What is it about a sunlit horizon that speaks to our wandering souls...?
Sep 9, 2008
The realm of gods and astral beings
Drawn like a thirsting traveler I drink in the perpetually mutating sight and fill a need to connect beyond my small experience. For here, amidst the roiling mists of heaven, I rest my gaze and lose myself to the realm of gods and astral beings. In the billows and forms, I find inspiration flowing through and about me, brushing cool upon my cheek, stirring my spirit.
Lily droplets
I don't know what the connection is, but I cannot help but collect photos of water droplets strung along grass blades, deposited upon petals, and captured in webs. There is a strange fascination for me in the reflective beads of water that capture the suns light and bejewel nature's kingdom.
Sep 7, 2008
Meta Morph
Meta-woman emerges, grown within a cocoon of time, breaking free and dusting off the refuse of her self excavations. An oft censored voice unveiling, breaks through tradition, rises up toward heavens and brings forth fruits from her spirit, as she takes shape. A unique beauty of transitioning form, for some disturbing and for others inspiring, withstands the assault of a world unready for her metamorphosis.
(This sculpture initially blossomed as Woman's voice and made her debut at our first studio on Madison St. and then at the Lynchburg Fall Art Show in 2007. Now, she has been transformed and been recreated into Meta-morph and resides at our last studio, Light Wings Gallery.)
(This sculpture initially blossomed as Woman's voice and made her debut at our first studio on Madison St. and then at the Lynchburg Fall Art Show in 2007. Now, she has been transformed and been recreated into Meta-morph and resides at our last studio, Light Wings Gallery.)
Found Object Art, encaustic, collage and acrylic
At the Art Show 2007 people were encouraged to engage with her....
Art reflects our passions and dreams. It is also a reflection of the community from which it emerges. I enjoy engaging the community in my work while using found or recycled items in an imaginative form.
For me this work reflects the integration of self and other, the paths we take, and connections made, broken, and re-connected. The experiences of our paths and others become part of who we are. Additionally, it represents the community that is alive in the person and art. I invite you to share yourself in the work by adding color through the wrap, flair through the baubles, or dreams written on the strips (hang or add into the wrap). Do not be afraid to touch or add more or less to the work – be yourself. I only ask that you be respectful of others and the work, but do not be afraid to touch or engage in the process.
Sep 4, 2008
Palin Pick
I'd just like to add my 1/32 worth (due to inflation) to the piles of rubbish that are heaping up over this political debate or debacle as it more correctly could be termed. The particular topic that I am referring to here as the Democratic Convention wanes and the Republican Convention waxes is the current Vice Presidential choice of Sarah Palin by McCain . My viewpoint comes from being a true independent for many years and as one who tends toward mediation and moderation in most levels of life and from having acted as a facilitator in various venues. First, I must share where I was coming from before this momentous announcement about Mr. McCain's running mate.
As I initially looked at the choices panning out for the presidential race this year, I never saw Mr. Obama as a politically unifying figure nor one who was particularly moderate. Also, I saw Mr. McCain as one who wanted to be that unifying, compromising figure but who often compromised in ways that challenged his integrity on issues or just made him look like he waffled a lot. I do not believe he is precisely a moderate but much closer than any other legislator, barring Lieberman. I'm not arguing here about what they support, supported or didn't but how they appeared in the decisions and actions taken. As I've gathered sparse information about each my viewpoint has not been moved very much in any direction from this original observation.
I have listened selectively to bits and pieces of what each has said, trying to filter out media generated comments and here-say. Two things have become clear to me. One is that neither candidate is specifically spelling out what they can and/or will do in office. Generalizations have been spun regularly by each allowing for adjustments with polling tallies. This is probably standard election speech etiquette and we're never going to get to the specifics no matter how much we'd like to hear it. It also makes sense in light of the fact that neither can truly state specifics as much as one might like to because in truth neither really will know until they are seated in the oval office. There are just too many variables and the people they are prostituting themselves to have no clue about the actual constitutional powers given to the executive branch, much less the legislative branch which is the one I feel we should make a bigger deal over ultimately. Not that we should neglect one over the other, just that one side is more diplomat and figure head while the other deals with actual legislation that concerns everyday life. Smartly so, the original framers did balance and interconnect the powers in such a way that none of the three branches wields too much power unless, as has slowly been occurring, one or more unconstitutionally usurp their powers. In truth I'd say we have more to worry about from the judicial side which comes back to executive influence but in the end is decided upon by the legislators. What a "tangled web".
The other observation is that not much is going to change in the way we as a people are viewed and treated by legislators or presidents or whoever. Only during election periods is what we say and think going to be given the slightest consideration and then only for the briefest of moments. On the whole it will be the politicians own personal feelings, beliefs, values and decision making that will be played out in the legislative, executive and even the judicial process. A bit cynical you might argue but I say more to the point if you step back and compare decisions, rulings and legislation as a whole against the actual players.
So, I must step back from all the platform rantings, turn off the media propaganda and actually take a look at records, actions and positions. I will have to get the information from strictly informational, government records because going to blogs, party sites or other biased media is only going to give me more of the spin that I am trying to avoid. This is of course because I DO want to make an informed decision and the sad truth is if I go to party controlled websites or listen to the candidates themselves or bloggers or others I am not going to get the facts. I will only get the facts from one perspective with a great deal of omissions that may in the minds of those others be confusing or conflicting. Mind you I am only in the midst of this as things are unfolding because it is not easy to get just simple facts gathered and separated from bias.
Getting back to this unusual decision made by McCain just one day ago. As the announcement was reaching its climax I had actually been considering not voting this time around because I had no clear picture of either man or running mate and nothing from my research to make me secure in the fact that either is the man I want in this position at this time. However, after the announcement of Sarah Palin had been made and I'd done a brief check into who she is, I smiled for the first time. In the words similar to Mrs Obama, I had hope for the first time. It is not a solid endorsement and is not going to made without further research and consideration, but it was the first refreshing moment in the entire campaign for me. Yes, the idea that a black man has made it to the nomination for presidency is new but not so surprising, considering where we are today, and the idea that a woman actually had a good run for it was exciting but the fact that Mr. McCain clearly thought this one out, compared the notes and stepped out on a political limb got my attention. This is a bold step and some may say brash, but it makes a statement that Americans for and against should acknowledge for its sheer genius. Mind you not all genius is necessarily good or bad; it can simply be innovative, new and eye-opening. I understand that for blacks this has implications that I cannot not and will not ever be able to understand. I also understand that as much as I and others (black, white, etc...) want to believe that we should be beyond this, whites are much more over or desire to be over the issue of slavery and oppression than blacks. We are not 100% color blind people and if I were in their shoes no matter how open minded and unencumbered I was, I'd have to admit I'd be excited over having someone that looks like me gaining power. How can I say this? Because I am of a gender that for centuries and in many cultures has been the equivalent of a slave, denied access to resources, denied access to due process and denied access to a political voice. My gender has been subject to the authority of men of every color and yes, we have made progress and things have changed for the better but would I like to see a woman in control, someone who looks like me, you bet your ass I would. Do I hate men? No. Do I think a woman should be in such positions simply because it is time or due? No. I simply would be excited over the idea and possibility of it. So at some level, yes I do understand what this is about. And god bless the woman of color because she is the one player who gets lost in the shuffle; she gets the double whammy so to speak. There is no way to make this a win win situation.
Just my viewpoint from this narrow space in time to be added to the thousands of tiring rhetoric being spewed around this campaign.
As I initially looked at the choices panning out for the presidential race this year, I never saw Mr. Obama as a politically unifying figure nor one who was particularly moderate. Also, I saw Mr. McCain as one who wanted to be that unifying, compromising figure but who often compromised in ways that challenged his integrity on issues or just made him look like he waffled a lot. I do not believe he is precisely a moderate but much closer than any other legislator, barring Lieberman. I'm not arguing here about what they support, supported or didn't but how they appeared in the decisions and actions taken. As I've gathered sparse information about each my viewpoint has not been moved very much in any direction from this original observation.
I have listened selectively to bits and pieces of what each has said, trying to filter out media generated comments and here-say. Two things have become clear to me. One is that neither candidate is specifically spelling out what they can and/or will do in office. Generalizations have been spun regularly by each allowing for adjustments with polling tallies. This is probably standard election speech etiquette and we're never going to get to the specifics no matter how much we'd like to hear it. It also makes sense in light of the fact that neither can truly state specifics as much as one might like to because in truth neither really will know until they are seated in the oval office. There are just too many variables and the people they are prostituting themselves to have no clue about the actual constitutional powers given to the executive branch, much less the legislative branch which is the one I feel we should make a bigger deal over ultimately. Not that we should neglect one over the other, just that one side is more diplomat and figure head while the other deals with actual legislation that concerns everyday life. Smartly so, the original framers did balance and interconnect the powers in such a way that none of the three branches wields too much power unless, as has slowly been occurring, one or more unconstitutionally usurp their powers. In truth I'd say we have more to worry about from the judicial side which comes back to executive influence but in the end is decided upon by the legislators. What a "tangled web".
The other observation is that not much is going to change in the way we as a people are viewed and treated by legislators or presidents or whoever. Only during election periods is what we say and think going to be given the slightest consideration and then only for the briefest of moments. On the whole it will be the politicians own personal feelings, beliefs, values and decision making that will be played out in the legislative, executive and even the judicial process. A bit cynical you might argue but I say more to the point if you step back and compare decisions, rulings and legislation as a whole against the actual players.
So, I must step back from all the platform rantings, turn off the media propaganda and actually take a look at records, actions and positions. I will have to get the information from strictly informational, government records because going to blogs, party sites or other biased media is only going to give me more of the spin that I am trying to avoid. This is of course because I DO want to make an informed decision and the sad truth is if I go to party controlled websites or listen to the candidates themselves or bloggers or others I am not going to get the facts. I will only get the facts from one perspective with a great deal of omissions that may in the minds of those others be confusing or conflicting. Mind you I am only in the midst of this as things are unfolding because it is not easy to get just simple facts gathered and separated from bias.
Getting back to this unusual decision made by McCain just one day ago. As the announcement was reaching its climax I had actually been considering not voting this time around because I had no clear picture of either man or running mate and nothing from my research to make me secure in the fact that either is the man I want in this position at this time. However, after the announcement of Sarah Palin had been made and I'd done a brief check into who she is, I smiled for the first time. In the words similar to Mrs Obama, I had hope for the first time. It is not a solid endorsement and is not going to made without further research and consideration, but it was the first refreshing moment in the entire campaign for me. Yes, the idea that a black man has made it to the nomination for presidency is new but not so surprising, considering where we are today, and the idea that a woman actually had a good run for it was exciting but the fact that Mr. McCain clearly thought this one out, compared the notes and stepped out on a political limb got my attention. This is a bold step and some may say brash, but it makes a statement that Americans for and against should acknowledge for its sheer genius. Mind you not all genius is necessarily good or bad; it can simply be innovative, new and eye-opening. I understand that for blacks this has implications that I cannot not and will not ever be able to understand. I also understand that as much as I and others (black, white, etc...) want to believe that we should be beyond this, whites are much more over or desire to be over the issue of slavery and oppression than blacks. We are not 100% color blind people and if I were in their shoes no matter how open minded and unencumbered I was, I'd have to admit I'd be excited over having someone that looks like me gaining power. How can I say this? Because I am of a gender that for centuries and in many cultures has been the equivalent of a slave, denied access to resources, denied access to due process and denied access to a political voice. My gender has been subject to the authority of men of every color and yes, we have made progress and things have changed for the better but would I like to see a woman in control, someone who looks like me, you bet your ass I would. Do I hate men? No. Do I think a woman should be in such positions simply because it is time or due? No. I simply would be excited over the idea and possibility of it. So at some level, yes I do understand what this is about. And god bless the woman of color because she is the one player who gets lost in the shuffle; she gets the double whammy so to speak. There is no way to make this a win win situation.
Just my viewpoint from this narrow space in time to be added to the thousands of tiring rhetoric being spewed around this campaign.
Aug 14, 2008
Summer VACA
Politics! OK, I need a vacation. . .
I'm loving the sun, surf and sand thing right here in the Outer Banks. This triggers the latent St. Petersburg, native Floridian thing in me, slow paced, easy goin' and "what the hey!" You just gotta love the life. The artist and writer in me says, "Why go back?" But then I just pack up at the end and return to the same old grunge just like everyone else.
Well, right now I'm not even thinking about that, no siree. Life is good and vacation is even better. Families are just a whole lot more fun to be with too. Everyone's got the, "boy this feels good," thing going on and we each do our own thing. Even the dog is more laid back than usual. With a beach to walk to, kayak to jump into or dock to fish from if you don't want to be around anyone, off you go.
It's funny to watch the ones we lovingly call the "Northern tourists" bring all their big city hyper-activity on a beach vacation. As my kids said, "why are people going to gyms and shopping malls at the beach? Don't they have those where they come from?" From our experience you can get the same things cheaper on sale where you came from or online? Local tourist shops are understandable and another great spot to be amused. Do they go on vacation to be as anal and uptight as they are at home? Those of us who know how to enjoy vacations are somewhat but not overly sympathetic of tight asses parked next to us on the beach. The bug sprays, tents, mantra music, side baby tents, arguing and crying brats, cell phone conversations that we get to share and other obnoxious luxuries for the beach need to stay back in the AC'd rental house until I leave. What part of a sunny, sandy, nature's wonders beach don't you get? I guess I was raised and raised my kids that the point of a vacation is to get away from the everyday, "normal" routines of life and appreciate the differences.
Talking about enjoying differences, let's talk eating. Oh my god, there's fresh seafood and summer veggies easily accessible and people are cramming into lines at restaurants. Maybe it's just me and my family but we can hardly wait to pick up the fresh seafood and bring it back to our beautiful canalfront house to prepare it and eat it with views that no restaurant can compete with. The fact that most of us can cook may be the reason we're eating better and cheaper than others.
Well I guess there's room for all kinds and if I gotta move farther down the beach then that's what I'll do. You compulsive anal types really need the "Vaca" more than I do that's for sure. Besides, you don't come out when I do at the crack of dawn with the pink lights of the great Ra rising over the Atlantic ocean. I won't find you kayaking along the quiet backwater estuaries or on my deck as I paint. You're not at my dinner table and I'm not dining next to your quarreling kids, so "what the hey!" There's a time and a place for all of us out here though things are getting a little bit more cramped every year on this little spit of land called the Outer Banks. I'm just glad to have this place to escape to once each year and the time to sit quietly thinking about nothing or something, whatever.....Maybe some nice friendly great white will come by and spare us all your return next year.
I'm loving the sun, surf and sand thing right here in the Outer Banks. This triggers the latent St. Petersburg, native Floridian thing in me, slow paced, easy goin' and "what the hey!" You just gotta love the life. The artist and writer in me says, "Why go back?" But then I just pack up at the end and return to the same old grunge just like everyone else.
Well, right now I'm not even thinking about that, no siree. Life is good and vacation is even better. Families are just a whole lot more fun to be with too. Everyone's got the, "boy this feels good," thing going on and we each do our own thing. Even the dog is more laid back than usual. With a beach to walk to, kayak to jump into or dock to fish from if you don't want to be around anyone, off you go.
It's funny to watch the ones we lovingly call the "Northern tourists" bring all their big city hyper-activity on a beach vacation. As my kids said, "why are people going to gyms and shopping malls at the beach? Don't they have those where they come from?" From our experience you can get the same things cheaper on sale where you came from or online? Local tourist shops are understandable and another great spot to be amused. Do they go on vacation to be as anal and uptight as they are at home? Those of us who know how to enjoy vacations are somewhat but not overly sympathetic of tight asses parked next to us on the beach. The bug sprays, tents, mantra music, side baby tents, arguing and crying brats, cell phone conversations that we get to share and other obnoxious luxuries for the beach need to stay back in the AC'd rental house until I leave. What part of a sunny, sandy, nature's wonders beach don't you get? I guess I was raised and raised my kids that the point of a vacation is to get away from the everyday, "normal" routines of life and appreciate the differences.
Talking about enjoying differences, let's talk eating. Oh my god, there's fresh seafood and summer veggies easily accessible and people are cramming into lines at restaurants. Maybe it's just me and my family but we can hardly wait to pick up the fresh seafood and bring it back to our beautiful canalfront house to prepare it and eat it with views that no restaurant can compete with. The fact that most of us can cook may be the reason we're eating better and cheaper than others.
Well I guess there's room for all kinds and if I gotta move farther down the beach then that's what I'll do. You compulsive anal types really need the "Vaca" more than I do that's for sure. Besides, you don't come out when I do at the crack of dawn with the pink lights of the great Ra rising over the Atlantic ocean. I won't find you kayaking along the quiet backwater estuaries or on my deck as I paint. You're not at my dinner table and I'm not dining next to your quarreling kids, so "what the hey!" There's a time and a place for all of us out here though things are getting a little bit more cramped every year on this little spit of land called the Outer Banks. I'm just glad to have this place to escape to once each year and the time to sit quietly thinking about nothing or something, whatever.....Maybe some nice friendly great white will come by and spare us all your return next year.
Jul 30, 2008
Enter the Blog-o-sphere
I humbly enter, recognizing that I am out of my league in this ethereal realm. However, I am willing to stumble clumsily into this "blog-o-shere" ready to learn, unlearn, up and download, unload, "p" some off, make some laugh, create thought, banish thought, play, practice and learn some more, so here I goooooo.....
Let's see, I am currently exploring the writing process and have been, seriously, for about two years. Poetry has always been my mainstay for sating the urge to write. When my children were young I would make up tales with them. Also, I have journaled for myself, albeit sporadically, over the years. After going back to school late in life, and discovering a wonderful, no phenomenal, group of visionary women I now find myself gushing with creativity both in my art and in my writing. I mean that quite literally, gushing. Gushing with ideas, stories, and visions in all aspects of my artistic expression. Some are linked and compliment each other while others are moments unto themselves.
Yes, I've got the extreme opposite of writer's and/or artist's block. It's more like diarhea at this point but not as disgusting, though it can feel as depleting after a few sleepless nights of fervent typing, designing, sculpting or painting. Knowing that this cannot last forever, I try to ride the energy peaks and just pour it out. Nothing like catching a good wave and finding yourself easily gliding across the page or canvas, so to speak. I admit to anticipating the final slam in the back of my mind when all this will ebb away and I will be forced into remission. Not good thoughts to be having at this time, but they are there all the same.
I was told at a Writer's conference that blogs are considered a sort of publication and can be referenced when submitting other forms of work. That's probably what motivates me the most, but I also need a place just to put the random thoughts that ride in along with my current literary project, a sci-fi/fantasy novel. Also, visual artists don't always get to release the inner verbage that for me often accompanies the creation of works. I hope this works on all planes but if not maybe it will just bring a blink of sanity into the manic existence that is my life.
Let's see, I am currently exploring the writing process and have been, seriously, for about two years. Poetry has always been my mainstay for sating the urge to write. When my children were young I would make up tales with them. Also, I have journaled for myself, albeit sporadically, over the years. After going back to school late in life, and discovering a wonderful, no phenomenal, group of visionary women I now find myself gushing with creativity both in my art and in my writing. I mean that quite literally, gushing. Gushing with ideas, stories, and visions in all aspects of my artistic expression. Some are linked and compliment each other while others are moments unto themselves.
Yes, I've got the extreme opposite of writer's and/or artist's block. It's more like diarhea at this point but not as disgusting, though it can feel as depleting after a few sleepless nights of fervent typing, designing, sculpting or painting. Knowing that this cannot last forever, I try to ride the energy peaks and just pour it out. Nothing like catching a good wave and finding yourself easily gliding across the page or canvas, so to speak. I admit to anticipating the final slam in the back of my mind when all this will ebb away and I will be forced into remission. Not good thoughts to be having at this time, but they are there all the same.
I was told at a Writer's conference that blogs are considered a sort of publication and can be referenced when submitting other forms of work. That's probably what motivates me the most, but I also need a place just to put the random thoughts that ride in along with my current literary project, a sci-fi/fantasy novel. Also, visual artists don't always get to release the inner verbage that for me often accompanies the creation of works. I hope this works on all planes but if not maybe it will just bring a blink of sanity into the manic existence that is my life.
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