Thursday, March 30, 2017

A Long Weekend in the Country

I just got back home from a nice, long weekend in the country - east Texas to be exact. We try to get away as often as possible to escape from the Houston noise and traffic. This past weekend was a rarity - one of the beautiful, not yet scalding hot types. We were lucky to see nature at her finest.  

Red Spotted Purple butterfly.

This beauty stopped by and stayed to visit for a while. We also did the obligatory wildflower viewing. Everything is blooming early this year, and plants that don't normally bloom at the same time are doing so. While it's beautiful to look at, it's  concerning to me as well. Everything from Bluebonnets, Clover, Queen Anne's Lace, Thistles, Dewberries, Paintbrushes, Blanket Flowers . . . the list goes on. However, I never saw the Dogwood bloom this season. I felt the loss and hope they will return next year. 

Bluebonnets in bloom.



Thistle in bloom.













While this post may not be strictly art related, nature is a recurring theme in my work. I feel the most relaxed there; at peace just being still. This is one reason (among several) that I am so excited to be teaching in the summer session of the Artful Gathering online retreat in June. I have created a class in which students will be making nature inspired cage dolls using mixed media assemblage methods.







Registration for the class opens on May 1, and you can find more information here. I hope you will join me and the other instructors for a wonderful retreat experience. No matter what, try to get out and enjoy nature any time you are able!

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Welcome to my home workshop!

 Welcome to my workshop. This is where I make my mixed media assemblage art; where I spend my free time making messes, mistakes, discoveries, and ultimately – art. I love​ my workshop because here I’m free to ask not “Why?” but “Why not?”

Outside my home workshop. Welcome to Houston!



Mural in progress.
Why not pick up discarded items others no longer want? Why not mix them with other pieces, clay, paint and imagination to come up with something completely different? Why not utilize all of my skills instead of limiting myself to just one or two? Why make a rocket powered hippo with wheels? Well, why not?














Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday!

Today is small business Saturday! If you would like to learn how to make your own miniature gargoyle and cathedral, you will enjoy my c...