After taking a most excellent on line class from the amazing Keith LoBue, I have found a new passion for tools.  For Christmas I am over the moon about receiving a flex shaft and a torch enameling kit from Barbara Lewis.  She is having a give away drawing for one of her new DVD's on torch fired enamel.  If you have ever been interested you should check it out here: http://www.paintingwithfireartwear.blogspot.com

Summer Reverie

I know.  It's been a summer and I finally emerge....just a little bit.   I stepped back and took some time to do what my soul requested.  I listened and was rewarded with reverie and new skills, and renewed connections and insights.  The last day of summer holiday looked like this, because I finally sat down and breathed in the late summer light.


Today, I discovered soul food that moved me so much I needed to share right now.  I found it on the most excellent blog, Brain Pickings.  Natalie Merchant, an enchantress to be sure, researched Victorian poets and set some of their words to music.
This is a performance she did for another most excellent web site, TED talks.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/natalie_merchant_sings_old_poems_to_life.html

She Flew on Wings of Steel

And a view of some of my new pieces that come from the work I did in Keith LoBue's Steeling Beauty workshop in Artful Gatherings.  The best on line workshop I have ever experienced.

My monogram in forged steel or The Dancing Woman

John Frame and My Bohemian Soul

Saturday I was privileged to experience the John Frame exhibit at the Portland Art Museum.  I was profoundly affected by it, an affect that has continued, non stop, to work it's magic on me.  His work is art in it's truest sense and it is profoundly altering my thinking about how I want to approach my own work.  I am humbled and inspired.  Some of his story can be found on a series of videos on You Tube.  I just want you all to know this creation exists in the world.  Now I want to go back to pondering it's magic...and how it is changing the way I see my own pieces.  Something that must be completely obvious to formally trained artists or makers, but I have come so slowly to realize on my own, is that I need to show you who I am.  When I look at the work of other artists, I want to understand who they are.  John Frame has changed my viewing lens from a critique of the piece itself to experiencing the unique being expressed in that piece.

Summer Talisman of a WomanWith a Bohemian Soul and a Love of Collecting Interesting Bits of Texture and Color

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

It's the beginning of strawberry rhubarb season and I took time out from all the things that usually get most of my attention to bake my man, aka The Garden Gnome, a birthday pie. With the left over strawberries and rhubarb, I made a compote that he likes to mix with yogurt.  It was deeply satisfying to make something in time with the season, for my beloved, from a family recipe that connects me to a line of ritual that brings soul to our kitchen.  I want to create more time for this. Time to bring soulful experiences into our life.  Making something in season from a recipe with a meaningful history is on my list.

Emerging Spring

Creeping Jenny and Violets

As much as I love weather with personality, and colder ocean colored days, every cell of my body is yearning for some warm light on my skin and colors to emerge in the garden from the damp mud.  This weekend we have been gifted with the most glorious days and the sentiment it inspires, "Another Day in Paradise".  Because the sun is long in coming here, we Oregonians lift up, smile, dance, go outside and greet each other with that joyous look on our faces we all understand. We are recharged with joy.  I got out early and took a few pictures of the spring colors growing fat in my garden.


I am loving the eccentric garden path wall my man, otherwise known as The Garden Gnome, is building.  All of his stone walls have spines and sensual protrusions scattered throughout.  We both have stone lust.  It's a good thing.


Now, to the studio or to the garden? 

Gouguin Emerging - Tree Peony

Tangerine Tulips and Ajuga

Affirmation Talismans

Kelly's Affirmation Talisman

Sophie wanted something really special for her friends and inspired by my celtic bells, asked if I would create Affirmation Talismans for them.  Kelly's birthday was coming up so I made hers first.  Sophie described her and shared qualities she loved in her friend.  I could picture her easily in my mind.  I began to visualize colors, textures, symbols, lines, with her in mind.  I made sketches and listed the stones that carry the attributes I thought would affirm those beautiful qualities Sophie treasured in her.  And then the making began.

Sue's Affirmation Talisman

Sue's essence also formed easily in my mind from Sophie's description.  After sketching, musing, and finally making all the pieces that would form her talisman it was completed.

I loved creating something meaningful and powerful, unique to that particular person and what they may want to express in their life.  Soul work.

An Invitation to Warm Away the Winter Chill

I was very excited when I discovered our new cafe in Oregon City several years ago. You could tell the moment you walked in that it had been created by people with a vision and a passion.  Over the years, the Yates family has made it a place that pulls you in because of it's soulfulness.  The walls open to the sidewalk when the weather warms and the furniture is cozy and vintage.  Phil has been experimenting with vertical gardening and made the walls inside and out a paradise.  Out back is their garden where the compostable waste from the cafe kitchen is recycled into edible beauty.  Sitting in the midst of all this artful creation with a latte and a pastry is so west coast urban charm.  A couple of years ago they added a place for artists to have their studios and this year Karen Grondin opened her gallery and frame studio in it's midst.  It was my dream to be a part of this space, this community.  Because dreams do come true, Karen has invited me to show some of my work in her gallery.  I welcome you to come visit and let the magic of this place warm away the winter chill. 

http://singerhill.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grapevine-Graphics-Picture-Framing-LLC/118967241524014