Threshold to the Inner Garden

The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.

I recently created this mixed media encaustic painting, which  evokes so much for me as I continue to stand at new thresholds in my life, reevaluating  what I do in the world.  ..I seek the hidden words hoping to I to decipher  an aspect of what is being revealed in my art.

Sacred Imagery of the Elephant Kind....

So we think that we are the only creative beings on this planet,  but actually that is not the case.  The natural world abounds with creative spirits.  I once saw a wonderful special on Nova  about bower birds, who work three dimensionally, building amazing environmental installations.  Their awe inspiring, performance art is  created to draw their lovers to them.   

And although I have heard about elephants painting before, this video is amazing.  Take the time to watch this video of an elephant painting a self portrait.  Slow moving and conscious, this wise being creates a stylized, expressive self portrait that blows my mind.  Slow down and  watch the whole thing and enjoy.  

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v= LHoyB81LnE

Working in my Studio..My plate it full...

I have been working in my studio in between all my other commitments and life...getting ready for doing the Art At the Source Open Studio the first two weekends in June.   This image is something I am striving for in my work, both texture and luminosity. However I often get lost in detail and love to carve out and dig into the wax.  Although I strive for simplicity it rarely happens.   

My plate is  full.  I am getting ready to go to Sun Valley Idaho, with Patricia, my friend and business partner in the Creative Arts Studio.  We are facilitating two workshops on Creativity at the Idaho State Prevention Conference.  We have over 115 people signed up for our Free the Creative Spirit workshop and 77 in the Bringing the Mandala into The Classroom session.  That many people in an art workshop is a bit overwhelming...but it will be exciting as well.  It has been a long time since I have been in the snow.   I plan on taking photos and posting them when I return.   

Tropical Dreams

Tropical Dreams
Originally uploaded by blue_sea_art

I am finally getting into my studio after the flu and other maladies that have effected me for the past month. I am dreaming of the tropics, of warmth and sun, and sweet lemonade. Its dreary here today, but I have a week off work for spring break and I am feeling better and am as happy as if I was in the tropics.

Inner Child Dreaming - Encaustic painting

This encaustic is really an expression of my own inner child ...with memories of looking out the window at all the kids playing down below our third floor apartment window in Chicago, and me dreaming of being down their playing with everyone.  I find this one so very evocative of the magical inner child.

Through the window--New Encaustics

Through the window
Originally uploaded by blue_sea_art

Here are several new encaustic paintings I have finally completed
This one suggests mystery making one wonder what is behind the door...

Intention Mandala- finally complete

New Years Mandala
Originally uploaded by blue_sea_art

I have finally finished my New years mandala that I began at the last Illuminated Mandala workshop that Patricia and I facilitated in early January. I have an earlier post about it. I put this aside and then recently began working on it again....during a long, long bout of the flu.

We will be doing a Spring Retreat soon, on March 22nd. If you are in California and interested.....then why not check my website, http://www.creativeartstudio.com for more information.