Transformation 45

I haven't done any pieces for my long-ongoing "Transformations" series in quite a long while, but was recently inspired to add to it.

Transformation 45

My "Transformations" series is strongly rooted in my deep feelings about the magic of nature, and when I look for words about nature, I often look to one of my heroes and favorite writers, Wendell Berry. I leave you here with some of his wisdom.



“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.”



“It may be that when we no longer know what to do,
we have come to our real work
and when we no longer know which way to go,
we have begun our real journey.

The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
The impeded stream is the one that sings.”



“So, friends, every day do something that won't compute...Give your approval to all you cannot understand...Ask the questions that have no answers. Put your faith in two inches of humus that will build under the trees every thousand years...Laugh. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts....Practice resurrection.”

Prayer Flagg VII

Prayer Flag VII

2.5 x 3.5 inches, monotype with mixed media

Another little piece in the Prayer Flag series. Hope you enjoy it!

More Prayer Flags

 Prayer Flag V

Prayer Flag VI

Once I get on a roll with something it's hard for me to stop. Two more Prayer Flags just came to me, so here they are. I may choose three of the six to substitute for the three sold Seed Story pieces (two of them here and here) in the Tripletta traveling show, but I'm also working on some more Seed Story pieces, so we'll see.


Hope you enjoy them!

Transformation 38

38 and counting. I'm not too sure about this one, which was actually made before #37. I held off calling it "finished" because I was hoping I'd think of a way to make it better. Nothing occurred. If you have any ideas, let me know; I never hesitate to tear something apart and start over. Recycling or re-recycling- it's all good.

Transformation 37

Well, I've just completed the 37th piece in this ongoing series. In an earlier post, I described how the Transformations series came about as an accidental act of desperation. Ironically, these pieces are what's selling right now, which keeps me making more- and now even more. The Promenade Gallery in Berea, Kentucky has been having quite a run on them this summer.

Then, a few weeks ago, I was contacted by an interior designer who wants to use 9 of them for a Decorators Showcase project in Lexington, KY, and another for a silent auction benefiting Capacity Inc., an organization that helps impoverished girls/women prepare for employment. I'm extremely fortunate to have this opportunity; it's exciting, but a little scary, too. Having a demanding day job makes it a little difficult to keep up with everything, but I'm sure going to give it a heck of a try!

Here is an article about the event, written by Sherry Piersol for Natural Awakenings Magazine. They still need artists and vendors to set up booths, if you're interested.

Capacity Inc. & Lorillard Lofts Presents:
“Naturally Chic” Decorators Showcase

Upon visiting Lexington, Kentucky’s first eco-friendly interior decorators showcase one will have an opportunity to reconnect with self, home and the community. “Naturally Chic” will focus on creating comfortable, stylish, elegant and creative loft living, naturally! This is a great opportunity to obtain eco-friendly, affordable, new trend insight for anyone’s home. Most importantly the $10.00 ticket per person goes to a great cause.
The decorator showcase is a result or our desire to obtain employment for the unemployed women in the community. This project is a fundraiser for Capacity Inc. an international non profit dedicated to the advancement of women, www.capacityinc.org. The Lorillard Lofts Decorator Showcase will serve as a model for other cities worldwide.
We began with two goals, first to introduce the community to examples of environmentally friendly, urban development and décor. Lorillard Lofts was selected because fabulous living spaces were created from the renovation of an old tobacco warehouse, see coolspaces.com.
Second, Capacity Inc. is a cutting edge organization which advocates transforming women of today into women of tomorrow. Thus, the decorator showcase and the career advancement initiative is a project about transformation.
“Naturally Chic” is about looking at yourself and how you can make a difference in creating a healthy environment at home, speak out about the future of our community from a conservative, historical and humanitarian point of view and make a difference in the lives of women.
How do we begin? The first step is to attend the Lorillard Lofts “Naturally Chic” Decorators showcase and experience first hand natural, beautiful living styles for your home. Ask me about becoming involved in the Career Advancement Initiative for Unemployed Women. By attending any of the events below you will benefit from a wonderful experience and your ticket purchase will change the lives of the women in your community for the better!
Capacity Inc. and Lorillard Loft “Naturally Chic” Decorator Showcase Dates:
Tickets may be purchased through pay pal at www.capacityinc.com or visit the site and see a list of local businesses selling tickets.
Group Tours October 16 through October 22nd 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Minimum of 10 participants (2 free tickets) $100.00 per 12
Premier Party Special Event – October 23rd, Friday 6:00 – 10:00 PM
Special guest appearance, first bids on décor items, food, drink, music and dancing.
$50.00 per person
General Admission: October 24th and 25th 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sat and Sun
$10.00 per person Specialty gift shop & food vendors on location this weekend also.

We are in need of sponsors and vendors. Please call Sherry at (859) 583-8007

All lofts and decor are for sale!

Transformation 36

I can't believe I've done 36 of these! It really doesn't seem possible (somewhat like the fact that it's already August). Some have been scrapped, some sold, some are at the gallery, and some still sit in the portfolio in my studio. The strange part is that the series came about entirely by accident. When I was in the Master's degree program at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, we were given a horrifying (to me, at least) assignment. At the end of the week, we were told we had to make 50 pieces by Monday. FIFTY!! This was inconceivable to me. Me, the super-perfectionist, think-about-it-for-a-million-years-before-starting, self-questioning, mind-changing, oh-my-god-i-can't-do-it- ME?

I was freaking out. Perhaps I misunderstood, or my hearing was going bad. But, no. Obviously, the instructors weren't serious, right? They were.

I had no idea where to start, but I thought, there has to a way to cheat...or- something. After all, necessity- and 430 dollars a credit hour- are the mothers of invention. I looked at the discarded work laying around the studio- the ones that didn't quite work out, and said, "Why not?" I started cutting them into pieces and gluing them together. It seemed a lot easier than starting from scratch. I don't remember how or why I came up with the 7x7 inch format, but for some reason I made them all that size. I worked all weekend, every minute, without stopping. I got my children to help me. Whatever, just so they were done.

Finally, I had 50 pieces. Granted, some of them looked like pieces of dog poo, but there were a few that were actually not too bad. Oddly enough, my instructors didn't hate them completely. I kept some of them. Then, I began to make more. Eventually, they became a series; now people even buy them! Who'd a thunk?

There must have been a point to all this- what was it? Oh, yeah... my point was... well, you just never know, do you? Also, thanks, Kim and Paige. I guess that 430 dollars per credit hour wasn't a total waste, was it?