show the breadth of his knowledge, that begin with a pedagogical discourse, a history lesson, a quote from Shakespeare, Socrates, brings it back to Buddhism, pulls you into meditation mode, and soon you've left the planet and sank deep into the unified field- drawing from a deeper well of information I hadn't thought possible from a book on tape.

The heart of the audio retreat is learning the skill of visualizing the "Wish Granting Gem Tree". As I have been meditating on it every night for the past couple months I am just starting to get. It is a symbolic tree of refuge within which sits all the enlightened beings ready to reach out and assist you with any requests you may have. He leads you through the visualization- imagining a tree- seated with Buddha, Jesus Christ, Socrates, Lao Tzu, Krishna, Mary, whomever you choose as your mentor deity. Here's a description of the tree from Thurman's Inside Tibetan Buddhism/Rituals and Symbols Revealed: Rituals and Symbols Revealed (Signs of the Sacred)

You visualize a lush, green meadow in a vast heavenly field in a perfected realm. There is a crystal lake with delicious waters, from which grows a majestic tree. Its powerful trunk has five main branching sections and flowers and wish-granting gems hang on it like fruit. On the central branch at the center of the crown, there is a shining jewel throne with a glowing moon-disc cushion upheld by eight magic lions. On that throne sits your mentor in the form of a perfect Buddha. Above him or here there is a stack of historic mentors, a living, astral chain of mentors reaching back to the historical Buddhas and adepts... Before the tree circulates a vast host of fierce protector deities. All the enlightened beings on and around this wish-fulfilling refuge tree seem vividly alive, fully aware of you and your practice and dedication. They smile at you radiantly, and their delight in you fills you with joy and confidence. Around you in the field are all ordinary beings, including your family, dearest friends, worst enemies, and all animals (for the moment in human form.). All of them look toward you longingly, seeking help in their own quests for safety and happiness. You vow that your going for refuge will help all of them.

Thurman paints a portrait of this cherished Tibetans Buddhist tradition of "wish-fulfilling jewel tree" that is totally accessible to a 30 something Midwestern girl. He brings it down to a level where extremely difficult esoteric ideas are explained in a way I really get. The kernel of which is that what the Buddha taught has the power to generate bliss and enlightenment within all who absorb its teachings, be they Buddhist, Christian, Jew, Muslim. Everyone one can benefit from his project because it is not religion but a way of seeing the world. Thurman argues that happiness, in fact, is the true goal of Tibetan spirituality. Wish-fulfilling jewel tree imagery acts like a mandala or a yoga pose to focus your attention on truths larger than yourself. It allows a space that is completely lacking in the Western imagination, a map you can jump into, look around and find out who you are and why you are here.

For me personally, it has become an incredible vehicle to better understand myself and the world.

It has inspired this whole new series of trees. Each one a "wish granting tree" that brought a new perspective to my practice and my art.

Interviewing For A New Family Member

2008-12-08T19:04:00.000-08:00

We've filled out applications for a new family dog with a couple rescue organizations.

Desert Labrador Rescue

Arizona Labrador and Giant Breed Rescue

AZ Weimeraner Rescue

Under normal circumstances I would not be in a huge hurry to adopt another dog, but Oskar, our 3 1/2 year old had a difficult time with Tyler being gone. He has really been missing his dog. Which in turn, makes it a bit harder for me.

So together as a family we've been reading dog breed books, looking at photos online of available dogs for adoption in Tucson, thinking of boy and girl dog names. That seems to lighten the sadness a bit. We decided we definitely want another Lab, but not a Black Lab- only white or chocolate. We all agreed it wouldn't be fair to the dog if he look exactly like Tyler as no dog could fulfill that expectation. Also together as a family at dinner we took a moment and put it out there to the universe that the right dog for our family find his/her way to us.

A Desert Labs volunteer came on Saturday for a home inspection where they check out your house before they let you adopt. We'll find out this week if we pass their standards. The volunteer brought along her 5 year old chocolate lab "Chelsea" and it felt so nice to have a dog in the house again. We were all sad to see her go.

Two new dogs came up on the website today- Ben and Dharma. I am taking it as a bit of a sign about Dharma as I have been practicing Buddhist meditation the past few years- and this month in particular with all the health excitement dove right in to a lot of dharma study. So I wonder if she'll be our dog- or will lead us to our new dog. Either way it felt like a wink from the universe we are on the right path.

Here are their photos

Ben- 3 year old male yellow lab

Dharma- 6 year old female

I thought I'd post their photos here- just in case their future home was to be with a blog reader and seeing their handsome mug might make that happen quicker. I was surprised to see how many pure-bred dogs need good homes and are ready for adoption. Please click on the links above if you are looking for a Labrador in AZ or want to make a donation to a worthy cause.

Photos by Erik van Hannen

2008-12-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

Many people have asked me the inspiration for the painting of Tyler running into the woods. I found an incredible photographer looking through FlickR one night named Erik van Hannen. He has a great series of tree photographs and that is what inspired the trees for Tyler's painting.

Click Here to view his profile and see his photos.

Here is the one I used for inspiration from a photo set called "In The Woods" (have a look there are several breathtaking landscape shots)

Photo Copyright Erik van Hannen

I've placed Tyler's painting below for comparison.

What drew me in about the photograph was it felt as if you could step right inside of an enchanted forest. I could feel the cool fog and smell the mist. As I was playing around painting I found myself inhabiting the space of the forest and it was indeed very magic. I had almost finished the painting and decided to paint the dog in as it felt so good for me to be "there"- I wanted him to go "there" too. As I painted it our last night together, I wanted to have a visual memory of our time together. A reminder that he would always be there for me in the enchanted space whenever I needed him. I am beginning to believe more and more that the ones we love never really leave us, they are always there, it's just they are in a different space. They are just a bit beyond where we are now. Too far away to feel, touch, hear, but close enough that if we are quiet and still we can know.

Another one of van Hannen's photos I feel really moved by is one called "Revenge of the Trees"

When you close your eyes and blur them a little it almost looks like a snowflake pattern in the spaces between the branches.

I did a painting of birch trees looking up for a child's perspective a couple months ago. I had so much fun doing it and it brought me so many memories of growing up in Wisconsin I wanted to do another one. This is my favorite of the photos I've collected from the "looking up perspective" for inspiration. The colors in this photo- particularly the slight sepia tone helped me pick the background for the current piece I am working on.

Photo copyright Erik van Hannen

Seems that many of my friends and family are going through big life events right now. When I was waiting on my cancer diagnosis after they took the tumor out in October/November (it's benign- everything is okay!)I worked on painting the trees that became Tyler's painting. It was very meditative and healing. Whenever I got into fear- I worked on another tree. It helped me stay calm but more then that I used it to train my mind to only think about healing and growth. Using it as an excise to find the beauty in each branch, gnarled and twisted, it was perfect. I imagined my body, like the trees, healing, growing, stretching with each branch, neurons firing, growth regenerating. Each tree I painted became a prayer, a good thought, a deep breathe. So I started that again with this painting. I have friends who are trying to have a baby- so I sat in the studio one night and focused on them, prayed, meditated, thought about them while I painted their tree, the joy with a positive test, the pregnancy, first ultrasound, holding their baby, another family with a baby facing health concerns, I did the same, focusing on love, Light, health, feeling of relief when they are all back together, a lifetime of family memories, first steps, first words, first day of school, joy with each, another tree, branches stretching growing, reaching out. My mother in law in India traveling alone for 5 weeks, all the new experiences, lots of growth, and then the bombing that happened 3 days before she left out of Mumbai. I did one tree where a branch had fallen and smaller branches reached out holding it up. Each tree has a story. Some of my tree/stories connect in knowing each other and their branches touch, meet in the air, others do not. Interesting how they come together and pull apart. What I am learning is how interconnected we all are, how we all need each other. Some branches block out the Light, others let Light through. Beauty comes through in the patterns and spaces that are created in the process.
Enough writing... back to painting.
Love to you all.
Carolyn

Progress 12-04-08

2008-12-04T12:58:00.001-08:00

Be Here Now

2008-12-03T12:59:00.000-08:00

Moving Video putting music and pictures of Ram Dass reading from "Be Here Now".

Progress on New Painting

2008-12-02T19:32:00.000-08:00

I started a new piece this week. Sort of a continuation of the Tyler Dog trees. Feeling like I have a bit more to process there, especially with the benign tumor diagnosis. I went back to the urologist today and it seems I am all healed up. I saw photos of my bladder from the surgery and doc was pointing out areas and explaining why they looked cancerous- what they cut out, etc, which I sort of got lost in the explanation- blur. Anyhow-- I left the office feeling a lot of gratitude. The rest will just work itself out.

Photos of Tyler with the Boys

2008-11-27T13:07:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth McPeak took these photos of the boys with Tyler in September 2008. I am SO glad to have these! They are incredible and I just wanted to share them with everyone. She did such a good job capturing the boys and Tyler.

Thank you for all the thoughtful emails and comments about Tyler.

Tangerine Gallery

2008-11-23T09:35:00.000-08:00

Last night to clear my mind Liz McPeak and I went to an opening reception for Michael Joplin at the Tangerine Gallery. It's a great show and if you are in Tucson stop in and see it. There are some really great pieces. The show is up until January 10, 2009.

(Left) Photo from Tangerine Gallery. The colored square piece is by Steven Derks- you can see his work on line at www.stevenderks.com at Tangerine or at Studio 801, 801 N Main Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705 (520) 461-1080 (Right) Glass Piece By Michael Joplin

So Long to a Good Old Dog

2008-11-22T01:46:00.001-08:00

Sleepy Tyler dog napping in the studio by my side as I write this...for the last time...

11/22/2008

As I write this I feel like I need to provide a little back story for the blog reader who hasn’t been kept apprise of the events taking place in our household over the past few weeks. So let me rewind a bit. First of all Tyler is our dog. My dog actually, well initially, but now he is- or was- the beloved family dog. Tyler arrived on the scene in 1996 pre-husband and kids. Tyler was my first dog and my only dog. For over a decade he was loyally by my side as my service dog officially and my best friend unofficially. For the better part of a decade we were no further than a leash length apart. And fortunately for me, being that close to a source of constant support, encouragement, and unconditional love, can have a profound effect on a person. I have paralysis from a truck roll over accident in 1991 and for years Tyler trotted alongside my wheelchair, As I flip through the scrapbook pages of my life- my college graduations, first job, wedding, birth of my children, there is Tyler, or at least a recognizable Labrador body part, usually a tail, butt, back of his head, lounging lump of snoozing dog mass, somewhere in the photo.

At 13 years old Tyler’s been on the decline. 2 years ago moments before a toddler Halloween party he was bitten by a rattlesnake in our backyard, and upsetting as this was had he not been bit we might have had 18 toddlers on our porch painting pumpkins alongside a loose diamond back. (A short side note: this is only one tale of how Tyler saved the day his antics and bravery could fill a book that would put that Marley dog to shame!). After the rattlesnake bite Tyler never quite bounced back to his spunky old dog self. Despite this, he seemed content enough to follow the babies around wagging his tail while snagging goldfish crackers and forgetting all his service dog etiquette. Even when his eyesight began to fail he seemed overjoyed to hang out under the high chair and capture all the airborne peas and bananas catching food midair with almost a 6th sense. Then over the past months I’d noticed his back legs giving out- him having a harder time getting up and the cataracts that caused occasion diminished eyesight turn into complete blindness, but as long as we didn’t move the furniture around he did alright. Then one terrifying day a few weeks ago walking across the tile his back legs froze in paralysis and didn’t work at all, and he panicked dragging them behind him whining in terror and then as soon as it started they “popped’ back to working again as I watched in horror with a burning knot in my stomach.

Deep Breath.

Right about this time, approximately 3 weeks ago I went for a urology appointment. Those of you who may or may not be familiar with paraplegia urology is something that becomes a regular yearly thing to keep up on and well- having had two babies within 3 years, with all those appointment, I had skipped my annual urology duty a couple times, and then pretty soon it became 4 years and then I started having some symptoms and I thought I better go in.

During my visit the doc was looking at my bladder (from the inside) and said “oh mmmm” pregnant pause, and then “uh mmmmm”. And I knew that sound couldn’t be good, and as I inquired, she said. “See that there... that’s a tumor....and it looks, well, cancerous” and then went on to explain what a non-cancerous tumor looked like as opposed to cancerous one. Having no frame of reference of what the inside of my bladder looks like on a good day I couldn’t tell the difference just that this wasn’t sounding good, then the word cancer sort of settled in and rang in my ears, buzzing, over the sound of my 18 month old screaming in waiting room with dad and the rest of the doctors words morphed in “wahhh wahhh wa wa wa wahhhh” like the adults in the Charlie Brown cartoons and I have no idea what she said until she asked “would you like me to have you husband come in the room” and I somehow squeaked out a “yes”. From the buzz of words the room and lights took the same unfocused slant and slowly she came back into focus through my tears with my husband pale white and serious standing by her side holding our baby waving his plastic giraffe in the air.

Deep Breathe.

We decided that tumor needed to be removed and biopsied and scheduled the operation and the waiting began.

Deep Breathe.

November 11, the morning of the surgery I awoke to this piecing squeaking noise and upon awakening I realized it was Tyler whimpering and whining in his dog bed. He had had another episode of his back legs giving out and was stuck and bed. He couldn’t get up and joyfully bounce alongside the bed until we all woke up and gave him his breakfast. Carl tried to help him up and his backside was totally limp. Here I am having surgery in 4 hours to take out a possible cancerous tumor, with my best friend now also paralyzed crying helpless before me, what could I do? Again to use a Charlie Brown reference “ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH”. I am not only worried enough about the two babies I am leaving in someone else’s care while I go under the knife now my old buddy decides to give out on me the morning of. So we give him an extra dose of his doggie anti-inflammatory drug and in about a ½ hour he pops back to his old self. So I told him that day just hang on buddy a couple more days- I still need you- then you can go, I’ll let you go, I promise. He licked my face- which he never does- he’s not a licky dog and I headed to surgery now my stomach in double knots.

I got through the surgery and then came the endless waiting for the results. 9 days of feeling my life hung in the balance. 9 days of not knowing what lie ahead. Tyler hung in there with us. Then Wednesday I got the biopsy results and they came back cancer free. Another Deep Breathe. We made it. Well, we made it, the humans of the household. Tyler was really not doing so well and I told him I remembered my promise and kissed him on the head- he met me halfway with a tap of his wet nose.

The next day Tyler stopped eating his breakfast. The next day I called the vet. This brings us up to today.

Right now it’s almost way past midnight on 11/21. I’ll bring him in sometime after 9 tomorrow and it will be the end of a long era of my life.

I’ve been sitting in my studio painting, sobbing, smiling, and remembering. Spinning in all the events that have taken place in a few short weeks. I breathe in and out matching my breathes to his calm dog deep breaths. Being still and quiet savoring the last few moments in my studio with Tyler by my side, sprawled out sleeping at my feet. I set the paints down a few moments to write this out. I wanted to remember the snores, the snuffles, the jittery rabbit chasing spasm sleeping dreams, the ear flips and sighs and how I’d look up from what I was doing to see him on his dog bed beside me. These fabulous all night painting sessions we’ve shared recently and especially since children came along. How much I’ve treasured these sacred and rare silent moments together in a still night time house.

I started this painting of trees when I got the tumor diagnosis and it was for me, a way to sort of paint the darkness and fear out of my head. Now that I am through that it seemed only fitting that Tyler be part of it, trotting happily back to the magical place he came from. Because in many ways it represents what he’s done for my life. That story, as I said, could fill a book, but in short he showed me the way- the way of kindness, silliness, not taking yourself so seriously, the way of merriment, gratitude, and most importantly the way of unconditional love. Tyler cleared a big bright path of Labrador Light romping merriment through what one could make into a dark and scary place and in the process his glow transformed it into something beautiful and mystical. The lesson Tyler taught me was its all in how you want to look at it that changes how it really is.

I’ll let the painting speak for itself. I know it’s sentimental and self-indulgent. I don’t care. I love my dog.

Thank you Tyler- you are a good dog. I set you free.

One more Deep Breathe.

Amen.

It’s 2:30 am and I am just going to post this up on the blog and head to bed to catch a couple moments of sleep before we go in. So I am sure there are type-o’s and English errors. But I don’t want to chicken out and click “delete”. If you happen to read this and it is Saturday morning of 11/22 say a little prayer for my little doggy’s journey to the great big rabbit chasing field in the sky. And a little one for me- that I do alright getting through the departure this morning!

Tangled Up In Glue

2008-11-20T15:42:00.000-08:00

Oz's "Tangled Up in Glue" to which he says... get it mom "Glue!" "Glue" because I used GLUE teee heee heee rolling on floor 3 year old laughter

Blood on the Tracks

2008-11-18T14:22:00.001-08:00

Listening to Dylan my 3 year old painted a rather literal "Blood on the Tracks"

Progress

2008-11-18T14:21:00.000-08:00

More Trees

Cultivating Fearlessness with Paint

2008-11-15T20:40:00.000-08:00

Cultivating Fealessness- Progression on my Tonglen Trees

Learning to Fly

2008-11-15T20:39:00.001-08:00

Why I did not vote for Obama (or McCain)

2008-11-03T19:09:00.001-08:00

Embed code:

This election I did not vote out of fear- I didn't vote for one - because I was afraid if I didn't the other worse one would win. I trust the republic will survive whichever wins, we will grow, and it is all divine- it is all perfect. Everything is in perfect alignment. My light will shine whomever governs- and the light of others- and we will shine bright against the darkness. I will, as Jesus says, "give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar"- I know my abundance does not come from the government, neither does my safety, my health, or my joy. I AM responsible for my destiny not the government. I voted for the only candidate who wants to end the war, bring our service men and women home, to end the patriot act, end the IRS, restore our civil liberties, dismantle the federal reserve. Since the only say I get in who leads my country is a little check in a box- that may or may not be counted. I know the choice is symbolic, energetic- and the universe always loves symbolism- so I choose the only man I could get behind 100 per cent. Who I would trust not to draft our dear children into an unnecessary war, bankrupt my 401K, and wiretap my phone, arrest me as a "homegrown terrorist" because I am a Anabaptist- and we have been cited at times as "homegrown terrorist" because we peacefully and publicly object to all war which is now illegal under HR 1955 and the patriot act.

Instead of voting out of reaction- I voted out of response. I voted out of Love- out of Joy- that a movement is beginning in our country- and that there are a few good people willing to stand up against the Bildenberg group, the Fed. Reserve, the Globalists, the Corporations, a few honest politicians that didn't vote for the bailout which fleeced the American people, that did not vote for the war or patriot act, that support my right to homeschool my kids, that won't force me to vaccinate them. I responded to their courage to stand out, to not be the "winners", to not patronize the American people with promises they can never keep, to not be popular, but instead to be honest- and for that- they got my vote.

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection..." John Adams

Viva La R3VOLution!

PS

No Matter WHO wins tomorrow it WILL NOT BE George W. Bush!!! THANK GOODNESS!
(well- hmmm...he didn't really win before- so maybe- well hopefully not)

Birches

2008-10-12T15:52:00.000-07:00

Inspired by our summer trip to Wisconsin/Minnesota.

Roger Snarfus

2008-09-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Here is Bobby the English Cocker Spaniel- I finally finished him this weekend. It took me over a month!

Do Schools Kill Creativity

2008-09-15T22:02:00.000-07:00

As we've become more and more committed to homeschooling our children I watched some youtube videos this week that really sang to my heart that until the public education moves forward out of its industrial revolution factory format- educating our children in our loving, nurturing home is the best choice for us. I found these talks from the TED talks on education really good.

Do Public Schools Kill Creativity

Why We Don't Understand As Much As We Think We Do

Can Kids Teach Themselves

My first youtube video

2008-09-15T17:21:00.000-07:00

Here's my first youtube video

Oskar's first roll over to the tune of 2001 space odyssey

2008-09-04T20:33:00.001-07:00

Bobby- In Progress Cocker Spaniel

2008-09-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

A couple of you had asked (probably the actual two people who read my blog) about the painting in the background of the KUAT filming. They actually filmed me painting and so this is the work "in progress" that' s featured. Hopefully I'll wrap it up this week. But the energy is coming through nicely. Amy on limitlessness knicknamed him Roger Snarfus and it's sort of stuck- so it may be titled Roger Snarfus.

2008-09-04T20:14:00.000-07:00

This is a painting my three year old did of Alexander the hummingbird with his friends at the hummingbird feeder. It's really one of my favorites that he's done. They both love watching the humming bird. The funny thing he told me today is that he wanted me to make chicken pox for dinner. Two of his playmates have chicken pox so he heard me talking about it on the phone.

Filming For Kuat - PBS

2008-08-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple photos from today. A producer from KUAT our local PBS filmed at our house and in my studio for the local show Arte! featuring Mutt Butt Studio! Very exciting.

The photos don't quite give the feel of the total chaos of two toddlers, blind 80 pound Labrador retriever, very expensive hi-def camera equipment, lights on tripods, etc.

It was exhilaratingly terrifying and I got very tongue tied which made me enormously grateful it wasn't live television. Hopefully I got my words out in a coherent way. Excited that with this opportunity many more people will be able to see my art.

It should air early October on KUAT Tucson channel 6 and it will also be available online and I will post a link to the video when I have it.

wheew. I got through it. yeah!

Shelby

2008-08-05T14:33:00.000-07:00

Shelby

2008-07-27T20:23:00.000-07:00

This beautiful dog Miesha belongs to fellow blogger Dan Tristam "Padrones" who graciously shared this photo of her. You can also see more of his photos on Flickr

2008-07-19T20:14:00.001-07:00

These are some fun posters I made inserting my artwork into a automotivator poster program. Silly, but they turned out kind of cute.

Poster

2008-07-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

Axel Painting

2008-07-19T19:12:00.001-07:00

Axel "helping" out on a new painting.

July 17, 2008

I'm Ready for My Close Up Now....

2008-07-12T11:23:00.000-07:00

Here is Tyler in front of his painting. Most of the paintings went to the gallery this week (of course I kept Tyler's portrait) so I snapped a shot before they went because I thought they looked nice all grouped together.

Daily Star AGAIN!

2008-07-11T14:30:00.001-07:00

Here we are again...

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/247788.php

Arizona Daily Star July 10, 2008

2008-07-10T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here I am in the Arizona Daily Star!

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/247417

2008-07-09T14:30:00.001-07:00

OMG Made the Front Page!

2008-07-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone--

I made the front page of the Vail Sun... must have been a slow news week!

http://www.vailsun.com/articles/2008/07/08/news/news02.txt

YippPEEeeeeEEE

Carolyn

Mutt Butt In The News

2008-07-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

I have an exciting announcement that my art and my story will be in two papers next week: the Vail Sun (www.vailsun.com) Wednesday July 9th and the Arizona Daily Star (www.azstarnet.com) Thursday July 10th in the Eastside Arts Supplement. If it's possible I'll post a link here- if not check the paper if you subscribe or check the online versions if you are interested in reading it.

Very Exciting!

Loki God of Mischief

2008-07-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a painting of a Swiss Mountain Dog named Loki I finished this week. The photo is by Haley Hughes (also a blogger http://haleyhughes.blogspot.com )

Cicely The Dog

2008-06-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

Here's some photos of Cicely the dog. I don't know this dog personally I sort of felt moved to paint her after surfing around Myspace one night. I did her this past week. She was a lot of fun to paint!

Worms on the Run

2008-06-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

2008-06-03T10:40:00.001-07:00

Progression of a Painting from start to finish.
I've started doing this with the digital camera and it's fun for me as you can start to see them dogs sort of poke their way out of the canvas.

2008-06-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

Photo By Rene Lego

This is a painting I did of a dog named named "Bonnie" through a FlickR contact.
The painting ending up being a lot like the photograph. I am so grateful folks are sharing and emailing me their favorite dog photos, as with the kids I don't get time to go out and shoot photographs of "models". Do you have a favorite photo of your dog you think would make a good painting? Email them to me- I'll send you a photo of it if I use it. info **at**muttbutt.com.

Carolyn

Zephyr the Scottish Wolfhound

2008-06-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

This is a new one I recently finished of Zephyr the Scottish Wolfhound. It's a huge painting 5 feet by 4 feet and currently towering over our living room until it goes to its new home.

It was such fun to paint.

I think it's my new favorite.

This painting was inspired by photographs taken by Zephyr's "mom" Jenya Campbell. Here's a link to her site on Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sighthound/

2008-06-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

Here is another inspired by Tonglen. They are Tibetan prayer flags.

I also used this as the main art on www.peaceism.com
(if you happen to check out peaceism.com it's not done yet- I am still working on it and waiting for other contributors to get me their writing. So it is there "as is". The myspace Peaceism page looks a little better www.myspace.com/peaceism and if you are a "myspacer" be sure be-friend it!)

Painting a Deep Breathe

2008-06-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a painting that goes along with deep breathing. I painted it for a friend with a new baby, starting a new phase of her life. I tried to put my experience with the practice of Tonglen (described in "On Breathing") on the canvas. When I was painting it I kept thinking about the glorious healing space, it's potential with each breath, as it pulls us into the present moment, and what can be transformed as we hold it in, the space opens, then exhale.

Lee Harris and Story Waters have some visualization exercises on "The Freedom Sessions" that use a Shanti Chakra, which I found helpful to visualize while breathing. I called this one "Shanti Chakra with Silver Cord".

On Breathing.....

2008-06-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

Recently I’ve changed my breathing practice.

For years it’s been my practice to take deep cleansing breaths.

When in fear, unrest, stress, or even just to relax, to bring on sleep. I used to breathe in God- and exhale fear. Breathe in God, exhale stress. Just get it out of me. BIG breathes of Peace, Light- and cleanse all the guck, rot, yuck with it – and then let it out of my body. Breathe in Good- breath out Bad......imagine everything leaving my body....ahhhh...

Recently a teacher challenged me to change my breathing: to do the exact opposite. To breathe in the fear, unrest, stress....and breathe out God. And then, not only breathe in my fear, but other people’s fear, expanding out to include all people who fear.

I was surprised how much I fought it. It felt so wrong, like I was going to make myself sick or something. Like the whole purpose of deep breathing was to get the Good in—and get whatever I didn’t want OUT. It felt very counterintuitive. I fought and fought it with my mind. That’s crazy. However, trusting the teacher, trusting the process I changed my practice.

In the process something amazing happened, something truly miraculous. I realized that I’ve underestimated myself. I underestimated our power as beings. We CAN breathe in our suffering, other people’s suffering, pain, stress, hardship, because that’s what we breathe in anyhow. We can’t breathe in God, because we ARE God. It isn’t outside of us. It can only come from within.

The other amazing thing I learned was that the light that is deep inside us, our true selves, our God self is capable of transforming the most acute hardship into beauty and hope. And upon exhalation even the darkest evil can be converted it into lightness and peace. We can take it in, transform it, and then send it out to those still in distress.

I am powerful enough to breath in my own suffering, other peoples suffering- let it enter me- transform it through my being and let it come out on the other side as beauty, light, as hope. Like the metaphor of being in a pub filled with cigarette smoke- and you sit in the corner- slowly breathing in the all the smoke and dirty air- and what comes out of your body is clean beautiful fresh air. At first I though- what about the smoke? We are so trained to think we can’t handle it. Don’t we need to get that out of our bodies, not breathe it in? Another thought I had was, that’s not my job, every one else needs to just quit smoking. But then, alas, that is another puzzle. So out of extreme gratitude for understanding the piece (peace) I do, I inhale.

As I pull a lungful of restlessness and uncertainty deep into my core, I am struck with awe. I realize immediately, we’ve forgotten how dynamic we really are, how we were perfectly made for this type of work, the intricate design, the key the fits within the lock. The key slides in as we open our lips, turns on the inbreathe, and a door opens as the air settles into our lungs. As we exhale, out of that once hidden room, explodes our holiness, perfection, Light spills out for all to see, experience, to be transformed by. We are God. We are so powerful.

We CAN take it in, any of it, and by the exact nature of our own perfection, breathe it out clear, clean, sparkling, perfect and sacred.

In the process I also learned more about what we breathe in. When I stopped breathing solely for myself, my problems became much less exclusive. I often fall victim to a struggles of a rare variety, struggles of distinctive nature that others certainly have never experienced. I have matchless and uncommon sufferings. Then as I breathe in, I see, my troubles are everyone else’s troubles too. Whatever I’ve concocted to make myself feel alone, separate, misunderstood. I make myself terminally unique. Then I realize how to sort out my unique spirit from my very common earthly dilemmas. I think of myself and breathe in my pain and add to that breathe the pain of all the others experiencing the same discomfort. As unique as I am, the problems are not unique, and whatever is causing discomfort, someone, somewhere on this planet has experienced it too. In fact, someone, somewhere is probably experiencing the exact same situation right now. I am not alone. We are all one. I breathe the Unity in. For them, for me, for Us, together- as the air mixes together, Oneness appears again. I am God- I exchange each molecule, charging each ion, particle for particle it leaves my body magnificent and holy, for me and for them. Now that I know, I can do this, for me, for others, until we all awaken and realize how powerful we are, until we all realize we ARE the embodiment of God.

Finally Getting On the Blogging Bandwagon

2008-06-01T14:20:00.001-07:00

Well here it is mid-2008.

And I decided this weekend, it's about time I started a blog.

As a stay at home mom two small children (1 and 3 years old) it seems I hardly have time to take a shower some days let alone write, ponder, and fart around on the computer. Then, I also realized how much I enjoy writing, keeping up with friends, and just having the sorts of conversations I like to have but can't necessarily have with two small children. So here it is.... my first attempt at blogging.

Welcome, and thanks for swinging by and checking out the blog.

Just have to see how this goes.

Love, Happiness and a Beautiful Day to you all.

Namaste,

Carolyn

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