Margo Banger......by Joyce oroz

Art apprecianados, Artist Margo Felice Banger has one of her paintings showing at the Pacific Art League, 668 Ramona St (corner of Forest) Palo Alto, CA. If you love this piece, you’ll love all her paintings. Every one of them is full of life, movement and color.

If you are in the bay area, stop by the gallery and gush over this beautiful seascape Margo has created. You’ll be glad you did.

FIRST FRIDAY RECEPTION:

July 6TH, 2012

5:30 TO 8pm

EXHIBITION DATES:

July 6th - 26th

GALLERY HOURS

Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm

Saturday, 10am - 4pm

A bridge like no other.......by AR and Joyce oroz

 Speaking of little towns and quiet streets ... you may be scratching your head and asking,"What is it like to live in Aromas?" I don't know why you would ask that question, but here is the answer ... straight from my good friend and "book club buddy," in her own words.

Good morning!  Wanted to share with you that Carr Avenue is a little cleaner, with some trashed picked up, thanks to Fred!!   I told Fred where Tina said she got all those blue bottles for her beautiful bottle tree.  Fred saw the bottle tree too, so he knows what I'm talking about.  So, Friday he drops something off to Joyce at the Dragonfly Gallery and like the good husband that he is, drives over to Carr Ave., parks his truck and looks around the bridge.  We had a good laugh over these small blue bottles because Fred said he's seen them at Marshall's, filled with some kind of booze.  We conjured up our own story about some guy in the neighborhood telling his wife he's taking out the trash (voluntarily!!) and has a stash of these little blue bottles hidden in the garage, where he grabs one while taking out the trash and then walks to the bridge for a honk.  Back to the bridge on Friday, where Fred is wandering around trying to find the empty blue bottles.  Out comes a neighbor woman and she wants to know what Fred is doing.  Not usually known for being quick on his feet, he did remarkably well, and told her he thought some debris had flown out of the back of his truck and he didn't want to litter.  He was just trying to be a responsible guy!  So he picked up a few pieces of trash, put them on the floor of his cab and came home ... with no blue bottles.    I am so proud of him.  I wish he would have found some blue bottles but .... he tried.

Make it a good day!

AR

Now you know why book club is so much fun!!

Library Mural part V

The “Ladies of the mural” mysteriously reappeared at the Aromas library today for a repeat performance. The kiddies were gone. It was time for the painterly women to slather on more acrylic paint. They added trees and shrubs to the mountains and row-crops and a lone apricot tree to the lowlands. Sandra captured the essence of an apricot tree (the official Aromas tree because there used to be so many of them.) Linda plowed ahead in the strawberry patch and Kathy decorated the mountains. There were plenty of oohs and aahs as people passed by the artwork and funneled into the library. But it was all in a day’s work for our “Ladies of the mural.” Stay tuned for the next performance.

Thank you, AR, Fred and all the people sponsering the library mural.

Happy Brother's Day.........poem by Joyce Riley

This poem by Joyce Riley pulls me away from myself, tells me to be aware of my brother, all brothers, happy, hurting or fallen brothers. Sisters, your brothers need you, your thoughts, your prayers. Sisters naturally cluster and clatter and share while brothers are silent. A visit, a call, a card can break the silence and warm his heart. Happy brother's day--everyday!

ATTENTION
By Joyce Riley

I wasn’t in the moment.

My mind was off the grid.

When I turned the blender on,

I forgot the lid.

As you can guess, there was a mess

Splattered everywhere.

Now, my intention is to be

More present and aware.

                                        
                                             Rest in peace, Tim

Library Pizza Paint-out.......by Joyce oroz

Aromas Library Mural Part III

It was a hot time at the Library. Hot pizza, hot sun and hot little painters creating colorful flowers on the risers leading up to the main mural and library entrance. The volunteer artists ranged in age from five to twelve years old—boys and girls bent on painting masterpieces.

Thank you Nevan, Citlali, Sadie, Myles, Roslin, Jennifer, Anahi and of course Hillary, our librarian.

While the children worked, our “ladies of the mural” supervised and helped with flower-painting. Kathy worked on the big mural, adding far-away trees and shadows. The walls are looking good, but much more will need to be done. Stay tuned to see if and when the “ladies of the mural” will cross the finish line.

Self Portrait by Joyce Riley

SELF PORTRAIT
By Joyce Riley

I am a farmer, sowing my life,

An apprentice gardener, growing my life.

I am a sculptor, molding my life,

A painter, painting the colors of life.

I am a poet, writing my life,

A singer singing, the songs of my life.

Before I am finished, I hope you will see

A portrait of the inner me.

Pretty Purses, Plus........by Joyce Oroz

Today I would like you to meet a friend of mine, the lovely and talented Barbara Altman. She creates beautiful purses, paintings and garments. Here is her story in her own words. Be sure to check out her website!

I have always loved sewing. I started when I was about 11 years old. I used to watch my grandmother and my aunt sew. My mother got me an old treadle sewing machine and I was off!! I made all my own clothes and my mothers too. That has continued throughout my life. About 15 years ago I had a shop in Carmel, Calif. That had been a dream for mine. I made all the clothes for the shop and they were all silk. I hand painted some of them.


You asked me about my purses that I have on etsy. Well, that is a funny thing...I had never made a purse before, but I love making them now.

As soon as I finish one I have an idea for another...I never like to

make the same purse again...


I love to paint in acrylics and pastels. I have always loved art of any kind. My easel is always up and ready to go.


Now that I am retired I have cut back on lots of things in the sewing line. I do things that don't take long to make. I will continue to make smaller items...


I read a lot, some every day. I don't have a TV so I have more time for
the things I enjoy.


I live on an island off the coast of Washington. It is the most beautiful place you can imagine. It is covered with all kinds of trees and flowers everywhere. We do have lots of rain but not as much as Seattle, thank goodness. I walk everywhere in this small village and the beaches are great. I love color and it's everywhere.

www.etsy.com/shops/baltmandesigns www.barbaraaltman@langleywa.com

Library Mural Part II

Joann, Linda, Kathy

Sunday afternoon “our ladies of the mural” kept their spirits high and dry in spite of a pervasive mist from a noisy power-washer actively cleansing the library parking lot. These ladies could paint through a tidal wave if necessary.

Linda and Joann laid in the green-turning-gold mountains of Aromas while Kathy added texture and three-dimensional effects. They suffered oo’s and ah’s from bystanders and the occasional photo shoot….all in a days work.

This bystander would like to thank the trio for a job well done but not finished yet. Stay tuned and see next weeks progress!

Bellydragger's Heaven.......by Joyce oroz

I just got home from a posh potbelly pig party at our friend’s house in San Martin. Two and a half lovely acres full of people, music, food, wine, cute little pigs and a macaw in a pear tree. Actually the parrot was climbing on the monkey bars but that’s another story. Artist, Russell House, painted pictures of pigs while we pigged out at the picnic table. When my heaping plate of food was gone, I decided to inspect the pig’s side of the property. I found lush green laws the size of Alabama, large shade trees, nice private rooms, great food. Sounds better than a few vacations I have experienced. The pigs followed me like puppies wagging their tails back and forth and in circles when I talked to them. I returned to the people party as the band played the old favorite, “Pig o’My Heart.” Sing along and then go to this website….. http://bellydraggersranch.com/

Pig o’ my heart I love you,

We’ll never part, for I love you.

Sweet little swine,

I know you’ll be mine,

Sweeter than an apple pie,

Just you and I will share our sty.

Pig o’ my heart your glances,

My swinish heart entrances,

Come be my own, come make your home in my heart.

Song by Ray Morris