Sunday, August 28, 2011

The whole equals more..



I love the fog horns.  
The thick white blanket slowly burns off  
slivers of lovely sunshine warm the back of my head 
I pick the blueberries in the garden..

It's been an interesting week.  All weeks are but sometimes life becomes Enhanced.



Artwork created at Smoke Farm: artist unknown 
I recently spent a day at Smoke Farm.  The experience opened my mind, pried open an area I haven't visited for awhile, reminded me that the world of ideas is very large and anything is possible and the world, although small, can be quite large as well.

I've been thinking about it all week.  I want more.





Neckpiece; 18"  found glass, sterling silver;
Kathleen Faulkner

I spent the rest of this week finishing up a body of jewelry work for  Artisans on Taylor Gallery whose grand opening in a new location is September 1st in Port Townsend.  This is a new gallery for me and the pressure has been on.  


Of course other life events such as a broken computer, again, distractions, sad news, happy news,  and surprising news all mixed together to create a unique reality.



A new week, new day.  
A bowl of blueberries from my garden.  
Inspiration and a mind full of new thoughts and ideas 
Living by the Salish Sea: fog, sunny, sweet, salty sea smell,  my favorite.  

Life is good.


Organic blueberries from my garden.. yum


Friday, August 19, 2011

Ode to a Bird

'Ode to a Bird' sterling silver, brass, graphite, patina;
Kathleen Faulkner


There is an owl that graces my world now and again.  It's been awhile since I've heard it's hoot.  It is always an excellent surprise. I wake this morning wondering if I remember, in the night, a dream or the return of a friend.

In the Ether world, Owl is medicine and clairvoyance..  Owl can see that which others cannot.  

Owl helps us see the truth which is always helpful.




Sunday, August 14, 2011

Living in Paradise

'High Water' 17x17" oil and soft pastel, charcoal

It's mid August,  coolest spring and summer I remember.  This morning offers a glimpse of fall.

The rest of the country is wilted from high temperatures and no rain and some say that eventually 'environmental refugees' will migrate here because we still have an abundance of water and reasonable temperatures. 
The weather forecast is for rain yet I watch as the neighbor water his perfectly green lawn and wish for that water.   I am very careful with my allotment.  I have rain barrels that water my garden and we all know I don't water my 'lawn'.  I pay attention to every drop.  I imagine the  future possibilities.

In the town where I live the city council is pushing through a bottled water plant.  When I ask why they say, "It'll bring jobs."  

Someday we may dream of the old days, the days of water abundance and wish we had taken better care.




Monday, August 8, 2011

My Excellent Adventure


July was an interesting month.  My computer was dead but I didn't miss it one bit.  Instead I spent 60 hours carving a 3x4' linoleum block (among other things) to be printed by a steamroller during the Anacortes Arts Festival.   
Upon receiving the linoleum, I immediately went into shock: the largeness of it was a bit overwhelming so, I started carving and carving and carving.


Virgin linocut



The bottom half is starting
to look like something.


Here I'm adding Mt Baker to the mix.




Finished and ready to ink..



Then the day came for the printing. We worked in teams.  Jean Behnke and I were the scheduled artists for our two hour time slot and had help from many friends, without whom, it would have been much harder and definitely not as successful.


Here we are inking the lino.. a dirty job,
but somebody's got to do it..


Ready to print

We are placing the linocut  and will then
cover  it with the paper.

Here comes the steamroller!

Artist Proof

A friend generously offered space in
her workshop to hang my prints while they dry.

Looking up at a couple of prints drying.




This project was made possible by a grant from the Anacortes Arts Festival.  Nine artists participated in this two day event.  All materials were provided including, of course, the linoleum,  the best oil based ink (Daniel Smith) and Lenox paper not to mention gloves, aprons, rollers, the steamroller and everything else needed to make this happen including lots of encouragement!  
Two prints from each artist will be auctioned off by the Festival to provide funding for future events such as this.  For anyone interested in viewing all the different artist's prints and possibly bidding on any, I will post the auction details when I receive them.

It was a great experience and I'm so glad to have been a part of it all.  I'm looking forward to  next year!