My artwork is now available at the St. Clair Art Association Gallery

Come in when you get a chance and explore this fabulous gallery. Lots of quality artwork to choose for a gift or for your own enjoyment. I'm honored to be chosen to exhibit my work. I have four artist books, a gratitude journal, photography and collage pieces available for purchase.

On Saturday, May 18th, from 4-7 PM the Gallery will be having a Grand Re-Opening after much anticipated renovations to their art space. St.Clair Art Association is located in St. Clair, MI at 201 N. Riverside Avenue, Suite A6.

Reflections Unacquainted

This artist book explores aspects of memory through symbolic elements. The webbing in the handmade papers represents the synapses of the brain's neurological structure. Word lists can be used as a tool for memory retention and idea generation. Vintage images represent recalled stories and past experiences.

 

For the Fun of It

This piece is a celebration of childhood games. From simply marking an "X" or an "O", rolling a few dice to making strategic moves or combining random letters to create words with the most value, games help us relax while building eye-hand coordination skills and cultivates our competitive natures. By luck or by skill, games help us to entertain ourselves and bring some fun back into life.

 

SASSAFRASSEEE #15 Gratitude Journal

Each journal is one-of-a-kind with seven pocket pages and a small note card tucked into the pocket to record a word of thankfulness for each day. In addition to the fiber and washi tape embellishments, handmade pages are collaged with a variety of papers. The covers are kept simple with interesting detail on the front and back covers.

 

PODerings

This book is a collection of woodcut prints exploring the diversity of pod shapes. I initially made over 100 prints total and then compiled the best for the book. An actual pod embellishes the fibrous cover. 

 

Mother Earth Whispered

This artist book is an exploration into the connections we all have with nature. Earth, wind, fire, water are basic elements that form our world and our experience in it. Nature supports us by providing oxygen, food and life-sustaining water. It is in our best interest to help preserve the resources so frequently taken for granted.

 

HOPE

This is an exploration of the mandala form. I was inspired by a quote from Rumer Godden: "There is an Indian proverb that says that everyone is a house with four rooms: a physical, a mental, an emotional and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time, but unless we go into every room, every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person.

 

PELICAN

This photograph was taken in Aruba at the Renaissance Island boat docks.

Michigan Annual LI at the Anton Art Center

So excited to announce that my "Eco Baby" made it into the Anton Art Center's Michigan Annual LI exhibition. A big thank you to juror, Meighen Jackson, for giving him another opportunity to spread his message of environmental responsibility. Opening reception is Saturday, January 27 from 2-4 PM. 

 

GEN 7 Sorrow

 The found poem I placed inside his pod necklace reads:

 

***

 

 ancient rocks

whispering

words of prayer

to awaken the

forgotten hope

that

destiny was

connected

***

Think Small at Lawrence Street Gallery

This is the annual show at Ferndale's Lawrence Street Gallery. I have one of my artist's books included in the show, titled "Object of Life".

There is a Chinese mythology of a red thread of fate that connects people who will inevitably meet in their lifetimes. I liked the idea of this invisible connection but wanted to expand it to more than just the meeting of lovers or soulmates. Maybe there is the same connection to friends, acquaintances or even events in our lives. The red thread can be followed through the book, winding in and out of randomly chosen pieces of repurposed artwork. A life story emerges with found phrases helping to answer the question of the object of life. They read: 

Object of Life  

Always try to hope 

Flow of awakened flight, 

free from sorrow,

 deliver peace 

Grace under pressure 

Simplicity 

The recovery of gratitude 

is the happiness you find.

The book starts with the thread circling a house on a hill which represents a beginning. The next phase in life would be setting out from home and finding a place in the world. A feather is used a symbol of hope. The next couple of spreads represent growth in life, seeds of wisdom are planted and a leaf shape shows how the seeds have blossomed into a new life of purpose. Then comes flight, where life is in full swing and where busyness can overwhelm if not tempered with peace and finding a way to have grace under pressure. Slowing down and simplifying is the next step in life. Taking time to notice the small things. The dried leaf is representative of the details that go unnoticed until you stop and really look at all the fine lines in the veins. As life goes on, losses happen and loved ones leave us. The butterfly is a symbol of a soul in flight. The last spread shows a moon shell. I’ve always found the ocean to be a place of peace and joy. This is where gratitude for those pieces of nature can bring happiness. 

The show is on display now until 1/14/2024. All the artwork can be viewed and purchased online at  lawrencestreetgallery.com

2023 Starkweather Arts Center Holiday Market

The holiday market opens at the Starkweather Arts Center in Romeo on Nov. 10. I have a few items for sale: Boho Bookmarks, Chakra Charms, Dreamcatchers, some new ornamaents made out of repurposed faux leather clothing and some new Sassafrasseee Gratitude Journals.