I am still in “vacation mode” after trips to visit family…
This means a non-schedule schedule, late mornings, and not much actual work getting finished!
Motivation to begin projects is low…
Hopefully this will be a time for the incubation of new ideas and a renewal of energy that will later kick in and inspire me to accomplish great things…
well, one can always dream…
especially in the summer! 🙂
When are your times of renewal in life and with your family? As an artist, when do you recharge and incubate new ideas? [Leave a Comment below…I’d Love to Hear From You!]
Over the years, I have planted many trees…each time we have moved it seems there is always some tree or plant needed in the new yard! Of course this includes fruit trees…
Fruit Tree
a red maple…
Red Maple
a new cherry tree…
…all are necessary.
In hot, sunny, arid West Texas where we once lived, trees are highly valued for their shade and beauty. Many times homeowners even have them insured. When we eventually moved back to the East I vowed I would never again complain about raking leaves…and I haven’t.
For most people trees improve our lives and are symbolic in some way. While they provide shade, oxygen, color and beauty, a home for birds and other animals, hold our memories, they also signify meanings of permanence. For example, their roots and branches are metaphors about family ties—their stability and the prior generations. Perhaps this symbolism is one reason that after a storm it is a disturbing sight to see huge trees have been destroyed with even large root systems pulled out of the earth and blown over…
Not long ago, there was a story on television about a Survivor Tree planted at Ground Zero in New York City. An eight foot sapling was found amid the rubble of the World Trade Centerand was taken to the Park Departments nursery. They revived and nurtured it until it was replanted in the memorial garden as a sign of life and hope for the future after an unthinkable tragedy on, what is now known as, 9/11. Today this tree has grown to be 35 feet tall and stands as a reminder of resilience to all the people who visit this landmark. This story can be seen at: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=7857410
Throughout time artist have also sketched, painted, and even used trees as design inspiration for pottery.
"Branche d'amandier en fleur" by Vincent van Gogh By vG Public domain via Wikipedia
"Above Dark Clouds", Frayed-edge appliqué, pieced, quilted with rayon on hand-painted & commercial cotton, 11 1/2 x 11 1/2". (c)2011 Joni Beach.
It is satisfying to make a deadline, especially since I missed it last year! 🙂 Also, I will get to send in my new website and blog address with it, which was one of my goals for the year–to create a website and blog before the SAQA Benefit Auction.
This is a design idea I have actually tried before and did not finish. In flying to a health
center during a family health crisis, I would get above the rain clouds and realize how bright and beautiful the sun and cobalt blue sky was continually. It was an encouragement to me and became a symbol of hope and peace.
In experimenting with the design of this piece, I decided the horizontal lines for the sky, while somewhat simple, best portrayed the idea of calm and peace. The variation of the blue fabric I hand-painted to the desired color adds extra visual interest.
For the clouds, I decided I liked the frayed edges for the softness and dimension it gave in contrast to the cleaner lines of the pieced sections of the sun and sky.
In the future I plan to create a series exploring these ideas and theme, beginning with a similar large piece based on this design.
The SAQA Benefit Auction is an annual fundraising event and features a wonderful collection of members’ artwork, which can be obtained at very good prices! Check it out the donated artwork now at http://www.saqa.com/saqa-u.php?ID=1791. The first day of the on-line bidding is September 12th, 2011, beginning at 2:00PM Eastern Standard time.
As life’s clouds sometimes gather, may the knowledge of the warm sun and brilliant, cobalt blue sky that still lies above it all bring you hope and peace…
Joni Beach 