Beauty in the swamp

I just HAD to visit the Six Mile Cypress Slough today. Every other time I have gone was during the dry winter season, and I have been pining to see it wet. And see it wet, I did! While it was raining, part of the time! Everything was so much different - there were no creatures to be seen - no otter, alligators, squirrels, snakes.....very few birds were visible, although we heard more than we saw (an anhinga and 2 ibis), and the cypress knees protruded amongst ferns that went on forever! Every body of water was very smooth and glassy, and some were quite full of beautiful plants and flowers. These are just a couple of my favorite pictures from today's visit. Those clouds are actually the reflection of the clouds in one of the ponds, and the grasshopper posed for me on the way to the car.

More studio shots!

Here they are! My friends on Facebook have already seen these, but not all of you follow the FB thing, so I want to share some more. Remember, you can click on the photo to make it bigger if you want to see something closer; however, it's not THAT clean, so be careful!

Studio tour

Here it is - my studio in the sky! Clean, no less! At least, as clean as it will ever be. When we first planned this addition, I requested lots of windows for the light as well as the feeling of being surrounded by the trees and sky. Aren't they wonderful? As the building was erected, we were able to climb the stairs to the "floor" of this room, before the walls were built, and watch 4th of July fireworks. It felt like a tree house then, and still does today. As a tree climber from way back, that's one of my favorite things about it.
I'll be posting more pictures - stay tuned!

Can't stop myself....

from creating with wax! This pine desk set has been sitting in my "to be altered" drawer for over a year. I used gold and natural beeswax, two thin handmade papers I had stored, some bling and such I had stashed, and pretty heidi snapp tapes to pull it all together. As I was making it I was thinking of my daughter, Stephanie, but that doesn't mean she will receive this as a gift....in case she's reading this.....
Thanks again, Suze Weinberg, for giving me the skills to use this terrific medium!

Waxing away.....

Oooh, I love playing with this hot wax! Here is a composition notebook I altered this morning using gesso as a primer, colored waxes & beeswax, a trade ad image, and several shades of Perfect Pearls. Hmmm, I think it needs a bead or charm, maybe two, what do you think?

It's never too early....

to make Christmas cards! This year I have decided to try to use up scraps of paper and tags - renew, reuse, recycle!- and here is one version of my Christmas card. I have several completely different styles made, and need to continue until I get to about 50. Usually I make them right after Christmas for the following year, so I am WAY behind this year! :)
Here's a thought: "Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. Nothing is that important. Just lie down." Natalie Goldberg, writer.

inner workings

Another night of difficult sleep, but at least my muse is active - since the idea is in my head, almost like a need, I will begin searching for objects and images to bring it to life. It will be a mixed media piece called "Dreams for my Daughters", and I will attempt to show what I hope they have in their lives, in their futures.

A quote from Toni Morrison, "Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weights you down."

A referral

Each day brings its challenges and surprises, but I am establishing a routine and able to plan several days ahead at school, so I may get my "art life" back this weekend! I follow several blogs, and this morning Jenny Doh, of Somerset magazines, had a great message, so I will share it with you. Please visit the site below for her cleverly illustrated words. Hugs to all!

http://jennydoh.typepad.com/crescendo/2009/09/step-one.html