Spring Into Art and the Garden

Spring at the gardens of Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary means, you know, weeding, planting, weeding, mowing, did I mention weeding? It is a welcome time to work on art outside on the porch, as well. It helps to go back and forth between art and garden activities, pacing the physical output, by balancing with the more sedentary focus of art making.

For the Spring Into Art Event April 29 I’m preparing the studio to display a huge array of art, with a big surprise you will find when you arrive plus new bead necklaces and seeds from the gardens. The new series are “Healing Necklaces” made from recent acquisitions. It takes more time, but I love the challenge of designing two at a time that could be worn together, like you can see below.

Healing Necklace 1 & 2 by Kathleen O'Brien

Healing Necklace 1 & 2 by Kathleen O’Brien

These are healing necklaces because of the extraordinary variety of beads selected. Most are antique, some very rare, all have their unique story and heritage plus all the colors! At the Open Studio you’ll see the others not published yet.

The Open Studios provide incentive for making the grounds pleasant. Honestly, we do that for our visitors and ourselves mostly, the date deadline provides a container for goal setting. There’s certain projects that go with the environment, like thinning Iris, to have a giveaway for you as a memento.

For this Spring Into Art open studio, it’s all about having our spring plantings underway. It is so exciting to have our first salad today served for the Lilac Fest. This is fast becoming an enchanted diversion from cares and work.

Lilacs Fest 2017, west porch at Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary

Lilacs Fest 2017, west porch at Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary

 

Forrest of Lilacs Fest 2017 Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary

Forrest of Lilacs Fest 2017 Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary

 

East gardens from the north porch at Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary

East gardens from the north porch at Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary

 

East gardens with Chocolate Cake beds at Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary

East gardens with Chocolate Cake beds at Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary