"G" -ARTFULLY BLOGGED IN THE YEAR OF THE OX

I have been continuing the process of  "illuminated manuscripts"  and asemic writing with my copper work and acrylic mediums, found objects and paint and  have really been enjoying the process.  I have lots of ideas that will take me in many different directions. Hopefully, spare time will show up soon and visit for awhile.

In the meantime, this is the letter "G".

Loud ......Chinese drum roll please.......................................................................................................

I am thrilled to say that there are two articles in the beautiful new issue of Artful Blogging magazine that have my name in them. One, is about my work in particular and the other is about the "Blogstock" gathering that I hosted last summer with a fabulous group of talented artists and writers.  Somerset Studio does a wonderful job putting their publications together.  

Yesterday, I had the good fortune to head up to New York and celebrate the Chinese New Year with some great women. My friend Jerri was celebrating a birthday, blogger friends, Elizabeth(About New York) (birthday last week) , Isabel (A Room of One's Own) , Susanna (Susanna's Sketchbook) , Leslie (Snips and Snails and Puppy dog tails) and Marie (Lost Aussie On the Loose) (birthday today!!), who I just met for the first time yesterday. We had a grand time watching dragons dance, firecrackers go off, art supply shopping and a wonderful lunch.......and taking photos, of course!

Happy Year of the OX!!!!!

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?