Wanderings: Through the Hoops

"Through the Hoops" mixed media assemblage

I took a class over the past month at the Novato Arts Center. It was called "Rethinking 2-D" and was taught by Suzanne Stroebe. Suzanne has an investigative and experimental view of art. She firmly believes in the value of re-purposing materials and incorporating found items -- sometimes sustainable -- into your artistic endeavors. I would have never thought of using eucalyptus or lavender oil to make transfers from xerox/toner image copies. It smells so good and doesn't destroy your brain cells like xylene, turpentine, and even Citrasolve! I had fun returning to childhood crafts -- and adding them into a canvas or box assemblages.

I created the above little diorama from a shoe box, a discarded bristle brush rabbit, 3 gold hoops, and some junk photos. I wrote this text around the window: "She longed for green grass and a world where bunnies ran free..."  I enjoyed creating this assemblage -- it was made from miscellaneous items I had thrown into a paper bag and stuck in my barn.

In My Studio: Wild Spirit Animal Pendants on Display

Oriel Pendant Challenge -- Week 3: Animal Power Oriel -- Bobcat

Animal Power Oriel: Bobcat

In the past few months a friend of mine, Nise Santiago, and I have collaborated in designing necklaces for my Animal Power Oriels. Nise creates magic with gemstones and silver, and is a wonderful teacher. We just recently went to a bead show, which opened my eyes to the completely primal and beautiful world of gemstones. I felt that Nise's necklace creations could complement my oriels, especially the Animal Power (or Totem) oriels that I wanted to start making. These collaborations would showcase specific wild animals and the power, beauty, and substance that these animals bring to this world. And -- if you wanted to go one step further -- in wearing these necklaces you would draw on those physical, emotional, or creative qualities that each animal symbolizes.

This first Animal Power Oriel collaboration features the Bobcat, a small wildcat not easily spotted, but very familiar to the Western Hemisphere. The Bobcat constantly observes his environment, but only rarely shows itself in public. In ten years of walking my local Deer Island I have only seen a Bobcat twice -- within the same month. It was only about 10 yards down the path in both instances. It looked at me boldly, then jumped off the trail into the bushes the one time, and the next sighting casually slinked around to the other side of a fallen tree and watched me carefully as I moved on past him! Knee high in height, with a coat beautifully marked, tufts of hair at its ear tips, almond-shaped and colored eyes -- this is no ordinary housecat -- the Bobcat radiates exotic, wild beauty! In my readings about Bobcat energy, the trait that speaks loudest to me is the ability to "see deeper" or to pick up on hidden things. "Trust in your senses. Even if there is no logical reason, trust in what your inner voice is saying." -- Lin Here are some other links to Bobcat totem information: Wildspeak, Animal Properties.

Animal Power Oriel: Bobcat

Necklace: agate, muti-faceted crystal quartz, silver beads and findings
Oriel: lead-free solder, (3-D) beveled glass, paper, hand-dyed ribbon, Swavorski crystal rhinestones and beads, dried flowers, silver beads

Custom Oriel: Golden Eagle Totem

Custom Golden Eagle Animal Totem (Front)

I am excited to announce that I will soon be launching a new series of oriels that features animals as shamanic totems. There is no doubt in my mind that animals reflect to us basic truths about our relationship to nature, our inner nature, and our hopes and dreams. Our cultural myths and symbolism through the centuries describe and support these associated traits and energies.

Along the same lines, I was asked to create a custom oriel pendant of an eagle for a friend's birthday. Thinking about this person, I felt that the golden eagle was a good choice: powerful, perceptive, clear of vision. The golden eagle has the ability to see things clearly and it soars joyfully and powerfully through the skies inspiring those around it. It also reflects the sun's light, giving it a magical appearance. Yes, that pretty much describes my friend Bonnie.

I found two powerful images of golden eagles and placed them each on golden embroidered brown ribbons. On one of the photos I added Swavorski crystal rhinestones as a "halo" for the profile photo. The dangle below consists of a silver bird charm, Swavorski crystal beads in complementary colors, and to top it off, a beautiful Hint charm, "Eagle Spirit". The artist Beth Himmila of says of her charm: "Wear an eagle’s feather to empower and support your vision for the future...(the) feathers of an eagle represent your soul’s light and shadow. As a messenger to the Great Spirit, eagle offers healing medicine from the Creator. Eagle gives you permission to love both darkness and light, opening a door to unconditional love and an opportunity to reclaim your personal power." I was happy with the result: a beautiful, powerful pendant for a beautiful, powerful woman.

Custom Golden Eagle Animal Totem (Back)

Red-Tail Hawk Totem: Pendant Challenge -- Week 7

I am behind in my posting on my weekly pendant challenge! Shameful, but I'm over it.

I have always had an affinity for Red-Tail hawks -- ever since my high school sweetheart introduced me to the art of falconry (and kisses in the back of his Dodge Dart). I even learned to mimic their cries, thanks to my grandfather who taught me how to call my ponies up from the lower pasture with high-pitched Indian whistles. Whenever I hear a hawk calling, I call back (you really can't say it's a whistle, it's more like a scream). Shocks the hell out of whoever is near me, but the hawks respond positively and we have a conversation back and forth until one of us tires of it. In animal shaman lore, Red-Tail hawks represent mystery and magic. So look for good things coming into your life when you hear or see one.

If you like this oriel and want to know more about it or purchase one, visit my Etsy shop.