Happy Feet by Rochelle Carr Studio and Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legs perched up towards the sky, drink in hand, napa valley vines and a white farm in view. I was shooting photos on my 50th birthday like there would be no tomorrow. Luckily, there was a new tomorrow, and I am now ready to travel further after the hip is fixed. That trip was so much fun! This is one of my favorite photos of the day. It was a mistake, quite a laugh, and I ended up loving it. I am not a foot person. Yet, I am a person that loves the person attached to these feet. There was just something mysterious and beautiful and soft about the surroundings. Auberge du Soleil Napa is a must do once in a lifetime treat.

Enjoy!

Buddha and Three Haiku by Rochelle Carr

I have decided to write a book about my beloved San Francisco. I am now a tourist in my city taking photographs and writing poetry. I began last week at Coit Tower, Italian American Museum of SF and here at the Japanese Tea Gardens. An 88 year old woman “Asako” at my dentist office just happened to speak fluent Japanese and helped me finish the first Haiku with an appropriate fit. What a delightful and synchronistic day!

Enjoy!

Three Haiku

1. 

Buddha he sits there

In Japanese Tea Garden

Odayaka na

2.

A spirit happy

Carries laughter on the face

Share the world your smile

3.

Floating lily shine

On the water late in spring

Dream cherry blossom

 

 

Copyright 2013 by Rochelle Carr. All rights reserved.

Conch Shells Virgin Gorda by Rochelle Carr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few years ago I traveled to Virgin Gorda. The house we stayed in was beautiful, yet not much to do if you didn’t own a sail boat. We shot photos the entire time of statues and knick knacks and place mats and fish in the pond. We swam and chased off the many mosquitos. The infinity pool was so beautiful and these shells have become a favorite lasting memory. I wanted to think about the blue (not show the true blueness) of the sky and water. Oh how I love sepia and black and white. It surely makes a statement.

Enjoy!

“Tres Fontina” photography by Rochelle Carr

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a new camera. I have a new hip and am back to work after seven weeks of healing. I am writing a new book of poetry about San Francisco and the Bay Area including my new photography. Each week I travel to a new destination to uncover new treasures that I never knew existed here. I am a tourist and an explorer. I will share my imagery along the way. I love my city!

My 50th birthday was spent here in Napa wandering through olive trees, grape vines, and sculptures with my camera. The spa day was lovely. Everyone should be spoiled on their 50th year!

“The Beat Goes On” stick sculptures by Rochelle Carr

 

 

 

 

 

“The Beat Goes On” stick sculptures by Rochelle Carr

Last night was lovely in San Francisco. Enjoyed a nice dinner with a new artist friend at Plouf. Window shopped, enjoyed the streets of my new favorite city and watched the drag queens ice skating in full costume at Union Square. LOVED THAT moment. Made me giggle and smile while secretly admiring the incredible “ice throw arabesque” move from the beautiful tall man in full white ballerina attire.

At dinner we wandered into the subject of sticks and sculpture. Kind of an artful place to be in the middle of a nice glass of vino about to merge with the sea bass. I excitedly shared pics I’d just found of a grand stick sculpture on exhibition in Rome, Italy called “Big Bambu” by Mike and Doug Starn. It’s magnificent. It’s athletic and built by 15 American and 10 Italian rock climbers. It’s a Bamboo MASTERPIECE. Essentially, its an amazing grown up gargantuan game of “pick-up-sticks” crafted and sculpted with big sticks of BAMBOO. Public art at it’s finest. Witness this organic piece of stick wonder at my new favorite art/design/architecture website designboom at: http://www.designboom.com/art/mike-and-doug-starn-big-bambu-at-macro-in-rome/. Truly a MAGICAL piece of architecture!

Further down the street meandering a bit more……what were we to stumble upon in the beautifully dressed up GUMPS windows??? More sticks and sculpture! Standing drum stick sculpture holiday window joy. Twas a lovely “artfelt” night of stick sculptures, ice dances and big hearts in San Francisco.

And the BEAT GOES ON……..

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Mama’s Restaurant San Francisco on Washington Square

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mama’s Restaurant BEST EATS in San Francisco!

http://www.mamas-sf.com

I don’t even want to share this place with you. I am hesitant, because if I do, the “people line” will be longer and longer and I might just have to start waiting at 6:00am in the morning (instead of 7:30am) just so I can eat here again. My little sister just spoke at a conference last week in San Francisco and schooled me on giving, getting, and sharing JOY…….so here goes. I guess I’ll share. Here’s a whole lotta good FOOD and a whole lotta JOY!

We walked to North Beach early last Saturday. It was a beautiful, sunny, and glorious morning. We walked past my favorite Elvis poetry on the sidewalk. We walked past my favorite Italian red, white and green painted on the lamp posts, and we walked past the park. We walked and talked. Feeling a tad parched after my morning latte, I remembered another gander we had shared last August when I noticed a hot breakfast spot with a line wrapped around the block and wondered if it was still there?? Long lines of people mean excellent food.

It was 7:30am in the morning and when we walked closer I could see there just might be a chance we could be one of the lucky early bird line waiters eager to try this incredible mystery breakfast extravaganza. We talked more. We talked and waited patiently until 8am when it opened and we made it in! YES! The wait was now an hour and a half. You line up more inside, gaze at all the mouth watering sour creaminess of pastry bakery love, then you order your breakfast at the cashier and PRAY for table space as you watch as the “others” in line before you are served their breakfast of champions. Then gratefully, you sit, and then you eat. Oh BABY how well you eat.

Two eggs cooked to perfection, five strips of soft bacon, warm blueberry sour cream pastry love, iced tea, and two perfectly not too plump pancakes (a gift from Mike Mama’s grandson) with Olallieberry homemade jam….OH MY GOD it was good! BERRY HELLA GOOD!

While ordering, we chatted with Mamas grandson Mike about the family restaurant’s 60 year history and their love of food. The large soda jerk menus from long ago still grace the restaurant walls. He remembers being at the restaurant early mornings (when he was five) and would help crack eggs when he couldn’t even reach the counter. He would ride with his dad to watch him bake at 3am and then fall asleep at the restaurant. He points to his uncle waiting tables and he points to other family folks giggling and cooking up our morning fare all the while remembering memories of their own.

I did not walk out of Mama’s that morning after my amazing breakfast. I jumped! I jumped with a whole lotta FOOD JOY!

Thank you Mama Sanchez and thank you Mikey for the BEST pancake and berry goodness I’ve had in ten years. You rock my breakfast world.

 

 

 
 

 

New Self Portrait by Rochelle Carr Studio and Gallery

The collage above is my newest self portrait created with several types of paper, an old heart earring my sister and brother gave me, pieces of an old love letter, a card my mother gave me when my grandmother was dying, paper from my own poetry book  with hearts on it, an Italian stamp I had saved for years, an old fortune cookie, Picasso art card, red flower, sparkling silver stars, a wand for magic, and a window to open and see something beautiful. Oh how life has so many layers and layers of story and keepsakes. What a treasured memory for my art portfolio. Enjoy!

Theresa Weil’s collage Studio: http://www.tweil.com/

 

“Recognized as an Italian Citizen” by Rochelle Carr Studio and Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buon Giorno!

After a year and a half of paperwork, research, historical archives, meetings with the Italian Consulate, purchasing extended family members birth, marriage and death certificates, apostilles, notaries, exemplifications, and translations…yesterday, Jan 25th 2012 (our middle daughters 22nd birthday), I received my paperwork that I have been recognized as an Italian Citizen in the town of Bisceglie where my Great Great Great Grandfather Mauro Zingarelli and my Great Great Grandfather Donato Zingarelli and my Great Grandfather Antonio Zingarelli were all born. My birth certificate, my divorces and my marriages(I have had three) are also now registered there. However unimportant, my name is now written beside the story of our Italian ancestors.

For as long as I can remember, I was raised appreciating Italian culture and food. My dear Gram (who was Italian only by marriage to my most handsome grandfather Charles Zingarelli) had Italian flags, canisters of pasta, figs with almonds or walnuts, red and orange biscotti cans, amaretto, anisette, and everything breathing red green and white in her living room. They made homemade red wine and Italian sausage in their garage. We ate, we laughed, we talked loud, we hugged, we drank, we ate more…The pulse of Italian in my blood was the only culture I identified with even though I’m hesitant to divulge we have bits of French, Irish, Scottish and my father still believes we covet a tiny part Cherokee Indian (from his mothers side).

Although I have traveled the world, I have been traveling to Italy (mainly Roma) once or twice a year for the past 15-20 years. It is the only place on the planet I feel totally at home in my own skin. Someday, I dream to live there on a more “full time” basis. Yet today my heart aches to breathe in the history in Rome, meet my friends for dinner, eat the best gelato on the planet, touch the old doors, stand in front of a Caravaggio, paint with my art mentor, and walk the tiny town that was founded on my birthday looking to find myself an art studio…..or perhaps find myself a new apartment?

Today, I am thankful my nephew Zachary wants to be an Italian citizen as badly as I do. I owe it to him that our citizenship is more than just a pipe dream. Thank you my sweet nephew for cheering me on!

Today, I am proud. Proud to have my ITALIAN papers. Proud I carry such history inside myself. Proud to be a ZINGARELLI. Viva l’Italia!

 

 

 

 

“Shades of Blue” fine art and new poetry by Rochelle Carr Studio and Gallery

“Shades of Blue” by Rochelle Carr Studio and Gallery

sculpture, acrylic, gold leaf on canvas

60×72

I feel so fortunate to have sold “Shades of Blue” the second large painting sold in Jan 2012. What a blessing. Thank you so much for appreciating the art and creativity that inspires me and paints me BLUE. ~~RMC

 

 

 

 

 

Shades of Blue 

Poetry by Rochelle Carr

It wasn’t the water in this painting I had seen at first glance,

Nor the width or breadth of the blueness in our lives.

It was the color blue

in waterfall form,

that made much more sense

when tilted in the opposite direction

while speaking ten different hues.

Blue month, blue fervor, blue love.

True blue

for you my darling,

oceans deep,

loving you,

in shades of blue.

“Anything is Possible” fine art by Rochelle Carr Studio and Gallery

“ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE”

fine art by Rochelle Carr Studio and Gallery

sculpture, acrylic on canvas

36×48

 

“Dance the Night Away With Me #5″ fine art by Rochelle Carr Studio and Gallery

“Dance the Night Away With Me #5″   by Rochelle Carr Studio and Gallery

sculpture, acrylic, resin on canvas

48X72

$6,500.00

This is my second painting in 2012. I am painting about 6 hours nonstop a day preparing for my solo exhibition Jan 23rd, 2012 at NH2 Salon and Gallery in Novato California. There will be 26 paintings on display until April 6th. Follow Your Heart Poetry books and greeting cards are for sale as well. Over 4000 sqft. of my artwork! Please drop by and ask for a tour! A variety of imagery to delight you. ENJOY!

Thank you Nina and Nicole!

208 Vintage Way # K29  Novato, CA 94945
(415) 897-8777

“Tribute to Robert Motherwell” by Rochelle Carr

   Just for a moment I wish I could travel back in time to visit the Greenwich studio of artist Robert Motherwell. I am filled with great admiration and respect for Motherwell’s fine art and the role he played, along with many dedicated hard working artists changing the importance of Art in America and placing “Abstract Expressionism” firmly on the map. These incredible artists, without knowing it, paved the way for artists of today.

I wish my studio was extremely tall and wide so I could stretch out a magnificent grand white canvas (much larger than my current works) and create something new Robert Motherwell might be proud of. The following paintings I created this year are my way of paying tribute to such an important talented artist, philosopher and poet. I make use of some of his favorite colors: ultramarine blue, white, black and yellow ochre. Robert Motherwell…….these paintings are for you.

Please watch the dvd “Robert Motherwell & The New York School: Storming the Citadel” a film by Catherine Tatge

Robert Motherwell & the New York School: Storming the Citadel

Follow Your Heart Promote Your Art! Brand Creation: What kind of artist are you?

Follow Your Heart Promote Your Art!
Brand Creation: What kind of artist are you?

Most artists have a genre or type of art that they enjoy and they focus intently on that given direction and medium. They may dabble, play, study and enjoy adventuring in one medium, or decide they would rather try many new forms of art before deciding on one certain focus. Any methods for exploring your own art (is perfect) and it doesn’t matter which path you take unless you think it does. You are on your own unique artistic path! Relax, let go, face the fear and give yourself permission. There is no failure here.

Some artists shift and grow into a new level of confidence with their artistic selves and will eventually feel ready to market and sell their artwork. In my opinion, part of this process is to create a personal “title or branding story” and share it with the world.

Obviously, if you enjoy yourself as an artist at home without creating a business venture out of it – the need for brand creation and title is not as important, yet might possibly create a more focused learning environment if you know and “named” what your intentions are. Are you drawing, painting, singing writing? Are you a crafter or enjoying the visual arts? What is it that speaks to you strongly? Are you a painter, photographer, ceramicist or printmaker? Make it up. Research what you do.

Have fun with the naming process! Feel it out for a few days and see if your new title sounds like a true fit. Think of it as trying on new clothes: “When it looks good it feels good and when it feels good it looks good!” What is your title and how would you describe yourself to the world?? Does it resonate? Please remember, if it’s not fun – don’t do it.

After trying on many forms of art (the past 20 years) I have decided and delightfully discovered that I enjoy dabbling, learning and pushing the boundaries into landscape and portrait painting. I am an Abstract Expressionist at heart with the spirits of Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol sprinkled inside my vibrant colors and universal symbolism. It’s nice to sit at a dinner table with new friends (when my partner says he is the CEO of a food traceability company) for me to say I am an abstract expressionist! My name and discovered artist title is just the beginning of my own personal branding story.

For those interested, I found an art website sharing different types/genres of art and might help with creating your own personal brand and title: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/art-types.htm.

http://www.rochellecarr.com

rochellecarr@me.com
“Art has a voice – let it speak.” ~~RMC

Copyright 2010 by Rochelle Carr. All rights reserved.

Follow Your Heart Promote Your Art: You Are An Artist If You Believe You Are! by Rochelle Carr

Follow Your Heart – Promote Your Art!
You Are An Artist If You Believe You Are!

How many times do people out there ask themselves: “What am I? Am I an artist? Am I creative? Am I just into crafting? Am I a painter? Doodler? Illustrator? Designer? Am I just fooling around? Can I possibly be an artist if I can only find the time to create art between kids, work and family life twice a week? Am I am artist if I did not go to art school? Am I an artist if I am self taught? Am I an artist if I do not sell my art? Am I an artist if I am not with gallery representation?”

Well my friends, the answer is yes! You are an artist if you believe you are! Just two little words: I believe! Whoop! Whoop! Say it: “I am an artist!” That’s all there is to it. No grand pubah out there is telling you that you are not good enough to be an artist. No one has that right anywhere on this planet. We are all the same. We are all connected. Grant yourself the permission to be an artist. You are an artist if you believe you are!

SO…YOU are an artist now. What are you going to create with all of that lovely newfound knowledge believing in your new artist self? What is deep in there just waiting to climb out into your perfect chosen medium? How will you express it? What does it say? What does it mean? How does it feel this new you? What color is it? Will you sit? Will you stand? DO you need tools to make it beautiful?

Art is inside you. You can make a mark on a paper bag and crinkle it up and I will call it incredible fabulous art if you do! Start small, start grand just start! Follow your heart and you shall see, just how happy art can be! Congratulations! Celebrate the artfulness in you.

“Art has a voice – let it speak.” ~~RMC

Copyright 2010 by Rochelle Carr. All rights reserved.

“Art Speaks” by Rochelle Carr Studio and Gallery

“Art has a voice – let it speak.”~~RMC

It’s my belief that the space and feel of where art finds a home (whether in business, houses or exhibitions) is extremely important. The energy of the people and the new art’s surrounding environment will enable the art to “feel” alive and “enhance” it’s new home.

If there is passion and appreciation of a certain works – it will sell more quickly, or find itself highly respected in it’s new environment – regardless of whether or not that place is a museum or a business or a residence. There is truth to the art of Feng Shui (http://www.thespiritualfengshui.com/feng-shui-in-home.php) with the balance of placement, color, and the elements.

Each piece of art on this planet is sacred and special (when an artist creates the art) or when someone chooses to buy it or place it in their world. It is an incredible gift and exchange of life energy.

As a fine artist, I am humbled and honored to feel my work appreciated by another human being. I am intentional about solo exhibitions (where my art is placed) and often times assist with installation of my purchased artwork in the new environments. I donate many works of art because I can and because I feel it’s important to give. People choose my artwork because of the vibrancy of colors, and the way they “feel” about a certain painting. Shouldn’t art in business environments also consider the feeling and colors and people and things that inhabit the space? The money part can always be figured out. Isn’t art all about what speaks to you? “Art has a voice – let it speak.”~~RMC
ENJOY!

Abstract expressionist and author of Follow Your Heart Poetry: http://www.rochellecarr.com

Copyright 2010 by Rochelle Carr. All rights reserved.

“Summer’s Eve” Painting by Rochelle Carr

“Summer’s Eve” Painting by Rochelle Carr
 
The twenty-second of September rang in the first day of fall – one of my favorite seasons!  Cool crisp days, sweaters, beautiful changing leaves and scenery, children excited to be back in school, parents excited for quieter days, and a chance to breathe from summer adventure and travel. 
 
My abstract fine art works, Summer’s Eve, speaks a wistful goodbye to summer.  The iridescent paint changes color as you walk side to side in front of this piece – the season is changing, the leaves are changing, and the feeling of the year is changing. My life would be abnormal without constant change. You will find this ever so present in my fine art. 
 
I love it as the year morphs and the seasons come and go.  I so enjoy summer and sunshine, the lightness of being, the dreaming, the travel, the water, the late night dinners, the friends, the family, BBQs, excitement, and constant commitments. Ours is a highly functioning abundant life. I am so thankful and blessed, and I will often just pinch myself to make sure it’s all real. 

I appreciate winter (but not my favorite season) the holidays, the family, the bonding and the magic. I do still believe in Santa.  I adore spring (MY ALL TIME FAVORITE SEASON) the rebirth, babies everywhere, the renewed energy, the garden, and my hands in the soil. Yet for some reason, I find I am always ready for the calm and peaceful feeling that comes with fall.  Fall graces the world in a warm blanket of my favorite colors: greens, browns, yellows, reds, oranges. Can you feel it’s warmth?
 
Inside Summer’s Eve, I have painted memories of many a summer sunset enjoyed with old lovers, friends and my husband (not all on the same evening mind you).  I am walking down the beach holding an arm or a hand, crunching shells in the sand, and gazing at the reflections and sparkles as the sun dances on the waves. I imagine myself, in years to come, walking along those same beaches when I’m 105!  I have decided this painting will remain in my private collection. Hopefully, my visitors will enjoy it as much as I do.

Does my painting inspire you to feel something?
Happy Summer’s Eve to all!

“Almost Pear” New Poetry by Rochelle Carr

ALMOST PEAR

Anjou love
so crisp and sweet
guide my heart
to lips in Crete.

It’s not your shape
I love so dear
yet all your heart
and all you share.

Oh almost pear
how do you see
beyond the trunk of your brown tree?

Please don’t fall
it’s sad you see
I know you’ll bruise
fait accompli.

One more day
and you’ll be sweet
I’ll catch you now
a special treat.

Share with me
your secret true
it’s good your yellow
not so blue.

Copyright 2009 by Rochelle Carr. All rights reserved.

Total Hip Replacement (Anterior Hip Arthroplasty) Pre – Surgery 2 by Rochelle Carr

Total Hip Replacement (Anterior Hip Arthroplasty) Pre-Surgery 2 by Rochelle Carr

This is the first of many posts regarding my journey with hip replacement surgery. If at any time you have questions or concerns and would like to find out more information or advice, please email me at bellarmc@gmail.com. It’s so daunting to consider this procedure! Do your research.

I knew it was time to have the surgery. My pain just wouldn’t go away. I would cry at the end of the day when I couldn’t lift my left leg. When I couldn’t chase my granddaughter any more and I had to sit down and couldn’t walk four blocks without searing pain down the leg into the groin traveling down to the knee – I knew it was time. My lower back ached constantly. My left glute throbbed so badly at night – I couldn’t even lay on my side! No sex. No spooning. Tossing and turning. No sleep. Terrible reality. I needed a new lease on life. More joy.  No pain. Long walks. The researching began….I knew it was time when I couldn’t stand to paint. I knew it was time.

Here comes the challenging part – I couldn’t decide whether the posterior hip replacement or the anterior version was a better choice for me. I read and read and read more.  Lot’s of docs just have a lot of marketing info on themselves and that they built a practice focusing on the “one type of focused procedure” It’s certain that’s the procedure they will tout about on their websites is the one they learned – not offering alternatives or perhaps another docs better options! Some will sell you in the consultation that the other version has lots of downsides. Inform yourself. Listen. Take a friend or family member to help you remember things. I encourage you to read patient stories and articles that explain all procedures before you make your decisions.

Get second and third opinions. Ask questions! Do your own research or have someone you love help you.

In a nutshell, my findings on the posterior option were much longer recovery times, they cut across your muscle tissue, more chance of leg length difference and dislocation after surgery, longer scar, (5 inches plus) on the backside, no x-ray, and more restrictions after surgery. The upside for me to the posterior version of the surgery is that there was more history and information on the procedure, and there are many more docs performing the posterior hip replacement surgery.

My first opinion was Christopher Cox: http://www.cpmc.org/dr-christopher-v-cox.html and http://www.yelp.com/biz/christopher-v-cox-md-san-francisco
he does hips, knees and hip resurfacing. Very well respected in San Francisco. He just wasn’t my cup of tea. You might love the guy. For me, I have to be certain in my gut that this person is right for me and walking out of there I was depressed and definitely NOT confident this guy was the number ONE. Kind of like a limpish handshake and I hated that. Smile.

There is an incredible doctor at Stanford I found that you might consult with (that I interviewed and looked up on American Board of Surgery – he has great reviews from peers I know at Stanford and good reviews online) if interested in this posterior approach to your hip replacement: Dr. James Huddleston http://ortho.stanford.edu/arthritis-and-joint-replacement/james-huddleston-profile.html. Plan on a three-month waiting period to have surgery with him. I was here for my second opinion. I liked this doctor. He is young, well respected, and experienced. He spoke a tad fast for me, yet seemed confident and driven. I chose not to have the Posterior Hip Arthroplasty. I went for the Anterior Hip Replacement with my third opinion. Details next post. His office receives an entire blog post!

Total Hip Replacement (Anterior Hip Arthroplasty) Pre – Surgery by Rochelle Carr

Total Hip Replacement (Anterior Hip Arthroplasty) Pre-Surgery by Rochelle Carr

This is the first of many posts regarding my journey with hip replacement surgery. If at any time you have questions or concerns and would like to find out more information or advice, please email me at bellarmc@gmail.com. It’s so daunting to consider this procedure! Do your research.

As I turned 50 this year it brought on lots of things to think about. I hired a life coach, wrote a mission statement, had a great birthday not very far from home, celebrated with my mother and a few of my incredible children, and dreamed about travel as my hip and left leg were still sporting the seven year debilitating shooting pain. The only difference was that some days – I couldn’t walk at the end of the day.

Four, second opinions later, it was unanimous, I was told that my left femur and hip socket was currently bone on bone and that yes, I would need a TOTAL hip replacement. Oh and by the way, you have hip dysplasia (probably since childhood) and you might possibly need the right hip done (eventually) as well. Needless to say – I was not a happy camper.

In the past seven years I have tried everything to avoid a hip replacement. No running, acupuncture, Rolfing, massage, naturopathic and Chinese medicine, cleanses, bone broths, gluten free, sugar free, caffeine free, wine free, hired a trainer, had counseling sessions and Physical Therapy. Nothing worked. I was absolutely devastated. I am too young for hip surgery!