AUNT TILLIE

She is done. Conservative despite her way over processed hair. Aunt Tillie never changes anything about her. She seems to wear the same style of clothes for years now and her hair do same. So a light blue Peter Pan collar blouse with little white buttons.

I am now on the lookout for more similar brushes. This will be a series I think.

Tonight is the opening for the Go Figure art show at the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities that I have my piece "Being Still in Nature" showing. So we are going to that. Though after a busy day in my studio, I am ready for a NAP!

oh well, art calls.

ta

BREATHE

"IF YOU ARE WAITING ON THE WIND, DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE."

Another assemblage done. I used the other wooden shoe insert and created another art doll. Because "NOW" -the birthday angel I made the other day- sold so quickly, AND two more of my art pieces at the WW gallery, I need to replace the empty spots with more art. ohhh love that..... MORE ART, PLEASE!!! (doing the gratitude dance here!)

Again, I used an old doll head, but this time, cutting all her hair off. (And I have to admit, it's so liberating to do that!) Then created a new do with recycled packing shreds.. they are zig zag-y and look so cool. She has the spiral tattoo on her forehead to remind herself to breathe. Her heart is full and she keeps hope alive no matter what comes to her on the wind.

I used a line from one of Jack Johnson's songs. The album is "Sleep Through The Static" and the song "All At Once". I love and adore his music. He's probably about my son's age, but must be an old soul because the wisdom in his lyrics is so incredible. I have not found a musician/writer that I am so crazy about since James Taylor, who I still listen to.. but I must say I have been listening to Jack's music a lot lately. Like all the time. And it's wonderful to make art to.

But today I think I will listen James Taylor.

ta

BIRTHDAY ANGEL

So I promised to do some BECAUSE art after the wild women art show and yes, too-da-loo and

laa-laaa-la-laaaa-laaaa..... BECAUSE Today is my birthday and as a present to myself I did art in my jammies here in the studio all day. ALL DAY!!!! And here's what I created!

She is a birth angel here to remind us to stay focused on NOW. You know how when your birthday rolls around it's one of those reflect kind of days. Where you've been, where you are going. And I thought about how it's so important for us to stay in the NOW. Because that's really all we have isn't it?

So...I used a wooden shoe stretcher that I repurposed into her body. The wings are oyster shells that I found in Hawaii.

If you look closely, (click on image) you can see I transferred text from dictionary pages on the shells. I loved using the oyster shells for her wings. I drilled holes in the end so I could screw them onto the wooden body. I don't know if you have ever tried to drill sea shells, but it is nearly impossible. But oyster shells are, I am happy to say a Breeze!

The old doll head I attached and then I wrote journal notes on her forehead about learning to stay in the NOW - maybe now she will remember the message! The nest with the egg is the symbol of birth and renewal. I painted the tree growing on the foot.. the base of her life. The tree of life. I like this piece. Not sure if she will go on to the WW to sell, or on etsy or who knows. But for now, I am happy she is here in my studio. I want to be with her for NOW.

It is so lovely to spend a day of fun. Reminds us of the real joys in our life. Play. What a nice thing for us... I am thankful and grateful for the day.

ta

NOTE: I DID DECIDE TO TAKE HER OVER TO THE ART CENTER YESTERDAY (6-16-09) AND ADD HER TO MY MIX. JUST GOT A CALL TODAY (6-17-09) THAT SHE SOLD WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF MY HANGING HER. I AM HAPPY, BUT A LITTLE SAD TOO.

I REALLY LOVED HER, BUT SHE WILL GO ON TO NEW AND BETTER THINGS. SO PERHAPS THAT IS A SIGN FOR ME SINCE THIS WAS A PIECE I CREATED ON MY BIRTHDAY. MOVIN ON.