Carol Has Been Invited to Exhibit at Texas Tech University Museum Event

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The Museum of Texas Tech University debuts its’ first Art on the Llano Estacado Art Exhibition and Sale on June 5th-7th, 2014. Thursday night, June 5, features the celebration of the artists, sponsorship, and awards. Friday, June 6, will be a ticketed invitation-only reception and intent to purchase sale.  Saturday, June 7 (from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm) the public may view and purchase art. The event will be held in the Helen DeVitt Jones Sculpture Court at the Museum and will feature 40 nationally recognized artists. Carol was honored to be invited as one of the 40 distinguished artists and will participate exhibiting five of her bronze vessels.

The Art on the Llano Estacado Committee invites you to participate in this new and exciting event that will bring together a select group of professional, living artists with serious collectors from Texas and New Mexico. The art will focus on quality and create an exhibition unique in its diversity of style.

For more information, contact Kay Davis at kdavis3507@aol.com or (806) 792-4363

Garden of Promises accepted into Cornell Museum Juried Exhibition

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GardenOfPromises_medGarden of Promises has been accepted into the Cornell Museum National Juried Exhibition in Delray Beach, FL.  Michael Monroe is serving as the juror for the exhibit opening to the public February 13, 2014. An artist reception  will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2014 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.

Michael Monroe currently serves as Director of Curatorial Affairs of Bellevue Arts Museum. He has also served as an independent curator, writer and advisor. He is a member of the American Craft Council, as well as past president of the Peter Joseph Gallery in New York City. Monroe has served as juror for numerous national and international competitions, delivered lectures and organized exhibitions focusing on themes and issues in contemporary American craft.

He has won numerous awards, among them the Smithsonian Institution Outstanding Employee Award (1978-1984-1989-1995) and the NICHE Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award for Craft (1996). He was also selected as an Honorary Fellow at The American Craft Council College of Fellows (1995), and most recently was honored with the prominent “Award of Distinction for Contributions to the Field of Craft” by the American Craft Council (2009). For more information about the exhibit please call 561.243.7922 extension 309 Tuesdays –Thursdays.

Richard Diebenkorn Inspires us to Follow Our Hearts

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While driving to work at the foundry last week I was delighted to be able to stop in Palm Springs Art Museum to view the current Richard Diebenkorn exhibit.

Diebenkorn is known as one of the most significant California artists of his lifetime. The show presents the work of his Berkeley Years (1953-1966) while he lived there with his family. The obvious influence of the work of Henri Matisse  on Diebenkorn was beautifully apparent and moving.  The entire exhibit is both stirring and relaxing under a dramatic umbrella of nearly 100 works.  While his expressions are typically vibrant in color, many of his works in pen and ink quite surprisingly, truly captured my heart on an intimate plane surely as rich as his vibrantly colored ones.

One of the most intriguing, and to me perhaps one of the most profound, aspects of his work is his courageous movement out of the realm of abstract expressionism, while highly successful, and into the realm of representational  expression despite serious public criticisms.  He seemed not to care nearly as much about the public’s reception of what he created as he did his own integrity and growth as an ever-evolving artist. His powerful and courageous practice continues to be a deep inspiration toward that ever longing call for each of us to simply continue to grow with a steadfast internal compass listening to the heart above and beyond the world’s response.  His Berkeley years surely expanded his contribution to our world of art despite the publics inability to appreciate its evolution at the time.

The exhibit continues through February 16th.  For more information please visit http://www.psmuseum.org/palm-springs/exhibition/richard-diebenkorn-berkeley-years-1953-1966/

Cottonwood Bud Harvesting

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Sarah Jaroskye recently posted a blog, which captured my heart, and I thought I would share it with all of you.  She has begun harvesting Cottonwood buds and making therapeutic oils with them.  Her spirit of asking permission before collecting the buds (a beautiful Native American tradition) and thanking the tree after (perhaps even with a gift of some kind) touched my spirit reminding me of the ever-flowing gratitude we each might offer Mother Nature daily.

The Cottonwood leaves have always captured my attention with their lovely soft, heart shaped leaves. What a timely post this was as we soon will celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day with hearts floating everywhere. Perhaps, if the season permits, some of you might find some buds of this beloved tree to harvest in honor of Valentine’s Day?
The rich and earthy resin of the leaf buds is often referred to as “Balm of Gilead”. One variety or another of the Cottonwood grows throughout North America and they are indeed a favorite in the blooming season of many bees (I  love seeing those bees ever vibrant!).  The herbal actions of the resin extract include: anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic (pain relieving).

Last year when I moved into my new home I inherited a mature jojoba tree and harvested its seeds with utter joy. I was able to enjoy a beautiful, soothing jojoba oil and also thrilled a massage therapist when sharing with her. Infusing oil is a simple process simply be certain the buds or seeds are completely dry and use a quality carrier oil. Sarah chose a simple olive oil for her Cottonwood buds. I used an organic apricot oil with the jojoba.

There is a rich connection we appreciate when we not only notice, rather with deep gratitude, collect and harvest the plethora of gifts nature spills upon our earth. It allows us to truly experience the deep roots we share and invite the entire realm of nature into our lives as a natural extension of ourselves.

You may read the full post and directions for the harvesting of the Cottonwood buds here: http://urbanfarm.org/blog/1645-cottonwood-bud-winter-wild-harvesting

Seeds Of Harmony Wins Award

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SeSeedsOfHarmony_tbeaseleds of Harmony was selected among  650 global entries to be included in  the 2014 Four Points Juried Bi-Annual Competition. Reginald Charles Adams, Executive Director at Museum of Cultural Arts Houston served as the juror selecting 90 works for the exhibit and designating an Honorable Mention Award to  Seeds of Harmony.  The general public may view the show at http://www.fourpointscontemporary.com/2nd-bi-annual/.

Epiphany Blessings to You

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Happy Epiphany!  Today, January 6th is Epiphany – the 12th day of Christmas and nearly forgotten by most. In Christian tradition, it is the day the wise men/women completed their journey  – following the wondrous star – to the Christ child. For me, it holds deep and rich inspiration to reflect upon “what Light DO I follow in my life and what Light am I committed to following in this new year?  What is it that truly navigates my path and directs and informs me as I journey?  In Christian tradition it is all tied to the grand celebration of the birth of Christ – to a new birth in our souls. What is it you have given birth to in this season regardless of your religious or spiritual preferences? ? And, it is perhaps helpful to remember that often a new birth requires allowing something else to die – to make room for a new beginning – a truly new birth that we are able to nourish and allow to grow and bloom in our lives.

The winter season, in most climates, brings us indoors more than outdoors while nature moves through its progression of letting go and resting in preparation for yet another spring of new budding and growth.  As we witness from indoors or outdoors, the shifting quiet response of nature to the winter season, may we feel invited to embrace the same quiet time of preparation for ourselves. Appearance wise, it looks as though some of nature is actually dead – barren branches and skeletons of trees starkly marking the landscapes. The skeleton is the bone – the foundation upon which all future budding and growth will sprout. – the foundation upon which all our bodily systems function in miraculous harmony.  As nature requires this season of rest – of dormancy – perhaps we might serve ourselves well to do the same?  Take time to sip that extra cup of tea….take time to enjoy a short nap….take time to sit quietly and simply ponder all the immense wonder surrounding us always.  I like to call this “power lounging”…..taking a few minutes to fuel the soul and truly awaken the spirit.  Happy New Year to you and Happy Power Lounging in 2014 as you quietly prepare to allow a new birth to flow into your life.