Tiny Collages

These are two of the small collages that I created for the Art-o-mat. I finished the edition of 70, have them boxed up and am now putting the cellophane wrappers on them. See previous post for more on this, including size. I feel very excited about this. I didn't think I could reach my goal. Each of these collages takes as much time as my larger ones, and is actually more time consuming because, as I mentioned, I have to use a tweezer some of time to handle the pieces of collage material. I've had fun with it and like the way they turned out. All pieces are signed and numbered. I boxed these two before I wrote down their numbers to identify them here, ooops.

The Art-o-Mat

This Saturday, we're going to Winston-Salem, NC, for the Art-o-mat reunion and swap meet. We'll be taking with our tiny art to swap. SO I decided to make miniature versions of my larger collages. So far, I have 64 finished with a goal of 70, I'm almost there! The boxes are ready and waiting to be filled with tiny art. I've framed one of the pieces to show how it can be displayed. The size: 2" x 3" (5cm x 7.5cm) I've been using a tweezer! Noah is doing skulls and Chuck is doing glass. Both of their series are going to be big hits, or should I say "small" hits.

Compassion

My thought for today....
Compassion in Action

Compassion can be practised anywhere: at airports, on beaches or in shops, whenever we are together with other people. Try this five-step exercise around friends and strangers. Do it discreetly and try to do all the steps with the same person.

With your attention geared to the other person, tell yourself:

◦ Step 1 "Just like me, this person is seeking happiness in his/her life."

◦ Step 2 "Just like me, this person is trying to avoid suffering in his/her life."

◦ Step 3 "Just like me, this person has known sadness, loneliness and despair."

◦ Step 4 "Just like me, this person is seeking to fill his/her needs."

◦ Step 5 "Just like me, this person is learning about life."

Source: Resurfacing: Techniques for Exploring Consciousness by Harry Palmer. And ODE magazine, June 2007

The farmers' market

I've been enjoying working at the Farmers' Market on Thursdays. I really get into selling the produce, which is an easy sell in that it's local and organic and everyone wants it, but I love telling people about the CSA Sprout, how it works and all. I love talking about our farmer, Charlie (Victory Farms of Hanover) and how he grows great produce. I love talking to people who love food and share recipes with me. We have many chefs who stop by and one Saturday, the chef from the restaurant across the street came and bought all the French melons. We knew what would be on the menu that night! This past Thursday was monstrously hot, we drank lots of iced water and stood in the misting tent once. There were fewer customers at the market but our share holders came as early as they could. By the time I'd been there for 4 and a half hours, I was pretty giddy, and was so happy I was headed home. Here are some of the images I took that day, basil, arugula, red onions, German stripe heirloom and Roma tomatoes. Charlie grows all of these lovelies on a small amount of land in Hanover county, Virginia. I'm loving photographing his veggies.

Elflog

I awoke early this morning when Chuck said " You might want to walk the dog now" as he headed off to walk his 5 miles on the track, " it's already 80°f/26°c and only 6a.m." I was out of the house in 15 minutes! I checked on the shelf and found it looking very shrine-like, reminding me of those tributes I've seen at Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. "Wire-writer" had placed a mermaid with a fish on a "line" and moved the word "summer" to create a little tableau on the pole above the shelf. I posted two images, hoping that you'd be able to see the fish. The small items on the shelf had been rearranged, a dry magnolia leaf, a cloth "ghost, " a tiny metal train, all seeming to be symbolic. This is so special, I hope that no one takes it down, I dread the day that I approach the corner and it won't be there. Then I think, all is transient, so I'll keep documenting and sending you the Elflog.

New Music

I'm so excited! Yesterday, I went to Antique Village with chuck, and while he was browsing for his stuff, I looked through music and found these! I played some last night and it was such fun..I was able to sight read better than I expected. The songs were so familiar to me because they were favorites of my parents. "Besame Mucho!" I love it!

Elflog

The wire writer left us two new pieces. "Be Here Now" and "summer" were on the pole, along with a magnet. The shelf had a group of things that made a smiley face, a water colored piece of paper with a fake purple flower attached to it, a clam shell, and stones. Our little cuz colored a rock and place it on the shelf. For awhile, the shelf was getting crowded with all sorts of bits, chunks of clear glass, pebbles, flowers, looking like a frenzy of activity had taken place. I just love this little shelf and wish I could thank the person who put it up. They mystery remains.