Taking Myth and Story to New Orleans!

New Orleans here we come! I'll be participating in the Contemporary
Craft show at Jazz Fest in New Orleans, April 29-May 1:
www.nojazzfest.com Tent F.
For the occasion, I created Racontee, the storyteller:



Racontee travels with a variety of masks (one
of wet-formed leather, the others ceramic), two books
including a mini leather dragon book and special story
shards in the teller's leather trunk.



To intrigue folks to search me out, I'm advertising in the
program book. Here's my ad:



There is no electricity in the tents in New Orleans, which can
present challenges since my backdrops are usually black.
To help light bounce, I've purchased some glitzy material to
drape over my usual black. The black leather eye journals,
card holders and mythic figures which I am bringing along
really pop when laid on satiny bronze color material!
I'll post images from what should be a very different looking
booth, when I return.

Hope anyone near New Orleans will come on over..
fantastic music, great food, an art experience not to
be missed and an important community to continue to
support.

When back home, I'll share more images from earlier shows
as well as report in from Jazz Fest. Since I sold out of my
"eye" journals and card holders in NYC, I've been bustling
since back in my studio. Sorry posts have been delayed! I'll
try to make up for that in May!

Journey on. Wendy

More images from 2011 ACC Baltimore - Dale Rogers

More images from ACC Baltimore..





Just when I begin to think I' m working in a large format,
I'm assigned to be in a booth across from someone like
Dale Rogers!...Puts me in perspective really fast!..
Dale's cor-ten steel and aluminum sculptures are
definitely LARGE scale...the sculpture of the children
which Dale set up in the aisle between booths is a mock
up of a much larger piece installed in a public play area.
I loved seeing kids playing around it (including
Dale's children) and viewing my dragons through it.



Check out Dale's website to see his sculptures
installed outdoors and see photos of him working
in his studio: dalerogersstudio.com.
He shares personal reflections on his blog: dalerogers.blogspot.com
I met Dale through the Paradise City Arts Festival
shows. It's been fun watching this young sculptor's
career take off.

Off to finish taxes now...more images and reflections
from ACC and NYC show soon.

Journey on! Wendy

Images from ACC Baltimore - Michael Schunke, Deborah Rogers and Kirsten Stingle

My dragons in Baltimore had lots of good views. Wudaineon loved
being across from Michael Schunke and his amazing glass.
www.nineironstudios.com Michael's work is beautiful and his
booth a joy to be near.

As usual (and what I always hope for), I met some artists
whom I had not known before. One such artist is Deborah
Rogers. She was in the "altcraft" section of the show . When
she arrived they had not set up a place for her. Fortuantely
she had brought along this small stage set-up, perfect for her work!



New to Baltimore, but hardly a new artist, she has
shown across the country (including at the Smithsonian
show). She used to be a painter and her approach to her
"narrative sculpture" made from various self-hardening
clays and found objects reflect her amazing decorative ability.
She uses colored pencils to get much of her detail!





Deborah's uses facebook to actively publicize
her work Check out her facebook.com page under:
Deborah G. Rogers

Another new (to me) artist I found at the
show with a strong sense of storytelling in her work is
Kirsten Stingle: www.kirstenstingle.com



Kirsten has a fine arts degree in theater. Not hard to
guess that when you are in the presence of her dramatic
intriguing work full of gesture and emotion!





Check out Kirsten's website for the full scoop. You
will see she's going to very busy with shows and
exhibits this spring and summer!

I'm busy getting ready for my next show:
www.craftnewyork.com April 1-3, but will try
to share more Baltimore and Atlanta images soon.

Journey on! Wendy

On to Atlanta! ACC Show March 11-13

The Atlanta American Craft Council Show is next weekend,
March 11-13 at the Cobb Galleria. Info at: www.craftcouncil.org/Atlanta
Krystuli pictured above will be prancing there in my booth #1206
along with other relatives, friends, eye journals and
more. We'll keep the conversation going about how one "sees"
the world. Krystuli will be watching:



As will "Tadaah!" - who usually prefers this way of
viewing the public, but occasionally stands on his/her
feet proclaiming "Tadaah":



Tadaah was inspired by a young friend who asked if I had
ever made a figure standing on its head. He followed up
with the question, "And then where would you put
the eye?"

Wudaineon, the leather dragon, posed for a photo
shoot at Baltimore. Here is the image of this gentle close to
five foot long creature looking for a new home taken by
Bob Barrett www.bobbarrettphoto.com



Wudaineon almost found a new home in Baltimore, but thinks
Atlanta would be a good homestead as well!

Today I'm putting final touches on a new "Dragon Names"
book. The number of names in the dragon shaped book is up
to close to 400 now thanks to a few additions from my
grandchildren. It's great having like minded family members!

If you're in the Atlanta area, please come on over to the
show...bring a few dragon names with you!

I will share images from ACC Baltimore and ACC Atlanta
when I return home to the studio.

Journey on. Wendy

Baltimore American Craft Council Show Feb. 22-27

All eyes are on ACC Baltimore!! As usual, I'll be there!
Thank goodness no big snow storms seem to be brewing.
It is always an unbelievably spectacular show, so I
encourage any and all to come. 700 exhibitors for retail!
Really quite an amazing treat for eyes and soul. Please
come by my booth # 1909! For complete show info go to:
public.craftcouncil.org/baltimore

Speaking of eyes....I'll be bringing along a new series
of Journals following up on my investigation of
Eyes as windows to the soul. Here are a couple images:



I'm having fun playing with different varieties of
eyes from glass moutain goat, African lion, red fox,
pheasant and more. I'll have both 6x8 and 4x6 replaceable
journals in these and other styles. Even some new card
holders with eyes! I'll also have some of my figures
with eyes in less than ordinary locations inspired by
my trip to Uruguay.

New creatures also arrive before Baltimore. Here is
a new one in process, tenatively named
Krystuli. Leather and beading will be added
before the show, maybe even a face on the sides!



Come see completed Krystuli at ACC Baltimore and
help me figure out Krystuli's story!

Wudaineon the dragon is looking forward to
seeing Baltimore for the first time as is her
dragon friend, Snarval!



Safe travels everyone!!!

Journey on! Wendy

Part 2 - Reflections on Florida symposium on Art and Faith

More poetic reflections on www.lovefest2011.org .
Part one was about my listening to the stories embedded
in nature in Winter Park...now on to the symposium.
Mretrac, my phoenix greeted participants at the entrance
as did some of my other work and paintings by Diane McPhail.
Sonja Weber Gilkey's rope sculptures were displayed
inside the main room.

"I am amidst
Elders seeking, learning, relearning
Men and women together listening, questioning



Communing, gathering strength
To move forward, make a difference
Learning to articulate thoughts
Sharing experience and scholarly understanding



Young people searching
Wanting to believe in the sacred
In something more, something good
Something that will offer community
Help make sense of the world



Looking to find their way
Among the many paths

Swirling currents of sounds and words
Drift up through and around the room
Dance in and out of rope sculptures



Over and through paintings



Brush by phoenix wings and dragon spokes


Encircle a community of spirit.



I absorb the stories."




Journey on!.....Wendy

Florida trip inspires poem- part 1

My trip to Winter Park, Florida, for the symposium
www.lovefest2011.org last weekend landed me in a
landscape and gathering full of story...
A poem emerged...here is part 1:

"I awake to call and response of birds
Echoing through moist air.
Early sunlight reflects off
Back of alligator gliding by
Circling lake in ancient morning ritual.
Tree branches rustle with movement
As romping squirrel defies gravity.



I walk to witness
Cedar nubs emerging through sandy soil
Creating eerie villages.



A cormorant swims with comical dip and glide
Sits on dock railing drying wings
Happy to pose for photos.


Ospreys circle above, see prey
Dive with death defying speed
Plunge into depths, rise again.

Large creased smooth nuts lie in thick grass
Waiting to be picked up, or eaten.


Soft, energetic Spanish moss twists, twines
Attaches to itself and to offering branches
Transforming lakeside into magical landscape.



Autos add rhythmic click, click, click
As wheels stroke the brick street.
Plane overhead shakes scene
Reminding of balance of worlds.



I listen for the stories..."

Next week's post - more about symposium, my
presentation and the rest of the poem.

Journey on! Wendy