wait until it dries...and you will get a surprise....

I understand impatience...I fight this urge to rush to the next color too soon at times.  But if I can work on another aspect of this journey...the lines of the water color techniques dry to provide even more guides or invisible hands  to continue making the sacred marks.  I had a full studio today and we accomplished  quite a lot in ...Abby worked to enhance her images and tree from yesterdays beginning.  Deb came in to continue her work on the trees she began a week ago...I need to remind myself to explain how the layers of fabric paints ..slowly applied and allowed to set before continuing to a sheer application of color in her stencils.  Erin came in to work on my panel and we allowed ourselves to swirl and accent with shimmers in the paints and delicate brushstrokes.  Sean dropped by and Brent came into ...his first day back from paternity leave .  And Bev, Erin's mother, came into pick up my tax forms for the accounting department.  Jenilyn delivered the information for upcoming art gatherings in June on Thursday evenings...a chance to gather and participate with local artists and share the energies.  Now I need to work on a simple design for my banner for my tent when I will share my techniques with our visitors from gardens and arboretums from around the country.  I am working on a black and white drawing so I can make duplicates for multiple views and applications.  Tomorrow Cyd arrives from Tucson to spend a week photographing and completing the individual panels.  We have not been together ...physically for 6 years but our hearts are have never separated.  I know the time is going to fly by too fast but we have so much to catch up on and we need to make some art together once again.  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

There are no empty skies here at Dawes....

my morning's drive surrounded by the sweet smell of freshly cut grass...

I am trying to remember to be aware...use my senses to catch the morning light, the moist air in early dawn and the sweet smell of freshly cut grass.  The taste of fresh coffee meeting my lips as I begin the gift of my day.  The cool breezes gently caress my bare skin when I go outside with the pups for their morning walkabout.  The dew is dripping like crystals of the Hosta leaves which seem to reach up to greet me in a green hug,  it is then that I see the deer have snacked on my clematis blooms during the wee hours of morning.  The woods are full of nourishment but for some reason the deer love my tiny garden off the small back deck.

"invisible hands"
lift me up
suffering evokes compassion
spiritual birth
from the heart
symbolic
transformation
she doesn't know...that she knows
one with transcendence
circles primordial
manifestations of pure energy
the vehicle
personifications of the mystery
decisions of priorities
possibilities
experience the wonder
divinities in the trees.

I worked on my painting as Erin our intern worked on her newly modified wheel barrels for our seedlings of sweet tomatoes.  This morning Shane had found a baby rabbit...a tamed animal pet that had been abandoned at Dawes with little or no survival skills...what a curious and frightened tiny creature.  Abby began a dance with brilliant blues and shimmering golds on a new panel...there are no empty skies here in the arboretum.  The children began adding fireflies and butterflies tonight so I can work in a tree to continue tomorrow when a couple of volunteers come in to help out.  Ken helped me order new cards and postcards to have ready for the 6/22/12 garden conference.  I am preparing the 6 by 6 inch squares of hand dyed fabrics for participants to experience some of the techniques I have employed in designing this collaborative journey.   Now I need to wash a steamed panel ...I can hardly wait to see my results of this dark parfait approach of low water immersion.  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart