Random Arts is located in Saluda, in the mountains of western North Carolina. This is where you can peer into the behind the scenes planning, random thoughts and process here as our random adventures continue.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Costa Rican Journal Pages
When I left for Costa Rica
in September I thought I would
keep some sort of journal of
my thoughts, observations,
feelings and adventures and I
pretty much kept true to my
word. Even though I do
not draw or sketch very well
at all!!!!, I still felt that I coulddo a little something with my paints
and markers to capture the moments.
This page here on the right
is the table top of this amazing
place that we stayed at just
20 miles or so north of San Jose.
Finca Rosa Blanca Inn and Coffee plantation. If you want to feel pampered and be surrounded by art, architecture, great food and luscious landscape, this is the place for you. Not to mention
perfect weather year round.
While there I absorbed the colors of the flowers
the mosaic work on the pool, the murals in the
gardens and nature itself.
I didn't focus on doing anything perfect while I was there as I didn't want to feel any pressure from myself. I just scribbled and drew and used my paints and I did it all outdoors because it was 75 degrees everyday and life "is" outdoors in Costa Rica. Thinking about that, there weren't any bugs either. I really don't think that I can say that I saw any bugs, anywhere. There are no screens on any of the hotel windows, just bars. Everyone has bars on their windows, everywhere, it's just part of their culture. We were told that when an architect is designing a new house for someone, his plans also included a design for the bars. (not drinking bars but steel rods, designs of sorts, slats over all the windows)
Friday, December 18, 2009
Holiday Treats
Each year we anticipate the arrival of
Kristi Steiner's tasty toffee and as usual
it is delightfully wrapped with heartfelt
wishes for a happy holiday season.
Kristi Steiner's tasty toffee and as usual
it is delightfully wrapped with heartfelt
wishes for a happy holiday season.
Those who came in this week
were able to enjoy Kristi's
hand made goodies as well.
Thank you Kristi for always thinking of us this
time of year.
were able to enjoy Kristi's
hand made goodies as well.
Thank you Kristi for always thinking of us this
time of year.
We love it!
Monday, December 14, 2009
The sign is gone....
What a weird feeling it is to see that the finalization of Random Arts, had become a reality, when the sign came down last night. Only 5 little bolts holding it up - big and strong for all those years. Our little oasis of creativity in the mountains has come and gone.Although I am sounding somewhat bittersweet about this, I am relishing in the excitement of what's to come. You all know how much I love doing the shows and after the first show in Sanford, I will be going on a "ribbon buying" trip to Atlanta, to seek out some new and exciting products for the next show in Statesville.
So, as you see, I am "happily" moving on to the next page in my book.
Anyone care to write a page/comment in the Random Arts book.....
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Remembering Random Arts
Here's Jen and Flavia
at Donna Downey's
Inspired Artist Retreat
in Concord, NC last May.

A couple of years ago
Paul and I decided to go to Art and Soul
in Hampton,VA and set up our store
and sell our "assorted goods for creative mindfulness"
So, here we are, ringing it up
Generally, our vehicle looks like this when
we are off to a show, but sometimes we double it
up and take 2 vehicles. We amaze ourselves when
we look at just how much we can fit into our car.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Observations - final phase
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Sunday, December 06, 2009
observations in San Jose
The "city center" is amass with locals purchasing
goods such as herbs, spices, fruit, vegetables,
cd's (?) nuts, and a menagerie of
assorted off shore items.
The Mercado Central sells fresh cut
meats hung in stalls, along with
local fish, shrimp and other items
unknown to me.
It's a place not to go on the weekend, especially
before Christmas, which is a really
big celebration.
Observing the colors of the goods,
and the arrangement that perhaps is created
each and every day for shopping.
All the steel shutters and blinds come
down on stores that are not open
and are secured until the next shopping day.
In some neighborhoods, one does not even
know that the store would exist
until you see the window display or the
steel gates open during shop hours.
Plastic bags are a problem here and there doesn't
seem to be a bit of recycling at all. at least I have not seen it.
They say it but I don't see it.
There are 2 things here that I see to be the biggest issue
and that is plastic and brush.
Plastic is strewn everywhere and not picked up
and because of the amount of vegetation, it is always
laying somewhere in piles along the street,
in vacant lots, etc.
A photo essay will follow when I share my observations
on the "holes" in the sidewalks and the 18" curbs deep enough
and wide enough to cause considerable damage to one's limbs.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
While the cat's away . . .
The mice will play!
or something like that, as the saying goes.
In this case it means that the girls at the shop are having
a 50% off SALE
on all regular priced merchandise.
(in store sales only, no mail orders)
Hurry in for great savings on everything including
Golden Paints, Lumiere, ribbons and more!
You have until the 15th to take advantage of
these drastic reductions.
Sorry, no mail orders
or something like that, as the saying goes.
In this case it means that the girls at the shop are having
a 50% off SALE
on all regular priced merchandise.
(in store sales only, no mail orders)
Hurry in for great savings on everything including
Golden Paints, Lumiere, ribbons and more!
You have until the 15th to take advantage of
these drastic reductions.
Sorry, no mail orders
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
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