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Monday, October 31, 2011

!!!Happy Halloween!!!



In the explanation below from Wikipedia no connection is made to the celebration in Mexico, and other parts of the world, of the Day of the Dead. By reading the research in Wikipedia and the connection of Samhain to a celebration of last harvest before frost and the ancestors I'm not sure why that connection isn't made. Based on traditional peoples celebrating seasonal changes in a realistic way it would be logical this time seasonally would be celebrated globally during times before organized religions re-invented our world to support their forcefully removing the power from the people and taking it into the hands of the church and/or the state by worshipping a God(s), King or Queen. When each of us realize our connective energetic power center with spirit or universal consciousness power we will be free. Today my/our/your power is being taken again. This time in the form of and by banks and corporations. It can only be taken if each of us together gives it away. 


from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain

Gaelic folklore (Scotland and Ireland)

The Samhain celebrations have survived in several guises as a festival dedicated to the harvest and the dead. In Ireland and Scotland, theFéile na Marbh "festival of the dead" is the name of All Souls', a church festival introduced on the eve of All Saints in the 11th century.
The night of Samhain, in Irish, Oíche Samhna and Scots Gaelic, Oidhche Samhna, is one of the principal festivals of the Celtic calendar, and falls on the October 31. It represents the final harvest. In modern Ireland and Scotland, the name by which Halloween is known in theGaelic language is still Oíche/Oidhche Samhna. It is still the custom in some areas to set a place for the dead at the Samhain feast, and to tell tales of the ancestors on that night.[4][15]
Traditionally, Samhain was time to take stock of the herds and grain supplies, and decide which animals would need to be slaughtered in order for the people and livestock to survive the winter. This custom is still observed by many who farm and raise livestock [4][15] because it is when meat will keep since the freeze has come and also since summer grass is gone and free foraging is no longer possible.
Bonfires played a large part in the festivities celebrated down through the last several centuries, and up through the present day in some rural areas of the Celtic nations and the diaspora. Villagers were said to have cast the bones of the slaughtered cattle upon the flames. In the pre-Christian Gaelic world, cattle were the primary unit of currency and the center of agricultural and pastoral life. Samhain was the traditional time for slaughter, for preparing stores of meat and grain to last through the coming winter.
With the bonfire ablaze, the villagers extinguished all other fires. Each family then solemnly lit its hearth from the common flame, thus bonding the families of the village together. Often two bonfires would be built side by side, and the people would walk between the fires as a ritual of purification. Sometimes the cattle and other livestock would be driven between the fires, as well.[4][15]
The Gaelic custom of wearing costumes and masks was an attempt to copy the evil spirits or ward them off. In Scotland the dead were impersonated by young men with masked, veiled or blackened faces, dressed in white.[16][17] Candle lanterns (Gaelic: samhnag), carved from turnips, were part of the traditional festival. Large turnips were hollowed out, carved with faces, placed in windows to ward off evil spirits.[17]
Guisers — men in disguise — were prevalent in the 16th century in the Scottish countryside. Children going door to door "guising" (or "Galoshin" on the south bank of the lower Clyde) in costumes and masks, carrying turnip lanterns, offering entertainment of various sorts in return for food or coins, was traditional in the 19th century and continued well into the 20th century.[18] At the time of mass transatlantic Irish and Scottish immigration, which popularized Halloween in North America, Halloween in Ireland and Scotland had a strong tradition of guising and pranks.[19]
Divination is a common folkloric practice that has also survived in rural areas.[20] The most common uses were to determine the identity of one's future spouse, the location of one's future home, and how many children a person might have. Seasonal foods such as apples and nuts were often employed in these rituals. Apples were peeled, the peel tossed over the shoulder, and its shape examined to see if it formed the first letter of the future spouse's name.[21] Nuts were roasted on the hearth and their movements interpreted - if the nuts stayed together, so would the couple. Egg whites were dropped in a glass of water, and the shapes foretold the number of future children. Children would also chase crows and divine some of these things from how many birds appeared or the direction the birds flew.[4][15][16]

[edit]Celtic revival

A connection of the medieval feis of Samhain with pre-Christian traditions was drawn by the "notoriously unreliable" Geoffrey Keating (d. 1644), who claimed that the druids of Ireland would assemble on the night of Samhain to kindle a sacred fire. Ronald Hutton notes that while medieval Irish authors do attribute a historical pagan significance to the Beltane festival, they are silent in this respect in regard to Samhain, apparently because no tradition of pagan ritual had survived into the Christian period. Hutton supposes that Keating's account may be due to a confusion of a tradition pertaining to Beltane.[10]
Its description as "Celtic New Year" was popularised in 18th century literature.[dubious ][22] From this usage in the Romanticist Celtic Revival, Samhain is still popularly regarded as the "Celtic New Year" in the contemporary Celtic cultures, both in the Six Celtic Nations and the diaspora. For instance, the contemporary calendars produced by the Celtic League begin and end at Samhain.[23]

[edit]Related festivals

In parts of western Brittany, Samhain is still heralded by the baking of kornigou, cakes baked in the shape of antlers to commemorate thegod of winter[citation needed] shedding his 'cuckold' horns as he returns to his kingdom in the Otherworld. The Romans identified Samhain with their own feast of the dead, the Lemuria, which was observed in the days leading up to May 13. With Christianization, the festival in November (not the Roman festival in May) became All Hallows' Day on November 1 followed by All Souls' Day, on November 2. Over time, the night of October 31 came to be called All Hallow's Eve, and the remnants festival dedicated to the dead eventually morphed into thesecular holiday known as Halloween.
The Welsh equivalent of this holiday is called Nos Galan Gaeaf (see Calan Gaeaf). As with Samhain, this marks the beginning of the dark half of the year and it officially begins at sunset on October 31.
The Manx celebrate Hop-tu-Naa, which is a celebration of the original New Year's Eve. The term is Manx Gaelic in origin, deriving fromShogh ta’n Oie, meaning "this is the night". Traditionally, children dress as scary beings, carry turnips rather than pumpkins and sing an Anglicised version of Jinnie the Witch and may go from house to house asking for sweets or money.
The Cornish equivalent of this holiday is known as Allantide or in the revived Cornish language Nos Calan Gwaf.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

a handmade paper series

cotton fiber, turmeric, recycled dyes, Khadi paper                           9" x 11"

Saturday, October 29, 2011

a handmade paper series

cotton fiber, turmeric & recycled paper                                  9" x 11"
have been hanging on to this recycled lined wrapping paper for a dozen years at least for its simplistic, woodcut like, waved pattern...

Friday, October 28, 2011

Thursday, October 27, 2011

a handmade paper series

cotton fiber, turmeric, papel de amate, beeswax & pigment               9" x 11"
during the process of making the paper the papel de amate and turmeric are infused into the wet cotton fiber. the form and textures are described by my intentions and trusting to align my senses and actions with the interactions of the elements involved; water, air, wood and/or metal and fire.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

a handmade paper series

cotton fiber, turmeric & local clay                                          3" x 10"
during the process of making the paper the clay, ash and turmeric are infused into the wet cotton fiber. the form and textures are described by my intentions and trusting to align my senses and actions with the interactions of the elements involved; water, air, wood and/or metal and fire.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

a handmade paper series

cotton fiber, turmeric & recycled dye             8" x 11"
during the process of making the paper the clay and turmeric are infused into the wet cotton fiber. the form and textures are described by my intentions and trust to align my senses and actions with the interactions of the elements involved; water, air, wood and/or metal and fire.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Andy Goldsworthy

from http://www.morning-earth.org/artistnaturalists/an_goldsworthy.html
"I enjoy the freedom of just using my hands and "found" tools--a sharp stone, the quill of a feather, thorns. I take the opportunities each day offers: if it is snowing, I work with snow, at leaf-fall it will be with leaves; a blown-over tree becomes a source of twigs and branches. I stop at a place or pick up a material because I feel that there is something to be discovered. Here is where I can learn. " - Andy Goldsworthy


Gold Icestar                                   Andy Goldsworthy
here Goldsworthy used natural materials including his own spit to adhere the rays.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

collaborative

this p(i)eace will go on to other co-creative artists and its journey...




this one will go back to Monica Marsh as a dialog between two co-creative artists...

Saturday, October 22, 2011

collaborative

Monica Marsh, an artist living near L.A.,  and I decided to do some collaborative work. One piece would be between the two of us. A second she would start and send to me. I would add to it and pass it on to another artist, they pass it to another and so on...

the above piece Monica used beet juice on a blotter like paper. I'll add to it today and post here tomorrow. Then will pass it along to Michelle Connolly of Wilmington, NC and Michelle will pass the pea(i)ce along... 


will use these two sheets Monica sent, add a touch, post tomorrow, and send it back to Monica.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Red Algae on Beach

Red Algae on Beach               22" x 30"               Beeswax & natural pigment
did this painting on Khadi paper in 2007. it keeps coming to my mind lately... that happens for artists as we re-visit recurring motifs of color, form and pattern interests. a constant searching for meaning and expression with it. was beginning to transcend doing paintings of subject of the landscape and painting the drawing of color forms on fields of drawing colors in between "realism" and idea/abstract, or sensing. a balance point.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

recycled rubber gloves & old keys

Dixon Stetler created this recycled rubber glove palm tree piece now at the Cameron Museum in Wilmington, NC.






another work is her "The Key Fence" in downtown Wilmington, NC

photo ©Ken Blevins; http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091223/ARTICLES/912239986

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Blue Jay

right wing feathers of Blue Jay display the pattern of the grid and waves
http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/jay.htm

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

As We/Each\Other

from http://thewatchers.adorraeli.com/2011/10/17/japan-tsunami-debris-on-course-to-hit-us/
Tsunami debris wave, 
Pattern/form\design
Drawn Pacific. 
Spiral echo enfold. 
Earthquake/epi-center 
Create, release Earth outer/inner. 
Wave energy wave. 
Strike populus lands. 
Rebound.
Back, beyond the eye. 
Float matter/plastic, 
Ocean tide. 
Weaker then energy wave,
 Drift Pacific. 
Echo/rebound strike, 
 Again. 
Again
toxic debris wave
reach...  
As We/Each\Other

Monday, October 17, 2011

hand made paper


                                     two of the hand made papers I'm sitting with...

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Still Life

Still Life                                                                      ©Greg Patch

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Infinity Grid


Infinity Grid            22" x 30"         Beeswax, charcoal & natural pigment
                             

Friday, October 14, 2011

cloth                                                                    ©Greg Patch

Thursday, October 13, 2011

detail of work in progress


detail is 8" x 11"s of this 22" x 30" piece showing under drawing with besswax and natural pigment and the developing burnishing with a round pointed bone. overall there are twelve Khadi paper squares set upon a 22" x 30" sheet of Khadi paper. smaller torn squares of Khadi paper activate the spatial grid ...

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Green Spiral Grid

Green Spiral Grid                                                           ©Greg Patch

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

October

October 11, 2011           6" x 5 1/2"         beeswax & natural pigment on handmade cotton fiber paper

Monday, October 10, 2011

Universal Prayer by Robbyn Muse



                                                    UNIVERSAL PRAYER
              

         
          LET US OPEN OUR HEART TO SELF LOVE ACKNOWLEDGING THE DIVINE WITHIN.

          LET US CREATE A BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD BRINGING PEACE, JOY, LOVE,

          PLEASURE, FUN, PROSPERITY, HEALTH, AND ABUNDANCE FOR OUR GOOD AND THE

          GOOD OF ALL. LET US CONTINUE TO RAISE OUR CONSCIOUSNESS LEARN

          DETACHMENT,  NON-JUDGMENT, COMPASSION, FORGIVENESS, PATIENCE,

          AND AWARENESS.  NAMASTE'

   
                                       BY ROBBYN MUSE

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Fritzi Huber paper making workshop at the Cameron 1/2 day...

am very satisfied with the 1 1/2 day workshop w/wonderfilled people at a special place. each making our own papers with Fritzi Huber at the Cameron Museum in Wilmington NC - enThanks to all!
my booty from the workshop giving me material to work with over the winter
-yeah!-

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Fritzi Huber paper making workshop at the Cameron day...

just a few of the many papers made out drying

Fritzi pressing the water from some of the papers. The tubs with pulp are in back left...
Had perfect weather, with seldom lifting paper breezes. The 1 1/2 day workshop is fantastic! with tomorrow morning finishing up with talking about our experiences with it...

Friday, October 7, 2011

"a progressing transformation"         approximately 43" x 73"


Porters Neck Yoga & Spa is now hosting "a progressing transformation". With your intent of Love, Peace and Co-Creativity please visit and participate with the art work.

“a progressing transformation” is a sustainable co-created art work. With intention the artist in us has contributed to the piece. Please leave your mark of intention for Love, Peace and Co-Creativity for all Earth beings by placing your mark of intent with the beeswax and natural pigment colors, add to it by applying your natural materials signature with a metal pin, stitching, or simply instill your prayerful intention to it.
Have fun and Be Creative!
Please leave your name with these Co-Creators:
Camber Caldwell
Peter Champoux
Joan Dorazio
Paul Dorazio
GIna Gambony
Barbara Hein
Daniella Metz
Robbyn Muse
Ryan Olsen
Greg Patch
Evan Root
Lilly Rousey
Molly Rousey
Tilden Rousey
Damon Savas
Georgia Routsis Savas
Matt Woisen

Materials:
Jute twine grid sandwiched by two thin sheets Lotka papers made in Nepal
Stockmar beeswax & natural pigment waxes (nci)
Ethiopian Coffea arabica; brain stimulant and increases CNS function, moves chi and blood
Blueberry Vaccinium spp. & Blueberry Vaccinium spp.; supports healthy vision
*Yellow Dock Rumex crispus dyes and mature aerial parts; healing energetics of clearing toxins in liver, gall bladder & kidneys, emetic
* two shades of yellow ochre clay; draws out toxins
* healing energetics of Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura (literal translation is purifier or pacifier of the aura) left/feminine wing feather
* Charcoal, ash & wood
5 wooden sticks to help light the fire
* grasses & dirt
* healing energetics of twig/branch Elder lf & br Sambuca nigra; antiviral and nourishing flavanoid
* Fire
* rain Water
* healing energetics of and leafed acorned twig/branch of Live Oak Quercus spp. This Oak is certified oldest in NC, @500 yrs; rejuvenates life force, strength & longevity
* healing energetics of and leafed fruited twig/branch of Cedar Pinaceae family. Estimated to be up to 1,000 yrs old; resilience & longevity
* healing energetics of and leafs of Long Needle Pine Pinus palustri;  inner peace and resilience

* from grounds/Earth of Copper Guinea Farm & Kitchen Atkinson, NC
natural Damar resin "Obtained from a renewable resource, its production helps support indigenous people and protect the rainforest by replacing other non-renewable industries such as logging." Earthpigments.com (nci)
consider also the healing energetics of the elements; Fire, Water, Air & Earth and grasses, charcoal, clay, the Earth's ley grid lines and the healing intentions of all the participants.



You can search "a progressing transformation" on this blog for more on this sustainable art piece.