by Kathleen O'Brien | Dec 23, 2014 | 4 seasons
Now we arrive at the most potent days of the year, at least if you are Celtic. In ancient tribal times in Ireland & elsewhere, the cycles of time were based on natural elements and the moon, and divided into 13 months of 28 days. Each month was named for a tree, also the Tree Alphabet, or the Irish Ogham. Each month also had associations of animals and plants. To reckon for the extra day, December 23 became the Day out of Time, the most special and mysterious day of the year. (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Dec 17, 2014 | 4 seasons
Around the world folks are making preparations for Solstice. Read in the postcard below about the Latvian Festival, Greetings to Four Brothers. House cleaning, decorating and preparing special food are a common thread cross-culturally – I love how that makes us similar in intent to welcome the light. The 18th is also the birthday of of Paul Klee, one of my favorite artists, he got me hooked on the color salmon. (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Dec 12, 2014 | 4 seasons
This season is full of Spirit, so it thrills me to celebrate all the many reasons to do so. The darkness that is descending brings out our best human traits of striving for the light, connection and sharing. That is if we can successfully circumvent all the commercialism. The other day was the 50th anniversary of “Charlie Brown Christmas”. I thought wow, they thought it was commercial then, if they could see it now… (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Dec 10, 2014 | artists, talismans
“Talisman for Clear Thinking” is perfect for my dear friend Fox Hutt. Her weaving studio, Lacetree Weaving, one facet of Turtle Island Enterprises, is installed in the new addition to their house. Over the years, she has been available to help me sort out my thinking because she is so objective, with heart. It is rare to have a friend who is in tandem about integrating spirituality, art and gardening. That is Fox! (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Dec 9, 2014 | 4 seasons
Celebrating the season, today is the Day of the Transformation of the Benu – the Egyptian sunbird identified with Ra, the Sun God, Phoenix, lights on the World Tree in Heliopolis to announce the birth of of a New Cycle. Bring it on… (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Dec 3, 2014 | artists, Open Studio, talismans
It was an honor to welcome Laverne Zabielski to the studio for Open Studios. We’ve been wanting to visit each other, but a two hour drive involves planning. It is meaningful when a fellow artist wants to buy a piece. She said, “I love how you suggested that we consider pieces of your work that speak to us. I looked at everything in your studio. They were all beautiful. It was when I read the title of the piece that you made from my fabric, Talisman for Aging Gracefully that I knew it was for me.” (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Nov 19, 2014 | Open Studio, talismans
Well, “Talisman for Painters”, a favorite beaded artifact, has a new home, sold at the Open Studio. For a few years I could not part with it, I think because it was a paint brush from when we first built our house. The dried green paint on the brush was the first color of our outdoor window trim. Maybe I had to hold on to it to prove we completed the hardest task of our life. Like a diploma. (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Nov 14, 2014 | mediums
I said farewell to one of my most favorite collages, “Realm of Water”. It was wrapped up and sent off in secret with the recipient as a surprise at the Open Studio a couple of weekends ago. (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Nov 12, 2014 | Open Studio, talismans
My biggest pleasure is connecting a person with the art they need in their life. When I create something there is an inner knowing that it is for a certain person. This is my purpose as an artist, to bring happiness. I think happiness shows on the lovely Lauren Higdon‘s face. She chose “Talisman for Centering” for some personal reasons, and some that make perfect sense. Like the fact that she is the founder of Centered, Lexington Kentucky’ s Holistic Community Center, dedicated to inspiring, educating and supporting our world through the moving, visual and healing arts.
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Nov 5, 2014 | Open Studio, videos
Despite an unseasonable snow storm, the turnout for the 6th Annual Open Studio ARTTOUR was wonderful. Thank you all for coming to my and the other studios. There was a steady stream of tourists, a validation of the need for art events in rural areas. As promised, I made a short video that you can see on the event page. It was shot in haste Friday evening just as the sun was setting, the only sun beam we saw that day. It took longer than usual to set up.
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