From My Garden

Went out into the garden tonight to do some last minute weeding before I take off for home (Hawaii) on Friday. So peaceful in spite of the heat. The smell of the purple sage bush (no, it's not a little plant, but a bush that comes back every year), my french lavendar...the wet lawn. There is much pleasure in the simple task of pulling weeds and dead heading the roses (that's cutting off the dead flower heads so that the plant's growth energy can focus on new blooms). Aromatherapy for the senses and the chattering of the birds. I guess you would call that audiotherapy?

If you listen closely, you can hear the wings of the bumble bee as it flies from flower to flower.

It certainly is a wonderful way to clear my head after a crazy day at the office!

For those of you who will be in town next week, be sure to check out the lavendar festival in the Village of Los Ranchos.

Check out my Slide Show!

Where I Blog From

This is in response to Leighanna's call for where we all blog from (look for her June 15 posting). So, this is where I blog from. Not very exciting. Not very "artsy fartsy", but there you go! It is the source of my husband feeling a tad neglected, but I'm not one to sit on the couch all evening in front of mindless television.

It's in a room that must've been considered a 'den' as all the walls are dark wood paneling. Behind me are built in library shelves. Behind the wall of the computer is another little room (it's a room within the room kind of thing) where I do a lot of other artwork that doesn't involve painting or a printing press.

Leighanna's post was in response to someone else asking "why blog?" I have to agree with Leighanna; I certainly write more often. I use my camera even more than I used to as I have a place for chosen images to go to for public viewing (other than sitting in the dark in printed form waiting like so many others to get into a photo album that hardly anyone sees).

And then there's the instant gratification of being able to post it and look at it; you can be anywhere in the world and not have to worry about loosing your journal. And you don't have to cart around that little stash of art supplies that are needed for journaling (if you're the kind who likes to include visual elements in their journal). I also like that I can change the way it looks from time to time.

The other reason as to 'why blog?' is that knowing that it is out there for public viewing whether it be friends, family or total strangers is that there is a sense of accountability. I am much more mindful of posting things fairly regularly and this benefits ME the most, but the public viewing aspect is the proverbial kick in the butt to keep at it on a fairly consistent basis.

Enough blathering for now!

So, why do you blog and where do you blog from??

June Bride

This image is from my glass negative collection. When I was rumbling through the pile of negatives, this one caught my eye. For one, it was a wedding photo where the bride doesn't look quite so miserable. I'm also intrigued by what that wreath is around her neck (it is a wreath, isn't it?). I'd like to think that they were trying to make a lei with the floral resources available to Albuquerque at that time. I think this was taken circa 1909-1918. Perhaps earlier than 1909 if one has more expertise in the clothing fashion of that era. Certainly not I! I wonder who this couple is...did they have children? Did they have a good life together? Were they happy? What did they do to occupy their time? The only thing I can be sure of is that they are no longer alive. Sigh...these people who live in this glass negative collection that I have stirs up so many questions that cannot be answered!

Silent words

A part of me wants to write something and the other part of me is too frazzled. But, I read something today that was so resounding: "The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." It's about not holding grudges. It's about moving on. It's about letting go. It's about the empty vessle I talked about a while back (you've got to empty it in order to fill it). It's about learning to forgive each and every day to whatever wrong doing you encounter. Pretty tall order, I'd say. The only time that I found this task to be relatively 'easy' was during peri-menopause when I couldn't remember WHY I was punishing my son and for how long, let alone for what deed. Many women find this lack of control over their memory to be disturbing. I would too from time to time, but on the other hand, it was quite liberating to not be able to remember what it was that had me so mad in the first place! In those moments when I could not hang onto to anything as far as my memory goes, I was living in the moment. So simple, yet not. This rustic looking image is an encaustic piece I did at ArtFest back in March. I'm not very good at producing a finished product in workshops and classes and I'm never really happy with what I produce in class. I'm not particularly thrilled with this piece, but it is what it is. When I'm in a class,I know that I'm not there to make great art, but to learn great art techniques, so I let go of that expectation and focus on learning the process. And, so there you go...my thougts for today. So much for silent words!

Proper Care and Feeding of the Soul...

I wonder who I would be if I had not had the spiritual journey that comes with my life. It would seem so empty...a bare room with no furniture. I suppose that's a good enough analogy. We choose what furniture to put in that room; it can be done carefully or the polar opposite: frentically. And anything in between the two. But for those who are not mindful of putting anything in the room at all...well, I cannot even begin to imagine what that would be like. Where I am now has so much to do with the care and feeding of the soul. There are so many ways in which the soul can be fed. Engaging myself in artful activities not only makes me happy, but fills my soul. I often feel like the person at the "all you can eat" buffett that has way too much food loaded on their plate. Let me explain further: not only do I do visual art, but I have always been a dancer. Even when I'm not dancing, I'm dancing. Whenever I listen to music, I'm dancing in my head. Especially when I'm in the car. So, I feel rather 'hogish' that I do visual art to fill my spritual self with, and I also have dance. Yes, I have religion too. But I don't feel guilty about any of it. All of these things, these activites gives me a sense of connection to the world; a connection that I am simply additced to and cannot live without. Thomas Moore once said that, "Ultimately,care of the soul results in an individual "I" I never would have planned for or maybe even wanted. By caring for the soul faithfully, every day, we step out of the way and let our full genius emerge." Imagine that! Here's another way to see it: by taking care of yourself everyday, you are more able to realize the full potential within you. The image here is this week's project: an encaustic painting. I haven't given it a title yet, but perhaps I shall call it "I" to remind me of Thomas Moore's quote.

In Three Quarter Time

"IN LIFE WE MUST LEARN NOT ONLY HOW TO LIVE, BUT HOW TO DIE AS WELL."

(Seneca)

Names of images in order of appearance from top to bottom: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cherub, Cross, Yucca, Alfonso, Old Cross, Truck, Holy Family, Sorrowful Mary, Praying Mary, Mary and Teapot, Tiny Mary, Detail of Jesus, Lady of Guadalupe, Lamb of God)

I as mentioned in yesterday's post, these are the images of the cemetery in Magdelena. Truth be told, the cemetery commands the most beautiful vista that Magdelena has to offer. In hindsight, I should've taken a panoramic shot of the vista, but was so enraptured with all that this graveyard was, that I neglected to do so.

Different cemeteries have different 'vibes'. The one on Edith here in the valley emanates a profound sense of sorrow. This one here in Magdelena, all I could feel was the incredible amount of love that those who are buried here have. So many of the grave sites had so many meaningful touches to them. Reminders to the loved ones who had passed on that just because they are not in the physical form, they are not forgotten. So many of the sites too, seem to have been there for ages and ages on end. Such as the one with the Old Cross. The one on Edith has many of these personal touches too, but somehow, the emotion that is felt is so dramatically different.

Mary with the Teapot. Can anyone explain that one to me? I didn't get it, but I was so pleased to see it! Tiny Mary was on the other side of that teapot (which had insense sticks in it).

While we were there wrapped up in the moment, an old truck came rambling through. The driver stopped and got out and I think he put flowers or something at a gravesite; obvously someone that he cared for. It was hard not to take pictures of that moment, but it couldn't be done without being disrespectful. I did love the series of balls on the antanae of the truck; I barely caught that with the camera.

That visit to the cemetery was so spiritually uplifting for me. I can't go visit my loved ones who have passed on like this; they are all too far away. Only on my treks home do I get to do so. Somehow or other, having the ability to visit the burial site of your loved one keeps the 'connection' going. We still exist in this physical world, so we need physical acts like this. Perhaps that is why I left Magdelena feeling so spiritually lifted and at peace...

And the title of this blog? It's part of a phrase from a Jimmy Buffet song. I can't remember the entire line of lyrics, but the song is about living and dying in three quarter time. I would say that the lyrics in general is about the transcience of life and how fleeting it is.

Pieces of Magdelena

This past weekend I was in Magdelena, New Mexico to do an Art Show (hawking my wares, really). I was there with friends Raine and Regina (and Laurie was our fabulous hostess). Susan See was there too and met up with us. I didn't sell much, BUT I did leave with a very rich library of photographic images. I only took 349 images, but who's counting? Raine and I escaped for a bit to go and take picutes of this town that is full of history. We didn't get very far from where we were situated since we stumbled into a wonderful junkyard. These are some of the images from this junkyard escapade.

Let me back up a bit and give a snippet of history on Magdelena. It was the last regularly used cattle trail in the U.S. The trail was 125 miles that extended from Magdelena across the San Augustin Plains (I assume that's in Arizona). Annually, herds were gathered in the western part of New Mexico and Eastern Arizona for the drive to Magdelena.* The Santa Fe railway would move the cattle from there to various parts of the country. Now, picture Bonanza, Raw Hide and the like of all those western shows centered around this lifestyle!

The first image of the building is still in use; at least the front section of it anyway. It's a restaurant and ice cream parlor (Darrows). Take note of the second arch from the left. The next image is a front on detail. Standing in front of it and looking straight up is the detail of the burnt interior of the arch. Really neat stuff as far as I'm concerned! If I didn't have a telephoto lens, I couldn't have had that detailed shot (thanks, Mark!).

Next up are a two of the many old trucks in the junkyard; details of them.

Then there's the rusty can and the rusty hoe detail. I dunno, these kinds of up close shots really mean a lot to me; I think most people could care less. I find the details to be rich and fascinating. I think its a sense of acuity...

Then we have Raine sitting on a city trash can trying to get in close on a very old fire hydrant. Next shot is the top of the fire hydrant, and then a detail of the top of the fire hydrant. Like I said, it's these details that REALLY send me. Look at all those layes and colors and textures! You have to get real close to the object to see all of that.

Again, it's all about the details! The top of an abandoned outhouse.

The patina from the side of an old boxcar.

Another view of the side of the boxcar (not so much a detail).

And, the lovely curve of the boxcar and the outline of it against the blue New Mexico sky.

I just can't help myself. I am a sucker for stuff that most people don't give a second thought to.

And then....there's the graveyard in Magdelena. Another thing that a lot of folks wouldn't understand the "why" of it. Perhaps I'll post those images (or, some of them) the next time I post. I have a lot to say about that venture too.

*Historical information is from "Roadside History of New Mexico" by Francis L. and Roberta Fugate (eighth printing April 2005).