A dream is just a dream, a goal is a dream with a deadline (paraphrased from Harvey McKay) or like to say to myself in my art studio "just show up"! I am a mixed-media full-time artist that loves painting, collage and encaustic. Recycling/repurposing as much as possible including tea bags, onion skins (anything is fair game) working intuitively preferring sticks, fingers, feathers as tools over a paint brush. I am grateful for the opportunity to create in my studio daily.
I drove up from Tucson to participate in Northland Pioneer College's "Pedal the Petrified" 60-mile bike ride to help raise money for student scholarships. They also had a shorter version.
I stayed in this great RV park in Holbrook, AZ. They had cute cabins available to rent. I loved the swing and it also had a picnic table in front.
They had a GREAT cowboy cookout with steaks or chicken. I would go back up just to enjoy the cookout. I brought my laptop with me so I could do some work while waiting for my dinner to cook.
I was so excited. I was the first rider to show up at the event.
The riders participating in the 60-mile ride get to go first. I was the only trike.
I almost stepped on this little guy when I pulled into a SAG stop. You have to look closely to see him!
This was a wonderful event. I got in just before a storm hit.
I have so many projects going that I barely have room on my drafting table to work any more.
This is my new Moleskin planner - I decorated the cover.
My goal is to find more balance in my life and art in 2014!
Stay tuned....more projects to be posted!
I started this in 2013 for a friend and finally finished and delivered it yesterday. It went through a lot of changes from the original concept. I did love working with the mini canvases. I would like to do more of those. I also enjoyed making the houses and plan to do more of those as well.
Let me give my friend a plug: Malea Norris at Cadden Realty! If you are looking for a good agent in Tucson or Green Valley, Arizona, give her a call!!
Here are some close ups ( LOVE the little SOLD sign on the For Sale Sign):
I made this sweet necklace for the book lovers out there. Black ribbon and cord and a red miniature hand-made book dangles from red beads, with a small key that matches the lock on the book. The lock is heart-shaped as well as the top of the key. The book opens and functions as a small book. I have been making book marks and this was on my to do or should I say my wish list. I made it red for the holidays but I can do special orders, different colors also.
If you look at previous posts you can see book marks I have made with miniature books also.
I finally finished my doodle of Madison's name! I started it quite some time back and she saw it in my studio one day and said I should finish it. She was six then, she is now seven. So I finished it!
It started out strictly black and white with the red balloon lifting the letter "I". Then I added the blue blue bird and then I couldn't quite coloring. Of course, I was inspired my my new copics. They are wonderful. I can't wait to try air brushing with them.
I found the perfect frame for this.....I can't wait to give it to Madison. I love the little snail and caterpillar.........I am actually going to miss doodling on this.......
Look at that recumbent grin on Chris. That is Ebony in the pouch.
I met Chris and Ebony while riding my trike in San Diego on the multi-use path along Mission Bay. Ebony was trotting along with the trike. We stopped and chatted for awhile and Chris gave me a lot of information about riding around San Diego. I told him about the Loop and he plans to come and check it out.
Ebony is a real cutie! When she tires of trotting along she just scampers up with ease and hops into her pouch on her own!
Meet Susan Reed. She rides a two-wheel recumbent. You can read more about her experiences on her wonderful blog Bent Wanderings: A Spiritual Journey of A Recumbent Rider. In fact, it was Susan and reading her blog that encouraged me to go forward with the purchase of my trike.
I was on the fence because of the expense and then during my research on the Internet I came across Susan. She is also a member of a local recumbent Yahoo group. I e-mailed her and the Yahoo group for advice. I got a lot of encouragement. I just want to say that it is my experience that recumbent bike and trike riders are some of the best people you will ever want to meet.
Susan and another member of the Yahoo group joined me on my inaugural ride. They didn't even know each other at the time, they just both showed up to give me guidance. We met on the Loop and they guided me on how to shift my gears. Amazing patience. Both are long-distance riders and they did not seem phased to be rolling at 5 - 10 mph (if we even got to 10).
As I wrote that both were long-distance riders and I realize about all of the recumbent riders I know are long distance riders. It just turns out that way.
They probably don't think of themselves as long distance riders they are too busy having fun. When you discover how comfortable and FUN it is riding a recumbent whether it be bike or trike, that is all you want to do is ride. 50 miles is probably an average, certainly 10 to 20 no big deal even when you are a beginner. They are also some of the most interesting wonderful down-to-earth people you would ever want to meet. Some travel with their dogs! Maybe I can feature some of them on my blog in the future.
If you are in the Tucson area on August 5th, come to the GABA general meeting on Monday, August 5, 2013 at 7 pm in the Pima County Medical Society building at 5199 E Farness Dr. where Susan will be giving a talk on how she celebrated her 60th birthday in 2006 with a trip across the country: San Diego to Tybee Island, Georgia in 3000 miles over 26 days. See you there!
I am heading to the St. Phillip's farmer's market on the Rillito bike path (The Loop) on my Gekko FX trike. I love farmer's markets and I love riding my trike and I love the Loop. Perfect morning.
Here is one of the new fix it stations along the Rillito portion of the Loop. A dad was pumping air in his daughter's Schwinn bike, her first ride on the path, he and his wife had ridden once before. These are great self-service stations, you can not only air your tires, but you they have tools available for repairs and there is a QR code on the front of the stand to get detailed information onto your Smart phone to do those repairs. Unfortunately many were vandalized shortly after they were installed.
Here is my Gekko FX - and for those of you not familiar with this model, it folds!
There are bike racks in front of Arizona Cyclist to park your ride.
I love going to Farmer's markets.
Roasting chilies.
Crowd gathers to listen to music.
What a great way to spend the morning.
If you go, stop by my favorite booth: Tucson Tamale! They won't disappoint!
I didn't get a photo of the Peddler on the Path mobile cafe. Next time!! He parks his mobile café on the path next to St. Phillip's plaza Saturday and Sunday mornings as well as going to bike events.
Here is a little video of my ride home.
I am in San Diego heading to Coronado to ride the Bayshore Bikeway. If you click on the link it will give you detailed instructions how to ride the San Diego Bay route from the Broadway Pier at the intersection of Broadway and Harbor Drive, downtown San Diego. You can ride it around to Coronado and take a one way ferry ride back to your starting point. Today I am doing a round trip ferry ride because I am not going to ride the whole bikeway.
I parked in an ACE parking lot next to the Midway for $10 (prices as of June, 2013). It was worth it to me. It is located at 910 N. Harbor Drive (Phone (619) 233-6624).
The ferry is $8.00 and bikes (and trikes) are free. You can check their schedule online.
Here I am at the San Diego Harbor, Broadway Pier first in line to board the ferry with my Gekko FX trike and hoping that she will fit through the gate, down the ramp and on to the ferry.
Video of the ferry ramp.
This is a great back pack from WalMart with a water bladder inside and reflective tape, lots and lots of pockets. Holds a lot! Before I got my basket, I attached it to the rack. The basket has a quick release so it is easy to take off and put on, plus it has a handle to carry it around.
I think it is a perfect fit.
It fit! These are the bike racks on the first deck.
This is a popular destination for cyclists. Take the ferry to Coronado to ride the Strand.
Video of the upper deck of the ferry.
I rode on the top deck to enjoy the view, trike is stored safely down on the first deck. Here we are pulling in to the ferry landing at Coronado. I think it is approximately a 15-minute ride. There is also a water taxi available which you can get a bike on, but not sure about the trike. Too much hassle.
Video of the ferry.
This is the view as we pull away from the Broadway pier. You can also see the parking lot right next door to the ferry landing in this video.
Gorgeous day to ride the ferry, a lot of the times it is overcast.
In the photo below you can get a glimpse of Seaport Village.
In the video below you get to see the Midway as well as a glimpse of Seaport Village.
In the video below shows our arrival to Coronado.
There are restaurants, shopping, bike racks and public restrooms available as soon as you land. Off of the ferry bear to the left onto the bike path. I mention the public restrooms because there are not a lot of facilities when you get to the Strand portion of your ride.
There are plenty of bike racks available. If you didn't bring a bike, you can rent one as soon as you depart the ferry.
