Miniature crazy detail!

This is a small gourd that we purchased in Quito, Ecuador, with a story wood-burned in. I fell in love with the miniature detail throughout it's three-dimensional being. It's quite crazy when you look closely at it -- as the imagery flows perfectly together from one turn to the next. I can't imagine how it is done with a wood-burning tool.....

So many layers!

My husband and I returned recently from an amazing trip to Ecuador. The first half of our trip was spent in the rain forest near a tributary to the Amazon. It was here especially I marveled at what it is that I'm not able to see, but that is able to see me. Above is a picture I took where this is summed up perfectly. Perhaps you can see him/her? It is slightly to the left of center.....

The magnitude of the layers that where all around me no matter where I looked was so very inspiring. I could have easily sat in one spot for a very long time to just observe all that was in front of me - that in a glance wouldn't have been captured in my gaze (and then maybe not even!) unless it hopped, crawled, leapt or swung.....

Stay tuned. I'm working on organizing my photographs from this trip and am looking forward to sharing more....

I can hardly wait!

This last week I received notification I am officially enrolled in a 4 day workshop coming up in June. I can hardly wait! There are pre-conference workshops and post-conference workshops, seminars, guest speakers, exhibitions, along with so much more! All are a part of Confluence, a bi-annual Conference through the Surface Design Association. The Textile Center in Minneapolis is hosting this 2 week event.

My instructor for Mix It Up! Mixed Media Collage is Wen Redmond. I'm delighted and so very excited to see what I walk away with. I feel I'm already dabbling in mixed media and would love some insight on how I could better tie all of my (or at least a fair number of them) various interests and different materials together. This seems like a perfect fit!

The description for my workshop is: "Make your mark! Mixed media embraces the unknown and the unexpected. Participants will use created fabrics and cloth collage. They will experiment with mediums and textures. Get inspired! Be open to serendipity! Investigate layering techniques, unique stamping, image transfer, easy monoprinting and more exciting collage secrets. Embrace the unexpected! Mistakes are opportunities to let go of prearranged outcomes and listen to the inner muse. Experimentation is key!"

Sounds pretty neat, doesn't it? :)

I had an idea and it involved gold leaf....

As much as I wanted to say this painting was finished, I  knew deep down it wasn't. How did I know? Because I had an idea that I kept shooting down and trying to forget - all to no avail as it kept hounding me. So I gave in and am thrilled I did so! You can see the latest detail/addition to my painting, My Inner Reptile. I still have a few more layers to do, but that is all, and then for sure it will be done  :)  As always, do stay tuned....

Curiosity and Mystery

I'm trying to hang onto being curious. Curious with a capital "W" for Why, What, Who and When..... And we can't forget about How so I also need to have Curious with a capital "H"....

I feel there is a direct correlation between being curious and playing (creating) and I feel I have lost these abilities (to some extent). If I can devote time to being curious (read more here), I then imagine I will take the time to play and lose myself in the mystery of it all.

I think having a magnifying glass with me at all times will help......

Millimeters and centimeters

I'm becoming acquainted, and I'm sure by the time the last page has turned, good friends with millimeters and centimeters.  This delicious, eye candy book caught my eye at a local bookstore the other week. I am in love with the itty-bitty detail of it all found in the fruits colors, textures and forms. And to think some of these are just a few millimeters in length is really quite mind-boggling! And then to realize these works of art (if I may call them such) actually exist!! As with most things in the natural world - it just takes time to observe and really see what is already around us to then be able to learn to appreciate the simpleness in life.....

Happy New Year to All!

And so it is the 2nd day of the New Year and I can't help but wonder what is in store in the months ahead. Curiosity has struck and I am feeling there are possibilities and potentials out there waiting for discovery.  I'm excited to have this feeling!

So last year I started the year off with resolutions... And how did I do with these over the past 12 months, you ask? There are many I touched upon and a few I didn't. And it's okay I tell myself if I didn't accomplish all that I set out to do. Because in their place there were many more experiences I wouldn't have imagined near a year ago that I was able to participate in. Isn't that what life is really all about?  I kinda think so. Not to control, but instead to live in the moment and allow what is meant to be to be.

It's very much like how I approach a painting! So will I set new resolutions for 2011? I like that I put out into the Universe the ideas and deadlines (per say) I'd like to accomplish, but really it's all a lot more fulfilling to be in/to live in the process and not just for the end result. That is really what it is all about.

So I wish you, my reader, a very joy and process-filled year ahead. May it be luxurious in ideas and living in the moments!