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Monday, January 31, 2011

Natural Selection 2.0 Opening February 1 - April 1

Am pleased to have my painting WebhGround 3 selected to be a part of the Natural Selection 2.0 show opening tomorrow.



Margaret Withers, stealing entropy, 
2010, resin, pigment, oil, string, painted vellum, 24x24
© Margaret Withers

Am honored to have art work selected for the Natural Selections 2.0 "contemporary art meets nature" Group Show at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. The show will open Feb 1st, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM and run through April 1, 2011. There will be 21 artists represented from the US and 1 artist from Belgium.
Alan Montgomery and Destry Sparks have curated the show.

Karl E. Mundt Gallery at Dakota State University

820 N. Washingston St.
Madison, South Dakota 57042 

The artists:
Cathryn Peters,  Angora, MN
Greg Patch,  Surf City, NC
Milbert Whitley,  Pantego, NC
Joshua Coombs,  Philadelphia, PA
Jane Horner,  New Bern, NC
Pamela Zimmerman,  Washington, NC
Emily Soldin Howard,  Raleigh, NC
Joey Howard,  Raleigh, NC
Maxine Masterfield,  South Sarasota, FL
Meredith Loughlin,  Washington, NC
Neil Loughlin, Washington, NC
Betsy Stewart,  Washington, DC
Andrew Fullwood,  Chapel Hill, NC
Platon Alexis Hadjimichalis,  Brussels, Belgium
Jenny Hodges,  Wilmington, NC
Kiernan McGonnell,  Chicago, IL
Margaret Withers,  Brooklyn, NY
Peggy Guichu,  Phoenix, AZ
Destry Sparks,  Greenville, NC

Sunday, January 30, 2011

1st Anniversary of gregpatch.blogspot.com


enThanks to the experiences 
enJoy to the adventure
of maintaining this blog 
through the first year and into
tomorrow 


Solar Return reading for www.gregpatch.blogspot.com generated by Io Interpreter ©TCR Astrology software 


Transit MARS opposed natal Mars
Jan 30 through Jan 30, 2011 

The biggest potential of this period is that you may have to constantly cope with people whose actions and purposes are diametrically opposed to your own. Under this influence your attempts to physically accomplish something may be appropriately compared to hitting your head against the proverbial stone wall. Making little or no headway, you’ll end up wondering why you ever wasted your energy in the first place. Nor will you succeed any better with a show of strength or aggressiveness, since these efforts are apt to be met with an equally determined exhibition of force. It may be difficult to sustain any controlled or stable physical efforts at this time, but things may be easier for you if do not waste what energy you have with anything but the most routine, quietly carried out tasks.

Transit SUN opposed natal Mars
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

Under this influence many of your physical efforts may be undone, perhaps through laziness or careless behavior on your part or that of others. The point is that you should not try too hard to accomplish much since it may be a lost cause. Some vital force seems to be missing. Though you may or may not be able to point to exactly what it is, you’ll be frustrated if you try to stir things up to correct the situation. There is no pleasing anybody now, including yourself. Open confrontations are likely to turn into disasters and solve nothing in the bargain. A good time for quiet mental pursuits.

Transit VENUS square natal Uranus
Jan 30 through Jan 31, exact on Jan 30 

Interactions of all kinds; romantic, social, business, friendships and even fleeting encounters with such people as salesclerks or bank tellers-- can have a way of putting you in touch with the values and social mores of your own generation rather than what is currently fashionable. It can work in many different ways and on many different levels. You may, for instance, be wearing a certain style of clothing and find yourself among those dressed in fashions that differ strikingly from your own. Your interactions with others may also differ strikingly enough to make social events somewhat awkward. Any of these potential circumstances can end up being pleasant experiences, even if they are initially uncomfortable. Others are apt to eventually come around to finding you attractive and interesting, and you are able to succeed at something because of your uniqueness not in spite of it. Coordinating group activities is apt to be frustrating but if you rise to the challenge, your efforts may produce viable results.

Transit SATURN square natal Mercury
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

By choice or current circumstances you may be very preoccupied with computers, communications, writing assignments, mechanical and design projects, education, and training. Whatever efforts you may be engaged in along these lines, they are likely to be plagued by delay or frustrations of one sort or another. Correspondence does not arrive on time. The material or assignments you are given may be new or more difficult than usual, or other circumstances make it hard for you to give sufficient time and attention to the tasks at hand. Travel is apt to be delayed, but this by no means implies that you should cancel the trip. Simply work your schedule around the changes or inconveniences that turn up. A similar description and pattern of frustration may accompany business or commercial enterprises, community activities, meetings or seminars, and projects or contacts that involve siblings and neighbors. Your normal pace may be slowed by respiratory ailments, hearing or speech difficulties, arthritis, and other complaints that you may experience yourself or have to cope with in others. The positive potential is that in every likelihood you will accomplish what you set out to do. All you need is patience and the determination to overcome whatever challenges turn up.

Transit PLUTO square natal Saturn
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

This long-term influence is likely to bring difficult but not insurmountable circumstances, the nature of which involves overcoming those with more power than your own, situations that involve a new start or regaining something that was lost, or dealing with the threatened loss of your own power or influence. The past becomes significantly important to the present as well as the future. If you refused to accept the necessary restrictions and limitations that were necessary for progress to be made, this becomes a time to regret your past resistance and correct your attitude. Self-discipline plays a major role. Abuse of authority in the past will have to be confronted and corrected. Ambitions must be tempered with patience and control. Obstacles may challenge your right to the rewards of age and experience, hard work and sacrifice, and the traditions and structures that support your life-style.

Transit SATURN trine natal Venus
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

Those who are older find you very appealing and attractive. Entertain them. Socialize with them. Everyone will benefit in the nicest possible way. Romance, partnership, female relationships, and joint ventures are highly favored during this period. A long-established alliance will benefit in various ways, not the least of which may be because it manages to still exist. If marriage, romance, business partnership, social contact, or friendship is initiated under the present influence, it is certain to have the best chance for longevity and fruitful consequences. Beauty treatments, and decorating, design, or art projects undertaken during this period are likely to have long-lasting and successful results. Social and diplomatic gestures are not apt to be insincere or flimsy. This may be thought of as an excellent period in which to mix business and pleasure.

Transit SATURN sextile natal Moon
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

The people and circumstances likely to be encountered these days provide opportunity to boost your emotional life-- opportunity that can lead to fulfilling a desire, becoming healthier or more physically fit, and establishing better relationships with family members, especially elderly family members. Under this influence benefits are ultimately gained from heeding the wisdom of those who are older and wiser than yourself. Patience is definitely a virtue that pays off. If patience is not normally a part of your personality, it would be in your best interests to temporarily adopt this approach. Another opportunity in your current circumstances may arise as a direct result of your careful work and patience in the past.

Transit MARS conjoined natal Sun
Jan 30 through Jan 31 

During this period you experience a surge of vitality--a stronger identification with so-called male energy. Your inner determination becomes stronger, and ego gratification is the guiding force behind many of your physical actions. You energetically go after things or people in a number of ways depending on the circumstances. Under this influence, your actions may result in an act of great courage, aggressive push to get ahead, enthusiastic endorsement, or demonstration in one form or another of your integrity and principles. You either encounter physical challenges or purposely initiate direct confrontations and competitive or risky situations. You may be well able and willing to physically handle whatever comes along during this period (or at least believe that you can) but take care that your actions and activities do not strain your heart or spine or result in sunburn or injuries to your head or face.

Transit SUN conjoined natal Sun
Jan 30 through Feb 1, exact on Jan 30 

Congratulations! It is the beginning of another birthday year for you. Since the planetary patterns influencing your life and affairs will be different in any given year you do not always have the same feelings and attitudes every time your birthday rolls around. No matter what the circumstances happen to be however, you can take advantage of the positive potential of each birthday by making it a special time for renewing inner energy and vitality, and your faith in yourself as an individual. Reflect on what the past has taught, look forward to where you would like to be in the future, and above all, adopt the attitude and determination that you will meet and overcome every challenge that the future holds.

Transit MERCURY sextile natal Uranus
Jan 30 through Feb 1, exact on Jan 31 

The information, ideas, and communications that come your way during this period represent possible opportunities that will allow you to either demonstrate or acquire some unique or special talent or knowledge. Other opportunities you should watch for under this influence include the chance to acquire or use technical expertise and sociological skills, to travel in some unusual capacity or to an unusual place, or become involved in the finances or newsletters of an organization or club. One of the most interesting prospects is that your success under this favorable influence, is apt to result not so much because of how well you fit in with a group or society, but simply because you are not in synch with everyone else or have a nontraditional attitude or approach to things.

Transit VENUS sextile natal Neptune
Jan 30 through Feb 1, exact on Jan 31 

Opportunity to acquire a glamorous image or to wrap yourself in an aura of mystery may come along. Under this influence you may find yourself mystified by or strangely attracted to people or things of great beauty. Take advantage of opportunities that encourage your imagination. Allow yourself to be inspired, or take advantage of a chance to be inspiring to others. Let romantic encounters or social settings act as a means of enhancing your awareness and sensitivity to the subtleties of human relationships.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Peace Basket

Peace Basket        40" x 10"       Eleagnus shoots, White Egret wing feather, dune grass       2007


Within the first couple years I moved to Surf City, NC I created "Peace Basket" to honor my new home by loosely weaving and adding a feather. I selected Oleaster Eleagnus x ebbingei shoots that I trimmed from hedges in the yard. I added a feather from White Egret. Both Eleagnus and the White Egret abound in this area. Having spent the last 35 years living in the Northeast they were each new to me as species growing abundantly in the bioregion I lived in. I tied the woven shoots together using grass growing on the dunes. I placed the feather with its tip down. I learned from my Native American teachers that when they wore there feathers pointing down it was a show of peace. I placed it on an axe (harsh) corner at the intersection of a hallway and the kitchen/living area. May peace be with us all. Aho.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Spring 2011; Two Art Events showcasing our relations with Nature in US

...an encouraging synchronicity...

in Madison, SD at DSU's Karl E. Mundt Library Art Gallery opening Feb  1...


at Osilas Gallery, Concordia College, Bronxville, NY opening Feb 6...


Thursday, January 27, 2011

Paul Stamets; Mycologist (mushroom-ologist)

http://www.fungi.com/index.html






Fungi Perfecti (fun ji' per fect' i)
The unofficial name for the Subdivision hosting what we call mushrooms. Mushrooms are fleshy fungi that reproduce through the sexual matings of germinated spores.
Fungi Perfecti® is a family-owned, environmentally friendly company specializing in using gourmet and medicinal mushrooms to improve the health of the planet and its people. Founded by mycologist and author Paul Stamets, we are leaders in a new wave of technologies harnessing the inherent power of mushrooms and fungal mycelium worldwide. Fungi Perfecti® is Certified Organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. In business since 1980, we offer an ever-expanding product line for the mushroom enthusiast.

other sources of information on Paul Stamets work:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Stamets
www.facebook.com/PaulStamets
www.ted.com/speakers/paul_stamets.html
www.ted.com/speakers/paul_stamets.html
http://bit.ly/eIul4v

Paul Stamets will give the keynote address at the 10th International Herb Symposium being held at Wheaton College in Norton, MA this summer June 24th - 26th 2011.
www.internationalherbsymposium.com
sage@sagemountain.com 
www.unitedplantsavers.org

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

artist Alan Sonfist


Frottage of the Hemlock Forest    mixed media    6' x 6'     1969      



Alan Sonfist is an artist/designer who engages with natural landscapes to evoke the hidden narrative of the Earth. His vision and green art projects cross borders to inspire ecological sensibility and conservation.

Frottage, or rubbings is a technique used for millennia. The Surrealist Max Ernst is given credit for developing the use of the technique in 1925 when he became fascinated by an old wooden floor that had developed time worn patterns that fascinated him with the strange imagery he saw in the patterns of wear with the grain of the wood. 

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Orion

LL Ori and the Orion Nebula 
Credit: NASAESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team


Orion; the hunter


Stars

Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionus)
Rigel (Beta Orionus)
Bellatrix  (Gamma Orionus)
Mintaka (Delta Orionus)
Alnitak (Epsilon Orionus)


*drawing not to true scale nor direction

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Betelgeuse
                  East
                                          
                *  Alnitak
              *   Mintaka
            *   Bellatrix

                               Rigel   *


 soaring like Eagle in the January night sky



According to Fixed Star Astrologer Rob Tillet  (http://www.astrologycom.com/fixedstars.html)

Betelgeuse represents  “great fortune and fame, especially military success, but associated with calamities, danger, and violence. It is positioned at  28˚ Gemini 45”.  Its’ characteristics are of Mars and Mercury.
Rigel represents “technical and artistic ability, inventiveness, humour, honours, riches and happiness. It is positioned at 16˚ Gemini 50” and has characteristics of Jupiter and Mars.”

Monday, January 24, 2011

Janine Benyus: Biomimicry in action | Video on TED.com

Janine Benyus: Biomimicry in action | Video on TED.com

Janine Benyus has a message for inventors: When solving a design problem, look to nature first. There you'll find inspired designs for making things waterproof, aerodynamic, solar-powered and more. Here she reveals dozens of new products that take their cue from nature with spectacular results.

About Janine Benyus

A self-proclaimed nature nerd, Janine Benyus' concept of biomimicry has galvanized scientists, architects, designers and engineers into exploring new ways in which nature's successes can inspire… 


http://www.janinebenyus.com


Janine's new website http://www.asknature.org will allow inventors, scientists, artists, academics and the public to discover systems in nature that can help illustrate solutions to particular design situations.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Cracks in the Snow


Cracks in the Snow 1        Digital       ©Greg Patch

took these photos yesterday after a snow landing on the deck created this interesting pattern of dark vertical lines with the white of the snow. circular forms appear where the snow did not slide thru the cracks. i intentionally blurred the above to soften the contrasts of light and dark.

Cracks in the Snow           Digital          ©Greg Patch

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Throat Chakra Vishuddha

the changing of the background colors on my blog from green/heart chakra to blue/throat chakra.  


from http://www.llewellyn.com/encyclopedia/article/256

Visuddha - The Throat Chakra

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY ANODEA JUDITH ON MAY 30, 2002
Element: Sound 
Color: Bright Blue 
Verb: I speak 
Attributes: Sound, vibration, communication, creativity 

Chakra 5 is located in the region of the neck and shoulders and is the center of communication and creativity. Its color is a bright turquoise blue, mixing the deep indigo of the sixth chakra with the green of the heart. Its lotus has 16 petals, upon which are inscribed all the vowels of the Sanskrit language. Vowels are generally thought to represent spirit, while consonants give the edges and definitions which define matter. As we enter chakra 5, we are crossing deeper into the realms of mind and spirit. 

This lotus is called Visuddha, which means "purification." To successfully reach and open the fifth chakra, the body must attain a certain level of purification, which helps to achieve the sensitivity needed for the subtler levels of the upper chakra. 

Classically, the element associated with this level is ether, or akasha, meaning "spirit," as well as the element of sound. Sound is a rhythmic vibration of air molecules as they are impacted by matter in movement. If I clap my hands, the sound that reaches you is from the air I have displaced. All sound is a vibration, and all things, living and nonliving, have a unique vibration. At this level, we do not see the world as individual things or their activities but as a complex interwoven net of energies with characteristic vibrational rhythms. 

The Hindus believe that the universe itself is made of sound. Mother Kali, the destroyer, is said to have the power to remove the letters of the alphabet from the petals of the chakras when she chooses to destroy the world. Without sound and language, there is no form. 

Sound waves are subject to a principle called resonance, also known as "rhythm entrainment" or "sympathetic vibration." Resonance is what occurs when sound waves of similar frequency meet—they lock into phase, with their vibrations oscillating at the same time. That which is in phase tends to remain in phase; hence, the interlocking of vibrational waves creates the ongoing harmony and substance that we experience in the world. Our breathing, heart rate, brain waves, and sleeping and eating patterns are all rhythmic activities that "entrain" or connect us with the world around us. When we are feeling harmonious with our surroundings, then our internal rhythms are resonating within ourselves. This resonance will, in turn, call other wave forms into harmony with it, bringing strength and integrity to the organism. 

From sound we get communication. Communication is the activity and function of the fifth chakra. Here we have language, a complex pattern of sound and rhythm, through which we symbolize the physical world around us. Through symbol, we have a more efficient way of dealing with the world. I can describe my car, but I can’t bring it into the room with me. I can call New York without actually going there. Our minds work with symbols. We think in words, as well as image and sensory memory. The world of the upper chakras is symbolic of the world below. 

Communication is a rhythmic activity. The more resonant our own internal rhythms, the more easily and pleasantly we will communicate. Studies have shown that regardless of the content of words used, listeners and speakers enter into a rhythm entrainment as they converse. It is believed that understanding occurs only when entrainment can take place. 

Communication involves both listening and speaking. If one’s fifth chakra is closed down, then there is fear of expressing oneself, fear of speaking one’s truth, or excessive shyness. The voice itself is timid and the words are few. If the chakra is too open, we are so busy expressing that we forget to listen, or our voice is dissonant, and we are unable to enter into resonance with those around us. 

Ideally, the fifth chakra should be connected to the self—to all the other chakras above and below—to visions of the mind and the feelings from body with equal ease. 

Chanting is an activity that increases the overall resonance of our being, allowing all our internal systems to enter into a rhythmic harmony. When chanting is practiced as a group activity, it enhances resonance and communication with the group as a whole. From Zen monasteries to rock concerts, this is a powerful tool for enhancing collective consciousness. 

The fifth chakra is also a center of creativity, another form of symbolic communication. As we open up this center, we open up our creative potential. The greater our resonance within, the greater the power within our creations. 







Friday, January 21, 2011

Bavarian artist Nils Udo

Nils Udo has been working with nature creating site specific art works since 1972.
More about his work can be found at;
- http://www.greenmuseum.org/content/artist_index/artist_id-36.html
- ecologicalart.org/nilsudo.html 
www.morning-earth.org/artistnaturalists/an_nils_udo.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nils_Udo




Untitled: cliff face rubbed green with tree leaves, Island of Cres, Yugoslavia, 1988





Thursday, January 20, 2011

25th International Juried Silver Anniversary Show & Green: the Color and the Cause

from Brooklyn Art Council http://www.brooklynartscouncil.org/forum/1436


25th International Juried Silver Anniversary Show & Green: the Color and the Cause

No One Is Listening
"No One Is Listening" was selected by Joan Young, Associate Curator of Contemporary art at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum , for inclusion in the 25th Internation Juried Silver Anniversary Show at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. January 14 to March 18.
Narrative Detail of
The narrative image of "No One Is Listening" will be displayed in a continuously looping slide show during the exhibition Green: the Color and the Cause, at the Textile Museum, Washington, D C, April 16 to September 11. The curators of the show, Rebecca A. T. Stevens, Consulting Curator of the Textile Museum, Washington, and Lee A. Talbot, Associate Curator, Eastern Hemisphere Collections, said of this piece, "The link between the color green and modern environmentalism evident in your piece stands as a powerful example of the association between green and social value."