Here in my studio I have a lovely fig tree. I bring it inside in the fall when the leaves start to change and the temperature drops. Usually sometime in January it starts pushing new growth. This year the growth started a little early as I set my art studio back up to begin using it this past December. I can't help but say I see some sort of meaning or connection here. It gets even better. About a month ago, as I've been busy painting and organizing for my art show and spending lots of time in this little room listening to great music and singing along while happily creating, I noticed the tree began bearing fruit! I bought the tree three years ago and it has never born fruit. This is the first year that I anticipate eating fresh home grown figs. For me personally, this year has been spent pushing myself to grow and produce as I follow my path and passions. Every day I look at the fig tree and feel a sense of comradeship, connection and purpose as we grow together.
A Double Shot of Good Music
It's been a good music week. A friend called the other night and invited us to see The Chieftans with her and some friends at UMass' Fine Arts Center. What a show....there were lots of guests and surprises. Irish style dancers, a scottish "mouth music" singer, and full on local bag pipe group. They mixed up their set with all kinds of musical influences...bluegrass, spanish guitar, mexican ballads. Apparently they have a new album out featuring Ry Cooder. The album is called San Patrico where the musical souls of two nations, Ireland and Mexico, come together. Interesting. Lets see if I can find a song to post.... Even better, I found a post about the making of the album which is totally inspiring! The video highlights a beautiful example of the coming together of communities of musicians and cross cultural sharing. It's one of the reasons I love music so much! Check it out...
Tonight I saw more great, live music of the local vein and I only had to roll down the hill to the local "corner store" to enjoy it. Appalachian Still is the name of the band and some friends of mine are in the group. They all played a wonderful set of old time string band music: originals and old favorites like Deep Ellum Blues and Easy Chair. Good fun. It was a full house and was an excellent way to shake off the damp chill this evening. I'll be singing Honey Bun with this band in a couple weeks. Appalachian Still's bass player is hosting a South Pacific themed party. Interesting, huh? Old time string band meets South Pacific. I can't wait.
Here's a link to their website if you are so inclined to check them out...
http://www.appalachianstill.com/
Tonight I saw more great, live music of the local vein and I only had to roll down the hill to the local "corner store" to enjoy it. Appalachian Still is the name of the band and some friends of mine are in the group. They all played a wonderful set of old time string band music: originals and old favorites like Deep Ellum Blues and Easy Chair. Good fun. It was a full house and was an excellent way to shake off the damp chill this evening. I'll be singing Honey Bun with this band in a couple weeks. Appalachian Still's bass player is hosting a South Pacific themed party. Interesting, huh? Old time string band meets South Pacific. I can't wait.
Here's a link to their website if you are so inclined to check them out...
http://www.appalachianstill.com/
Welcome!
Welcome and thank you so much for visiting where earth meets sky today! I am interested in sharing many interests here... my art work, other creations that inspire, thoughts about the creative process, photographs, the gardens I work with and the music I love to listen to, find interesting and sing.
Living a creative life is what I love to do. I paint, draw, sing my heart out, take photographs, garden, get my hands dirty and grow flowers, herbs, vegetables and fruit. I love to cook and eat. I raise chickens and a couple of friendly cats. I get inspired by art, beauty and passion. I love the four seasons. I long to travel... through a song, a book, a piece of art or a performance if I can't physically go a long distance. I dance within my senses...
My intention is for this blog to be a window into and mirror of my creative process. It's an online journal of sorts. A place to share and reflect and a place where others can join in on the conversation. I love receiving comments and emails so feel free to introduce yourself, say hello, share your thoughts and creative inspirations. I hope you will return from time to time as I plan on regularly adding tidbits that reflect my love of the visual arts, music and gardens. Enjoy!
Living a creative life is what I love to do. I paint, draw, sing my heart out, take photographs, garden, get my hands dirty and grow flowers, herbs, vegetables and fruit. I love to cook and eat. I raise chickens and a couple of friendly cats. I get inspired by art, beauty and passion. I love the four seasons. I long to travel... through a song, a book, a piece of art or a performance if I can't physically go a long distance. I dance within my senses...
My intention is for this blog to be a window into and mirror of my creative process. It's an online journal of sorts. A place to share and reflect and a place where others can join in on the conversation. I love receiving comments and emails so feel free to introduce yourself, say hello, share your thoughts and creative inspirations. I hope you will return from time to time as I plan on regularly adding tidbits that reflect my love of the visual arts, music and gardens. Enjoy!
FERTILE GROUND GALLERY: Paintings, 2004-2010
FERTILE GROUND....A COLLECTION OF PAINTINGS
“Fertile - affording abundant possibilities for growth or development.”
The following paintings are from my show, Fertile Ground, which contains work I created between 2004 and 2010. I decided to call this show Fertile Ground because something that is fertile is rich and nourishing. It has the potential to produce, whether it is a thought or something physical. The work that I’m showing explores themes that represent energy and the myriad of ways it shows itself. Circles are a recurrent theme, from the round head of the African fertility goddess - Akua Mma, to mysterious glowing orbs, to the somewhat representational images of the sun and moon, to a seed and it’s potential. The circle represents the spirit of energy within everything as well as a symbol of constant change. The sun sets, the day ends, the seed is planted, the flower blooms then withers away and falls back to the earth, fruit ripens, a snowflake falls onto a muddy road then quickly disappears and the cycle repeats. Also, I am interested in expressing the magical time of twilight when light and color heighten against a backdrop of silhouettes and shadows. A day’s end can give us a last gasp of exquisite beauty and pleasure as we transition to night’s blanket of darkness and stars. The circle continues to turn. With my art work I invite the viewer to stop, take a deep breath and look around. See the magic in everyday events and the raw potential every passing moment holds.
“Fertile - affording abundant possibilities for growth or development.”
The following paintings are from my show, Fertile Ground, which contains work I created between 2004 and 2010. I decided to call this show Fertile Ground because something that is fertile is rich and nourishing. It has the potential to produce, whether it is a thought or something physical. The work that I’m showing explores themes that represent energy and the myriad of ways it shows itself. Circles are a recurrent theme, from the round head of the African fertility goddess - Akua Mma, to mysterious glowing orbs, to the somewhat representational images of the sun and moon, to a seed and it’s potential. The circle represents the spirit of energy within everything as well as a symbol of constant change. The sun sets, the day ends, the seed is planted, the flower blooms then withers away and falls back to the earth, fruit ripens, a snowflake falls onto a muddy road then quickly disappears and the cycle repeats. Also, I am interested in expressing the magical time of twilight when light and color heighten against a backdrop of silhouettes and shadows. A day’s end can give us a last gasp of exquisite beauty and pleasure as we transition to night’s blanket of darkness and stars. The circle continues to turn. With my art work I invite the viewer to stop, take a deep breath and look around. See the magic in everyday events and the raw potential every passing moment holds.
"Akua Mma" 20" x 16" acrylic on canvas 2004 not for sale |
"Akua Mma II" 20" x 16" acrylic on canvas 2004 sold |
"Potential" 20" x 16" acrylic on canvas 2004 available |
"Growth" 20" x 16" acrylic on canvas framed 2010 sold |
"Ripeness" 20" x 16" acrylic on canvas framed 2007 available |
"Reflection" 20" x 20" acrylic on canvas 2004 sold |
"Reflection II" 20" x 20" acrylic on canvas framed 2004 available |
"Tree's Silhouette" 20" x 20" acrylic on canvas 2004 sold |
"Winter Light" 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas framed 2005 sold |
"Winter Fence" 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas framed 2005 sold |
"Winter Path" 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas framed 2005 sold |
"Destination" 12" x 12" acrylic on canvas 2007 available |
"Rest" 12" x 12" acrylic on canvas 2007 available |
"Passage" 12" x 12" acrylic on canvas 2007 sold |
"Balancing Act" 14" x 10" watercolor matted and framed 2004 available |
"Illumination" 14" x 10" watercolor matted and framed 2004 sold |
"Green Space" 14" x 10" watercolor framed and matted 2004 available |
"Nasturtium" 10" x 10" acrylic on canvas 2005 available |
"Philodendron" 10" x 10" acrylic on canvas 2005 sold |
"California Poppy" 10" x 10" acrylic on canvas 2005 sold |
"Three" 9" x 12" acrylic on canvas framed 2010 available |
"Longest Night" 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas 2010 available |
"Five O'Clock on January 1st" 8" X 10" acrylic on canvas 2010 sold |