M E T A M O R P H O S I S

Butterflies have been crossing my path a lot lately and when I think about them and what they represent I guess it is no coincidence that I came up with this Metamorphosis piece. A lot of times when I am working on an art piece I find it directly ties into what is on my mind or what I am going through, even if I was not conscious of it at the time I was executing it.


I can't believe it is Labor Day weekend already, where did summer go?!? I must admit I am actually glad summer is gone, I have always been more of a fall person. Growing up in the northwest I loved the crispness of September air and the earthy colors of falling leaves. I loved putting an extra blanket on the bed at night and spending late afternoons in front of a fire drawing or painting. Of course now that I live in the "tropics" September usually marks a season of even hotter, more humid weather. There is no crisp air, there is heavy damp air. There are no falling leaves or a need for extra blankets. There is a need for finding the coolest, most air conditioned theater, book store or restaurant you can find and spending time there, lots of time....

Despite that I still find the fall season a time of renewal. The shifting of energy is palatable and it seems like anything is possible this time of year. I don't know if it is brought on by the seasonal changes or if it is tied into a larger cycle of life (September is my birth month), whatever it is I always find renewed energy and an overwhelming desire to spread my wings and go off in a new direction come September.

This September I have started a new job which I am very excited about. Not only do I get to work with local artists once again I get to help keep the diverse heritage of this community alive, something I think is important for any community. I have a lot of challenges ahead of me but I am energized by all of the possibilities. I really do feel a bit like a butterfly fluttering through the sky.

Sirens Of The Sea

Father's Day was a festival of mermaids at my friends gallery. It was the first annual Mermaid Fest and it featured The Mermaids of Hawaii, a synchronized swimming group, artist demos and an array of work celebrating the sea and it's mythical creatures. Here are a few of the encaustic pieces I did.

The wax really enhanced the underwater feel of the pieces, adding a murky layer to some pieces and giving the effect of encrusted buried treasure
to others.

I must admit mermaids are not a theme I would consider doing but it turned out to be fun, and I got to use up a lot of the shells I had laying around the house. And the fact that the pieces sold, well, that was like discovering the pearl inside of the oyster, something you hope for and yet you are surprised and delighted by when it happens........

Hawaiiana Calls...

I have a friend who owns an art gallery in Waikiki. It is full of what I refer to as "tourist art", photos, paintings, and prints of palm trees, sunsets and waves. She only sells work made here in Hawaii and it must be reflective of the islands. I sell lava and kukui nut jewelry there and do quite well with it but it isn't a direction I would normally go in. I am more inclined to make dramatic costume inspired neck pieces or leis of recycled items I picked up off the street. But the kukui nut bracelets help pay the rent and sadly that is what it is all about these days.

Anyway, she has been after me from day one to do some art work for her, paintings or the collage boxes I am known for. The problem is, what I am known for and what she offers in her gallery are not the same thing and I have not been able to generate any enthusiasm for making "tourist art". But times are tough and I could use the money so... I thought about melting some wax....

I decided I could stay true to myself and do some tongue in cheek Hawaiiana works that would not be offensive to me or her clientele. And adding wax to the images definitely makes them stand out from all the other offerings out there in the tourist market. Hopefully I have made them interesting enough for anyone to consider.

1 Fetus + 1 Tile = Infantile

Once again I wonder where time has gone and why I haven't been on here more. OK, well I know why I haven't been on here more but time does slip by at a fast rate these days. I got hit with that nasty flu bug that was going around, it knocked me off my feet much longer than it should have. Then there was the death of someone who was very special to me, that has left me numb and blue and not feeling up to much of anything. I have finally rallied a bit and felt some art therapy was in order!

If you have been following my ramblings on here you know my friend Erin sent me a blank metal tile which was calling for some makeover magic. Also, a very long time ago she sent out a plastic fetus, not only to me but to many of her artist friends (you have to love a gal who has a bag full of plastic fetuses). I think everyone has used them in some creative way but I still had not done anything with the two I received and I was beginning to feel guilty about that. I still have a project in mind for one of them but I decided to take the other one and combine it with the tile to make an infant-tile :)

The finished piece is called Infantile de Infanta,

the infant child of Portuguese royalty.

I am feeling better already..........

Hand Made

Nothing makes a bad day better than coming home to a box of goodies from an artist friend! I am incredibly lucky to have such talented and giving friends, but my friend Erin out did herself this time and I just have to share with you what she sent me.

First of the goodies is the fun metal tile she altered, I think it is going to look perfect in my kitchen. She also sent me a blank tile so I am going to make her something fun in return. I know exactly what I am going to do with it so stay tuned for an update on that.

If that wasn't enough, she also sent this amazing piece, I just love it! She got a sewing machine for Christmas and is experimenting with fiber. I think she did a great job and I am so excited to have a new edition to my ever growing hand collection.



And to round out the goodies she included this fun piece by her husband who makes lots of wonderful ceramic things. I think this guy has a heavy Hawaiian tiki vibe going on and he is a welcome addition to all of my little curios.

In these uncertain times knowing our friends are there to support and encourage us makes a huge difference. It's these gestures of friendship and sharing the creative spirit that will sustain me, that much I know for sure. So to Erin, and all of my kindred friends, thank you so much for sharing your talent with me, you inspire me and nurture me more than you know!

Ok, I admit it, I am being a bit lazy here. I promised some poetry and I just haven't been writing anything lately. Because of that I decided to re-post some of the writings I posted on my myspace page. I know some of you have read these before but it is all new to some of you too, and hey, the artwork is all new :) And speaking of artwork, the image below looks a bit blurry because it is covered in wax, it is a detail of a larger piece I was working on. I am not real happy with the finished piece which is why I am only showing a bit of it......





You Were The One

I am not easy
Yet that never seemed to bother you
You didn't look too deep
Between the cracks
To discover what was beneath the surface
Yet you always seemed to know
What was in my core...
You were the one
Who didn't get my jokes
Or understand my view of the world
And yet
You were the one
Who quietly let me wrap my spirit
Around yours
Who embraced me for being the one
Who made you smile
Who soothed your soul
And let you be the one
Everyone else
Tried to change....
We understood the world
We made
And in the history of our mangled lives
When I was
Less than rational
And you were not armed for combat
I unwrapped myself
From your center...
And once again you could breathe.

Telling Tales

You were a master storyteller
talking to my body with yours
creating mysteries
exploring plots
always careful
to navigate

between the lines

As rain dripped down
steamy windows
in the cold of darkest nights
you bound yourself to me
and transformed us...

As characters in another time
you spun tales
of gods and goddesses
who much like us
fought their demons
and reveled in their dreams
finding comfort in the arms
of lovers well spent

Heaven unfolded upon the ceiling
as you created a universe
for me
of loving hope
and sacred lust

You pointed to distant stars
and said our home was there
up in the heavens
beyond the reality

of dark nights

and bitter rain.