LillyAnne and Princess Unicorn!

I am so happy that my latest children’s book, “LillyAnne and Princess Unicorn” (inspired by a most wonderful, amazing real-life LillyAnne) is now available! The happy adventures of LillyAnne and Princess Unicorn start with “Unicorns do not show themselves to just anybody! Only very special people, like LillyAnne, ever get to see a Unicorn…” – and the Unicorn that LillyAnne meets is not just any Unicorn – it is Princess Unicorn with a mane and tail made of rainbows! I am happy to say that the real life LillyAnne and her wonderful family like the book too!


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TV Interview About Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning & More


In this television interview that aired 5 times starting October 7, software engineering expert Jay Topping shared insights about software technology in society, such as 5-axis machining, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics and more – we even talked about self- driving cars! Here is this interview (I am wearing my kaftan based on my “Love You” artwork):

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“Dance of the Fall Leaves” Jewelry Available!

So excited to share that my “Dance of the Fall Leaves” earrings design has been licensed and is now for sale! I am so proud and grateful to wear these! Hope you like them too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the Dance of the Fall Leaves artwork on which it was based:

Dance of the Fall Leaves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is also a matching kaftan, which I’ve loved wearing in interviews with the earrings – you can see both together in this interview of Mayor Johnny Johnston:

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TV Interview About Jubilation in Retirement to air on Television 5x this week

Dr. Redd shared her tips on retirement in this television interview scheduled to air five times on TV in February 2018. One of my favorite tidbits from this interview was her insight that some other cultures use the word JUBILATION instead of the word ‘retirement’ (and the word ‘retirement’ does sound so … tired). Here is this interview (I am wearing a scarf based on my “Bon Jour” artwork):

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TV Interview about Physical Therapy – for Dogs!

Interesting fact: Just like there is physical therapy for people, there is physical therapy for dogs – and someone who specializes in physical therapy for dogs first has to be a physical therapist for people! Learn more here about some of the many facets of physical therapy for dogs, in my television interview with Karen Atlas of Atlas Physical Therapy for Dogs in Santa Barbara. I had no idea that this existed before my own dog needed physical therapy, which has included the underwater treadmill (to reduce weight on his bones while he exercises) and laser treatments. Here is the television interview which aired 5x on TV – and of course I am wearing my kaftan based on my “Raining Cats and Dogs” artwork (there are rainboots in that design also):

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Television Interview with Mayor Johnny Johnston

Ojai Mayor Johnny Johnston couldn’t be more informative about water supply, air quality, fiscal responsibility and accountability, the importance of tourism in Ojai, getting involved in community service, and more. Thank you Mayor Johnston! -and if you notice that the earrings perfectly match the kaftan, it is because both are based on my Dance of the Fall Leaves design 🙂 Here is our interview that aired 5 times on television in October 2017 and is available on YouTube, etc:

Thank you Mayor Johnston for all you do!

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The Latest Rain and Garden Boot – “Sun and Moon”

Just heard the fun news that the latest rainboot is now out with my “Sun and Moon” artwork on it – very FUN! Each pair of boots is sold with a collector card that has a picture of the original artwork paired with one of my poems.
Here is what it will look like:
-and here is what the original artwork looks like:

“Sun and Moon” has had a lovely history, including being included as part of a hospital permanent art collection and being licensed for collectible plates as well.

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My TV Interview about Jewelry Design Airs 5x This Week

Expert jewelry designer John Muscarella couldn’t have been more informative about the new world of jewelry design, talking about 3D printing and jewelry design, the many different colors and types of gemstones and precious metals, what chemically enhanced and artificial gemstones are, and more. Thank you John! Here is our interview:

John Muscarella lets us see jewelry as a creative art form that blends creativity with technology, gems and precious metals. With respect to technology, the interview shares the role of the computer and computer software (also called CAD – computer aided design) in jewelry design, including also a brief discussion about 3D printing machines and CNC (computer numerical control) milling machines in jewelry design. The interview also goes over the 5 most valuable types of gems; different colors and types of diamonds and sapphires; how diamond cuts have changed through the years (miner’s cut, bruning, European cut, and multi-faceted modern cut); what it means for a gemstone to be chemically enhanced; what an artificial gemstone is; and how technology is blurring the lines between artificial gemstones and natural gemstones. In terms of precious metals, the interview briefly addresses platinum, gold and silver precious metals; how varying the alloys in gold produces different colors of gold; and how you tell the difference between white gold and platinum.

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My Sci Fi Short Story “Nessie” on TV!

It was quite a thrill to perform my short story “Nessie” for television – it aired 5 times in 2017. In this short story, I had fun weaving traditional, modern and futuristic themes together, and I think the audience enjoyed the surprises along the way. Very fun memory! I was wearing a kaftan with my “Dance of the Fall Leaves” artwork on it 🙂

“Nessie” (c) 2017 M. Nicole van Dam. All Rights Reserved.

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Wonderful TV Interview with John Moore, Editor of the Ventura County Star

John Moore, Editor of the Ventura County Star, was so informative in his discussion about journalism – just a wonderful guest in every way. He oversees the online and digital versions of the Ventura County Star as well as traditional print media, and it was fascinating to hear him talk about how the business of journalism has changed. John covered everything from fake news to confidential news sources to the business of journalism. It was also a treat to visit John at the Ventura County Star headquarters – the newsroom was very much like the old movies – a huge room full of reporter desks. It was a bit intimidating to be interviewing such a pro! This interview of John Moore has aired 5 times on television so far. Here is my interview of the talented John Moore, Editor of the Ventura Country Star, online:

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Poetry Reading by Nicole on TV – Life is Like Knitting

In 2017, I was asked to read two of my works for television broadcast – very fun indeed! Here is the first of the two to be broadcast – my poem “Life is Like Knitting.” I chose two of my works that had a knitting reference to tickle my Mother’s sense of humor. Following is the video of the reading, and below the video I have put the poem itself. I wore the “Dance of the Fall Leaves” kaftan based on my “Dance of the Fall Leaves” artwork.

As background on the poem itself, I had written about knitting, and life, some years ago, when I was starting anew before I met my wonderful husband. Knitting was a lovely part of my relationship with my Mother and also with my wonderful Aunt Barbara and her daughters Rika and Claire. The poem is apropos of so many of life’s changes and decisions:

Life is Like Knitting

Life is like knitting
Sometimes each stitch falls easily into place
Each row upon row flowing with grace
And then, a mistake, not easy to erase

A choice must be had
Do we go ahead flawed, looking a bit bad
Or do we unravel and then
Begin, begin, begin again?

With each new start
The old design deliberately picked apart
Carefully the yarn from the needle unfurls
Undoing all the knits and pearls
Cautious not to harm
The tender texture of the yarn

This life’s thread must be used to stitch again
In our universal pattern of row upon row, til time’s end
There is no shame in each start anew
No matter how many restarts or how few

The rows undone
In the redoing are part of life’s fun
The lessons learned along each knitted way
Can be used another day
To last, to warm our souls a little longer
Making our life’s knitting that much stronger.

(c) 2006 M. Nicole van Dam. All Rights Reserved.

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TV Episode – All About Birds!

Our area is so fortunate to have a knowledgeable and caring avian veterinarian, Dr. Christine Sellers. Avian veterinary medicine is a relatively unusual focus, and she is tremendously knowledgeable and also works with the Santa Barbara County Wildlife Care Network. Here is our television interview, which covers everything from chickens to pet birds to wildlife rescue (and I am wearing my “Windmill & Cows by Nicole” kaftan):

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TV Interviews about Integrative Medicine, Functional Medicine, the Effects of Stress and Endobiogeny, & More!

Medicine, the role of technology and pharmaceuticals in medicine, the impact of stress on the body (in medical terms), and healing are each such complex topics, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to do two TV interviews of Dr. Kenneth Kafka, who shared a lot of insight about integrative medicine, traditional medicine, functional medicine, the role of genetic testing, the impact of stress on the body and the endocrine system and endobiogeny, and more (-and you will see I am wearing my “Dance of the Fall Leaves by Nicole” kaftan). These informative interviews each aired five times on television so far:

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TV Episode about Building in Ventura County

I was so fortunate to have the fun learning experience of doing a TV interview with both Winston Wright (Ventura County Planning Department) and David Hansen (Ventura County Building & Safety). They are both so knowledgeable, professional, and helpful. Here is the interview – hope you enjoy it and learn as much as I did! Thank you Winston & David!

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Indigo transformed into FUN Cowboy Boot!

indigo-blue-yippy-boot-web

Wonderful “Indigo Blue” Cowboy Boot! Available on Amazon!

I just LOVE this new boot, called “Indigo Blue,” made from my Indigo artwork!  So FUN!  For sale on Amazon!  I’ll be ‘stylin in these!

 

Indigo for portfolio

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Snowflake Sonata – now a Lovely Scarf at Department Stores

Snowflake Sonata

“Snowflake Sonata” now available as a scarf in Department Stores!

It is always so fun to see one of my artworks transformed into a lovely scarf – and Snowflake Sonata did not disappoint!

Snowflake Sonata

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“Roulettes” Abstract Art Rainboot

Those of you who know my art well know that I don’t often paint in abstract, so it was quite an honor when one of my abstract artworks, “Roulettes” was licensed as a rainboot.  I think it makes an absolutely lovely boot, and I couldn’t be more pleased!  For sale o

n Amazon!roulettesRoulettes for banner

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Thrilled to Interview Wonderful Musician & Composer Jimmy Calire on TV

I’ve been thrilled and honored first to be interviewed by an award winning local TV station, and then to serve as a guest host to interview others. That’s an experience I never thought I’d have! Here is my interview of the amazing musician, composer and arranger Jimmy Calire (who among other things toured worldwide with the famous band America)(and you will see I am wearing my “Love You by Nicole” kaftan):

In our interview, musician, composer and arranger, Jimmy Calire, speaks about his experience touring with the band, America, in the 1970’s, including also starting with Raven in the late 1960’s (Columbia Records), and his experience with Led Zeppelin, Joe Cocker, BB King and playing with Jimi Hendrix. I like that Jimmy is a natural mentor, discussing how he learns pre-existing music and the software he uses to help him. He also talks about “farming” or growing an idea. He also talks about the universal nature of music, as well as the role and purpose of music and offers practical advice to musicians trying to build a career. Such an honor to get to know Jimmy better!

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“Country Autumn” makes a Lovely Rainboot!

country-autumn-cropped I had so much fun painting “Country Autumn,” which was inspired by the lovely Fall season in Ithaca, New York, with its amazing Treman and Buttermilk state parks. Every time I wear these boots, I will be reminded of this happy time in my life! Available on Amazon.

Country Autumn ADJ EMAIL

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Introducing the “Indigo Blue” Traditional Rainboot!

indigo-rainboot  Bring on the Rain!  I know I will enjoy wearing this rainboot based on my “Indigo” artwork! Available on Amazon.

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