Sketches - Thai Frog

"CROAK!" "CROOOOOAAAK!" Rub the wooden stick over the scales on the frog's back to hear the sound of a happy frog, or perhaps it's a frustrated frog sending out an SOS mating call? Regardless, my father bought it for me during our family holiday in Thailand.  We each drew a name, and were given the challenge of finding the best present at the outdoor market on Christmas day for $5.  I got my dad an hour massage, and he bought me this frog and some jewelry.  Dad has a collection of wooden toys that he has picked up from artisans around the world, but the frog has always been one of his most favorites and I've often seen him showing guest how to make it "croak."

Sketches - TeaBag Holder

My dear Aunt MarySue, has the coolest collection of random ephemera and kitsch.  It's a product of a well-traveled life and a discerning eye for art and style.  Truth be told, all of my aunts and mom are that way. There are certain objects, that immediately remind me of my mother and her sisters.  One of them is this little teabag holder, which was given to me by my cousin Nancy, Mary Sue's daughter.   Every time I look at it, I smile and think of cherry pies (MS makes the very best, from scratch no less!), Germany, and yo-yo cookies from Australia.  As an added bonus, it encourages me to drink more tea and less coffee.

Sketches - Blackbird Fly

I don't recall where I first saw the Blackbird Fly, but it was love at first sight and I was completely obsessed. (A 35mm Twin Lens Reflex Camera? Oh my!!!)  Only problem, was that it was only coming out in Japan, and I would have to wait almost a year before it hit the US.  Lucky for little ol' me, my dad and stepmom have a place in Tokyo.  And even luckier, my dad was heading to Hawaii to meet me the same weekend the camera hit stores.  With the time change via flying, my dad and step mom were able to stand in line for the new camera (it was super limited edition, and my dad was freaked out by how many people were in line waiting to get their hands on it!) buy the camera (in canary yellow!) then hand deliver it to me over a sushi dinner in Oahu.  I was so excited I think I actually cried!  Love, love, love my little blackbird fly.

Sketches - Japanese Toothpick Holder

Every year, my mother sends me a toothpick holder that represents the present year's Chinese Astrological sign.  This year is the year of the rabbit.  Last year, was the year of the bull, the year before: year of the rat.  Personally, I'm kind of in love with the year of the rabbit.  By far, its the cutest astrological sign in ages.

Sketches - Mustard pot

2 weeks ago, I had an art day with my pal, Max.  Max is amazing.  He's a one-of-a-kind, super talented human being, who sees the beauty in all things kitschy.  He and I spent 8 + hours hanging out: painting and drawing one Sunday.  It had been ages since I had picked up a sharpie, and I had forgotten how zen it feels to zone out on something small and intricate.  So, instead of meditating this week, I started sketching again, just for fun.  I thought it might be cool to focus on the stories behind some of the random objects I've collected via the sketches.

So here is the first one: my jug of moutarde, aka $18 french dijon mustard.  I know, its ridiculous to invest this much money in a condiment when I don't actually eat condiments, BUT this is different.  This is a memory.  When I was a kid, every summer from 4th to 8th grade, my parents sent me to Lac Du Bois: French Camp in the woods of northern Minnesota, where a pot of mustard sat on every table in the canteen, to be used for salad dressing: one part mustard, 2 parts oil, a part vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.  And although my relationship with all things French has been very love/hate over the years (e.g. Olivier my former French boyfriend, aka the first man who ever proposed, albeit with unrealistic prospects) every time I see this pot of mustard, I can't help but smile.  And that's a good thing.  So, I consider the pot of mustard to be an investment in joy and great memories.