A winter moon born on the shore of Fossil Lake during one of the coldest months on record. I wanted to challenge the painting to see how it would adapt by setting it outside in -1 degree F with snow and ice. To me, in perfectly symbolizes the tenacity and strength of the prairie land […]
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 […]
Elder Moon
The Elder Moon is my interpretation of the wisdom of midwinter, full of ancient lessons for us. Made with grounding stone, grain, paint, prairie plant ash, winter ice and rust. It has symbols carved with limestone, iron and snow goose feathers and created at the time of the January full moon. A piece to remind […]
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 […]
Greening Fields
And as we approach the Old World start of the agricultural year, St Bridget’s day (Feb 1-2), there is sense of welcoming on the land. My rendition of a snow covered field greening in the east is made of stone texture, paint, rust, and Smoky Hill river silt. What I love about creating this piece […]
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 […]
Murmuration of Blackbirds
Murmurations are mystery incarnate to me. Forming to swoop over prairie fields picking at fallen grain, their structure and form mesmerizes. I’ll stop what I’m doing to watch. It draws me in fully. Frenetic thoughts and worries vanish, instead I am there, fully present. And maybe, that’s their gift. […]
