Rainy Day in the Country

Oh, it's raining. When I work up the day was gray and cool. I hopped outside before the rain arrived to take some photos and let out my beasty demons. Then, back inside.... to work on my "illuminated" books and put some chicken soup in the slow cooker while the rain falls outside.

I've had a lot of thoughts lately. Thoughts on authenticity, fears, trusting the universe, acceptance and all these things jumble around in my head until I don't know which end is up.

Overall, it's been a huge and terrifying year. A year of changes, a year of endings and beginnings. And on top of it all....fears...fears of losing it all, fears of what these changes will bring, how I will change. My pregnancy is reaching it's end and this ending brings new beginnings.

I want to be open and accepting. I want to live fearlessly and confident, sharing the talents and gifts I've been given, offering these gifts for the good of myself, others and my community.

Working on my recent "illuminated" books have offered some respite. The idea of illuminated books, bringing in the light comforts me. Shutting out the world, listening to music, and methodically cutting and removing layers of text to add images and patterns. Creating art, something sacred out of something that would have been discarded, thrown out and forgotten. This process gives me a sense of completion, a sense of accomplishment and that everything will be alright, because someone is watching out for me.....just like I'm watching out for these old books and giving them new life.

So, how do you cope with overwhelming thoughts, feelings and fears? Do you burrow away into your work, write, etc?  And what do you think of my "illuminated" books?

Mixed Media Altered Book

Here's what I found on my desk this morning....well, what I've been working on. I love illuminated manuscripts so this is my version of that. I take a book, saw it down, cut it out and paint it. I'm loving the results! So, much fun, I become completely absorbed in the making. (Much to my husband's chagrin because I never hear the phone when it rings.)

I'm reaching a realization.....of sorts. Maybe it's coming from the changes I'm experiencing and will soon be experiencing with upcoming childbirth....

Well, my realization is more like a letting go....letting go of my old self and making room for the new one to grow....letting go of the assumption that the art I create has to follow a form...I just like to make stuff....letting go of fear and worry and the need to "fit" in....I'm letting myself "go with the flow" and accept things I can't change and accept myself....and I find a sort of peace with this...peace of spirit and mind....and this peace brings a freedom in creation and trust...

Anyways.....the last pic is a new altered book that I'm listing on Etsy.

It's getting chilly here....stay warm.

On my desk this morning...

Here's a look at what greeted me this morning. I try to get in there daily to "work". Today had all kinds of pleasant interruptions, my mom and nephew came over. Other not so nice interruptions include a cough and head cold that's kept me down the past couple of days and a baby who has decided that my belly is an inflatable jumper. It's pretty hard to use a X-acto knife when your belly moves of its own accord. But I've made some progress. I've been really enjoying the altered book/mixed media thing I've been doing lately. The new work is showing up in my shop....POP over if you care to have a look.

Well, tomorrow's Saturday. If all works out, I'll be heading in The Magic City (Birmingham, AL) for their annual ArtWalk. Hope your weekends great!

It's been awhile....

Well...my poor little blog has been ignored. But I must say it's been a summer of a lifetime. I've not announced it here....but I'm 5 months pregnant and between that and buying a house to have room for our newest addition it's been very busy lately. I have had time to work on my Etsy listings...the two pieces you see here are available.

I think I've finally found a way to use my tin milagros that I've been making which I talk about in this older post. Adhering them to wood allows the tin ornament to be enjoyed without the pesky edges being a danger. And I really like the way the tin shines off the wood. Maybe I'll get a chance to have a tutorial/painting progress thing of sorts for this type of work.

What do you think of these?

I plan on making different "milagros"...maybe some goddess/myth ones....wheels are still churning here....

Donation Piece for Tornado Benefit

On April 27th Alabama was hit by several tornadoes resulting in the deaths of hundreds and the destruction of whole towns and neighborhoods. The outpouring of love and assistance has truly been amazing.

I've decided that the way I can help (being at the moment physically unable to do much grunt work) is to share and pass along info through internet means, pray for the victims and create art to donate to a local gallery that is having a benefit auction for the victims. This gallery also held an auction to benefit the Gulf Coast Oil spill which I also donated work for.

This piece is something completely new and different for me. It's mixed media with a anatomical heart cut from board and applied to painted canvas. Then I wove copper wire through and around the heart suggesting the rays of traditional sacred hearts. I really enjoyed making this getting to work with my hands to create a more sculptural piece was very pleasing and calming. In fact, I may do more like this.

I also created another piece that tore that incorporated sewing onto the canvas. I'll share that one later.

I've felt very helpless when it has come to helping these people--limited funds and unable to physically help, so when the chance came to donate to raise money I was thrilled to accept.

So, what do you guys think of this new work? And if you are in the Alabama area and want more info about the auction and how to help, just drop me a comment. The auction will be held on May 27th.

Before and After the Storm...

Outside the thunder is grumbling...warning us to stay inside because it's about to lose it's temper in an outpouring of tears.

I love thunderstorms. The grumbly clouds, frantic lightening, and gray sheets of water playing the xylophone on the roof.

Right now, we're between storms and I scooted outside to let the dogs get their feets wet and to take some photos of my newest painting (last photo). This painting was inspired by our newest pup edition, Mary. Read about her HERE.

While me and the dogs were out I found fungus growing on a fallen tree limb--victim from a previous storm, we have about 6 pecan trees in the back and lose a ton of branches in a storm---and a tree full of wet leaves and dark berries.

I'll be working in the shop today (the above painting is now available as a print--HERE, painting, listening to Pandora (R.L. Burnside Goin' Down South is on now!), and enjoying the thundering arrival of April showers!

Books and Bits

Here's a few new books and a new mixed media painting. I have a feeling most of this will end up on Etsy. The Beasty painting already is....Have a look HERE. He was a inhabitant of one of my many sketchbooks until finding his way onto canvas. Hope you enjoyed the visit!

Mixed Media Paintings

Here are some recent mixed media paintings I recently finished. The bird painting is rather about 2 and half feet long and maybe 8 inches tall (I didn't measure). It's painted on a piece of leftover plywood from a project from Jacob.

The Dala horse is painted on recycled book board from a discarded book (and a leftover from a folded art book arts class I taught). It is currently for sale at my Etsy store. Check it out HERE!

But of these are some first attempts at making a mixed media painting. It was really fun and very "painterly"! I have plans to make some more. I'll keep you posted.

Thanksgiving is Thursday and I have so much to be grateful for this year. I hope you do too!