Went to the Lose Mine yesterday. Well...that's what we call it because we got lost the first five times or so we drove there. It's the Almaden Quicksilver Mine in San Jose. When we left, it didn't seem that bad, heat wise, but I didn't take into account that it would be hotter there and that most of the trails (if not all) are uphill. We took two shorter walks from different entrances.

New pendant of Mermaid at Santa Cruz:

A raven-haired mermaid with a green tail looks out to the Santa Cruz Lighthouse on a distant bluff. Seagulls glide through the soft gray clouds, which cast a silvery-blue hue on the ocean. This fantasy California seascape is offered as a pendant, hand crafted by the artist from my original painting. Made from polymer clay with the print baked into it, then sealed with resin, giving the image a glass-like quality and providing water resistance.

An adjustable knotted cord is included so the piece is ready to wear and will fit most sizes (these are adjusted by sliding the knots and don't have a metal clasp). As they go over the head, these tend to hang long. If you would prefer a cord of a particular length with a clasp instead (recommended for shorter or choker length), let me know at the time of the sale (no additional charge).

The original oil painting and prints are also available at http://zenbreeze.com/store/mermaidsc.htm

Got a couple more of the new pendants listed. Gingko leaves in swirling purple water:

And Blue Moon Tea:

Started the next Annabel Lee painting. So far, I mostly have the moody sky done and the distant ocean:

In the foreground, there will be a bluff with Annabel going up a path.

If you missed it, here is the first painting I have done in this series, Her Tomb by the Sounding Sea:

Getting some new pendants listed.  First up is Kona Kat.

A black cat has leapt onto a table where coffee has been laid out, mesmerized by the steam rising from the cup and pot. The red hibiscus flowers in the background are echoed in the blue batik cloth on the table. The pottery coffee pot has a relief of palm trees crossed above a tiki and is an earthy shade of raw sienna. Behind it, palm trees sway and sea gulls glide in a glorious tropical sunset in shades of yellow, orange, magenta and purple. Tiki torches are aflame on the distant beach. This Hawaiian landscape is offered as a pendant, hand crafted by the artist from my original painting. Made from polymer clay with the print baked into it, then sealed with resin, giving the image a glass-like quality and providing water resistance.

An adjustable knotted cord is included so the piece is ready to wear and will fit most sizes (these are adjusted by sliding the knots and don't have a metal clasp). As they go over the head, these tend to hang long. If you would prefer a cord of a particular length with a clasp instead (recommended for shorter or choker length), let me know at the time of the sale (no additional charge).

New handmade jewelry set of Beside Moon Bridge:

A Siamese cat watches the koi pond at Hakone Japanese Gardens in Saratoga, California. In the background, twisted pine trees and foliage in rich shades of greens, teals, purples and blues. This zen landscape is offered as a pendant, hand crafted by the artist from my original artwork. Made from polymer clay with the print baked into it, then sealed with resin.

A 20" beaded necklace of stone, glass, wood and metal beads in gray, plum and green, and stunning lampwork beads, with a rustic toggle clasp, completes this unique piece of wearable art. A bonus set of dangly kidney-wire earrings is included.

Size: The pendant is 1 1/2" x 1 3/4" (approximate, not including the bail, which is the piece that fits over the necklace). The necklace measures 20". If you would like the necklace longer or shorter, restringing is available at the time of purchase for no additional charge.

New painting in the Lenore ghost series, And This Mystery Explore:

In a white gown, the ghost of Lenore drifts among the cypress trees, forgotten by all except the raven. He perches on her ivy-covered tombstone holding her necklace, which has a key dangling from the chain. The setting sun casts an eerie golden glow over the haunted abandoned cemetery. This Gothic fantasy landscape, inspired by the "The Raven" poem by Edgar Allan Poe, is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in black acrylic)--no need to frame.  Prints also available.

Finished an ACEO (miniature painting, the size of a trading card) in the new chakra series. I'm working on a full size painting in this theme but I wanted to try an ACEO first. Great deal on this...the auction starts at only $9.99 and it's an original! Click here to bid or buy

I've been working on a new painting. It's an entirely new concept, not one from the series I have going. My favorite guided meditation is chakra meditation, probably because I relate to the colors. It should be done in the next day or two :-).

New pendant in the wood line, "Morning Cup of Tea":

This handmade jewelry line is a collaborative effort. My husband, Steve, cuts the wooden bases, which then have to be beveled, sanded and varnished, and the metal ring screwed in. I transfer the image of one of my paintings onto the clay, cure it, put on the resin. The result are these amazing and unusual pieces of wearable art.

We went on a pilgrimage of sorts to Portola Redwoods State Park.  This is one of the California State Parks scheduled to be closed in September, due to budget cuts.  I wanted to make sure to visit this incredible place again while I could (I have inner ear trouble that makes the winding roads leading to it difficult but it was worth it).

It's difficult to convey the magic of a redwood forest.  The trees are immense.  I remembered this place as being particularly wild and primordial.   It reminded me of those old gaslight authors, such as Blackwood, who wrote stories about Nature taking back over in such places.

While walking through the trees, we made our way along the stream, having to cross it now & then.  I still need to get a walking stick so we passed Steve's back and forth as necessary.

We chose the trail (coincidentally, the Iverson Trail) that led to tiptoe falls, a lovely waterfall cascading down a hillside (only the last section was visible to us but we could hear it). Resting a moment by this pool, you could imagine that, if the old pagan gods are still around, this is one place they are.

I'm looking through my treasure trove of photos of which ones to use as a basis for future paintings.  Look for them in my Land Gallery.

I am very excited to introduce the prototype for a new line of pendants. I had the idea for combining the beauty of wood with my earthy style of art. The wood base is handcrafted by Steve (my husband). The image is, as usual, transferred onto polyclay and sealed with resin. We're planning ovals, squares, etc. I'd love some feedback on them before we go into "production mode".

You can see my other jewelry on my website.

Big Sale on Big Prints! I know a lot of you have been wanting big prints. Here are specials on giclee canvas prints (ready to hang) in larger sizes:

30" x 40" only $149!

24" x 36" only $119!

24" x 36" only $119!

Limited time only! Other prints available at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/laura-iverson.html

"In the Buddhist tradition, June 1st through the 15th is the most auspicious time of the year. June 15th commemorates Lord Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana (passing from this world). June 15th is the holiest of holy days for Tibetans and it is our belief that because Buddha Shakyamuni prayed for all sentient beings to achieve enlightenment, and he achieved enlightenment on this day, the merits of our virtuous and positive actions during this 15-day time period will be multiplied 100,000 times (most especially good deeds done on the full moon of June 15)."

Oak Tree Meditation

Daffodil Dawn Meditation

Golden Afternoon Meditation

Meditating by a Golden Waterfall

White Tiger Meditation

Current promotions running...You can purchase any of these as an 8" x 10" giclee print on stretched canvas for only $45 (ready to hang):

Mermaid at the Golden Gate Bridge

Bamboo Morning Tea:

Peace Tree with Orange Dragonflies:

Went for a walk at the Almaden Quicksilver County Park today. That's one we only started going to this past year. It's a little more strenuous than I'm used to. I should paint a manzanita--I haven't done one of those yet. They have this distinctive red bark. Here's an example (not the one I'm going to paint--I want that to be a surprise):

Balinese Cat at Hakone giclee print on canvas (ready to hang) for only $45!

I walked along the hills at Arastradero Open Space Preserve today. I was thinking about a boy who will never see these hills again. Who was only a few months away from coming home. Rest in peace, Lance Corporal Harry Lew.

May our children come home soon.

Special promotion this week...Get an 8x10 print of Siamese Cat in Purple Moonlight on stretched canvas, ready to hang, for only $45!

Sale today only! Enter coupon code 18REFUND for 18% off your order in my cafepress shop. In addition to the T shirts, sweatshirts, mousepads, boxes, etc., they are offering a whole bunch of new products...jewelry, gym bags, iphone cases.