Roses in our little terrace garden

"The Earth Laughs in Flowers."
-  Ralph Waldo Emerson  

I've been keeping up with the nearby Monument, AZ Fire, and yesterday, found a desire to sit quietly, enjoy the roses in bloom, birds chirping, and for a bit as winds quieted, a peaceful blue sky instead of the smoky gray we've been seeing.

Here are some of the little rose beauties on our front terrace.

Ash Canyon Fire

Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment in Sierra Vista, AZ, about 25 miles from our house. Here are photos of the Monument Fire in Ash Canyon taken yesterday, June 15, 2011, between 3:00 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Here is link to most current article (as of 6-16-11, 7:30 a.m.) from the Sierra Vista Herald about this fire.
http://www.svherald.com/content/news/2011/06/16/10000-acres-scorched-earth

South on Hwy 92 from Sierra Vista, past E. Cooper Rd.

South on Hwy 92 from Sierra Vista, at E. Hereford Rd.

E. Hereford Rd, turn from Hwy. 92 - pea soup sky

Ash Canyon from E. Hereford.

Ash Canyon from E. Hereford.

Horshoe Two (Chrichauas) fire in the distance, from E. Hereford Rd.

Ash Canyon/Monument Fire from Palaminas Rd. near Hwy. 92

Ash Canyon/Monument Fire from Palaminas Rd. near Hwy. 92

Hwy. 92, by Palaminas School. Border Patrol monitoring traffic.

Rearview mirror shot from Hwy. 92, Palaminas, headed home to Bisbee.

Smoke filled sky from our house in Bisbee.

Sunday Drawing Group

Our drawing group met and shared art yesterday. We generally give "assignments" each week and bring what we've done to share. Last week's assignment was torn paper portraits. From that general idea, we make something, sometimes "breaking the rules", or straying one way or another from the assignment. Anyway, here is my "torn paper" portrait made to take to drawing group yesterday. As you can see, no torn paper here; it's all cut out, and painted with watercolor.

Tribute to surrealist, Leonora Carrington

Our assignment for this next week is drawing from a picture/photo looking at it upside-down, and using our non-donimant hand...should be interesting!

New Desert Angel

Just finished this last week. Actually, this piece was a challenge. The image starts as a photograph printed on watercolor paper, then worked in encaustic and various paints, pencils, crayons...I didn't like my first "working" of this piece, so I melted all the wax off and started all over from scratch. I say it's finished, but it will probably get some very slight tweaking this weekend. Then, off to the next piece. I have a good bit of studio time scheduled this weekend and am thoroughly looking forward to it!

Studio, Topcat, and Handmade Book

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms in Blogland!

Thought I'd post some studio pics here today. I have some pics of our cat, TC (Topcat) in our "shared" studio space that are fun.

TC built his own space in the studio one day with some brown paper that came out of a box from some recently ordered art supplies. The paper went on the futon, and, as I continued unwrapping, TC made himself a house.

TC cozy in his little paper house.

Contemplating the universe. These photos were made November 2010.

TC has spotted a bird from his perch. May 2010. Notice the coats of fresh white paint on the walls!

And yes, I REALLY do have about half-dozen encaustic/mixed media works in progress, and will post as they are completed. Along with working in mys studio, I recently took a Japanese Stab Binding Bookmaking class taught at the Copper Queen Library by Jan Searle. It was lots of fun and here is my first book from the workshop!

Well, off to our Sunday drawing group now. Happy art adventures this week!

Long time, no post

The past month (or a bit longer) has brought forth events which have taken me (us, me and Mike) outside our normal comfy routine. Mike's mom, my grandmother, and a dear friend of ours passed away. It has been a time of grieving, and looking at the fragility of life. Also during this time, my new little grandson, Hunter Matthew Brewner, was born. A beautiful new little life to celebrate!

Anyway, my head is percolating with new ideas, not yet concrete, to incoporate in my art...My art is my outlet for expressing my innermost thoughts and feelings...I have several works in progress I'm wishing to finish. No real direction, but I'll find my way home, and will post new work soon!

Well, I wrote this over a week ago and did not post. So, TODAY I post with some finished work.

Three Desert Angels (Abigail, Lizann, & Ludmilla) at San Pedro River

Desert Angels I - Photograph, watercolor, encaustic, & oils

 Portrait of Holli. I found a photo of my sister from when she was out here visiting 2 years ago, and re-worked it. This actually looks better "in-person". I snapped a quick shot this morning in an effort just to post!

Holli - Photograph, encaustic, & oils

Kate Bishop Hats

 

This is from a photo shoot at Kate's a few week's ago - her Minerva Hat done for an ad she in running in Ornament Magazine. I'm usually not much in to doing photography such as this, but I always love working with Kate, and love her hats and photographing them!

I have been working on some encaustic/mixed media portraits inspired by our Sunday Drawing Group. Hope to finish my works in progress and post soon!

To see more Kate hats go to http://www.katebishop.com/