Love Amulet

"Love Amulet" 5"x10", painted cloth, tassels, pearl beads, wedding ring charm, gold leaf, embroidery and machine stitching, gold paper and molding paste.
Taking on the tools of the Amulet Maker in this one as well as my own story. According to Chinese Horoscope, I (monkey) am compatible with dragons. I've loved both dragons and snakes so I guess I've followed ancient suggestions. I created the snake/dragon with molding paste using a hand cut stencil. There were breaks with the paste while drying so I used gold leaf as a patch. The tear drop pearls are from a pair of earrings and the wedding ring set from a very old charm bracelet. Putting these amulets together using what is at hand has been such a good experience...no running to the store for more beads or threads. The top piece changed so many times as I couldn't find a color or print that worked for me and then ...this fabric showed up in one of my three fabric bins and I just knew it would be fine...funny how this all works in matters of the heart and art making.

Living with Dragons

A gift from someone very dear to me..Jill, a friend. She and her mom, Josie and I would occasionally travel to Carmel Valley and Big Sur to spend time letting these phenomenal areas speak to our lives, refuel and regenerate.We, of course, had a fair amount of laughter, good food and conversations but it was the sights that each of us returned to and so loved. Jill sent me this dragon hand puppet for many reasons but especially because of the wonderful fun and sheer artistry. She has an outrageous generous spirit and I'm the better for having her in my life! The dragon sits on this shelf above my computer desk and greets me day and night with his benevolent smile and glassy eyes. Down by his tail sits my prayer bowl. I made it of paper mache' attached to an assortment of bracelets and old coaster, wire and collage. Inside, I place written payers folded and hopefully released to the Universe. I like surrounding myself with my keepsakes, it gives me strength and sometimes just a smile.

I'm having a long and trying time in the studio....I'm off , tilted , upside down and I'm needing to right myself. I could take a break...the sun is shining! I could go to the movies..."Last Chance...Harvey" looks like easy going diversion but no, I'm a stubborn type and I'm going back into the studio to find out when the fun stopped and regroup and regain my higher spirits back, then I'll go to the movies later today. Have a fun weekend.