Dancing on Golden Eggshells in the Rain...Especially Created for Shanna

"My painting!! Finally!" Shanna exclaimed as I lugged the 50 inch long, 2 years overdue painting  into her  Morrocan inspired home.  She had tried to stuff it into her teeny tiny VW convertible the night before...fearful I would say I wasn't finished for another year, but it just wouldn't fit.  It may actually be 3 years overdue, but I'm trying to keep that hush hush.  I wanted this painting to be so personal yet so perfect for her home that I gave myself paralysis.  I have known all along what I wanted to paint, but I have issues with small decisions and completion.  I am overcoming these issues and fears with the invaluable help of my dear friend, Shanna.  I truly cannot thank her enough.  Her support and belief in me has gone above and beyond.  I am so very blessed to have her friendship.  This past year hasn't been easy on either of us and has surely tested us down to our souls.

I won't go into every personal meaning of this painting, but the intentionally long title should say quite a bit.  I tried to push myself again with more texture and material experimentation....so, I just have to say, those are real eggshells people!  I also used tiny metal and glass spheres and various mediums.  Several of my usual motifs are there: nature and growth, movement and freedom, awakening and light.  Shanna especially loves butterflies, so we've got those fluttering about..  And, when you turn off the lights, you'll see the fireflies.

Shanna broke into my home and took these wonderful pictures as well as many new better ones!  They turned out so great....you can see more by checking out my new website Shanna created for me: http://www.raraavisart.com/

Anne's Tree

My dear Aunt Anne passed away this past Saturday of lung cancer.  She was both extremely talented and stubbornly ornery.  Her art quilts were a sight to behold, if you did indeed get a chance to see them. She hid them away as fast as she worked on them.  Like me, her artwork was "not quite finished, not yet good enough."  We shared a type of fear of showing things off.  But she believed in me.  Whenever I showed her a piece I had been working on, she'd always say something in a feisty possesive tone like, "That one is miiine!".  Well, the painting above truly was hers.  It hangs above the mantle in my aunt and uncle's living room and I'd like to think this first of my tree ladies watched over her and kept her at peace during my aunt's last days...at least I hope it did.

My aunt had quit smoking many years ago, but I guess it just wasn't soon enough.  I have a love/hate relationship with smoking.  I dearly love so many of my friends and family that smoke...but I truly hate it.  I don't judge anyone that smokes (I have my own bad habits)...but I do wish they would take a moment to reconsider.
Aunt Anne, you will be remembered fondly.

Morning To Evening

I know I know...I can't believe it either, I finally "finished" a painting.  I have a supply hoarding problem, but I'm making myself get over it and push more texture and quit letting my ideas get all crusty and gather dust.  I used glass and metal beads and a good bit of resin and slickies.  You can hang it in all four directions and allow it to mean all kinds of things.  For me, its the morning, the day and the evening of your life.  Its your connections to family, to nature, to the earth and sky...the sun and moon. Embrace it all and celebrate before and until the sun finally sets for good.

You want it, don't you?? Well, too bad...it's already sold:).

Leather! Ya, I'll paint on that too.

Gots me some leather paints in the mail...can't wait to do more projects.  Here's a vintage purse with a variation of my birdie logo and a thriftstore belt with my beloved lizards to start.  Throw some moo-lah down here: http://www.scatterbirdie.etsy.com/  I sure do love beggin' for cash.

Cave Painting

Just was messing around with textures and the idea of primitive forms. Buy the sucker here: http://www.rarebirdart.etsy.com/

Yoga Blocks

12x12 self standing, stacking or hanging wood panel boxes featuring my favorite form of torture.  I hock my wares of enlightenment here: http://www.rarebirdart.etsy.com/

Art Showing

Recently, I had a few people over to the house to drink a little wine, eat a little cheese and give a little feedback on some new projects/artwork I am doing as well as some old works. I didn't take any pictures until everyone had gone, but here's a taste of what was there, minus the booze and brie.