Art Is Where You See It

Main building is nearly 100 years old (before permits)

Redwood water tanks collect rain water

Of course we are deeply saddened not only at the loss of our home to fire and 99% of contents, we have been dealing with the loss of our ART SPACES. ***

Anyone who visited our home or followed our blog knows about Phil's beautiful wood working shop and his amazing collection of tools. We also shared a huge bright space upstairs as well that was full of our art supplies, journals and completed art.

BUT WE ARE BOTH ARTISTS so we tend to see the world, through artists eyes -- even the mundane and ordinary has depth, color and composition as illustrated by these images. We have expansive views of trees and sky and barnyard, but a couple that Phil took are somewhat more abstract views of what we can also see from our lanai; Lunel did her 'magic' to draw out the interesting perspectives.

Recently a dear friend gave us back a gift we had given to her -- a golden paper star that was identical to the one we had in our Leilani home for so many years. We were able to find just the perfect artistic place for it in our east facing window.

The mundane can bring out both the worst and best in artistic expression as the two images below illustrate. We were dismayed the other day when Phil pulled into a parking space and lightly touched the bumper stop. "Bumper shredder" might be more appropriate as even that little nudge managed to literally shred the cheap plastic bumper out of its cheap plastic "snaps" (not even screwed together.)

In any case, after several trips to the hardware store and a pair of borrowed wheel ramps we managed to reattached the bumper. The space beneath was too small for Phil to maneuver under but he handed screws, washers, drills and screwdrivers to Lunel, who was very annoyed at the quality of this 2016 versa that seemed expressly designed to cause the owner unnecessary expense because of cheap materials. What ever happened to METAL?

Anyway, as she normally does, she created ART from her perspective -- that of being under the car for the repairs.

And life goes on, as does ART, when you have the eyes to see it.

"Art is a step from what is obvious and well-known toward what is arcane and concealed." Kahlil Gibran



*** We again wish to acknowledge the generous gifts from friends, neighbors and even strangers who contributed funds (and art supplies) that have enabled us to continue producing art.  Phil is producing art and has three galleries now!

HILO in Three Acts

Some days present such a unbelievable chain of event as to be a complete Shakespearean absurdity.  Such was yesterday and our trip to Hilo.  Well, of course there is "The List" with 11 stops (10 of which were completed.)

Act I -- "The List"  -- Together we completed some off the errands before Phil was dropped off Downtown for 1st Friday Art Walk. Then while he did gallery duty, I checked off the rest of the list, and while doing so, noticed that I had lost my Chase/Visa card during or just after the OfficeMax stop.  So, I swung back around to see if they found it, but no one had turned in the card.

 Act II -- "Chase Card" -- (nearing evening) Naturally my next move was to call Chase/Visa to cancel my card, but in the meantime, of course some creep had already rung up $70 of gas and over $100 at Kentucky Fried Chicken!!  Really?? After gathering up my stuff my next stop was to pick Phil up so we could return home with our supplies....

Coconut can and quick thinking solved the problem

EXCEPT -- Act III -- "Dead Battery"  (Scene 1)  So my first call was to AAA, and by this time it is dark.  Fortunately I was parked directly in front of OfficeMax next to a handicap spot with lots of room.  The guy responding to AAA call was there in 15 minutes, but had to drive back to pick up the right battery for the VERSA.  I was hungry, so I broke into the ice chest for some smoked ham, slice of bread and a can of coconut water and had just finished my snack when the battery arrived.

(Scene 2) We noticed that the new battery was inches smaller than the old one, but after checking the book for the right replacement, it was the recommended version.   However, there was no way to "block" it into place so it wouldn't flop around on the stand. A block of wood would have been perfect, except -- no wood.  So I grabbed my coconut water can and sized up the space, and we shoved it in for a tight fit.



(Scene 3)  The AAA guy's girlfriend was the manager at OfficeMax!!! So, when she came out to say hi to him she recognized me and asked if I had found my credit card!  Aloha!

(Scene 4)   So the battery is in and tested and we are ready to finish the transaction with a credit card (we have two so that was no problem.)  However, HIS credit card machine was not working, payment could not be by check .... and here I am at the end of a huge shopping day.  Opening my wallet, I find about $70 toward a invoice of $120!   I took a breath and remembered my "secret stash" which I never used -- and YES!!!  There was a $100 tuck away.

Denouement  All secured, I swung back around (again) to bay front for Phil, keenly aware of the precarious balance between the coconut can holding the battery in tight and the fairly good VERSA suspension.
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Act III ends with us safe at home with doggies who had waited HOURS for a very late supper,

THE END