while we wait for baby brother...

Scenes from everyday life while we wait for our little bundle to come (tomorrow I'll be 39 weeks and we are all so very eager for him)!

N is for Nissien

 The weekend of September 23, 2011 was the first West Coast Eisteddfod, Welsh Festival of Arts held at Barnsdall Park in Los Angeles. I was privileged to be a part of the Welsh Mythology and Legend Art Show curated by Lorin Morgan-Richards (he actually coordinated the festival). Each work of art represented a letter in the Welsh alphabet and was inspired by a stanza of Welsh mythology written by Lorin. My piece above, is 'N is for Nissien' and here is the poetry that inspired it:

N is for Nissien
Who battles amongst the celestial star
He combats his twin Efnissien
Dueling for peace afar.

It was so very interesting perusing all the different ideas and works put out by other artists.  I especially appreciate Lorin giving all the artists complete reign over how they interpreted his words.

All the works made particularly for this event have all been compiled into a limited edition book, A Welsh Alphabet.  The book is rich with diverse imagery, original poetry and historical background to Welsh culture.

I am especially thankful to have been able to meet in person the wonderful Kimberly Wlassak of Gerushia's New World! We had been messaging each other back and forth a couple of months before the festival and it was such a joy to 'know' someone there! Sometimes it can be a bit intimidating meeting other people, let alone artists, but Kimberly was such a sweet kindred person with a friendly family to boot (Kim, tell Ava thanks so much for hanging out with Nattie)! Go visit Kim's blog about her adventures and artwork for the festival here.

As for the original of my work, I will probably be putting it up in the shop so when I do, I'll be sure to announce it.  Here's one piece of work that I am very fond of, for obvious reasons (and yes, that's a mustache she is wearing. She got it out of a 25 cent machine at The Echo Park Time Travel Mart. Ahhh, my daughter) ;)

a small journey in time traveling...

or, our visit to The Echo Park Time Travel Mart...

A few things you can find at the shop:

• Viking Odorant in four 'fragrances'
• Pet Robots
• Dinosaur eggs
• Caveman, Victorian Violets and Dystopia fragrances
• Dodo Chow
• Medieval Knights play figurines
• Medicinal leeches in a jar
• Mustaches for every occassion
• Mammoth chunks
• Duel-Starter Kit
• Robot Repellent 

September...

Good things:

1. The beginning of my second trimester
2. The start of Second Grade
3. The excitement of Fall's weather approaching
4. Evening visits to Disneyland
5. Leaves scattered across the ground
6. Prospects for a certain spooky holiday
7. His provisions and His providence, all the time

there is always magic to be found by the sea...

 The coastline is one of my most favorite places to be and our little adventure yesterday did not disappoint. We took a nice drive through the city of Palos Verdes, ending up at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. The view was spectacular, and we learned from a quick chat in the museum that there were tidepools nearby. We hopped back in the car and drove a mile up the winding sea-cliff road to and quickly found Abalone Cove .  It instantly became a favorite. The weather was absolutely perfect. We hiked down, through brush and briar and past sharply fragmented rocks. After passing through a bit of 'Narnia' as Nat called it (if you have seen The Voyage of the Dawn Treader where Eustace finds treasure, you'll know what she means) we found ourselves treading over the most beautiful, smooth carpet of beach stones we've ever seen.

We trundled over the rumbly surface and on to the sand for a short spell before arriving at the foot of a huge cliff where rocks jutted out in to the tide. When the tide is low these rocks become tidepools. The tide was beginning to come again but we did manage to see (and feel) a few starfish and sea anemone. We saw crabs as well, but left those little guys alone. The day was amazing, the views breathtaking and even when we found ourselves grouped with other people, I did find a brief moment where I felt like I was the only one there soaking in all this majesty and glory.

Before we headed back, we made sure to bring along some of those beautiful smooth stones. They added to our labor as we made our way back up the steep winding trail, but it was so worth it. I can't wait until we get to visit and explore this beautiful place again....