I love free...I mean it! I love anything free. Even the wetnaps you get to wipe your fingers after eating wings. Or the extra pico de gallo I get free at El Pollo Loco or Filibertos. Or the space I am registered for at 2nd Friday Night Out in Mesa is free....yep...free. I love the fact that I can set up shop, sell my creative expression, and chat it up with some of the most interesting people on the planet. Like Mike who just moved here from New York. He has planned on living here since he was 10...how cool...even if he is a bit squeamish about wolf spiders...haha.
Or Karen, who has been without a swap card club for too long...I plan to hook her up with some great people. Or the helpful gentleman who suggested I try for a spot closer to the action...where the happening place is. I am usually the last stop on the way out since I show up after work and it is 1st come 1st served.
Where else can I network with other artists and be given the skinny on other shows? Where else can a complete stranger encourage me in my artist endeavors and make me believe that I can create a large canvas of work and he would love to see it when done?
Wow...I love free.
Toodles for now,,,,,
-Trishtastic and RenWoEx!!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Choosing a Career at the Ripe Ol' Age of 46
Eww, don't like the descriptor 'ripe' but it is all rather true.
My good friend Glynnis said a few years ago that she finally realized what she wanted to be when she grew up. Could I please have the same light bulb illuminate above me?
The list of jobs I have held are numerous and varied. The list of volunteer positions I have held are even more numerous and also varied. The listing will be included in the postscript below. I am not making this up people.
Unfortunately I have been unable to distill down the skills learned below into a viable career. By viable I of course mean a paycheck. I would also appreciate a position that I could enjoy for the long haul.
I have had another good friend assist me in a life plan and was still unable to settle on anything.
Light bulb please!
I love my warehouse job. The same with most of my other jobs. I have decided though that I need a grown up job, with grown up wages, and it needs to have a personal meaning for me.
So where is my light bulb?
Night guys, lights out.
-Trish
My good friend Glynnis said a few years ago that she finally realized what she wanted to be when she grew up. Could I please have the same light bulb illuminate above me?
The list of jobs I have held are numerous and varied. The list of volunteer positions I have held are even more numerous and also varied. The listing will be included in the postscript below. I am not making this up people.
Unfortunately I have been unable to distill down the skills learned below into a viable career. By viable I of course mean a paycheck. I would also appreciate a position that I could enjoy for the long haul.
I have had another good friend assist me in a life plan and was still unable to settle on anything.
Light bulb please!
I love my warehouse job. The same with most of my other jobs. I have decided though that I need a grown up job, with grown up wages, and it needs to have a personal meaning for me.
So where is my light bulb?
Night guys, lights out.
-Trish
P.S. Lifetime Responsibility List
Babysitting
Cleaned offices
Factory assembly line
Clerk in Small Claims Court
Casa de la Paloma Busboy
BJ’s Cashier/Cook
Secretary for heir location
Queen’s Way Clothes Sales
Carpet cleaning telemarketer
Wife
Mother
Wendy’s-ProCo, cook, cashier
Tiara Representative
Dental Assistant
Amway-x4
Artistry Colorist
Sunday School teacher-x2
Tupperware Consultant-x2
Headstart Board representative
Girl Scout leader-x2
KM Matol Representative
School Bus Driver
Dessert sales at Renaissance Fair
Frontier Floozy stuntwoman at Goldfield Ghost town
Freelance Writer
VitaMist-Spray Vitamin Representative
Homeschool Teacher for 14 years
VBS Curriculum creator
Mustard Seed Newsletter Editor
CHE Support Group Board member
Lionshare Co-op Facilitator
FEHE Newsletter Editor
Worship Leader
Pastor
Theology Student-x3 schools
Women’s Ministry Committee Leader
Retreat/Event Coordinator & Speaker
Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator
Lunch On the Spot Caterer/Owner
Jewelry Designer
Life Coach
Grandmother
Mixed-Media Artist
Blogger
Medical Biller
Warehouse staff
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Quiche of the week - Chicken Broccoli Especial
Quiche is still considered one of my favorite perfect meals. Throw in whatever is left in the fridge. A new version of the all important hotdish I grew up with.
Remember my definition of a hotdish: 5 identifiable ingredients; and yes Cream of Mushroom soup is one of those identifiable ingredients.
Since I usually make 1 or 2 quiche on a weekend I will share a version with you.
One of my new favorite blends.
Chicken Broccoli Especial
1 pie crust in ungreased 9" cake pan ( I stink at crust so I cheat & use the Pillsbury rolls-buy them after the holidays and stick the boxes in the freezer), prick all over with fork.
2 Tablespoons of yellow prepared mustard over crust
3-4 cups of frozen broccoli sprinkled in crust
1 cup of manchego cheese shredded over broccoli
2 large grilled chicken breasts cut into chunks over cheese
1 Tablespoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground pepper, and 2 teaspoons dried oregano sprinkled over chicken.
5 eggs whisked adding
3 Tablespoons of minced fresh garlic and
2 cups of milk/half and half/cream or whatever into the eggs and pour over everything
shred a little more cheese on top and place in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes. It will rise a bit more in the oven to cover the ingredients.
If the crust is brown and the quiche does not jiggle then it is finished.
Cool and enjoy! Quiche truly is a fool-proof dish. Use less eggs and more milk or more eggs and less milk to make it custardy. Use what you have.
The chicken tastes so awesome a second time around in this dish.
Nighty-nite,
-Trish
Remember my definition of a hotdish: 5 identifiable ingredients; and yes Cream of Mushroom soup is one of those identifiable ingredients.
Since I usually make 1 or 2 quiche on a weekend I will share a version with you.
One of my new favorite blends.
Chicken Broccoli Especial
1 pie crust in ungreased 9" cake pan ( I stink at crust so I cheat & use the Pillsbury rolls-buy them after the holidays and stick the boxes in the freezer), prick all over with fork.
2 Tablespoons of yellow prepared mustard over crust
3-4 cups of frozen broccoli sprinkled in crust
1 cup of manchego cheese shredded over broccoli
2 large grilled chicken breasts cut into chunks over cheese
1 Tablespoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground pepper, and 2 teaspoons dried oregano sprinkled over chicken.
5 eggs whisked adding
3 Tablespoons of minced fresh garlic and
2 cups of milk/half and half/cream or whatever into the eggs and pour over everything
shred a little more cheese on top and place in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes. It will rise a bit more in the oven to cover the ingredients.
If the crust is brown and the quiche does not jiggle then it is finished.
Cool and enjoy! Quiche truly is a fool-proof dish. Use less eggs and more milk or more eggs and less milk to make it custardy. Use what you have.
The chicken tastes so awesome a second time around in this dish.
Nighty-nite,
-Trish
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Swap Stress = necessary evil or self-inflicted torture?
Let me 1st clarify swap; to swap artwork with other neurotic artistic types, with a certain theme and within a certain format, with imposed deadlines that may or may not be adhered to by the member(s) or the group. Glad I could simplify that...sarcasm intended.
******
You could Google card swap or chunky book swap or search on Flickr for plenty of examples...or you can take a gander at my few pitiful pics-below. Be kind there is some early work in there. Trust me people I am going to have a miniature light studio box in a short while. Hope I can learn a few tricks from my photog daughter Kim to take better pictures.
******
And back to our original question; necessary evil or self-inflicted torture?
Necessary evil: if there was never a deadline would an artist complete anything? Hmm, almost a tree falls in the forest type of question.
So the stress literally forces me to make creative decisions, just do it, and get the work finished ...even if I am not completely content with it.
Self-inflicted torture: these swaps are not a government mandated experience. I signed up for these. I chose to join a group of artists in creative (dis)-harmony. I have no one to blame but myself for getting into the swap. Also, my own tendency to procrastinate-my creative process-is a natural foil to the essential deadline. Hence self-inflicted.
So the answer is yes. Necessary evil and self-inflicted torture.
All of this to keep myself from going into my studio and start/finish my Chunky Book Swap page for this month. It's even on my favorite game-Scrabble. Yet all the ideas swirling thru the grey matter have not coalesced into a design decision. Yep, I will just have to DO IT!
Oh, and I have 2 challenges for the CIA - Collaborative of Inspired Artists - meeting this week as well. A metal pear and a wooden egg cup. Sigh....I know. Just DO IT!
Can I just repeat that procrastination is my creative process? Umm, can't get away with it can I? Deadline looms and studio awaits. Ask me for pics so I will get it done this weekend instead of Tues at midnight.
I can hear the lyrics of the procrastination song my girls created years ago going thru my mind.... pro cras ti nation its the name of the game, pro cras ti nation I'll just do it another day. Procrastination is more fun, I'd rather dread it than get it done... You get the point. Obviously a family trait/tragedy.
Enjoying the 55 degree drop with hot coffee and a chunk of chocolate with pecans and fruit.
-Trishalish
******
You could Google card swap or chunky book swap or search on Flickr for plenty of examples...or you can take a gander at my few pitiful pics-below. Be kind there is some early work in there. Trust me people I am going to have a miniature light studio box in a short while. Hope I can learn a few tricks from my photog daughter Kim to take better pictures.
******
And back to our original question; necessary evil or self-inflicted torture?
Necessary evil: if there was never a deadline would an artist complete anything? Hmm, almost a tree falls in the forest type of question.
So the stress literally forces me to make creative decisions, just do it, and get the work finished ...even if I am not completely content with it.
Self-inflicted torture: these swaps are not a government mandated experience. I signed up for these. I chose to join a group of artists in creative (dis)-harmony. I have no one to blame but myself for getting into the swap. Also, my own tendency to procrastinate-my creative process-is a natural foil to the essential deadline. Hence self-inflicted.
So the answer is yes. Necessary evil and self-inflicted torture.
All of this to keep myself from going into my studio and start/finish my Chunky Book Swap page for this month. It's even on my favorite game-Scrabble. Yet all the ideas swirling thru the grey matter have not coalesced into a design decision. Yep, I will just have to DO IT!
Oh, and I have 2 challenges for the CIA - Collaborative of Inspired Artists - meeting this week as well. A metal pear and a wooden egg cup. Sigh....I know. Just DO IT!
Can I just repeat that procrastination is my creative process? Umm, can't get away with it can I? Deadline looms and studio awaits. Ask me for pics so I will get it done this weekend instead of Tues at midnight.
I can hear the lyrics of the procrastination song my girls created years ago going thru my mind.... pro cras ti nation its the name of the game, pro cras ti nation I'll just do it another day. Procrastination is more fun, I'd rather dread it than get it done... You get the point. Obviously a family trait/tragedy.
Enjoying the 55 degree drop with hot coffee and a chunk of chocolate with pecans and fruit.
-Trishalish
Friday, April 8, 2011
2nd Friday in Mesa
Tonight from 6-10 PM is 2nd Friday in Mesa. This month it is Sci-fi month with a secondary Steampunk theme. As stated before not my fave, but last time in Oct they had the Zombie/Steampunk theme and it was so fun to watch.
I will not have a space this month but Kim does and her friend Stephanie. Come see their art/photos and buy it now before they become famous and you can't afford it.
Also, stores and restaurants are open and during this.
Come downtown to see what your local artisans are doing!
See ya there,
=Trish the Mom in the background
I will not have a space this month but Kim does and her friend Stephanie. Come see their art/photos and buy it now before they become famous and you can't afford it.
Also, stores and restaurants are open and during this.
Come downtown to see what your local artisans are doing!
See ya there,
=Trish the Mom in the background
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Tasty Technique Thursday Success and a short rant on creative tool purchases.
Well it was great. Had an opportunity to break out the alcohol ink applicators that Bob made for me years ago. We pounced our way across aluminum tape and some paper and acetate. Added them to a technique tag to show off at home.
Paula made some great peanut butter and chocolate bars...easy peasy she said. Bag of PB cookie mix with egg and water, mixed and pressed into pan, baked and then melt milk choc chips over that and cut into bars. Yum. Sounds like a potluck favorite, huh?
************
I am thinking next of teaching the basics on types of inks and their uses.
Also, I want to research the differences between die cut machines. Non motorized, such as Sizzix Big Shot or the Spellbinders Grand Caliber. Or what sets the electronic machines apart such as the Cricut family or even the Pazzle. Even the owners of said machines debate the whys and wherefores. I plan on setting my mind to research this very important territory and report back to you.
*Now you may be asking yourself why would someone really need one of these? It does not seem to be a necessity but a luxury. But I disagree. In working thru my 'emotional stuff' over the years it wasn't the few professionals that helped the most. It was my Saviour 1st of all that pointed the way, but also my chance to express myself creatively. I have grown over 4 decades to accept who I am and what I am capable of when I allow my Artist to shine. For me it is necessary therapy and I love it!
So off to sleepy bye,
-Trish the Artiste
Paula made some great peanut butter and chocolate bars...easy peasy she said. Bag of PB cookie mix with egg and water, mixed and pressed into pan, baked and then melt milk choc chips over that and cut into bars. Yum. Sounds like a potluck favorite, huh?
************
I am thinking next of teaching the basics on types of inks and their uses.
Also, I want to research the differences between die cut machines. Non motorized, such as Sizzix Big Shot or the Spellbinders Grand Caliber. Or what sets the electronic machines apart such as the Cricut family or even the Pazzle. Even the owners of said machines debate the whys and wherefores. I plan on setting my mind to research this very important territory and report back to you.
*Now you may be asking yourself why would someone really need one of these? It does not seem to be a necessity but a luxury. But I disagree. In working thru my 'emotional stuff' over the years it wasn't the few professionals that helped the most. It was my Saviour 1st of all that pointed the way, but also my chance to express myself creatively. I have grown over 4 decades to accept who I am and what I am capable of when I allow my Artist to shine. For me it is necessary therapy and I love it!
So off to sleepy bye,
-Trish the Artiste
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