Turning old shoes into pieces of art sounded like fun; I had no idea it would also be therapeutic. Last weekend's Walk in My Shoes Soirée saw the debut of my Party Shoes and Nesting Shoes, two pairs of my old shoes converted into art objects. The process made me reflect on my life... from … Continue reading My Feathered Friends: Party Shoes and Nesting Shoes
Photoblogs
From My Garden: Twenty Camellias in Haiku
Last spring I planted camellias in our front flowerbeds, not fully appreciating what a blessing I was giving myself. My husband and I worked the soil, adding amendments to create the acidity needed for the new camellias and azaleas. We went to Maas Nursery, the best place in the Houston area to get camellias, and … Continue reading From My Garden: Twenty Camellias in Haiku
Patterns of Connection: The Land Art of Dietmar Voorwold
Why should modern humanity regain and hold on to its connection with nature at a time when technology seems omnipresent? I have always loved making things: textures and patterns create a sense of calmness for me. In my early years I made a texture book into which I glued pieces of fabric. I would spend … Continue reading Patterns of Connection: The Land Art of Dietmar Voorwold
Connecting Flourishes: Norway By Way of South Dakota
In Rapid City, South Dakota, USA, on the edge of the Black Hills, in a peaceful green space on the older side of town, there stands a delightfully unexpected structure: a carved wooden church in medieval style called the Chapel in the Hills. It is in fact a replica of the Borgund Church, a Stavkirke (Stave … Continue reading Connecting Flourishes: Norway By Way of South Dakota
A Testament to Motion: The Art of Toots Zynsky
Have you ever created something that made you feel more alive? Amazing things can happen when we follow our passion. Delizioso, Image © Dane Gallery Mary Ann Toots Zynsky, known as Toots, decided as a pre-teen that she was meant to be an artist, beginning her creative life as a painter and sculptor. … Continue reading A Testament to Motion: The Art of Toots Zynsky
Portraits of a Nation: The Tenacious Beauty of Sudan
Did you know that Sudan contains more pyramids than Egypt? There is much beauty hidden in this war torn land. Sudan is largely a country of desert, the Sahara reaching deeper and deeper into the nation with every passing year. Ancient civilizations once flourished here on the banks of the Nile: Kerma, Nobatia, Alodia, Makuria, … Continue reading Portraits of a Nation: The Tenacious Beauty of Sudan
The Hidden Feminine: Examining the Female Image in Yemeni Art
Muslim women are frequently shortchanged by stereotypes. How do artists help to change minds and destroy prejudice? I have selected the work of two female photographers, Boushra Almutawakel and Yumna Al-Arashi, and two male painters, Hakim Alakel and Mazher Nizar, to show us the face of Muslim women. All of these artists are of Yemeni … Continue reading The Hidden Feminine: Examining the Female Image in Yemeni Art
