Observations on life & art and the inspirations I see around me

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Inspirations

If this post had sound you'd hear me moaning in frustration. I've tried at least 5 times to get pictures in the right order. I finally took some away; I AM going to get better.....someday.

Even without techno issues it's been a rather crazy busy week. I spent part of it in a euphoric haze over the innaguaration. Unlike Rush (no I don't listen to him but couldn't miss the news of his antics) I HOPE OBAMA succeeds as it will mean AMERICA succeeds. I'm planning to increase my public involvement. I signed up at Starbucks for volunteering and so far I've done 2 pieces for Fiber Arts for a Cause auction; "Connnections" is below.

I got a big dose of inspiration over the weekend. The shaman above is the shadow of a work by Bill Worrell at the Denton Visual Arts Center. Friday night he was honored by VAST. It was a fun evening with Bill, Jay Boy Adams and others providing entertainment. I've loved his work since first seeing it in Santa Fe, NM, in the early '90's. I've long loved the images of early peoples of the world so it was interesting to hear his story of a "failed writing" expedition on the lower Pecos River about 30 years ago; he didn't get the story published but the trip gave him inspiration for his life's work.

Sat. and Monday evening I attended workshops and programs with Ginny Eckley. She is a wonderful artist who has lots to say about man's effect on the enviroment (you thought she just did pretty bird pictures?). She's also an accomplished and patient teacher. Here she is at the DAFA meeting teaching her silk screening technique. Thanks Ginny.






"Connections"

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

WOW




It's hard to express my renewed feelings of HOPE and excitement. If today were a quilt it would have a bright patch of yellow, the color of Michelle's dress, and a dab of pink and orange (isn't Sasha a doll?) at the end of a line of dark and dreary grey. We all, as a country, have lots of hard work ahead of us but it's wonderful to see the sense of community and fellowship that Barack inspires. God Bless America!
Here are Michelle, Ashley, and Deborah entranced by our new President's Inuaguration speech. Happy Birthday Deborah. What a way to Celebrate!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Organizing for Change


I've been thinking today about what's happening in Washington on Tues. and I'm thrilled to know one person who will be there in person. I'll be watching it on tv with friends and definitely celebrating.

Today is day 6 of the Studio/office reorganize. I spent hours with the shredder and it felt good despite having to kick it several times before I was done. I'm thinking there's a movement afoot of cleaning and clearing; maybe it's just the time of the year but it seems bigger than that. Maybe it's a critical mass of people recognizing the need for a new era of Simplicity; maybe it's preparation for the work we'll all have to do after Tues. Whatever it is, I think it's good.

Don't get the idea that I'm getting rid of everything. These old photos, for example, turned up this afternoon and I just KNOW I'll use them in collage. I will also share some with friends. I won't mention the amounts of photos & papers I possess. There's certainly enough to cover over my whole world....and then there's fabric, beads, and paint.

In the spirit of sharing I've decided to make up some boxes of "gently used" art supplies to pass along. If you or someone you know needs supplies, I will mail 10 priority boxes for the cost of shipping. Also I want to encourage participation in another collective effort. Check out the 2009 tree project at www.internationalfibercollaborative.com/. This is in keeping with "we're all in this together" theme of the day.

As my space is coming back together (with that new white wall by the stairs) I'm reminded of how much of a setimentalist I am. Here's the proof. Ashley thinks I have too much "stuff" but these are things that inspire me and make me smile - family, friends, and favorite arts. What's not to love.




Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Blank Canvas & Home




This is the wall as you come up to my studio. Ashley was here yesterday to help me clear every thing off and paint. Down below the ledge (seen here at bottom) it will be orange. I wanted the top white as color will come from what goes here - my bulletin boards and project calendar for 2009.

As I've been painting I've been thinking about the blessing of HOME. A lot of energy goes into making a house into a home. "Safe Harbor", above, is a piece that I did last fall during hurricane season. Those of us who have warm, safe homes and places to create should be ever so thankful especially during this time of uncertainty. I know I am. Now back to painting.


Monday, January 5, 2009

Past, Present, & Future

Present: HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009! I haven't posted lately because I was layed low with the hacking cough and other miseries of the cold/flu/allergy season (I could have been a tv commercial). I'm MUCH improved today and doubly thankful to have been well during our Christmas adventure (recent PAST).

The trip was wonderful, beautiful and exciting. There was more snow than I'd ever seen at one time and it was fun to be with Ashley, Frank, Elliott, and Celeste and Elliott's friends! Getting to Lake Tahoe from Reno on Christmas day was a scary start but the skies cleared the next morning and we had a marvelously memorable trip.

This Flying A is over a well restored station in Truckee but I'm taking it as a sign that we're supposed to return in the future (not too distant I hope). Ruben has promised to take us gold prospecting and that strikes me as a fun possibility.

Here's the family gathered together just before we left the last day.
As we left California the weather had warmed and you could see the river east of Truckee. I hope to see it again in '09.





41 and counting

Today is Karl & my 41st anniversary. This shot was made Christmas on the bridge over the Truckee River in California. Here today it's cold but icy and rainy without the brightness of the snow. We agreed that today feels like the weather did that Friday night in Houston, 1968.