ringling museum part 1

ciao...

dear readers

I have decided to divide this visit into two posts...

since I took so many photos...

here... at the 

Ringling Museum

their site is wonderful and you will

enjoy the panoramic views

these photos are of the grounds...

when we first arrived, I was simply overcome

by the beauty of the gardens,

the statues

ponds and fountains...

absolutely stunning...

the banyan trees are

spectacular...

theses images below from the 

fairy garden...

at least that is what I called it...

bougainvillea 

in huge pots on the loggia caught

my attention...

so beautiful...

the courtyard between the long wings

is amazing 

so peaceful and a work of landscape art... 

Ca' D' Zan

which translates from Italian (Venetian dialect)

to, "house of John"

Ringling that is ...

he and wife Mable...

lived here in this wonderful Venetian palace 

Check out the link above

to see spectacular views of the rooms 

recently restored.... 

I was reluctant to leave...

felt a bit like the statue

caught around the banyans grasp

stunned by so much beauty...

xo

a day at the beach

ciao, gentle readers...

back from my journey to Florida,

and as I write this...

large snow flakes gather outside my window...

but the memory of

warm days linger ....

of beautiful beaches...

with sugar fine sand...

wide open spaces...

littered with shells....

and water colored by light....

Siesta Key is so lovely...

we were blessed with

perfect weather...

a romantic

trip...

as I get back to the studio

I will be sharing more photos with you...

and be out to visit you...

enjoy the beach...

C4N!

january pages

finally!!

caught up with my

art journal pages

it is nice to be

on top of things again...

until the next deadline of course...

 the woman who cried flowers

have you ever noticed that sorrows

can turn into joys when given enough

time to heal

and mend?

I was thinking this month about a relationship

that has completely transformed in the last two months...

and how delighted I am to 

be a part of that change...

I used antique book pages

and cut out petal pieces and realized that they were

tears...

as well...

funny how that works...

or raindrops...

I have been drawing more lately...

and painting on book pages

ingredients: Acrylic paint, pen, colored pencil, PVA, thread, paper ephemera 

tissue paper, workable fixative, fine pumice gel.

I found that if I used my brush dipped in PVA and water, it worked the colored pencil like watercolor

I am taking another blog break,

because we are headed to Florida...

so I will bring you along with...

some of you may need sunshine too...

I want to thank you all for your kind remarks

about balance...

certainly something that many of us

consider a work in progress...

grazie,

grazie!

be back in a couple of weeks...

xo

december journal pages

well, gentle readers, I did not think

that I would be gone so long...

but I realized that I had yet another deadline

that I wanted to make

so that is why 

it has taken me so long to share...

my December journal pages with you...

December was a busy month

and so you see a lot of layers...

as well as a ton of writing 

under, over, around and thru...

January pages are in the works and 

I will be showing those to you shortly...

ingredients: acrylic paint, italian collage, fabric, thread, walnut inks, paper ephemera, pencil.

grazie for you patience

and continued support...

I will be out to visit 

your blogs 

soon...

it is a fine balance

that I am trying to establish...

 between 

maintaining my blog and relationships

and getting to the studio 

to do the work I adore.

C4N!

dewy ground

well dear ones,

I know I am late with 

this, but better late than never...

honestly... I kept meaning

to ask Sarah for a copy...

and here it is....

I adore 

Pasticcio 
no... not the lasagna...
the zine...

yes I know it is pricey, but it is 

gorgeous

and I read it cover to cover...

the articles and interviews are exceptional...

Nest Upon The Dewy Ground

9 x12

this piece originated in the recent

Four Directions/Four Visions

show at 

Two Graces Gallery

It currently resides
at EsScentuals
in Fort Collins....

the winter issue

of Pasticcio

is a must see..

and thanks again to 

Angela and Sarah

for choosing

Dewy

I am so appreciative!

and sooon...

I will be showing you my

December art journal pages!

I might catch up by the end of January...

grazie for stopping by,

muah!

bird quilts

just as I am beginning to 

write a new article for submission

with 

Sew Somerset

my bird quilts in the 

Winter 2011 issue

have returned...

"sunset"

we collectively use birds as metaphors to describe people and relationships

and with these quilts I wanted to

explore and express current feelings and relationships

with family and friends...

"adaptation"

these first three pieces are  

roughly 8" x 8"

"fly in all directions"

the small pieces below measure

5" x 5"

"mindful" 

and they are all hand stitched on Khadi paper

"joy" 

with antique ephemera

"comfort"

and grey sari ribbons...

 ingredients: antique stamps and thread labels, paper ephemera thread, painted papers, stained papers. fabric, lace and acrylic paint. 

I am way behind in my postings

so I will be back soon with another post about 

the new Pasticcio Quartz Zine

as I have a piece published there as well...

off to the studio dear readers, 

I am hoping your day is sunny in spirit...

ciao, ciao!

ciao, gentle readers...

back from my blog break... 

I hope your holidays were as beautiful as mine...

I have a precious few photos

to show you of Chicago, since my battery died

while we were in the 

Art Institute

but here is what I got...

I had every intention of showing you 

their extensive collection of 

Impressionist works...

but I did manage to get a couple of 

pics of the festive

museum 

decked out with

boughs of holly and cedar

and a buddhaful shot or two

for my dear friend Neva...

Openings Connectings

I had a wonderful time...

museum hopping...

shopping Michigan Ave...

eating fabulous food 

at 

Frontera Grill

and spending some time with

family...

and as soon as the decorations are 

safely tucked away,

I will be back in the studio..

my Sew Somerset 

deadline is January 15...

so I need to get to work on

my hand dyed mixed media 

Botannicals

and just a bit behind again on pages...

again ... or as usual... lol

Happiest New Year

to you all

may we see increased prosperity,

abundance

and love...

xo