The conch shell appears a lot in Sublimity 45 - someone once told me ‘you have to make your obsessions work for you’ and these shells sort of haunt me. They have a figurative quality - very feminine and sensual.

Every summer I’m drawn (no pun intended) to the daylily -

which lives for a day and then dies.

Sat Chit Ananda is the pure, undifferentiated state of non-duality. It is the most perfect expression of our primordial Self, which is energetically inseparable from the power of the Love creating the universe. To reside in this state is the experience of pure Bliss; the essence of Life Itself. This definition of Sat Chit Ananda sums up this painting.

Saturday night was grand celebration of the amazing landfill art project started over seven years ago by Ken Marquis -

The hubcaps transformed into works of art was in one word... AWESOME.  Here are some pictures ... but to get the full effect- go to Winchester VA to the Shenadoah Art Museum - it's up for six months!

                      Ken Marquis and  Dana Hands Evans Executive Director of the Shenadoah Art Musuem

                                    "Offering Bowl" by artist Judi Keats

                                          My Wolf Rules Bowl - upper right

                 Sculpture Jim Lennox, Me and Founder of Landfill art project Ken Marquis

This image has gone through a lot of transitions- it signifies moving towards the light out of the darkness.  

Local artists Nina Davidowitz, Jim Lennox and Leigh Pawling are in this video!

                    Mark and Tom acrylic on board 70" x 48"

Mark saw the first painting of the Life Series - the color, numbers and size resonated with him inspiring him to commission me to do a painting with dates pertinent to him and  his partner.  It was a joy to paint ......

  LIfe Series 1  acrylic on canvas  72"x60"

Here is Eloise -  the zen master who live with me - she does naturally what I aim to do.  She is always in the present moment. 

A reoccurring theme in my work has been OPEN and CLOSED.  When I am OPEN to life, I soar..... when I am CLOSED to life ... I don't... it's really as simple as that.  May I be open today and this week... and the same goes for you. 

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I have a gorgeous leather sketchbook I do something creative every day.  These sketches are like my 'warm ups' to get me in the vortex of creating.  It seems this practice is really working for me - -- what practices are working for you?

I Am Forty-Five - so.... of course, I had forty five 12" x 12" panels made to commemorate and to show at upcoming shows at LCCC in September and Marquis Art and Frame in Scranton in October.

I like this phase - the ideas are coming and I execute -  create and  love - it's all I want to do.

My second eldest niece graduated from Boston University last week - and she's off into the real world - setting it on FIRE!

She's awesome......

             Vertical Fleurs 40" x 40" fabric paint on silk

Tomorrow night my piece 'Vertical Fleurs' will be auctioned off for the North Branch Land Trust annual dinner auction- Barb Romansky says there are still seats available for the grand event which has many special touches and surprises.... Please call 570-696-5545 for reservation!

Rob Friedman had vision when he reopened the Beaumont Inn - and people are showing up to take part in wonderful food on the outdoor patio, in the dining area, bar area and now the newly renovated wine cellar.  The setting is so beautiful we decided to bring some of the outside  "in" with a view from the gardens looking back to the inn. 

The opposite wall showcases the talents of Cindy Trudgen with the look being as if you were in an actual wine cellar with barrels of wine.   Many people are booking special occasion - from Anniversary dinners, showers and weddings.  Thanks Rob!

"Only what has been covered up many times can emerge, immersed, brought up, immersed, brought up, until it flowers and blooms and becomes in its own radiance, spells out its own creative meaning and LIVES.  Only then can we stop our making, let it FLY on its own as all things mean and are meant to soar in spirit, for FREEDOM is the ground from which we rise, nor should we ever limit the horizon, imagination infinitely expands and gives up room for ceaseless change and endless growth."

Richard Pousette-Dart

Recently I went to the Guggenheim in New York to see the Christopher Wool exhibit which I enjoyed but was completely taken by a side gallerly curated by Lauren Hinkson named "Lasting Images".   The piece that drew me in by Mona Hatoum was vertical wires suspended in a cube which shifted and changed as you walked along side it.  On closer inspection you saw the the wire were actually barbed wire....  "it's ethereal form belies a forboding presence."

Lately my commissons have been a co-creating experience.  The client wanted something that would stand the test of time for her husband. He loves ... I mean really loves MUSIC and plays the guitar - this is how he unwinds in his 'mans cave'.  So we came up with a close up of a guitar with some special meaning obscured in the center plus his birth date.  The verdict... he can't stop talking about it.....

The QUESTION:  What do you get for your beloved after fourteen years of marriage? 

THE ANSWER? 

A painting of the ceremony of marriage. 

THE RESULT?   She said: "He held it forever and repeated over and over again ...it's awesome... you really got me!

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THE QUESTION:  What do you get for your mother turning 70 who has everything she could possibly need.... loves flowers and hues of blue and purple?

THE ANSWER?  A handmade large scarf that she can wear or hand of lavender flowers inspired by Monet's garden. 

THE RESULT?  Happy mamma - happy daughter.

Julia Cameron has written many books which help cultivate creativity.  Yes - a blank canvas is still exhilarating and scary - until I begin... and then it's ok.  All ok.

Looking over some questions from her book Walking in This World which I answered in 2007, I was once again reassurred that I am doing what I believe I was called to do.

Here are some of the questions: 

1.  When I was a small child, I dreamed of growing up to be  ..... artist
2.  In my childhood , my interest in what art was encouraged? .... painting/ drawing
3.  In my childhood, my interest in what art was discouraged? .....none
4.  If I had had more encouragement, I would have probably tried .... not applicable
5.  The teacher who helped me see my gifts was ......Mrs. Hand and Peter Cox
6.  The childhood friend who helped me see my gifts was .... Beth