Barefoot Artist

I have only begun calling myself 'an artist' rather recently. I had this silly idea that to call yourself an artist meant that you painted for a living.

I have probably made less than $100 off of art. I don't know how to sell it. I can't translate it into a price. I've been asked, "How much do you want for that?" and my answer usually is, "uh, I dunno...what do you think?"

I can calculate how much the materials cost, but I don't. I can calculate time and put a price on it, but it seems wrong. So I end up giving away many pieces as gifts along the way.

Solstice coming up, no problem...the picture you like is probably going to be along, birthday maybe.

I set up to travel with my supplies, and do go out in the field often. Sometimes just on the floor of a friends house...

I have a very modest workspace in my suite on a little butcher block table next to the window and a minifridge.

Often, a painting gets frustrated with me, and we are at odds. There is always a stack of canvases in progress, some abandoned.
Some just waiting for me to get finished with washing clothes...

Some...drawn and painted from photo shoots.

Some while I'm watching a DVD of Dave Matthews and get inspired *pause...

Some while my mind is wandering...

Some to show unforgettable moments....

Some to show forgotten spans of time...

Some to show athletic concentration...

Some to show athletic exhilaration...
Some to show encounters with nature....

And...yep...Fruit. This one is called Grapes of Wrath, and was made while I was on the phone for the last time with a woman that had called me friend and I her...She was jealous and selfish, and she was yelling at me for forty five minutes. I let her have her say, all the while silently painting...
Anyway...I love art, and I do make art works so I am an artist. I love it so much, I made another one...looks just like me...
Thank you, my friends for encouraging me, and thanks for stopping by.
Tchuss,
Darla Vaughan

How Does Your TweetGarden Grow?

I have been on Twitter for nearly a year now, the first few months I didn't do much with it. I didn't know what to do with it, to be honest.
....until two things happened:

1. I acquired my very own, sleek Tweetdeck.
2. I began using Tweetdeck's search columns for topics in which I'm interested.

Very quickly I began to find people to follow. Instead of the spambot and advertiser followers, real people with real conversations and links of interest began to follow back. Twitter then became both a tool and entertainment, rolled up into one extremely efficient window where I could channel column after column of interesting people and information in a concise format easy to read and easy to interact with.

There have been issues from time to time, and weirdo's are always abundant, but with a little love, care and sometime ruthless pruning, you too can have a thoroughly enjoyable TweetGarden of your very own.

On Fridays there is the reciprocation fest known as #FollowFriday where Twitter users tell their followers who is worth following by making an @ mention. This is all well and good, and I do like to participate, however your timeline is just a mess, and so many at a time is just overkill, truthfully.

Here is the weekly updated list of people I really enjoy, so you can enjoy them as well if they seem to be a good fit. Happy Tweets!

People that just click, elemental, personal, with no reasons.
Ali_Cat71
ChristieSilver
DARKWARGOTH
Geurtie

HoodedMan

HotCarlSpecial

LucidGlow

Mel0d

PinkSphinx

PoetSteveDownes
RaisingThinkers

Rxchy
SnowDan
StillSoul
Suselynn

Atheist, Freethinkers, and Skeptics:

AgentChaos

Ah8r

BilBlogs
Fact3r

Freethinker_usa
GodlessGirl

Heathen2

JamesATracy
PaulFildago
Plushe
ProudAtheists

RationalBehavio

rwAtheist

SamiaHurst
Synthaetica

News, Activism, and Earthwatchers

1littlefish

1txsage1957

Scenes From Norfolk Harborfest 2009 - Part 1

Southern Quotes - Robert E. Lee

"A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday does not know where
it is today."
--Robert E. Lee

Blackbeard Pirate Festival - Hampton, Va

Every year we go. Arrrgh-ing all the way...This is from last year's naval battle scene. This year's photos are not downloaded yet. Oh, matey, never fear, I will place them here...
uh-oh I feel a haiku coming on...

Once a year pirate?

Nay. Everyday has its way

Of turning me Arrrghn.

King Neptune - Virginia Beach

Still just playing with the photos, wondering why they seemed bigger before. Maybe it's the template, or just that Blogspot shrinks them down more than Wordpress, and now I'm spoiled.

Ah well, won't be the first time.

This shot was taken two years ago in January. The sky doesn't look quite as blue in July at Virginia Beach.

Lake Drummond - Great Dismal Swamp

Just playing with the image settings.

RePost: The Witch Tree

This one had been posted on a long deleted blog, and it is one of my favorite shots of a tree I photograph quite often, when I visit it. Which I am supposed to, next weekend. We will see how she looks then.

Importing and Wordpress

I have been using the platform at Wordpress for a few months, and still haven't decided what to do about it. I like both platforms, so I'm seriously thinking of posting on both each time. For right now, I'm just trying to import the various blog posts I have around the web onto Barefoot Heathen. Hence the weird combination of past subject matter.
Consolidation to make things easier.

Wood And Shingle Boutique

I have decided to go full out and move my online store (in my house) to a building on the homestead. A lovely, petite, one room cabin with two lofts and flower boxes at the windows is being transformed to the physical store and showroom for Love Street Vintage & Curiosities Boutique.

At the present time there is nothing in the store for sale so that we can spend the time needed to get everything in place for the March 17th Grand Re-Opening!

I am very pleased to announce that I have been drafting some all new designs inspired by the friends that have held a special place in my heart, and with their friendship, have given me the tools needed to embark on this new entrepreneurial journey.

Each new design will be named for the person who inspired it, and I plan on preparing kit's for the do-it-yourselfers.

Vintage Men's Shirts

In Hunter's debut as a Love Street model, he caught the bug for good quality vintage. The great 1960's Sear's and Roebuck Perma-Prest shirt he has on here has been commandeered by him. I made him a deal. If he wants it (which he does) and he wears it he will have to take a stack of Love Street Vintage cards and pass them out to anyone who asks about his ultra-unique threads...man.

The second shirt here by Van Heusen is a 70's gem, which is luckily a bit too small for Hunter. So, it will be up for sale by the beginning of the week. If you like the 60's Sears shirt, maybe he could be persuaded out of it if the price is right. Make an offer!

Hard to Find Books

Vintage also applies to books....
This great early Female Empowerment tome from 1976 is still pertinent today in many ways. However, it is dated, which actually makes it fun to read.
Many more books will be going up this weekend, including 80's bodice ripper romances. Talk about Love Street...

Vintage 80's Jordache Jacket

This lightweight Jordache jacket will be going up for auction this weekend. Joining it will be several secretary blouses and some great vintage men's shirts. Stop by!

Fossil Scallop Shells

These are a few of my favorite things.... Collected from the Lower Yorktown Formation in southeastern Virginia, I am always thrilled at being only the second human to touch these fossils which are about 4 million years old. Out of the sediment, these Chesapecten jeffersonius go from the collector's hands to mine....on occasion, straight to mine. We never alter or coat the fossils. They are carefully excavated and simply rinsed off in fresh water.
As always, great care will be taken when shipping any item from Love Street. These items are fragile, and will be carefully wrapped, then sent in a Priority Mail shipping carton from USPS for safe delivery. Shipping labels are created through PayPal for free tracking.
Shop with confidence. I am an honest seller with a reputation for great service and quality offerings.
Bid now, don't miss out!

Boardwalk Trail at Washington's Ditch

This is one of my favorite paths to go down...it seems to go on forever. You can get the authentic sensation that you could get completely lost in this wilderness without the walkway as your guide. You can let your mind wander, under the canopy, just what it might have been like if you were searching for something. Just as easily, you can wonder what it might have been like to come here to become lost, as many freedom-seekers did.


The 'Dismal Town' historical marker on the boardwalk trail educates visitors.

Love Street Jewelry

Not all items at Love Street are vintage. Many are new handmade pieces, like these necklaces. Each one is a unique work of art that is shaped and designed in the moment, inspired by my mood and environment. Sometimes, I wear a creation out to gauge opinion and interest, but I will always let my customers know if a piece has been worn (and how often) when it goes up for auction.



I fell in love with this glass lampwork sea star pendant the moment I saw it...

I bought three sea stars, each one completely different. One more is the center of a finished necklace, and the other awaits inspiration to strike. I will post more sea stars in the future, look out for them!
This oxbone scrimshaw mermaid was strung on all natural sinew with tiny shells, wood and glass beads spaced by knotting the sinew periodically. A bit of wire bending and she turned out beautiful. Alas, she is sold and gone from me.

Check back often to see what new is in store...literally.

New! Groovy Floppy Hat

This Love Street Original hat is funk-tacular. The super bulky weight yarn by Caron® Simply Soft® makes the hat pliable and comfortable, and has a great sheen. The flower is made of the same yarn in contrasting colors giving the hat an even brighter show, which is quite a feat considering the hue of orange on display!

Groove to your own beat and snag this unique hand-crocheted sunhat. Only at Love Street Vintage.

A Gift to the American People

The First Virginia Green-Energy Power Plant

Not only did our fair city of Suffolk turn blue for Obama on November 4, we now officially have the distinction of hosting the first green-energy power plant in Virginia. The plant will convert the methane gas 'exhaled' from decomposing garbage in our landfill into electricity and steam.

Read the full article here.

The creation of jobs in the city is icing on this cake. The cherry on top?... the deal may well save many area jobs by helping to lift up the sinking SPSA, which has been in financial straits lately.

It's a great time to be in Suffolk!

Grandma Karen's Baked Oatmeal

Mmmm.. there is nothing better than hot oatmeal on a snowy morning. For something different, baked oatmeal is a great alternative to the same ol' bowl.



Grandma Karen's Baked Oatmeal



Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease an 8x8 pan and set aside.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups whole oats


• 1/2 cup sugar


• 1/2 cup milk


• 1/3 cup vegetable oil


• 1 tsp baking powder


• 3/4 tsp salt


• 1 tsp vanilla extract


• 1 egg

For topping 1/2 cup chopped nuts and raisins

combine all ingredients except nuts and fruit; spread in prepared pan.

Bake for 30 minutes. Serve warm, it is good with warm milk poured over it, or alone; The possibilities are endless.

True to my Suffolk nature, I added chopped peanuts to the top of this one. Delicious.