Wiley

'Rabbit's View' woodblock print; Kathleen Faulkner

If you look up coyote on the internet you'll find that most of the information is about how to kill them.  No one seems to like the coyote especially the smaller urban critters.  

Coyote is one of the most adaptable animals in the world.  Good for them, bad for the critters.

Since we humans are taking up all the habitat we should expect that some cats, rabbits and other small mammals will become food for these guys,  gourmet food,  plump and juicy from easy living.

There is one that hangs out around here now and then but, so far, the cat and the rabbits are alive and well and I still see the squirrels digging around the yard.

I like to think of coyote as the transformer:  in the mythological world, he is heroic with attributes such as transformation, travel, high deeds and power.  His job is to change the ways of rivers, the standing of mountains and create new landscapes.  He is also the one that gets sacred things for people.  

I have the utmost respect for coyote.

Anniversary

'Slough' 7x9" oil and soft pastel, charcoal; Kathleen Faulkner

I started this blog one year ago today.  

The plan was to have an alternative to a website. What happened is that it took on a life of it's own leading me down some other paths.

I made a conscious effort to keep personal business out of it.  That didn't work.  I had planned to concentrate on calls to artists, show reviews and showcasing my work.  That didn't happen except that I have showcased my work.

What I discovered is that I enjoy telling the stories that inspire the artwork:  the full picture, so to speak.  I also discovered that if I just go with the flow it will go wherever it goes and that's ok.

One great benefit to me has been the feedback.  It is good to know that someone is out there.  One never knows who or what awaits once the publish button is pushed and the post is thrown into cyberspace.
It is also good discipline.

Now,  just for fun, here are some statistics from this last year:

'Solstice: full moon lunar eclipse' was the most viewed post.  'in addition' was a close second.  

Besides the US, Canada and Germany gave me the most hits.  

'Neckpieces' and 'Water' were the most visited pages.  

Monday has the highest viewing numbers with the most hits between 10am and 2pm.  

The image from 'A Fairy Tale' was included in Regina Hackett's blog post,  'Foot Fetish'.   

My blog was listed in two international jewelry blogs and dumped from one painting blog.  

All in all I'd say it was a good year.  

So, here's to another year of story telling and art making.  

Thanks for viewing. 

Cheers!

A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.
Mohandas Gandhi 

Meet my friend and neighbor

'Octopus',  bracelet; sterling silver, fossilized walrus ivory,
printer's ink;  Kathleen Faulkner

Shy octopus glides through the water looking for a hiding place.

One of my all time favorite critters, the octopus: shy, intelligent, curious and an intricate member of the underwater ecosystem.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, it's the Giant Pacific Octopus growing up to 23 feet and weighing as much as 150 pounds.  These beauties make their home territory from northern California up the coast along the Aleutians and down along the coast of Japan.  One could say they are a part of the 'Ring of Fire'.

If you've ever seen a live octopus up close and personal, you probably remember the eyes,  intelligent eyes that look right back at you, maybe even through you.

so much more than just another sea creature

Work before play

'Let's Play'  21x23" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner

It's raining and has been for a few days.   Some places are flooded.  The yards have evolved into ponds. 

I've been thinking about some fun things I'd like to do. The version of play around here often involves being outside.  Fortunately, rain is not a deterrent for me.  

Today, though, I have a project to finish up and, as much as I'd love to play it will have to wait for another day.

Deer Prudence

'Prudence' woodblock print; Kathleen Faulkner

'The sun is out, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you..'

Lucky

'Lucky' woodblock print; Kathleen Faulkner

I'm working on the first project of the year.  Just for fun, I thought I'd make prints of the animals that live on my property.  Since soon it will be the Chinese Year of the Rabbit, I decided to start with this critter. 

A friend said that rabbits are chewers and cause trouble.  Probably so but, the rabbit and I have made a deal. 

In the ether world, rabbits are considered lucky.  

Canada Post greets the Year of the Rabbit with new stamps