Being a music lover, I was hoping for the music selection, but Gerald and Debbie knew that, so they assigned me the poem.  My first reaction after reading the poem was, “Oh CRAP!”  I’ll readily admit I struggled for several weeks, because I was being too literal.  Once I stopped over-thinking and started working from my heart, the piece evolved quickly.  I must have done a good job.  My piece was selected for the poster.  I am so very thankful to Gerald and Debbie for having the foresight to give me the poem.  It forced me to grow as an artist…a very good thing indeed.

Here is the poem.  It is based on a graveyard that is all that remains of the Dilworth community in south Texas.

“Requiem”

Goathead sticker vines thirst
among the headstones, caliche rocks

like skulls beneath the unforgiving
edges–agarita, huisache, Spanish daggers–

this rainless earth barb-wired, boxed in.
Bone white of crushed rock on the lane

beyond, a lone roadrunner skimming
the indifferent heat, behind him a shimmer

plumed with dust.  Undisturbed,
ants harvest a treaded horned toad–

stillness biding, sunlight rife–and among
the stones, a whirlwind, its brief.
                                                  David Meischen, Summer 2010

And here I am with my piece and the poster in the poem interpretation area…

And a closer view of my work, “Dona Eis Requiem (Grant Them Rest)”

David was there for the opening, and I was thrilled to share some time with him.  We had our picture taken together and signed each other’s posters.  Hopefully, I’ll get a copy of the pic and share it here in a few days.

’til next time…..

Four members of our Studio 105 art group were juried into this show by Ginny Eckley.  So far, three of us have sold pieces, and that’s a very good thing!

Here are some members at the opening…

Kate Owens, Suzan Engler, Annie Smith, Connie Hudson, Cindy Henneke

We are a happy, compatible group.  Can you tell?  And how about my aqua hair extensions…lol

Chores to do and weather to check.  Another Arctic blast has blown through here.  Sun and Spring temps would be a welcome change. 

’til next time…..

Hoping all of you have your own wonderful Year of the Rabbit. 

’til next time…..

Here are some of the things I learned in 2010:

I have released my inner joy and whimsy.  These have long been held at bay by painful insecurity and shyness.  I can finally enter places alone without knowing anyone.  I can meet and greet strangers and love doing it.  I can just be me and be confident that is good enough.

I am a fiber artist, not a wannabe or pretender.  I’ve been the top seller at Copper Shade Tree’s annual fiber art show for the last two years.  I’ve won a People’s Choice ribbon at a fiber show.  I was invited to join some mighty fine fiber artists in creating a group piece for competition.  That did wonders for my confidence.  Thank you Connie Hudson, Kathy York, Frances Holliday Alford, Leslie Jenison, and Barb Forrister.

I can create art-on-demand pieces.  Wasn’t sure about my ability to do this since I tend to create what my muse whispers in my ear.  I don’t do much sketching, just follow my heart.  Twice this past year I had to follow specific guidelines as to subject matter and size.  One piece came instantly and never veered from my original thought.  The other was a difficult process until I realized I was thinking way too much.  Once I returned to my heart, all was right with my world.  Great learning experiences!

When I love someone, I hold him tenderly in my heart and will do my best to make his day a good one.  I’m faithful.  I lead with my heart.  Sadly, a relationship ended, and my heart was torn apart.  I survive, but my heart still remembers.  Surely, there is a man out there who will appreciate and adore this tender-hearted Texas gal. 

I empathize too much at times.  When friends go through rough times, I am there when needed.  Unfortunately, I let too much of their pain weigh me down.  I’m learning to recognize when to step back and take care of me.  Not easy, because I am a nurturer.

Best of all my reflections…life is good.  Days that suck the joy out of me will come along, but I don’t have to stay in those places.  Those days are not the norm.  Good days rule!  In the words of Jimmy Buffett, “Breathe in, breathe out, move on.”  And I shall!!!

’til next time…..

Hmmm...the smile begins.

Oh yeah!

And what causes such whimsy to escape?

Blue fingers, of course!

Nothing like playing with Neocolor pastels to put a smile back on a gal's face.

Gotta go play with some other stuff!

’til next time…..

Gerald and Debbie Tobola

Owners of Copper Shade Tree Gallery…my mentors…my friends…”nuf” said!

Visit Gerald and Debbie at http://www.coppershadetree.com

’til next time…..

Tyvek

Tyvek up close and personal

batting

stabilizer

cheesecloth

Although I was “glowing” like crazy, I was having such a good time.  Playing is good for the soul and highly recommended for all.  As a bonus, I have new stuff to use.  Another good thing! 

’til next time…

 Four of us from our Studio 105 fiber art group took a road trip to Dripping Springs to see the Austin Fiber Artists show and sale.  Venetta, Hope, and I began the journey by traveling to pick up Cindy and touring her country home and garden.  Both were beautiful, as is Cindy’s hospitality. 

Back in the car and headed toward the show…”Oh, anybody hungry?”  We stopped for lunch at a little country cafe.  The shared blackberry cobbler with ice cream was yummy. 

Back in the car and headed toward the show…”Wanna stop at Yarnarama?”  We stopped in an even smaller country town at a wonderful yarn and fiber store.  To say we underwent a brief period of insanity is an understatement!  Shhhh, we won’t tell that Cindy won…lol  Here are the silk hankies and dyed wool curls I bought:

Back in the car and headed toward the show…”Oh, there it is!  Turn in.”  Yes, we made it to Wesley Gallery to see the nice work of the Austin fiber artists.  I enjoyed seeing friends there, and we all enjoyed meeting new people and discussing techniques.  And wouldn’t you know it, the gallery had some really nice silver jewelry.  Darn the luck!  They made more than one sale.

Back in the car and headed toward home…”Oh, there’s one of the peach stands!  Pull in!”  We don’t get a chance to have Fredericksburg peaches down in our area very often.  Had to bring some home, and yes, they are yummy.

Back in the car and headed toward home…”We’re here.”  Time to meet Cindy’s husband and then say goodbye. 

Back in the car and headed toward home…”Well girls, we made it!”  Hugs and kisses, and Venetta and Hope took off for their homes.

What a Super Saturday!  Thanks bunches girls!

’til next time…..

Anyway…thought I’d share sneak peeks of a finished piece and the bead “time sponge.”  I’d show the full images, but both will be entries in juried shows.

’til next time…..

Some of my flowers seem to appreciate the H & H much more than I do.  Lantana and “Hot Lips” Salvia are going crazy in the backyard.  And the Rudbeckia and Conflowers are doing nicely.  Love those pink Coneflowers!  The new Purple Porter Weed, for butterflies and hummingbirds, is sending up flower spikes also.

Rudbeckia

Coneflower

Time to get with the program.  Hoping to avoid that H & H as much as possible.  Tomorrow, my fiber art/surface design group meets.  It will be good to be with friends for a few hours.  We’ll be planning the remainder of the year.  Even though this will require being out in the summer elements, I’ll just think cool…lol

’til next time…..