4/27/24 So here I am again, hurting, not knowing what direction to go, yet following my inner voice to the next level of healing, of stripping away, of shoring up my infirmities, just to get on with life. I've taken up smoking weed again, to the horror of my pulmonologist, but they've left me with no recourse...I can't take ibuprofen, certainly not oxy, and the one and only dose I took of the alendronate (Fosamax) made me sick, dizzy, nauseous, throwing up. So weed is only my recourse against the pain. One side effect of changing my blood pressure meds is that for some reason, now I've caught up with my sense of eating right, I guess knowing that my weight is going to kill me if I don't get control of it. There's a guidance that I finally found in my own mind, of what to eat and how much, and what everything is doing to my body and mind and spirit. Not knowing the end result for osteoporosis is, disheartening, but I'm learning more every day. I'm a...
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February 2, 2024 I've been having a lot of thoughts about who I am, what I want to say in my journey as a human and an artist...it took many years for me to acknowledge that I am an artist. I have had to tell myself that alot in the recent past. I never thought of myself as an artist, since I didn't really produce anything material. I had written poetry, and in graduate school I finally discovered my writing voice, the voice that could actually write something well and had something to say. When I read someone who has a clear writer's voice and a story to tell, my soul reaches out to the perimeters of Story looking for mine...my mouth opens and closes around words, ideas, and pictures that remain locked in my head. I started producing things, potholders and quilts, but I finally realized I loved painting too, and that I had been using fabric as my palette all along. But it was never enough, the poetry and the quilting. I could feel it in my ...
January 12, 2024 Happy New Year Everyone. I am in the usual doldrums after the holidays, but I'm keeping up with my creative energies, the ones that keep me sane. I ran into an old friend at the coop today, after buying a book on the corner for $1, by Gail Godwin, a really good writer I've encountered before. My friend reminded me that she had two of my pieces hanging in her house, so we took the opportunity to renew first names so I could send her pictures of my various newer art and craft pieces on FB. I'll also take this opportunity to send her the blog, when I'm finished adding to it. My latest weaving, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. With a small weaving added in for interest. I built the loom out of a set of heavy-duty stretchers, attached it to my piano bench, and used a bunch of yarn donated by a friend who is an inveterate knitter. It's my first attempt at a large woven piece, and I hope to gain more control over the warping and d...
December 2, 2023 Christmas is sneaking up on us, and I found a bunch of Prayer Flags, which I'm about to post. These are talismans, amulets, special messages, focusing on the Sacred. We all need the Sacred in our lives, however you see it for yourself. I get thoughts of peace, guidance, comfort, elation, and "up among the elements" when I make these "Windows into the Sacred." Sometimes they name themselves, and sometimes I have to search for the names. We will be open for visits on Sunday, tomorrow, please come and see us. We will also be available, by appointment only, during the week. Check with us through Messenger, and we hope to be able to accommodate your requests. Prayer Flags Windows into the Sacred 1. Third eye Opening to all its Possibilities $ 75 2. Heart Talisman ...
After Thanksgiving... Well, I finished my Christmas shopping. Can't wait for the next Art Class, so I can finish my painting of Wissahickon Woods, taken by a friend and posted last week or so. Actually, I didn't finish, I need to get myself some real watercolor paints so I can work at home with the proper tools. They're on my list for later, once I get out from under some bills...Might wait until Orthodox Christmas, Father George's holiday. He's been gone for a couple of years, I think, but he still peeks in on my day, my Guardian Angel. And just in case you missed it, here's the current flyer for the pop-up Shop at Rachel's house... Its getting close to GIFT GIVING TIME!!!! Please join me @houseofsojourn and my Co-Host Lynne Watson of #NeedleWitFiberArt for our weekly #winter #popupshop on Sundays starting November 26, 2023 ~ 12pm-10pm #DM me for details:) s
The Week Before Thankgsgiving, 2023 So, at sketch and paint class, I did a study of fall leaves; and I tried to get some different shades of greens. I think it worked. I just need some more in between shades. Then I’ll have it. And the lighter touch with the brush is paying off. I think I might stitch it into a wooden frame. Weave around it somewhat… Getting ideas. Then I would show it to my maven artist cousin, and see how it flies. They are scattered throughout the last three generations, my artist cousins. I last counted 7 in 3 generations, going back to my great-grandfather. Here it is, Landscape with Fall Colors: A study of Greens Soon, more wall hangings and whatever else I have hanging around with price tags. Shakti:The Divine Feminine Consort of the Divine Masculine God Shiva -The Power of the Feminine....24" X 20" $150 The Red Door Painted, tie-dyed, machine stitched, ...
THE ARTIST In the 60’s I discovered a gift for sewing, when I received my first sewing machine. I have been been making fiber art since 1985, when I made my first 60 potholders and realized I could have made a bed quilt. I took a lot of classes in every aspect of fine craft and art that was available while I worked at Ingalls Fine Craft and Art in the late ‘80’s and early 90’s. I then began selling at craft fairs around the area. Potholders, crib quilts and placemats were my main form of expression, but I have since learned how to weave tapestries, make handmade books, needle books, prayer flags, window quilts, wall hangings and dream ca...