The good and the bat

The good
Yesterday, as I was taking my girls to school, we saw two hot air balloons.  This is not an unusual occurrence in our area, but these were especially close to our house.  One was descending behind a house across the street. 

The second was right overhead.  You can even see the people waving.

Seeing hot air balloons on a regular basis is one of the many reasons I love living in my small town!

The bat
Today, my small town experience wasn't so charming.  I returned home from dropping one daughter off at school, and my older daughter said, I think something is in the wood stove.  Now, we have had creatures come down the chimney and into the wood stove before, and I am not talking about the red suit type.   We do have a cap on the chimney, and we haven't had an unwanted visitor in several years.  There is a little scritch, scritch noise.  Thankfully there is a door on our wood stove, and whatever has crawled in is contained.  But, we can't see in to know if it is bird or beast.

Upon closer investigation, I see that a wing has managed to slide through the crack of the door.  It is a BAT wing.  The poor, unhappy bat then thrust his wing further out and started waving at me.  That's when I lost my cool!  My daughter and I were completely creeped out (to use her terminology)!!  I am sure the bat doesn't feel any better than we do.

Today's small town experience reminds me that we don't live too far from nature.  We are happy to have open fields and lakes and parks nearby.  Hopefully the small town animal control will be able to help me out.  I guess even the bat is a good reminder of why I like living where we live.

No Apology

So, it has been almost a month since I have posted on either blog.  Without apology.  The end of summer vacation was a stronger draw than the uncomfortable office chair in our warm and stuffy office.  Plus, I have found that if I blog with the sense of obligation, it will feel like a job, a duty, a chore, a chore worse than doing laundry.  So, I blog without obligation, without apology. 
The end of summer was filled with bike rides, a trip to Elitch Gardens Amusement Park, trips to the farmers market, back to school shopping, afternoons at the local pool and making s'mores.  No regrets.
But, I am back.  To share more art, more recipes, more about my little town.

I found this little man of an eggplant at the Isabelle Farm Stand at Thomas Open Space in Lafayette, Colorado.
I asked the farmer who grew the eggplant, how he got "arms" to grow.  He told us he talks to them.  That made me smile, thinking of this young man stooping over to cajole the eggplant into growing appendages.  I am going to have a hard time cutting this one up.  I think he's so cute with his two arms and little hat. 

My favorite way to prepare eggplant is to slice it and grill until soft.  I usually salt the slices and let them sit for a few hours before grilling, that will take out the bitterness.  Grilled eggplant is decadent served with a smear of goat cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.  But, I like it plain, too.

I may just have to start with the two Japanese eggplant and save the little man another day!

Hearts on a Hike

Last week the girls and I went on a hike.  We went to one of my favorite hiking places, Marshall Mesa Trail.  It's a fairly easy, scenic trail head about 20 minutes from our house.  When we're hiking, we look for things, flowers, birds, and animals.  Just for fun, I suggested we look for hearts.  (inspired by another blogger - who posts Random Hearts - I told my girls that we should take photos of all the hearts we see).  A fairly odd thing to look for, but you would be amazed... I am not sure if we see what we want to see or if they are always there.  Call me crazy if you want, but this is what we found that day. (Be prepared - this is a photo heavy post)

 We spent a few minutes making hearts - and then looking for them. I was surprised at how many hearts we actually found on our hike. We looked for hearts in the rock, leaves, shadows, flowers, and sky.

Petal hearts fallen from this wild rose.

  

Look at the top of this mal-formed flower.

The sightings didn't stop there.

Shadow heart.

Lots of hearts in the rocks.

Graffiti heart in the sandstone.

Lichen heart on a rock.

Look between the girls, a heart worn away in the sandstone.

Take a closer look at that heart.

Worn away in the sandstone.

We found too many rocks and pebbles on the trail - here is just a sampling:

And finally, a heart shaped pool or water as we end our hike.

So, we found some hearts on a hike.  A little cheesy, yes.  A little silly, yes.  But, the proof is in the pictures.

Bits of rust and other things...

Some bits and pieces from my studio...

I found this box of old springs and coils when I was helping my family clean out my Grandpa's "stuff."  It was several years ago - long before my itch to collage started.  I am not sure why, but I said, "I'll take that."  I got some funny looks from the family.  I am not sure why he saved them; maybe he had the same collecting gene that I have.

This tray of rusty bits came from my uncle. I KNOW he shares the same collecting gene that I have.  The little pieces of old hardware had been removed from their useful places, they may  have been discarded, perhaps replaced.  My uncle, tossed them all together - On my last visit, I commented on how useful they could be... and they were mine.  I don't think he had a predesignated home for these little bits of rust. 

All these pieces are finding new homes...look here for a good example of how I put this refuse to good use.  I am so glad to have these strange little treasures.

Tell me....

...Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

~Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day"

Discovery

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars

or sailed an uncharted land,

or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.

Helen Keller

It's all in the details...

Details added to the side of the collage.
You can see the "before" in this post.

I guess you could say I am a detail oriented person.  At least, I like to think I am.  I make an effort to be attend to the details when I am throwing a party, wrapping a gift, or planning an event.  Even the little things pop into my mind, like menu cards, coordinating colors, or finding the right cocktail napkins.  It may not matter to everyone, but it matters to me - and I know that I will appreciate my details, even if no one else notices.
When I started taking my collages to The Purple Poppy, I decided I needed to step up my collages a little bit.  The collages needed hangers on the back, no problem.  But as I flipped each one over to attach the saw-tooth hanger, I discovered that the backs were ugly.  Now, I know you're thinking, who cares? It is the back after all.  But, it bothered me. 

The back of a collage,
with paper, vintage stamp and sticker.

First, each flat, hard canvas board received a wooden box, rather than a frame, to elevate it.  I built these boxes using scrap wood, and attached them with wood glue.  Then I was able to add a saw-tooth hanger to the back.  The boxes also allow the collage to sit, perhaps on a book shelf or end table.

I also decided to add some details. I felt that each collage (on hard canvas) needed to be backed in some kind of patterned paper. Then I also added one or two tiny details, a vintage button, an old postage stamp or a little word.

With this collage, I added coordinating paper as well as wrapping
collage elements around the edges.

Adding the box behind the canvas also meant that I had to continue the collage around the edges.  For some, this meant continuing the painting, for other it meant adding a complementary paper to the sides.  With others, I continued the elements of the collage around the edges.  This wrap-around collaging has allowed more space to add details. 




The end result is that each collage is now a complete piece. I am so pleased with the results.  Now, each of my collages is created with all the details in mind.

Once a flat canvas collage, this now has depth and dimension. 
It feels and looks so much more complete.

Good Finds

I haven't just been lolly gagging around.  Really!  I have found some real treasures this summer.  While I am not a big garage sale shopper, once in a while see something while driving by.  This is what I found down the street.  Let me tell you, it was a steal deal!
I have always wanted a church pew.  I am not sure why.  I am not religious.  But our home was once a church.  This pew fits so nicely on our back porch.  I think I will finish it up a little bit, but I don't want to take off the aged look. The man who sold it to me said it had a nice "pakina" and asked if I knew what he was talking about.  I think he meant patina, but I didn't want to squash his good salesmanship.  It is the perfect vintage decor for the back porch - a great piece for entertaining, too.  I think it's just perfect!

My next find was a post-garage sale facebook photo that a friend put up.  I am not sure why I jumped on these, but they spoke to me. 

Anyone want a vowel?  These came from the sign of the restaurant space he took over.  The previous restaurant was "Mario and Wong's Wok Style Italian"  No wonder half the letters are Asian style; and no wonder the restaurant didn't work out.  My friend's restaurant, on the other hand, is fabulous.  If you like great barbecue and are in Denver, be sure to check out Oinks.  They are fabulous!
I am not sure what to do with them yet.  Perhaps a new focal point in the game room.  Who knows? We'll see, maybe these letters will give me a creative spark!

Vacation is over

I think that vacation has come to a close.  We had a fabulous trip at the beginning of June.  I returned to some busy volunteer work with the Art on the Street program.  Then, I retreated to the mountains for a quick respite with my daughters.  Ahh! Vacation.

Now, it's over. 

Reality is here - still the laundry and the cleaning are waiting for me.  And I have been missing working in my studio.  Missing creating things.  Missing writing several times a week.  Missing being in routine.  Vacation reminded me how important all those things were.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE vacation!  Who wouldn't love to live like that all the time?  But, really, routine is nice, too. 

With just 7 more weeks of summer break left, I think we will fall into the lazy routine of summer.  Taking time to create and write; taking time to play and enjoy friends; and taking time to get the chores done!

Don't cry because it's over,

smile because it happened.

-Dr. Suess

Time to slow down

The school year has come to a close and it sure did fly by.  Thinking about time - and it's ever increasing speed, I thought about two things.  The first was a conversation with my 12 year-old, who one night when I was tucking her in, said, "Mom, time is going by too fast. I wish it would just slow down."
I almost cried.  She's only 12.  If time is whipping by for her now, what will it feel like when she's my age? 

The second was at dinner several months ago.  My 9 year old was looking out the window, got up from the table, grabbed her camera and said, "I've got to take a picture."  Resisting the urge to tell her to return to the table and eat, I joined her outside.  She took several beautiful photos - that wouldn't wait until after dinner. 

In that moment, we both slowed time, and enjoyed that moment. 

Slow down and enjoy life.

It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast -

you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.

- Eddie Cantor

Enjoy the moment.

Thinking of Mom

I am a mom to two wonderful girls.  I am so happy to have that role in their lives and to have each of them as my daughters.  This weekend is Mother's Day. My girls take great care make a special day for me.  Unfortunately, I am not always so gracious.   Sometimes I am sad or mad or just plain frustrated. 

Mother's Day is a bittersweet holiday for me.  My mom died over 12 years ago.  Amid the Hallmark hoopla and the FTD flower ads and cooking shows about making mom breakfast and tv specials about great moms, I sometimes struggle.

Since I lost my mom, I have felt that I belong to an awful "club" of motherless daughters.  It was one that none of my friends belonged to (at the time, I was only 27).  It was something that people were uncomfortable to talk about, for fear they would make me sad.  And I was sad.   Losing my mom changed my life, as I am sure it changes each person's life in unique and different ways.

My mom and me, sometime in the fall of 1992, in the Colorado mountains

In many ways I am stronger, in some I am more vunerable.  In some ways I am more shut off and others more bold.  It is hard to describe to anyone who hasn't experienced it.  My life is divided into two halves:  life with mom, life without mom.  My life before included getting an education, getting married, becoming a homeowner, and teaching.   My life after includes becoming a mom, not teaching, opening a business, closing a business, volunteering (a lot) and finding my way.

Since that time, some of my friends have "joined" my club.  And I mourn with them.  I have met other people who lost a parent way too soon.  And on this weekend that celebrates motherhood, there is little to acknowledge the mothers who aren't here. So, I take a moment to pause.  I think about my mom.  I think about friends who are in my club. I take a moment to be sad.  I don't want a "sorry you don't have a mom" card.  I am not sure what I want - perhaps just a quiet moment to remember. (If you want to see some of my memories, look at this post)

So if you're a member of my club, I am sorry.  Be gentle with yourself.  It's okay to be sad, to remember, and it is also ok to be happy and celebrate.  She would have wanted that.

I am woman

This collage was born of my fascination with inchies.  I made a bunch and wondered what to do with them.  Then I looked for a theme to unite a set of inchies and found I had a large number of them that were woman-oriented.   I set the collage - leaving space for a quotation.  I looked and looked.  I was not satisfied with the words I found.  I wanted something simple and came up with:  I am strong.



I am strong.

 

I can do anything

The words "I am strong" resonated with me - and I thought of the 70's woman's liberation anthem:  I am Woman, Hear me Roar.  The words from the song seemed to fit the images on the collage - with all the variety and dimension of being a woman.


I am woman

 The original collage was flat.  I built the base and continued the lyrics around the sides of the box.  I am thrilled with how this one looks. 


I am invincible

 It is perfect for Mother's Day!


I am wise


I am Woman
(an excerpt of the lyrics by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton)
I am woman, hear me roar

In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
‘Cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
‘Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul

Oh, yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

Collage with a Cause

About a month ago I received a letter and a pendant from someone I don't even know.  It was a lovely, hand written letter, you know, the kind people don't send anymore.  The letter detailed the gratitude and pride that the sender had for a family member of mine who is serving in the military overseas.  The pendant was in the design of the Blue Star Banner.  An enclosure card detailed the history of the Blue Star Banner. The banner, designed in 1917, is seeing a resurgence in use among families of those deployed overseas.  This bit of nostalgia and history is bittersweet, yet  heartwarming.

I created these three collages in response to the gift I received from the Commander's wife.  I will send these to her, and she can use them to send to other families of servicemen and servicewomen who are serving overseas.

Whatever you may think of politics and war, the men and women overseas are deserving of gratitude and appreciation for their service and sacrifice.  May they all return safely home.

Rachel Hanson collage at The Purple Poppy

I am so excited - I am nearly bursting at the seams!
Rachel Hanson collage is now available at The Purple Poppy!


Rachel Hanson colleges, hung on the walls of The Purple Poppy.

 I have been making my collages with no real outlet, save the walls of my own studio.  While the creation is somewhat fulfilling on its own, when Angie, the proprietress of The Purple Poppy, asked to hang my work at her fabulous store, I was so excited!  (full disclosure, yes, Angie is my friend, but I have never pressured her to carry my work, in fact, I am not even sure I asked her to. I did write about the store last fall; you may remember this blog post.) 
So, I spent last week adding minor details to seven of my collages.  I put hangers on the back, and secret details, too.  She requested an artist statement.  That's a nerve wracking task, what to say about oneself.  Then I turned that into a collage, too.

On Friday, I delivered.  She hung the work.  I must say, it looks great!
So if you're local, stop by and take a look. Say hello to Angie or Kerry. Take a moment to shop; The Purple Poppy has fabulous things: art, furniture, home accessories, jewelry, gifts, and lots of unique items.  While you're there take a look at my work, too.  I hope you enjoy. 
(You can find The Purple Poppy at the SW corner of Arapaho Road and 95th St in Lafayette, CO)
And now, I can return to the studio and make some more collages.

Quote of the Day-

I always like to look on the optimistic side of life,

but I am realistic enough to know

that life is a complex matter.

-Walt Disney

We had a fabulous time on our spring break trip to Florida.  Here's a shot of two very tired girls waiting for the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom castle.  Disney's empire in Orlando is quite amazing!  The scope and range of parks and themes has changed since I was their age.  The size and sprawl of it has grown immensely, I daresay, insanely.  I don't think that even ole Walt himself would have dreamed it could grow to such epic proportions.

I must say, we had a "magical" time.  It will be one that will go down in our personal memory books, as my daugher said, "The Best Vacation, EVER!"

And as everyone who works there says, " Have a magical day!"



The process of progress

As I continue to make collages, find inspiration in my materials and my daily life, I often wonder what drives the process.   What pushes me to make progress on one particular piece and not another.  I often find that I start on one and then another inspiration crowds its way into my thinking and won't relent until its end product is finished.  As a result, I may have two or three collages in various states of completion, okay, truth be told I frequently have five or six in the works.  One time, I looked around and counted twelve. Twelve!  That's excessive. 
Today I count six (although three of those are a set of identical collages).

The least complete is this one:


(Grow collage, in progress)

 This one was inspired by the coming of spring.  I gathered a number of papers and ephemera that spoke of springtime.  I laid them all onto a blank, white canvas (you can sort of see the edges.)  Maybe the canvas I chose is too small?  The letters will spell G-R-O-W.  Nothing yet is glued. Nothing yet is set.  Will I include some hardware?  Will I use a quotation?  Should I use paint instead of paper?  Although the ideas continue to germinate, this one is stuck.

The newest one(s) are a set of identical, simple ones that I will use as a gift.  They don't have very many elements, but copy a vintage design.  These will be simple to finish, but have been in the idea book for a few months:


(Three similar canvases, handmade white paper background,
red paper borders, drying on the studio floor.)

 This one is one of the oldest.  It was an experimentation piece as I was doing some exercises out of a collage "instruction" book.  I used pattern paper as a background.  I also tried out gel transfers - see the two ladies on the left.  I have been messing with these elements for months.  It continues to sit on my work table in a state of undress.  I am truly at a loss.  Maybe I should just start gluing things down and move on:


(Collage - waiting and waiting to be completed)

 Finally, this one is a quickie!  I had painted the red square canvas a while ago, and while futzing with the Grow Collage, the girl in this vintage reproduction advertisement jumped out at me.  The elements of this one just seemed to fall together.  It still needs final details, I have  few metal pieces to adhere.  I have to build and paint the wooden box that will go behind.  But this one is most likely the first one finished from the unfinished ones I have laying around.  It is also the one I have started the most recently:


(Fortune collage- just got its topcoat of clear acrylic, drying on the lawn)

 So, as I continue to create, I continue to ask myself questions.... continue to look for inspiration... continue to try new processes and techniques... 
I am excited with my progress.  I can see an evolution in the style of my work.  I can see a forward movement in my process.  It is often as much about the process as it is about the progress.

Collage - more houses

Collage of three houses, with quotation, vintage stamps and old hardware.

My three house collages.

This is the third in a series of three house collages.  I didn't start out looking to make a series of houses, but they evolved.  The first house, at the far left, was completed sometime last fall.  It was a stand alone piece that I really enjoyed.  I tried a new technique of using foam core to elevate the elements of the collage off the canvas.  I like the look, especially used with the house form. 
The second house is the near right.  I finished this one last month.  It's new element was the use of the fabric pattern as paper.  I love the texture and translucency of the tissuey pattern paper.  The words add a nice touch, too.
The last is the set of three houses.  I incorporate several elements from other collages, including the use of vintage stamps, hardware and game pieces.
I think the set is complete.  They each stand alone, but complement each other, as well.

The road to a friend's house is never long.

-Danish proverb

Overheard -

"There are two types of people, lumpers and splitters."


"Huh?"


"Those that look for commonalities with others and those that look for differences."

Which type are you?

It is such an interesting use of terminology.  I was confused by the lumpers and splitters reference.  But, then again, I wasn't part of the conversation - I was eavesdropping.  I know, shame on me.  I couldn't help myself, sitting at the table alone, while my dining partner was in the restroom.  Don't tell me you haven't done the same. 

But the words caught my ear, and I listened for the explanation.  It makes sense if you think about it.

And, I guess I am a lumper.    I look for similarities.  I look for what brings us together, not what drives us apart.  What about you?

Happy Pi Day!

What are you going to do on Pi Day?


(Photo from 2009 trip to Sayulita, Mexico.)

 Bake a pie?


(Cherry, peach, raspberry pie from summer 2010)



Mixed Berry Pie Recipe
2 pie crust (I used frozen, just a bit easier than making your own.)
4 cups blueberries
2 cups fresh raspberries
2 cups blackberries
zest and juice from 1 lime or lemon
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons tapioca
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Preheat oven to 375.
Mix the fruit with the sugar, tapioca, zest, juice and extract. Let sit for 15 minutes.Line the bottom of a deep 9 inch pie plate with first crust. Pour in berry mixture. Top with second crust, pinch edges together. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. Cut 4 slits in the top crust.
Place the pie on a foil lined cookie sheet, there will be drips. Bake at 375 degrees for 55 - 65 minutes. After 20 minutes you may need to cover the outer edges of the crust with foil to prevent the crust from browning too much.
Variation:  Use a mix of whatever fruit is in season, cherries (pitted), plums, peaches, nectarines.

It's silly and frivulous, but March 14 is known as International Pi Day (3/14).  If you are ambitious (or bored) you can celebrate Pi day, or learn some Pi facts.  There is even a Pi song for the enthusiast.
I am not sure I will bake a pie today, I may just go to Sweets & Eats in Old Town Lafayette and buy a slice for $3.14.  Appropriate, don't you think?