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 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I have not withdrawn into despair,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!

Haiku September 21, 2012 Goals

Determination

Rain, stream, creek, river, ocean

Movement towards the whole.

Art Prescription:  What gives people will? Why are some people driven? Or better stated what drives people’s behavior? It’s difficult not to judge others based on our opinion which rises out of our own life learned perspective. For me personally, I do hope I can always consider another person’s point of view, be a good listener, and simply try to show kindness. One drop of water flows endlessly to where is belongs…moves along with the flow of life.

Haiku September 20, 2012 Closet Moves

Shorts start to recede

Jackets, sweaters take center

Soon coats will appear.

Art Prescription:  It was 54 degrees when I left the house this morning. On the bus into work I notice the exchange of summer shorts and flip-flops for a bit more coverage. Scarves, fashionable year-round, now start to take on functionality. I love the change of seasons! As the trees begin to lose their leaves, us humans begin to layer.  Notice each day the subtle…