Goldstar

On this Memorial Day, I am thinking of peace and peacekeepers as well as war and warriors.  I am also so grateful for my octogenarian grandmother and her perspective on the last century of war and peace.  I am missing the rest of my grandparents, a special great aunt or two, a dear cousin, two uncles and some precious friends on this day . . . and all days.  Fortunately for me, I hear them almost daily with my heart ears.  Maybe someday I will be brave enough to see them with my heart eyes. 
In any case, she is for you:

Oil of Wintergreen

The funny thing is that today I woke up with a splitting headache. Not that a headache is particularly funny, but that today was the day to write about this new piece titled "Oil of Wintergreen."  It takes its name from the vintage pharmaceutical label that is worked into the piece.  I have used wintergreen oil many times in art.  It makes a nice transfer medium for prints and it smells nice too.  What I didn't know is that it is nature's headache remedy.  The scientific term is methyl salicylate, which is basically aspirin! 

Enjoy the art . . . I'm going to rub some wintergreen oil into my temples!https://www.etsy.com/listing/152124381/oil-of-wintergreen-original-wall-or?ref=shop_home_active

Dream Reaper

For those of you who dream as vividly as I, have you ever wondered if perhaps your dreams had a little  input from a source other than your own imagination and daily experiences?  Maybe they are being cross-pollinated by a little energy being such as depicted here?

It's an interesting idea anyway.  More information on this piece can be found on Etsy.  Enjoy!https://www.etsy.com/listing/151907730/solitary-and-silent-wood-brown-black?ref=shop_home_active

He's Just a Little Ghost Boy

So, this piece is based on a tin type that I acquired from my favorite antique store (http://kentonantiquespdx.com/).  I love those two kids. They were virtually telling me their story and so I created a bit of a faerie tale for them involving a Chinese tiger and a faerie/butterfly.  I really had a lot of fun making the art and making the story.  I finished the work and hung it up in the living room for my family to enjoy. 

As it turns out, the little boy in the picture is still quite full of piss and vinegar.  He hopped out of the picture and woke me up.  There I was sound asleep, and woke up to the very white face of a little boy staring at me. It was a bit surprising, but not menacing in any way.  Boys will be boys, and that is perhaps true in and out of time!  I would warn the purchaser of this piece, though, to expect a little fun and maybe not put it in a baby's nursery.  Enjoy! The piece is titled:  Like Two Sweet Almonds and can be purchased here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/151325612/like-sweet-twin-almonds-two-in-a-shell?ref=shop_home_active

Walking the Path

With sign-ons safely ensconced in my memory now, and to the chagrin of my tech-savvy children, I continue to blog.  I am mentally walking a labyrinth today, seeking to reach the center of my calm as I face the day's challenges.  It is a bit of everything today, parenting, housekeeping, teaching art and gardening.  Hopefully all of it leads to the same place and it ends up being a day of grace.  With that said, I offer this:

Measure the Path, 2013 . . . details can be found here https://www.etsy.com/listing/151167768/measure-the-path-assembled-wall-art-wood?ref=shop_home_active  Enjoy the day!

Wading through passwords

It seems that when you create a blog you are expected to remember your user name and password!  Who knew?  Well, after an hour in e-purgatory said important words were recovered and here is a brand new post.  I finished a couple of pieces last week and had them photographed.  I am playing with the idea of the remnants of energy contained within an object from those that handled it. 

The title is "Undivided Beings Blended" and was finished just last week.  It is available for sale in my shop on Etsy:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/151100029/undivided-being-blended-wood-assemblage?ref=pr_shop  Tomorrow shall feature some interesting things on antique crown molding.

Day One

When I was in school, I always started my papers with a quote.  So why not do the same for my first blog post?
    
    "In all creation, trees, plants, animals, and gem stones, there are hidden secret powers which no person can know of unless they are revealed by God."  St. Hildegard of Bingen from Physica


I love this quote because I believe that as we and all creation around us is made of energy that everything is effected by the interplay of this energy merging and changing.  The objects that I use in making my art have remnants of energy from those that created, touched, held or used them.  When I work, I give free reign to that energy to recombine with other energies to create a deep and lasting memory of effect.

     Were My Treasure Not Inside, 2013, assemblage, Leslee Lukosh