change

"Just paint a box blue and the world will change" -- student in today's nichos class

As often happens making art with others, deep conversations unfold over the course of the workshop day.  Our talk turned to change--what idea, what dream even, must we let go of, so that a new image, behavior, perspective, can enter in?
A caterpillar changes itself to a kind of soup inside the chrysallis--not even a little foot left, as my student commented.  Are we prepared to let the form of something die so that the new can emerge?
The act itself of making art can transform us inside as much as transforming our environment.
What have you painted blue today?

underwater nichos

New series of nichos inspired by an ocean visit last year...the process of collecting, assembling, shells and sand, a bit of white coral...Inspiration is all around in nature, in travels or in the daily walk of life...nicho in this photo titled "Blue Pearl", meditation link to follow...

Autumn in Mexico

I love the sound of the whistle of the camote cart--the sweet-potato seller.  It's a true sign of fall in San Miguel de Allende.  Right towards the end of a recent nichos class, there came the loud whistle from down the street.  I flagged him over and, as he pushed his cart up the street--stopping to throw a few bits of wood into the fire-box--I saw that on the front of the cart was an old  New Mexico license plate!  The story of how it got there was a little vague--something about importing cars from Los Estados Unidos -- but it made me very happy to see that outdated yellow and red design dangling off an old wire, announcing the arrival of this year's crop.  It's always a sign of cold weather and impending winter, that loud whistle venting off the steam of the roasting yams.  It's a unique sound and instantly recognizable to me after these years living here, coming around the time of Dia de Muertos or Day of the Dead.  This is the liminal time between the fall equinox and winter solstice, the in-between space when souls come to visit, and a cup of water is placed on the ofrenda--altar or more literally, offering--for the great and great-great grandparents who come for one brief night to visit.  The departed are honored.   We--my students and I--shared plates of the sweet roasted yams and platano macho or plantain.  A sprinkling of canela (cinammon). Buen provecho--enjoy your meal.

article about San Miguel de Allende in Continental magazine

We became famous when the May 09 in-flight issue of Continental magazine featured San Miguel de Allende --and various classes including my "Windows to the Soul" tin nichos class!  The author of the article, Elaine Glusac, was a creative student, made a beautiful nicho, and as you will see, she is a great writer as well.  Hope the photos pop up for you as Macduff Everton is a great photographer ---you will see mi amiga la cubana, Elenita, painting her nicho.  Hope this information will entice people to come visit San Miguel--there is so much to do here! 
Here is the link  http://magazine.continental.com/200905-been-there
saludos desde Mexico!

Longing

"As a deer longs for a flowing stream..."
My soul longs for something which is expressed in the gaze of a deer;  a deep communication, a connection with the part of myself that is a deer?

Listening for the silence between the words.

Photo taken in Redstone, Colorado, out the window of my godparents' summer cabin...

Soul work on hometown territory

What is our soulwork all about?  I am finding my own answers in deepening relationships with family and friends.  Holding my 2 week-old great- (yes, great) niece in my arms, in sharing a two hour sister-dinner, in hiking our acres of our grandparents' old ranchland with my brother...
When we share our dreams with each other, our frustrations and fears...I am finding Soul in Relationship with the People in my World.  My mom and I picked fresh sage on the land to bundle into healing purification smudge sticks.  Singing as we work.

Travels -- Many Homes

On the road in New Mexico--horseback riding the High Road in Taos with my friend of many years, Martha...I am on Roanie, he was solid and steady despite sneaking mouthsfull of grass at every chance. Into the aspen forest.  Trees not yet turning, but the air cool especially over the stream (which we crossed 23 times).  Our guide and cowboy Blake, must have had some conversations with Cormac McCarthy.  Blake could be a writer, or at least, he is a great storyteller.  His love of horses made me feel closer to God.
Visits to family and friends, in the landscape where I gew up...so many places feel like home, especially in the company of Love. Dear friends and family. Inspired to paint.