Happily Here After

An Homage to Michael Demeng:
I spent the last couple of weeks pouring over Michael Demeng's latest book!  He is amazing. I wanted to try some of his techniques on my pieces.  I have always had a thing for "Day of the Dead" paraphernalia and love using skulls in my work. Demeng's style also incorporates skulls as he has a great connection to Mexico in his work.  Here is my tribute to Demeng!

Bearer of Wisdom........

"With age comes wisdom", isn't that what they say?  Well,  I keep getting older, but I sure don't feel any wiser!  There are days, in fact, when I'm sure my brain cells are shrinking rather than swelling with wisdom. One thing is certain, though.  I find myself thinking about those things that as a young mother I didn't have the time to ponder.  I'm more introspective now that I've retired.  I think about my family, my friends, and those things in life that are worth dwelling on.  I also spend less time worrying about the minutia of daily living. 

It all started with a revelation my friend Nancy shared with me after I retired.  She informed me that she doesn't shower every single day!   You see, after two months of freedom from work, I was still getting up every morning to shower and do my hair!#@! Not shower?? What a concept!   

Once I contemplated that idea, I moved on to other "truths" I had adhered to over the years.  This is what I came up with:   The floors don't have to be clean enough to eat off of (that's what plates are for), the dusting can be done in preparation for company - not every flipping week, and the only person who will be annoyed if the bed isn't made every day is me...and I don't care anymore! 

Hey, maybe that's what they mean by "wisdom comes with age"!  Maybe wisdom doesn't have to be on the same level as developing the theory of relativity.....maybe it's just the wisdom to leave the damn bed unmade from time to time.....in that case, I'm golden!!!  The above collage is dedicated to Nancy for opening my eyes ...............

Crying on the Outside.....................

Sometimes being a clown isn't all it's cracked up to be (no pun intended).  This little guy is sad.  Not sure why, but he certainly isn't enjoying his time at the big top!  This assemblage was made with a chess board circa 1973 (which doesn't seem that long ago to me as that's when I graduated from High School), deconstructed doll, wire, and decorative paper....

Exultation.......

We have a new associate priest at church.  God Bless him but he is the most boring, negative, depressing speaker ever!  I know he's new and he will find his groove, but in the meantime, I have found myself using his sermon time as a time for reflection on my art work.  Two weeks ago, during a particularly grueling speech, I cleared my mind and asked for inspiration.  The word "exultation" immediately flew into my brain and was followed by a complete image of what my next art piece would be.  I have to tell you, I'm not a very "religious" person. I've never experienced the kind of comfort from church that others have.  This moment of inspiration brought to me inadvertently by a struggling public speaker was as close to a spiritual experience as I've ever had.  I also seldom know what my work is going to look like before it's completed, another anomaly.  Here she is, "Exultation".....

Priceless......

I spent six uninterrupted hours in the art studio yesterday! I just received a book in the mail written by Michael Demeng.  I am a huge fan of his.  His off the wall style and penchant for storytelling speaks to me in a way that is difficult to explain.  I know there are those that feel his style is strange, but I love it!  The art work I will be displaying in the next few days, is an homage to his work :)

Ahhhhh, here comes the sun!

I entered my studio this morning to a very welcome sight.  The sun is shining through my new windows!  What a glorious beginning to the day.

If you don't live in Michigan, it is impossible to describe the feeling of waking up on March 1st and seeing the sun shine through your bedroom window.  A loyal Michigander is always quick to defend our climate to outsiders by saying, "We LOVE the change of the seasons! We wouldn't have it any other way!"  But let's be honest.  Right around now, the end of February, the beginning of March that change of season cannot come fast enough!  It isn't necessarily the cold, and though this year enough is enough, it isn't necessarily the snow.  For me, born and raised in this great but deeply troubled State, it is the lack of SUN!  We face five sometimes six months each year of gray, cloudy days.  Oh there is the occasional brilliantly blinding sunny day that turns the now tiresome snow into sparkling diamonds but they are few and far between.  

The worst part of working full time for me was driving to work in the dark and returning home in the dark. Despite the best efforts of daylight savings time, the sun sets early in the north and we spend our days in darkness.  If you are lucky enough to have windows in your place of work, you look out at gray cloudy skies then drive home in the dark.  There is a marked difference in the way people behave in Michigan when the sun is shining.  Endorphins are flying, people are smiling, manners return, and police officers enjoy days of ticketing ebullient drivers excited to have dry pavement and bright skies for a few hours.

I am looking forward to a very productive day with the sun as my inspiration.....................