FOCUSED

I love this piece.  This one will be hard to see sell.. and when I really, really love a piece, it will quite often be the first one to sell.  I titled this one "FOCUS" with those wonderful old welding glasses... the dark lenses there to protect you while you are working.  How important is this in life to keep your guard up.. to protect your intentions.   But also to stay focused.. keep on target.. mindful of the crucial need to keep a sense

of fun and whimsey.  So for me, this piece is about the balance of staying Focused.

His head is an old water canteen.. the kind the boy scouts used to carry.  The legs are copper that my husband made for me to use.  The feet and the knees are adorable.  Thank you Dan.  The bow tie,

an old sprinkler base and the hat is something I picked up at a thrift shop several years ago.  I then had no idea what I would use it for, but as these kind of things happen, it works perfectly for a hat for my little guy.

And, yes, I will say it again.  I adore this piece.

NOW

on to more creating. 

AHHHHHH.....

This is where my soul and heart is this morning.  I am sitting in immense gratitude for the gifts that have come my way.  I am reminding myself that the power to create abundance is in my hands.  Last night, I was so blessed to sell four of my dada creations.  Know that I loved them dearly, and to see them go leaves me a little sad :(  But truly, it also inspires me to create more :).  And to walk in the path of gratitude.

Finding your niche with your art is hard.  Finding your place in LIFE is hard.... but when you really learn to trust your INTUITIONS and your PASSION,

it no longer is difficult. Because, your heart knows.  Your head is a little slower in the knowing, but staying alert will finally get the mind's attention.  And last night I got it. I went to the opening at the Aspen Chapel

Gallery's SMALL WONDERS show with an undeniable quiet sense of knowing that I would sell my art.  Not only did I sell, but the numerous positive compliments on my work, the smiles the art generated, it was like walking around in a garden full of blossoming fruit trees: the petals coming down and kissing the deepest part of my creative soul.  Being surrounded by all the talented artists, all their creative outpouring on display was just so uplifting.  As I walked around the gallery, and looked at all their work, I felt each and everyone's energy.  It is so amazing to see all their heartfelt work. 

And I felt very honored to be among them.  Thank you Linda Deters for showing up and taking this picture.
It was so nice to see my friend before the big crowds arrived. 

ta

DADA WHO?

The last of my dada's in a series of 8 for Small Wonders at the Aspen Chapel..  I found the cool old match tin at a used store and knew it would be a great body for a dada.  The owl just came in on her own.  I used a rusty tin lid for the head, spotted the old barbwire and liked how it flowed off her head.  Next the eyes, old lens from a camera, and an old gear wheel.  (I always grab cheap or free cameras at yard sales to get these kind of parts.)  And into my vision of junk, I spotted an old ink pen nib (?)  and so appeared the owl.  So next? Why wings of course.  Those I cut from an old coffee can.  Now feet, hmmm.. ahhh perfect... old caster wheels!  I have a box of those so I chose the smallest ones I had.  The empty slot for a nest and a touch of whimsey, a wooden red heart.

See the arrow I drew for you?   I love this embedded rock in the barbwire!  Found this piece of wire on the road.  Just a fun little happening.

ta

ps link to Aspen Daily News about the Aspen Chapel  Small Wonders Show
      an article about the show.. though I am "renamed" LANDA DRAKE..
      sheeshhh..  I did add the correction below their article.

DADA ON A STICK

This DADA was challenging for some reason.  I used an old  brush that must have been used

for some strong varnish because I could smell it in the bristles when I heated them for distortion.

And noteably, I did it outside as I am fairly certain the fumes where horribly toxic.  Even the handle seemed

soaked with the old varnish.  Mind you old brush, but still present.  I started with his head using paperclay.

He just popped out.. and I loved his face.  After the clay dried, I lightly sanded it and then painted the colors.

Next I found some wacky wooden frog arms that I attached and I liked that they were open and out.

Next he asked for a bow tie and I of course gave him a polka dot tie.  An old button just seemed perfect to top it off.  Next his body.. I tried numerous things, and finally found an old nose complete with the

fuzzy mustache.. oh it was perfect.  But still I felt it wasn't complete.  Then I found in my junk box,

a wheel.  ohh sweet, perfect perfect. Even the outstretched  arms seem to say balance.  The challenge was I had to shorten the handle before attaching the wheel to comply with the 12x12x12 size rule for this Small Wonders Show. 

Here's what I am discovering the longer I do art.  I am beginning to get my level of "done".  You know, you

start a piece and when do you decide it's done.  Here's what I have found works for me.  It's in my gut.

I don't "think" about it.  I feel it.  Gut art.  Yeah..  that works for me.

DADA BIKER CHICK

(SOLD)

Just finished her.  I like her!  I used an old lock for her body.. and an old rusty bike chain for her arms.
Her wings are metal painted white, and her skirt is a little tart  cup that I flattened and cut into her skirt.
I used beads and wire for her feet.  Her head is an old top to some beverage can with the openings for her eyes.  I used a small metal red screw top squished into a mouth shape.  I punched holes along her crown and tied on some multi colored twine that I unfurled to make fuller.  I love her hair..  I want hair like this!~

SO I AM FEELING THE CRUNCH.

   Have 7 of these done, and need one more.  Though one of my dada's is not to my liking.  So if I have time, I will do another one.  Though often I have placed some art piece in a show, and even though I wasn't crazy about it, it sold.  So what do I know, right?  These will be going up to the Aspen Chapel Gallery for the

Small Wonders Show.  There are 30 artists showing 8 pieces ea.  Four are hung initially and then as

pieces sell, the remaining 4 are brought out to fill in.  I am not sure if we get to pick the first 4, but

I am requesting my pick and am sure they will comply. 

Opening for the Winterfest at Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts is tomorrow night, plus I am setting up tomorrow afternoon for the Unique Boutique which will be on Saturday.  I have more cards to do, plus other stuff I am taking.  I like to set up my "space" here at my studio to get a plan on how I am going to set up at the shows.  BIG HELP!  Yesterday I ran around town looking for Christmas tablecloths.   Yikes.  Didn't feel like spending $50 for those, so I opted for two colorful plastic tablecloths for my tables.  Think it will look just great, plus I was much happier spending only $10.  I needed more baskets but again, didn't want to spend the money.  So I found some nice open flat boxes and I will line them with holiday tissue paper.  Some garlands and twinkle lights and I will be festive and cheery.  Should be a fun day.  Plus snow is coming.
Good for sales!

After this weekend, I will be through my shows, at least the creating and hanging part.  Phew.  It will

be nice to move on to other art projects.  And to clean up my studio.  Getting a little nuts here.

ta

NEW WORK FOR UPCOMING SHOW

Last night, I  started on a series of 8 pieces of art for an upcoming art show at the Aspen Chapel Gallery called  Small Wonders.  We are to do 8 pieces of art 12 x 12 x 12 size limits that will show from November 18th through Jan 3rd.  And since I have just received my book Who's Your Dada? ( a marvel of art, by the way)....

I decided I was in the MOOD!  So I hauled out my stash of JUNK and started pulling pieces..  Now mind you this is just the tip of the iceberg on my collection.  And as you can see it's a great pile of STUFF.  Rusty cans, odd metal shapes, bottle caps, drift wood, well, you get the picture.  JUNK!!!!!

   So then I started playing.......  and here's what I came up with within a short time.....

A nice beginning.. all just layed out for possibilities..  have no idea where this stuff will take me.  Just have to

let the junk guide me along.  Play with a sense of FUN!

Old wooden hanger wrapped in cloth, old doll legs, rusty tin lids:  a start. 

But then this piece was completed this morning.

What is a little hard to see in this picture is the body is an old mini ham can..  and inside sits a very

old kid's shoe.. complete with a bell.  The "feet" are those rubber coated baby spoons.  The metal wings

cut from an old tray from Campbells Soups... an old canning funnel, and of course an old doll's head.

I found this sweet little kid's shoe at an old mining dump in Utah.  Complete with the bell.  It touched my heart.  You just wonder who's shoe it was, and where is that person now?  Certainly has no clue I am

taking his old shoe and putting it into an art piece!!!  Life is just amazing, isn't it?

One down, 7 to go.

ta-da