Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Calaveras and Altered States

Like so many of the things I make, the artwork enters into my mind as a "picture" of the completed work.  Some people might call these events visions, but I don't.  It's just a picture of what needs to be born into this world. 

As I create these Calavera scenes, I start with wire, tape and scrunched up pages from office catalogues.  (I've told the office supply companies to stop sending these, but they insist, so I tear up their brochures, catalogues, and mailers and make something more helpful, namely art).
Then I add the brown craft paper and Gruda (paste), one layer, two layers, underpainting, top coat paint....etc...etc.

As I work..time slows, slows and stops...it's just me and the new creation ....the new life and I float together as bones are painted, eyes are drawn, teeth are formed,.....my hands keep moving, moving, coaxing the new life further and further into this world.... seconds, minutes, hours pass, it doesn't matter.  We spin together in co-creation, it's peaceful, joyous and magical, there is no pain, no past, no regret, it's truly wonderous.  Then in a glorious moment I see the work change from paint, wire and paper into a Being and then it starts to breathe....then move...then she smiles at me and I know I've just been blessed by the Universe herself.

Calavera scene: Viejo y Viejita. 
These Calaveras said to me, "We are too old to go around naked, we are not young anymore, you must make us clothes,."  So here they are, my first calaveras with clothes.  Oh yea, and the man told me he also needed a macho mustache and a gold tooth!  ( go figure.)



Calavera Card Game:




A Quiet Dinner
 
The Compadres
 




La Virgen y La Calavera



 

Thursday, September 27, 2012

The Goddess and Mixed Media Assemblage

I've been given a huge Insight into my Mixed Media Assemblage artwork, straight from the Universe herself.  I used to think that my mixed media artwork was completely and totally about Creation about formation and birth and it is of course,  but it is also very much about destruction too. 

When I find something that wants to be something else,or something more there is always and I mean always a deconstruction phase.  Whether it's paint that has to be removed or a shadowbox frame that needs to be taken apart completely or a wine glass stem that needs to be cut off.

It's the complete picture of both birth and death, construction and deconstruction, chaos and order that is the actual Total Creation process, it's not "one sided"!  I see the Goddess in her own being, both as the creatrix and destructor!  Life is the total process, the light and dark.

Thank you Universe, I am deeply grateful that you speak to me and through me.


This is the the Aztec Goddess Coatlicue.  She represents the devouring mother, in whom both the womb and the grave exist.
  

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The Universe & Brown Craft Paper

Now that my artful journey has led me to be a Cartoneria (papier mache artist). I needed brown craftpaper, my husband said, "Oh, we throw tons of that paper away every day at work, I'll bring you some". 

Well, his co-workers asked why he takes the paper home. When he told them that I use it for papier mache, they all banded together and get ALL the paper together each nite, and fill our car!!! 

So thanks Michael (the husband) and a big thanks to all the men at work too! 

The Universe must really like artwork and feel that it is very important for the world.  I'm very grateful and happy to be part of the Art Equation.


This is what I've made from all that wonderful paper!


 

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Travelling through my Artwork

Just finished....Rainbow Skele-Faerie Shadowbox. This is the next generation of my skele-faerie creations, colorful yet muted background, no signage and multiple faeries in one. Though these muertos are rainbow I am not currently a devotee of
Santa Muerte.
Through powerful dreaming and inner travelling I am following a path set before me, through my artwork you will see what I see. Hope you will journey with me.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Dia de los Muertos 2012

I've been working on Dia de los Muertos scenes for the Rose Hills Celebration this October. I've got so many ideas, canvasas, shrines, shadowboxes, cards, etc.,etc. Just hope I can finish it all! Here are some pics, I'll be adding more as things are completed. Hope you like them.