Creative Play

"Creative Play" is time spent using art materials, making marks, and exploring ideas with no particular end in mind.  It is a time for joyful experience of the process of making unburdened by any intended or expected result.  

This series of postcards is the result of an afternoon of “Creative Play” in my studio with no goals in mind.  I used pencils, markers, paints and papers that were easily at hand and applied them in ways that were pleasing to me at the moment.  The resulting postcards are all different; each was a joy to create for its own sake.

Creative Play
Mixed media on watercolor paper
4" x 6"
Edition of 14

Creative Play - 1/14

Creative Play - 6/14

Creative Play - 13/14

Creative Play - 14/14

Creative Play - Reverse

Cherish Freedom

The day we commemorate our country’s independence is worth celebrating for so many reasons.  This year. I made this small series of postcards to express the very personal way I cherish freedom in its many forms.  While many institutions and individuals focus on our national freedoms, m ythoughts turned to all the ways my personal values and freedoms align and don’t align with popular nationalist ideals.  The design, colors, shapes and construction of the series were inspired by similarities and differences that my experience of freedom is the same as, and is different from the experienced I hear others talk about. For me, to cherish freedom includes speaking truth and practicing kindness and generosity.  What does it mean for you to cherish freedom?

Perhaps the image will speak to you and encourage you to consider how ideas of what it means to be free and independent in your experience, and ways you express those ideals in your life.

Cherish Freedom
Acrylic on watercolor paper
4 x 6 inches
Series of 18

Cherish Freedom - 1 of 18

Cherish Freedom - 4 of 18

Cherish Freedom - reverse

Chamisa and Sage - Estudio Corazon 2021

I was fortunate to be Artist in Residence at Ghost Ranch in September, 2021.  During my four weeks on the ranch I nurtured my creative spirit, painted, and experimented with new processes.  The landscape provided much inspiration, and among the works I created were a series of 95 postcards, depicting desert sage and Chamisa, also called rabbitbrush.  

Making a large series of these small paintings allowed me to connect with the subject in a wonderful way.  From the examples included in this post, you can see that each one is unique, even though all have a very similar composition, color palette, and general technique.

Chamisa and Sage
Acrylic on paper
4 x 6 inches
Series of 95 paintings

Chamisa and Sage 19/95

Chamisa and Sage 20/95

Chamisa and Sage 33/95

Chamisa and Sage - reverse

Artists Sharing Art

Several years ago, I went to the desert in New Mexico to make art for four weeks.  Five other artists I had never met were also on retreat at the same time in the same place.  We came from six states and for the first few days had no idea whether we really had anything in common or would even get along together.  As time passed and we grew to know one another, friendship developed between individuals and then among the group as a whole.  The bond between us became strong during our shared experience and we remain friends across the miles that separate us.  We talk to each other and as a group quite frequently.  

To stay connected in the creative realm we decided to embark upon a mail art project.  Each of us would make original art postcards and send one to the other members of the group.  

Below are images of the postcards I created using a variety of colorful papers.  The materials, as diverse and colorful as our group, speaks to the beauty that can be created when unexpected elements come together and form a bond.  

Also pictured below are images of the cards I received from each of the other artists.  What a joy it is for me to receive art in the mail from people I love and admire for their own unique gifts. 

Artists Sharing Art
Collage on Watercolor Paper
4" x 6"
Edition of 6

Artists Sharing Art #1

Artists Sharing Art #2

Artists Sharing Art #3

Artists Sharing Art #4

Artists Sharing Art #5

Artists Sharing Art #6

Artists Sharing Art Reverse

iconic by S.K.

Stay Cool by S.O'K.

Dixit Dominus by B.C.

Peace and Blessings by B.M.

Welcome Back to NM!! by B.S.

Love More Every Day - Love Every Day More

My tradition of making and sending Valentine's Day greetings continues this year. 

Love More Every Day - Love Every Day More
Linoleum block printed with acrylic paint on paper
4" x 6"
Edition of 102

Circles of Healing

When you are not feeling well, would your body and your spirit enjoy receiving art in the mail?   This small series of postcards was made with the specific intention of sending good wishes to my friends who are ill or recovering.  Healing is a complex endeavor with many elements and factors playing a part.  Layers and combinations of color and shape call the complexity to mind but in a way that is hopeful and bright.  

I hope that receiving a surprise of art in the mail helps to make the day a little brighter and the burden a little lighter.

Circles of Healing
Mixed media on paper
4" x 6"
Edition of 6