reflecting

spurs of un-understandable events, graphite, handmade watercolor, c. pencil on paper, image size 3.75 in. x 5 in., framed, available here.

Good morning,

Feeling reflective, I've been looking through my previous work, wondering and thinking of how the mysteries and unexplainable in life can inspire art.

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead.. his eyes are closed." ~ Albert Einstein

I hope you have a wondrous weekend,
H

bless you

I made this tiny artist's book in 2001, when I was finishing my last semester of grad school. It was a time of uncertainty and I think that is one thing that has recently reminded me of this piece.

Yesterday you saw my game face, well that wore off at lunch time and then I just couldn't fake it anymore. I know lots of you have certain stresses right now and I don't like to chime in to the hype the media plays up about the economy, but sometimes the pressures rise and you just have to acknowledge it, then move on. Amen? Amen.

We have been so stressed lately and I've been thinking about how it is affecting other areas of our lives. I won't go into details because I'm still figuring it out. But I think all this has led me to some of the recent subject matter and concepts in my work. I've been drawing rocks, feathers, shells and fragments, seedlings, roots and I'm also considering humor/irony again. These things feel honest to me, and while the meaning during the process is sometimes veiled, even to myself, I still follow it because I know it will lead someplace.

All of this is to say that this tiny book holds for me some aspect of myself, then in 2001, that I see now when I look in the mirror. I'm somehow looking in the window of yesterday, metaphorically and actually. And I just wanted to share this with you. I like to tell the truth and this is my space to do that. Hope you don't mind.

Oh, some of the materials I used in this book include : drawing ink, digital print, vellum, hymnal pages, graphite, conte crayon, toilet paper, egg shells and skin, punched paper holes, and thread. I love mixing materials and recognizing the stories they tell together, don't you?

This spring exhibition looks awesome, I wish I could go see it.

I hope you have a blessed end to your week.
H

seedlings

Hi,

I felt like drawing seedlings this morning - "fig. 1" and "fig. 2", graphite, watercolor, letterpress blind embossing on paper, 5 in. x 5 in. I think "seedlings" will become a small series, perhaps for the shop? or gallery? Don't know yet.

It seems the flowering shrubs and trees fared ok despite our little ice storm. That's good news!

Guess what? I will be a guest at habit throughout the month of April. I've been looking forward to it all month! So I may be here at my blog a little less as I will be there almost daily. And you know I'm always at the NP. Which reminds me, you have until the end of Tuesday to leave a comment about what you're noticing, and be entered into our giveaway. We'll draw a name on Apr. 1.

It's past lunchtime and I'm hungry. Think I'll make a cream cheese/cucumber sandwich and sit in the sun before getting back to work.
H

five

Howdy,

I have two new pieces to share with you, of the same series that I've been showing you this week.
} "salt and light", graphite, watercolor, letterpress, on paper, 5 in. x 7 in.
} worked on this piece today and don't have a title for it yet, watercolor, letterpress blind embossing, on paper, 5 in. x 7 in.

} May I brag on my friend Rachel, who made that sweet cow tag button in the left column? I'm telling you, out of the blue, she does nice things like that. She's awesome.

Have a nice night. I feel like soup, homemade bread, and chocolate chip cookies. How 'bout you?
H

four

} "1.2.3.", graphite, watercolor, letterpress, blind embossing on paper, 5 in. x 7 in.
} I spotted that pole one evening while on a walk. I like how the light is slightly warmer on the side that was facing the sunset.
} a few of our favorite things {have I shared this link with you before?}
} major texture goodness going on over here.

My spring break is officially over and I resume teaching today. I hope you have a great day!
H