I've been stitching.

It never stops, no matter who sees or who doesn't. It's part of me, and what God has given me to use. Blessings.

from other times

Summer passes

The end of a long, long summer for me. So many things that I would like to say farewell to. I can only hope the fall brings peace and grace. I'm hanging on. Putting my fire dress on and hanging on. Art heals. Books heal. God keeps his promises.

I can not control the choices others make, even my family members. I can only pray, and go on... in a blue moon, and the end of the summer of trials.

If I can perfect my faith
Thy Grace is sure to come.
The more I give to Thee
The more I absorb Thy Balm
That heals my bosom’s pangs.
Without Thy Love supreme,
Nothingness all I am?
A dark and barren dream.

- Sri Chinmoy

Words do matter

Many many thanks to those who stop by and comment, look and keep up with this blog. It's not much of a word blog, there are plenty of those, but more of a visual and image blog. I do try and explain some of the thought process that goes into the making of the art.  Much of my work is word related, if not exactly with text directly, but by books, movies and poetry. I have much admiration and a bit of envy when it comes to those who are, as the Irish say, have the gift of gab. Musicians, poets, and writers amaze me with being able to evoke a feeling or scene, merely by using words. Over simplified, perhaps, non the less, still an amazing feat.

I am very fortunate, that the well does not run dry for me. I do not have 'blocks' or lack inspiration. I do get lazy, and lack direction, occasionally. When this happens, I go back to the basics, line, form, shape, color, etc.. working in my sketchbooks, going back to black and white. Simplifing. Luckily, it does not happen a lot.

I work on several series at once. It does not confuse me to do so. I am lately very interested in bluring the line between 2-D and 3-D.  Very interested, as well in dark to light and contrast, both in color and shapes.

And always hope for a little (or a lot!!) of narrative and story telling in the pieces.

Raising the surface and the bar a bit.

..and a little poetry to go on..

When my love comes and sits by my side,
when my body trembles and my eyelids droop,
the night darkens, the winds blow out the lamp,
and the clouds draw veils over the stars.
It is the jewel at my own breast that shines
and gives light. I do not know how to hide it."
Rabindranath Tagore

heart

Ah February, what is it about this month? It makes me crazy. I think it's like August, because it comes at the end of a long season. Anyway, been sort of working on some yarn love.

and I'm not sure what this is going to be yet, but it is shaping into something nice, I think.

this picture is hanging on the inspiration board, holes, tatters and all

japanese boro

I need some peace so..

Here are some images that make me happy.

A great wabi sabi tea bowl

Anselm Kiefer's work

Jane Campion's wonderful movie "Bright Star"

My hand dyed silk scarfs hanging out to dry. Peace.

Art inspirations for a rainy Monday, overcoming disappointment, re-kindling the creativity within, making the season of challenges one to come out on the other side strong, convicted and wiser. I wish you all a wonderful Monday.

summer thoughts

As birthday #45 approaches for me, I stumbled onto one of those long lists of things to 'live by'. By coincidence, 45 of them..I do not profess to follow all of these, but I'd like to. I think there is a little nod to Bill Cosby in there as well as Erma Bombeck. Both of whom I hold in high regard..

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written." My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1.Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you no one else.
20. When it to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.Enjoy!

good friday

The Maker of man was made man, that the Ruler of the stars might suck at the breast, that the Bread might be hungered; the Fountain, thirst; the Light, sleep; the Way, be wearied by the journey; the Truth, be accused by false witness; the Judge of the living and the dead, be judged by a mortal judge; the Chastener, be chastised with whips; the Vine, be crowned with thorns; the Foundation, be hung upon the tree; Strength, be made weak; Health, be wounded; life, die. To suffer these and suchlike things, undeserved things, that He might free the undeserving, for neither did He deserve any evil, who for our sakes endured so many evils, nor were we deserving of anything good, we who through Him received such good.
-St Augustine

love

If you celebrate it, Happy Valentine's Day. I wish you love in your life.

Rejoice!

image by May Smith


I wish you all the peace, joy and love that this one infant brought to the world. Merry Christmas.