Oh....

Oh....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Attractive in so many ways....

The crew

The crew
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Who keep Dascheville growing and developed.....gentrification at its finest.....

What to do when you are feeling uninspired?

What to do when you are feeling uninspired?
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

I have days like this. Days when I am not sure what to do with myself even though I know I have a shit load to do but feel uninspired to do any of it. When I am on a deadline, or feeling more responsible, I can make myself do stuff and generally I get inspired mid stream.

But.....not so much today.

Its just one of 'those' days.

My plan was to take a ride in the hopes that it would inspire me. 5 miles in, the sky opened up and dropped its belly on us and we laughed hard as we rode through the rain. Wet through and momentarily cold racing the weather and just realizing part way through that it was pointless. We just got wet.

Sometimes just laughing hard can cause the flip to switch. At least for me.

And now here I stand, in the middle of Hobby Lobby.....with the pieces for the next creative project in my hands (look for funky cuffs at the next MuseKraft outing). Coz you know, nothing inspires creativity quite like a trip to Hobby Lobby.

Xxm

New on MuseKraft...

Announcing...the glorious arrival of the 'photographs' page on MuseKraft. Dionne's photos are available in matted or greeting card form. She also has photos framed in recycled wood frames, drop us a line if you might be interested in getting a framed version!

Very proud of her work I be.....watching her put out her arms and fly. Tis glorious indeed...

xxM

The giant peach....

The giant peach....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Here we are, somewhere in 'ihavenoidea' indiana....the amish farm country. Its a kinda strange, quaint area of the world and every now and then I wonder about locking the doors....or not holding Dionnes hand when we get out of the car. Mostly though, I look around in amazement, absorbing as much about the land and the people who live on it and work it, as I can. Its amazing the places Dashville gets to see. (speaking of that, you wait till you see the construction area we have to put up as soon as I get some glue - don't want pieces of rubble flying everywhere.)

We have two weeks off the road. Songs to write, pieces to make, bikes to ride, friends to hang out with, an anniversary to plan and houses to look at and wonder about. Joy.

Gotta go get me a peach.....a giant one at that!

Xxm

But, he played Bach!

In a Washington, DC, Metro Station on a cold January morning, a musician picked up his violin and played six Bach pieces for about 60 minutes. During that time approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. Only six people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk at their normal pace.

He collected $32.

When he finished, no one applauded, no one even noticed.

The Washington Post, as part of a social experiment, had arranged the entire scenario. Playing incognito on a $3.5 million instrument was renowned violinist Joshua Bell. He played some of the most intricate pieces of music ever written. To watch some of the action, check out:



Two days prior, Joshua Bell had sold out a theater in Boston where the tickets averaged $100 per seat.

In a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty and recognize talent? Do we stop to appreciate it? If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the finest music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

And finally, a question I ask, is 'success' in the industry more about opportunity than talent?

Interesting things to think on this Friday morning....

Xxm

Chic-a-go go

Chic-a-go go
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Sitting in the back of kc's truck on the way into our quick gig tonight. Its bouncy out here on the good old Chicago roads.....makes me want to release gas from my body everytime we go over a bump. I know....too much information, I'm sure.

We had a mini bike pile up today and D is nursing a sore and bumpy ankle because of it. We got into kc's place and rode the bike trail I use to ride. It was nice to hit it again. Baby deer hanging out everywhere. Coffee at the end. I love peoples fascination with exercising near water....I have the same fascination but I do wonder myself sometimes what its actually about. Might just be the peacefulness of it when you want to chuck your gutse out from exercising hard.

I think its a body function kinda day. Hmm.

She sits and ponders.....

Xxm

Tattoo dreaming....

Tattoo dreaming....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

I am starting to formulate the ideas for my next tattoos. I want to get a 1/2 sleeve on my right arm, filled with color and flowers.....like this one. Rich beautiful colors, a symbolic piece of art that reflects the way I feel about my life.

Sitting here in Chicago, a day off between shows. We just rode another 18 miles, which seems to be the magic number this week. My body feels good, the smell of bbq behind me makes me feel good and the bazillion birds around me make me smile....as does my sweet love who sits peacefully next to me admiring the birds and the flowers.

I am thankful for the peace I feel right this moment. Knowing that its not always here because my brain drives it away, but right now, right this second....the wonder of all these things around me captures my attention far more than any trivial thing that I actually can't do a thing about. Imagine all the things we miss in life because of worrying about things that we can't actually do a thing about.

Ahh.....bbq corn, what more is there right now?

Xxm

Sunday...

Sunday...
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Afternoon in lockport, illinois. Great food, great peeps, great tunes and fun....

Love this life

The corn, not porn....

The corn, not porn....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

I can't believe how quickly the corn has come up along the I-65. Driving this route as many times as we have in the last 2 months has given me the chance to watch it go from brown icky land to beautiful lush green. This is my favorite time of course except it makes me want to eat corn off the stalk and I only made that mistake once (coz not all corn grown here is for human consumption). We had fresh corn from the farmers market last week and it was the best corn I have ever eaten in my life (until the next cob I eat, of course.)

The title of my post comes from a funny press interview I did a few years ago with a reporter from Iowa. It was my first time heading to Iowa and I asked him what the state was known for.....I thought he said porn and had a whole conversation applauding him about being brave enough to admit that. It was only when I drove into Iowa for the first time that I realized he actually said.......'corn'.

So here's an interesting 'off topic' question.....do you ever have times when life feels like its going SO well that your brain just HAS to come up with scenarios about possible disasters because you can't really quite believe that it can continue to keep going so well? I keep having those moments and they annoy the shit out of me. I would really like to work out how to not automatically go to that place. I know my friend Deb would probably say that you just acknowledge it without giving it any energy or power, and let it go. But hell, that's easier said than done!!! I want an easy way damn it!!!

Haha.....slapping my own knee laughing at myself.

For now, its back to the pretty green corn and getting ready for a fun house concert this afternoon with my friends Lisa & Sheri in Lockport.

Thanks for reading mates, happy Sunday to you (or Monday if you are in Oz)!

Xxm

This is mine.....

This is mine.....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Saturday night....

Saturday night....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

We are all learning how to make shit out of clay, from the master Cathy.

This is the Joyce...

You want to see what I made?

ummmm.....

So, I know I have fallen off the wagon a little with writing on the blog. I have been thinking about it for days...waiting for the right time and the right photo to inspire me, but so far...all I can think about?

Is my bike...

lol....

It makes me extremely happy to ride and feel my riding legs come back again. It makes me extremely happy to be riding on such a beautiful bike, on such a beautiful trail. We have our bikes securely packed in amongst all our other stuff in the van so we can now take them out on the road with us. Gone are the days when we are confounded trying to work out how to exercise and where.

We have also been full steam ahead making new pieces, experimenting and getting ready for some big upcoming shows. We just confirmed yesterday that we will indeed be on the ship for the inaugural Sweet Cruise this November to the Caribbean. We are both totally excited about the opportunity it presents not just for MuseKraft to be seen with other amazing women artisans but also for the mini show or two that we will do somewhere during the 8 days away. AND...most definitely excited by the thought of going to the Caribbean...I have never been and CANNOT wait.

If you haven't heard of Sweet, please check them out. Shannon and the wonderful crew out there have amazing plans for the trips they are doing. Trips that not only involve amazing sights and experiences but also an opportunity to give back to the communities that they experience. I don't think I have ever heard of a cruise company having a 'volunteer in the community' option as part of their cruises but I know I for one, will be there with bells on. Find Sweet at http://www.discoversweet.com.

Two weeks after we get back, we head to Australia for two 1/2 months. I get to introduce my sweet love to my family and to all my best mates over there and to watch with glee as she experiences my culture, my people, for the first time. I get to meet my new nephew too. Life feels good.

The photo above is of one our new pieces we just started making. It's a beautiful piece and can have a saying, a name or two, or an anniversary date hand stamped into it. Check it...and our other new pieces out at http://www.musekraft.com - it's a fully custom made piece that won't be available at shows but you can order them from the site (and from us at shows). The MuseKraft site is in the process of having a make over and I will take the new site live soon...the aim is to give people other options to pay (other than just paypal).

So mates, it's full steam ahead over here. We have been gently looking at houses over this way...dreaming about what that could look like for us. Learning...again..to just let people know what we want...to believe it, have intention behind it and just release it to the universe. We found one we like and now just gotta get them to give it to us for the price we want it for...haha. Ahhh, intention....

Now..it's off to clean the bathroom.

Happy Saturday mates.....enjoy it, wherever you are.

xxM

Here she lay

Here she lay
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Getting all ready to go out into the world with me. I am sitting here having minor palpitations at the thought of spending a chunk of change on a bike. I love to cycle. I borrowed a bike for all of last year. I just have never spent this much money on anything other than a guitar. Its hard.

But its also exciting. I am trying to breath and learn to receive gracefully from the universe.

And I love her, my pretty blue
Felt road bike (with my new clips and shoes) and I can't wait to get out and ride her. Everwhere.

Xxm

Monday afternoon birthday tunes....

Monday afternoon birthday tunes....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

What a perfect day its been. The weather is amazing. A little bit of exercise, a little bit of food, a little bit of puppy loving, a little bit of hanging with mates. Sitting here on our friend Bonny's porch now, listening and trading tunes, occasionally breaking into bad renditions of happy birthday. Tis a glorious day....

This is what life is all about, glorious days and spontaneity....

Xxm

Ahhh

Ahhh
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Perfect day to be out kayaking. Not too hot, no wind, mates that make you laugh and amazing wildlife to check out along the way.

Joy.....

Xxm

The view

The view
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

From here.....

Saturday afternoon, mates time....

Saturday afternoon, mates time....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

With a dash of music, of course. Its a warm, rainy day here and sitting listening to the tunes is making me a little sleepy. Me and Daisy are going to take a nap (that's Daisy waiting for me to come back to the couch).

This is what people do on Saturdays. We haven't had one off since April and now we have two off this month!! Damn!

Happy Saturday mates!!

Xxm

The Adventures of One Little Aussie - Episode 9 - National Women's Music Festival

Okay, so I jumped a few other videos to get to this one first.....just because I could. Hope you laugh as hard as I have...thanks to all the artists here.

Woohoo!!! Go Noah!!

Woohoo!!! Go Noah!!
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

This is Noah, our mate Debbie's kid, singing as part of the kids choir at the tribute to Michael Jackson today. Bloody awesome, way to go Noah!!

Imagine his cv.....'Shared the stage with Lionel Richie, Clive Davis, Michael Jordan, Barry Gordy, Brooke Shields, Janet Jackson and the entire Jackson family, Stevie Wonder and more.'

What a privilege, an honor and opportunity! And what a great job done, yay Noah!

Xm

My 4th

My 4th
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Is actually on the 6th....and 7th and quite possibly the 8th. This week is the week of hanging out with mates, having bbq's, laughing, talking about home and what makes it so (and dreaming up gardens!!).

Its a beautius day out here and life itself is beautiful and filled with nothing but possibilities. Which you know, for a Monday, is a good good sign.

Xxm

The day after...

The day after...
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Yes, the national has finished for another year and we took a late check out and watched movies, ate cold pizza and hung out together before hitting the road.

I know I didn't take a lot of photos this year but I did take a lot of video and have some awesome stuff to put up. I got footage of a number of artists and mates and am going to skip straight to that first.....because I am excited to to see it. Yesterday as we were saying goodbyes Dionne and Lisa Koch worked out they have a talent similar to one another that we captured on video, it had us all laughing hysterically and started a conversation about working together in the future. She is one funny and kind lady....

A number of folks that were also there last year hugged me with glee, the resounding comment mid hug being 'what a difference a year makes'. I soaked up the joy and the delight that people expressed over that and over meeting Dionne and witnessing her love and beauty and talent too. To see her shine does indeed bring me great joy and happiness. I feel like I got to bring her home to meet another part of my family....as so many from the festival have felt for me.
Its a great festival and if you haven't checked it out yet, it really is worth looking into for next year.

Happy Monday mates

Xxm

Adrianne on stage

Adrianne on stage
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

More festival shinanigans....

More festival shinanigans....
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

We were rehearsing for the auction today, which raised thousands of dollars for next years festival.

Me and Jane Weldon and the Bjava babe....

Xxm

Morning!

Morning!
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

This is who greeted me this morning when we opened our booth....

She followed me to Madison....

Xxm

Valerie Naranjo

Valerie Naranjo
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Check her out online and I will have some footage up soon. Master gyli player and all things percussive. Native American performer and all round sweet soul....

Xxm

Bing bing bing...

Bing bing bing...
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

That was the sound of Mandy getting the right answer!! The last photo was of me and Pamela Means from the back....!

G'night from the national...a fun first day was had and it all starts again tomorrow at 8.30am!

Xxm

What?

What?
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Okay, look closely....

What do you think this is a photo of?

Answer coming up shortly....

Shamus

Shamus
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

The cot loving kitty....

That sexy bjava girl...

That sexy bjava girl...
Originally uploaded by martine.locke

Bjava is owned by bj and sandy in Indianapolis and has good good coffee. We stopped there in a round about way on our way outta town this morning to load up on goodies and put our coffee order in for this weekend at the national womens music festival. Anyway, the 'should be semi famous' bjava mannequin was hanging outside and I couldn't resist a little squeeze.

We are Wisconsin bound......

Tonnes of photos to come from this weekend, I am sure.

Xxm