The Green Door

My focus in doing my blog is to share my artwork, my thoughts, stories and my life. I’m sorry to tell you, I’ve decided to not share anymore about My Journey with Helena. My story rattled the cage of an unbalanced individual who went into a denigrating attack of Helena as a victim and the Polish people during World War II. Obviously, his words are not something I nor you would ever post or seek to read.

Unfortunately his comment did bring to my attention that the Internet serves as a forum for these individuals. Hurt and disrespect for even the most innocent survivor of one of the worst periods of human history is accessible online. I wont allow Helena or my blog to be a target by telling her story.

I wanted you to know the reason. Be assured Helena is very precious, very much loved and a part of my daily life. I thank you for your interest and support.
Vikki

The Green Door
The green door is on the side of a store called the ‘Egg Market’ near where I live. Don’t you love that name? I fathom the place was an Egg Market at one time, but today it’s just a country store and diner.

When you go into the store the floorboards creak under your feet. The aisles are terribly narrow and the cabinets are made of old sculpted wood with heavy bowed glass. The screen door is just one of it’s entries. I would wager a bet its part of the original market. It caught my interest because I remembered seeing screens like this on really old places in the south. I think chicken wire and mesh may have been the first form of screening before contemporary screens, as we know. This mesh is actually a loosely woven fabric.

Although it appeared to have been repaired many times, the door still serves its function. It’s large metal hinges made this horrendous noise when it opened. Every piece of wood was well worn and tattered with layers of paint. The hook was huge and didn’t make sense at first. There was no eye for it, or place to put an eye on the surrounding wood, but there it hung. As I reached to open the door, it occurred to me that the oversized hook was installed to serve as a door handle.

The painting was simply a study of the mesh and chicken wire. I selected a good-sized canvas- 36”x 24” knowing- the larger the canvas, the easier it would be to execute the detail. The little girl (a product of my imagination) serves only as something visible through the door. Her purpose is to soften the harshness of the door.

The screen door is just an old antique. It’s is a product of time long gone and people past. While the world it came from changed or disappeared, it stayed the same.
Vikki

The Green Door is on my website under the Misc. Link. It was one of the first works I did when I retired. It is one of my more expensive works at $1200 Prints are available in various sizes.

My Journey with Helena or All Things Precious

Last week I mentioned that I wasn’t able to write a new entry. I re-published an older blog. Something extraordinary happened. A part of me doesn’t want to share it. I haven’t been able to put my finger on why. I only told Lou. I think I need to share it with all of you. I realized it isn’t mine to keep.

Being a bit of recluse these days is not far from the truth in describing me. My reasoning: I was constantly surrounded by people 24/7 with my work. Even lunch was spent with a half dozen work associates. When I would go home at night, I was met at the door by a teenager who’s mouth moved faster than an auctioneer. ‘Alone time’ was a commodity I didn’t own.

Regardless of my desire to preserve my newfound precious reclusion, life has a way of interrupting our plans for it’s own reasons.

A city official stopped to talk with me. He asked if I knew the elderly Polish woman who lives across the road. He told me she is 84 years old, has no family and is completely alone.

She’s barely functional and completely dependent on her walker or wheelchair. She refuses to go into assisted living, as many of the elderly do. She’s quite resistant to any help that’s offered. She won’t allow anyone to come past her gate entrance. Even when her groceries are delivered, she requests they leave all outside the gate.

Although she has lived in the neighborhood for 45+ years, none of the surrounding neighbors knew much about her or were willing to get involved. He said there was something I should know about her. He said it is one of the reasons the city had taken such an overt interest in her welfare. Helena is a Holocaust survivor.

I nearly dropped to my knees. He asked if I would consider looking in on her now and then.

I stared at him with my mouth ajar and felt a flood of tears nearing the surface. The only thing going through my mind was, “My Dear God! Did I speak? Did I answer? Did I hear my own voice?”

Finally I uttered, “Of course I will! I will look in on her everyday- every single day. You don’t have to worry. It will be an honor to do so.”

He left his phone number, thanked me and left. I stood speechless and overwhelmed. I looked towards Helena’s house and felt like all I knew and held precious had just been challenged.

Contrary to his claim, Helena did open her gate for me and invited me in. I’ve spent time with her every day. She refers to me as, “my dear lady.” She likes to tell stories and hear about my artwork. She has this wonderful accent and loves to laugh.

And I hear you. I have a lot of questions also, but I dare not ask. She’ll talk about it when she’s ready or wants to. I’ll let you know as our journey together evolves. As for me, I realized I have been blessed with all things precious.

Vikki
The photo is an image of the heavy marine layer I get in the early mornings. Beyond those palm trees is the Pacific Ocean. Being in a fog seemed apropos for this blog entry. (And yes, that’s one those stupid plastic owls hanging from the corner eaves. He keeps the Mallards out of my pool.)

Sunday Morning and Abruzzi

CBS Sunday Morning Television Show is a staple of society and loved by millions. It is an intellectual ‘slice of Americana’ encapsulating current events, politics, nature and everyday people.

How exciting was that ‘three seconds’ of national art exposure? Thank you so much for all your emails and making it so much fun for me.

I awoke to emails before the segment even aired on the West Coast. I didn’t even know which of my paintings they had used and none of you Easterners told me! (Not a clue.) Reginald even wrote how he liked “the _____ and the _____ in the painting.” I laughed so hard. And Chris, you are just a party to anyone’s joy.

It just goes to show -it’s these very silly moments that make it all worthwhile.

This is my painting that aired this weekend (7/13/08) on CBS Sunday Morning. Its name has been changed to Abruzzi and (by the way) another ‘1’ added to its price tag. It's 16"x20", acrylic on unstretched canvas panel.

Thanks again for getting up early and watching my 3 seconds on this ‘Sunday Morning.’
Vikki
This is the link to the segment. My friend Manuela found it and sent it to me: Abruzzi

P.S. and also special thank you Manuela, Lou, Austin, Jules, and Michael. You made my day.

To Be of Service

Something pretty interesting happened this morning. It’s in regards to a neighbor. I’ll tell you about in the next week or so. As for now, my help has been requested and I am happy to be of service. Please enjoy the short story and painting. It was originally posted 4/13/08.

I was a tree once. I was wild and free and lived in the open forest. My leaves sang in the wind. The rain cleansed me. I watched the sky turn from night to day and centuries pass. Many birds came to sit with me. I held their nests securely and watched their young take flight. I was beautiful and happy to be in this world. I was happy to be of service.

I was cut from my roots and taken to a carpenter in 1942. My wood was a finely sculpted with a delicate design. My seat was made of pale woven wicker. I was beautiful and a welcome part of a family. I set at dinner tables, in parlors, and bedrooms. I listen to stories, truths, tears and laughter. I held each of them with every fiber of my structure. I was happy to be in this world. I was happy to be of service.

There were 3 others like me and a large round table. Each disappeared one by one. Only I remained. I have been repainted and repaired many times. My legs have grown weak and my paint has pealed. The wicker of my seat has decayed and fallen away. A flowerpot is put in its place. I have been sent to the open and wild again.

I feel the rain cleanse me. I watch the sky turn from night to day. Many birds come to sit with me. The flowers in my pot sing in the wind. I am beautiful and a welcome part of the garden. I am happy to be in this world. I am happy to be of service.

Vikki

The painting is called Garden Chair. The chair actually resides in a neighbor’s garden. The original painting is acrylic on a 12”x 24” stretched canvas. I keep it in my own collection. Prints are available on my website.

Online jpgs are pitiful examples of what any painting actually looks like. One of the interesting things about this painting is that it can appear quite dark because of the layers of glazes. When lit -the scrubs and trees are revealed.

NO TRESPASSING

No painting to share with you this blog. I’m working on a commissioned piece right now. This sign is one of my latest acquisitions. I’m putting it on my back gate entrance. I hate signage, but like my neighbors, I’ve put them up.

My house set empty during my workweek for almost 4 years, while I was refurbishing it. I would drive down from L.A. on the weekends and Holidays. I fathom that’s why the scoundrels thought the house was ‘easy pickins’. I had an array of ‘attempted’ break-ins.

Shortly after I moved into my house, a man ran shoulder first, directly into my bedroom slider. I guess he assumed he’d come crashing through. The slider is a new double pane Anderson Window that’s virtually impossible to break. He fell backwards on my patio. I flipped on the patio lights and pushed the alarm as he scrambled to his feet. He took off and ran RIGHT INTO MY ICEY COLD POOL. You should have seen him trying to get out with all his bulky wet clothing.

Of course working in the television, you can’t move around my property at night without being the star of your own show. I was able to hand his beauty shot to the police. He was eventually arrested.

I finally put signs up warning of camera surveillance. That seemed to bring the problem to an abrupt stop, except for one incident three years ago that was priceless- at least for me. I actually got to try out some of my Hollywood savvy:

Apparently the police were in chase of 3 Mexican gang members. You got it. On foot, the creeps came right up my hill, broke down my back fence and hid themselves under my pool deck. One of my neighbors saw it happening. He showed the police where they had gone into my property.

I had no clue anything was going on. Mid afternoon, I was in my studio working. My neighbor called telling me to get out to the back of my property. The three men (teenagers) were spread eagle face down on the ground and being handcuffed. There were 4 police cars outside my fence. After reviewing the damage to my property, I asked the police if I could talk to them. They stood them up:

At first, I just walked in front of these bruisers and stared at them. (I’m sure at 5’5” 120lbs I was real intimidating!) I asked them to look at what they’d done to my property. I said, “I’m an old women, for God’s sakes! I worked all my life to have this house. Who’s going to pay for this?”

They just stared at me. I asked them what their next step would have been: Would they have come into my house and hurt me? Again, just stares. I asked them if all their gang buddies would be impressed that they tore up an old woman’s fence and frightened her. I then said, “ I bet you guys are the type that get off on hurting kids and taking advantage of the elderly, huh?”

That got their attention. They shook their heads and started apologizing. One actually looked tearful. I stared directly in his face and said, “You ever come near my house again and I will shoot you without warning the moment you step into my yard. Then I will drag your butt into my house and shoot you repeatedly until your dead. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

They all got wide-eyed, open-mouthed and looked towards the cops. A couple of the cops had to turn around to keep their laughter hidden. One cop said, “What? I didn’t hear her say anything.”

All the cops agreed they’d heard nothing and hauled them off . I haven’t had a problem since.

And, NO- I wouldn’t have a gun in my house. I’d undoubtedly shoot my foot off! But, you see, I worked on Sopranos; I borrowed that spiel from Tony. And yes, you can use it if the occasion arises.

If you know of any thieving scoundrel, break-in stories or tips on their undoing, I’d love to hear it.

Vikki

Jealousy /The Green Eyed Monster or Michael’s Challenge

If you’ve seen my gallery, you know my work and commentary deals with the ‘human condition.’ There is one emotion I’ve found virtually impossible to portray: How do you show that ugly green eyed monster- ‘jealousy’ without getting cartoon-like?

I posed this challenge to an amazing artist; Michael D. Edens of MDE.ART and he came up with a solution (seemingly overnight) that absolutely blew me away. See for yourself: So naturally I had to do my own version in my style. (At the top) I told Michael I was going to ‘out do’ him. I don’t think that happened, but don’t tell Michael. I’ll just get jealous.

This is the definition of jealousy:
Fearful or wary of being supplanted; apprehensive of losing affection or position. Resentful or bitter in rivalry; envious: jealous of the success of others.Inclined to suspect rivalry. Vigilant in guarding something. Intolerant of disloyalty or infidelity; autocratic: a jealous God.

SYNONYMS: covetous, envious. These adjectives mean resentfully or painfully desirous of another's advantages: jealous of a friend's success; covetous of my neighbor's possessions; envious of their art collection.

I know! Pretty scary, huh? Oddly it’s something we’re all subject to/of at one time or another in our lives. (Although- I do like the last one: “envious of their art collection.”) And, I bet you know where I’m going with this. Just off the top of my head, this is one person that makes me jealous, bitter, intolerant, covetous, envious, and resentful. Did I say bitter? Well it’s better to put it in twice just to assure it’s covered:

Donald Trump- Success story my foot! You were born into your fortune- you S.O.B. It’s this simple: It should have been me! And I’d like to say something to ‘The Donald’:
How many new garish gold-leafed laden casinos, billion dollar luxury estates and exclusive buildings for the rich and famous does this world need, Donald? With all your construction savvy and means -have you ever thought about doing something actually worthwhile with it? ‘What’ you ask? Well I’ll tell you what! What about fixing the levies in New Orleans and making them safe? What about fixing the bridges in the Midwest and making them safe? What about designing energy wise houses that Middle Class Joe can afford? Just to start with, what about that Donald?

Wow! That felt great. You have to try it. What makes the green eyed monster show itself in you or at you? (And don’t say you don’t get jealous. We all do.) And even more fun, -give us the details.

Vikki
My painting is ‘Ala Prima’ (4 to 5 hours- I’m not lying this time, Lou.) and called “The Green Eyed Monster”. It’s 9 ½”x 12” acrylic on canvas panel. I choose a child as my subject because children so openly show their emotions.

The Hollywood Type

Someone recently commented that she was glad to find I wasn’t the ‘Hollywood type.’ It’s such a strange preconceived notion to me. I most certainly am!

I’m very proud of what I did for a living and the people I had an opportunity to work with and know. It occurred to me that a lot of people are confused with what I did for a living. They say, “She animated cartoons. She did graphics. She worked on the news. She did the credits.”

Wrong! Never worked for Network News and never did a cartoon show. I worked in Post Production. I was a Visual Effects Artist/Designer and Online Editor. I think this is best way to explain it. This is the process your commercials or favorite shows go through making their way to your television set. Of course there are a lot of side trails that I don’t mention here, but this is the path:


1. Production Company – This is the shoot, set, actors, directors and so on. They film the show or commercial.
2. Dailies transfer –Once it’s shot there’s miles of footage. All their negative is transferred to film. -But when they transfer the negative here, they’re NOT creating the film you’ll see. This is just a raw machine processed film so the director can see what he’s got. This rough transferred film is called Dailies.
3. Dub House- Then all this Dailies film is transfer to ¾” videotape cassettes. This is just to make it easier to work with.
4. Offline Editorial House- With all these ¾” cassettes, the offline editor and director cut the show/commercial together. They select and time the scenes and put together what’s called a ‘rough cut’. The rough cut is very important. It is the bible for the rest of the process. (The Offline Edit is where the expressions ‘The cutting room floor’ and ‘you didn’t make the cut’ come from.)
5. Mix House- This is the recording studio or audio edit. Sound Editors put together the final audio and music, syncing the voices to the rough-cut. They also record any voice- over (like you hear in commercials.) As the word implies they ‘mix’ all these audio elements together into one tape for the final commercial or show. The audiotape they create is called a Dat.

6. Telecine or Color correction- These guys get a list of all the final scenes that have been selected/defined by rough-cut. This is the final transfer of the negative or film. They transfer ONLY the scenes that will be used. They color correct the footage, making blue skies blue and the like. This is really important because Telecine defines what the show will actually look like. They create what is called a Master Source Tape. Finally my job. I had more fun than anyone. I got to put it all together.

7. Visual Effects Artist/Designer and Online Editor –The Rough cut, Master Source Tape and the Dat all came to me. I created the final commercial or show you see on air. (I worked specifically on spots that needed my talents as an artist.)

On-line editor means final cutting editor. Using the rough-cut, I cut the final show or commercial from that Master Source Tape.
Visual Effects Artist/Designer means I designed, created or composited special effects over scenes. This could be anything from explosions, ghosts, snow, rain, fog, blue screen composites, painted background, the Red Sea parting or making man fly. I also composited or created graphics, made them move or dance. I fixed and removed errors. Then I laid down the final audio over the spot. Last but not least I created the final tape, threw on a label and it was carried off to the Network Fairies.

As I said, there are many side trials and parts and pieces, but this is the perfect world to your television set. Got it? Any questions –ask me? I’m most definitely the “Hollywood type” and very proud of it.
Vikki

All the images in this blog are from just a few of the many commercials or shows that I worked on.

Link to Propoganda that was spread about me in 2001