September 11 - Did you feel it?

I woke this morning with a heart ache. At first I thought it was all the (relative) shit going on in my own life right now (I know-very self-centered) but then I realized what day it was...then I saw on TV the memorials and moments of silence...
and I realized I was feeling that sadness from the people at the memorials, at ground zero, the silent ones in the moments of silence....

Did you feel it today?

Namasté

-Dawn

Heart Art

I am a team captain at my work for the AHA Heart Walk coming up in October. They are having a silent auction next week so I made these two small (3" x 3" canvas)artworks to hopefully raise a little more money.

The blu-ish background is some used art paper towels laid down and then painted over a little with Starburst Stains Baby Blue Eyes Aqua to make it shimmer - it's hard to see the shimmer in this picture. The heart is made of paper clay - painted and glued on with Sobo craft glue.

The red background is acrylic on canvas and a paper clay heart that I stamped in while still wet. then after it dried I broke it and painted it with acrylic paint and more Starburst Stains. I call it "Still Beating," as in my heart has been broken but it still works!

Oh ya, here's my ArtFest 2009 registration envelope - the theme is Sea Monsters - cool, huh?

Enjoy your day - it is your to make the best of.

Namasté

-Dawn

Losing Jupiter

My fur baby Jupiter is gone now. I have his ashes in a jar.

He has been getting older and forgetting where to go the bathroom...poor kitty.

He has been through so much with me - I have had him since around 1994 - he was fully grown when I adopted him. He loved yogurt, bugs, and chasing his tail in the bathtub. I loved it when he would get that crazy look in his eyes and shoot off up the stairs or into the other room. I loved listening to his claws in the carpet.

He would drool when I pet him and snuggle under the covers with me when we would go to sleep.

Having a pet is like falling in love - you know that someday it has to end but you enjoy every single moment so you will have the memories forever.

It's hard getting used to an empty house. Once a long time ago my boyfriend at the time told me that a few minutes before I would get home Jupiter would go sit by the front door and wait for me.

He was my king.

I love you forever Jupi.

-Dawn

Beach Fire

Well, since I love spending time at the ocean, here is a sunset picture of the beach I visit most often and a picture of a lovely beach fire we had there.
I was there this past weekend and had a great time at the Tillamook County Fair. We watched horse racing, some very interesting Pig 'n Ford races, and finally a demolition derby!

Why is destruction so appealing to humans? I loved the crunching and smashing of those brightly colored cars and craved more. I also now have a desire to go to a Monster Truck rally. I love machines and vehicles are one of my favorite kinds of machines. We saw a monster school bus on the drive home - next time I'll take a picture so you can enjoy it too.
After we got back to the beach condo at 10:00 pm, it was a mild evening and the stars were out. I went down to the beach to star gaze and my beautiful 10-year old niece joined me. We enjoyed the moment perfectly. I wrote a poem for her, to remember that special night:

For Madi

Wonder

Laying on the sand
under the starry night
we watch the shooting stars
and make wishes

we gently hold
the remains of the day
not wanting it to slip
into tomorrow

we count the satellites
and wonder what happens if they crash

singing the song to the gravedigger
dreaming of a long off last request

giggling, we watch the universe
in awe

it's you and me forever, angel
as we enjoy
this ecstatic moment of
silent belonging.

- © Dawn E. Shepherd
August 11, 2008

More changes!

Holy cow....Yes, I'm still here - but here is actually over there now...I have moved to Issaquah with my boyfriend Collin and my kitty Jupiter. Collin and I purchased our first home back in December 2007...moving was a huge undertaking because I am a pack-rat extraordinaire. And, I had been in my last apartment for a little over 5 years...zoinks!
We are all moved now and I actually have a studio! It's in 1/2 of our tandem garage and I am actually almost 100% "set up". I have been able to complete a couple of swaps and a journal round robin that I am participating in but am now reaching the point where I will have time to actually create my own projects and have a space to work on them! I am so excited :) :) :) :D
I will post some pictures as soon as I make time...until then this is our new chair-it is soooo comfortable! That's my kitty Jupiter on the left giving it the sniff test.

-thanks for stopping by and remember to express yourself every day!
Namaste!

Dawn

Back again

Well, I can't believe it's been so long since I posted. So many things have happened: I got a new day job at the same company back in June. Better pay, better boss-but then she quit. Getting busier there so I enjoy my time off by jumping into my art with more fervor.

My boyfriend and I are about to buy our first home - a town house in Issaquah - nice area and about 10 minutes from my sister's house. This has been quite an experience in itself...

Went to Art Fiber Fest, which started on my birthday this year and was in Port Townsend for the first time. It was awesome and I met a new friend Angelica from California.

This photo is the view from my sister and brother-in-law's condo on the Oregon Coast. It's beautiful!

OK, take care and I'll see you again soon.

-Dawn