I had a professor of art history ask, “What is your definition of art?” After a brief moment of silence, he offered this definition, “Art is an idea made manifest.”
So, “What is your definition of art?”
http://ed.ted.com/lessons/is-there-a-difference-between-art-and-craft-laura-morelli#review
I’ve been spending more time in doors this summer due to the water shortage in California. I was not able to plant my garden of sunflowers, zinnias and marigolds this year. Though I did manage to plant about a dozen sunflowers for the birds and bees. The sunflowers are contained within a planter in my backyard, so I can look out and enjoy the activity of the bees and the beauty of the sunflowers while I knit.
Actually, the water shortage has forced me to limit my exposure to the sun which has been a good thing. Recently, I’ve been diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma. A non-life threatening condition that has been treated with topical chemotherapy. I’ve become hyper-diligent about wearing sunscreen and a hat outside and especially during my daily exercise routine. Of course, the sun damage did not just happen…over time, worshiping the sun slathered in baby oil and scuba diving in Monterey Bay did not help.
Yes, I’ve taken all of this in stride, excited about my upcoming trip to Central Europe. I’m looking forward to the architectural history of the region along with local cultural fare. I hope to discover Czech glass and wonder if I’ll see any yarn. I have a map of Prague from (The New York Times Europe Issue, Sunday, April 20, 2014) and want to shop at Prague Thrift Store, Bohemian Retro and Pour Pour.
Recently, while visiting the Very Knit Shop, I captured an image of my latest two projects on display.
Upon waking the other morning, an orange glow filtered through my bedroom blinds. I decided to investigate and was amazed at the sky outside.
The diagonals created by power lines and the palm tree in silhouette, along with the horizonal color of the sunrise displayed a visual narrative defined by the co-mingling of man-made innovation and nature.
Every Spring, I sow a variety of sunflower seeds and zinnias. The sunflower represents so many things to me, they remind me of my father and Vincent Van Gogh. I covet a book given to me by my daughter from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Along with their smiling faces, I grow sunflowers for the future health of our bee population. The crop this year is exceptional!
My garden is a sanctuary for bees, butterflies and birds. Tucked away in a corner of my yard, I captured a hummingbird enjoying nectar.
Yesterday, Sunday, June 23, 2013, I had an opportunity to attend a class, Nature Expressed taught by mixed-media artist, JoAnnA Pierotti. We all gathered at Chateau Grenzer, hosted by Shabby Calavera, Lexi Grenzer http://lexigrenzer.blogspot.com/. Wood framed canvas, venetian plaster, clear gesso and encaustic wax mixed with fiber, vintage hardware and a recent photograph I captured of a peony applied to a 3″ x 4″ wood framed canvas surrounded by moss and persimmon branches held together with rusty wire and my imagination, creates a beautiful piece of art, which celebrates what I hold near and dear to my heart…nature.
Sticks-a-GoGo 
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