Part-time, part time

I have 4 part-time gigs going now. It feels good really. It is like having a stash to work with for relaxation uses. Having 3 gigs made me obsessed about every hour lost and getting every hour in each week just to survive. That is truly work.

Mask making paper mache projects have been steady and interesting lately. I would have photographed my work yet someone else was paying for it and they own it so I am not sure on the photo thing. We were putting together native foods of California for an exhibit opening tomorrow at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park. I will have to visit! I made these amazing roasted green peppers and a handmade roast bird just with paper. My art school training and degree is paying off after all. I really enjoy coming up with colors when I am painting the paper mache. In art school I remember the color black could be made by mixing the three primary colors and since I could not find black, that is what I did, a purple type black, perfect for the olives I was painting. We made a watermelon that was stunningly realistic. Realistic objects is not my art thing yet it is so very fun trying with a small sign of art too in the finished piece.

With my 4th gig I am pretty thrilled and feeling positive to be visiting an old job I had left 9 years ago to attend acupuncture school. Just visiting for a couple weeks at Shen Clinic in Berkeley. A full pharmacy of Chinese herbs, heaven for an acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist such as me. Yay!

Annie Hallats Masks

This is the Masque Arrayed studio of Annie Hallat’s where I enjoy playing with paper mache and also theater related projects. Another thrilling experience that is part of who I am in a creative way.

Links from post:

Shen Clinic and Shen Herb Company
Masque Arrayed
Event listing for May 9, 2009. Becoming America: Becoming California
Peralta Hacienda Historical Park

Making Noses and Eyes

That is exactly what I did for most of the day, and 50 pairs to be sent off to NYC. Plastic masks are scary because I am using a mat knife and my livelihood depends on those digits of mine. For now I am being paid to make masks. I enjoy the paper mâché masks most, less fussy than those pristine plastic ones.

Big news lately, I have a gig practicing acupuncture! I get to introduce acupuncture to young folks in an Oakland school to trying it out. It is incredible work, their energy, full on honesty and curiosity. Just a couple hours every other week. See where this all goes. I am also volunteering for some wonderful women while my time is available at their Sarana Community Acupuncture Clinic. Getting acupuncture too could get addicting, I hope so.

Little man below, our cat who is quite attached to me. His name is Jersey or Jersey the Kid. Flighty guy. He comes from living under a container in west Oakland at probably 6 weeks old, fit in my one hand all squirmy. Our beloved Rufus did not take to him at all. He submitted to her yet he played the moment he could to her screeches of annoyance. Rufus the Cat came to us in advanced homelessness and was a withered one. She was happy in her later years taking many moments in our laps or in the sun. She seemed to act as if she might have been abandoned from another human family. We could only imagine. We were sorry of bringing a disturbance in her retired years, a lesson to us. Jersey is now our only, good little man, tough. He loves to stretch often. Ahh, bliss!

Sculpture at Rest

Some photos lately that need a little explaining:

These are Annie Hallatt’s one of many creations displayed in our yard. She is my landlord. How cool is that? An artist through and through, very active in her projects.

The King’s head just returning from his debut at the Revels this year.

A beautifully wonderful week that began with Lunar New Year. I met some friends at a Buddhist center celebration. People giving children red envelopes filled with money. Many adorable children being patient and using inside voices. Delightful experience. I may go back to visit again. The meditation interests me.

This is down the street from my house, someone else’s gate.

Scarf Three

This is getting boring, I am knitting my third scarf.

I am liking the colors more and it is 100% machine washable and still has merino wool in it. It is medium thick sock yarn, olive color.

I had an adventure buying this yarn. As I got off the bus at 51st and Martin Luther King Jr. Way, a few blocks from the store, there must have been 6 police cars and more following with police stepping out of their cars, guns in front of their faces aimed towards the bus I had just been on. Someone was probably on that bus who was in trouble. That bus was not moving at that point for at least an hour I bet. Us people on the sidewalk got out of range of the situation pretty fast. A few blocks away near the yarn store it was a whole different world, people casual and easy going, if only they knew there was action down the street.

Scarf Two

Went yarn shopping yesterday in the Oakland Temescal area. Little shop, many women chatting endlessly, pretty things, expensive….sigh!
Had a little treat money and I splurged, thought yarn that was machine washable was a sure gifty material. Here it is so far, puke green and sky blue, love it. Plan to make several scarves with this yarn and give them away to willing friends. I use fat knitting needles, totally fun. In actuality, the yarn is called Slate Blue and Pale Blue. Here it is finished: