Really???

I've been gone a long time! This always happens when I return to work. I'm just too tired at the end of the day to think about art. As a result, I get really stressed out. I need the calm and serenity that art brings me.

I woke up this morning determined to get some of my Christmas projects out of the way. As I covered my work/ kitchen table with glitter, I realized that it feels as though it was just a few weeks ago when I blogged about glitter! How did the year go so quickly?!

Glitter represents family and brightness and anticipation of good things to come. Though it doesn't usually make an appearance in my art the rest of the year, the child in me enjoys the annual journey into little bits of glass and light. It makes me feel better to have it out.

The year seems to be rushing towards a conclusion. Maybe the fates are just as anxious for a new beginning as we are. The year 2009 was tough here in Michigan. Maybe the key is to keep the glitter out on the kitchen table throughout the year.......hummmmm, it does have its possibilities..........

November

My husband took this picture last winter at a park near our home. The original photo was published in Stampington & Co.'s Life Images magazine last year. It then became a part of our collaborative calendar when I added the image of a little boy peeking from behind the tree. I think the photo of the boy has a ethereal quality that is reminiscent of fairies, sprites, and maybe even tiny spirits. It's my favorite of all of the calendar pages. When living in Michigan, one looks for pops of color in the endless winter :)

Inspire Me Thursday: Wings

"I'm Still Standing" created in 2007 with recycled doll parts, vintage fuel gauge, paperclips, Mica, ball chain, rubber stamps, and old rusty metal :)

Survive

Most items related to breast cancer have the word "hope" associated with them. When my mother was first diagnosed, I made an assemblage that I called "Hope". The hope was unfounded in her case and I began to feel as though the word might be too tentative, too dainty. I don't want to rely on hope alone; I want to Survive. The word feels stronger, more determined, more of a command. We have to be warriors in the fight against cancer.

All of this came to me while creating the above piece. I was feeling fiesty that day :)

Mixed media assemblage with vintage bible text, antique Mica, cancelled flemish stamps, black gesso, rubber stamps, and canvas.