My Birdsong

With Bittersweetness, I am Published

The May/June 08 issue of Somerset Studio has finally arrived, and I find it bittersweet. You see, I am finally published. But my article and art are about how my beautiful 17-year-old daughter fought for her life and died a hero in my eyes. And, the anniversary of her death is almost a year ago June 15, 2007.
    Please don't misunderstand. I feel honored to have an article and artwork appearing in the pages of this fine publication alongside many talented artists. However, I wish it was about some ordinary or everyday thing rather than the passing of my artistic daughter. It was a good issue for her to appear in, being that the theme is heroes.
    The editor of the magazine, Jenny Doh, was kind enough to mention me and my story of Brianna in her column from the editor. (A few letters got mixed up in my last name and were printed there, but no worries. It's obvious who she is referring to.) She is a kind and understanding woman. I thank her for the opportunity to tell my story and that of Brianna's.
    Please turn to page 50, and let me know what you think. I want to tell the world how wonderful my daughter was, and continues to be, in my life and that of her father and brother. I also had to share how she has and continues to influence my art. I hope you are touched by it too.

~ Iva

                                    

Going Round and Round and Round...

I was so lucky to get into Ulla Milbrath's Paper Carousel class held at Castle in the Air in Berkeley last week. She is one of the sweetest people, a super talent and a favorite teacher of mine at the shop.

What fun we had making these miniature amusement rides using woodland scenes and creatures. Ulla is always so generous with her huge stock of images and I have already begun thinking of ways to turn this technique into a carousel with various themes.

Unbeknownst to me, another artist friend was taking the class. Ingrid Pomeroy and I had a chance to catch up and create together. Of course, no class at the Castle is complete without a lunch break and a trip to the next door bakery for one of their scrumptious chocolate cupcakes. I will have to take a picture of one next time to share with you.

Brianna was with me, guiding me in my creative pursuit. She would have loved this class and wanted to take some with me. She would have oo'd and aah'd at it when I brought my creation home. John and Trevor were quite impressed with it, because it even turns around just like a real one. Thank you Ulla for a wonderful time!!

Pfun with PFATT Pfriends

I have finally caught my breath and have rested after preparing for and then participating in  PFATT Pfest 2008 here in Northern California.  Eleven of us enjoyed five days of sharing, visiting, giggling and lots of touring and shopping. Some of the women had not flown yet, and this was their first trip to the West Coast. Others had been to San Francisco before on vacation. Colleen and I planned a whirlwind itinerary that took us to:

• the Napa Valley wine country with three winery visits and the Dreyers Ice Cream touring bus.
• Antiques by the Bay at Alameda Point, where more than 400+ vendors sell antiques of all types outdoors at an old naval station.
• the Sarah Winchester House in San Jose. Some in our group are ghost hunters.
• Port Costa to visit and shop with artist Wendy Addison in her studio and workshop.
• Berkeley's fourth street where we shopped at Castle in the Air and Scrapbook Territory.
• San Francisco's Union Square and a shopping at Britex Fabrics  and then a cable car ride to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 for lunch and shopping.
• lunch in Sausalito and shopping in San Anselmo at Susan's Storeroom
• the local Safeway almost everyday to fill the larder and liquor cabinet
• evening "show and tell" about our treasures and workshops on art techniques

The 5,000 square foot house we rented had spectacular views from high atop a hill in Lafayette. We sipped lemon drops and watched the sun dip into the east side of the Oakland Hills, followed by the soothing bubbles of the outdoor jacuzzi.

Our view looking north east:

 

Evening cocktails by the front porch fountain:

A metal horse sculpture greeted our return each evening after our day's sojourn:

 

Here I am at Wendy Addison's Theater of Dreams in Port Costa, a quaint little ghost town on the Strait of Carquinez.

The group heading to Wendy's studio in Port Costa:

We were all touched by Wendy's magical studio. With the lights down low and music surrounding us, we were treated to the appearance of Ms. Addison's almost life-size fairy, who danced for us:

The next morning, we hopped on the Dreyers bus for a day-long trip through Napa Valley:

Madonna Estates was so generous in treating us to a private tour and tasting. Susan Bartilucci, an accomplished artist herself, was such a gracious host. We walked among the grapevines, which were beginning to get leaf buds, and toured their winemaking warehouse.

The weather cooperated fully and we took advantage of the sunshine and had lunch and a wine tasting at picnic tables outside of Clos du Val winery on the Silverado Trail.

Then it was off to the sparkling wine maker Chandon. They have beautiful grounds, including this stone mushroom garden. We sat and sipped five different kinds of champagne, before boarding the bus and heading home thoroughly exhausted.

While some went to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, several of us headed to Marin County  north of San Francisco. Lunch and then a visit to Susan Storeroom made for a great day.

It was finally time to say our goodbyes to our sisters. But before we did, we all thought about my dear Brianna and my terrible loss and cried. Many of these women knew me and prayed for us while Brianna battled for her life. Although the mood became somber, we all felt closer to each other and better understood how each of us bears the pains and scars of life, along with its precious moments of family and dear friends.

Colleen and I put together a keepsake travel  journal for each woman. Wrapped in pretty tissue, the gifts were presented to the group on the first night. Some stashed tickets and brochures in them as mementos of their trip. And on our last night we all sat like school girls and signed each other's with heartfelt notes of friendship.

Although most of us came away exhausted from the flurry of activity, we all were grateful for the experience of getting to know each other better.

I hope you too can experience a short trip with like-minded artistic friends. It fed my soul.

I'm Off to Laugh, Create and Share...

I will share my photos when I get back from Pfatt Pfest 2008. What is Pfatt Pfest you ask?

It is a gathering of artists from across the nation who are getting together for 6 days of laughter, shopping, sightseeing, eating, a little sleeping...and art. This year, my sweet sisters are traveling here to Northern California and Colleen and I have been busy planning all sorts of fun for the group. We have rented a 5,000 square foot hilltop house with beautiful views, and it will be the perfect setting for our creative adventure.

Watch my blog next week for photos and stories of our artful antics. Oh, and this little beauty below is courtesy of Sandy from Sam I Am Creations. She is the tops when it comes to website banners, templates and such. Until next week....