Mt.Pinos Native Plant Garden

http://www.turnto23.com/video/21716755/index.html



this is what became of today November 24th, 2009!!!
-Welcome, I am Michelle Nosco, Founder and Director of ARTS FOR EARTH FOUNDATION.
With the International Climate Summit starting soon in Copenhagen we are inviting the public to join in and make a difference in our local quality of life. FAMILIES and INDIVIDUALS are invited to PARTNER with Arts For Earth and the Forest Service to build: Mike Fosters Native Plants Garden and Amphitheatre right here. This is one solid way we can make a good, positive impact on our quality of life.
This FUN education center is called the FOSTER BOTANICAL CENTER. But we lovingly call it Mike Fosters Garden.
-This Native Plants Garden is a memorial to MIKE FOSTER, the FOREST BOTANIST who LOVED and studied the unique NATIVE PLANTS growing here from 5 surrounding eco-regions,
-The Mike Foster Botanical Center will be a GATEWAY to Forest Life and recreation in the Mt.PINOS District of the Los Padres National Forest.
-Come here first to plan your visit to the forest.
-Volunteers and Donations to ARTS FOR EARTH.org for the Foster Botanical Center will create:
1. a native plants garden : with
a. wheel chair accessible trail and
b. An able bodied hiking trail that links to hundreds of miles of hiking, equine and Off Road trails.
2. Forest Interpretive Center ART GALLERY
3. an outdoor amphitheatre with concerts, workshops and lectures on forest life.
4. Located in Lockwood Valley at the Mt.Pinos Ranger headquarters of the Los Padres National Forest
5. Sections of Garden will display native plants that are UNIQUELY ADAPTED to growing here in the mountains. Some of these plants are normally found in:
a. Mojave Desert b. Sierra Nevada Mountains
b. C. Central Valley d. Central and e. South Coast
Mike Foster’s LEGACY is his love of our unique FOREST PLANTS and ANIMALS.
Arts For Earth Foundation is bringing together many partners in the mountain community and surrounding areas, to continue Mike Fosters legacy ,
Including the National Forest Association-Los Padres, Los Padres Bear Aware, Tejon Tribe, Bakersfield Tribe, Chumash Tribe, California Native Plant Society, EarthSkills, Condor Group of Sierra Club, the Tejon Ranch
-Come to Mike Fosters Botanical Center first to plan your visit to the forest.
-Volunteer with Arts For Earth, Learn to grow native plants,
meet every 2nd Sunday of the month, 2pm in Forest Ranger Station. See artsforearth.org or call 661-245-1523
To Donate much needed funds and for more information see www.ArtsForEarth.org

-Visit our Arts For Earth Nature Center Gift and Art Gallery:
3408 Mt.Pinos Way in FP to buy maps, t-shirts, books, gifts, art gallery show.
Come See Paintings of Area Landscapes, Plants, and Animals
-Proceeds help fund Foster Botanical Center.
-We offer the arts of mountain animals, plants, landscapes. First Show includes work by:
Abbe Gore, David Beigle, Susan Ssjoberg, Phyllis Oliver, Alan Holland and Michelle Nosco
-We offer Forest Talks and Walks by Docents, Forest Service Rangers, EarthSkills, California Native Plant Society, Sierra Club and Audubon Society.
-Our Forest Service Junior Ranger program starting in the new year will include programs with various Nature Groups .. such as : CA Native Plants, Sierra Club, Audubon Society and EarthSkills and Arts For Earth.
-Grand Opening Dec.5th Holiday Festival

-After our Grand Opening on Saturday December 5th, We are open Wednesday – Sunday 11-5pm.
-Arts For Earth Foundation is in partnership with the Forest Service. We design interpretive displays with paintings, sculptures and photographs of life in these mountains.

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest

October 14th is a big day!

Okay, perhaps yesterday led up to today, but today the partnership agreement between Arts For Earth Foundation and the US Forest Service was announced. A few more signatures are needed, like ours. But, all in all... we are ready to send out Grants to fund the Mike Foster Native Plants Garden at the Chuchupate Ranger Station in the Mt.Pinos District of the Los Padres National Forest.

We are also geared up for our new interpretive center at the Station headquarters. The little blue house gives us a place to develop both the Garden and the Interpretive Center. Interesting how it all comes together. It looks like an art gallery, our displays will be interesting, artful and evocative.

From the finest photography to the most sensitive paintings. The Arts invite our guests to experience the wilderness with their hearts as well as their bodies.
more later,
love,
Chela

A nice place to visit, with bed and breakfast nearby.

3404 Mt.Pinos Way, Frazier Park, CA 93225
How can such a funky little house hold such great promise? This one does.
We had to show you the "gallery" in it's "before" condition to make sure you appreciate the changes it will go through. It's as good as done.
Check in often. When it's ready to host an opening, we hope you'll join us for a concert, poetry readings, performances on the "stage" to the left of the building. Seating will be in the native plants garden (weeds to the left). Inside will be a lovely gallery of original paintings, sculptures, giclee prints, cards and a huge "digital" showcase of the many pieces too large or cumbersome to display. We'll also feature original one of a kind clothing and handmade fiber art from "Lebecie Girl".
Our goal is to give it an inviting feel. A place that people will want to visit and hang out. It will be a touchstone for people coming to visit the amazing features of the "mountain". Our programs include networking between the fascinating artists living on the mountain and the fascinating artists visiting from the valleys below. Programs will be held in various business' throughout the mountain communities.
more later, check out our website (in progress) at:
www.artsforearth.org
love,
Chela

The Kern County Fair was very good to me. Somehow the beauty of Ohoyo came through me and onto the canvas. People recognize her quiet strength. First Place, Best of Show. Ohoyo won it. I may send her the ribbon. ...then again I may put it on a hat.

The fair held a plein air competition last Saturday. Roy and I went out among the amusement rides, 103 degrees. I can't believe we came up with anything. More surprising was that I didn't really mind the heat. Somehow it was tuned out. Later I asked Roy if it was hot. He didn't know if I was joking or not. Somehow when I paint everything ceases to be an obstacle. Well, okay, sometimes.
Later Allen Davis from Bakersfield College (35 years professor of Art/Art History and Design) judged this open composition watercolor to be Best of Show and gave it a 1st prize blue ribbon.

Santa- "One hundred twenty two days til Christmas" Won a first prize blue ribbon in the decorative art division. It was from a photo of my dear friend Ron Edsall, possibly he really IS Santa, sometimes I wonder. I created a watercolor of the photo then highlighted it with oil pastel. Santa is carving out a small fiddle to be given away to a young fiddler for Christmas. Course it's typical of Ron to give such gifts in real life. See what I mean? He could be the real thing, after all when I thanked him for letting me photograph him he simply said "It's One Hundred Twenty Two days til Christmas"... now how else would he know that if he wasn't really Santa?

Koi - a watercolor/pastel was awarded a blue ribbon and the Bakersfield Art Association's Professional Award. That was very nice of them and is well appreciated as are the other awards. To be recognized by one's peers is lovely. It doesn't happen too often that we take the time to give credit to one another for our accomplishments. This was a beautiful show and an honor to be recognized.
love,
Chela

The Mountain Enterprise: BREAKING NEWS: Local Artists Win Big at Kern County Fair 2009

The Mountain Enterprise: BREAKING NEWS: Local Artists Win Big at Kern County Fair 2009FRAZIER PARK (Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, 1:45 p.m.)—Lockwood Valley artist Michelle Nosco won four awards at the Kern County Fair this weekend, including three first place ribbons and two Best of Show. The two Best of Show works were awarded for her "Ohoyo-wolf" portrait in the Professional Art category and "Carousel-Kern County Fair 2009" in the Plein Air division. Also earning a first place ribbon was her "Santa-122 days til Christmas" in the Decorative Painting category; and "Koi" won the Bakersfield Art Association Professional Award. You can see Michelle's work at the fair in the Fine Art Building #4 from September 23-October 4.

Valentino

This is so totally the wrong color. Does anyone know why uploads do this every-so-often? The blue pillows behind Valentino are actually ORANGE. And he's not really so muddy and blue. Please help me, if you know how to fix it. (does it have to do with RGB vs. CMYK?)

-c

Valentino: A lover AND a fighter!

Valentino, was soulmate to Alfredo and is remembered with his portrait. A great watchdog, Valentino was known to chase the garbage truck down the street. How dare they bring that kind of thing through this neighborhood? A Pug with passion and spirit. In his later years Valentino, Alfredo and his brother Ernesto (my hairdresser at Nuovo Salon in LaCanada,CA) enjoyed happy hour together, nibbling treats and enjoying a sip of water and such.

Yes, it's a miracle Valentino reached old age.

One day, his people were sure he was a goner. They had seen him run over by the garbage truck. Yet, when they ran outside to pick up the pieces he was no where to be found.

Where was he, they asked, returning to the house.

By the door he stood, panting, out of breath but none the worse for wear. He was waiting to go inside for a treat. After all, he was the hero who had chased off the garbage man, wasn't he?

If you like what you see in this blog: portraits of pets or portraits of wild ones, there is a website ( www.artsforearthstore.org ) where you can order them on t-shirts and note cards, coffee mugs and prints etc. in return for your donation to Arts For Earth.
Please, take a look to see if there's anything you like. Proceeds beyond cost go to Arts For Earth Foundation to supplement our 501c.3 activities. It's all good, and it's a write off, too!

Soon, we'll create a new series of portraits: The Wild Ones helped by the California Wildlife Center. Check back to this Arts For Earth blog, to see how it's coming along.

First on the list is a young Harbor Seal, then the Pelican, Bobcat, Deer, Kit Fox, Baby Squirrel and Mountain Lion. Is there an animal you would like to see? Leave us a comment here, so we can put it on our list. CWC and the wild ones will thank you, and so will AFEF! (We're kind of wild, too.)

Love,
Chela

Wild beauty captivates us all.

Several weeks ago Arts For Earth donated three pet portraits to the California Wildlife Center for their annual fundraiser's silent auction. And several more to AADAP's Annual "Showtime" Extravaganza.
Both events were spectacular.
Celebrities came out to mingle in a "safe" place in Malibu overlooking the Pacific Ocean wilderness. Paparazzi were discreet. Divine fabric flowed like seeds in the wind and water over waterfalls. Yet, with all the human beauty the most spectacular event was the release of one beautiful, lone hawk. Pumping wind beneath it's wings to rise beyond the treetops. We all ducked as if those talons would cut us like razors on paper. This wild beauty captivated us all.
To watch it beat the odds back into the wild was to release some part of ourselves. Some wild part, unknown to most who know us. Known to those who love us most. We are NOT domesticated animals. We are silent partners of the hawk, the mountain lion, sea turtle, bobcat, deer, fox, squirrel and more.
Are our "pets" really domesticated? Or are they simply kind enough to lead the way back to our true selves? I marvel as patrons receive their pets portrait, become silent, return to their inner sanctum where dear ones know them best.
love,
Chela

A great Rap for the AADAP Dream Mural

AADAP Dream Mural by Michelle Nosco copy, originally uploaded by Mic N.

More on the AADAP Dream mural:
When interviewing the applicants wanting to assist in creating this mural we asked what kinds of things they enjoyed drawing or painting. Landscapes? People? Buildings? Animals?
All but one agreed to at least one of the above. But Luis was different. He admitted that he didn't really like to create any of the visual arts. I thought for a minute and asked "What would you do if you could do anything?" He said he likes music but doesn't play anything.
I waited.... then he said "Rap" "I like to rap".
Amazing, that's exactly what we needed. Someone who has a love for words, to make a connection between the past and the future.
This "Dream" rap is what Luis wrote. He has a gift with words.
Once again, creation is a gift of love.

AADAP Mural with a mission: keep kids out of LA gangs

AADAP montage copy, originally uploaded by Mic N.

This mural encourages kids to reach for their dreams through higher education. AADAP counselors believe that a successful life is the best way to keep kids out of gangs.

This Photo montage was created for the AADAP Rice Paper magazine story which told Angelenos about the amazing 16' tall x 44' wide Dream mural created by Michelle Nosco and her AADAP Assistants. See NoscoFineArt.com for more info.

When the mural was complete the students were asked what they wanted to do when they grow up. One student in particular demonstrated ability in drawing perspective when working on the LA skyline (far left in mural). His answer was that he would like to become an architect. Hopefully, working on this mural is a stepping stone towards attaining that goal.

CWC's Victoria & Tootsie

Victoria, Tootsie & Chela copy, originally uploaded by Mic N.

Tootsie the Pomeranian inspired a portrait that keeps on giving two different ways. First it celebrates her loving mom's birthday. While, the money donated for it helps the California Wildlife Center save many less fortunate animals in need of care.

Join us this coming SUNDAY, AUGUST 16th for the
CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE CENTER 11th Annual Celebration,
The Wild Brunch
and bid on one of three Arts For Earth Foundation pet portraits offered to support the CWC silent auction fundraiser
The WILD BRUNCH will feature:
Fabulous food, festive libations, family fun, unique silent and live auction shopping, a Maui Raffle, magic, and lively entertainment while strolling Dick Clarks beautiful 12-acre private estate "Gulls Way", overlooking the ocean at Latigo Point.

Click on the link below for tickets and information
cwcthewildbrunch.kintera.org

Louie and Chela

Louie and Chela, originally uploaded by Mic N.

This portrait of Louie was created in partnership with Arts For Earth Foundation to help support the California Wildlife Center. CWC rescues wildlife throughout LA county and Southern California. And now Louie has helped save his wildlife friends.

Max

Max, originally uploaded by Mic N.

I fell in love with Max aka Storm Trooper. Just wanted to share his image with you.

It's one of the California Wildlife Center pet portraits donated as an incentive in our fundraising campaign for them. The CWC surgical facility for rescued wildlife is state of the art. And just last week Victoria demonstrated the heart behind the facility when she allowed a baby dolphin to ride on the leather seats of her SUV on his way to the Marine Animal Rescue Center for water mammal surgery.


Arts For Earth takes each rescued life as seriously as if they were a family member. Victoria of CWC says they ARE family...I agree.

Take a look at their website, support them if you can.

www.californiawildlifecenter.org/

Or: If you want to donate artwork (visual, performance, literary) for their cause just let me know...we'll include you in our fundraising events.
ArtsForEarth@ArtsForEarth.org

love,
Chela

Creation is an act of love...

Flickr - AFEF earth - no gradient fill copy, originally uploaded by Mic N.

This is our new Arts For Earth Foundation logo! As a 3-d pyramid containing the Earth, it represents nurturing and preserving our planet. This is our mission: To Encourage Sustainable Living Through use of the Visual, Performance and Literary Arts. Literally and figuratively (no pun intended, ha) read on:

Several years (10 or 12) ago I started to feel a tangible energy coming from my artwork. This was pointed out to me. I didn't discover it on my own.
At an art festival in Santa Barbara I turned around to see a fellow beaming love at me, with a grin he said quietly "holistic art", and waived his hand in front of one of my paintings. Now, this is not a "new age" story. It's simply a story of life as I've experienced it.
I never saw him again, but he made quite an impression on me. so I started to check it out with the paintings displayed. Something actually DID feel like it was physically radiating from them.
Later a young man of about 17 hurried to my booth with his buddies and angrily stood in front of "Eagles At Midnight". They had told him there was a hidden image in the night time sky where the full moon was the eye of an eagle hidden in the silver clouds surrounding it.
He didn't believe them because he didn't see the eagle at first glance. He scared me. His look was so severe, such an angry young man waiting for life to prove itself worthy of him.
Suddenly he saw the hidden image, right there clearly filling the painting. A huge eagles head with a moon for its eye.
He was blown away. Now, since he was so surprised at seeing something he was sure didn't exist how about feeling something he had never been aware of? I asked.
It was a risk to show him what the man had shown me earlier. He might laugh at me or worse yet, think I was nuts and just walk away.
He moved his hands in a circle in front of the image. Then he started to grin and laughed. But, it wasn't in ridicule. He asked "How'd you do that?" he softened, "Is there a trick?"
This is no trick. It exists within every painting, every sculpture, every sound in music, every word ever written. Each creation carries real tangible energy with it. If you are open to it, you will feel it, too. I call it Holy Spirit, some call it love energy or the power of the Universe. It's all the same to me. God is God.
As the young man walked away he shook his head saying "and to think, a white chick taught it to me..." As it turns out, his mother and grandmother were both Chumash medicine women and have tried for many years to open up their creation, their son, to the power of love, to the traditions of their people. Somehow, this artwork opened up a door for him and he was willing to walk through. Life had proved itself worthy.
Leads me to believe that native american rock paintings were a much more significant part of the hunt for mountain lion, bear or antelope than I had thought before.

You may take me literally when I talk about the "tangible" power of love in all creation. It's an amazing sensation, taken for granted as simply part of life. How much more beautiful is this life, this world of ours when we open ourselves up to it.? Check it out, don't just take my word for it. And, please write me back to describe how it feels.
love,
Chela

Welcome to the first Arts For Earth Foundation blog. We'll let you know about upcoming Arts and eco-friendly events in California and your state, too, if you let me know about your activities. Whenever possible we'll let artists know how to use their arts to ease the suffering of those in need... plants, animals, people, the Earth.
It turns out, and no one ever mentioned this to me before, but, it turns out that people are NOT domesticated animals. huh. That explains alot. So, our natural God given state seems to be like the shark in "Finding Nemo". Remember how he wanted to be a vegetarian but had these huge cravings to eat the little fish who was his friend and trusted him?
We keep trying, and in the best of times we ease each others pain (with a little love and friendship). In the worst of times we eat each other alive. Fortunately if we strive to be more conscious we will awaken in the nick of time and do some good on this Earth. The objective is to keep on trying.
Arts For Earth is dedicated to helping those who are trying. I suppose a good motto would be: Give more than lip service. Another is: Turning passion into compassion. If you think of a good one please blog back with it!
Love,
Chela