Rose clay is made by grinding rose petals with a mortar and pestle. The process is a deepening of the heart and mind and was taught initially to make rose clay beads, which have been used for spiritual purposes for thousands of years. This piece integrates both rose clay and the ancient sacred Egyptian Vowel Sounds used for toning and healing protocols throughout the ages. There are 12 discs representing each month as the clay takes an entire moon cycle to come to the right consistency as well as creating a space within to hold a space within. In the center is a collection of vowel sounds written in white oil pastel on torn pieces of rose clay. The 12 vowel sounds, each holding its own healing significance and resonance. Intonation of these sounds in various protocols depending on the anatomical system in need, aids in tonifying imbalance and disharmony within body, soul, mind while creating vibrational healing. They include Ah, Ra, Ma, Aum, Tho, Ehm, Ra-Ma, Mei, Err, Kei, Ya Fetah, and Ya Cadre.
This is a favorite of the series of 7 of these pieces. They were created by spreading rose clay along the mortar and letting dry. The ridges and cracks of each create a unique character.
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This one curled up a bit.
This one is a bit smaller.
Playing around a bit today with presentation of these new pieces.
created 2024
size 14” 17”
There are 4 in the first series.
The inspiration for these series came from a need to create. i was considering how i could put together some new and unique work and i looked over at a jar of rose clay fragments. Each piece is the same size canvas however i wanted to go for something raw, imperfect, and slightly disheveled. i frayed the edges a little, applied the gesso and some adhesive and on the first piece, i applied the clay one piece at a time. Then had fun just throwing little pinches onto each canvas. I considered contrast and went with what landed. With those pinches some of the dust turned into a copper copper hue and added another dimension to the piece.
As a series of 8, these pieces are equally 12” by 9” As with the above pieces using fragments of rose petal clay from other projects these came to be. There is one piece in the series made with elephant hair. Cutting 10 small strands from a bracelet i wear made with gathered elephant hair from along a trail in South Africa. The medicine the elephant leaves behind is sacred and has helped me get through some tough times.
minimalist inspired piece utilizing rose clay and 4x4 posts. The larger part is 34”x11” and the dots are made of rose clay. the pieces below are 4x4 posts cut to 9” and wrapped in canvas primed with acrylic gesso. After pondering the scale of contrast between blank canvas and the rose clay dots this came to be. With 13 dots total.
This small installation piece is comprised of a few different elements. A peach tree is represented upside down roots up as well as sliced into 108 discs. (not completely represented) Rose clay is incorporated as well. The peaches are made of air dry clay and upon completion will be true to color of an edible peach with a mirror gloss finish. To capture the essence of a fuzzy peach i held a ceremonial fire burning cedar, sweetgrass, sage, rose stems, peach tree bark, and organic cane alcohol. The texture of the ash is smooth and i will be airbrushing the peaches then applying the ash and airbrushing again. Upon completion there will be 79 peaches and 108 discs of the peach tree. The peach tree holds significance in Buddhism and Asian mythology. The numerical choices also hold significance.
Wick’d
Made of rose clay this statue stands 6” the candle on the center torso is made of melted blue wax and a strand of sweet grass.
This mask is made of rose clay.
Hammer Head
This piece is an integration of elements. The pole in the back holding it up is a branch of a monkey tree with black and white thread wrapped around it. The other wood was found in the water and the species of tree is unknown, but perhaps cedar. The skull is made of rose clay and the hair is sweetgrass. The intention was to integrate the sweetgrass and rose clay for as well as other elements for healing.
This piece was a pepper plant that had immensely beautiful and a deep chocolate colored thorns. It grew in my friends garden on Bainbridge Island where i worked for several years and then became a gift to me for my garden. After the plant died, I pulled it up and it resembled an arm. I decided to make a talisman of rose clay and placed the thorns of the plant in the talisman to eliminate the impact, projections, of intrusive abusive beings. Usually i would discard the talisman. However i found it fitting to express through this piece portraying the Long Arm of the Island.
Rose bush
Rose bush
Gas can
old mattress spring. Could be bed of roses or bed of thorns. also had the intention of using a poly rosin and various materials to create an integrated healing peice.
Bicycle
integrating a spiritual lesson of the Essene Mirrors. offering an introspective reflection as we learn how our engagement affects others and molds our experiences and lessons we choose to learn. Giving insight on multiple levels. Generally an exercise machine helps to improve our physical appearance and health. however The way we treat and think of others as well as self needs just as much improvement and focus. The element of rust has so many interesting characteristics also.
The sewing machines ruler is inscribed with a prompt to “ vote for the 4/10 mill levy Muskingum Joint County Board of Mental Health, Retardation, and Drug Abuse.” not sure of the exact date of production or if the levy passed. It felt like a great addition to a small readymade collection.
Oil on canvas
48”x 31.5” Entire series 1 thru 9 titled
A Muses Ladder
This canvas came as a gift. Over the winter, One of the many blessings that came through was the opportunity to rent a room on the Suquamish Tribal Reservation. This opportunity arose from a teacher and friend who gifted me a large supply of paint to work with. The canvas was a reward along with the '‘S” curve palette knife used to create all this work for helping the woman who was kind to rent to me at a reduced rate in exchange for help around her home. This was painted both in plein air as well as inside and at one time there was a little bug that landed in the paint, which might still be lingering on there. . Beginning on this scale was nourishing and inspirational and the painting was completed by starting in one corner and working the paint one strike of the palette knife at a time. This led me to stretch 10 canvas’ this size. The time there led to many opportunities for growth, service and spiritual development.
Oil on canvas #2 2016
48” x 31.5”
Oil on canvas #3 2016
48” x31.5”
Oil on canvas #4 2016
48” x 31.5”
Oil on canvas # 5 2016
48” by 31.5”
Oil on canvas # 6 2018
48”x 31.5”
Oil on canvas # 7 2018
48” x 31.5”
Oil on canvas # 8 2018
48” x 31.5”
Oil on canvas # 9 2019
48” x 31.5”
What Remains
This is the final stage before turning the wood and ash from a strected canvas with a prayer into the soil of a time lapsed burn and prayer. There are several images that build up the end of what remains
Alizarin Dance - Oil on canvas Created 2016
36” x 36”
Oil on canvas Created 2014
12” x 18”
Oil on canvas Created 2014
12'“ x 18”
Lune Bleue Maitre Ensiegnant- Oil on canvas 2014
42” 20.5”
Oil on canvas 2015
29” x 16”
Oil on canvas 2014
37”x 37”
Latex on wood 2013
28” x 11.5”
Acrylic Untitled 2015 30” X 18”
Untitled Acrylic 2014
Untitled Acrylic 24”X 24” 2014
Yellow Acrylic 24” X 24” 2014
Untitled Acrylic 24”X 24” 2014
Untitled Acrylic 12”X 12”
Untitled Acrylic 8”X 10” 2014
Untitled Acrylic 8” X 10” 2014
This photo was was taken this year at my favorite tree-top healing center in Columbus Ohio During a Solstice Celebration.
Another photo Just Because…. This one in the front entryway of the above mentioned healing center. Love the stargazer lily and all the other plant species that grow here.
me in Hawaii in August . I was blessed to visit the island of Oahu. Such a beautiful and vibrant place.
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