Heads up - The Raveonettes had their gear swiped. GRRRRRRRR...
We are completely devastated. Our gear was stolen on Friday Oct. 7 in Brooklyn, NYC. So much has been lost, but these 4 listed underneath are truly the things that matter to us... like Wagner's Jazzmaster from 1961 that he has lived & travelled with, played & written on for the past 12 years. And Sharin's beloved Gretsch from 1965. If you see or hear anything about these 2 guitars and 2 basses please email us immediately on info@theraveonettesDOTcom and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams.
Yours, Sharin & Sune
• Gretsch
Chet Atkins 6120 1965 Guitar Orange V89V391
• Fender Jazzmaster Guitar, Sunburst 55820
• Fender Precission 1974 Bassguitar L. Tan 317392
• Rickenbacker 4001 1974 Bassguitar OK 7546
Gallery hop: Loved all the gorgeous raku pots I saw in the galleries. Some extremely creative jewelry and glass work, too. I coveted a particular glass jellyfish very much. The painting scene was mainly limited to imitative photorealism in oil; (ubiquitous renderings of Cathedral Rock, women grinding corn, chief on horseback in full regalia, vaguely homoerotic cowboys, etc.)
At Sedona Art Center, however, I found the art in the galleries to be more varied. There’s even a huge live Plein Air Festival later this month – wish I could have participated. Met a neat fibre artist named Barbara who was volunteering at reception that afternoon.
Foodwise, Sedona is really mixed – everything from Indian to Sushi – and certainly lots of Mexican, which is what I go for.
An order of cactus pads at Oaxaca was a novelty! They are rather like okra in texture, (think the Alien movies, with the stringy goo) and taste like they might have peyote in them. The shpines were removed.
I am at Niagara Falls, participating in the 3rd Annual World Wide Paint Out. We had sunny weather both days; unlike last year, the mist from the Falls did not wreak too much havoc on my work (which turned out to be a good thing anyway!) After Day One of painting, most of us gathered for a lively pizza party at J. Baldini's cool studio space. Meeting new and seeing old faces from last year was such a kick! On Saturday, a plethora of fine work in various mediums was exhibited at Tu Tu Tango, a lively, colourful space, comprised of a café and bar, with local fine art for sale on every inch of wall. WWPO works were displayed on easels for judging and public viewing. The wonderful staff kept us fed and watered - hors d'oeuvres were delicious.
It was a delight to be there with so many other plein air artists; I personally found the calibre of the soft pastel work shown was second to none. Absolutely breathtaking! We were a raucous group of artists indeed, and cheered the winners on with loud glee! Daniel Reed gave a spirited speech representing the IPAP Regional Ambassadors. Canadian Regional Editor for Plein Air Magazine John Stuart Price also spoke. A 50/50 draw was held to benefit those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
I wish I had had more time to talk to everyone, Shawn Dell Joyce in particular. It was great seeing Jerry Markham and his wife Leah again - he and I are planning to paint snowscapes next January in the Canadian Rockies when I am out there next. Looking forward to it!
I've been painting down by the lake in my funky little 60s trailer, I bring Gorjuss with me and she snuffles around ecstatically while I work. I'm really getting into the trees and shadows. Emily Carr's autobiography also keeps me company - to be read while my washes are drying. In the book, I was delighted to see a faded photo of her working in a dumpy old trailer like mine! She has a monkey on her shoulder and a shit-eating grin. Hey! I have a deershit-eating white shepherd. ;-)
July 28, 2005 (Happy Birthday, Dad!)
I've been working on 3 commissions and a demo. Looking forward to painting outdoors again once the humidity is gone.
I've been hanging out down by the lake, too. Nothing like a campfire, stars, and a bottle of red Zinfandel to make you content.
on my iTunes as
I type: a Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys anthology!
June 27, 2005 (Happy Birthday, Grandma!)
Been busy writing to my incredibly brave friend P in Italy, the one enduring the bone marrow transplant this week. She finishes her chemo pre-treatments today. Keep your good vibes coming for her, I am grateful!
It;'s that time again, the "snakepit of excitement" that is NXNE.Had a great ol time at the EMI rooftop party, where Bobby snapped me with Canadian Idol Kalan Porter for my dear friend Heather, who is nuts about him - hee hee hee! (Hi Head!)
It was damn hot up there. I kept pouring bottled ice water on my head and then shaking like a wet dog, to the delight of Beau Randall. Hi Bo'!
Like my hilarious dress? It's so Wilma Flintstone. It is actually a circa 1981 Guy Laroche sarong from France, with a slit up to there. Font font font, eh?! Collecting and wearing vintage clothing is a passion of mine. Just found a new place to shop, too - Hooked On Vintage. Check it out!
I am in Vermont on a painting trip! (see allaprima for the results.)
OMG I'm moving to Vermont. (just kidding) but seriously, I adore it there. Overnighted in Burlington and felt so at home. Everyone was so NICE and interesting! No chain stores! No hideous WalMart!! Every shop is a bike shop or cool sports store or art supply place - dogs welcome everywhere. Restaurants, oh the FOOOD... Gorged myself on Mexican and beer at a waterfront cafe. They made me some REAL, AUTHENTIC lime-marinated ceviche! Gaaa!!
Then there's the countryside. I painted my heart out for one afternoon in the Champlain Islands. Lots of neat bogs and strange plant life. I wanted to paint in the mountains, however, it was drizzling there, and that doesn't bode well for watercolours unless you are painting Niagara Falls and you WANT the happy accidents that the mist in the air produces!
I am going back there as soon as I can, bringing my bike and my white shepherd, Gorjuss, too. The Windjammer Inn and Conference Center encourages guests to bring their dogs. They have 52 acres of dog walking trails on the land. Wowowowowow!!!
On Sunday night, snapped Aimee Mann at South Burlington's Higher Ground. This is a fabulous venue - if you get a chance, see a show or 3 there. They pour heavy if you order a nice Scotch. ;-))) I can also highly recommend the friendly take-out pizza stand at Marco's (? I'll have to check the name) a couple doors down.
I have seen Aimee before, but this was the first time I truly connected with her work at a live performance. It was magical, honest, personal and unhurried, and she was in a pretty good mood, able to laugh with the audience about having lost her luggage earlier that day. I think she felt pretty comfortable in Burlington, and the audience was very appreciative.
In Montreal at the Fairmont Queen-E for various work-related activity. Quebec is a whole 'nother world, with wonderful old buildings, amazing culture, and real CROISSANTS!!! But the best part was tonight's Cafe Campus show, with my favourite band in thewholewideworld, The Raveonettes. They were incredible, and I was, as always when I see them, a very happy Pinkie. Snapped a few shots. Afterwards, it was Jagermeisters for all, single malt for yours truly, (and a lime wedgie for the bassist...) and a hang-out at the Copacabana on St. Laurent. These are really nice, super talented people, please support them. Sharon is a very cool, stylin' kitten, (check the shoes!), Jakob is a sweetheart, and Sune is a freaking genius, drawing on musical elements that are legendary riff and vocal-wise, combining them with his own brilliance, and making em even better. I know, it sounds like I am gushing, but I really am a fan, even with all the music in my daily life - these cats stand out.
Yeah!!! Tonight it was Tegan & Sara with The Killers. T & S were fabulous, their voices in top shape. "So Jealous" should have been recorded live that day, it was that good. Backstage was a scene, complete with cute, sweaty boys in make-up carrying teddie bears. Don't ask.
My friend Rafael Alfandary has passed away after a long battle with bone cancer, and I am off to the wake this afternoon in Toronto. Raf is the person who made all that big, artsy "Rafael Canada" jewelry that I have collected since the 1980s. Those who know me may recall the huge rings and dramatic chokers, and the wild clocks in my home. I will wear some today, too. A special piece - a huuuge sterling silver ankh from the 60s, that he re-signed for me in 2000.
We became fast friends when he contaced me out of the blue a few years ago after having seen my little ol web site devoted to his art. He had just arrived in Toronto after having lived in an ashram in India for many years, out of the public eye. After having designed jewelry for countless celebrities in the 60s and 70s (Liberace, Liz Taylor, Maggie Trudeau, etc.,) no one knew where he was or if he was even still living! I had tried to find out info about him for years
and NOTHING! Imagine my shock at having received an email from him, very excited and ALL CAPS... he had just discovered the net, a technology he was soon to embrace with gusto.
His wife Eriko is also a jewelry artist, and a lovely, kind person. You wouldn't believe what a good cook she is, too. Can whip up Japanese delicacies with her eyes closed. Every trip to their home was an incredible adventure in culinary delights. I feel so sad for her, as she and Raf were bonded at the soul. I plan to invite her up here to SMC if she needs a getaway.
He was a real character, brilliant and extroverted. Being in the room with him was like being in the presence of Picasso, with similar masculine enthusiasm and passion for life, business, and art, but with less misogyny. He'll be missed.
Fly high, Raf!
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