Heart Sighted

2005-08-08T16:42:00.000-04:00

South Haven Sunset

Lake Michigan is as close to an ocean in Southwest Michigan and it is one of the reasons I love to live here. I have spent many days walking her beaches and being transported into the moment. Truly beautiful nature is one of the few things that can consistently draw me away from the past and the future to the now - which I believe is the true home of Spirit. Sunsets over a large body of water or an open prairie offer the infinite in the now.
Also, Lake Michigan is very seldom the same from visit to visit, allowing me to see it freshly with all my senses.

2005-08-04T13:35:00.000-04:00

Very Proud Pa Pa

My daughter has overcome some extremely difficult obstacles to get her Graduation Degree for High School and get accepted into college. I am extremely happy for her and proud. This picture was taken at our celebration of these accomplishments. Go Broncos!!

2005-07-26T08:56:00.000-04:00

Finish Line Prayer

This piece is a celebration piece about running. I think most people who know this experience know the feeling as well. I hope you all like it.

2005-07-17T23:51:00.000-04:00

Sculpture for Desk or Table

This is one of a few pieces that I have created so that a person could have a small sculpture almost anywhere. It's is somehow simply complex so that it offers many dimensions of possible sight and yet remains desk sized @ 12" high , roughly 8" deep, and just a few inches wide. I like the balance the circles, the patina, and its overall look & feel.

2005-07-11T00:10:00.000-04:00

New Growth

This is my 1st sculpture since rejoining Smartshop. The picture is relatively good, but to flat to capture the real fullness. It is about 3 feet tall and the copper 'growth' is probably about 2 1/2 feet in diameter. I am quite pleased so far, though I have few finishing touches to add to it before I'll call it complete. Hope you enjoy it!

2005-06-27T07:56:00.000-04:00

Isn't She Lovely ............

The Garden Goddess is finally in her home and becoming part of the space. I think she looks simply 'marvelous'. It will be interesting to see how she changes with the seasons and time.

2005-06-22T08:35:00.000-04:00

Back to School

This is a picture from my 1st class back at SmartShop metal working back in the winter. I am finally going to get back for the intermediate class in a week. I will get to learn how to TIG weld and use a forge - both quite exciting prospects to me!
This is actually the icing on the cake because I am also going to have a 6 month membership in the Studio / Shop to really invest some time and creative juices into my sculpture. I will keep you posted on my creations and my progress.

2005-06-10T08:45:00.000-04:00

Wonder how sales were?

My 1st art fair, on the Kalamazoo Mall. It was a very mixed event for me, but I am glad that Peter took this picture. I obviously need to do something about the presentation of my work so that it shows better, backdrops, examples of how flowers might be displayed ina person's home, etc.
But many people commented on how much they liked the work and the degree of creativity involved which was the most positive part of the experience. I also had flowers left over to give out as graduation gifts which was like a sale in many ways.
So next show (I've been invited to Port Huron the end of August) I'll have more quality items, hopefully displayed with a bit more pizaz.
Live and learn and be grateful for the good , the bad, and the ugly (or at least unattractive.)

2005-05-26T10:12:00.000-04:00

Garden Goddess

This is a piece that I created for my sister Deb who has these wonderful gardens around her home in rural Northern Iowa. I really love the head which I published a picture of earlier and the bottom really made the piece seem as organic as her gardens. The head rotates in the wind which will cause light to bounce off the mirrors. Hopefully this will attract even more birds! She is coming to pick it up this weekend. The arms have Large Springs hanging from them that can be used as candle holders to light it at night.
By the way, it's @8 feet tall and weighs @ 150lbs. I hope you like it.

2005-05-20T17:10:00.000-04:00

I just liked this image.

2005-05-19T11:53:00.000-04:00

Earth Angel

This piece is a commissioned piece for my friend Kristen. The head is a Chinese Flourite that is described as:
"This purple, green, blue banded stone is purported to bring order to chaos. In particular, Flourite helps clarify one's emotions to aid in objective decision making.
Flourite is known to help one combine rational and intuitive mind to great benefit. Similarly, it brings balance to any environment in which it is placed.
As a symbol of intrinsic purity and harmony of the universe, it inspires those who contact this stone to bring these same qualities into their lives."
The sphere is made of Blue Lapis which is also purported to have positive energy powers:
Traditionally believed to increase mental clarity, virility, and calm. Lapis Lazuli is energy focuser for teachers, lecturers and speakers. Enhances creative self-expression. It is believed to be useful in relieving depression and promoting spirituality. Lapis Lazuli is also powerful during meditation.

2005-05-18T22:19:00.000-04:00

My New Home

I will be moving out of my very literal studio apt. in the next week or so and into a 'spacious 1 bedroom w/ laundry room that I can use as a work area. I am excited about it and the opportunity to have the space to create.

2005-05-18T21:55:00.000-04:00

My Flower Garden

These are samples of the flowers I have been creating. It was fun 'planting' them in my yard for this picture. Mother Nature I am not, but I like what I have been able to achieve with copper wire, fiber braiding, stones, marbles, and window screen.
I gave one similar to the blue one on the far right to a dear, dear woman, Marie who is in her final battle with cancer. She has it on top of her TV and her daughter Becca told me she talks about how much she looks at it and enjoys it. I was very touched that such a simple gift has been a small blessing in this time of her life.

2005-05-15T22:57:00.000-04:00

Peachy?

Now

2005-05-15T22:40:00.000-04:00

Late Sunday night, another long weekend where I seemed to have accomplished nothing. Staying positive though, because I know that it is the change I need to make. I could use the old expression, " Make lemonade out of lemons.", but my life really doesn't have enough lemons. So, though I am not peachy, I prefer to look at my life in terms of those sweet moments, good, joyous, or frustrating, hurtful, sad. I'll plant the pit to grow new peaches once I've eaten each one.
How's that for cornball philosophy?
Good night and my you have dreams of flying and soaring!

2005-05-14T00:12:00.000-04:00

This is the vision that is keeping me going.

I am planning to go here, Zipolite, Mexico within the next few of months to take a much needed respite from my 'normal' life. It is remote, it is non-touristy, it is inexpensive, it has the ocean & great surf, and it is HOT. The greener grass on the other side of my fence. A place to just be. (Out of site, out of mind, in the moment.)

History

2005-05-12T18:05:00.000-04:00

I created this piece a few months ago as a simple exercise to see what I could make out of found objects. However, as I was working with it I realized it was becoming symbolic of our shared history. It starts from a simple point and explodes away with 4 wires - the big bang, the moment of creation. The ring is the state of space that envelops us. The rock is the solidification of objects like earth and all forms of solid matter. The 'O' is an iron letter 'O' that represents organization of thoughts and ideas, the age of iron, typesetting, thinking, creating our own world. The small section of pipe with the spiral of copper represents the greater depth of thought and the ability to manipulate our world in much more complex ways. The final object is 3 circles of copper inner connected represent simplification, a more unified and connected world, a spiritual understanding of our role and interaction with the inner and outer world. I have chosen to make that my symbol. It represents for me a goal, a guide, the simple truth of my /our reality that we are separate yet all connected in beautiful simplicity and grace.

2005-05-10T18:35:00.000-04:00

Sun Head, Nature & Me

2005-05-10T18:33:00.000-04:00

Creation squared?

The sculpture, the picture, nature, the miror reflecting nature, me in the mirror.

2005-05-09T16:58:00.000-04:00

Multimedia Creations

I work with wire nearly everyday with my day job, buying it, allocating it, recycling it. So it was a natural metal for me to try making something with that stimulated my imagination. Adding the rocks from the Great Lakes was just something I stumbled into and has been a real catalyst for my creativity. These objects are difficult to capture because they are multidimensional. So by showing several I hope you can get a sense of the work in general. Maybe someday I'll have a real web site and can do some short video clips to capture their complexity.

2005-05-08T23:19:00.000-04:00

Heart Sighted

So why the name Heart Sighted? and why this picture?
I believe that we see the world through our own experiences, bias', relationships, ideologies, beliefs, and all the other stuff of life. As I have grown and evolved over the past half century, it has become clearer to me that in order to see the 'real' world I need to look through the lens of my heart more than the pupils of my eyes. I took some pictures of myself so that I can add a picture to my profile (if I ever figure that part out!). Looking through them it struck me that with the cropping of 2 of those pictures I could actually combine them into a symbolic representation of my understanding of seeing.
It seems only appropriate that the shirt I just happened to be wearing was one created with friends as part of a family get together. It was an activity that was part of the coming together in heart felt love for one another, bringing Jim & Heather's families together just after his father had made his transition. I was still recovering from my heart surgery as well, and I was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in a healing weekend on a farm in Ohio. A place very much like where I had grown up; a place close to my heart; a place with people whom hardly knew me offering me their hearts of acceptance. One of the most heart felt moments for me were occasions when Sam came and just sat on my lap the 1st morning after I arrived for what seemed like a half hour and another occasion when I was walking with him towards the barn and he took my hand. Acceptance without a word, unconditional love as perhaps only a child can express it.
It was a weekend I will cherish with my heart sight for the rest of my life.
Thanks to both Jim & Heather for sharing there time and families with me!

2005-05-07T10:49:00.000-04:00

Flowers For Funn

2005-05-06T23:31:00.000-04:00

Peter's Organic Sculpture

Like Father, Like Son? - He hopes NOT!

Peter is taking another sculpture class at K College this spring and this is his latest creation. It is made from wax and metal. All the colored objects are wax molds created with wet clay molds which he poured hot wax into, cooled, poured out the excess wax, slipped open the mold, extracted the wax, cooled it further with cold water, then reformed the mold & repeated the process with 3 different molds a total of 102 times. The pictures turned out fairly good but sculpture is hard to capture in any kind of 2 dimensional images. I really like using this collage method to get a bit of the 3rd dimension.
We have had fun sharing sculpture talks since he got back from Spain. It's good to have around again!!

My Daughter

2005-05-06T16:29:00.000-04:00

This is my beautiful daughter, looking as lovely as she is within her spirit. She is a remarkable young woman who has had a life full of struggles that she has overcome already. I believe in her; her intelligence, creativity, kindness, and ability to be whatever she truly sets her heart & mind to. She is definitely a divine gift to me and the world. Thank you God - and Melonie (her Mother) too!

2005-05-06T16:17:00.000-04:00

Isn't She Beautiful?

2005-05-05T23:00:00.000-04:00

I created this piece in 1976 and yesterday added the limestone base and I feel it really completes this piece. I can not remember if my friend Peggy gave me a copy of this poem before or after I completed this piece, but regardless it shares the essence of its spirit and mine.

"Bicycle Rider" (to Mary)

Teeth bare to the wind
Knuckle white grip on handle bars
You push the pedals of no return,
Let loose new motion and speed.
The earth turns with the multiplied
Force of your wheels.
Do not look back.
Feet light on the brake
Ride the bicycle of your will
Down the spine of the world,
Ahead of your time, into life.
I will not say
Go slow.

-Eugene J. McCarthy

Meditation Point View Zipolite Mexico

2005-05-05T01:09:00.000-04:00

I like to take time on a reasonably regular basis to get away for the city and find a place, woods, Lake Michigan, or just a walk concentrating on the natural creation. In many instances these times release me from the frustrations & errors of my past, and keep me from the worry & planning for the future. It's a very renewing time that allows me to go back to my day-to-day life with new energy, focus, and less tension.

Remember I Love You

2005-05-04T20:16:00.000-04:00

Heart felt Metal Scupture for Sylvia

Why?

2005-05-04T17:59:00.000-04:00

I want to share my vision / view of the world as it is and as I co-create it with spirit. I hope that it will be viewed for what is on the surface and in the symbols / images / ideas I will share. I hope it will help me live in the moment and bring people into each moment with me in ways that I can not even begin to imagine.

Live Each Day Moment by Moment

2005-05-04T13:54:00.000-04:00

We spend most of our life living anywhere but here, when and where we currently are inside & out. We see things through our eyes and our history. Start this moment to live each moment and see life through your heart.