Garden of Earthly Delights

Meditation Tablets

Here are a couple of pieces from a recent series entitled 'Meditation Tablets'. I learned a new type of meditation this summer based on five ancient Tibetan syllables that focus on each of the chakras. During my introduction to this practice, I came up with the idea for the first tablet 'Bliss'. I gathered driftwood for the base and used found images and cut paper to form the collage. It's a visual representation of the open-hearted way of being that I strive to access within myself. It also acts as a visual focal point during my mediations.

I then created personalized tablets for people close to my heart using images and symbols that relate to their stories. I have given most of the tablets away without taking any photos, and these are what remain.

Yurtopia: The Art of Food and Family

It was about food, mostly.
Food. Wine. The Earth. Men. Food. Money. Our girls. Motherhood. Love. Food.
We both agreed that we were probably nomads in our past lives. Perhaps sisters of a traveling tribe. Although we live quite different lives from one another now, neither one of us quite fits into the mold of our very sedentary modern world. At least Amy lives in a yurt, a constant reminder of the nomadic existence that feels so true to our blood. Even so, it is a struggle for her to live within walls day in and day out. The Mongolians at least packed up camp from time to time. As for me, trips like this are exactly what keeps my ancient spirit alive. Without being able to reach out and immerse myself into the fabric of the greater world, I don't know who I would be. Something inside me needs to go out there and connect and feel the thread that runs through each of us. So much mystery, so much beauty. Everywhere.

After loading up with fresh veggies at the Saturday Market in Eugene, we headed home for an onslaught of amazing food experiences. Her garden had produced quite an abundant crop which made it delightful for me to prepare meal after meal of incredible food. I sliced homegrown potatoes, onions, and fresh cauliflower into a cheesy gratin. I cracked fresh eggs from her chickens into a spinach, feta, and olive Greek fritata. There was a fried apple number with apples from my dad's orchard that I carmelized over ice cream. Oh, yes and the unbelievable green salad with the candied walnuts...Let's not forget the buffalo tacos or the chicken, red pepper, & cauliflower curry I whipped up just before leaving. All we did was eat! After we ate, we made a few batches of huckleberry jam and crabapple butter. It was our own celebration of food we had planted together months ago on my last visit. Food Amy had cultivated all summer long. Food grown on my family farm. Tastes that I've tasted each fall of my life. The planting, watering, harvesting, preparing, eating, and preserving of FOOD!

The Rooster

We had to bid farewell to the mysterious rooster that Amy and Ahlya found wandering around the forest. We took him to a nearby goat farm that had a nice flock of free range chickens. Unfortunately, the flock already contained four roosters (which is about three too many for a flock.) It was heartbreaking (yet Darwinian) to watch in disbelief as our sweet early-riser became initiated into the pecking order. I suppose all is fair in love and war.

Lotion Recipe

Luxurious Lotion

1/2 Cup olive oil
1/8 Cup sweet almond oil
1/8 Cup jojoba oil
Combine oils in 2 cup pyrex
Measure:
1/2 oz. shaved beeswax
1 T shea butter
Add beeswax and shea butter to oil
Fill small saucepan half-full of water
Set pyrex in water to melt beeswax
When thoroughly combined, set aside to cool
Allow to cool just until film begins to form on surface

Meanwhile...Measure these ingredients into blender:

1/2 cup aloe water
1/2 cup hydrocortisol rose water

Slowly pour oils into waters through funnel in the top of blender
Blend consistently until lotion emulsifies!
Then add 25 drops of essential oil for fragrance.
Do not double the recipe!

Dreaming of Baja

I created this series in a makeshift outdoor studio on the porch of our solar powered casita in Todos Santos. The materials I used were both man-made and from nature. I scrounged many of the objects from the grounds of the ancient ranch our casita was nestled amidst. Nails, bottle caps, tiles, pods, wood scraps. One theme that I am continually drawn back to is the spiritual dimension of a culture. I am fascinated by the religious beliefs held by people of the world, and the visual ways in which their beliefs are depicted. The repeated use of symbols in my work helps me tell my stories. Each of the wood tablets acts as a platform for a different aspect of my life that I have reverence for.



We are gearing up to make the migration once again this winter. This time we intend to spend three months away. We are hoping to ski-lease our house, and I am putting together a home-school curriculum for Della. Needless to say, it will be rich in art, culture, and nature. I envision attracting a small tribe of children for art experiences in nature. Perhaps some free spirited adults as well...

Bittersweet

I made this cake extravaganza for the party we held at Woody's studio in honor of Chef Paul's life. He would have noticed right away that the mini cupcake tortes were the real deal, and the big glossy heart was from a box. Only one other person (Kester) detected my bluff. The mini-tortes are from my gluten-free recipe collection. The flowers; from my garden.

Felted Flowers

These are a few felt flowers I found at a fun shop in NYC called M & J Trimmings.