A Sunny, Good Day

It seems that every time I tick one item off my list, three more things get added. So why do I poke around writing in my journal and on my blog with so much to do? That's the question I keep asking myself. And I suppose the answer is that my soul needs to do what it needs to do. It needs to share, to show, to record and report and mostly it needs to play after so many years of shouldering the burden (which was fine at the time) of being breadwinner, mom, wife and entrepreneur. When the girls were growing up I never thought of time passing. I thought we would be a family living together forever. It seemed like such a long time that we hopped, skipped and jumped across the country (before John) and grappled with survival. I worked as a teacher's aide, dental lab technician, secretary (oh, yes!) and assembly-line worker.

For a few months I worked in California as a go-go dancer (nothing exotic, don't get ideas - I wore a 20's style dress with long fringe, silver high heels and a Goldie Hawn persona ...) I made enough money there to enroll in college; that was when I was barely 21 and thought I knew everything. Yee gods, no one wants to hear all this. Shut up and get to the news!!

So the reason I am skipping with joy is that another dream has come true for me and that is that I'll be teaching in Melbourne in a little over a year. I put my call out to the universe last year and then waited. I waited so long that I thought the universe had other plans for me and so I adapted myself to that idea. I told myself it was okay if I was supposed to do something else. I have lived long enough to trust that way. Sometimes you have to put your dreams under your pillow for awhile and be happy with other things. You know, play like you don't even know their names.

The other news is that both my proposed classes to Portland Art and Soul were accepted so I'll be returning there; happiness abounds. This is what I want to do right now and I know how fickle I am; I stay with a thing until my inner gyroscope tilts in another direction and then I am gone again; quicksilver girl. Later: maybe a book.

Perhaps I've posted this old photograph of me before, I can't remember. But this is me in my hippie days. I'm in the magic bus that went back and forth between Portland and Arizona. I was a jewelry maker then (can you tell?) Ah, wasted youth and all that. It was grand. It is grand. Thank you, mother and father, for that night of love that ushered me into the world. I am so grateful.

Blue Skies

Before we take our little hike I'd like to tell you about Susan Tuttle's new book and a contest she's having where you can win a copy. Go to her post here and just follow the instructions. Knowing Susan, this book is going to be one you'll want in your collection. Her work is so inspiring to me; meditative, dreamy and thoughtful. It makes me want to consider more deeply the messages I send out in my own work. It is mysterious and transcendental.

Beautiful blue skies and sunshine today in my neck of the woods so John again lured me out on a little hike; slowed greatly by my desire to shoot my new camera in every direction. I like the strength that I see in these tree trunks. Young trees are not as strong as old trees. It takes time.

Placid waters. Sometimes I like to pretend that I am here 200 years ago and that I have a pony to ride, salmon to catch for my meal and the soft earth on which to lay my head at night. Because the Pacific Northwest was a place of bounty and beauty then (as it is now).

These are blackberry leaves and having done their work they are nodding off for a long winter's nap. But first they have to put on their brightest pajamas.

Or maybe it would be fun to live on a house boat with the waves from the passing boats lapping softly against the sides. Best of all; lapping sounds with the patter of rain on the roof while I am cuddled up in warm blankets reading a gripping story or pasting and drawing before the fire.

It's hard to tell which way north is in these parts as the moss and ferns grow out of all sides of the tree.

I went to a consciousness seminar once where we were sent out into the forest to find ourselves in nature. Literally; to name the thing that resonated most thoroughly with ourselves. Some came back as trees, high mountains, raging rivers. I, however, came back as moss. Water loving, green, soft, common. It's not pleasant to sit on (and neither am I!) but it is nice in its own way.

The forest is full of mushrooms this time of year. We saw a magnificent bald eagle too making slow circles around our heads. No telephoto lens yet, sorry.

Baby ferns, moss, a solid tree. Strength, youth, beauty. Everything damp, lush and full of life.

Autumn colors. I do love this time of year, especially this year when the weather has been gentle and the colors have lasted so long.

Look around and really see what is there for you. Beauty in the earth, beauty in the people, beauty in the creation.

(this last image from ffffound)

Music Day

This image courtesy of the video. I love this song; it makes me feel euphoric, young and frisky. Plus Leonard Cohen is a brilliant poet.

Santa Came Early

I'm "shooting" everything in sight. Like me, it's a rebel. hee hee. A nice rebel. But the OS on my Mac was too old for the software so I have to download the photos to my laptop and then file share them over to my mac. Aaaaargh. Make the madness end. (off to shoot more pictures).

Post Holiday Calm

Boy, it's quiet out here in Blogland. I think we're all taking a breather, flopped back on the couch with our feet on the coffee table, dreamily contemplating those visions of sugarplums. As for me, I'm on a walking regimen that I've discovered chases the wintertime blues away. It's a revelation as I'm a very lazy person who has never gotten as much exercise as I know I should. But 3 miles in the morning before breakfast has turned things around. I even got up earlier than usual this morning just jonesing to get outside. (It's a miracle!!!!)

I'm making samples for classes too; celebrating winter in my own way with snow queens and ice princesses. This is the season for mica and german glass and lace and tinsel. I'm enjoying the cozy studio more than ever and hope you're finding time and inspiration to do the things you love too.

Paper Clay Doll

All summer long I've been dreaming of a session with Paper Clay, a product that I was told would be superior to papier mache for making an art doll. With deadlines looming and a Thanksgiving turkey hanging over my head the muse tapped me on the shoulder and drug me into the studio. My name is Judy and I'm an artaholic.

The head was so lame that I almost quit but I'm not a quitter. Sure the next one will be better. But dear little Birdy (that's her name) begged me not to abandon her. And so we made friends and continued to play together.

I formed her head out of a big ball of clay on a stick and I'm sure it's still wet inside. After that I found directions online and found out that a wad of aluminum foil makes a good armature so I used that over a spray can cap for her body.

This is what the body stage looked like before I started smooshing on the paper clay. Those are her arms on the table. I rubbed burnt umber acrylic mixed with medium into the painted face and wiped most of it back off to age the head - naturally I will do that to the body too at some point.

I'm showing you the cap that forms the bottom of the skirt. She might need legs later on but right now she sits on the hem of her skirt.

After I had her all formed I realized I should have poked the wire for her arms through first. Fortunately it went through everything easily. I used copper wire because that's what I had.

After she was mostly done I took a few pictures to share. She has german glass around her collar and shibori silk ribbon for a belt (thanks, Lorri Scott!).

I used lots of iridescent and gold acrylic to highlight her clothes.

I have to think of a way to give her legs or I may just leave her the way she is and move on. To the turkey. Because eep, that's tomorrow that I have to start cooking. Ack.

John kept coming in and looking at Birdy with a look of consternation. Poor girl, despite her dour expression she was a good and loyal playmate. We had so much fun together and isn't that what it's all about?

BTW, I still prefer paper mache. This isn't out of my system yet. ;-D

IEA, Nature & Sweet Somethings

Last night was our Portland chapter meeting of the International Encaustic Artists Association. It was such a stimulating time that I didn't remember to pull out my camera until most of the members had left and the work was taken down. Our group is growing rapidly and we have 2 shows coming up right after the first of the year. There was a lot to talk about.

We met in Amy Stoner's studio. Pictured above: Karl, Andrea, Linda, Karen and Natasia. Sorry Linda, I always seem to catch you unawares.

Amy is showing us a piece that she made in a workshop with Elise Wagner. In this class, Amy learned how to use a waxed plate as a printing plate by inking the wax with several colors of etching ink and then printing the 'plate' on an etching press, transferring the ink to dampened paper. This is an approach that never would have occurred to me but one that makes unusual prints.

Here is another waxed plate that was inked to be printed on the press. I can tell that the wax was applied with a bristle brush in crosshatched patterns. Intriguing!

John woke me up fairly early this morning for a little hike near our house. The rolling hills were covered with fog and thank goodness he urged me to grab my camera. Of course that made for a slow hike as I stopped to take photographs.

We saw a green heron, some wood ducks and crows. Some racing, happy dogs on our ramble. It was reverent.

Everything was hushed and silent in the mist.

And now for the sweet somethings. The flower cone above was sent to me from Wisconsin by Ruth Wichmann (no website I could find) who actually sent me two of these with instructions to gift the 2nd one to a friend (which I have). I met Ruth at the RaeVn's Nest and heard about her flower cones from others there. Imagine my happy surprise to find this lovely gift on my doorstep not two weeks later. Thank you again, Ruth. It is beautiful and my daughter loves hers too.

And another package of kindness arrived yesterday from Jane Royal, who has a beautiful blog and website. I have the notebook right here beside my keyboard as I type, reminding me of all I need to do today and the cards I will use in the coming days. Thank you, Jane, for thinking kindly of me. These treasures will surround me with sweet reminders of how thoughtful and generous the women are who come to my blog and to the retreats. It is a good world. The bad news is always the anomaly; never forget that. xo

Community of Artists

I'm just feeling happy today. Feeling surrounded by the kindness of people I cannot see. This is why I love blogging. Even though I live outside a city and don't get to see people other than John for days at a time I still feel connected. I read my blogs (over 100 on my bloglines; so many hearts to touch each morning), and I feel included. I want you to have this feeling too and I hope you do. Life is such a gift. xo

A Day of Sharing Words

This post is dedicated to my mother, pictured above, with Nathan, in 1989. She was very brave and I miss her.

Poem: "Wagons," by Maxine Kumin from The Long Marriage (W.W. Norton).

Wagons

Their wheelchairs are Conestoga wagons drawn
into the arc of a circle at 2 P.M.

Elsie, Gladys, Hazel, Fanny, Dora
whose names were coinage after the First World War

remember their parents tuned to the Fireside Chats,
remember in school being taught to hate the Japs.

They sit attentive as seals awaiting their fish
as the therapist sings out her cheerful directives:

Square the shoulders, lean back, straighten the knee
and lift! Tighten, lift and hold, Ladies!

They will retrain the side all but lost in a stroke,
the spinal cord mashed but not severed in traffic.

They will learn to adjust to their newly replaced
hips, they will walk on feet of shapely plastic.

This darling child in charge of their destiny
will lead them forward across the prairie.

Warm Wax, Warm Heart

Oh, it smells so good in the studio today. I've got the beeswax warmed up and I'm ready to experiment, invent and discover.

I've been moving slowly; November came on all too quickly for my taste. I'm already planning turkey dinner while the sun is shining outdoors and we haven't had a real killing frost yet. I'm all out of sync.

Lost in the forest again. I spend half my time rattling around in the dark, searching for the path. When I am the path. I remember, I forget. If you are a person with a clear destination then I envy you. I am a wandering-in-the-fog girl; a seeker and a questioner. November.

Keeping Cozy

The sun is shining and the wood stove is radiating warmth. All is cozy here even if not much is getting done. Well, John got his garlic in the ground and I did a painting. But things are moving slowly up our way. Fall moves at it's own pace and these golden days deserve to be savored slowly.

I turn into a real homebody in the winter. Not that I fill the house with apple pies and home made bread (well, on occasion I do) but that I just love to stay home and do whatever I choose as the mood strikes. Sort of like I do in the summer too now that I think of it.

I'm nearly up to speed again following my wanderings. Still sorting through a few memories and getting my lists organized. Oh yeah, baby, I'm going to get a lot done this winter. (maniacal laughter)

Shhhh, don't tell Carolyn that I've posted pictures of her new painting here. It's going to be a surprise. I've been looking at it a few days in the studio and it has a very calming effect on me.

Lounging lady surrounded by cats. That's my idea of heaven. Add a little fruit, a little sunshine, some nice scenery. Make life sweet.

The painting is 24"x30" on stretched canvas and the cats are from photographs of her cats. I love to make paintings personal. I added some of my favorite clippings around the border.

Returning to Mexico for a moment; here is a beautiful statue that was in the cemetery at Coatepec. Graveyards have a bittersweet attraction. One cannot really comprehend the mystery of death.

This triptych on wood (large; maybe 5 feet tall) hung on the wall of the restaurant La Sopa in Xalapa. The hands reaching in. Powerful and mysterious.

As one of my readers pointed out, Mexico has a long tradition of printmaking. This is the building, converted from a 400 year old hacienda, that houses the La Ceiba Grafica, a school for printmaking and other arts. We visited there and I took a few pictures and met the Maestro. It's an eye opener to see the support for all the arts in Mexico. In particular we found a large yoga and tai chi community with lots of health food stores, gyms and so on. It certainly goes against the grain of what we hear about Mexico in our media; i. e. crime, poverty, misery. Certainly there are beggars in southern Mexico but in most areas of Veracruz we found a thriving middle and upper class, well fed and well dressed.


There were several litho presses and etch presses as well. Areas to build frames and galleries of art to enjoy. You can come and stay awhile and enroll in classes. There's a website to visit.

Yummy oil based inks. Everything about a printmaking studio is beautiful.

And rolls of leather hides used to recover the rollers when they wear out. These students grind their own rosin, make a lot of their equipment and learn old world craftsmanship.

I'll close with another wood crucifix from the La Sopa Restaurant. This was not a fancy place by any means; just a university hang out for students needing a quick bite. But the level of art! Well, Mexico is the place to visit if you love to look at beautiful paintings, prints, sculpture, architecture and so on. It is a place to which most artists I know are powerfully drawn.