Ghosts

'Wildflower earrings' sterling silver; Kathleen Faulkner

When I was a child, my dad and I would hike deep into the wilderness.  He was an obsessed outdoors man, among other things, so I spent a lot of time in forests.  I saw many things during those times: lots of bear,  and one up close and personal,  elk all around me, many elk,  critters,  birds,  old growth forests,  billions of wildflowers and on and on and on.

One time, while hiking, we came upon Ghost Pipes.  Pale, dreamlike fairy tales from some other world.  I was fascinated.  My father said to me, "You'll probably never see these again, they're very rare."

I've thought about them much over the years, how lucky I was to see something so rare and the impression they left,  as if they had become attached to my very being.

One day, while walking in Washington Park,  there they were:  Ghost Pipes!  I was stopped in my tracks, my mind bursting with memories and emotion.  I wanted to shout out, "Hey, Dad,  Look!  Ghost Pipes!  After all these years I finally see them again!"  Instead I only thought it.

Maybe ghosts see and hear everything, even thoughts if we want them to..

Living on the Salish

'Rock Brooch' sterling silver, beach rocks; Kathleen Faulkner

Another full moon... 'The moon when all things happen'

I head down to the water's edge where I look for rocks.  The place where I go has every color except for blue.  While there I can see across to the Olympics and over to Lopez.  Sometimes, if I'm lucky, I see the  graceful little otter family, a seal or two and maybe a woodpecker, eagle or owl.  I always see the deer.

This is the place where the madrones hang out discussing dance moves and the cedars watch over everything.  On a warm day the mix of cedar, pine and fir cooks up a heady aroma that is addictive.  I can never get enough.  

I look back on my life and thank myself for moving here.  It is one of the moves I would not change.  I am grateful every day.

The Salish Sea is a magic place that is rich with life and deserves our respect.  I hope we manage to keep it thriving.

 Things are happening.   I'm paying attention.

You get the Picture

'The Original Sentinels' 23x22" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner

When looking at trees, what do we see?  

I love trees.  I see a magic in them:  having been born in the Northwest,  they're family.  I've given them a life with personality,  a higher consciousness.  I consider them Enlightened Beings:

but, who knows of the life of a tree

Usually trees are considered resources.  Viewed from an objective point of view, they're useful.  If damaged or disabled in some way, their value decreases.  There is no emotion attached to the harvesting. A tree's value to nature is seldom taken into account and this is generally how we consider most natural things.

Often, throughout history, we have regarded other humans this way.  Considerations as to value have been and still are:  financial worth, color, religion, sexual orientation, political views and on and on.  The value of persons to their people is seldom taken into account.

Resources, value and worth

Recurring Dream

'Untitled' 60" fine and sterling silver, hematite; Kathleen Faulkner

There it is again:  my recurring dream.  

Instead of images it is more about a feeling,  an energy,  a movement.   The giant mass of swirling tendrils moving, becoming faster and faster until a total anxiety is born out of the tightness.

Then, just as quickly, this 'thing' starts to unravel loose and slow,  slower,  until it comes to a point of anxiety once again.

Then, again, the whole process over and over until I wake being unable to sleep the rest of the night.

While making this necklace the memory of that dream re-appears.

Tribe

*'Birds of a Feather', Shadowbox with Brooch; Kathleen Faulkner

There are many thoughts among artists regarding the art community and what that means.  

Some see it as one nonstop, cutthroat competition.  Everyone wanting what someone else has/gets, congratulating, but feeling pangs of jealousy as the words come out.  Wondering out loud why one gets into a show but someone else doesn't, who deserves it and who doesn't. 

Then there are those who see this community as a 'tribe' that all artists belong to.  Most artists I know think like this.

We are all just trying to survive.  We, in the art community, all want the same things:  to be able to survive while having the time and inspiration to make art.  

That tells me that we are all on the same side and, like 'birds of a feather',  we should think about sticking together.

*Brooch: sterling silver, wood, paper, ink, colored pencil

This shadowbox is in the 'Birds' show at Smith & Vallee Gallery in Edison, WA

Process

Although I made an effort to clean things up..  

This is the 'dirty' room and this is where sawing and filing happen. I've spent many an hour at this worktable 

sawing  sawing  sawing

filing   filing   filing.

It's also the room where I solder and buff,  hence the word, 'dirty'

A little further over to the right is the area where drilling happens.  

It is all done with a hand drill because I don't like noise.

Now we're in one of three miscellaneous rooms where all kinds of things get done.  

Here I'm set up to work on the scrimshaw neckpiece that I was planning to enter in the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial exhibition, ' Journey's End'.  

It is a documentation of the flora and fauna found along their journey to the Pacific Ocean starting and ending at their point of origin. 

That particular piece was accepted into the show and it won first place in 'Other Mediums'.

'The Journals', sterling silver, fossilized walrus ivory,
 oil and printer's ink; Kathleen Faulkner

Talkin' bout my Friends

'Bird's Eye View' mixed media, Kathleen Faulkner

listening to NPR this morning talking about the price of wildlife 

What is a pelican worth?  Some said priceless others' thoughts ranged from $1.00 to $1000.00.  

Legally, BP is required to 'make the public whole' which means a pelican becomes worth one pelican. 

There are four spills in progress as you read this.  The latest is threatening Lake Michigan.   

'It's Good to Have a Running Start'

mixed media, Kathleen Faulkner

Hello

Hello.
I live in a tree near the Skagit river which flows into the Salish sea.  The view from here is breathtaking although I'm usually more interested in viewing my dinner.
Some days I can travel up to 300 miles.  I'm as fast as a car.  I am friends with the wind.  I play games with my friends, some of whom just stop in to visit on their way somewhere else.  I have a few friends that usually don't live here at all but, lately, seem to have taken a liking to this place.

 

Life is pretty good here on the Skagit.  Food is plentiful and  survival is fairly easy.

Since I am a bird, I don't understand politics but I do know about survival.    I know that it's warmer than it used to be and I find more shiny things to hoard than I used to.  Lately, though,  I've noticed more habitat for me and my friends thanks to Hedlins and others.








I've travelled around and I think this is the place to be.

We birds know about magic.

more..

top down: 'Crow' colored pencil; 'Heron' colored pencil; 'Skagit Geese' photograph;  all images: Kathleen Faulkner

The Protest

'Almost Cut my Lawn'

It was shortly after the gulf disaster had begun that I went out to mow the lawn.  I had been thinking about the spill and wondering what to do.

I view lawns in general as labor intensive patches of green, beautiful yet dull and time consuming.  My neighbors are very much loyal to it,  mowing sometimes as often as every other day.  

It was not a good day: the gulf gusher had knocked the wind out of me.  I looked over under the cedar and saw that the deer had been sleeping there.  It was then that I decided to stop mowing my lawn.  

I now have a resident deer and rabbit, many more birds, butterflies and other occasional visitors.  I'm sharing the food and, so far, have been ok with it.  I didn't have a good cherry crop this year but I didn't get any, anyway, the birds made sure of that.  The snails have taken out three of the five cabbage, two zucchini plants and the burdock but the peas were plentiful and I was able to feed myself, five friends, a deer and freeze some, too.

I did have a tinge of irritation when confronting the deer eating my raspberries, though.     

The whole feel of my yard has changed.  I like it better and so far, the neighbors haven't complained.                     

New Growth

'New Growth Series' brooch 2x2.25" fossilized walrus ivory, printer's ink

sterling silver; Kathleen Faulkner

One of my friends tended a bamboo farm. When he died, I inherited several large clumps.  I've always especially enjoyed bamboo.  It reminds me of many things.

Robert Sund was a bamboo man. His painting and calligraphy brushes,  his Pacific Rim persona, his living backdrop in the sitting area of the garden        

that continually grew

Japanese aesthetics, green tea and woodblocks.  It all spends time together in my bamboo thoughts.
  

It is a wonderful thing, bamboo and when I look at mine I also think of my friend from whom my gift came.

Cheers to you and the bamboo!

'Thank God For This Beer!' 
Robert Sund

Safe Harbor

'The View From Here' 20x32" oil pastel, Kathleen Faulkner

                                                     

'Safety in Numbers' 20x36" oil pastel, Kathleen Faulkner

'Sentinels' 20x32" oil pastel, Kathleen Faulkner

These three pieces are finally finished and delivered to the Port Angeles Fine Art Center. 

I had visited this place before about a month ago looking for inspiration for the theme,  'Safe Harbor'.  What I found was an outdoor sculpture forest that transported me into another world.  

Walking through these woods was magic.

I didn't want to leave and, later, I was unable to get it out of my mind.

It became my 'safe harbor'. 

Safe Harbor essay

Rock Solid

'
'Rock Solid'  20:x 2.5" sterling silver, beach rocks, elastic,

Kathleen Faulkner

Independence Day, 2010

I heard from a friend in Florida today.  He is down there cleaning birds as the gusher continues,  an immense and unimaginable horror: 76 days worth, so far.  The size of this disaster is larger than our entire Salish Sea region.  Imagine looking anywhere here and seeing oil.

It would have made a great science fiction thriller except for the fact that it is reality.  Truth is stranger than fiction  and scarier.

Most people are sick of hearing about it. We all know it and have seen the photos and it's a great big downer.

Now it's time for millions of birds to start their migration through that toxic death.  My friend is hopeful, though, as finally help is on the way: Super Skimmer.  We'll see.

And, even in the face of such a tragedy, there are still people demanding their American rights regardless the cost.

I ask the woman why she owns a Hummer.  She says,  "because I can."

'This is too big for anger

it's too big for blame

We stumble through history

so humanly lame'

Bruce Cockburn  from  'Postcards from Cambodia'

Full Moon: Lunar Eclipse

'Animalia'  20'x various sizes, sterling silver, Kathleen Faulkner

We live in Paradise.

Saturday I walked along the shore at Washington Park. It was low tide.
 Living, breathing, the scents of ocean world
a whole universe that we usually take for granted.  

         the big trucks with their pleasure boats all lined up, waiting for the tide to come in

     while I wonder at the colors of the kelp, and textures.

The whales turn and glisten, plunge

and sound and rise again,

Hanging over subtly darkening deeps

Flowing like breathing planets 

in the sparkling whorls of

living light-

Gary Snyder from 'Turtle Island'

Yogis

'Yogis' 36x24" oil pastel, Kathleen Faulkner

Another interesting week. 

As oil gushes out of the earth, politicians stir the pot and everyone is on edge.

My solution:  play for an entire four days. 

MoNA's annual auction with a preview on Friday night and the actual auction on Saturday was a smashing success and the celebration hearty. Of course I attended both nights. I also had company staying over and, earlier on auction day, bribed a friend to go to Burlington with me to participate in the 'Very Berry Days' Parade.  Father's Day started out with eggs benedict with another friend then morphed into moving about the area delivering artwork and visiting still more friends. As Monday was the Summer Solstice, it was my duty to celebrate once again with more dear friends: a music aficionado, a top notch chef and a wine dealer with excellent taste:  eat, drink and be merry.  

A long and wonderful weekend that was over the top..

Today, though, I feel the effects of four days of fun and I am reminded of the madronas down at Washington Park: 'Yogis' that practice diligently and I think, as I drink another glass of water,  that maybe I should, too..

'Very Berry Days' parade

Ode to the Birds

'Birdsville'  30x1.5"  sterling silver, colored pencil, glass lens, hematite,  Kathleen Faulkner

A lone gray bird,

Dim-dipping, far-flying,

Alone in the shadows and grandeurs and tumults

Of night and the sea

And the stars and storm.

Out over the darkness it wavers and hovers,

Out into the gloom it swings and batters,

Out into the wind and the rain and the vast,

Out into the pit of a great black world.

Where fogs are at battle, sky-driven, sea-blown,

Love of mist and rapture of flight,

Glories of chance and hazards of death

On its eager and palpitant wings.

Out into the deep of the great dark world,

Beyond the long borders where foam and drift

Of the sundering waves are lost and gone

On the tides that plunge and rear and crumble.

                                                                      

                                       Carl Sandburg  'From the Shore' 

Dear Ruth,

*'Various Pins' various sizes and materials, Kathleen Faulkner

I was asked how I execute my ideas:  Do I draw and plan everything out before hand or do I just make it as I go?

The answer is both.  Although I mostly just make it as I go,  I sometimes draw ideas in my journal simply because, if I didn't, I'd forget the inspiration by the next day..  The pieces above were seat of the pants technique without any notes.
Shadowboxes  on the other hand, are always drawn out and planned ahead of construction.  Composition has to be considered differently  and dimensions.  I have a hard time with the construction of it.  I have to pay attention, switch my thinking.  Precision has always been a weak link and I prefer to create as I go, loosely.

Doing it my way can pose problems, though.  It is not a fun time when you've been working on something that you're really excited about only to find that the construction is not working. Craft demands excellent craftsmanship so planning ahead is required. The fish, for example, was a moment of curling a piece of wire that turned into a fish but, soldering the skin was difficult because I didn't plan it out.  


Working loosely allows me to let it go where it wants,  sometimes in a wanderlust direction.  Once it gets there I feel good.




*upper left hand clockwise:  ''To' 2.5x3", fine and sterling silver, patina; 'I Am A Fish' sterling silver, plastic, Kathleen Faulkner; 'Ridget' approx .5x1.5", sterling silver, driftwood, Kathleen Faulkner; 'Bird' sterling silver, copper, patina, Kathleen Faulkner

'The Dunce'

The Dunce

He says no with his head

but he says yes with his heart

he says yes to what he loves

he says no to the teacher

he stands

he is questioned

and all the problems are posed

sudden laughter seizes him

and he erases all 

the words and figures

names and dates

sentences and snares

and despite the teacher's threats

to the jeers of infant prodigies

with chalk of every color

on the blackboard of misfortune

 he draws the face of happiness.  

                                                                                                          

                                                           Jacques Prevert

'The Dunce' 10x8" mixed media, Kathleen Faulkner

Food for Thought

'Umiliak's Wife' 4x1.5" sterling silver overlay, fossilized walrus ivory, printer's ink

Kathleen Faulkner

'Umiliak's Wife' goes to the water's edge and calls the whales to the hunters.  The whale gives himself so the community can sustain themselves awhile longer. The hunters always only take what they need.  They are very grateful.

'My Aleut Friend' 5x3" sterling silver, found objects, fossilized walrus ivory, printer's ink

Kathleen Faulkner

'My Aleut Friend' paddles out in his baidarka looking for seal.  He is a very wise man;  he finds many but he only takes what he needs and always thanks them for their sacrifice.

.

'My Friend's Sister' 5x2" sterling silver, rubber, bottle cap, garnets, fossilized walrus ivory, printer's ink

Kathleen Faulkner

'My Friend's Sister' weaves baskets that hold the berries that grow abundantly during the season.  She picks the berries but never takes more than she needs, sharing with Mother's other children.  She appreciates her good fortune.

'Mountain Girl' 6x3" sterling silver, linoleum, wood, coral

Kathleen Faulkner

'Mountain Girl' gets a glimpse of a world where everything is considered sacred and care is taken to live in harmony with Earth.  It works well.

Window Dressing

  

'Window Dressing' 10x8x2", shadowbox, sterling silver, mica, 

colored pencil, japanese origami paper

Kathleen Faulkner

The weekend is almost upon us.  It's been a tough week.  

We've had the passing of three legendary artists*, the gulf is in ruins, it rained for 18 days straight and my garden: what didn't drown has been eaten alive. 

As all this is out of my control, I've decided to spiff up and head out to the art openings this weekend.  Nothing like seeing good art to change one's perspective.

Here's what's happening:
First Friday Art Walk in Anacortes;  many galleries and events, of note is 'Paintings and Pottery' by Cathy Shoenberg at Anne McCool Gallery,  711 Commercial
As well, the old fire station at 1011 12th,  just west of Commercial, is now an art center.  I haven't been there yet, but it sounds intriguing.  'This Woman's Work' a festival for women of our community: art,  live music and a community potluck.  7 - 11pm.
Anchor Art Center is in the midst of 'Long Drawn Out Process', a group exhibition of drawing and installation,  May 7 through June 26th,  216 Commercial
 Read about it here


Gallery Cygnus, paintings of Nick Fennel and sculpture of Robert E Gigliotti
The show runs June 4th thru the 27th, the opening is Friday, June 4th,  6-8pm
The gallery is located at 109 Commercial across from Maple Hall in LaConner.
 Read about it here


This opening is on Saturday, June 5th 5-8pm in beautiful downtown Edison:
Smith and Vallee Gallery is showing the paintings of Tod Horton, sculptures by Peregrine O'Gormley and works on paper by Chelsea Jepson.  I hear there will be musical entertainment, as well.
Read about it here


I will need Sunday to create  after all that inspiration.


*   Louise Bourgeois  
*   Tobias Wong
*   Mari Funaki

A Bird in the Hand

 

'A Bird in the Hand', 10x8x2", shadowbox, colored pencil, sterling silver, glass lens

Kathleen Faulkner

The Pacific Northwest is world renowned for it's jewelry artists. Ramona Solberg, Ron Ho, Mary Lee Hu, Keith Lewis, and Kiff Slemmons have all called this area home and the list goes on.  The Northwest is as well known for it's jewelry artists as it is for it's glass.

Lots of competition

I came upon the idea of shadowboxes as an answer to a couple questions: how to combine drawing with metal and how to create something different to bring to the table.   These shadowboxes hang on the wall, can be opened from the back and the two brooches you see above can be removed and worn.
I've always been intrigued by idioms and word play so, I thought, why not illustrate them?  What resulted is a new series of work.  We'll see where this goes..


The most prestigious art jewelry gallery in the Northwest is Facere Gallery located in Seattle... a most amazing place.

Browse Facere Jewelry Art Gallery exhibits here    

Spider Web

"Spider Web" 5x9" Intaglio print, Kathleen Faulkner

thinking about  the webs we weave
  how life progresses
the people we become 

I am in a heady relationship with the environment.  Times are strange, though, and scary.  We're not sure how things will turn out, but we have our thoughts and ideas back there where we don't like to go.  We don't want to think about it too much because, if we do, it might be more than we can bear.

You know the old saying:  "the only sin is having the knowledge but choosing to ignore it."  I don't know who to credit that to but it's run through my mind now and then for most of my adult life and quite a bit, lately.


So, my thought to you is this:  we must bring out our best selves, step up to the plate and take care of each other.  This includes all species not just humans but plants and animals,  too.  We have to be proactive.  Little things count.  We must quickly start to think differently about things but not hate ourselves because it's hard and we don't like it or we mess up and we have to keep trying - Never give up!

As the Dalai Lama says,  " It's all about the love.."

A Snail Tale

There is an area down by the docks where I go to look for broken pottery, glass shards and miscellaneous flotsam.  It is interesting potential for jewelry.

I've heard that it used to be a dump site for the town - a bit unsettling if I think about it much.

I found it when I used to go to Flounder Bay Boatyard to visit Robert Sund, the Poet.  He lived in a very lovely little cabin in the lumber yard.  Everything about his place was a work of art and everything about him seemed to be a ceremony.

Sometimes we would visit outside in the yard while he'd hunt for those annoying snails that eat everything in sight and overwhelm the gardens here. 

They're everywhere, cause trouble and have no friends. Unlike most people, Robert would never kill them.  Instead, he'd collect them in a bowl and then take them across the street and over to the abandoned yard on the corner, wishing them well as he'd gently place them.   Very Buddhist

I first noticed that beach one day while traveling with Robert and the snails to their new home.

Ever since, I've made a point to go down and look.  There is always something.  My route takes me  by the place where Robert lived.  It has since been torn down and the new owners have built two 'cute' cottages in it's place but it will be Robert's home forever, in my mind.
Then, as I head for that beach, I pass by the 'dropping off place' and I always think of Robert and the snail tale.

"Flotsam" Neckpiece 30" sterling silver, glass shards, Kathleen Faulkner

A Fairy Tale

It's Spring and I'm starting to think about a hike in the North Cascades. This winter was one long artwork.  I produced a lot of work and it's been an inspired year that continues still.  

Right now, though,  I'm feeling the need to move and I've been on the lookout for a good pair of hiking shoes,  shoes that can become 'one with the rocks'.

I haven't been able to find anything suitable so 

I decided to make them.  

"Rock Climbers" shoes, rocks, copper, Kathleen Faulkner

Walking on Eggshells

"Walking on Eggshells" 10x8x2" sterling silver, paper, mica, photograph, shadowbox; 

Kathleen Faulkner

I'm in the process of registering my blog.  It is a bit confusing in more ways than one.  I feel, at times, like I'm walking on eggshells.  Please bare with me and thank you for viewing my blog.

Greetings from Rialto Beach

"Rialto Beach"  21x23"  oil pastel, Kathleen Faulkner

One of my favorite places to run away to is Rialto Beach.  Located near La Push, it is home to the Quileute Indian Nation (Wolf People), some of the best rocks on the planet, the Pacific Ocean and the Olympic National Forest.
It is a Destination but, whenever I've been there, I've had the place pretty much to myself.  Maybe it's because I usually visit in the winter.

It is rugged, intensely beautiful and the air constantly smells of ocean. The beach is covered with rocks that, some might say,  could have the ability to heal hidden wounds.

Wild and windblown, this place is literally a breath of fresh air that is a tonic for a weary soul.

Regarding Mother

"Snoqualmie Pass" 21x23" oil pastel, Kathleen Faulkner

It was deep into spring and we were heading over the pass. Suddenly, a last, late snowfall, early morning sunshine and a nice slice of wind swooped us. It was beautiful yet unnerving, as if the elements were emotions.

Snow is unusual for that time of year and I'm sure my state of mind added to the mood. Our friend had died and we were on our way to a funeral.  One minute deep in thought and gazing out the window then the next,  paying attention.   

It brought to mind some questions I wonder about from time to time:  Do trees feel pain?  Can animals  show compassion?   Does Mother Earth know when her children die and,  if so,  does she mourn?  

"Snoqualmie Pass II" 21x23" oil pastel, Kathleen Faulkner

For The Children

"Dancing Trees" 28x32" oil pastel, Kathleen Faulkner

I recently heard about a new type of school called The Forest school. Kids learn outside in the woods all day, every day, rain or shine.  I can see it now:  little kids in rain gear, eating lunch on a tarp in the rain.. Not such a bad thing if you're a kid hungry for adventure.  I can't think of any child that doesn't like to play in the rain or just be outside.
It is so easy to love and appreciate nature and wilderness when it has become a part of one's life: what's not to love?

Humans tend to fear the unknown.  Children making friends with a forest might end up being what saves us..

"The rising hills, the slopes,

of statistics

lie before us,

the steep climb

of everything, going up,

up, as we all go down.

In the next century 

or the one beyond that,

they say,

are valleys, pastures,

we can meet there in peace

if we make it.

To climb these coming crests

one word to you, to 

you and your children:

stay together

learn the flowers,

travel light"

                                                                               Gary Snyder,  Turtle Island