Here we are at the light half of the year again – Beltane, May Day! I’m celebrating with a grand Spring Into Art Event, a Sunwise Open Studios Celebration. Join in the fun on April 29, from 1-4 pm. I have a big surprise for you, that you won’t want to miss. (more…)
Celebrating this mid-winter time of Imbolc I’m amazed at how busy January has been. More than ever I am beginning this New Year firmly committed to the pursuit of happiness and connection through love and creativity. This is my wish for you as well. When I think of the time that has passed since Samhuin, the journey through the dark time of the year, it is one of art and life coming and going. (more…)
Beloved apricot blush zinnia, 5th generation from Sunwise Farm & Sanctuary
Welcome to mid-season studio update with news since mid-summer; Annual Open Studios ARTTOUR, Horizon exhibit and talk, new art, and more. (more…)
Abundance at Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary July 2016
Welcome to mid-season studio update with news since mid-spring; Sunwise Open Studios Celebrations, shows, art, mound hacking, good trades, sanctuary upgrades. This is another favorite time of year, when we take shade behind the Morning Glory wall, (more…)
In this mid-season studio update I share what’s new since mid-winter. This is another favorite time of year, when we see the joyful return of spring perennials, and with hope plant seeds and welcome the light half of the year – Beltane, May Day!
I am excited to announce Kathleen O’Brien Studio is now open four times a year, at mid-season. Preparations for the next Sunwise Open Studio Celebrations on May 14 are underway, I look forward to seeing many of you here again, 1-4 pm. Opening the studio keeps me focused on sharing new works in progress, new art, new products like the ones seen below, and the best – a chance to showcase the grounds and gardens. This time I’m sharing milkweed seeds and information about becoming a Monarch Waystation.
Still on the drawing board, “Lilac Enchantment”, watercolor, drawing, lilacs combined into collage by Kathleen O’Brien, 22×30″
East Garden at sunset
Geobotanicals, lumbar pillow
Founded in Mystery, carry all pouch
Entry to Kathleen O’Brien Studio
Drawn to the Earth, has just closed. Seeing a year’s worth of art displayed in a gallery is a reward for hard work. I was please to have it during Earth Month. It was such an honor and pleasure to collaborate with Stan Brunn and his geopoetry. We were happy to have so many friends, new and old, attend the opening, and the enjoyed discussing art and poetry with the visitors on the two Saturday events. Very soon those who wrote, drew or collaged in the community journal “Where on earth are you from?” will be receiving their PDF copy.
Gallery view 1 of “Drawn to the Earth”, photo credit Mary Rezny
Gallery view 2 of “Drawn to the Earth”, photo credit Mary Rezny
Gallery view 3 of “Drawn to the Earth”, photo credit Mary Rezny
Juxtapose was a huge exhibit at Community Arts Center, Danville, with over a thousand examples of collage and assemblage. Long time art friend, John Dixon, wrote a great post about many of the pieces and artists. In addition to showing Pollinators 1 and 2, for the first time I showed all 365 postcards from 2006’s Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog. The messages relate to events and celebration of that day. This example is from May 6. In 2006 it was Derby Day, when dear Barbaro won.
#98, May 6, Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog, front, by Kathleen O’Brien
Juxtapose Reception with John Dixon, Mary Beth Touchstone, Nick Lacy, Brandon Long and me with some of the postcards
This is 50, was installed at the Kentucky Crafted: the Market, in Lexington. Artists were invited to interpret “50” in any way they chose to celebrate Kentucky Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary. Artists from all parts of the state chimed in with broad renderings of the theme. Mine was 50 Colors. Starting with the support, I painted dabs of 50 colors, wet it, which created a perfect grey. Then I collaged 50 painted color samples, scripts and Clary Sage petals. I was honored by Bobbie Curd’s review about it, with a catchy title; 50 Shades of Sage, playing on my 50 years as an artist.
“50 Colors” at “This is 50” exhibit with Kathleen O’Brien
For the first time at the May 14 Open Studio I will have my first silk scarf, in addition to the new carry all pouches, skins, pillows and tote bags. I’ll be developing more items this summer. There are more new greeting cards as well. I must get these on the web pages soon.
Outer World silk scarf by Kathleen O’Brien
We had the privilege of meeting Grand Slam Champion American Pharoah at Coolmore Stud. It’s difficult to describe the feeling of being so close to such a majestic creature, the only horse in history to win the Triple Crown (last winner was 1977) and the Breeder’s Cup. He is so sweet and creates a desire in me to aspire to my highest potential as an artist and as a person. It makes me happy to think that he lives only minutes away from us. Even more thrilling was that we were able to also meet and pet Thunder Gulch and Fusaichi Pegasus, both grand sires and Derby champions.
American Pharoah, Triple Crown Champion at Coolmore Stud
Usually winter is a slow time but not so this year. Well the snow storm has slowed things, but otherwise there’s been a lot of good energy happening in the studio, that I’d like to share in this mid-season studio update. This is another favorite time of year, when we see the first signs of spring, Imbolc, Candlemas, Ground Hog Day! (more…)
As of the Mid-Summer studio update, I thought things were settling down, but things have been busier than ever with art coming and going from the studio, there is a lot to share in this mid-season studio update. We are so grateful that the hard work of summer is behind us, our gardens fed us well, our milkweed has created a butterfly sanctuary. This is a favorite time of year, the time when we can slow down and count our blessings, Samhuin, the night of the Ancestors, is just past. (more…)
Now that the mad garden rush is settling down to merely processing tomatoes (the good news and the bad news) much new activity is going on in the studio.
Thank you St. Joseph East Hospital for promoting this philosophy; “Art has the power to heal the world through the eyes of the heart.” Through a recent call for art, they purchased my Song for Superb Parrot to display for patients and their families. It will be displayed in a public area to promote a calming and healing environment. It fulfills my mission as an artist for my work to be experienced in a place that brings a bit of cheer to people who are suffering. (more…)
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.
(more…)
Yesterday, at 10:45 pm, Eastern time was the midway point between the winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. I think of it as Mid-Winter. In the Celtic tradition it is considered the beginning of spring, Imbolc. We’ll be celebrating it this Saturday. If you can come on over, please let us know, so we have enough materials to share.