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More dox-ZENs

dox-ZENs, works in progress by Moira McLaughlin, December 2013

I am working on a series of twelve dox-ZEN Sumi-e ink paintings, meditations on the Buddhist belief that the mind is an endless chain of three processes: craving, acting, and discontentment.

The paintings are also an exercise in detachment and handling imperfection, and are going to be part of a group show curated by Jane O’Hara in Boston this March entitled “Beasts of Burden.” In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about this multimedia exhibition that looks at our complex relationship with animals.

In the meantime visit my dox-ZEN Pinterest board to see my vision for the series.

January 3, 2014
Word For 2014: Alignment

Two Dogs Copulating by Jan Fyt, 1640/1642

Our local poet, Molly Fisk, whom everyone in town refers to as “our-local-poet-Molly-Fisk,” all run together like that, encourages us to choose a word for the year. The whole community gets into it.

Molly’s word is “empty.”

Others have chosen “acceptance,” “morph,” “elevate,” “see,” “humility,” “let go (yes, you can have two words), “euphoria,” “love,” “balance,” and “refine” to name just a few.

My word is “alignment.”

I wanted it to be “fruition.” But, like a bad graft, it didn’t take.

Molly advises that you to open yourself up to the word and not rush it. She says that your word might not find you until a few months into the new year. It might not find you until October. So don’t stress.

Once you find it, look it up:

align·ment – noun \ə-ˈlīn-mənt\

1: the act of aligning or state of being aligned; especially: the proper positioning or state of adjustment of parts (as of a mechanical or electronic device) in relation to each other

2a : a forming in line

2b : the line thus formed

3: the ground plan (as of a railroad or highway) in distinction from the profile

4: an arrangement of groups or forces in relation to one another “new alignments within the political party”

Then look up the etymology. This is where things get interesting.

alignment (n.) 1790, “arrangement in a line,” from French alignement, from aligner (see align). Political sense is from 1933.

align (v.) early 15c., “to copulate” (of wolves, dogs).

Whoa. This should be interesting.

Happy 2014.

What is your word?

P.S. Molly Fisk is a writer, teacher, and poet who lives in the Sierra foothill town of Nevada City, California. Her latest book, Blow-Drying a Chicken: Observations from a Working Poet, is on its way to global domination via local bookstores across the country. She recently blossomed into an accomplished painter (her flowers in mason jars are my favorite). Listen to Molly’s radio essays at KVMR. And view her spectacular Pinterest boards here.

January 1, 2014
Watch Dean Spanley

I never heard of the 2008 film "Dean Spanley," but it kept popping up on my Netflix recommendations. Then, my mother told me I might like it.

My mother doesn't usually tell me what to do. But when she does, she's usually right.

I loved this movie. I loved it when I watched it. I loved thinking about it later. And I loved seeing Peter O'Toole in one of his final roles.

So, watch "Dean Spanley." I think you'll like it.

Thanks, Mom.

P.S. If you can, watch it without knowing anything about it like I did.

December 28, 2013
Christmas Special by Will Topley

Christmas Special by Will Topley

UK artist, Will Topley, painted his pets, Whippets Tara and Millie, atop the Christmas Special driven by Anna, his loquacious African Grey Parrot.

May your day be festive and bright.

Merry Christmas.

Thank you, Will.

December 25, 2013
And To All A Good Night

Night Sleeper by Andrew Wyeth, 1979

Via Andrew Wyeth.

December 24, 2013
A Visit to Penn Valley Firewood With Tyler Foote

Tyler Foote Heads to Penn Valley Firewood, 12.20.13

Yesterday, Solstice Eve, Tyler Foote and I headed to Penn Valley, about 20 minutes away, to pick up firewood. Since I moved here in 2009, finding firewood has been stressful. As a child, growing up in Cleveland, we bought our firewood from "Gypsies" (I don't think that is politically correct to say anymore) who came to our house. I never saw them, but I have vivid memories of the colored, beribboned, horse-drawn wagons I pictured them driving though our suburban streets. My mother thought they swindled us with damp wood. And I have been leery of woodcutters ever since.

That's why I'm so happy I found Jesse Niesen of Penn Valley Firewood. Jesse owns 141 acres of land that has been in his family since his great-great grandfather bought the property in 1852 with gold he mined from the Sierra. Jesse sells Live Oak, hard wood with impressive BTUs (heat output) and no need for seasoning (drying for a year) that he clears for fire maintenance. He is conscientious and detail-oriented, and his background in marketing is apparent on his comprehensive website. It's a welcome crash course on everything you wanted to know about firewood but were afraid to ask.

Most of all, he offers a generous cord and lets you come pick it up, so if you happen to have phobias about strangers with chainsaws coming to your house to stack wood, (do you suffer from handy-man-a-phobia?) Penn Valley Firewood is for you.

Jesse wasn't at the ranch yesterday, but we met his darling, dog-loving girlfriend, Nicki Voshell, and his rugged, right-hand man, Donnie Wilkins who loaded up my Rav4. I got a 1/4 cord for $35. It waas a beautiful day, like stepping back in time. And I didn't feel swindled.

Thanks guys. Happy Solstice!

We Met Nicki at the Taco Bell and followed her to the ranch.

Nicki and Tyler Foote at the meadow

I spotted some Mistletoe (the dark clumps). It's a parasite that grows in the branches of trees. I grew up with the plastic kind.

Donnie Wilkins loads up my Rav4.

Live Oaks

Me and Tyler Foote

Tyler's Head

Solstice Eve

Unloading, inspired by Marina Abramović

Tyler Foote: Porch Dog

Privet and pine cones from my yard. I like my wreaths like I like my dogs: shaggy.

Visit Penn Valley Firewood.

P.S. I got a new iPhone. These photos were taken with the Camera+ app and doctored a bit in Photoshop. I have experimented with VSCO presets. I save my photos at flickr and iPhoto. Please send me any apps you like. I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Thank you.

P.P.S. Tyler Foote is a road in Nevada County, California built in 1913 by Arthur DeWint Foote, artist and writer Mary Hallock Foote's husband. The road connects North Columbia, California to a town called Cherokee that used to be called Tyler.

December 21, 2013
Happy Breakfast by Sandra Williams

Happy Breakfast by Sandra Williams

Happy Breakfast by Sandra Williams is one of several dog-themed art works included in the exhibition “Animal Fairy Tales, Fables, Fact or Fiction” now on view at Las Laguna Gallery in Laguna Beach, California.

The wiry black-and-white dog, the distinguished Chihuahua, the graphic shadows, the bacon…all of it makes me happy.

Visit Sandra Williams to see more.

“Animal Fairy Tales, Fables, Fact or Fiction” closes this weekend. View it here.

December 19, 2013
George Rodrigue Dies

I am sad to report that George Rodrigue, Louisiana artist and painter of the iconic “Blue Dog,” died on Saturday night from cancer.

His friend, NOLA reporter Doug MacCash, wrote a lovely tribute here. My deepest sympathies to his family, especially his wife, Wendy, who writes a soulful blog, recently published as a book, Musings of an Artist’s Wife, that I have found endlessly inspiring.

Photo via George Rodrigue’s website.

December 16, 2013
Dog Art Today’s Holiday Cards from Paperless Post (review)

Paperless Post Custom Photograph Tyler Foote Holiday Card

After last year's hand-stamped-Pony-Express-community-produced-and-globally-distributed holiday card, I decided to go a different route this year: free and digital. I worried that would mean sacrificing quality, design options, or list size, but then I discovered Paperless Post.

In my opinion, they are the best because:

1.) they have the best designs
2.) the letterpress, real-paper vibe looks terrific
3.) no fancy fonts that you have to pay extra for (I hate when the font you want is an upgrade)
4.) the animated quality gives the card "life"

And most of all:

5.) free really does mean free

I chose this option, uploaded my own photo, and changed the text.

Here's the back of the card:

Full disclosure, there were a few issues I ran into. For example, I couldn't figure out how to export my newsletter email list into the Paperless Post contacts. The columns were flipped. So I decided to export my Apple Address Book.   Paperless Post asks that you import it as a CSV. Apple exports as a vCard. Don't worry, go ahead and do it anyway. It will work.

**Note** any contacts that don't have emails will not appear. I had to enter over half of my contacts' emails manually. This had more to do with my contact list than Paperless Post, and it forced me to do some long overdue administrative housekeeping.   It took time.

The other option I'd like to see is a link to my card so I could show you how the automation looks here on my blog or embed it in my newsletter.

And an affiliate program would be cool.

But, the thing that endeared me to Paperless Post and negates these quibbles, is that although there is a 500 person limit to the free cards, the help section gives your a work-around to send out a larger list for free by simply copying the card. How nice is that?

I know most of you are artists or dog owners or both, so I think Paperless Post is a great option for sharing your artwork or a photograph of the love of your life.

Visit Paperless Post to create your own card. Let me know what you think.

Look for my card on December 18.   If you were on my list last year, you're still there. If you would like to be included or removed email me.

I am trying to send some cheer while respecting your inbox. Like everything during the holidays, it's a delicate balance.

Cheers.

December 10, 2013
Photograph of Nelson Mandela and Dog by Alf Kumalo

Nelson Mandela and His Family's Rhodesian Ridgeback by Alf Kumalo

Nelson Mandela, July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013.

Rest in peace.

Via Abby Farson Pratt.

December 6, 2013