Borrego Springs Circle of Art Show

Come out to the desert this weekend! Borrego Springs, CA is the place to be for Arts downtown at the Circle of Art Show.  The Wildflowers should be lovely and hiking trails are close by. I'll have new works for you to buy as well as some small little handmade journals and greeting cards. Hours are 9am to 4pm.

Brandon Gallery Pastel Show

Brandon Gallery in Fallbrook, CA is hosting an exhibit of my Pastel student's works through the end of the month. We had a little party today with treats, chocolate cupcakes made by the gallery director and wine to go with it....what could be a better combo? From left to right: Christine Bowman, Marlene Sheridan, Me!, Doris Bertch, Andi Mandel, Jo-Lind Eckstein, Robin Coats.

I am so proud of my students! Come on in to the gallery and enjoy the versatility and brilliance of Pastels and watermedia. These works were thoughtfully created and painted on location and in the studio.

Visit Fallbrook School of the Arts  for more information on classes. My next set of classes starts soon!

 March 28- Watercolor Basics

March 30-Pastel Painting: in the studio and Plein Air

Contemporary Watermedia- March 31

Book Arts: Embellished and Stitched- March 31.

Plein Air at Elfin Forest Reserve

We had a lovely afternoon painting on location  at Elfin Forest Reserve in Escondido, CA. The sky was clear and the day warm and sunny. This is the second to the last class for my Fallbrook School of the Arts Pastel Class. A new class will start on March 30th. Our afternoon couldn't have been more perfect, pastels and  good conversations about compositions and such........

Along the Vista Grande Trail, Pastel Painting at Santa Rosa Plateau

Along the Vista Grande Trail, Pastel, Helen Shafer Garcia
Originally uploaded by Agave Latte

Today I took my Fallbrook School of the Arts Pastel class to Santa Rosa Plateau to paint on location. It was the calm before the storm...cold and overcast with hints of sunshine. We painted till our fingers got numb, then hiked back to the vistor's center for a warm up critique. Fun afternoon!

Art and Soul Blog Hop!

I'll be teaching at  Portland Art and Soul Retreat www.artandsoulretreat.com/Portland-2011.php    this coming September 28th and 29th! Very exciting! I'm joining these fine instructors in a blog hop...check out thier works to see what they are teaching.

Sharyn Sowell  http://www.sharynsowellartblog.blogspot.com/

Jane LaFazio  http://janeville.blogspot.com/

Jenni Horne   http://www.jennihorne.blogspot.com/

PeggyKrzyzewski-   http://www.artandsoultoo.blogspot.com/

Rogene Manas  http://www.rogenemanas.blogspot.com/

Doreen Kassell  http://www.doreengay-kassel.blogspot.com/

Corey Celaya  http://www.art-with-moxie.blogspot.com/

Patricia Seggebruch  http://www.encaustikits.blogspot.com/

M&Jen Crossley  http://www.amarkintime.blogspot.com/

Barbara Lewis  http://paintingwithfireartwear.blogspot.com/

I'm teaching 2 workshops......

 Batik Flora and Fauna Wednesday September 28th

Casa de Milagros Thursday September 29th

Fallbrook Library Book Arts Exhibit

I just returned home after installing my Book Arts Works for the Grand Gala and Opening of the Newly Built Fallbrook Library. http://www.fallbrooklibraryfriends.org/ It opens to the public next Saturday, January 22th.

This new space is exceptional. The art works alone are incredible and the new outdoor patio will be most popular with readers and artists. Mary Perhacs, Director of the Fallbrook Art Center; http://www.fallbrookartcenter.org/ personally  invited me to exhibit my Artists Books in 2 plexi display boxes located in the new reading room with an outrageous glass beaded fireplace.

Drive up for the afternoon in a  week or so....have a great cup of coffee at Primos Coffee just down the hill, check out the new library.....oh...and did I mention the new planted roof? Succulents and such......So very cool!

My new Book Arts 8 week class starts next Thursday afternoon from 1 to  4pm http://www.fallbrookschoolofthearts.org/classes/paper-arts.html
There is still time to register!

Palm Springs Weekend with my friends

Papel de Fiesta
Originally uploaded by Agave Latte

Jeannie Moore http://jeanniemooresblog.blogspot.com/, Jane LaFazio http://janeville.blogspot.com/, Susie Clark and I spend a lovely 4 days at Jeannie's getaway home in North Palm Springs. We each taught a mini workshop, shared many laughs and giggles, and inspired each other....not to mention a tour of Elvis's Honeymoon house up the street....and did I mention the adventures of the "Dizzy Dolls in Palm Springs"? You have to see it on Facebook....Susie was our director...

This is the kitchen that the Elton Brothers are building

Brothers Winston and Leland Elton are my contractors for our Kitchen and Bath Remodel. Highly recommended! They are creating a beautiful new kitchen and bath for us. http://www.winwinhomesinc.com/
They are kind and considerate and willing to listen to you. That is almost unheard of these days it seems. Good quality work and on time scheduling. Thanks guys!





The next photos show updates on our new custom built cabinets, concrete counter tops, tumbled travertine tile and Mexican tile backslash and our new back door.  Our new sink is also concrete....way cool! I'll post more photos when everything is finished....

Love and Joy

Wishing you

a great holiday season full of warm yummy treats,hugs and fuzzies......

Taos in Winter I   

San Miguel de Allende next April

Just keep this in mind..and sign up soon! ........
a wonderful, art filled getaway awaits you  in the heart of Mexico next Spring with Laurie Mika, Jane LaFazio, Lynn Leahy and Me! http://web.me.com/themikas/San_Miguel_retreat/Welcome.html

We would love to have you join us for our week long retreat "Tescoro del Corazon"  -Treasures from the Heart.
April 13 to 20, 2011
This will be a progressive approach to art making in the creation of a single final mixed media art project. There will be four different classes running simultaneously and each day students will work with an instructor on one facet of their box.

Each day students will rotate into another class so that by the end of the retreat, all students will go home having learned a variety of mixed media techniques....and with a unique box that will hold all of their treasured memories of San Miguel.



San Miguel de Allende will warm your heart and fill your imagination and soul.........

Photos taken by Amberley Shafer...my niece who lives in New Zealand...thanks Amberley!