There is no place like home

Over the last few weeks it has been a whirl wind with the release of the book, "Murder on 520 Bassett Street" as I finally got it on line to be purchased and have ordered copies of the book for local sales.

Yesterday, I participated in the local "Author's Showcase" that went well and now I am preparing for my next venue to be held on April 23, held at the Retro Record Shop on Ridgecrest Boulevard starting at noon.

This will be a one woman show starting at noon were the first 15 minutes will be donated to people settling in along with my brothers cd playing welcoming everyone.

What is special about the event, there will be my painting of my work that correspond with the one's used in the book. You may not know but I used art as therapy to help me get to the other side.

Pictured are the paintings that my brother recently brought back that where they were on display in Sedona.

I didn't open the box until last night and thought, "My friends are home." With a dear friend in my life whose all the painting together he was other-welmed with the beauty and magical power they brought into the home.

I was told when they were on display in Sedona that people would stare and study them but not one sale. I thought hmmm, I wonder why.

Andy said, "It makes sense Deborah, they are home now. These painting are from this area. You can feel it. Those were not Sedona painted skies but skies from the area where these were born."

I got it. I looked at them around the room and had to smile. My friends are here and didn't want to get separated. They are here for my upcoming event so everyone will be able to see collectively the power they have.

Welcome home my friends.

Early Bird Special...The release of Murder on 520 Bassett Street

I did the final proofing and I have print copies coming soon. It is already available on Creativespace and next week on Amazon.

I am part of the upcoming Author Showcase and the book will make it's debut on April 9 at the Ridgecrest Branch Library.

It came to me in the middle of the night...

It was about three weeks ago and it hit me like a bolt of lighting where my painting have simple lines with trying to create action at the same time. I guess it laid deep in my psyche that back in the 80's I use to sell Keith Haring's work. 

The appeal was his simple figures that would dance across the canvas, always with an underlying meaning. His of course were more of a social standing and often times making a political statement. 

My work is soft at heart and doesn't need to make a point in life because I do that everyday as a reporter. 

The contrast of the written word and my paintings are miles apart but still close. I am not sure how to describe it best.

To best describe my work I say it is organic, primitive with everlasting meaning.

Artist Exhibit

On Saturday September 12, 5 p.m. there will be an art exhibit of the recent work of Deborah Mills, Artist, Writer and Survivor at the Super 8 in Ridgecrest with the gracious Proprietors Mayank Vankawala and Pinkal Panchael. 

The exhibit of her recent petroglyph canvas paintings taken from the Coso Range Shaman rock art images and how they have spoken to her and helped heal her life all have a story to tell of their own.

Her brother DiVoM proper noun David Vincent Mills

"providing audio to the visual"

 Artist Reception on September 12 at 5 p.m.

Jazz Composer and Musician

She is honored that her brother will be making the trek from Sedona to be apart of her special day of the Artist Reception held at the Super 8 in Ridgecrest. 

She knew at the age of two he had it. Music that is. She had taken lessons and could sight read but didn't have the feel. She remembers one day he not being taller than a grasshopper in his PJ's with his little fingers hitting the notes on the piano. 

To find out about his music visit www.davidvincentmills.com

To find out more about Deborah and her recent work visit 

www.findingmywaythrough2012.blogspot.com

TO RSVP PLEASE CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK....      Finding my way through artist reception

 My brother DiVoM proper noun David Vincent Mills

"providing audio to the visual"

On my Artist Reception on September 12
Finding my way through...

I am honored that my brother will be making the trek from Sedona to be apart of my special day of the Artist Reception held at the Super 8 in Ridgecrest. 

I knew at the age of two he had it. Music that is. I took lessons and could sight read but didn't have the feel. I remember one day he not being taller than a grasshopper in his PJ's with his little fingers hitting the notes on the piano. 

His ears perked up. He heard something I didn't and his face was a glow. I knew then he had it. He had the gift of music.

Come out and see he on September 12 at the Super 8 on China Lake Blvd. at 5 p.m. and explore his world and my world as brother and sister.

Be there or be square. 

To find out more about his music please visit his website at www.davidvincentmills.com

Artist Exhibit

On Saturday September 12, 5 p.m. there will be an art exhibit of the recent work of Deborah Mills, Artist, Writer and Survivor at the Super 8 in Ridgecrest with the gracious Proprietors Mayank Vankawala and Pinkal Panchael. 

The exhibit of her recent petroglyph canvas paintings taken from the Coso Range Shaman rock art images and how they have spoken to her and helped heal her life all have a story to tell of her own. 

It all came to with the first painting entitled, "The Protector" which represents her husband that was tragically murdered on December 4, 2012. The juxtaposition of the painting is two voices bonding as one representing two lives in the world of seeking of justice.

Ridgecrest has provided her the means of deep healing and starting anew. 

At 6 p.m. a dialogue from Deborah will be given describing the process of how art heals if you open your heart and let it speak. 

In addition, her brother Jazz Musician and Composer David Vincent Mills is making the trek from his busy schedule in Sedona to be here to accompany her exhibit with his musical heart speaking the language of the work presented through the bonding of brother and sister. 

Artist reception food fare will be served.

To follow Deborah and her path of healing visit www.findingmythrough2012.blogspot.com

Prior to the event stories will be shared with the pieces that will be on display at the event regarding the history of the original petroglyph and what sparked a light in the artists heart.

P.S. For friends visiting from a far the Super 8 is offering a special discount to those who attend the event. Private message me for details.

Birdman

Today feels like a day to discuss Birdman. I didn't know it was Birdman until it was pointed out to me by Mayank Vankawala when I posted the question on Facebook as to the name of this painting. He and his wife will be the hosting my upcoming show which you will find out more about later.

As some of you know my art has become my healing. My sense of empowerment over the tragic lost of Anthony. Just last week I was faced again with the DA Investigator preparing for the trial of his murder in order to seek justice.

When I feel I need to figure out my thoughts and heart I have turned to the paint brush, canvas and the mystical environment of the Coso Range petroglyphs. Somehow they lead me down a path of understanding, protection, and well self mind being.

When I started this painting I reflected on Caroline Maddock's book "A study of the Coso Patterned Body Anthropomorphs" which her dedication to the study of the rock art spans over 40 years of documentation of these wonderful gifts.

My conception of what we now call Birdman came from her book and the findings of the original Petroglpyh is in Big Petroglyph Canyon. In her notations in the book she refers to this image as a "superimposed over a repaginated anthropomorph. The small figure that appears to be peeking out from behind the larger one is repaginated and belongs to the older anthropomorph."

The difference from the original and my vision of it is that I didn't add the lower sheep at the feet of the shaman.

I wasn't quite sure what the painting was saying to me until Mayank named it Birdman. I was asking myself what did he see that I did not? Maybe it was the feet.

All I know is when I completed the painting I texted Anthony's brother and sister and said it was time. Time to release his ashes in the ocean. I talked to Angie first and she asked, "Why now?" I said "I finished this painting and it came to me."

You see the family for awhile waited to release his ashes in the ocean and I was having no part of it because I needed him. I needed him to be here with me for strength. I refused to comply with anger.

In the place I moved to in Soledad I had an alter at the front door. I would see Anthony's urn every time I left the house and every time when I came home. It gave me great comfort. The same alter is here but it is different for me now.

I then talked to Roland and he wanted to know if I talked to my therapist and I said "No. I painted a painting and it is time. I don't understand why now but he is in my heart and no one can take that away."

I talked to my brother, David Vincent Mills, who is so dear to my heart. I had forwarded him the photo of Birdman. Bang!

On top of the Shamans's head to me was a lamb that had been slaughtered. My brother saw a quail and not a lamb. I cried and cried. I see now. Maybe that was what Mayank saw but we haven't had time to talk.

I looked as Anthony as the slaughtered lamb, which he was but now at this time he, is a bird ready for flight. You see, Anthony always wanted to be a Falconer. More will come out of this in the book in the works.

The symbolism was so strong that it overwhelmed me. He is no longer the lamb but a red tail hawk. It is time for me to set him free and for me to heal and to become stronger than ever for my upcoming event where I represent two lives and not one.

Bittersweet.

I think you can only imagine where I was in this painting. Yes the little person looking up for guidance.