Haiku October 1, 2012 Great Grandmother’s Quilt

Great Grandmother’s quilt

Offers warmth as degrees drop

Stitch by stitch with love.

Art Prescription:  We are so lucky to have about five quilts made by my ancestors. Both my mom’s mother and my dad’s parents quilted, and this is back in the day where it was all done by hand! I remember my grandmother’s living room being transformed into a quilting bee as the furniture was moved back, the  quilt racks went up, and she and my aunt would sit and sew for hours. Today I did a watercolor sketch of a section of quilt just for fun.  Look around your house to find inspiration!

Haiku September 30, 2012 Kudzu Giraffes

Leafy green giraffes

Kudzu drapes trees, purple blooms

Smell like grape Nehi.

Art Prescription:  Kudzu is an invasive vine that grows over entire patches of trees making shapes for the imagination. A lover of shades of green, I find its heart-shaped leaves attractive, and grape- soda scented flowers must lure many insects. But Kudzu can take over in an unwanted fashion.  We have a local farm here in North Carolina called “Cudzu Farm.” http://www.cud-zu.com/index.htm

The Farm
The Cheek farm has been in Margaret’s family for over 101 years. Her father and her grandfather were both dairy farmers. She is one of four children born in the farm house.

When Margaret and Charlie moved back to the farm 12 years ago, the barn and the fields were overgrown with kudzu. Someone said if they wanted to get rid of the kudzu, they should buy a couple of goats. They bought 2 goats, then someone gave them 3 more and later those goats had babies. Today, they have 9 goats and the kudzu is well under control.

Then their neighbors, all dairy farmers, started asking, “What else are your goats good for?” That’s when Charlie and Margaret started making goats’ milk soap.

Today, after 10 years and many batches of trial and error, they have perfected a unique bar of all natural goat milk soap that not contain any additives, colorants, preservatives, stablizers, or chemicals. It is highly praised for its moisturizing properties.

 

Haiku September 28, 2012 Fall Bloomer

Stand tall fall bloomer

A final burst of color

Last call! Bumblebees!

Art Prescription:  I planted an African Daisy on my porch last spring, and it has delivered blooms all summer. With cooler nights now suddenly it is covered in blooms, as if it knows to give it all its got before October frost comes creeping in. I watercolor-sketched for a creativity fix after two very busy days at my nursing job.

Haiku September 26, 2012 Time

Time marches forward

Like a lion free from cage

And never looks back!

Art Prescription:  Ever wonder what life was like before clocks or calendars? Humans lived a long time by the sun, moon, and stars…sounds peaceful doesn’t it? Now we have a gazillion gadgets that constantly remind us we are racing with time. Facebook has made us a constant observer and publisher of our own lives and a voyeur of others. (disclaimer – I like Facebook) Tomorrow is Thursday and time for me to leave my studio for my nursing job. My goal for this week was to get my new “Mandala Blue” collection out to a table-top company! and I did! A word on persistence by Lebanese poet Hoda al-Namai:

I have not withdrawn into despair,

I did not go mad in gathering honey,

I did not go mad,

I did not go mad,

I did not go mad.

Haiku September 24, 2012 Dyer’s Saffron

Orange Safflower

Herbaceous, thistle-like

Showy golden globe.

Art Prescription:  Dyer’s Saffron, also known as, Dyer’s Thistle, Safflower, and American Saffron is a herbaceous plant with composite flowers. My hubby picked up a bunch at our local grocery store last weekend.  My guess thistle family. Pretty purple thistles grow along roadsides here in North Carolina.  I was surprised to find that its seeds are extracted for oil used in paints, varnishes, cooking, illumination, and in the manufacture of soap. A scarlet red dye, insoluble in water, can be obtained from the dried florets and used for dying clothes, cakes, biscuits, and rouge. Hence, Dyer’s Saffron!! One of the most pleasurable aspects of creativity is the act of observation and curiosity about your subjects!

Haiku September 23, 2012 Fall Decor

Fall gourds and pumpkins

Bring color and homemade pies

To September homes.

Art Prescription:  Fall color has to bring out the artist in you! Gourds, pumpkins, and fall bouquets add a dash of orange and red everywhere. Bring a fall still-life home and sketch it…now add watercolor…open the windows and breathe fresh air!