by Kathleen O'Brien | May 13, 2015 | artists, talismans
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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by Kathleen O'Brien | Apr 1, 2015 | 4 seasons, art shows, talismans
In the Talismans exhibit, there are four gourd rattles for shamanic journey work. This Saturday I am bringing some rattles from my collection to the gallery to show you. Rattles are an ancient healing instrument used to clear energy in a space or around a person’s body. The sound inside the gourd imitates the sound of rain, a cleansing element. Other materials are sometimes used in making rattles, like rawhide and turtle shells. Traditionally they are associated with the season winter, and the direction north. (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Mar 25, 2015 | 4 seasons, talismans, videos
Video of the Show, “Talisman for Going On”
Click here to watch a two minute video of the Talismans exhibit that opened last week and continues until April 18. If at all possible see it in person, because the subtleties are hard to make out online, like in Talismans for Going On. As is the case with this piece, sometimes I create something to see that encourages me to go on creating. This large collage developed over a six month period. (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Mar 18, 2015 | art shows, talismans
Spring Gifts at the Talismans Reception
In two days when you come to the Talismans reception you will find a few gifts to celebrate Spring – the Vernal Equinox. I am sharing just 20 signed and numbered postcards of Golden Door from an Equinox exhibit in 2001, Cosmic Nest. And you may also choose a talisman affirmation scroll. (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Mar 11, 2015 | art shows, mediums, talismans
All the snow and now torrential rain has put me in the mood to create four new watery talismans for the exhibit (reception March 20). The Talisman for Water was first pictured with the watercolor background in this post. The rainbow was added as a hopeful reminder that eventually precipitation does stop. (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Mar 4, 2015 | mediums, talismans
In the studio, I have been making some new earthy talismans, to premier at the Talismans exhibit in ten short days. It’s been a wild ride to get the original work completed, photographed, documented, shared, I could go on and on about the crazy art business. (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Feb 25, 2015 | art shows, artists, mediums, talismans
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…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Feb 18, 2015 | mediums, talismans
This post is about how I created the Talisman for Western Bluebirds, a mixed media collage with a 3-D artifact, step by step. This is one of the artworks to be featured in Talismans exhibit. Last week I posted about creating Talisman for Eastern Bluebirds, which you can see a small portion of in the first photo. Scroll to the bottom to see the professionally photographed version. (more…)
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by Kathleen O'Brien | Feb 11, 2015 | mediums, talismans
This post is about how I created the “Talisman for Eastern Bluebirds”, a mixed media collage with a 3-D artifact, step by step. Some have asked what my process is, I hope this helps to explain. Next week I will post about creating “Talisman for Western Bluebirds”, which you can see a small portion of in the first photo. Scroll to the bottom to see the professionally photographed version.
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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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