Drawing Challenge: Mandala

On my list: make a gift for an ill friend and make a mandala for the Drawing Challenge.  Serendipity!  Creating a healing mandala became the order of the day.

'Mandala for A Friend' - 7.25"x6"; acrylic and paper collage on watercolor paper

detail

Many thanks to blogland's dear tiny woolf for the challenge of the week.  Make sure you head over to her most interesting blog where many more mandalas are whirling.

As I Left It

'Passing Over' acrylic collage on paper; 12"x9"

detail 1

detail 2

My work table as I left it mid-month.

I am anxious to return to the studio tomorrow, looking forward to continuing the work for our Juneau exhibit in December as well as a couple of group shows here in town this fall.  My creative cup feels full to overflowing from the brief time of traveling just ended.  Are you flowing?

Road Trip

Denver to La Junta Colorado, to visit my father's old home town.

On the way, we passed Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs, a hazy morning due to forest fires in other parts of the west.

Rocky Ford, Colorado - my Dad stayed in a room in this building during the Great Depression while he worked washing dishes in his Uncle Bob's Green Lantern Restaurant the summer he was 15 years old.

Rocky Ford's high school sports team name was emblazoned on a local shop window.  They were the rival to my Dad's home town team, the La Junta Tigers.

The storefront on the left was the site of the Green Lantern.

Figurines in a thrift shop window on the main drag in Rocky Ford.

Near La Junta we explored Bent's Old Fort, a trading post originally built during the mid-1800's as a trading post for the westward expansion of the United States.  They want you to stay on the trail, right?

Prickly Pear cactus and rattle snakes (not pictured, whew) menace those who stray.

The Fort lies along the Arkansas River.  The landscape is flat, flat, flat.

Old equipment bakes in the sun outside the entrance to the reconstruction.

Our most surprising discovery was the presence of a Peacock.  The docent said there was indeed a Peacock at the Fort during the olden days, serving as a guard bird.

Also surprising was this very friendly little cat who claimed to be a direct descendent of the cats who lived here in 1839.

The adobe structure utilized fur as insulation around doors and windows.

Bee Hive ovens inside the Fort.

Inside the thick adobe walls, the rooms were relatively cool.

View of the prairie through gun port on the second level.

After the Fort we had lunch and then started back to Denver.

 Along the way we saw lots of fields of corn, peppers, alfalfa, and melons, but pictures from the moving car didn't make good blog photos.

We stopped at a fruit stand and bought one of the lovely watermelons pictured in this bright yellow case.  Bought a cantaloupe, too.

Took a pass on the squash, but they were sure interesting shapes.

I will be traveling toward home again in a couple of days.  In the mean time, best wishes from Colorado.

Drawing Challenge - Spider

web outside my studio

Spider - excerpt from my favorite book about symbols

making a spider stamp

starting the 5 of Spiders card

The 5 of Spiders - recycled business card with acrylic, gel transfer, pattern tissue, gold gel pen,  and rubber stamp

the deck so far

Thanks to Renilde for weaving her web of inspiration around us this challenge.  Many more arachnids to view over at her marvelous blog.

300

the three-hundredth post

Thanks to all Readers and Bloggish friends from both Flossy and I.  This little backwater of Blogland has given me so much more than I ever imagined, most importantly in opening my view of the world through the lens of your artful blogs.

Drawing Challenge: Swim

The drawing challenge this week - 'Swim' - was brought to us by the talented Rachel over at Hi Happy Panda.  As a Pisces, the watery theme intrigued me.  

'Sink or Swim' - acrylic collage on paper; 9"x12"

One of my most vivid swimming memories is of a time on the Columbia River at the Tri-Cities in Washington State.  In the August heat, I took a dare and leaped from the shady bank into the snaky brown water, a living creature roiling past.  The water was cold but so refreshing.  I felt the current grab me and sensed the depth of the river - a thrilling and wonderful experience!

detail

I hope I get the chance to jump into a deep river again some day. 

Epiphany

detail, acrylic collage on paper

Years ago my parents and I took a trip to Paris in celebration of my newly-minted MFA degree - a once-in-a-lifetime trip which I will always treasure in my heart.  Among the many memories, our visit to the Musee Picasso stands out for the epiphany I had there regarding art making. 

'The Trumpet Shall Sound' - acrylic collage on paper, 9"x12"

As we wandered through the extensive collection of the Great Man's work, I realized that it didn't matter if my work never sold or received any public recognition at all, but rather that the MAKING was the thing.  The joy of creating is enough.  Huzzah!  Epiphany!

'Vessel' - acrylic collage on paper, 9"x12"

Grrl + Dog has a brilliant post this week on the same topic. Ever had a maker's epiphany?  I would love to hear about it.  Happy making, all!

'Archipelago' and Studio Progress

Friday afternoon we hung the Tongass Rain Forest Festival 'Archipelago' exhibit at the Clausen Museum.  Here are the two pieces I have in the show, which you have seen details of in posts over the past couple of weeks.

'Archipelago Jewels' - hand dyed cotton with beads and hand stitching; 9"x12"

'Eye Land' - hand dyed cotton with beads and hand stitching; 3"x5"

This coming Friday my solo exhibit of 20+ new dye paintings opens at Miele Gallery here on the island.  I am excited to see the work hanging together, out of my studio.  Always seems to look a little different in a formal setting.

Now that these two shows are done deals, I am continuing to paint toward my December exhibit with Pia Reilly in Juneau.  There are new acrylic-on-paper collages taking shape on my work table.  

Just starting out... these are about 9x12 inches, cut from one of my old water colors, gessoed over

The same three paintings, late in the day

detail of the far left painting, as I left it last evening

I am having a wonderful time immersed in paint again, appreciating the directness of the process.  Can't wait to get back to the studio tomorrow.  Happy Labor Day those of you in the United States. and happy September to ALL.