ILLUMINATE , INAUGURATE

"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. " Iranian quote

Tomorrow is inauguration day. Let us all please send positive and peaceful karma to our new leaders in Washington.

I have drifted into an illuminated manuscript like realm with these pieces I have been working on. Watercolor paper, acrylics, gel medium  and copper.

........oooooppps. I snuck a photo in of my newly adopted puppy, Harley. I couldn't help myself.  

INSPIRATION OVERLOAD??

" There are two ways of spreading light - to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. "                                               -Edith Wharton 

                                                     

Sometimes there is an absence of inspiration.  I think we've all been there. On the other hand, there are those times when you go on .........I.O. or what I'm calling "inspiration overload".  You've seen and heard and felt so many things that inspire you to CREATE SOMETHING....hallelujah!!!!....raise your hands up and shout, hallelujah!...and then WHAM.......which direction are you going to take?

The pieces I've been playing with the last few days are a combination of many things, some of which are the copper drawing and carving I've been doing ,  seeing the work that Seth Apter has been working on ( taking found objects and creating amazingly beautiful simple compositions), the holiday windows I mentioned in my last post and their beautiful monochromatic color scheme and texture,  the paper I bought at New York Central Art Supply,  the heavy acrylic gel medium I started using in a Michael Demeng workshop and I could go on  but I won't because I know people do not read long blog posts.

Here is a very  abbreviated version of  the process. Cut a piece of copper to size. I used a 6"x 6".

Chose objects to attach to the copper (more inspirational stuff I have been sitting on forever!!).

Start attaching. I used eyelets, brads, hole punchers copper wire and glue.

This one turned into a face. .......duh!

Draw and emboss into the copper using the shapes of the items you attached as inspiration for the design.  I then paint heavily with a dark color onto the copper, let it partially dry and then wipe it off carefully leaving paint in the creases.

I am still not sure if I am going to finish them separately or combine them into one piece. I'm also contemplating adding a bit of color. We'll see.......oh, and maybe some fabric......and stitching...and.......too many options. K.I.S.S.........keep it simple stupid. Not when you are I.O.

I WANT TO SPEND THE HOLIDAYS IN THE WINDOWS AT BERGDORFS

" Better keep yourself clear and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world." - George Bernard Shaw

Yes, I know the holidays are over......Happy New Year, BTW. 

I finally felt that my knee was ready for a little stroll around New York  (I had arthroscopic surgery way back at the end of October). I love everything about New York during the holiday season.....yes, even the crowds, and I HATE crowds, so I met up with some friends and had a short visit. Lunch, Rockefeller Center, chestnut smelling and  looking at the magnificent windows at Bergdorfs.  You could spend days trying to see ever detail.

The theme was "the seasons". Winter was a favorite of mine. An artist painting. Her brush collection was nothing short of miraculous. The fact they the reason for this whole display was a coat, completely went over my head. I didn't even notice it until I got home and looked at the photo.

Another sweet display.....and a gift...... my wish for you to have a year that is "clear and bright".

MANDALA 2009

This year I made some "New Year Mandalas" for my family.  Copper, acrylic paint, heavy gel medium, fabric, thread and water color crayons.

My wish for them and all of you is conveyed through the symbolism that I drew in the copper. Some of the symbols can be trite, but the thought is anything but. Peace. Hearts for good health and much love. Dollar signs.......yes, a good economy for all of us.  A West African Adinkra symbol for wisdom and creativity. Texture and color in your life.

OH.......and I got a new puppy. Her name is Harley. A golden doodle rescue. We haven't had a dog in two years.  I forgot how much work it is, but she is a sweetheart.

 

May you all have as much love as I have had in the past few days......

.....and a very healthy....

......and happy New Year, full of texture, color......creativity and ......

......peace. I look forward to spending it with you.

BAH-HUMBLOG....JUST KIDDING

I've been working on some holiday "stuff",  gifts, cards and ......just plain WORKING. Every year I tell myself I will make things for people and start early. Yeah, right.  I do work well under pressure, but really, you'd think one would learn a thing or two after a few years. 

I still very much enjoy the whole "handmade" gift experience, though. How about you? Are you a procrastinator?

In the meantime, the following quote made me laugh out loud.  I give the gift of laughter to you. Hope you find it funny, as well.

"In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank.  People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or ( to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'' - from Dave Barry, "Christmas Shopping a Survivors Guide

Hope I didn't offend anyone.  Have fun creating.......or shopping.

EXHIBITION 36

I ran into Susan Tuttle's new book at Borders the other day. It is a "must see".  There is some amazing work in there and everything about it is top quality. 

You can purchase it here. You also have an incredible opportunity. Susan is giving away a copy, so go to her beautiful blog and check out her contest. Good Luck!!! I know ,I signed up to win one.

DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE- A SONG

Once again LK Ludwig, from Gryphons Feather and The Poetic Eye has declared today a "sharing day".  Today is a day of music and song. What a task to try and come up with just one. I love so many different types of music.

A  few months ago my friend Maddie at Persisting Stars had a link to a You Tube video by Katie Melua, called Nine Million Bicycles. I fell in love with her music.

While checking out that song, I found the one below, that made me think of my husband, who loves to sail. I am dedicating it to him :-)......enjoy!

 

SUN-DAY IN THE RAIN

"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain."- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I'm spending a nice quiet Sunday afternoon listening to the rain come down and playing with some photos I took in Rome of graffiti, by adding paint and various acrylic mediums.

The word graffiti comes from the word graffiare in Italian which means to scratch or scribble. Graffiti originated in ancient Italy as inscriptions and drawings on sculpture and walls. It was even found in Pompeii.

How are you spending your day?

RAISE A GLASS TO THANKSGIVING TREASURE

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." - Thornton Wilder

Every Thanksgiving we usually host the family at our house. I love having everyone together as we catch up and enjoy each others company, laughing and eating ourselves into oblivian.

This year however, will be a quiet one. My dear mother in law, Yolanda is trying to make her way back from a bad fall and some major surgery.  She will be sorely missed this year. She is our inspiration for gathering together. Her sweet disposition, incredible love for her family and , last but not least cooking expertise, is legendary. Each holiday, we not only have turkey, but we also have the privilage of having her amazing homemade ravioli.

My husband has been spending the last few years trying to learn as much as he can about her cooking techniques. Each holiday now, he spends hours making the homemade pasta that Yolanda is no longer able to make.....and he's good.....very good.

We traveled to her Italian home, Lumarzo, in the hills just north of Genoa, this year. It's a beautiful village, where almost everyone has the family name Schenone (Yolanda's maiden name). 

The ravioli we were lucky enough to have there was good and similar, but not as good as Yolandas.

Our fire burns brightly for you, Yolanda. We love you very much. You are truly a treasure in our lives for which we are thankful.

Please raise a glass to Yolanda and all of the treasures in your life, my blogging friends, I am treasuring all of you as well, for all of your visits and comments and creativity you have brought to my life. Thank you.