Beltane (around May 1) is the old world celebration that marks the halfway point between the equinox and solstice. It is observed with bonfires, marking time when cattle are driven to pasture. On the American prairie, ranchers burn tall grass pastures in the spring to make way for new growth. The fire destroys decayed things […]
Category: The Earth Inspires
It is nearly wild flower season
Wildflowers are a true prairie gift and symbolize individuality. I think of them as good souls born of the land. My favorite photograph ever taken by made dad was of my mother in a field of wild yarrow. Wildflowers are fleeting beauty in face of the warming land. My rendition has stone texture, paint, shimmering […]
Cottonwoods are Whisper Trees
My favorite tree is the Cottonwood. There are some who say she is a whisper tree. A sort of sage that grasps secrets from the ether and gifts wisdom on the wind to those who would listen, telegraphing fortunes on fluttering leaves. The waxy click clack on the summer warmth sounds like the ocean to […]
The Hunter Moon
As light wanes and the land lets go of the fervent growing season, autumn reminds us of the endless cycle of life. We slip into shadow and encroaching quiet, a time to banish negativity from your life. This moon embodies the spirit of the full October moon, the Hunter, created with the ash of prairie […]
The In-Between Season
We don’t have too many foggy days on the prairie, quite the opposite really, it’s usually clear with strong sun. But we are in an in-between place for a short while as winter gives way to something new. An invitation to pause and appreciate its rarity. […]
Moon Phases
A piece to honor the moon cycles at St Brigid’s Day – the half way point between the winter solstice and spring equinox – and the traditional start of a new agricultural year. For centuries, those in-tune to the land have cast their eyes to the changing moon to forecast auspicious days for sowing and […]
St Brigid’s Eve
Tonight is St Brigid’s Eve and my strips of cloth are ready for the saint to bless as she passes. It is said she gifts them with healing. Some of the cloth will make its way into art to embody the spirit of hope and renewal. St Brigid’s Day marks the beginning of a new […]
Prairie in Four Seasons
Indian grass stars in this exploration of the seasons, an examination of wild prairie grass thriving in all conditions. The prairie is not for weak-hearted things. Life endures bitter cold, drought, strong wind, and searing heat but plants adapt, grow deep roots, do what they must not only to survive, but thrive. That frontier spirit is what […]
Prairie Seed Pod
I’ve been contemplating how wild seeds germinate and grow, some needing ice and cold stratification. Enduring difficulties prepares them for growth on the prairie. There is something quite magical about small things growing into greatness despite difficulties. My rendition of a prairie seed is made with stone texture, embedded grain, paint, rust and earth pigments […]
Return of the Sun
This rising sun was born on the longest night, the tipping point of dark versus light. I attached sprigs of freshly cut evergreen cedar and set it under the prairie moon to rest in the night’s darkness to greet the rising sun of the winter solstice. Even though we still have long nights ahead, there […]
