River Garden Studio

to share with artists

This weekend my art group, "Open Doors" met at an artist and new friend's house, Margie, who lives on the hills above Ashland, Oregon.  I drove over with Lynne, and our conversations alone inspired me so much that I worked on art projects even after dark, which is unusual for me.

Margie's house is filled with her artwork, both inside and out...

She is primarily a metal sculptor, but also works in mosaic, collage and paints.

Here is her lady of the garden...

and one of her treasure piles...

Seven other artists and I talked and shared artwork for hours, down in Margie's studio, a converted barn. A wood stove kept us warm as the rains came down.

And the artistic energy was flying...

Here Margie show's us one of her latest pieces in progress.

And here are some of my pages for Inner Works in progress...

What a wonderful thing... to be an artist... and to share with artists...

winter tree

winter tree... reach high... find the light

 

This last week our world became frozen in white fog.

No sun but beautiful moonlight  each night.

I have been working  on this encaustic piece.  My first try ended up having all it's layers and wax scraped off.  The tree pictured is the one that I look out on (and that I am looking at right now) from my studio window. The type is from my very old little black Royal typewriter, and on the end of the bead I wrapped a piece of rice paper that looked like bark with copper wire to symbolize a tree.

  

I photograph these chairs often... this was taken on a still-dark morning before work.  Click to see al the ice crystals!

My window over the kitchen sink, with a very white background...

A Czechoslovakian perfume bottle on my desk.  I have a collection of these.  I am starting to realize how they are influencing me, especially their lacy metal work and faux jewels.  

We have junco's everywhere today!

 

Here is a project tray filled with attempts at jewelry... I got two new books yesterday!

 

On this day the wind chimes were still...

but today the ice is melting and the little birds are bathing in puddles on the recycled brick patio.

Here is a close up of an encaustic collage/ painting that I did on an old piece of wood.  The print is a copy of a pottery roof tile from China, Ming dynasty.

A yellow finch drinking and splashing...

And.... "A flower preserved in time"  made with a Chinese influence. 

On the bottom is an image of a "scabbard,"  (an ornate sleeve for a dagger), and partially visible are copies of two bamboo paintbrushes with wolf hair.

I am not sure why cultures from the past are holding such an influence on me right now, but I am really intrigued, especially with tile, textiles, metal work with all their patterns and symbols... 

And now I am wondering, what intrigues all of you right now?

carve out your place

and embrace art...

This is a piece I started awhile ago, and finished today.  I am exploring the art of encaustics.  I don't have all the supplies, but have been experimenting with those that I do have and am ordering the rest.  The process is so much fun, and I have so much to learn.  I don't know if I have done anything "right" but wanted to share this anyway!

As my life calms down again I am truly embracing art.  This is another close up.  I like the transparent effect.

I am in an exciting collaboration with five other artists called Inner Works

Myself and five other artists are all altering a book to our own theme, and mailing the book around the world for the other artists to contribute their own art to.  I am thrilled with all the ideas the others have so far.  My theme is "Earth Tones." Please read more about my project and all the artists on the Inner Works website and watch as the project grows...

The other artists are:

Jazworks

Veronica Funk

The Altered Page

Rita Vindedzis

and

Supria Designs

I hope all of you are working on your own projects as well.  How can say thank you for your treasured comments as my family goes through changes?  I really feel that with my connection to all of you, I am not alone.  And from the stories you share I know that mine is a common one and that I can learn from all of you. My father is doing really well in his new home.  Have a beautiful week.