This fall, my nine-piece oil on canvas work, "Loving," exhibited first in Toronto (at Toronto Art Expo), and then in Chicago (at the Artist’s Project), will have a new home and resting place.  My association with Boston’s Art Connection enabled it to be discovered by Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, MA, a facility that provides high quality comprehensive health care that is linguistically, culturally, and financially accessible.  

About "Loving" 9 x (18 x 18 in), oil on canvas, 2008

To be able to love and be loved is essential to human survival (and quality of life). However, many of us don’t have opportunities to find the love we long for, or don’t feel loved in the right way by the right other(s) at the right times. That acknowledged, longings still churn. What do we do with them? One option is to transfer them to canvas. The title for this nine-piece series didn’t come right away. Once I was mid-way processing and painting, I started to realize what I was creating—as well as why and how. The more I got into what I was representing, the more influenced I became by the imagery being revealed (or channeled). Each time I walked into my studio and saw it, I felt a lift (and gift). Love was out there on the canvas, transmitting full-force back: love that can be so elusive in real life. Creating "happy art," I realized, as I have done before, can keep me going in ways little else manages to, consistently and unconditionally. It helps turn up the volume (and mood) when essential. What needs immediate attention is identified and underscored in colors and brush strokes—like how important it is to take proper care of oneself, no matter whatever else preoccupies.

About My Organic Art

"Organic art" is the name I’ve given to a personal brand of abstraction. It describes a way of working, and style, that seems to have developed from a natural pension for doodling, or "doodlemania." In retrospect, my original "doodlemania" doodles may be considered somewhat one dimensional and contrived:  I work on a specific piece (drawing then coloring) until it’s finished. The more evolved organic depictions (using paint, not drawing media) challenge rigidity and take me out of a comfort zone. They also offer surprises, even magical moments. I tend to develop a number of pieces simultaneously, in multiple layers and following no particular plan (limiting control and deliberateness). The artwork feels more alive, a dynamic organism leading the way.

Please see the artist’s section of the DocSusan website for more information about my artwork, as well as previous artist donor pieces (and recipients). An earlier blog entry, Summer 09, Community Giving Through Art, in the Boston Area (August 20, 09), shows this summer’s contributions.

About Upcoming Mosaic Murals

For those interested in acquiring original wall-size mosaic murals, using imagery from my artwork and photos, please look out for an announcement on or about October 8, 09.  As a “feature artist” with a new design/manufacture company, fresh possibilities for my artistic creations are on the horizon:-)

As summer turns to fall—the so-called “quiet season”—there’s usually a gap period between major exhibitions. In Britain, many seem to close mid-September, new ones opening later in the month. Last week, on a two-day trip to London, I made the most of what was available, and there was still an abundance. When I lived in this city, as a student (late 70‘s - early 80‘s), many of these venues, exhibits, and activities didn’t exist (or weren’t open to the public)!  Wow! Nor, did the traffic…

Here are some of the high- (and low-) lights—and recommendations—from my whistle stop tour:

DAY ONE

• Tate Modern
No feature exhibit, but great to experience the building, ambiance, and other collections.  Would have liked to have taken the bridge connecting to the other side of the Thames, or the boat to the Tate Britain.  Maybe next time!

• Garden Museum, Lambeth
Quaint, but not as remarkable as anticipated from write-ups. Likely, nicer to coincide a visit with their events and lectures. Pleasant surprise: vegetarian restaurant’s pineapple and banana cake is yummy! Also, from here, I made a little detour towards and along the Thames, noticing newer attractions like the London Eye Ferris Wheel.

• Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms
An absolute must-see!  Even for those not interested in war, the history, memorabilia and presentation are excellent. Lots to think about, marvel over, and learn from! Also, note the "green" lunch delivery service at an adjacent government building:-)

• Thames Circular Cruise
Disappointing. Supposed to be an hour, but little more than 40 minutes. And, with no commentary, it was hard to know what all the sites and details were. Would have been nice to hear some local tales and history. Too bad the driver was busy texting…and not always looking!  Maybe during off-season efforts wain?

• Big Ben
Always there. Ever powerful, from every angle.  Wonderfully restored and in its 150th anniversary year (1859 - 2009)!

• Trafalgar Square Exhibits
Anthony Gormely’s One and Other was unimpressive.  Participants are not as high off the ground as imagined, if you walk the perimeter of the square.  I arrived at a “changing of the guard.”  Travel to the North of England (Mersey River’s Crosby Beach) to see a much more remarkable work by Gormley, the Another Place Figures.

The London Design Festival’s Centrepiece Chess Board was drawing a healthy crowd.

• Noel Coward Theatre, Calendar Girls
Lovely theater and easy to buy a last-minute upper balcony ticket at the door, prior to performance, then have a seat upgrade to the stalls!  Poor attendance for what, to me, seemed to work better as a movie then a play. Jerry Hall being in the cast was a plus, but not enough to keep me from dozing off. Long day!

DAY TWO

• Natural History Museum and Darwin Centre
The new Darwin Centre is incredible. Next time, hope to make it into the Cocoon!  Just caught the end of the Butterfly Jungle exhibit. Love the architecture and design of the original historic buildings. Just seeing and being in them is a great experience in itself.  Same goes for the V and A (next paragraph, below).

• Victoria and Albert Museum, London Design Festival, Sackler Centre
A great collaboration. Two (or three) for the price of one—in fact, no price. Each were free (and easy)!  Please check the heart artifact I had the opportunity to make during a London Design Festival activity, the Shape of My Heart (close up image at the start of this post can be found on the official Heart site as well). The Sackler Centre is a wonderful addition and resource—helps bring the museum (and beyond) to life!  As an undergrad, I spent many hours in the V and A library. No Sackler Centre then!  Also managed to catch the Telling Tales exhibit!

• Saatchi Gallery
Being a Saatchi on-line Gallery artist, I was very curious to see this new beyond cyber space venue. What an accomplishment!  It’s also interesting to note the setting, close to Sloane Square:  a luxe and lovely part of town!  Then there’s the school playing field and track just in front of it, full of little people enjoying gym classes.

• Kensington Palace and Gardens… and The Last Debutantes
1958, the year focused on by the palace’s feature exhibit was a significant time for me. I was about to come into being, but not as a debutante:-)  An interesting era with a lot of attention to detail, etiquette, couture, and culture.  Precious and lacking today!  Lucky with the weather. A glorious season to be outside there:  the swans and geese were plump and abundant, preening in the glow of an autumn dusk.

• Hyde Park and Princess Diana Fountain
You can get lost here.  But on a beautiful autumn evening, and if you’ve got the time, that’s okay…  The signage isn’t evident everywhere.  To find the Diana Fountain, down by the Serpentine, far from the Diana Playground, wasn’t easy (at least for me). The Fountain, itself, I thought, was disappointing—looked to me like a series of drain outlets: some flowing well, others not.  No adornment and nothing remarkable. I could, of course, have been missing something?

Royal park dog poop bins were neat and official looking. Could do with similar around Toronto:-)

 

CITY TRANSPORTATION

Wondering how I got around?  Via the Oyster travel card.  Worth the investment, but please be advised to take the tube for speed, buses if you’ve got all the time in the world… The Number 10 bus (from Hyde Park to Euston) took 1 hour and 15 mins! Oxford Street is particularly slow and congested (especially at rush hour) and there are easier ways to cross it…  Missed my train!  Nice that Euston Station now has such an amazing selection of take-out eateries!  Prête à Manger won out for me. Delicious advocado wrap!

A beautiful visit, like a beautiful butterfly (from the Natural History Exhibit):  too short-lived but very memorable.

 

Earlier posts about London on this blog include:

• LONDON Landmarks Change (March 2, 2008)
• Green LONDON: from Pink Cabs to Green Attitude (February 27, 2008)
• Taxi, Taxi! LONDON’S Colorful Cabbies (February 25, 2008)
• Sentimental and Historical London—A Quick Guide (October 7, 2007)

A sweet New Year, and year-round, treat!

 

Ingredients

• 2 X 170 gram bags of rice puffs
• Half cup of honey
• Half cup of maple syrup
• 2 and a half sticks of butter, melted
• 3 packs of vegetarian gelatin, added to melted butter (optional)
• Pinch of salt
• 4 tablespoons of sunflower seed butter
• 4 tablespoons of pumpkin seed butter
• 8 - 12 dates, cut up in small pieces (optional)

Instructions

• Mix ingredients thoroughly.
• Dampen hands with warm water to help form mixture into balls.
• Bake spaced out on cookie sheets  for 12 minutes at 375 degrees, in preheated oven

Enjoy!

• Yield:  About 6 dozen

RECIPES ALREADY PUBLISHED ON THIS BLOG

MAIN COURSES
• Rice Noodle Bake, with Eggs, Cheese and Veg. Can’t Make Mistakes with This Simple Recipe (May 17, 2009)
• Allergic to Wheat? Easy-Prep Meals for One: Freeze, Heat Up, and Enjoy! Rice Pasta and Leftovers, with Cooked Avocado (May 11, 2009)
• Comfort Food, Comfort Mood:  Self-Care and Cooking for One that’s Nutritious, Delicious, and Easy (December 15, 2008)

SIDE-DISHES AND STARTERS
• Getting Creative, and Healthy, with Pretty Food—Wheat-Free Too! (April 13, 2009)
• Jazzing Up Traditional Recipes: Mixed Root Vegetable Latkes with Pineapple/Pear/Raspberry Compote and Crème Fraîche (January 24, 2009)
• The Cooking Gene—No Exact Recipes, Wholesome Cuisine 1: Soups (September22, 2008)  

BAKING AND MEAL REPLACEMENTS
• Healthy Baking:  Not-Quite-Oatmeal-Raisin-Cookies (Use Flax and Rice Flour, Cherries, and Carob) (April 5, 2009)
• Don’t Love Chocolate! What Happened to Carob? Carob Clusters Satisfy the Craving—and Help Keep You Regular! (April 3, 2009)
• Overnight Weather Changes: Snowed In and Cooking Up (Against) a Storm: Probiotic Banana Cherry Oat Muffins (February 22, 2009)
• New Year’s Scones: 30 Minutes to Homemade, From Idea to Tabletop (January 3, 2009)
• The Cooking Gene—No Exact Recipes, Wholesome Cuisine 2: Cookies and Scones (September 25, 2008)

DOGGY-DELIGHTS
• Homemade Dog Food: Synchronicity, Health, Quality (November 22, 2008)

We switched to PetCare Insurance in 2000, when seeking a provider that could cover claims in the US as well as Canada. But, is pet insurance really worth it?  Do you ever get back what you pay with ceilings on illness categories?  And, the older your dog, the higher the deductible, no matter his/her claim record!  Then there’s the "small print" and "exemptions" and "exceptions" as well as "specials." 

You need to be bold and ask in order to receive a "discount" because charges can vary.  When I questioned an increase in monthly premiums (for 2008) for each of my dogs, a customer care representative responded by offering a 15% reduction for us to stay with their program.  We became "eligible for discounts," it seemed, only when making a fuss, not automatically.

For Sage’s urogenital illness in February (08) the bill was $591.32, for which we received $381.39. The co-payment was $59.03 and the deductible $150!

A typical "Mastercare" (90% coverage) policy for a toy poodle (when we were enrolled) broke down like this:

Payplan fee:  $1.50 monthly
Premium: $49.35 monthly (including discount)
Taxes:  $3.95 monthly
Total: $54.80

Is insurance like this really worth it at the end of the day?  Perhaps creating a personal bank account, strictly kept as a monthly pet security fund, to be drawn from only for veterinary emergencies, is a better option. A growing number of pet owners prefer to do this—especially those who have encountered vets who don’t show extra care and attention in filling out clients’ claim forms. Let’s not forget that these professionals will get paid anyway, no matter the source for the funds.

Fall 2008, we terminated our PetCare policies. Unfortunately, as is often the case, we felt that "might over right" was wearing us out. Regardless of whether PetCare’s practices were questionable, there seemed little effective recourse, even after approaching the ombudsman and other insurance industry overseers. An earlier blog entry, Older Dogs’ Healthwatch, points to where some of our woes began. Vets, it seems, can perform multiple investigations/suggest alternative (potential) diagnoses when not sure what’s wrong, maximizing fee, procedure, and treatment possibilities. An insurance company, it seems, can easily deny all other (unrelated) charges, just by finding one that can attach to a condition category that’s not "covered."

Even though more than a year has gone by, we still have not forgotten the pain, anguish, and loss caused by our investment in PetCare policies. Bad enough to have a sick pet. Worse to be with an insurance company that, in our experience, seemed to help add stress (and expense), not take it away.

Lev and Sage are now nearly 13 and 10 years old, respectively—hopefully with many more good times ahead. Here’s a look back at some of our already blogged about adventures (photos included):

• It’s a Dog’s Life:  Editors in Chief and Studio Assistants, Lev and Sage, Took a Bit of Time Off, at the Cape, August Long Weekend (June 7, 2009)
• Yes, We Did—And We Made the News! (June 9, 2009)
• Exchanging Vows, With Poetry At Woofstock Wedding—Today. Lev and Sage Are the Happy Bride and Groom (June 7, 2009)
• Woofstock’s Weddings for Dogs—Today! (June 7, 2009)
• Wedding Announcement! A Later in Life Marriage for Older Woman, Younger Man, and It’s Dog-Friendly (May 28, 2009)
• 12 Years-Old Today—Lev Makin, Editor-in-Chief, DocSusan’s Blog. From Puppy to Pensioner! (February 5, 2009)
• Winter Fashion and Practicality for Dogs (February 7, 09)
• Paraphimosis: Little Penis, Big Swelling and Extrusion from the Prepuce—Sage’s Health Saga Continues (February 4, 2009)
• Dog-Shots by Lev and Sage Makin: Some of the Best Poses of 2008 (February 2, 2009)
• “The Sneeze”: Lev Makin (Blog Editor in Chief) Post Oral Surgery—Older Dog, Longer Recovery and Greater Concern (January 14, 2009)
• Sew Nice! Homemade as Tonic and Treasure (January 9, 2009)
• Lessons from 2008: Canine Confidence and Coincidence Cure (January 1, 2009)
• Home for the Holidays! Sick Puppy Alert: When Two Dogs are Better than One. (December 25, 2008)
• Homemade Dog Food: Synchronicity, Health, Quality (November 22, 2008)
• 48-Hours of Caring for Sick and Elderly. Sage Makin, Little Wonder-Dog’s Recovery in Images (November 10, 2008)
• One to One at Apple: Customer Satisfaction and Doggies Included (July 26, 2008)
• Older Dogs’ Health Watch (July 10, 2008)
• Favorite Dog Toy is a Duck (June 8, 2008)
• Artists Need Moral Support—and Caninekind Offers the Best (May 5, 2008)
• Artwork Approval: Animalkind like Animal Magic! (April 15, 2008)
• Every Art Studio Needs a Watch-Dog (April 10, 2008)
• Veterinary Emergencies (April 2, 2008)
• Sunbathing DOGS (March 12, 2008)
• “Happy Birthday!” Editor-in-Chief and Studio Assistant, Lev (February 5, 2008)
• Always a Puppy, Never a Dog (August 23, 2007)
• ART STUDIO Assistants and Poodle Pals (April 1, 2007)
• DOG-Sitter Caution (January 21, 2007)
• PUPPY (Baby) Pictures (December 22, 2006)
• CAPE COD in Fall/Winter (November 6, 2006)

Two’s company, three may be a crowd (Lev and Sage with host, Archie)

Nothing like a lazy day on the deck… for weary travelers (Lev and Sage)

You never know when you’re going to meet a Maxi-Me (Sage and Archie)

 

The Cape is a fun place for dogs to be, especially after Labor Day!