shaman speaks to butterfly

2007 Untitled mixed media collage detailsButterfly, you are my Third Eye.
You are the one who gives me the power of flight.
I belong to you...

Did I even exist before you flew into my life?

excerpt from a short story in progress

shaman butterfly

2007 Untitled mixed media collage detailThe butterfly belonged to the shaman. She relished spreading her glorious wings upon his 3rd eye, yet was still unable to fly. She could not bear to leave him, not even for an instant.

excerpt from a short story in progress

the church fundraiser

2007 Untitled sketch from journal
The vintage car was parked in a handicapped space. The two women must have been in their late 80’s. Both had white cotton-candy hair and dressed in similar hand-knit cardigans with laced-up orthopedic shoes. The taller senior wore a golden crucifix. One of them had a walker, the other a grocery cart. The two were busy whispering, giggling and unloading something from the trunk of the car. When I passed by, they smiled mischievously. I smiled back, finally noticing three cases of enormous wine bottles going from trunk to cart...

excerpt from today’s journal entry

pueblo blessing

2007 Untitled mixed media
Hold on to what is good even if it is a handful of earth.

Hold on to what you believe even if it is a tree which stands by itself.

Hold on to what you must do even if it is a long way from here.

Hold on to life even when it is easier letting go.

Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you.

~Pueblo Blessing ~

mermaid, monk, tail & saint

2007 "Under The Sea" mixed media
“...in 1450 a beautiful Celtic mermaid named Asenora swam ashore on the coast of Cornwall where a Benedictine monastery had recently been established. After removing her fish tail and hiding it among the rocks, she explored the area on foot and discovered the community of men. She made many clandestine visits – -

....Suspicious that Asenora was no ordinary woman but a mermaid, and greatly alarmed by her presence, the abbot of the monastery hid himself by the water and waited. He witnessed Asenora swim ashore, remove her fish tail and hide it in a niche in the cliff.

When she wandered off in the direction of the abbey, the shrewd abbot retrieved the fish tail, bundling it into his robe. He tucked it inside a secret compartment hidden under the seat of his chair, in the church. Without her tail, the poor mermaid could never go back to the sea, and soon the wildness of it drained out of her. Asenora was converted, and eventually became Saint Senara...”

excerpt from “The Mermaid Chair” a novel by Sue Monk Kidd @ 2005

Has every saint somehow lost her wildness?...

birth

2007 Untitled mixed media sculpture in progress
Birth is a process involving pain, blood and tears. Birth signifies a new beginning. Birth announces change. I birth each of my sculptures to life...from dream to reality...

excerpt from my journals

of roses & archangels

2007 Untitled detail from sketchbook
“As for the roses, you could not help feeling they understood that roses are the only flowers that impress people at garden-parties; the only flowers that everybody is certain of knowing. Hundreds, yes, literally hundreds, had come out in a single night; the green bushes bowed down as though they had been visited by archangels.”

-- Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923)

excerpt from a book my husband gave my Grand-Mother Lillian in 1997

new lessons

2006 Untitled detail from pen & ink wash
Are you open to learning new lessons...even if they contradict what you think you already know?

one's world

2007 Untitled mixed media photographic study

"To create one's own world in any of the arts takes courage."
- Georgia O'Keeffe

elegance

2007 Untitled sketch


"Elegance is refusal."
- Coco Chanel

queen or king of what

2007 "CORONA I" pen & ink on paper
What crown do you where? Where and what do you rule? Do you treat your body and soul with the majesty each deserves?

devouring books

2007 Untitled mixed media collage detail
I just finished reading another book. The words, the stories - - they nourish my spirit and give my imagination wings of freedom.

muse

2007 Untitled mixed media sculpture study




















She poured stars into my hands and asked me to WISH.

She explained the sacred beauty of stones and told me to DARE.

She blessed the pen and paper and begged me to CREATE.

gold goddess

anticipating CASIMIRA transformation



goddess of gold

dressed in moonlight tonight

goddess of old

bathed is sunlight tomorrow

goddess of gold



excerpt from my meditation journal

ISIS

2007 "ISIS" mixed media collage study for sculpture
I am Isis, mistress of the whole land...I am she who separated the heaven from the earth. I have instructed mankind in the mysteries...I have ordered the course of the sun and the moon. I am queen of the rivers and winds and sea...I have made justice more powerful than silver and gold. I have caused truth to be considered beautiful. I am she who is called the Goddess of women...

- excerpt from the Inscription on The Temple of Isis at Sais

what people say & think

2007 Untitled page detail from my sketchbook
Most of my adult life, I've worried about maintaining a spotless reputation. I consider myself somewhat of a recovering perfectionist and am still battling with a desperate need to please everyone - with the exception of myself, of course. What will people say when they read this? What will people think when they judge me or attempt to analyze my artwork? I do not know. Do trivial matters merit my precious time, energy or attention? I think not.

la flor y sus raíces

2007 Untitled mixed media photographic study
La Flor pidió que la jalaran, que la cortaran. Esta Flor era muy ambiciosa y demasiado caprichosa. Ella abría sus pétalos y sacaba su fragancia con orgullo y petulancia.

La Flor pidió que la jalaran, que la cortaran. Una vez separada de sus raíces, la Flor se sintió libre. Sus nuevos amos le dieron agua bendita de cristales. Estos amos la amaron, la velaron. Hasta el día que le salió la primera arruga, hasta el día que se le calló el primer pétalo. Una Flor marchita, ya no es considerada tan bonita. La Flor sin raíces murió sola y triste.

she dares it all

2007 Untitled mixed media collage detail




She dares it all, removing designer armor, peeling away layers of masks and baring her naked soul.


excerpt from “Vulnerable Power” a CASI-MIRA series of writings

enano de mariposas

2007 Untitled mixed media collage detail
El enano era un galán. Entró al Salón de Escudos como un sultán. Dos tigres, una avestruz y seis jabalíes lo escoltaron a los aposentos de la Diosa Blanca. El enano le traía las mejores Mariposas Maravillas para adornar sus cabellos de plata.

excerpt from a short story in progress

el reino de los duendes

2007 "FAIRY BOUQUET" photographic study
El Reino de los Duendes

Se encuentra dentro del Bosque Verde Esmeralda

Al tope de la Avenida Imaginación

Una cuadra hacia el Amor


direcciones cortesía: Duende Verde Duque Mayor


from my CASI-MIRA collection of Fairy-Tales

she is waking up

a little flower a fairy gave me
She stirs.

She moans lightly with delight.

Her lips curve up into a smile.

Her eyes begin to open.

She is waking up.

Mother Nature is waking up and giving us Spring.

do you ?

2007 "WING of DREAM" paper & ink detail

Do you know how to fly?
Do you know how to dream?
Do you know....yourself intimately like nobody else?

Do you believe in fairies?
Do you believe in love?
Do you believe...in anything?

Eleanor Roosevelt reminds me to BELIEVE in the BEAUTY of my DREAMS...

I do know...I do believe...I do...I do...I do...

woman in horse skirt

2007 Untitled textile study - hand dyed silk is from 2005
The older woman slowly came into the store using a walker. She wore a light blue skirt covered with horses dancing all around. She smiled so much and when she spoke, she almost laughed.

This woman has a young girl's spirit. This woman is happy...this woman is grateful. This woman made my day...

excerpt from journal entry circa 1990's

gratitude equals happiness

2007 Untitled photographic metal study for sculpture
I read this quote at least three times before it became crystal clear...perhaps this is why I am often accused of being "so cheerful, so happy"...I am actually so grateful !

"Remember that not to be happy is not to be grateful." ELIZABETH CARTER

a happiness state of mind

2007 Untitled mixed media study
Each morning, before even opening my eyes - I think happiness...I breathe happiness. Each day, I search for happiness.

"Happiness is not a possession to be prized. It is a quality of thought, a state of mind." DAPHNE DU MAURIER

having fun & being grateful

2007 "GOLD BLOSSOM" mixed media sculpture study




















" To love what you do and feel that it matters
– how could anything be more fun? " KATHERINE GRAHAM

I love what I do and I feel it does matter...I feel such gratitude...

the perfect cream puff

2007 Untitled sketch
Magnificent...every slow bite is bliss.

Japanese with French origins...
a New Yorker nevertheless.

Oh perfect puff – not too sweet, countless crisp layers and sinful creamy center...


excerpt from last week’s journal

a new world is born

2007 Untitled sketch for jewelry sculpture
"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." -- Anaïs Nin

so...each day a new world is born...

moon to sun

2007 Untitled sketch
i am goddess of pearl
born daughter of moonlight and stardust

he who seeks me
finds me not
until I say – my way

i need neither sun nor gold
and i never do as I am told

should you see him today
tell him you gazed upon me
making a wish in his name...

excerpt from a short story written many suns ago

shaman

2007 "SHAMAN" mixed media
through wisdom of ancients

with eagle’s majestic flight

PACHA-MAMA

bore messenger of winds

SHAMAN

peaceful spirit of nature

warrior of light

sun to moon

2007 Untitled sculpture jewelry sketch

i am the god of gold
born son of sun

i seek my goddess of pearl
born daughter of moon

if you see her tonight,
tell her i am waiting...

excerpt from a short story written many moons ago

message of the wind

2007 "BLUE" mixed media photographic study



universe breathed

LIFE

wind whispered

CHANGE

spirit signaled

FREEDOM

I sense it all...I am awake...

nicaragua: imports & exports 1962

2007 "GREENTAPE" photographic study














"At school Meg was tired and her eyelids sagged and her mind wandered. In social studies she was asked to name the principle imports and exports of Nicaragua, and though she had looked them up dutifully the evening before, now she could remember none of them. The teacher was sarcastic, the rest of the class laughed, and she flung herself down in her seat in a fury. “Who cares about the imports and exports of Nicaragua, anyhow?” she muttered."

© 1962 Madeleine L’Engle from her book “A Wrinkle In Time"

which I am currently re-reading thanks to B.C. in N.Y.C.

goddess of wind

2005 Untitled hand-dyed silk detail


dancing
all night

singing
till dawn

goddess
of wind

awakening
beauty
through
fury

ángel de los plátanos

2006 Untitled mixed media collage detail

















en el Campo Plata-Nos
crecían todos los plátanos
los verdes, los grandes, los chicos y los bananos también

el Ángel Guardián les decía, les cantaba
plata-nitos, madu-ritos
crezcan bien, crezcan ya!


excerpt from short story

a perfect pair

2007 "PINK PEAR" photographic mixed media study
Her beauty captivated him.

She possessed perfect curves and firm flawless skin.

He dressed her with jewels and asked her to pose.

He adored her adorning him.

The days passed and she matured,
loosing firmness and gaining sweetness.

When he finally remembered her, she was almost too old.

He delicately washed her, peeling away layers.

Swiftly without hesitation, he carved and covered her with dough...
...transforming his once perfect pear into a tart.

from “Conversations with Fruit” a series in progress

the little hand

2007 "GOLD HAND" mixed media study sculpture










the little hand of gold
always does as she is told
while showing off her diamond of old

little does she know
she is neither diamond or gold
...alas...only old

diosa de piedra azul

2007 Untitled mixed media sculpture study detail



diosa de piedra azul

con dulce esperanza

espera y espera

a su príncipe azul

...cuantos siglos mas esperara ?

foot

a foot is just a foot

...until it walks upon a bed of roses...

a gentle reminder to love one’s feet all year through
especially during flip-flop-season


2007 "FOOT" mixed media collage detail
( please note, this is NOT an image of MY foot )

mujer de amarillo

mujer de amarillo
con brillantes pretendes volar

mujer de maravillas
vestida de dolor
en busca de un amor

mujer de amarillo
no te olvides de soñar


2006-2007 Untitled mixed media collage detail

the walk

2007 "COSMOS" mixed media sculpture study





It was a crisp chilly night and they decided to go out for a walk. Actually, he graciously invited her...and she accepted, with pleasure. Under the black skies they strolled. Under the bright stars they dreamed. Hand in hand, laughing at life - with life - through life.

yogurt & opera

2007 Untitled study sketch for textile pattern




















As the complete stranger was choosing organic low-fat yogurt from the refrigerated grocery shelves, he was whistling a tune from one of my favorite operas...

journal excerpt

wings of imagination

2007 "WINGS" mixed media sculpture study

















Today she knew she would need a little extra help.

She asked Fairy to lend her a wing...

She asked Elf to sing...

Together with Crystal and Feather...the day seemed much better!

excerpt from "Imagination" manuscripts in progress

believe nothing

one of my beloved buddhas

“ believe nothing,
no matter where you read it
or who has said it,
not even if i have said it,
unless it agrees with
your own reason and
your own common sense.”
- BUDDHA

coral, pearl & diamond dream

2007 Untitled mixed media sculpture study


...dressed in a gown of coral draped with pearls and diamonds, she sat on her throne in the balcony of the great Parisian palace...

excerpt from Dream Journal, August 16th 2006, inspiration for sculpture and short story in progress

a favorite poem

detail of an exquisite turquoise transitioning into a CASIMIRA sculpture







one of my favorite poems by Oriah:

"It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shriveled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments."

© Mountaindreaming, from the book The Invitation by Oriah

a reminder to be true to myself, to my dreams, to my art

rude with poor manners

2005 "PEACE" mixed media




















I was recently labeled

RUDE with POOR MANNERS

...are we not all mirrors to one another ?

Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi...

total lunar eclipse

2006 Untitled mixed media study

in full glory and majesty

Celestial Goddess strolls through Mother Earth’s shadow

with Father Sun bestowing coppery crimson kisses

in anticipation of tonight

frescos

2007 "BLUE GRAPEFRUIT" photographic mixed media study
...I dreamt with her last night...again. There was a basket of enormous fruit and she making frescos from it...The fruit was gloriously huge, colorful and ripe...


excerpt from Dream Journal , October 26th, 2006 which may be included in "Conversations with Fruit" a series in progress

feather on my shoulder

2007 Untitled mixed media sculpture study




















a feather on my shoulder...

touched by an angel...

...or am I growing wings ?