I brought home this friend with me from a recent trip to Halifax...isn't he charming? Our last fish (purchased locally) did not last very long, so I thought we'd try again, with Halifax stock, tehe. Things weren't going so well when, just like before, our fish snubbed all our attempts at feeding it, until, Eureka!! We had a brainstorm! The food we'd purchased specifically for this type of fish comes in pellet form. The pellets were so unappetizing to the fish that I swear I even saw him give them dirty looks, anyhow...the Eureka moment went like this, "perhaps fishie would like his pellets crushed between 2 spoons?"
....
Fishie did!! He now eats regularly, and I recommend this "processing" to anyone having the same difficulties with their fish's eating habits - and it makes sense what with their mouths so small and all.

"Lord, I wish...
I was a catfish.
Swimming in -
the deep blue sea."
-Old Blues Standard

The past few weeks have been bustling (can "bustling" be an adjective?)
solitary contemplation peppered with spontaneous bursts of social activity is proving quite a bit of good...
I often am so bursting with energy that I feel as if at any moment gravity might surrender and I will float away, hehe.

My cleaning spree is wrapping up, and this in itself is cause for celebration! Do you know how happy a $20 set of boxed file folders can make a girl? VERY!! file folders are my latest great aquisition.
in case other artists are interested in some more things i deem essential to my working life, here are a few key ones:
solid brush cleaner: buy it in little pots like lip gloss and use it to clean brushes that you've just used, or even ones that have been sitting around cruddy for a year...seriously, it works!
a pad of palette paper:if you're not good with washing your painting palette immediately after each session, the disposable is a lifesaver! one pad will last a long time too...mine is almost 2 years old!
Chinese watercolor brush:best. brush. ever.
digital camera:what did i do without it? a whole lot less, that's what!

So, what's got me all wound up? New products ready to sell that have been in the developing stages forever, and a veritable crop of brand new ideas waiting to be explored.
I'm sorry and a tad embarrassed to report that none of the new products can be seen here on the site...all because I still haven't learned the technology! My brain has just sort of been saying "hold up lil buddy, the cells are full, try again later." So I plan on trying to really learn this web stuff very soon, now that I've freed up some storage space!

I do want to tell you about a theme that's been presenting itself to me all over the place: oysters. i don't know why at all, but since Christmas I have had several oyster-related art ideas...good enough ones too, I think. One is an idea for a wall-art thing I can't wait to try, which was inspired by a blemish in a piece of wallpaper...the same blemish i've been looking at for years all of a sudden becomes inspiration.

Also, after speaking with a real, live copyright lawyer, I have finally laid to rest all the questions I've had surrounding my preferred artform: appropriation art. Artists (at least Canadian ones anyhow)who recycle as part of their expression need to be concerned with certain issues of legality. I won't bore you with the details here, but anyone who's interested, please just ask so I can share with you why I'm looking over my shoulder a lot less these days!!

So, loose ends are being tied up, one by one by one, and not a moment too soon, either. February is traditionally buying month for most retail stores, meaning most of their summer stock will be ordered before March, meaning now is the time for artists to be peddling their wares!
Wish me luck!

"I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in..."
-The Beatles

I have been transitioning from 2005 to 2006 by throwing a lot of stuff away (difficult given my packrat ways) and simplifying my life/business.
I love a new year, and I can't wait to start chipping away at it, and sharing the results with you!
I just this week sent out the first issue of my e-newsletter, so if you didn't receive a copy but would like to, please email me, and I'll get it in your inbox pronto!
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This Christmas, our family lost a dear friend, and Cape Breton lost a talented musician in Ron Joseph. His unique spirit will be missed by many, and I for one am greatful to Ron for reminding me of my real purpose: to enjoy life, and share that joy with as many people as possible.
My resolution is to remember this lesson, and honor it each new day. Creating is certainly my passion, but it is fed by genuine experience...so here's to a bit more living in 2006!

"Mustang Sally, guess you better slow your mustang down.
You been running all over the town now.
I guess you gotta put your flat feet on the ground."
-as sung by Ronny Joe!

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