Looking Back on Lilac Time

Looking Back on Lilac Time

Looking Back on Lilac Time

The cloud people were so generous with their raindrops this spring that the lilacs responded in multitudinous wonder at Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary. All I could do was sit next to a bunch and breathe. To date it is the most uplifted  I have felt from “my” land. All I could think of was to call my friends and coax them out of their frenzy to take have an afternoon tea next to the west porch hedge. Or lie with the blossoms that were draped over the hammock. (more…)

Art that Speaks

Art that Speaks

It has been an honor to know Laverne Zabielski for many years. As a fiber artist, writer and no-nonsense wise woman she inspires me and her community forward into empowerment.

Art that Speaks

Guest Post by Laverne Zabielski

 Living a layered life happens when every thing I do has the potential to be connected.  When I can’t tell where one piece ends and another begins.  When the colors of my shibori dyed silk drying in the sun blend with the flowers in my garden. The lines of separation are blurred.  Every art form informs and draws from another.  This is what I love about Kathleen O’Brien’s life and art.  I can’t tell where one begins and the other ends.

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Lithuanian Knitting: Continuing Traditions, interview with Donna Druchunas

Lithuanian Knitting: Continuing Traditions, interview with Donna Druchunas

Lithuanian Knitting: Continuing Traditions, interview with Donna Druchunas

My friend, Donna Druchunas has a Pubslush campaign for her and co-author June Hall’s upcoming book, Lithuanian Knitting: Continuing Traditions. In the book you will learn about the traditions and techniques of knitting in Lithuania past, present, and future. Plus find more than 25 mitten, glove, and sock projects to knit.

They are more than 60% towards their goal that ends May 30. Please check the campaign details by clicking here. (more…)

Celebrating Mid-Spring, Beltain, Studio Update

Celebrating Mid-Spring, Beltain, Studio Update

Celebrating Mid-Spring, Beltain, Studio Update

It is hard to believe we have arrived at the mid point of Spring, for many of us the sweetest most favorite evening of the year tomorrow, May Eve, Beltain, and the beginning of the light half of the year. It is a joyful time to give a surprise bouquet to loved ones. This lilac picture is my bouquet for you.  And click here for a video, Full Circle Tour of Lilac Lane April 20, 2015 Sunwise Farm & Sanctuary. It is kind of long, but we just couldn’t stop filming the thousands of blossoms exuding their fragrant invitation to linger and love the sight of them along with the innocent sound of birdsong. Perhaps in our life time someone will invent a way to layer the sense of smell onto the visual, audio levels.
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Rivers and Roots, a Poem from Stan Brunn for Earth Day

Rivers and Roots, a Poem from Stan Brunn for Earth Day

Rivers and Roots, a Poem from Stan Brunn for Earth Day

Last week Stan Brunn, Professor Emeritus, Department of Geography, University of Kentucky sent me this lovely poem, with a suggestion that it could be a good theme for a painting or a song. So I took him up on it, as my way to say thank you to the Earth and my friendship with Stan. (more…)

Snowed In, Getting So Much Done for “Talismans” Exhibit

Snowed In, Getting So Much Done for “Talismans” Exhibit

I have to admit, I love getting snowed in. It helps me focus on getting so much done for the Talismans exhibit opening March 15. Having a fire in the wood-stove and my husband home for days on end made it an extended Valentines week. As I write this, our 1/4 mile driveway is still impassible. My husband, on his favorite toy, mowed the drifts (my idea, since we do not have a plow) His car got out to the end of the driveway before it drifted over again. A few days later he delivered  a cheerful bouquet by tractor. (more…)

Mid-Winter Studio Update 2015

Mid-Winter Studio Update 2015

Greetings from the studio! For the current edition of Mid-Winter Studio Update that I send from MailChimp, I am doing it differently, by continuing the news here on the blog for those who do not subscribe to MailChimp.  (more…)

“Talisman for Clear Thinking” for Fox Hutt

“Talisman for Clear Thinking” for Fox Hutt

“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…)

Laverne Zabielski’s “Talisman for Ageing Gracefully”

Laverne Zabielski’s “Talisman for Ageing Gracefully”

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…)

Jacob March, Bead Master

Jacob March, Bead Master

As I was saying in my last post, I love visiting Jacob March at his Nomad Beads in Boulder, Colorado. I love to buy beads from him whenever I can. He travels and finds the most unusual beads and artifacts and knows more about them than anyone else I know. He loves to share his knowledge. I can trust him, which is important when buying old beads. He is always busy either making an extraordinary necklace with Tibetan or Roman beads or helping his many loyal customers fix a project. (more…)