Category Archives: Inspiration

Photo safaris, trips and explorations of the world and mind

Warm Sun on a Winter Afternoon

Leave a reply

There is nothing like a warm sunny winter afternoon. A benefit to living in Phoenix, AZ. If only it was like this all year. But these days wouldn’t be such treats without the contrast of cooler and hotter days. After spending the day in the studio creating and promoting getting out for some sun and inspiration is in the plan. Wandering around I took these photos.

Hanuman Mala Beads

Leave a reply

One hundred eight luxuriously large blue tiger eye beads make up this set of mala beads. Although large (12mm) I had to make a full set of mala beads with them. Every beads on this mala has that tiger eye shimmer. Blue tiger eye is clamming it resonates with the throat and third eye chakras. Tiger eye while activating the higher chakras it keeps our connection to the lower chakras. This helps keep one grounded while doing higher work. This is a great stone to work with for public speakers aiding with nervousness and  clearing the throat chakra.

Hanuman Mala

 

108 Blue Tiger Eye Bead Hanuman Mala Beads

I choose a Hanuman pendant to hang from the guru position of this mala. Hanuman is a deity from an epic Indian tale noted for his courage, power , faithfulness and selfless service.  This set of mala beads are completed with the 3 large rectangle brass beads that are hand made in Nepal. These beads have the image of a monkey etched into them. A large mala for practice, wear or display on your alter, or even all three.

I have made this mala with the intention of courage and clarity of speech and clarity of perception. Click on the photo above to see more photos in my Quiet Mind shop on Etsy.

Hanuman Pendant

Spring is Here!

Leave a reply

Spring in the AZ Desert

Time is flying as it usually does, particularly in retrospect. Spring is here kind of unbelievable. We have had some warm and very warm weather already this year, but as I write this we are enjoying a cool spell. The heat will be here soon enough so this is not a complaint. Enjoying all day under 110 while I can.

The awakening of spring is breathing new life into the awakening of the masses to this system stacked in favor of a few. The occupy protests that began last fall, called by some as the American Autumn are coming alive in the rebirth of spring. The protests are making changes in the social and political landscape of this country and the world. The most notable effect of note recently are all the corporations dropping out of the evil Koch Brother’s front group ALEC. The awareness raised about ALEC through Occupy and finally the events surrounding the Trayvon Martin tragedy and the exposing of another of many draconian laws sponsored by ALEC. If you are interested in knowing more how ALEC controls our legislators and more you may want to visit ALEC Exposed. Finally on this subject there is an international call, originating from Europe, for a general strike on May 1st – no work, no school, no shopping, no banking, take to the streets! I’ll be off line that day at the very least.

I with the spring I hope the wave of change that circling the earth continues with positive results for all sentient beings.

 

 

Willodel on Etsy

Leave a reply

I was contacted by Lucinda of Willodel in my Quiet Mind shop on Etsy. That prompted me to take a look at her shop. I’m glad I did. Her shop is filled with these wonderfully whimsical houses for your garden visitors. Like this stone toad house, complete with a copper roof!

Bungalow Toad house with copper roof

These houses have amazing details and design and even more amazing Lucinda is self taught! I am amazed at the rustic details of the song bird house below. One of these would look great around my pond. Dropping hints for anyone looking to get me a gift ;) .

Bungalow Songbird house made from Aspen, Redwood and Apple wood

Learn more about Lucinda and her work on her web site Lucinda &Co. Another site she maintains that I think is really fun is Garden Toad Watch, a site to document sightings and share stories about the gardener’s beast friend. I’d be adding updates if I gardened in a climate acceptable to toads.

Have to love Etsy and the internet providing all the possibilities for meeting so many artists and seeing their work.

 

 

Summer’s nearly over – July 31 – Daily Posting Challenge Day 61

Leave a reply

A late summer trip to the mountains was in order to escape the heat for a little while and enjoy the fresh mountain air! Here are some photos I shot late in the afternoon.

 

Night Blooming Cereus – June 28 – Daily Postig Challenge Day 28

Leave a reply

The desert is full of amazing plants and the Night Blooming Cereus is one of them. They have giant very fragerent white flowers that only bloom for one night at a time.

Night Blooming Cereus buds ready to open.

Blossoms in early AM.

Many years ago I had one of these in my back yard. I would go out early in the morning and cut a blossom putting is in glass with a little water and place in my refrigerator. Every time I opened the refrigerator door I’d smell the sweet scent and see the beautiful flower.

New Work for First Friday – June 27 – Posting Challenge Day 27

Leave a reply

Antique Czech Glass Wedding Beads

I am in the process of creating some new pieces for my Day of the Dead line of jewelry. I’ll be combining these colorful antique Czech glass beads with skulls to create colorful pieces celebrating our ancestors.

Come by Galeria de los Muertos this First Friday (July 1, 2011) and check them out along with all the other great jewelry, fashions and accessories that will be on display at the Galeria’s First Fridays Art and Fashion Show event.

If you can’t make it to the event you can always see the Day of the Dead line in my Etsy shop Quiet Mind.

Some more older works – June 26 _Posting Challenge Day 26

Leave a reply

I have been reflecting on past works, looking though old paintings and drawings getting prepared for a showing of my work for my 50th birthday.  Over the years I have tried capturing the night in various paintings. In my most recent piece Comin’ Up On 50 I painted a full moon in the upper left corner. Contemplating that I began remembering many other night paintings I have done, so I pulled some out took photos and posted them here to share with my readers.

Detail of Nigh Abstract

 

Night Abstract - Oil on canvex - Nov. 1983

Painted in 1983 this painting is about the play of the light at night.

 

Night Window Dream - Watercolor and Gouache on Paper - Jun. 1984

Detail - Night Window Dream

Painted while I still lived in NY state.

 

One Surreal Night - Apr. 1985

Detail of One Surreal Night

This was painted a few months after my move to Tulsa, OK.

 

Spirits on a Stormy Night - Watercolor and Gouache on Paper - Jun. 1985

In June the storms would get pretty intense in Oklahoma. I did several paintings on these themes.

 

Spirits in the Storm - Watercolor and Gouache on Paper - Jun. 1985

Detail - Spirits on the Storm

Another piece inspired by the Oklahoma storms.

 

Night on Hopi - Oil on Canvas - 2000

This was painted after spending a weekend with friends on Third Mesa of the Hopi reservation. I watched the full moon rise over Second Mesa one night I was there.

 

Detail - Night on Hopi

The exposure is off on this, but it turned out to be the best way to capture the subtle detail in this piece.

 

The Abundance of Summer – June 24 – Posting Challenge Day 24

2 Replies

Yeah it’s hot here in Phoenix, up and around 110 degrees these days. You won’t hear me complain, I’ll grin and bear it and be thankful for the abundance summer brings.

Peppers, tomatoes, mangos, eggplants, strawberries and more. Just this morning I cut up several mangos at their peak to freeze along with the banana and strawberries already frozen there. Combined with almond milk and blended till smooth it’s a cool and delicious treat on a hot afternoon.

Serrano Peppers

Last night I was given two beautiful home grown eggplants. Fortunately I had some very ripe tomatoes a week or so ago I cooked into sauce and froze. They will make a beautiful and tasty combination especially with herbs fresh from the garden. Speaking of which the basil is growing quickly, more batches of pesto will be on the way.

Eggplants

So in this heat I stand in gratitude for all the abundance summer has to offer.

Basil

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...