Signals

Yellowstone National Park. I see a face in the image - do you???

Untitled

Woodlanders Gathering, Nyak, NY. Natural Pigment Watercolor stick and stem brushes I look forward to creating more of this type of natural pigment water media work in the future. Using hand made paper.

Heavy Snow (Holga 120)

A snowy day in Strasburg captured by me and my Holga. Magic happened.

Brides Maides Bouquets

All locally organically grown flowers used for this special event!

Tiny Dancer

(Made Paper, Encaustic, Plant Material) All of the works listed as Japan were part of a cultural exchange presented in conjunction with the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1997. I was fortunate to have my work chosen and extremely fortunate to have been invited to Japan to teach my method of preserving plant material using wax (encaustic). The work was purchased and remains in Japan. There were a couple of things that really piqued their interest. One was the method I used to create the work and the other was that my style was very minimalist.

process pic – installation of Portal

A shot of this piece being installed at The Wind Through the Trees sculpture exhibition, The Jenikns Arboretum , Devon, PA.

Untitled

(encaustic, plant material (including gourd fiber). 5x7.) If its on my website I like it. If it does not have a title - none has come or maybe it has and needed to be changed to ?????

Tree House (Holga 120)

Who does love a tree house and being up high looking down on the world below. I think that is the way of all tree houses! This one was on the property where I lived and worked for many years.

Flower Dance

(encaustic, made paper, plant ,material) All of the works listed as Japan were part of a cultural exchange presented in conjunction with the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1997. I was fortunate to have my work chosen and extremely fortunate to have been invited to Japan to teach my method of preserving plant material using wax (encaustic). The work was purchased and remains in Japan. There were a couple of things that really piqued their interest. One was the method I used to create the work and the other was that my style was very minimalist.

Surface #5

iPhone 11, Centerville, PA, 10/03/22 #5 in an ongoing series of pictures of surfaces. This one is in a front yard just as the leaves are beginning to shed in an all natural lawn. Fall in Lancaster County, PA is a glorious thing. Surfaces of things have always intrigued me. I think it must be something about the detail I see in them. The surface is the work of art and I merely see it and take a photo and try to do it some justice.

The Hunt (Holga 120)

The "fox chasers". So old world and always a thrill to see! Nottingham, PA.

On Pointe

Pressed Plant Collage. All of the works listed as Japan were part of a cultural exchange presented in conjunction with the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1997. I was fortunate to have my work chosen and extremely fortunate to have been invited to Japan to teach my method of preserving plant material using wax (encaustic). The work was purchased and remains in Japan. There were a couple of things that really piqued their interest. One was the method I used to create the work and the other was that my style was very minimalist.

Water

(encaustic on made paper) One of a series titled 'Earth, Air, Fire, Water'. The series piece is in a new home in West Virginia. SOLD

Lactation

(gourd, kozo, gourd seeds, dye, twine, found objects. 14x14x9") I created this series over the span of about a year. There was no exact intent in mind. All the pieces were created independently of one another with no concept of "I am creating a series". It was after about 6 pieces were complete, all unnamed at that point, that I realized the connection. It was then that names appeared. Most pieces like this one need no further explanation beyond its inclusion in this series and its given title.

Manhattan Windows #2 (Holga 120)

NYC, NY, December, 2010. Christmas in NYC. The windows!! They were magical and made more so by my Holga!

Guardian Angel

(gourd, flax, linen and kozo, hardware cloth, beads - 2.5' x 1.5' x 8") I attend a workshop on working with Kozo which lead me to take workshops at the Womens Studio Workshop in Kingston, NY. This piece appeared as if by magic from the dreamtime. She is my Guardian Angel and is NFS.

Untitled (Fantasy Flower Series)

Natural Pigment Watercolor (from rubbed stones) created with streambed water, rush stems, sticks as brushes. If a title strikes you please send me a note. I love to know these things!

Surface #3

Iphone 11, Susquehanna River, 7/13/22 #3 in an ongoing series of pictures of surfaces. Full Moon on the Susquehanna. The ripples and circles just "did it" for me. This inspiration found its way into the Illustration in the Dreaming Gourd gallery titled "Eye Am Here". Surfaces of things have always intrigued me. I think it must be something about the detail I see in them. The surface is the work of art and I merely see it and take a photo and try to do it some justice.

Cave Dwellers

(encaustic, plant material, made paper) This piece all began with a banana peel. The rest just happened. 🙂

Amish Transport (Holga 120)

Strasburg, PA is near where I grew up and still a stomping ground. This was taken from my cousins house on a snowy, cold day.

All You Need Is Love – (Holga 120)

You have arrived in the land of LOVE. It’s not just Virginia. It’s right here right now for everyone. From me to you. ❤️

Pat’s Pebble Mosaic Pad

This is a photo of the entire pebble mosaic I was delighted to be able to create. Pieces like this, when finished, look so effortless. That is far from the case. First is the design concept, the sketches, the site prep, materials gathering, cement mixes, grout, colorant, in this case to represent different colors of fabric. Pat is a fiber artist and a collector of quilts. This was designed to interpret her love of those things. I am grateful to Dr. Patricia Levin for the opportunity to create something this large and this meaningful. She was a dream to work with. She is from Southern Illinois - the home of gorgeous feldspar stone. We used some of her collection in the small sections of the whole.

Going for the Godiva

Mixed Media Collage. 12 x 16. The white figure is corn husk. (SOLD)

Pebble Mosaic Sunburst Pattern

A starburst pattern detail from Pat's Pad

Yin Yang Clouds

iphone 11. Strasburg, PA. I pulled off the road on my way to Strasburg and was amazed that I got this shot as cloud formations shift every so quickly. I would love to attempt to paint this one day. Time will tell. I can't say why I would like to paint it. I think just to see what happens. Exploration and Experimentation are my middle names.

The Wounded Can Still Fly

ALABASTER 10 x 8 x 5. Every time I look at one of my stone carvings I can recall every minute of its creation. The way I approached carving is known as "direct". That means after I choose the stone - which is a journey of its own - I begin the carving process without an end goal in mind. Some carves know exactly what they want to create and chose a stone that they feel will best work to that end. I choose a stone "just because it feels right" and then go from there. Unfortunately I no longer carve stone. It became much to hard on my body and hands.

Untitled

Iphone 6 - Taken in Manatee State Park, FL. There is something about how the tree stump holds the neighboring tree roots up and the tree roots in turn, are keeping the stump intact. Perhaps they will completely embrace it? I would like to go back and see. I know exactly where it is!

Untitled

(cold wax on board. 2019. 12x10" ) I was personally enamored with this piece. It has something to do with trees and the forest and sunlight or stars and swirling energy. I could never settle on a name. I am all ears if something comes to your mind!

Into the Mists

(encaustic, made paper, plant material - 4 x 5") Even though I named this pieces years before I got to visit Scotland, I never knew until I visited that amazing land what "into the mists" really looked like. It is a stunning experience to enter them for real. SOLD

There is a Flower in her Throat ( Holga 120)

(holga print) Sometimes, most of the time, my Holga images just blow me away. I clearly see a woman with a flower in her throat chakra.

Menopause & the Future

Tempra & Acrylic on paper. Rhinebeck, NY 1999. 4.5' x 8.5' - Yes, I was crazy. I was not sure who I was most of the time but I knew I was changing. The most interesting thing in this piece is that I did not know when I painted it that I was growing cancer cells in my breasts. Eventually I had a bilateral mastectomy.

So Delighted You See Me

(Iphone 10, 2021) I challenge you to determine where I stopped to find my friend for a visit and a hug!

Flirtation

(gourds, iron, chip carving, pyrography, dye, forged iron, encaustic. 14x12x7) Flirtation is often when the cycle begins! Sculptor Gregg Leavitt, Berks Co, PA had a hand in the creation of this piece. NFS

Manhattan Windows #3 (Holga 120)

NYC, NY, December, 2010 - The windows!! They were magical and made more so by my Holga!

Muse

(sumi Ink, collage mobile - 3' x 6' x 2" ) - This is the image on my home page. And yes, that is me in the picture. My back is to the camera. That was not intended by me but perceived by the photographer as a good representation of my "not sure I wanted to be seen" vibe. The gourd is my muse as must be apparent by viewing this websit. This piece is quite large and it is a mobile. There is quite a story around its creation as there is most pieces of artwork created by any artist!

Rush Hour (Holga 120)

An action shot in Manhattan. 2017

Floral Fun

Untitled

mixed water media - I had originally titled this 'Petals of Red'. But it feels as if if needs something different. Since I do not know what it shall remain untitled. As always your visions and words are most welcome!

Tidal Pool Magic

(iPhone 11 Pro) I can barely believe I captured this moment with my iPhone. San Diego. 2020

Someone To Watch Over Me

(gourds, Sumi Ink, Collaged Paper, Plant Material - 6' x 4'x 1' ) The face removes from the body to reveal the expression under it. Its most memorable use was for the annual Dream Festival held every October at the Deep Listening Gallery in Kingston, NY. The festival is an overnight sleep over and dream share. This piece was there for protection of all the sleeping souls.

Surprise and Delight

(gourd, paper mache', found objects, acrylic) I got into the mask-making thing and this has always been a favorite. SOLD

Celebration

(linocut, digital, watercolor, colored pencil) See the Dreaming Gourd Page for more information on the Dreaming Goourd illustrated book project.

All You Need Is Love (Holga 120)

You have arrived in the land of Love. It’s not just for Virginia. It is right here right now. From me to You! ❤️

Copulation

(gourds, found and made papers, dye, encaustic, acrylic) After some flirtation, the embracing and copulation ensues.

High Desert Magic

High desert mesa, Madrid, NM - when I go to visit my good friends, I get to live in this teepee! And these kinds of magical events occure all the time!!

Floral Fun

LSJ studio, Lancaster, PA had a magical grand opening and this was created for the event. Loryn Spangler Jones wanted something feminine, tactile and a tad sexy. If you look around the gallery you will see this appear again under sculpture - I think they are. And because it's my website I can do what I want!! 🙂 www.lsjstudios.com

Pebble Mother Tree

This was taken in Chicago at the Mosaic School where I studied with Maggie Howarth. A dream come true. I wanted to learn from her since the very first time I saw her work in England. Lo and behold she came to Chicago to the Mosaic School. It was beyond amazing.

Yoo Hoo!! – I am Over Here

Acrylic on Canvas. 10 x 14". 2018. Creating fantasy flowers is so much fun. This night blooming flower has never been seen before and very much wants to be. It is trying hard as it can.

Attraction

(gourd, encaustic, carving, dye. 16x17x16") Red is the color of attraction in both the human and plant worlds. See other images in this series for additional information on its creation.

Snow Lace

(Encaustic, Plant material, Made paper) All of the works listed as Japan were part of a cultural exchange presented in conjunction with the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1997. I was fortunate to have my work chosen and extremely fortunate to have been invited to Japan to teach my method of preserving plant material using wax (encaustic). The work was purchased and remains in Japan. There were a couple of things that really piqued their interest. One was the method I used to create the work and the other was that my style was very minimalist.

Triple Koru Mosaic

Pebble Mosaic Installation - Philadelphia Flower Show. New Zealand was the theme of the year. The koru is a fern that grows in New Zealand and this mosaic is inspired by the unfolding of the koru ferns fronds.

Manhattan Windows #4 (Holga 120)

NYC, NY, December, 2010 - The windows!! They were magical and made more so by my Holga!

Gestation

(gourd, flax, kozo encaustic, seeds, cochineal dye. 15x9x5") All the pieces in this series were created independently of one another with no concept of "I am creating a series". It was after about 3 pieces were complete, most yet unnamed, that I realized the connection. It was then that all the names appeared. Read More

Plant Power

Red Rocks, CO - Saw this on a hike. Power!

Lets Chat

Tent Rocks, NM. This stone being has been around much longer than any of us that have had the good fortune to notice it. Alien perhaps?? But we did chat!

Untitled

This is a theorem painting and the first serious piece of artwork I ever created. There are a lot of firsts here. It was the first "art class" I ever took and that class was at the Landis Valley Farm Museum in Lancaster County. I went with my sweet mom. That was about 1968 I think. I should have realized then that no matter how large I might work, and no matter the medium, attention to detail was part of the end result.

Untitled

Idaho Springs - I was captivated by the patterns that yielded strength to this old tree. And in its very center it provides a safe harbor for jewels.

Portal (Holga 120)

The entrance to my studio as captured by my Holga which made this unexpected magic happen of this especially magical place where I created. Upper Red Hook, NY.

I Honor All That is Me

soap stone carving, Philadelphia, PA 2001 - I cannot say enough good about the wonder of stone carving for me. Sometimes your body tells you it is time to move on. I honored mine and did.

Living Jewelry

You will see a few of these creations appear under sculpture as well as flowers, because to me that is what they are. Little living wearable (time-consuming to create) sculptures! I loved creating them but the time and effort was not equaling what the market would bear price wise. I have included some of these works because I think they are lovely. Some things are not meant to be!