Focusing Literally on the Good in a Situation

Last week I took my daughter to the pediatrician for a routine matter. Not my favorite place to be, but one does what one has to do. 

After checking us in, I settled into a couch across from a rainbow chair, which was bathing in early morning light.

No longer in the waiting room, I was suddenly ensconced in the rabbit hole with two cameras (I used my cell phone as well because I like to change the wallpaper on it; that's good "phone shui"). Whatever wait time there was went by in a flash, if you will, as I composed a few shots.

The same goes for the ten minutes that I spent in five-degree weather yesterday. As much as Amanda was game to make snow angels, I didn't feel like layering up to go outside. Bringing a camera along, however, helped me focus on making a picture as opposed to making a fuss about my discomfort. 

As I'd hoped, I didn't notice the cold that much, but I did spy a gorgeous cardinal, who, alas, was too fast for me. Thankfully, this snow-sprayed wall was just my speed.

Palisades Daydream

I played with some of my Christmas presents this morning: a beginner's set of water-mixable oils, a tabletop easel, and an 11x14 canvas.

Can you tell my artist child is one happy girl right now? And she was already stoked about a gift subscription to Pandora One, the perfect sonic complement to painting sessions.

I think this landscape was inspired by the cliffs across the Hudson, but I welcome your interpretations.

P.S. Artist child is also eager to play with my 500-piece Alice in Wonderland Puzzle and tea set!

Snowmen from Space

Here's a mystery I may never solve. Either I didn't make much art as a child, or everything – with the exception of these snowmen who arrived by spaceship to put presents under a pretty mod tree – was discarded.

Other than this kindergarten assignment, the Polaroid of my grandmother's garden, and an apocalyptic tribute to "99 Red Balloons" that I sketched with a roller ball pen in eighth grade, I have no evidence of my interest in communicating through visual art.

What's less of a mystery to me, though, is how I found my way back to right-brained expression: pilfering from my daughter's art supply stash and blogging. When I started The Rabbit Hole Report back in March, I was drawn, if you will, to illustrate my essays. After a month or so of that, the art began to dictate the text instead of the other way around. Add to that your warm and thoughtful feedback, and I am inspired beyond belief. Maybe even in love.

So thank you with all of my heart for following me down the rabbit hole this year. Have a very merry Christmas if you celebrate it – interplanetary snowmen and all – and if you don't celebrate it, have a merry time anyway!

When Black and White Feels Right

If you've spent any time here, you know I'm all about color. But as I plunge ever deeper down the rabbit hole called photography, I'm appreciating the play of light and shadow in black and white images. I hope you find something to appreciate here too.

FYI, that's a sweet pepper backlit by the afternoon sun.

Let It Glow

When I inadvertently bought miniature cellophane bags from the bargain bin at Target, I figured they were best suited for candy or one of my daughter's imaginary parties for her dolls. 

Soon after, however, my mother gave me "Let It Snow" from Yankee Candle (just the right amount of pine aroma for my scent-sitive nose), and I realized the bags would be perfect for giving votives to friends, colleagues, and unsuspecting retail and delivery employees who could use a little extra light right now.

The 10 Blogs I Visited Most Often in 2010

Jane Davenport - I discovered her nature photography through her Love and DevOcean Wall Calendar, and she's now exhibiting her paintings in her native Australia. I particularly love her sticky puns e.g. 'Sects and the City, and how open she is about her creative process.

Rachel's Ramblings - Whether she's kayaking, cooking, or investigating a wrought iron museum in Rouen, this prolific writer and seasoned traveler brings you along with her through fun photos, lucid descriptions and a welcoming voice.

Sue Zipkin - Little did I know when I registered for a set of dishes 13 years ago that I would one day connect with this inspiring designer through her blog. Besides dinnerware, her happy art also shows up in fabrics, stationery and figurines. 

Reminders2BPresent - Recording and visual artist Jennifer Mazzucco shares her vivid creations, expansive gratitude, and spiritual adventures.

Dave Kappell's Blog - Yes, he promotes Magnetic Poetry kits (he invented them, after all), but he also posts amusing anecdotes and photos from his personal life.

Color Me Katie - Brooklyn-based photographer/street artist/actress Katie Sokoler is a rainbow in human form. Her charismatic cat Moo is one of many reasons to peruse her color-drenched entries.

Celebrating the Joy of Life! - Australian artist/designer Chris Chun chronicles his travel adventures and "anything that makes him smile."

Valerie Reiss's Blog - This writer/editor/yoga instructor's detailed, funny, and profound gratitude lists inspire me to write down what I'm appreciative of, even when I'm in the midst of something I'm not usually too appreciative of, like folding laundry when it's still warm.

Musings of a Crafter - Christina Claassen is one of the most versatile artists I know. Whether she's expressing herself through handmade greeting cards, photo essays, watercolor sketches, knitted gloves, or a feast for her family, she's doing it with love and microscopic attention to detail.

Wordle - This one's not so much a blog as it is an algorithm, but I use it so often to make personalized messages and affirmations, I have to include it.

Santa Has His Eye on You

And he's probably got a hidden camera inside this ornament I encountered at a Morton Williams supermarket.

I'd never used the "matte" effect in iPhoto or eye-Photo, as it were, but I'm a willing pupil.

The 10 Best Songs of 2010 for Making Art, Whoopee, or Dinner

As with the books, some of my picks may not have been released in 2010, but they sure have been in heavy rotation on my iPod this year.

A New Shore - A great song for a new year and a whole new life, in the case of this seasoned singer-songwriter making his post-Barenaked Ladies debut. Page's vocals are strong and his wit ever sharp (he gets a tea party in the rabbit hole for the punny album title).


Haven't Met You Yet - Smooth Mr. Buble is quite bubbly in this infectious tune. This is as good as adult contemporary gets.


Nothing For Granted - With a voice as rich as Buble's and songwriting on par with James Taylor (USA Today compared him to another James with the surname Blunt), Brendan's star is rising ever higher with appearances on The Rachael Ray Show and a tour with Paula Cole. Other standout tracks are "The Lucky Ones" and "The Fall," but the whole album is excellent.


Can't Shake It - The teensy bit of profanity on this cut is more than justified by its hilarity. The operatically trained Aussie songstress is terrific live, by the way, but apparently not so good on a dance floor, if you take her word for it.


Something More - I've had this song in my collection since 2002 (it's on the Undiscovered Gems anthology), but only recently did it become a favorite. It actually makes me want to jog to the nearest beach, and I'm neither a fan of jogging nor beaches (I'm more of a lake girl). The best line is "There's more when I let go." Ain't that the truth?


Running Up That Hill - A haunting cover of a Kate Bush hit from Hounds of Love.


Big Wheel - Everything I love about Tori Amos is in this song. Who else can kick booty with a Bosendorfer?


The Show - "Life is a maze/And love is a riddle," sings the multitalented Lenka in this song that's as catchy as it is wise.


Ready To Go - All right, I know I'm really stretching here with a song released in the '90s, but if it doesn't make you get up and move, then the first thing you need to do in 2011 is have your vitals checked.


New Soul - Like Lenka, Yael Naim was a Pandora discovery for me. What could be better than delicate pop wiz a Frensh accent?