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