A Happy Hoarder: Dying with Fibromyalgia

I Love Scarves and I Love Art! Now the Two are Combined in One in PopImpressKA's Gorgeous Designer Shawl

I just love the chain-reaction of life and how, for example, my entering my book, The Kitchen Dance, in MARSocial Author of the Year Competition introduced me to Karynne Summars (the winner) and by interviewing her for my blog, The Delete Key, I found out she was a fashion model and contributing writer for PopImressKA Journal (which stands Popular Impressive Kaleidoscope), a magazine featuring wonderful articles on all things wonderfully artistic, created by Olga Papkovitch, which is how, by Olga liking a link about my blogpost on Karynne's books Desperate Pursuit in Venice and her upcoming release, Desperate Pursuit in Rio De Janeiro, we became Facebook friends. 

Then Googling PopImpressKA, I found this shawl and much, much more!

Isn't this shawl/scarf beautiful! And it can be yours, just visit their site at PopImpressKA Brand. It is available in silk and silk blend in three different sizes.

Then I found this YouTube video featuring another version of this elegant design.

SUBSCRIBE!

Olga is a fabulous woman, and for her, the sky's the limit with her pay it forward creed and the support she generates for her causes. PopImpressKA Journal is her brainchild and her pop art outreach is a journey all it's own comprised of many inspiring and unifying chain reactions!

So start a chain reaction of your own and follow some of these great links!

For more about Olga Papkovitch:
https://g2taylor.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/popimpresska-journal-if-you-havent-checked-it-out-its-about-time-you-did/
http://www.olgapopartworld.com/
http://olgapapkovitch.blogspot.com
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/olga-papkovitch/14/8b9/585
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/452589-magazine-founder-inspired-by-shen-yun/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en&v=nFBD2pUpKWg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCglwLtgY48qXspJOU9j8mkg
http://olgapapkovitchart.tripod.com/

And now...MORE FABULOUS FOTOS!

Okay, ladies!

I know how you love designer handbags!

Designed to compliment EVERYTHING, this line is simply amazing!













The origami design of one skirt is so incredible chic!

Like I said, I love scarves!

This one is one of my favorites, it was a gift from the cast of "Dial M for Murder" that I directed with Ruston Community Theatre.

If anyone is looking for the perfect gift for me...

I'd like a 6' scarf by Olga!

Geri

Some Say Talent Runs in Our Family, Or in Our Case, Talent RUNS Our Family!

I want to share this Facebook post promoting my son, Gray Taylor, who will be one of the Artist at the upcoming Louisiana Comic-Con in Bossier City (February 21, 2015).

Alex Richardson
Yesterday at 7:16am

The Artist Alley continues to expand as Gray Taylor joins the con, a multimedia artist with a passion for all things geeky.
While drawing is his favorite past-time, he is not afraid to try other art styles if it means creating more awesome things. His interests range from movies and TV to video games and comic books of all shapes and sizes.

With a few awards already under his belt, he is constantly working hard to improve his mad skills. Gray is currently studying Graphic Design at Louisiana Tech University and wants to be the very best, like no one ever was!

Original Painting 24"x36"

Godzilla Kanji Art

Skateboard Fan Art

Self-Portrait

Gray Taylor is an awesome artist (and I'm not just saying that because I'm his mother!) and he has great potential! Even as a very young artist, he was able to replicate the work of his favorite cartoon and comic book artists and the more he is challenged, the better he becomes.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 7 Finding a Santa Claus in Anything

Creating a Santa from anything and everything is the trend. I know, because I've found Santa in a number of unusual things including two Kalhua bottles.

I recently purchased these three Santas from an estate sale because I will buy just about handcrafted Santa I find. I have to applaud this artist for "finding" the Santas in these two pieces of dried cypress (I think) and a seashell. I've seen a lot of oyster shell and starfish Santas (I've even painted some myself) and sand dollar, and driftwood...etc., but I really like this artist's take on the spindle shell.

I just love the way this artist found the cape in this piece of weathered wood and the way Santa is pointing at something. The star of Bethlehem perhaps?

During my years of Santa crafting and attending shows, I have heard many, many times that is was all about the face, especially the eyes, that appeal to collectors.

This artist did not put a lot of effort into the face, but the shell and smaller piece of cypress do have quite a comical expression. Unfortunately, the larger on looks a bit deranged.

Even though I am VERY tempted to touch it up...I will respect the artist's vision.

Speaking of artist...for heaven's sake...SIGN AND DATE YOUR WORK!

All I have for this artist is his/her initials on the bottom of the largest one.

So, if anyone knows a Santa Claus crafter back in 1996 whose initials are B.G., please let me know.

Here are some Santa ornaments I crafted from slices of a cypress knee. I found these in a one gallon bag at a garage sale and probably only paid a dollar or two.

I've been painting this style of ornament since 1993.

Most of these cypress slice Santas were sold at the 2013 Holiday Arts Tour in Ruston, LA. And yes, they are signed and dated.

Now, I must get dressed and ready for my day. There is nothing like working in your pajamas but it is time to put on carpentry wardrobe because I am still working on my lake house while my husband is off.

We have owned this lake front property in a nice neighborhood on Lake Bistineau, LA for two years and we are still working on it. It's a long story and involves a criminal case...but what renovation doesn't? Believe me, this adventure deserves a blog of its own!

So, I have attached a photo of the house at some point in the remodeling process. This was out Christmas photo two years ago. That is how long this process it taking.

However, we do have one of the bedrooms completed and the bathroom. What else could we possibly need?

I'm looking forward to my husband returning to his real job so that I can get back to work on my Santas!

Sorry, Honey.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 6 Bill Evans One of a Kind Woodcarvings

Another day of working on the lake house, so no Santa crafting for me, plus I have to keep this short! I only have until my husband finished his second cup of coffee and his breakfast yogurt to get this post finished before I'm off to work.

However, I do want to tell you a bit about my collection and the amazing woodcarvings by Bill Evans. Without going into a lot of details about Mr. Evans (you can find that on his website at http://christmaswhispers.com), I want to talk about why I began collecting his work.

Santas aren't the only thing I collect. The shelves on each end and the brass candle holder with the red candle are Ross Lindblad originals. He once had a studio in Ruston, LA and created lovely cabinets, furniture, lamps, and decorating accessories. I actually have a collection of his work that includes four table lamps. 

I used to live in San Antonio and Del Rio, TX and in November or December I would visit Wimberley, TX during their Market Days on the first Saturday of the month. This was when the vendors started bringing out their vintage Santas, bottle brush trees, and ornaments. I just love it, and the weather is usually wonderful that time of year.

For a few years, there was an adorable little shop within walking distance of the market. It was a Christmas themed shop that sold Anthony Costanza, Paul Bolinger, Lyn Haney, and other hand crafted originals.

The one to the left is carved
from a cypress knee

Unfortunately, the store didn't make it, but during its heyday, I was able to purchase some pricey pieces by some of the lesser known artist, but I will get to that later. The point to this digression is PRICE. I'm talking hundreds to thousands for original hand carved pieces.

So, in 2000, I found Bill Evans carved Santas on eBay at very reasonable starting bids. Mr. Evans has definitely created his own style and has given his Santas a serious expression. At the time I bought my first pieces, I can't remember if he had a website or not, but now his work can be seen all year long and it is still very affordable (approximately $7/inch) PLUS he does custom orders!

I encourage everyone take a look at his website and add one of his beautiful works of art to your holiday decor or Santa Claus collection.

Happy SANTA CLAUS crafting and collecting!