Celebrating Mid-Summer, Studio Update

 

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, and reap flowers and food from spring’s plantings. The picture above captures my sense of serenity as I express gratitude for bounty: the medicine plants in the foreground, tomato plants, then lavender flowers, bamboo tribe, and baled hay in the distance.

Sunwise Open Studios Celebration

Preparations for the next Sunwise Open Studio Celebrations on August 6 are underway, I look forward to seeing you here again, 1-4 pm. Opening the studio keeps me focused producing new art, new products and new garden features. This time I’ll show you about 27 works in progress, a series called “Summer Atlas”. I might have the next 4 Seasons Card Set finished. In the boutique, find cards, totes, mugs, pillows and pouches! There are still milkweed seeds available and information about becoming a Monarch Waystation.

Firmly Rooted

The reception for “Firmly Rooted” was well attended on July 15. It was juried by Stuart Horodner, Director of the University of Kentucky Art Museum. You may still see the selected 30 artworks on display until August 20 at MS Rezny Studio/Gallery. I felt proud to show “Shining Garden” with such a diverse group of artists. My favorite, and also the one chosen for Best of Show is on the far right of the panel, “Plant Portal” by LA artist, Kevin Tran.

Click here to learn more and see a gallery of these 30 artworks.

New Art

This season has been agreeably slow in terms of what to say about events. What I can say is I’ve been painting a lot. It started with birthday gifts, art supplies that started me playing in new directions. Different watercolor paper and Japanese paints and new set of brushes, add up to what the Japanese call the “Three Treasures”. You’ll be the first to see them at the Open Studio.  Some are works in progress like the ones stacked in the photo below. See more glimpses here.

Good Trade

Read all about Liz Crain’s fool the eye ceramics and how I was able to acquire these two fabulous pieces here.

Summer Sanctuary Upgrades

There’s always so much to do on a farm and sanctuary. One of the most important tasks this time of year is the back, north porch makeover, so we may capitalize on the coolest timeout in the hammock. With such long days, going till dark, we have to pace ourselves. And there is a seat for you in the morning glory shade or newly placed deck. Greg single handedly moved the deck he built from the bread oven. You’ll have to ask us for the details on that, talk about brilliant. Then we installed the Nepenthe inspired red lights for nighttime entertaining with fireflies and starlight.

We were so happy when Monarchs returned at the beginning of July. As I write we await watermelons and cantaloupes. There is just one plant of each but they are taking over the south bed, loaded with fruit and flowers. We’ll probably be serving some at the Open Studio! But it might be too early for the figs. We do have some fig trees for sale. Our plan is to sell figs from our growing orchard to our friends at Sunflower Sundries.

Mound Hacking

Revive the ancient library of Alexandria? Imaginary archeological mounds?  Find out more about Nona Orbach’s project that is informing my latest art, and why she says “I am the mound being dug. I am the digger, and the finds.”

Bluebirds Fly

It is a thrilling occasion for two artworks that I intended to live together, to be sold to an appreciative collector. I’m talking about “Talisman for Eastern Bluebirds” and “Talisman for Western Bluebirds”. They are nesting in a sensitive, successful and bird loving business woman’s home environment.

What do you choose for your nest?