Sunday, September 29, 2013

Hanging Out

I came across these bird images from about a month ago that I didn't get a chance to share. 
 

For all you feather lovers out there.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

In The Studio: Dyche Designs

Managed to get some good painting time in yesterday. 
 
 
The journals take so long to complete because of having to paint one side and letting it dry before painting the other side. 
 
 
I'm hoping to have some finished ones to share with you real soon.
 
 
I was feeling the red yesterday and these are a few of the pieces currently underway. 
 
 
I'm heading off to a craft fair today but hoping to get some more painting time in this afternoon.
 
 
Have a wonderful weekend.

Friday, September 27, 2013

'X' Marks The Spot

 
'X' marks the spot
 
where I first found myself floored
reeling from the impact of a
ten ton truck
 
'X' marks the spot

where my heart was torn open
while others stood by
watching helplessly

'X' marks the spot

where hands closed around my throat
choking the air
from my burning lungs

'X' marks the spot

but there's no treasure
no matter how deep I dig
just an emptiness, a gaping wide hole

'X' marks the spot

of the sting, a sting I selfishly give thanks for
that's easier to recover from
than being

scraped up off the floor

heartbroken

or suffocated

'X' marks the spot

 of grief that still cuts deep
yet reminds me of how much
I love you

'X' marks the spot

of the man that could have been
should have been
would have been
you



Linking up with the poets at d'Verse

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Works In Progress - Dyche Designs Studio

I have been busy in the studio but nothing is quite at the finished stage yet.  There are times when I work on a single piece but more often than not I work on multiple pieces, moving from one to another between the different layers.
 
 
I am unable paint from a white background (it's like a mental block) so I give everything two layers of black paint before I  can begin.
 
Below is a seascape I'm currently working on and some of the stages it has gone through already.
 

I'm also working on a couple of frames and journals.  Hopefully I'll have some finished pieces to share with you soon.


Monday, September 23, 2013

The Silence Is Deafening

 
She's never more alone than in a crowded room.  Interaction a distraction, content insignificant, mirroring her own reflection. 
 
Small in stature she sits to appear even smaller, curling in on herself.  Hoping no-one sees the insecurity, the truth in her smile.  A smile that does not reach her eyes. 
 
She imagines the scene with all the niceties stripped away.  Silence in place of the lies.  For aren't we taught not to say anything if we have nothing nice to say?
 
She holds her hands to her ears for the silence is deafening.

Linking up with imaginary garden with real toads and texture tuesday.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Memory Keepers

 
collecting stories
like the pages it creates
some fact, some fiction
each leaf holding memories
of the way things used to be


Gladys

Those of you who have been following my blog for a while will know of my love for chimpanzees and gorilla's. 
 

So you can imagine how excited I was when I visited Cincinnati Zoo and got to see Gladys (the baby gorilla) with her surrogate mother M'Linzi for the first time.


Just look at that face, isn't it precious.  Their eyes just kill me, always so soulful.


She was originally born in Texas but her birth mother showed no maternal instincts so she was relocated to Cincinnati.  Staff at the zoo spent months working around the clock, teaching her some of the basics before introductions with the surrogate mother could take place.


It would seem that all that effort and hard work paid off because Gladys looks to be doing just fine.

.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Giving It The Finger


 
whoever said “this too shall pass”
was clearly talking out his arse
 what would he know of pains that linger
so to you and it I give the finger

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Pique Galleria

I recently met Jennifer Sparks-Fry at Pique Galleria after another gallery owner recommended a visit to the area.   Below you will find a description of the gallery space so much more eloquently put than "it had a great feel about it".

"Pique Galleria is a nexus between experimental space, art objects, purveyors and consumers.
 
The gallery space has been defined by archetypal patterns derived from pre-Christian symbologies.  Through these archetypal patterns a framework was developed for accommodating a wide variety of mediums and stylistic typologies.
 
Pique Galleria is itself an installation through its display fixtures and branded elements, as well as the layout and provision of the interior space.
 
Most gallery spaces are positioned to exhibit and promote art objects..
 
Pique galleria sets itself apart as an experiential, branded space whose mission is to provide a platform for performative, static and installation of art objects and events - to be seen, felt, heard, witnessed and enjoyed."
 
******
 
I am happy to announce that I now have some of my artwork on display here and look forward to seeing where this new relationship heads.  If you're in the Cincinnati, OH area be sure to stop by Pique Galleria, where you'll find incredible art by a wide range of local artists.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

It's Not Easy Being Green

With the cooler weather my husband and I found ourselves back at the Cincinnati Nature Center this weekend walking the dogs. 

 
This time I was armed with my zoom lens and couldn't wait to check out the lily pond.
 

It didn't disappoint.


I've never seen so many frogs.


Did you know that a group of frogs is called an 'army' and a group of toads is called a 'knot'?  You learn something new every day.


At one point I was so busy leaning over to capture a shot that I didn't notice my favorite glasses falling into the soupy sludge until there was a loud 'PLOP'.


Unfortunately Ravyn (our black lab) thought that was her cue to jump into the water.  Eau du pond scum, my favorite.  Boy did she stink.
 

Some of these guys have the whole camouflage thing down. 


They can be so hard to detect, even when they are right in front of you.


The guy below was one of my favorites.  He looked like he was in stealth mode walking of the edge of the lily pad into the pond.


 I never thought I would get so excited over frogs but they are fun to watch and photograph.  Sorry if you're not a frog person but I just had to share.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

When Art Inspires Poetry

I was thrilled when Grace asked if she could use several of my images for this Sunday's Poetry Challenge over at Imaginary Garden With Real Toads.
 
Below are those that she chose as jumping off points.


I can't wait to read where these images take people.  Won't you join me over at Imaginary Garden With Real Toads to read their poem entries or why not submit a poem of your own using one of these images as inspiration.