"wee bunnies" help educate girls

Iqra FundWell – it is not actually the bunnies that are doing the educating but let me explain; every 20th bunny sold will fund one whole year of education for a young girl in Pakistan.  A beautiful bright soul (and fellow TEDx Bozeman speaker) Genevieve Chabot is the founder of Iqra Fund.  Genevieve’s TED talk and the inspiring movie “Girl Rising” prompted me with the desire to contribute to underprivileged girls all over the world.  When the whole series of 100 sculptures sells out - 5 lives will be changed.  I plan to donate more from the next bronze series and work my way to the point where I can joyfully launch a special sculpture series where 100% of the profits will be donated.  The sculptures are a limited edition, solid bronze and only $160.00.  Click HERE to purchase (and see more photos)Wee Bunny

happy peeps! (elated collectors)

LOVE it when my peeps are ELATED…!

Remember the painting I did in front of an audience at a charity fundraising event a few months ago?  My painting brought in the most at the auction (always exciting) but I promised the purchaser I would tweak it a bit since they wanted a “totally” Amber Jean piece (and other artists had painted on it during the event).  Last week the big o’l cock was lovingly packed down the mountain and hung in Judy’s home.  She said she had goosebumps when she saw the finished painting.  We had just finished a bottle of wine together before she viewed her painting – then we had to drink another bottle just to celebrate…!

I love how thrilled Judy is with her painting!

 

 

(BTW - the painting of swans on the wall was created by Joan Rishavy)

 

spring fever

Baby cottontails zipped through the lush green super-soaked mountain grass early this morning as I bounced down the road to 6 a.m. yoga class.  I love early mornings but they seemed somehow more infused these past few days because I woke symptom-free after three full weeks of the super crud.  I hardly ever get that sick – boy howdy. So the day before yesterday a grandiose sunrise smiled bright into my soul without any phlegm or crud dimming its rays.  Yesterday and today is overcast and wet…wet…WET but the sound of rain on my tin roof comforts like a purring cat.  Nothing can dampen the joy I feel as my health returns. 

mini series

Love, love LOVE the newest series of Reliquary sculptures…!  I am not finished with the "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" series.  Even while I continue the adventure of the latest series, I have ideas stirring for the next series of big reliquary sculptures and can hardly wait to continue creating these buggers!  The scale of the sculptures is necessary – integral actually.  The size, however, does create its own set of challenges.  I can’t just ship the sculptures off to art shows willy nilly and potential collectors need to have a certain amount of space before acquiring a sculpture.  From my soul’s perspective – the sculptures just MUST be created.  From the business perspective - I don’t doubt places and collectors for these sculptures exist but while I take steps to get the sculptures out into the world, it has dawned on me that perhaps some smaller explorations of each series would be productive for my creative process and for practicality of exhibiting and selling.  Most of the art I have collected is very small  - a reflection of my art buying budget and the small space I live in.

Can I work small?  Well of course…!  Actually in college I worked mostly in jewelry-size scale because I couldn’t afford materials to work larger while putting myself through school.  Two summers ago, a girlfriend gave me a BIG stack of small boxes.  The boxes determined the scale of this new mini series.

Last summer I experimented with wood creating pieces to fit the boxes but I wasn’t enchanted or intrigued.  Maybe because I wasn’t using the right quality of wood to carve on such a small scale but then too – carving wood takes oodles of time whether working big or small.  I wanted to work fairly swiftly both as a contrast to the labor intensive large reliquary sculptures and to keep cost down for potential collectors.  I kept my eyes and ears open to ideas of other materials to use.

Long story short; here’s a peek from yesterday’s time in the studio:

 

bunnies multiplying

BTW - "Acute Sinusitis and Bronchitis" were the prognosis from the doctor at the clinic this morning. No wonder this round of crud has been kicking my butt for the last twelve days. I have three expensive prescriptions (including an inhaler) to put me back on the road to recovery. Can't wait to get back into the studio (and outside adventuring) - SOON!!!

creepy crud

A thin warm ribbon of sky peaked above the horizon before pulling the covers over its head.  The lazy heavy cool clouds piled and pillowed around the snow topped Crazy Mountains.  The sky matches my own body's heaviness.  The thick goo that invaded my chest and lungs to slum with the zapped hot/cold bones of this intense bug has caused me to cancel plans to camp and climb this weekend - but the down time is its own bit of unpredicted soul food.  I read, renew and watch the spring green unfold around me. I don't usually get this sick.  But the crud creeped in last week as I exited the plane from Texas.  Or perhaps it creeped in before I got on the plane then incubated in the recycled air above and between worlds.  I have been literally couched - for days.  Illness can take us to dark murky places but it can also liberate us through the enforced stillness.  I was not my usual optimistic upbeat over-adventurous self before the illness took over.  Thus the murk got murkier.  Tears flowed.  Teeth clenched.  Shoulders shrugged.  Slump.

I have been struggling.  Struggling under the weight of BIG dreams and small purse strings.  Fear grasps and glowers during such times.  I don't recognize myself.  The parts I see I don't like.  Lost.  Sometimes I am so lost.  Darkness pervades - I harden until brittle - then I crack.  Cracks let in the light.  Thank goodness!

Time for self:  Solitude.  Shift.

Just as spring green lush new growth squeezes out the dull, dark dank dead stuff – I soak in the light, relish the rain.  Stir, sprout and smile once again.

texas trip

Last month I was in Texas for three and a half days during which I gained 6 pounds.  Ok – maybe some of those pounds were put on during the travel/flight days on each end of the actual Texas time but the point is…yikes!!  I lost five of those pounds within days of returning home to my active lifestyle (both inside and outside the studio).  But you see I do LOVE BBQ (and seafood and fried food and dessert and margaritas and oh yes – I even ate DONUTS).  We don’t have donut shops around here.  I don’t believe I have eaten a donut in a decade but in Lufkin, Texas there is a donut shop, a BBQ place, a taqueria and a beauty salon on every block. Thus after days of the “donut” billboards and storefronts I caved.  Big time.  Because who can really choose just one donut in a store FULL of them?  Well – I did choose simply one (maybe two?) but then I ate bites of Jeffery and Dane’s donuts (and yes – the Apple Fritter Jeffery ordered was definitely the BEST).  The donuts happened on the morning when we actually scheduled some fitness.  We drove to town to run on a paved path through a lush park but which has a bad reputation for muggings and other awful “city stuff.”

Which brings me to the recent trip to Texas where I found myself wondering if the impromptu run at the Denver airport (full speed through 62 gates with cowboy boots) could possibly cancel the calories in the fried ham and cheese sandwich I ordered at a gigantic flea market/outdoor craft and antique fair.  Two or three bites cured my curiosity (yuck) so I ditched the sandwich in favor of a crepe (which we also don’t have in big supply around here).

I'm back home on my mountain relishing the fresh (if chilly) spring weather -  dreaming of apple fritters and seeking the perfect place to hang the beautifully inspiring ceramic skull.

photoshoot in paradise

Lucky me!  The day after a spring snowstorm the sun popped out and I got to spend the afternoon with Audrey Hall while she photographed "Jake" the dog bronze.  Zaydee and her dog Scout splashed in a pond and romped in grass just turning green.  I have the pleasantly difficult chore of deciding which photo to use for an upcoming full page ad.  Audrey is simply over-the-top talented.  What a joy to see my work through her eyes blessed by the landscape of Paradise Valley and the inviting porch of some friends.

meditate?

I have never been good at meditation.  The pure raw sit still and chill chore eludes me.  I lead a rather contemplative and yes even meditative life on this mountain, in my cabin and at the studio.  My work is infused with spiritual energy.  I do yoga.  I experience moments of being present through my work and in my life.  But to sit down, clear my mind and be still is nearly impossible for me.  I cannot even drive my truck in a normal "sit and drive" manor.  One at a time, my feet migrate to the seat and the dashboard, unnerving my occasional passenger.  These feet cannot be still. Something urges me to attempt meditation.  Not often, but every now and then during the last two decades I feel meditation give me a friendly nudge – like a dog seeking attention.  I usually ignore the nudge all together until the dog quietly gives up.  But the critter never actually leaves me alone; it just slips off to the corner, curls up and sleeps until later.

Recently the napping meditation dog woke, stretched, yawned and nudged insistently with the added pleading focused unflinching “take me out” eyes.  We’d been cooped inside for days while a cold wet flurry slurry bone chilling spring storm clung to the windows.  A visiting instructor at the local yoga studio offered a special mediation class that very afternoon.  I shrugged.  Why not?

Maybe I could actually meditate if instructed.  I do enough alone.

So I slipped from flannel jammy pants to yoga pants, bundled up, shoveled and dug my way out then bounced down the mountain while snow blew sideways.  The afternoon proved successful even though the sweet kind fuzzy-browed instructor began the session by telling us we were NOT trying to succeed or achieve anything.

By success I mean simply that I have paid a bit more attention to the nudging meditation dog since those few hours late that stormy Sunday afternoon.  I have continued the practice. I no longer totally ignore the friendly persistent meditation dog.  We hang out together a wee bit each day.  I am not perfectly still.  My mind is far-from-clear.  But for now I will pet the pup a bit, spend a little time each day...

We may just begin to like each other.

"wee bunny"

I just picked up the first casting of the NEW edition.  The little bugger is SO much better in metal than clay!  My goal was to create an exceptionally affordable sweet collectable.  The edition is limited.  If you would like to own one - it would be a good idea not to delay.  Several sculptures were ordered for the special pre-cast price three months ago.  Visit my website to reserve your bunny (click here). Click the photo to take you to my site if you are interested in more views.

momma nature's switchy springtime moods

Springtime in the Rockies brings an intensified round of moods from Momma Nature.  Flesh long-buried beneath layers of winter-wear gets a chance to revel in sunshine and fresh air.  Bikes replace ice tools and skis – but wait…!  The winter sport toys are NOT packed away just yet because each day could bring rock climbing or biking or a full-on blizzard with fresh tracks in the snow.

I pretty much like all of it – but admit my own moods often reflect Momma Nature’s.  Quite a flux of emotion; flurries and fun, grumps and gunk.

 

sweet sunny spring easter sunday

Ah!  Sweeeeeet lazy sunny Sunday…! I took the WHOLE day off (which is rare these past few months).  I slept in.  I poured Bailey’s in my tea.  I lounged with magazines.  I made brownie sundaes for breakfast…!

I found little goodies hidden by the Easter Bunny.  Then I took the Easter Bunny out for his very first ski.  Jeffery purchased some skinny skis at the local end-of-the-season sale so we ended winter season by shushing in short sleeve t-shirts while Zaydee danced and pranced in the snow.

LOVELY!  Joyous afternoon soaked in sunshine and lavished with views.  We ate a picnic lunch complete with Easter goodies by the creek.  We took homemade stew to mom’s and spent the holiday evening lounging with her.  I have been more rested this past week than during the previous months.

Feels good.

 

basking in the glow of TEDxBozeman

Ah.....TED.....!

Sooooooooo much pressure and preparation for ten minutes on the famed red TED carpet circle.

But it was TOTALLY worth it.  Every bit of it!  So I pulled a few all-nighters, shed some tears, wrung my hands, sweated, blushed and botched but all before those surreal ten minutes of actually being a TED speaker.  A zillion hours went into writing, rewriting and practicing.  A NEW sculpture (the second in the “Never Promised You a Rose Garden” series) was completed two days before TED, packed, hauled and wrestled onto the stage.  We set the sculpture up in between speaker practice sessions the day before the event.  Immediately after the event the sculpture was repacked along with the sculpture placed in the TEDxBozeman event lobby.  Jeffery and I caught the tail end of the after party – thrilled to spend more time with the other amazing speakers and the TED staff.

Phew!

Now a few days into my post-TED life I can sit for a bit and reflect.  Weeks before I got on that stage I knew the experience was worthwhile just from its "stretch and grow" factor.  People think of me as a natural speaker - I can certainly ramble but TED is anything but rambling.  The super tight time restrictions imposed by the TEDxBozeman team made me chisel away the ramble parts along with plenty of powerful points but the process of editing (and editing and editing) was a true learning experience for me.  I do it ALL the time in my sculptures - but never to this degree for a speaking event.  I pack a LOT of life into every day living and could easily entertain 10 minutes of Ideas Worth Sharing (the TED motto) from each day of my life – let alone my whole lifetime…!  So I gave a glimpse…a wee tiny glimpse into my life, passion and work.

I walked off the stage wondering if I had actually “done TED right.”  A whole day or two had to pass before the TED blanket settled comfortably around my shoulders.  Just a bit of distance from my self imposed criticism and I can finally bask in the "TED glow."  The TEDxBozeman team pulled off a seamless classy inspiring event.  I am proud.  Humbled.  Inspired.

Waiting to share with you…

I will let you know when the TED folks have edited the talks and posted them online.  Meanwhile I have a studio to sweep, another sculpture to finish and HUGE piles of neglected desk life to catch up on.

I did say it was ALL worthwhile… and I believe it is just the beginning...

catch my TEDx performance LIVE stream this friday

I'm EXCITED...!  After weeks and weeks of practice, editing and preparation - I am nearly ready to stand on the TED stage and squeeze ALL I can out of the moment.

Inspired to inspire - I plan to connect and share the "art juice."  Tickets are sold out but the event will be streamed LIVE this Friday.  My talk titled "The Spirit Within" will take place at approximately 2:53 pm (give or take a bit).  Click on this LIVE STREAM link to watch (and let me know what you think).  The event begins at 1:00 pm with an incredibly impressive line-up of speakers and performers - so tune in earlier to watch the rest of the TED talks (if you are unfamiliar with TED - then see the post below).

Wish me luck...!

patience

One translucent layer after another. Mix and build color upon color upon color - allowing some places to be quieter than others.  Wood grain speak here, whisper there.

Finding my way through the lost places...