I began some direct dye painting this afternoon...the bare trees are coming alive with slight bright colors of greens and yellows. The birds are in a melodic symphony outside my studio windows and I am finding quiet peace ...working in solitude. Members of the staff wander and I try to make them feel welcomed. Their curiosity feeds my soul as I bare my heart's desire to bring the admiration I feel for this sacred earth place to life through an artist's touching marks. I worked with the little ones tonight to celebrate St. Patrick's Day..we made 4 by 4 inch canvas paintings of their very own lucky shamrocks. A puddle of blue wash... four joined lime green hearts unite to make a shamrock...and then a second glitter green on top of their shamrock to add just the right amount of glitz!!! I put their names and today's date on the back and advised them to bring them out every year to mark the celebration. I think they had a wonderful time but I am very tired tonight ...a good tired but tired.
I heard from Gabriela and she and her husband may be making a trip to Newark so we can have a dyeing party. I Am thrilled with the possibility but I will have to check with Ken's schedule to see where this might fit in. This project is a wonderful way of sharing the beauty of Dawes Arboretum and the collaboration between two cultures offers infinite possibilities.
I hope you enjoy the progress photos...they are revealing even to me. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
P.S. How do you like my version of the Lorax????
