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Daniel has delivered three bags of gorgeous stone for my mosaics. That happened yesterday afternoon. After the workers left, I was so excited, I went straight down to the jardin and began to play. I have laid the pattern for the sun. It's a healing spiral which goes of into the fire bursts around it. Dark, medium and light stones help to give it some form and depth. I was quite pleased when I finished. I think I will live with and enjoy it for a very long time. Now, all we have to figure out is how to lay the pattern in cement without getting it all mixed up. The star is not so easy. It is small and I never really like working small. The first draft, which I will show you, I don't like. So I will begin again today. I began playing with La Luna, however all of a sudden I realized it was 8:00 pm and I was hungry. Today, I will play some more. I must say, even though I was very careful, It has reeked havoc with my knee. Note to self: Take it easy on your body today - it has to last a long time!
Let me know what you think of El Sol. The spiral in the middle is an ancient healing symbol. I like that. It's sacred and spiritual, and helps to remind me why I am in earth school.
Before I began to play. I had every good intention of sitting on the stool to protect my knee. Somehow it just didn't work. Today I am paying the price.
After. What do you think? Any suggestions?
Estrella on the other hand seems completely dead. She does not move me in any way. Back to the drawing board on this one. More as this evolves.
"There are very few human beings who receive the truth, complete and staggering, by instant illumination. Most of us require it fragment by fragment, on a small scale, by successive developments, cellularly like a beautiful mosaic." Anais Nin
Only the beginning. Don't know where this is going to lead. I want to soften the pallet without loosing the fire and passion of the strong colour. I quite like their bodies. They will also soften in colour, however the shapes are OK. Need hair, of course. I'll keep you in touch with the progress on this one. I'm as curious as you are.
Why can't we all just acknowledge that "nature" – that is, "sex" or "erotic" images, which are really just "attracters" are everywhere. Of course a flower looks like what it looks like – that's what it is – to a bee. ~ Sara Genn
I am so enjoying this day. A day of respite from the noises of construction. Already noon, I am not dressed, just finished my second cup of coffee, have written some dear friends in Australia, and now may actually depart my bed and embark upon my day.
Great art class yesterday. As you know, I've been doing intuitive painting. A couple making love has appeared upon my canvas. I'm a little hesitant to post it. It would be "view at your own risk". What's your opinion please? Do you want to see it? Let me know and I will decide what to do.
Last evening Wendy came over for dinner. She's lovely. In her bag she carried a home made lemon meringue pie, and a bottle of wine. I cooked the main meal - a sweet (fruit) curry over rice and vegetables. Delicious food, delicious company. After crawling away from the table, we watched a couple of old Carol Burnett shows! Honestly, you can still laugh at those. What a team. They 'had it goin on'.
Lupe came on Friday with the last of my curtains and a couple of cushions for the chairs. It's beginning to come together in here. I had the cushions made out of the scraps left over from the old quilt after I upholstered the chair seats. She even put zippers in them. They are gorgeous!
I was able to get another piece of remnant to match the under counter curtains in my kitchen. Lupe is making me a table cloth and six napkins. I think it will pull the kitchen together and look nice with my colourful dishes. I may have mentioned, I also found a couple of pieces for toss cushions for the chairs - so she's busy with that. I'm introducing a soft blue/turquoise into this room. It was getting very monochromatic which just isn't doing it for me. The old hacienda doors and one of the pieces of wood over the window has turquoise in it. I've gone with a soft version of that. We will see where it leads.
The last of the curtains have been hung.
The little back support cushions Lupe whipped up for me are lovely and make the chair very comfortable.
Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action. ~ Peter Drucker
Some of yesterday was spent on the highway, the open road, a little teeny road trip. Windows open, Spanish music on the radio, wind in my hair. The countryside is lush and green from the rains. Cactus are in bloom, sheep, burrows, horses and cows graze - there heads invisible in the tall juicy grass. We headed to Delores Hidalgo on a hunting and gathering trip. Old rustic wood for my fireplace mantel in the studio and tiles to decorate the fireplace face and bano.
Delores Hidalgo's talavera, the sheer amount of it, the sheer mass of rich colour everywhere you look can boggle my mind in a big hurry. It's difficult to stay focused. Somehow I managed.
The wood first. I could literally spend days in this place. Old wood, old doors, old furniture, old iron, piles of old locks and latches, hinges and door hardward lie in rusted heaps begging me to dig. I trotted by all of that. Head held high in the air so I couldn't get too many good glimpses. I arrived at the old wood. What to choose, what to choose. What colour do I like, what shape do I like, what thickness do I like, what width do I like. Questions and more questions. After some digging two old beams caught my eye. Honey brown with a little rust. Holes where the worms have feasted. The two together would make an artistic mantel and they could come home with me together. I'm sure they have been together for hundreds of years. Like dear old friends, they will form another support of sorts and carry on their lives being appreciated and useful. We loaded them in the truck. I patted them and smiled.
Off to the tile shops. This gets a little more mind boggling. Colour and pattern abound, everywhere. All laid out next to each other forming some sort of chaotic collage my brain which I am sometimes unable to untangle. To look at them one by one is almost impossible. I left the show table and walked to the boxes. There the tiles are glued to the outside of the box and piled in stacks. Sorting things out is a little easier.
Only three tile shops later and I had made a decision. I chose the same tiles for the fireplace and the bathroom trim. In a small space, I think mixing things up too much would be a decorating disaster. Cobalt blue is the order of the day for the studio. The patterned tile has turquoise, honey yellow and ochre in it. All earthy colours which can be picked up in the surrounding space. I'm happy. The main body of tiles on both the chimenea and the bano will be blanco - a creamy blanco though. The old beam mantel will give the fireplace an earthy look and ground it nicely (I hope).
Here are the tiles. Which way do you like the pattern laid?
I'm leaning toward the right one. Your opinion would be valued.
Is not the colour of the wood absolutely delicious with the cobalt blue?
This piece has a face in it. I'm hoping to be able to save it for another project. What do you think?
"There is the happiness which comes from creative effort. The joy of dreaming, creating, building, whether in painting a picture, writing an epic, singing a song, composing a symphony, devising a new intention, or creating a beautiful fireplace and mantle." ~ Henry Miller
At this very moment, I'm sitting in Casa Sierra Nevada. This day, from the moment I awoke, has exuded bliss. The garden, by which I am surrounded and thus cannot escape my gaze is rich, lush and inviting. Butterflies and birds caress the trees and flowers. It is a serene place. I am filled with peace and contentment. My heart is smiling and filled with a joy which allows me to feel an expansion and deep connection with this incredible country. Simply put, I'm falling in love again.
It simply does not get any better than this. I've spent the morning having my hair tended to. (That feels better!) Just prior to this momentito, I was poking around in "Casa y Campo", (a very high end antique and upholstery shop) digging for remnants. Designs for cushions float through my head as we speak. I did find some nice pieces. Venturing into Casa y Campo several times before, I have been tending to my relationship with the owner and enjoying getting to know him a little better. Atmosphere in the shop itself would never allow me to dig in the remnant closet itself. Simply put, I have a discussion with the owner, he disappears, and comes back from his hidden stash with 'suggestions'. I don't do well with this approach, however, in Mexico, one must take ones time with a more 'direct approach'. The shops owner was once an employee of Juan Carlos, my architecto, so we do have something in common.
Today, wearing my best Canadian charm and smile, I put it right out there. "May I dig in your closet?" "Of course, Senora.", a big smile appearing on his face.
And so it was I hobbled up the colonial stairs, stepping into a closet full of the most extravagant, sensuous fabric and textiles, with a very handsome, dare I say young, Mexican man. How much better can creating cushions get.
It's going to rain. The air is sultry and sensual and it stirs me as I fill my lungs. Spanish music drips from my eyebrows. I sip my wine and know, this is a moment in time which will never return. While I marinate in that thought, a yellow and black butterfly stops for the elixir of life at a voluptuous pink flower. I can almost hear the growth of the jardin. The arches in the courtyard speak to me of ethereal energy still circulating after hundreds of years. It permeates the hardness of my bones and seeps into my spirit. The old fountain beside me shares her secrets and smooths any rough edges I may have been wearing when I entered this building.
Guests are arriving for comida. Friends, drinks, food, conversation, laughter. The sounds of relaxation and enjoyment.
Two glasses of wine with lunch at this altitude may have been a questionable decision, however, my heart explodes with beauty and happiness as we speak so how can it be a question of any consideration.
The Spanish language and music cradle me and lulls me into a meditative state. Why did I not want to live at times during my life? Did I absolutely have to BE there to BE here? The fountain beside me gently whispers "Yes.". I do now have a deep understanding and knowing she is absolutely right.
I gaze at women, older women, who still have a shape. I look in Vogue Magazine at young woman who alas have no shape. Like chopsticks from a Chinese restaurant, they love their wooden like limbs. (I'm snapped!)
The waiter is bringing me chocolate moose. I hope it doesn't have horns or a baby. I'm passed horns and a baby. Well, perhaps not the 'horns'. (I think that's a joke). Are you keeping up with me here. I really am sitting at my table, simply rambling onto the pages of my journal.
Light and shadow are everywhere. In the trees, in the sky, in us. Amazing. The beauty of it. The mystery of it. The dichotomy of it. Observing how light and shadow shifts and shapes the next seconds of time.
Laughter from the next table reaches my hearing and my awareness. Comforting. More of that needed. Jade plants flourishing here. Reminding me of my Mama. Strong and free and claiming their space. I wonder if she knew that?
Tourists arriving into this Casa, greeting me as they pass, beaming with light and a sense of adventure. Life is good. I feel full. How apt. A bird in the tree sings from her heart. How apt. Would that we were able to sing our song at a moments notice. Why must we prepare? Are we not prepared when we arrive? Why would any one want to step on that music and shut it down? Why? Why? Why?
The older I become truly the more I do not understand. Ponder, ponder .... I require stimulation. It is essential for me to write. I have an urgency to paint. I long to create - just about anything. I must simply allow the process. To be ALIVE. Every moment, every day. The shear excitement of the journey, the next step, the next shiver, the next chance meeting, the next lesson, the next challenge, the next gift, the next surprise. Why would I ever have wanted to leave this place of adventure and creation. This opportunity. This earth school. Art and creating. It came with me at my time of birth. Clouds descended and I could no longer see the sun. 'Best intention' conditioning came from my family of choice. "Love your life as I want you to love it." I succumbed. I drown beneath the weight. Murky waters of others intentions buried my dreams. How malleable I am in this earth school. How ready I was to please the parents I chose for good reason - an education. And later, to awake, to accompany my soul to the end of this short journey. To discover the longing, to glean the wisdom of the path. Why am I here? To learn, to glean, to take baby steps to become more and more and more. Simply to BE. To have some minuscule understanding - a humble ray of enlightenment, a paltry knowing in my heart all is right with the universe. Everything is absolutely as it should be. And so it is!
Four leaf clovers. They cover the earth.
Perhaps you would care to join me?
"People are like stained - glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."
~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Before you begin delving into today's post, you may want to visit Ezshawn Windings' web site HERE.. You will have a glimpse into her soul. The well is deep.
Encaustics has interested me for many a moon now. The thought of being able to work with the richness and depth of beeswax with the ability to embed 'stuff' into layers of the 'stuff' is an exciting idea to me.
For the last two days, five of us, with the knowledge, years of experience and guidance of Ezshawn Winding, have been absolutely lost in the world of beeswax and fire. I have fallen in love with Mexican propane torches, squealed with delight at starting my table on fire, and even enjoyed a near spa treatment when a can of hot purple wax literally jumped from a class mates' hand, splashing pokadots on my ankle, no doubt developing a new trend!
There is nothing as much fun or more inspiring than spending time with a group of like minded people. Women inspired by colour, texture, form, movement, pattern, design, composition, and experimenting freely with a new process. "Feeling" our way into the medium, what can it do, how does it work, what happens if we cut into it here or spread India ink on it there. Learning, pushing the limits and having a new adventure into an entirely new area of art. Women who have always been inspired and attracted to art and beauty. Kindred spirits, inspiring spirits. Women with interesting backgrounds such as fabric design, entertainment and costume design, fine arts. Well educated, well traveled, sensitive artists who have been through hell and back, nevertheless, always interested in exploring new genres, and seeing more on the path of life. Quality time spent, simply doesn't get any better than this for me.
I'd love to share a little of my two days with you. So here goes - in photographs. What would I do without my camera! I do adore it. The memory keeper.
Getting our first glimpse into the process of encaustics. Hmmmm .... a propane blow torch! Interesting, I think to myself.
Ezshwan demonstrates every step of the process. Personally, I was drawn to the hiss of the propane torch when it was lit. ... only kidding. Although I was accused of being a pyromaniac! I mean really .... just because I lit my table on fire ... oh yes, and the cheesecloth ...
After being shown the process and how to make medium etc., we set off on our own to experiment and have some fun.
Jenny, a fabric designer, beginning a new and exciting chapter of her life in San Miguel. Her work from the class follows. I can definitely see a 'fabric designers' voice in these pieces.
The voice of a mother who adores her family.
Introducing Judith. With home being part time in San Miguel and part time in other interesting places, Judith's work is influenced by architecture and symmetry. A interesting woman hooked on art, well traveled with a pension for the enjoyment of life. We are all invited to her house for dinner. Southern hospitality.
Judith's voice holds the whispers of architectural symmetry and order.
Cate, a fine artist specializing in Mixed Media. An American with adventure in her soul, making a home base in Australia, wanderlust overtakes she and her husband, and they find themselves in San Miguel having art shows and creating, speaking with their unique voices to express themselves in form.
This piece spoke to me in a very loud voice. Cate made it for an old friend who is coming to visit. One with whom she had studied in Art School. He is now the director of the New York Ballet Costuming Division. How appropriate she chose the image of a dancer. I think the composition, pallet, and theme are exquisite. I begged her for this piece. After all, I did have purple splattered ankles. She stood firm in her decision. : o (
And now for Cates' 'best of show', behold "Hot Wax on Bare Skin", or "Purple Poka Dotted Ankles." A new wave of body painting taking over encaustic studios across the country. I call it a 'near spa experience'. : o )
Isabella. A woman redefining herself and where she wants to be at this time in her life. Fascinated by encaustics her background constitutes the entertainment and design business.
Now it's my turn. Naturally holding the camera, I don't have a photo of myself. Here's my work. Just makes me want more.
Patanjali (c. 1st to 3rd century BC) "When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds; your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."
... is coming along. Poco a poco. Thought I'd post a trio of photographs so you could view. Still working on the bed area, bedspread, bed skirt, etc. Curtains are still being made for one window. A couple of cushions for the armless striped chairs. Some of the art I have done since coming here will give me some colour on the walls for the time being. Must look into getting a couple pieces framed. Here goes. ...
"A house is a home when it shelters the body and comforts the soul." ~ Phillip Moffit
Before I show you Mama Moon, somehow this morning, I very UNdeliberately deleted, never to return, all your beautiful comments on each and every post! I thought I was in a 'spam' place - something new, so I pushed the delete button several times - and it's over --- I'm really ticked with myself. We will have to begin again.
Put the finishing touches on Mama Moon this morning and she is hanging on the wall. I have adjusted to her bright colours and we have again fallen in love.
"I like to think that the moon is always there even when I'm not looking at her." ~ Albert Einstein
The studio is coming along. For the record, I am recording some photographs of the progress. Don't worry if you can't make head nor tail of the design! It's difficult to visualize when not present.
Coming up the Stairs.
Entering the studio at the top of the stairs.
Looking left as you enter the studio.
Looking right as you come into the studio.
The view this morning looking Southwest. The fields are so green from all the beautiful rain and the dam is full.
Pretty blankets on the roof top across the street.
Habibi checking out his Casa. He is in love with his Casa.
Looking into the room from the outdoor terrace. The door on the back wall leads downstairs.
The side of the house from the terrace - looking up the driveway to the entrance.
Fresh plums I picked off my little tree this morning. Putting them together with mangoes later today. YUM.
‘You create your own universe as you go along. The stronger your imagination, the more variegated your universe. When you leave off dreaming, the universe ceases to exist.’
