Sunday, May 6, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
"Remembrance"
This commissioned piece was for my sweet friend, Rebecca Biggers. Her father died several years back, and this was in his memory.
The story goes that when Betsy, Rebecca's mother, visited Carl's grave shortly after his death, there was a Mourning Dove near it. It interacted in such a way that Betsy believed it to be some sort of communication from her late husband. She finally gave into both her feelings of insanity and connection, and asked Carl to move on. When she spoke her wishes, the bird flew away from the grave site. She accepted with peace that she had given Carl permission to explore the next plane.
The song “Beautiful Dreamer” was one that Rebecca remembered hearing her father play. From what I knew of Carl or “Buddy”, he was a beautiful dreamer and so much more.
Monday, June 28, 2010
"Indivisible"
"Indivisible"
Mixed Media
Acrylic & Paper on Canvas
10" x 10"
What is God to a Sparrow?
Is it the beetle that feeds the hungry mouths in the nest?
Is God in something I dismiss every day?
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
"Prodigy"
"Prodigy"
Mixed Media
Acrylic, Paper, and Snake Skin on Canvas
10" x 10"
Prodigy- An act or event so extraordinary or rare as to inspire wonder.
Prodigy- An act or event so extraordinary or rare as to inspire wonder.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Refuge
Mixed Media
Paper and Acrylic on Canvas
20" x 20"
SOLD
There was a time that my world was upside down. During that time, I was offered a respite care in Brasstown, NC. It was a special, quite place where everything appeared to be exactly as it should.
Outside my friends house was a Cherry tree overflowing with fruit. It was such a pleasure to see the Crows devour the cherries. The contrast of their large, inky bodies against the green and red was breathtaking. In their pursuit of nourishment, I was nourished too.
Because they shared with me, I had the strength to face the battles that lay ahead.
There was a time that my world was upside down. During that time, I was offered a respite care in Brasstown, NC. It was a special, quite place where everything appeared to be exactly as it should.
Outside my friends house was a Cherry tree overflowing with fruit. It was such a pleasure to see the Crows devour the cherries. The contrast of their large, inky bodies against the green and red was breathtaking. In their pursuit of nourishment, I was nourished too.
Because they shared with me, I had the strength to face the battles that lay ahead.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
"Urbanite"
Mixed Media
Acrylic & Paper on Canvas
10" x 10"
Have you ever felt the world come at you from so many directions that you fear loss of self?
"Astronomer"
Mixed Media
Acrylic and Paper on Canvas
24" x 24"
The Indigo Bunting migrates at night, navigating its course by the position of the stars. Scientists have documented the baby birds still in the nest, watching the night sky, preparing for their future.
No one can tell me that Spirit is not found in such things.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
"Blight"
"Blight"
Acrylic and Paper on Canvas
24" x 24"
This ghost bird was the Carolina Parakeet, now extinct due to loss of habitat and over hunting. As people began to farm North Carolina land, they began to see the Carolina Parakeet as a pest that should be destroyed. They were eliminated by the 1930's.
While in a class this summer learning about Fire Blight, I was reminded of the Carolina Parakeet. I started feeling a sad connection that I still don't fully understand. I wish I could see a tree turn green in winter when a flock lands in its leafless branches. I wish I could fill my land with apples for the birds to eat without abandon. I wish I could save my heirloom apple tree from its destruction.
I am aware that I live in a selfish world. I question my own selfishness in my need to preserve things, to control a course of action. I still don't know what is right. Perhaps the process begins with inquiry.
You may learn more about the Carolina Parakeet here: Carolina Parakeet
This ghost bird was the Carolina Parakeet, now extinct due to loss of habitat and over hunting. As people began to farm North Carolina land, they began to see the Carolina Parakeet as a pest that should be destroyed. They were eliminated by the 1930's.
While in a class this summer learning about Fire Blight, I was reminded of the Carolina Parakeet. I started feeling a sad connection that I still don't fully understand. I wish I could see a tree turn green in winter when a flock lands in its leafless branches. I wish I could fill my land with apples for the birds to eat without abandon. I wish I could save my heirloom apple tree from its destruction.
I am aware that I live in a selfish world. I question my own selfishness in my need to preserve things, to control a course of action. I still don't know what is right. Perhaps the process begins with inquiry.
You may learn more about the Carolina Parakeet here: Carolina Parakeet
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
"Encroachment"
Acrylic and Paper on Canvas
24" x 24"
Have you ever seen this little blue bird?
Have you ever seen this little blue bird?
Most people have not, yet they are supposed to be here in western NC in our summer months. The bird in question is the Cerulean Warbler, and it’s on the Audubon watch list for extinction.
The Cerulean Warbler winters in the areas of South America that grows some of the wonderful coffees that we enjoy. Unfortunately, the demand for these coffees has caused loss of habitat for the birds.
The good news is that there is a very easy solution. Ask for shade grown coffee. That’s all you have to do to save an entire species. You can do that, right?
Learn more at www.rainforest-alliance.org
Friday, May 7, 2010
"Family Tree"
Mixed Media
36" x 36"
Acrylic and Paper on Canvas
SOLD
"The connections we make in the course of a life--maybe that's what heaven is."
Fred Rogers
SOLD
"The connections we make in the course of a life--maybe that's what heaven is."
Fred Rogers
Thursday, May 6, 2010
"Messenger Bird"
"Messenger Bird"
Mixed Media
Acrylic and Paper on Canvas
10" x 10"
If you slow down and listen, the Northern Mockingbird will tell you about your neighbors. She is my observer in the outside world. She tells me of Cats, Gulls, Hawks and Bluebirds. I don't always understand everything she says, I'm still learning the language.
If you slow down and listen, the Northern Mockingbird will tell you about your neighbors. She is my observer in the outside world. She tells me of Cats, Gulls, Hawks and Bluebirds. I don't always understand everything she says, I'm still learning the language.
"Folks"
"Folks"
Mixed Media
Acrylic and Paper on Canvas
10" x 10"
"I think that there's just one kind of folks. Folks" Harper Lee
"I think that there's just one kind of folks. Folks" Harper Lee
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Artist Statement
In my work, I celebrate presence. I address the fragility of nature,
spirituality and humanity. These themes are often combined to speak to the
viewer on several levels. The patterned background represents unexamined aspects
of our cultures, as well as the many layers of self, accumulated from growth
and evolution. It conveys the message that “what is underneath is part of the
whole”.
Growing up in rural Appalachia, I played outside in my special, wooded
place. Birds were such a part of my life, they could have been family. At
night, my sister and I would lie in the grass, on a quilt and see who could
call a Bob White closer.
The need to earn a living took me out of that place and into a much more
populated one. The birds were ghosts. This new habitat could not support what it
should have. For the first time, I saw the conflict between the need for a tree
versus the greed for pavement.
I am not sure that a painting will call someone’s attention to the need
to preserve land. I believe that telling a story re-animates the subject. My
hope is that I can bring focus back to simple pleasures that cost us nothing
but consideration and wiser choices.
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