In Search Of Trees
I’ve spent the month focused on my online store, turning all thoughts and energy to jewelry, I am surprised and happy with what has been unfolding before me. The new designs seem to flow out of me coming from somewhere deep inside ~ these old hands ache but it’s a sweet ache. I do love what I do!
Later today, I took my camera out for a walk in search of trees. I needed a break from the computer and trees call to me and soothe my soul as little else can.
My walk ~ in a word ~ splendid
Trees ~ sky ~ Magic
“There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden,
but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.”
- Minnie Aumonier
The Heralds Of Autumn
Woke up to a cold, gray morning. Brr
As I stepped out onto the patio, my ears were greeted by the squawking of geese overhead as they made their journey south. The heralds of Autumn.
Afternoon winds gently blowing against the curtains. The smell of old leaves and earth . . . Reflections . . . Recollections of all the past Autumns . . . Time slipping by . . . Sweet longing for a place where I can curl up unnoticed and sleep in the late afternoon sun … warm and comforted . . . safe and loved
Weaving ~ Creating ~ For now, this moment is all I need. x0
Signs Of Autumn
The signs of Autumn have arrived. Brisk mornings, browning leaves rattling down the street carried by strong breezes and me with a cup of hot coffee in my hand watching the sun slowly rise over the mountain. What an incredibly beautiful day!
Quietly painting in the studio. Images & dreams I will always carry in my heart.
Sonoma Tree Line – Digital Painting – Watercolor & Impasto brushstrokes on layers – 8 x 10 inches
So many signs - Quiet Change
Ephemeral things – soft and fragile
Slower, Deeper – The Wheel of life Turns
To the Light of September
When you are already here
you appear to be only
a name that tells of you
whether you are present or not
and for now it seems as though
you are still summer
still the high familiar
endless summer
yet with a glint
of bronze in the chill mornings
and the late yellow petals
of the mullein fluttering
on the stalks that lean
over their broken
shadows across the cracked ground
but they all know
that you have come
the seed heads of the sage
the whispering birds
with nowhere to hide you
to keep you for later
you
who fly with them
you who are neither
before nor after
you who arrive
with blue plums
that have fallen through the night
perfect in the dew
- w.s. merwiin
And It’s August Again
A peak at a new digital painting I am working on.
Taking a break on the patio. It’s been a rather stressful week and I just needed to relax for awhile, so as I sat down, I noticed the antique bottle I had left out on the table yesterday.
I love these old bottles, the way the light reflects off of them, the soft muted colors and the way they make me feel nostalgic. Like dear old friends!
This bottle belonged to Aunt Margie and I know she would love the fact that I found such an unusual use for it.
Cleaned up my messy studio. Whew! Organized my acrylics, brushes and art journals.
Organic lettuce, homemade balsamic honey dressing, add some wine and good company and you have the makings for a perfect meal.
At the end of the day …
Nothing left to say …
Watching the sun go down over the hill … xo
What has been going on lately
The days of summer are going by so fast and I have been taking lots of photographs to capture the precious moments to soothe and comfort me in the winter. I will post more later.
Thought you might like to take a peak at my work space.
I am painting more. . .
Playing with beads and creating more necklaces . . . Enjoying myself
Making heavenly organic cacao truffles. Yummy! Many thanks to my friend Salina for this wonderful recipe.
I love this time of the year and all the good things that come with warmer weather barbecues, unplanned adventures, gathering my thoughts, journaling, sipping tea, going for long walks, visiting friends and creating fearlessly.
Finding refuge in the simple things – roses, stones and tree roots.
That’s all for today folks. xo
Out with the old, in with the new
For me Spring is always a good time to start new projects and today seemed like the perfect day to give my blog a new face lift. So here it is!
I am still in the process of dreaming up new things I can add to it later. Of course, there are some minor things that still need to be done.
Yesterday, I took some photographs while I was on my morning walk. Here are two that I would like to share with you. Can you guess what the second photograph is?
Photo #1
Photo #2
Tableau Of Pears
Here is an interesting tableau of pears that I found while taking my morning walk. It felt like I had somehow stumbled upon a secret hiding place where someone had placed four pears to ripen.
There they were waiting for the return of whomever put them there for safe keeping. A pair of worker’s gloves resting on the ground nearby and the quiet solitude of the place made me feel like an intruder of sorts.
I quickly snapped a couple of pictures and moved on. I looked around but didn’t see anyone, and I wondered about the story behind the pears and the mystery person who placed them there.
thought for the day;
“Without mysteries, life would be very dull indeed. What would be left to strive for if everything were known?” – Charles de Lint
Journey Of Courage
It takes courage to try new things and explore uncharted waters. Especially when our inner critic keeps whispering in our ear . . . I wouldn’t do that if I were you! You really don’t have time for this! Remember how frustrated you can get with Photoshop!
Today, I played around with some photographs taken over the past couple of months, and tried my hand at creating a photomontage/collage using Photoshop & Painter 7.
I tried several different techniques I had read about, and ended up merging them all together in this one image. Some of the techniques worked and some didn’t, but I sure had fun!
Photoshop and I have an uneasy relationship, and one of these days I am going to take a class. I know it would make my life so much easier!
thought for the day;
“Another word for creativity is courage.” – George Prince
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” – Mary Lou Cook
Creativity in the Kitchen
The studio is dark, silent . . . the easel sits empty.
However, in the kitchen, all is well!
Cooking relaxes me and engages me in a creative way . . . like blending the right spices or ingredients together.
I have homemade chicken curry simmering on the stove, and mangoes, papaya, and peaches in ceramic bowls on the counter waiting to be made into salsa. Yum!
My creativity for right now is focused on preparing wholesome, nutritious food for my family.
Peach & Papaya Salsa . . .
“Good painting is like good cooking, it can be tasted, but not explained.” – Maurice de Vlaminck
Friday
I spent the day wandering between the studio and the garden trying to decide on where to squeeze in another few plants.
What to do next . . . will it be herbs or flowers?
Being in the garden relaxes me completely. I love it! I feel myself becoming unstuck, more energized . . . open . . . cleaner . . . and inspired to get back to painting.
Take care and have a great Memorial weekend!
thought for the day:
“I don’t know what I’m doing most of the time, but that’s okay because I have a lot of fun. And, isn’t that the great gift of art? Always seeking, always growing and always having the time of my life.” – Tom Jensen
