Naturally

There is a preserve not far from where I spend my days at my FTG, it is my refuge.

I can get there within minutes and I find myself spending my lunch time wandering through it's many tree covered paths. When I look up at the sky all I see is pale blue, for this time of year it is cloudless and under my feet is thick green moss, like walking on a plush carpet.

I am usually not alone Gopher Turtles are on the path with me, they munch along the trail side. They don't pull their head in as I walk by but seem to watch, some grunt and say hello. Owls watch me as well and when I get to the boardwalk that brings me over the flood marsh I am usually greeted by a Great Blue Heron. I've been wandering this area for about a year, not wanting to bring my camera but see it all for myself, I think now is a good time to let you all come along.

The seasonal change is not dramatic here but it does take place. The squirrels run frantically collecting their acorns and the leaves, few that there are, do change.

Sandhill Cranes are tending to their young getting them ready to fly and hunt. They soar overhead announcing to everyone that they are still here, they are loud!

Almost every artist interview I have read states that the artist gets some inspiration from nature and when I walk through this preserve I cannot doubt it. Recently I have taken to the process of Piercing Silver. Each time I look for a subject I go right back to animals (I am working on plants next!) and again I realize that right there in my work is my desire to capture some glimpse of their beauty.

Let the Cat Out

 Sandhill Crane Part II

Recently I began working with resin and again I find myself in the same place, picking items that are close to my heart and straight from the beaches I sink my feet into:

Weekend Away

I try to use my time away from the race to think about my own path and this escape has become important to me, no I-Pod, no phone. I have come to some decisions about my pent-up anxiety about festivals that I am not participating in and my day to day work (AKA: what I call my: Full Time Gig). I have decided to continue the Clermont Farmers Market and I often think about those that visit me on a weekly basis. I know when someone says "you have'nt been here", that there are folks that look for me and  I appreciate that, thank you all! The visitors that stop by just to see whats new and say hello mean the world to me.

My work that is displayed on these pages and the thoughts that I lay out are for myself as much as those of you that take the time to read them. It is the time that I can separate myself from the day to day, the times that I wander, that I look around and realize how lucky I really am. I do often try to remember that I am new at this venture and have many years ahead of me to experiment and continue to see all of this with new eye's.

I thank all of you that choose to wander with me and have allowed me to share a little piece of my journey.

Until next time...