More creations
November 09, 2009
November 06, 2009
Salt and Pepper
There are those that love the idea of having a functional altar piece so that they can store small things in them, such as, a lock of hair, baby tooth, or any other memorable item. I have in the past found small vintage or antique salt and pepper shakers and used them for this very purpose. Recently I have really enjoyed doing smaller pieces topping the shakers with flowers, mandalas, or crosses and accenting them with beads and tiny vintage crystals. These are about 5 1/2" tall and so sweet.
October 29, 2009
Small Collections
Adding little glass objects or tiny bottles and mixing them with a devotional art piece add to a collection keeping it interesting and simple. These two devotional pieces are smaller and mixed in with tiny vintage perfume bottles that are only 1"- 2" tall.
August 11, 2009
Yavanna's Homage
The day I started thinking about the creation of this devotional piece, was the same day a dear friend of mine posted some photos of herself on facebook. We had lived near each other in Laguna Beach, became friends, took an interior design course together, shared inspirational ideas and went through deep life changing experiences together.
She is now moving away from Laguna and her life is changing. In her photos she is paying homage to the goddess of the sea. I was on that day, creating this piece as my homage to the sea. Missing the ocean and the natural beauty of where I was so blessed to live and meet many wonderful amazing people.
Yavanna being one.
So as I was making this piece, she was my inspiration. Yavanna is the picture of femininity, grace, poise, and strength.
I used a soft pink glass heart and embellished it with abalone shells, chandelier crystals, glass beads, vintage rhinestones and of course I place a pearl and crystal crown ontop.
The bottle I chose was a sanctolite candle from the 1970's. It once held a candle that was used as a symbol of someone's prayer on a family alter in Boise, Idaho. I purchased it at an estate sale.
August 07, 2009
Missing My Ocean
Later this month we are heading down to Laguna Beach...
Oh to smell, touch and see my ocean,
my home, and watch the light like diamonds dance on it!
I have these vintage replicas of heart ornaments that have been sitting on the table for months. Like most of my devotional art piece they start out fragmented. A found object here, a pearl there, a cross added....then just the right bottle is found.
I passed by this soft shell colored heart many times a day sitting in a small try on our coffee table. I love the soft color. In the tray are some small shells. Then I thought of making it a devotional art piece. I will be adding taupe pearls, a vintage cross, abalone shells and of course chandelier crystal pieces, which represent the way the light dances off the ocean.
I will write more about my thoughts behind it later, but I just had to get a photo of what creations are transpiring. Writing here on my blog makes me feel like I have some control over my "art life" as I get ready for my day job....which is telling me that I have some big deadlines to meet today!
July 23, 2009
When I was a little girl....
I used to make things out of twigs, rocks, fabric, wood, glass, or anything else I could find around the neighborhood. We built forts, and hung out in the barn, and my dad built us a treehouse. We had a rope swing. Our imaginations were able to soar in the nature that surrounded us.
I was raised in an area where everyone lived on one acre of land or more, there were rolling hills, will various nooks and crannies to explore.
I know that I have good eye/hand coordination skills, and I can draw and assemble things. I was really good at graphics at one point. But, I really think my creativity comes more from a place of need rather than talent. I just have to make these things. It doesn't always make sense, but this desire comes through me. So in that, I created this devotional art piece that I call "crown of glory".
What I love about it the most is the story behind the bottle. I purchased it at an estate sale. I found 6 of these Sanctolite Candle Holders that are most often used in church altars. They were dusty and wrapped in 1974 newspaper. The family selling these candle holders was having an estate sale for a woman who had passed away. These were the candle she burned while her husband was ill. He later died and she kept them. 
I loved the fact that it symbolizes her devotion to him.
February 25, 2009
Change
JoAnnA (you know the one).... from Mosshill Studios.... www.mosshillstudio.blogs.com. She and I have been good friends for something like 30 years! It's kind of scary to think about that, but it is true.
Several weeks ago JoAnnA phoned and told me of her idea to teach "art workshops" online. I thought it was a great idea! We spoke about doing a workshop collaboration together.
The original plans was that I would visit her in her studio, and we would film a workshop together creating altered bottle art. I have spent some time with her in her studio and it is such a great set up. She has such passion and is so good at what she does. She simply is a natural. Unfortunately, she lives so far away that I didn't know if we could actually make it happen.
She suggested that I consider creating my own workshop, teaching soldering, and specifically the class on creating devotional altered art bottles.
In my past, I have taught all kinds of things that included arts and crafts, but it was usually hands on, or one on one! But I started to think how much I would love to do this. A video workshop! I started thinking about it alot. Why not?
On a personal note, along with thinking about my workshop, I have been watching a lot of www.ted.com. It is a site representing the greatest thinkers on technology, education and design. I am what is considered at "Tedster" (a person addicted to Ted). At night, when I fall asleep I whisper into my boyfriends (Scott's) ear, "I love Ted so much"....not knowing what to think, he usually displays some type of facial expression that is featured in the photo below....you get the idea....! My point is...that on Ted.com there is speaker after speaker presenting to the public ideas that create CHANGE, and promote creativity on all levels.
Change is happening at a rapid pace, why not ride the wave of something more innovative like a workshop online? What better way to connect people to their creative spirit? I watched this happen on JoAnnA's Art Doll Workshop! So, I am in the process of doing my own "Devotional Art" online workshop. I am gathering together all the supplies that I need and can offer to my students and fellow creative junkies. I will keep everyone informed and should have everything up and running soon!
Below, I am featuring one of the Devotional Art Pieces that I could offer supplies for. I have this great connection to a designer that produces these wonderful mercury glass vases with a metal rose attached to it. They are heavy and range in sizes from 3" to 6" inches. I thought these might work well with the workshop if someone wanted me to supply these as the base for their own altered bottle. I will also be able to supply chandelier crystals and copper foil too.
A 3" mercury glass vase is featured on the piece.
I found this little quote...
We cannot escape fear. We can only transform it into a companion that accompanies us on all our exciting adventures, Take a risk a day....one small or bold stroke that will make you feel great once you have done it.
Well....that's all I have for now...in the meantime its back to the "drawing board"....
xo_Cathleen
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