Crafting with Kapok

I have been enamored with Kapok fiber for some time now and wanted to share my passion for this natural batting.  Kapok fiber is a silky substance that surrounds the seed pods of the Ceiba tree, which is harvested in the rain forest and provides jobs to indigenous people.  

This fiber is  lightweight, nontoxic, mold resistant, odorless and a sustainable resource.  The only issue I have when working with it is the way the fibers float through the air during the stuffing process.  A simple filtering mask solved that problem.  The end result is a pillow with all the qualities of down but with the added advantage of being hypoallergenic.

So below are pics of the new, decorative bed pillows I made to match my sunny yellow and white duvet cover...

I encourage anyone who has a desire to experience the satisfaction of creating with or purchasing eco-friendly products to visit white lotus home.  

"New" Vintage Finds

Arturo had the day off today and the kids didn’t,  so we decided an outing was in order.  We began with a wonderful brunch at Victorias Delights in downtown Oxford.   The crabby benedict was fantastic (not exactly what I needed after yesterday’s Easter Feast, but I could exercise no self control).  After plying my consort with a wonderful meal, I was able to convince him to escort me on an antiquing mission.   

The birdsong has had my attention lately as it seems spring has finally arrived, and I'm crazy about colorful objects,  so I was immediately drawn to this piece...

It is vintage venetian glass and very evocative of spring.  I had to have it.

My favorite items to shop for at these vintage/antique shoppes are embellishments to add to my art pieces.  I scored with the following items

Vintage letter and number cards.

Lacy hand-tatted doilies.

These vintage Vera linen kitchen towels won't be embellishments, but may show up on my Etsy as fun decorative pillows.  I'll keep you posted.

I love the little ladybug, it is a good gauge when trying to determine the date of her pieces - 1960's - 70's.  The ladybug was discontinued in 1976.

Imagine

"Imagination is everything.  It is the preview of life's coming attractions"

                                                            -Albert Einstein-

I have been struggling with this project for weeks now and I finally see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.  This is my third attempt at creating what I see in my mind and I believe I am now on the right path.  These pieces are soooo difficult to capture on camera and I wish I could invite you into my studio to see them first hand.  There is still much to do to meet the May 15th deadline for entry into my next competition.  

On another note, I will, over the next few weeks, attempt to expand my blogging to include other areas of interest.  When a piece takes this long to bring into existence, I find myself totally immersed in the process and without much to blog about.  By diversifying my blog, I hope to inspire others to bring creative expression to  everyday life.

recreating my dream

I have vivid dreams and I almost always remember them.  I will not trouble you with the details of my latest - I have been on the receiving end of a dream story and it is almost never possible to relate the emotion of a dream experience to another.  I, however, was so very impacted by the imagery in this dream that I took it to a digital level.  Below is the image - straight from inside my head.

On another note, I am still working diligently and daily on a new high-impact piece.  It is a slow process but I hope it will be worth the wait.  I have decided to post another piece that has not been previously posted to the blog although it is on my artwork page.  

I do so enjoy finding unique pictures to incorporate into my Shadowplay pieces.  I have recently been mixing characters from several sources to create my pieces but the above piece was recreated from a vintage shower scene and to me embraces the parallels in us as well as our individuality.  

Famine Project

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. 

Dalai Lama 

I often think about the disparity in this world of ours and about the vast differences in the human experience.  In my research into vintage photography, I am frequently drawn to photos of humanity that are difficult to fathom.  In contemplating and recreating these downtrodden members of the human race, I am overwhelmed with emotion.  And yet, I am drawn to them, to their plight and I feel the need to plead their cases to those who would listen...

The person in my re-created fiber image above is unknown.  He was a victim of the famine in China in the early 1900's.  I am working on a canvas that I hope will be worthy of his message.  

I have not been very attentive to this blog of late.  I have, unfortunately, been nursing a rotator cuff injury that has put a crimp in my artistic endeavors.  Physical Therapy starts tomorrow.  But, I now know which of my pieces has been juried into the Michigan Fine Arts Competition.  The opening artist reception and awards ceremony will be at the BBAC (Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center) on April 1, 2011 (hopefully this falling on April Fool's Day is not a bad omen).  I look forward to attending.

I am S L O W L Y finishing another provocative piece that will (hopefully) speak for itself.  I hope to finish it this week and present it soon.

Waiting for spring

I sometimes find it difficult to stay on the sunny side during these long Michigan winters.  I did manage to muster enough optimism to finish my party girl piece.  I do like the way the background turned out.  I am into bright colors recently, probably an unconscious attempt to compensate for the vast white blanket outside my window. 


 While I am pleased with this piece in general, I have to point out a flaw which will probably serve to relegate her to a permanent position in my home.  While adding the final touches, surface bubbles appeared...

I have to admit, this has happened to me once before and I did manage to camouflage the blunder.  I thought I had pinpointed my error but will have to go back to the drawing board on this issue.

But...I did manage to finish these sweet crocheted ducky slippers for the little jester, who immediately demanded to put them on so he could waddle around the house, quacking all the way.