THE LITTLE OTTER

I birthed my younger son at home. Labor had started at 10 pm, but I went to bed anyway, exhausted from canning tomatoes all day. I awoke with a bang at 3 am, though, and somehow, as daddy went to get the midwife, I clambered clumsily and carefully down our … Continue reading

REBEL

What happens to kids who just don’t fit the square, round or even triangular holes in society? They end up like I did, seething inside, wishing for friends, afraid of the certain mockery when I opened my mouth, envying the easy friendships others had. Finding solace in art and reading; … Continue reading

WHAT’S A LOSSY FILE?

If you post on social media, create and post images on your website, or use images for your portfolio – or any type of stationery or promotional materials – both online and off – you need to know this stuff! •  Do you know the difference between .jpg, .tif, .png, … Continue reading

INTO the LIGHT

When I left New Zealand to come back to Hawaii in 2002, I was delighted to be back in the States, but also terrified that I wouldn’t be able to make it. I had almost no money with me, so I had to take a job. The only one I … Continue reading

Made of Day Painting

When I was a little kid, I saw a wedding on television. There were the usual people – bride, groom, best men and women, and then – the Maid of Honor. “What? What is that,” I thought. “Made of honor? How could anyone be made of honor?” Ever since then, … Continue reading

Signature Styles

A friend mentioned in conversation this week that she didn’t see that I had a “signature style.” She said my work was “all over the place.” I thought about it after we hung up, because I had always been told that, whether I was drawing, carving or painting, people could … Continue reading

Cheat Sheet: What Art Buyers Can Say to Artists to Make them Feel Really, Really Great!

Recently I posted a couple of images of memes saying “What Not to Say to an Artist” and “What Not to Say to Photographers.” I also inluded a Cheat Sheet of nice things artists wish you would say to us. Find and download it all HERE. Today, I’m posting a … Continue reading

Cheat Sheet for Art Show Goers: What Artists Wish You Would Say to Them

A while ago, there were 2 memes circulating about what not to say to an artist: I’ve asked artists all over the place to suggest what they’d like to hear (THANKS so much to all the artists who gave me their wonderful input!). This is part one – feel free … Continue reading

Awesome Birdy x 10 Exhibition Results

This last week, just for fun, and to see how many people I could reach, I offered a free online virtual art show (HERE). I created the show, and included a free downloadable print as a thank-you gift for coming to see the show. THE PLAN My plan was 4-fold: … Continue reading

Enko Art Interview, Part 2: the Art Closest to My Heart

Recently I was interviewed for EnkoArt.wordpress.com, a  terrific art site that features many artists. Mia Corrino, the interviewer, does a whole lot of research before asking her questions, and I was particularly pleased with the questions she asked me. Here’s the second one – more to come in ensuing posts. … Continue reading

Enko Art Interview, Part 1: Looseness?

Recently I was interviewed for EnkoArt.wordpress.com, a  terrific art site that features many artists. Mia Corrino, the interviewer, does a whole lot of research before asking her questions, and I was particularly pleased with the questions she asked me. Here’s the first one – more to come in ensuing posts. … Continue reading

Pele’s Story: The Painting ‘Pele Searches for Her New Home’

The Fire Goddess of Hawai’i This painting, Pele Searches for Her New Home, tells a little-talked-about part of the legend of Pele, the Fire Goddess of Hawaii. Usually… Most times you see Pele depicted as firey and angry, bursting out of or in a volcano, with lava and fire and … Continue reading

Collector’s Choice Prints!

I’ve decided to make inexpensive prints available that you can download and print out yourself. So far, people like the idea. I’m thinking it might be cool to have a Collector’s Choice Membership Club where you could get prints for less! Here’s what I’ve set up: You can get all … Continue reading

I Won the Cover Competiton for Women’s Art Magazine 278! Woohoo!

Here’s the letter I got announcing the new March 2014 issue: “Women in Art 278 is pleased to unveil the March Issue! Congratulations to our cover artist Angela Treat Lyon of America whose art beautifully conveys our Water Theme –  Access to Clean Water, an issue that affects every being … Continue reading

Wish Me Luck!

Earlier this week, I got a note from a friend with the link to apply to a $35,000 grant for sculptors. In the past, I haven’t been able to apply for various reasons, but this one was a 100% go. So I gathered the select 20 images, wrote up all … Continue reading