If I were Queen

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Yes.... just when I thought I was going into my studio to produce a plethora of new work, life had other plans. My grandson was born tiny and frail and I made the decision to give him the best care I knew he needed while his reluctant mama went back to work. He was my gift for eight months until I was handed another challenge in the form of a much needed hip replacement. Oh how privileged we are to experience life at all! The good, the bad and the surprises. I stole minutes from here and there to complete this piece. It took ten months but it kept me in the groove while waiting and waiting to return to the studio full time. I'm almost there....... If I Were Queen

Privilege is a tricky subject. Is it the talent you were born with or the money you inherited? Some of us just got lucky genes or were in the right place at the right time, or were born into the favored gender, color or social status or plopped down in a country brimming with opportunity for all...... or not. We don't get to choose our beginnings for good or bad and that realization alone should stun us with a good dose of humility and compassion for our fellow humans.

(sorry for the poor photos..... I'll be getting better ones soon!)

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Mind Voyage

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We've had an amazing summer! We spent two fabulous weeks touring Europe, our daughter got married to her best friend and we had another grandson added to our expanding family. All these events have left me with an incredible magnetic pull for contemplation and self reflection. The tangible result manifested itself as " Mind Voyage" 26" x 16" Mind Voyage

Where does the mind travel? In the intimate moments of self-reflection, contemplation or even the expanse of meditation? Is the voyage to intercept creative waves that wash over our thoughts or are we trying to escape the exhaustive dizziness in the depths of negative repetition. We do have a choice, but it does not come just sailing along, we have to chart our own purposeful course to reach that illusive destination.

Abacus

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  Well, at last..... its finished! This last assemblage wall sculpture has been a six month labor of love. What an intense, exciting, tedious, and rewarding experience seeing it take shape and develop it's own story. Hello Abacus.....nice to meet you and feel your message.

For some of us, sitting in the counting house of life experience, counting, counting and counting, the thought repeats itself over and over. Will I ever be good enough? We may always struggle to be better in our jobs, our relationships, our health or our ability for compassion and understanding. But, to be able to accept the value in others we must first recognize and celebrate our own beautiful complexity and unique perfection.

Yes.... I am good enough and so are you.

Finding your voice

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People ask me.... "how do I find my voice?" For me it comes from listening to my heart. What am I passionate about, what moves me to action, what stirs my emotions? "Marching Still" comes from such an experience.

The inspiration for “ Marching Still” was taken from the poem “Bread and Roses” written by James Oppenheimer circa 1911

                                                Bread and Roses

As we come marching, marching in the beauty of the day,

A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray,

Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,

For the people hear us singing: "Bread and roses! Bread and roses!"

As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men,

For they are women's children, and we mother them again.

Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes;

Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses!

As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead

Go crying through our singing their ancient cry for bread.

Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew.

Yes, it is bread we fight for -- but we fight for roses, too!

As we come marching, marching, we bring the greater days.

The rising of the women means the rising of the race.

No more the drudge and idler -- ten that toil where one reposes,

But a sharing of life's glories: Bread and roses! Bread and roses

CFCF 2014 Classes

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Cabin Fever Clay Fest is one of the Polymer clay communities premier events of the year! Feb. 12-19 2014 are the dates for this years winter escape in Maryland.  I will be teaching two workshops....... Check them out! http://polymerclayfests.wordpress.com/cabin-fever-clay-fest-2014-class-and-registration-information/ Saturday Feb. 15th 9:00 am - 5:00 pm   Integrated Transfer Pendant

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel!! You just have look at established techniques with a fresh perspective to create your own style. Integrating transfers is such an idea. I’ve coined the term “Bohemian Nouveau” to describe the overall essence of my designs but you can integrate transfers in an endless array of combinations that reflect your own personal direction. The results are exciting, rewarding and crazy fun! Along with transfers we will experiment with what I call reverse Mokume, free style clay drawing and some fun finishing techniques. Follow along with my design or strike out on your own. Your creative energy will have a place for expression and encouragement to run free!

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Tues. Feb. 18th 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm and also.....Wed. Feb. 19th 8:00 am - 12:00 noon  Fiesta Dangles

Are you ready to party? Well, you will be with these fun, fancy, fabulous, Fiesta Dangles! Create just one or get crazy and finish all three different styles to showcase your inner Diva. I’ll provide the designs, instruction, and inspiration and you can bring your free spirited mojo! Fresh perspectives on layering, color combinations, new ways to look at your tools and finishing will be taught. What makes a good design and where to find endless ideas will be explored and shared. The key to new ideas and creativity is stretching your imagination and expanding on the possibilities. Small kit fee applies. Party on…

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Inspiring Alice

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Title: Inspiring Alice My friend Alice Stroppel  liked this piece so much while I was working on it at Pingree that I decided to dedicate it to her and her creativity which inspires me so much. Sharing our collective ideas and trying to see through the vision of others keeps us stretching and growing as Artists. We stir the senses and activate the well of imagination that sometimes needs just a bit of coaxing.

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Pingree 2013 People and Places

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Better Late than never I've said many a time! This summer has been so incredibly jam packed with fun, learning, family and friends. The week that I spent at Pingree in the beautiful Colorado mountains was indeed a memory not to be forgotten. Here are just a few highlights enjoy.....

Mother Nature....... always trying to play tricks on us with spontaneous rain, thunder and lightening also showered us with this gorgeous rainbow! What a gift!!

Look at those happy smiles! So many lovely women with humor and talent abundant and generous.Thanks Alice, Jana, Janet, Helen, Barb, and Ann for your friendship and crazy fun foolishness!

Loretta...... our own darling, deliciously talented, incredibly warm and delightful Diva!!

Maureen......Queen of organization and insight into the heart and Alice...... oh...... Alice, such fav of mine. She keeps me on my toes and continues to inspire me with her wit and humor.So much to learn and share and soooooooo little time!

Just say'in........

Hey Cindy....... I know you're lurking! Cynthia is always on the lookout for a good PC story and also on the watch for BEARS!!!

I could go on and on and on.......... Lots and lots of love and new and reunited friendships. Thanks to Carol and the committee who worked so hard to make this such a special time. My special loves...... Jana and Julie!!

Mov'in on....

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This Assemblage wall sculpture started with a subject that has been rattling around in my head for some time. The idea that at some point in our lives we have to move on from the baggage that we keep dragging around with us. Old ways of viewing the world, old relationships that are no longer healthy to our present and future happiness. It takes strength, numberswiki.com

courage and conviction to move on with the confidence to take ownership of our own lives. Fly free to see and to be...

Tiny Packages

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After an intense learning experience at Synergy I needed a project to give me a calmness and a "just for fun" moment. Here is a tiny package for another tiny package that arrived a month before her due date. Both are sparkly, soft and full of love. Welcome to this incredible world baby Londyn, I can't wait to frame your beautiful essence.Tucked into the left corner is a bird watching and waiting for that moment when she will need to learn to fly......

Synergy 3

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There is something special about the word "Synergy". I always picture a swirl of colors touching and colliding  to create an infinite rainbow of possibilities, or lightening as it gathers to create a super power of glorious beauty and energy. The Synergy 3 conference was just such an event. Thank you to so many who shared their time and expertise to inspire, encourage and support me personally and all of us who were fortunate enough to be a part.

PS....... LBL girls! Remember.....Friends that clay together, stay together!!!

Meyer Gallery Presents....

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I am honored to share in an exhibit at the Meyer Gallery with Fatima Ronquillo titled Complexity. "Fatima Ronquillo paints jewel-like paintings.....which have an uncanny quality that may be a species of magic." American Arts Quarterly,2011 .....Her work is exquisite says me!

I will have eleven of my pieces featured including "Questions and Answers" and "Silver Lining" showing for the first time. It is gratifying to introduce the fine arts to the fascinating medium of polymer clay.  If you are looking for something fun to do after the rush of the holidays, come and enjoy this delightful show at the renowned and beautiful Meyer Gallery in Park City, Ut.

Meyer Gallery Presents.....Complexity

New work by Heather Campbell and Fatima Ronquillo

Friday, January 4th, 6:00-8:00 pm

Meyer Gallery, 305 Main Street, Park City, Ut.