First Becomes Last

mixed media,9 3"x3" canvas, gold leaf, wire, crystals, assorted cloth and machine stitching. This was the first image on this blog waaay back in 2008. Funny story....I had this blog up and running a short time and I became ill. Thinking I might have pneumonia, Paul and I went to the doctors and one thing led to another and 15 days later in the intensive care ward I was told I had 3weeks to 3months to live if I went home. I chose to go home and with the help of hospice....I slowly got better...better meaning hospice could pack up and leave ...friends could stop cooking dinners because now I could go on but with limits. I would  need to be  using oxygen full time...day and night. We adjusted, with oxygen canisters and concentrator and cpaps. We changed to electric kitchen and we had help with once a month heavy cleaning otherwise we returned to our normal lives, took small trips and had fun dates. My condition is not a disease but rather a serious problem with crushing torso due to osteoporosis The funny part of this is that my art making became a stronger focus. I spent time in the studio exploring and just generally playing. Having this blog was one of my delights. Comments have mostly faded but I am devoted to keeping this space open. Lately I have slowed to a stop at the work bench. I don't know what an artist block might feel like but I know I am not suffering from any angst, self-doubt yada yada yad. One day I noticed I hadn't been working or even stepping in to clean up or gather materials or write about next projects. It has been awhile and I've looked at this from many angles. My health has taken a change as well...10 years is a long time and I believe at 74 other factors have come into play...I did smoke as a young woman so that might explain my physical wearing down.

 Final thoughts I will continue this blog, adding words and photos art related and when I have a new piece, I will gladly share. I'm active on Facebook. . Thanks for taking the time to read this!

Angel Unseen

7"x8" printed cloth, silver and turquoise beads, assorted colored threads. Began this bird/angel in early August. I've picked it up, put it down countless times. It has been larger and wrapped in copper leaf. It had four circles sewn to each corner of a patchwork background now cut away. This little stitched blindfolded angel is what I have salvaged. During these August/September days, I have been dealing with a non-life threatening ailment...causing aggravation, discouragement but finally and gratefully have arrived on the other side of this physical problem.
There is a beautiful Blindfolded Angel Hasidic tale but this little one is more personal story about not seeing, not knowing....trusting in the mending. Hopefully I'll be back full steam at the work table!  

Between Stars

9"x10", beads, hand dyed cotton, freezer paper screen prints, assorted beads and silver and black trim.

This one had many lives as I struggled with a composition relating to movement. I've dreamt about floating between stars as a meditation but not so easy  in real time. I lost count with all the different ways these stars found their place and I can tell you there are plenty more still left on the work table. I'm going to thank these (lucky) stars that I am done and now to a favorite and necessary pastime...clean the studio!