Mother's Day! Where Did The Time Go?

Here's a small piece I made for my daughter a long time ago, called "Love You Forever," after a book I used to read to my kids.

How could THESE.......                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

   

       
Turn into THESE?! 

       

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

    

What's Old Is New Again!

I thought I was approaching the end of my business drama, and I still am....approaching it, that is.  Another unexpected thing happened and it got very unpleasant, but it's (supposed to be) behind me now.  Because of all this, I'm still working on the Madonna piece. It's amazing how dealing with things like this and all that negative energy just absolutely sucks the life out of me. I could sleep twenty hours a day and still be tired.  I hope to be finished soon though.  Until then, some oldies you haven't seen:

  

The Church Lady Says

"Well, now,

let's just have 

a special little Easter, 

shall we?"

Walking Home Again....Again

This is an email I received asking permission to use this picture of one of my pieces for a poster and playbill for a play created by women in prison in Australia.  The women themselves were responsible for the play's  content and the acting which focused on where they came from and where they were headed as they faced release.  I gave my permission for this, a project to help support and empower women to take responsibility, to hope, and to work for change.  This is also in honor of someone who has hit bottom, who has wanted to give up but didn't, who has created change out of the deepest pain, and whom I respect so much.  She knows who she is.

Mexican Madonna

I've always been drawn to madonna and mother and child images.  I finished  a small piece that I was only able to work on in tiny bits and increments over several months.  I wasn't sure how she would turn out with the wild, crazy energy I've had as I worked on her....However, here she is:

 

Mexican Madonna
11"  x  11 3/8"

It's Four O'Clock In The Morning

Definately time to go to bed!
 

Past-Present-Future

I knew it had been a long time since I posted....but September?  My life turned upside down and I've been trying to stay afloat.  I'm slowly getting back on my feet.  I'd been in private practice as a therapist for fourteen years with a very close friend.  And I found out that for the past few years she misused and lied about money, taxes, etc.  The betrayal hit me like a mountain fell on me!  It's taken a long time to work my way through this emotionally and financially.  The business is closed, the corporation is being dissolved, taxes are paid, and I have a new job working at a behavioral health business.  There's still a lot to do, but I found myself able to take a normal breath this weekend.  Perhaps I'll even sew again?

Life Changes

Temperatures have been slowly sliding down this week, low eighties earlier today.  When I let the dogs out a few minutes ago, I got chilly. There have been several torrential downpours the last week or two as remnants of Hurricane Isaac passed by.  Our crops aren't saved but some green is back in our grass and the flowers are more alive.  Life changes and moves on and changes again... 

Yet More Is To Be Found In Me

Fairy Tale Wedding Dress

This has nothing to do with my work; however, I want to show this 1933 wedding gown designed and made for a British society woman.  The satins, silks, embroideries, and beads are gorgeous.  Imagine the hours and number of seamstresses it took to make this!Courtesy of  www.thevintageworkshop.com.

Gracie's Gift

My "adopted niece" graduated from high school earlier this year.  (She is Gracie and I'm Auntie Em)  She is a beautiful, talented, unique person and I wanted to make something different and meaningful for her.  In thinking about her becoming a young woman, I also began to think about myself at that age, about all females as we go from being girls to being women.  What might speak to her?  Might touch that spiritual Self?  Might help her find her path, her life mission?  This is when I began to think about the collage boxes and started playing around with things.  I wish these pictures were better, but the modge-podge was shinier than I was clever with lighting.  Here's the end result:

Playtime!

I've worked on several small things and also made some little collage boxes.  My carpal tunnel has flared up and I'm trying to have some fun without overdoing it.  My first box was one of those small unfinished wood boxes that are everywhere.  I modge-podged colored tissue paper over the outside and also painted it.  I reduced some retro images I had and cut them out.  I also typed a brief "guide" for housewives that was printed in a 1950s magazine.  I also used some small pieces of scrapbook paper, buttons, and more modge-podge....lots of fun! 

  

The Long Hot Summer

Temperatures here have been in the triple digits  for weeks, the humidity and heat have pervaded everything, and I have truly cooled off only in the shower.  AND my allergies have gone wild!  I've been hot, sweaty, tired, sleepy, sneezing, blowing my nose, coughing, headachy....I went into hibernation and am just now emerging.   Weather reports  this is the hottest and driest summer we've had here since 1930.  Everything is dry and dead.  I am so grateful that we (and I) now have air conditioning, electric fans, and running water.  I have always been awed by the daily hardships, past and present, of just staying alive in the world for most people.  This summer has been a good reminder to me of how lucky I am.   

       

Deep Thoughts

To get something you never had,

you have to do something you never did.

Unknown

Isn't It Loverly?

I spent most of this day at my friend's house (https://www.karenlinduska.blogspot.com) with a small group of (mostly) women/artists. Everyone brought flowers, grasses, berries, and so forth to dye fabrics with.  It was a beautiful, sun filled day on her decks with enough cool breezes blowing around to keep us all comfortable.  There was a wild array of  plants, foods, juices, and people talking, laughing, and pounding on the things we placed on our various fabrics.  Rocks, mallet, potato masher, all put to work to break down the plants and release the juices and colors into the fabric.  Then throw in some bits of copper, and roll and wrap with twine.  We gathered our small bundles of various widths and lengths and put them all together in a cauldron to cook...the waiting began...now  everything soaks, stews, and stains for a week!  It sounds like a witch's recipe!  In fact, I had a scenario running through my head where we were all dressed in black, cackling, and working on spells.  (My inner life is so often more interesting than my outer life.) 

And then we ate.  The End.     

Individual Grannies

I tried to make each figure different and unique as all humans are.  It was fun to do and also allowed me the time to come to know each one and what they want us to hear. The strength and wisdom of women's words that emerged from a crucible of fire and suppression must be taught to others, especially our daughters.  We are the examples and carriers of that strength and wisdom.  If we do not live and breathe and model it, we fail.  Who can respect and believe in us if we are not willing to stand up and fight for our value?  We must take and prove we are a powerful force to be dealt with and that we WILL NOT GO AWAY!