Ohhh, It's so Brown!

This is the continuation of 'Wings of Mercy' and I've made two discoveries....I've remeasured the paper...it's 38'x38' instead of 48'square. I stand corrected... it is smaller...( still feels like 48') I have also discovered (I think I already knew this one) I don't care much for browns. I thought of my wardrobe and everything is in grays and blacks, very little in browns. I don't even have a tube or jar of burnt sienna but rather mix it myself? I want to finish this piece all in soft pastel so I need to make some bold changes. The words on the right are in Latin describing an African butterfly with similar markings.

Personal note: Yesterday Pablo and I had a day out (long overdo) which began with lunch (Chinese) and then on to a matinee "Invictus".

We are still formulating our plans for the year....places to go, things to do and see. We did promise one another more pool time and more beach time and more picnic time. Maybe because it is raining but all three sound like a wonderful dream. We ended our day by reading the poem "Invictus" along with our nightly Robinson Jeffers. Sorry about the bad photo glare but the studio is dark with all this overcast and rain.

Beginning Wings

48"x48" Working title is' Wings of Mercy'. I'm beginning this piece on paper in yellows and making real and imagined markings as in butterfly wings...only not. I have stacks of cloth, paper and things to glue and paint. I'm finally feeling better...strong enough to start painting. I intend on doing three of these large ones so I've plenty of space to paint.

Catching up with all the New Year's words of 2010...I report my word as 'Resolute'. The word will serve me well as I have a big project planned for the first of Spring and I need this time to gather and get ready. I did a tarot reading and was happy with the Magician card concerning the project with the outcome card being the King of Swords....this should all be interesting.

Thank you to each one of you on this magical medium!!! I took ALL your advice, woolly socks, rest,tea, lemon, honey, books (Tassajara Cookbook) salt water gargle, and more rest. Pablo delivered fresh soup (Whole Foods)packaged as if by a Shaman wrapped and blessed each container. Your comments made me smile with tears....thank you.

Below is some writing concerning my study with friend Deena this winter.

This dark winter season holding dreams yet dreamed
Warmed by hopes of the promised gifts of Spring
Planting these beginning seeds in dark moonless evenings
Faith in gifts of ancient souls
Find the chant, no the humming lullaby heard not for the child but
Rather for the tired heart long traveled.
Ring the bells, turn the prayer wheels, this winter of finding and
Accepting my soul's rhythm has begun.

Sharing the Bookshelves

This was a post I had planned describing my new books, old books and how difficult it has been to share this space. I had planned on taking a few close-ups but I woke up this morning with a screeching, screaming sore throat. I will be taking a few days off beginning NOW to recover. I hope to be visiting all of you as I feel better. Meanwhile enjoy these first few days of the new year !