Women's Works!!

On December 5th I'll be selling a few of my mosaic pieces at a really fun holiday craft sale/fundraiser sponsored by the UMass Lowell Center for Women and Work, where I am an Associate. It's called "Women's Works" and it features the arts, crafts, and multiple talents of women who are friends and/or employees of UMass Lowell. Here are a few of the mosaic lamps I'll have at my table:

I'll also have knitted objects and scarves for sale.  And my mom will be there with her wonderful knitted mitts and socks.  
If you're in the Lowell area on December 5th, check us out.  The flyer below gives you details:

Beautiful Fall Weather (with a few new windows)!

New England is at its best at this time of year (in my humble opinion)!  Even though I am back to a very busy schedule at work, I have tried to get out in the kayak or take walks on these beautiful September days.  I went apple picking on a glorious afternoon last week with my parents and my son:
 

The apple pickers.

How about them apples?!!

This pond was full of floating apples -- anyone for a little "bobbing for apples"?

 And in addition to a beautiful afternoon on the Sudbury river this weekend (which I neglected to photograph!), I went for a long walk with my son late one afternoon -- he snapped this panorama on his iphone:

I'm looking forward to the rest of this season!

And now for a few new windows.  Last summer I did a special order for a family in my town.  This year, they asked for a companion piece.  Here it is (the second photo shows this window in location with last year's):

And I made a blue tree for a friend's birthday:

Happy fall, everyone.

A few new windows

Hi!
I had time in August to get into my studio and work with glass, glue, and grout.  Here are a few of the pieces that I have completed (these first two are sort of "companion" pieces, though only the top one is for sale -- at 5 Crows gallery in Natick, MA).

The moon scene below is a first -- I hope to play around with this idea more.

And, finally, I've included the red sunflowers below just because it is a better photo of a piece I did in the spring.

Hopefully I'll be able to post a few more pieces soon (before I am completely absorbed into the academic schedule of my life!).

Nature's Textures

In all my travels this summer, I've been taking quick shots of moments in nature that inspire me.  Most of them have either been grand vistas or extreme close-ups. Here are a few of the extreme close-ups -- I love them for their muted colors and textures:

Where did my words go?

I've been waiting -- impatiently -- for the muse to descend or arrive with some apt words to describe all I saw in Spain.  But, you see, I've been silent inside for so many years that even a blast of beauty like Spain cannot coax that muse out of hiding (this, by the way, would be the subject of a ponderous post if, yes, you guessed, if I had the words! )
In lieu of words, more pictures!
First, a little more Barcelona and Gaudi.

And now, a few pictures of new work:

This one has a lot of ceramic figures throughout -- I've been calling it "Dorothy's Dream" as I've worked on it.

Here are a few detail shots -- sorry about the poor quality!

And a couple more windows:

Barcelona!

Hola!!

I am writing this post while still in Barcelona -- where I am "suffering" with a case of mute awe.  So pictures will have to suffice for now.

First, I have got to thank my friend Margot -- to think that I was about to let her three years in Spain slip by without getting my butt over here! What was I thinking?  Nada, apparently.  "Nada y pues nada" -- to quote Mr. Hemingway.  Fortunately, Margot was thinking.  Raise a glass to Marvelous Margot and her beautiful daughter Claire:

Day 1:  Parc Guell and the Palau de la Musica

The house where Gaudi lived -- in Parc Guell

Next, an evening concert by the Orquestra de Cambra Terrassa 48 with Kai Gleusteen on viola at the Palau de la Musica (an amazing building designed by Lluis Domenech i Montaner).  

See the forms on the wall behind the Musicians?  The upper bodies are three dimensional -- the rest is mosaic!  Oh, watch out, remaining walls in my house!!  If you are not yet covered with mosaics, prepare to become three dimensionally mosaic!

Day 2:  La Pedrera designed by Antoni Gaudi 

There are amazing things inside, but my photos were pretty poor :(

Day 3: La Sagrada Familia -- remember to breathe!

There is so much more to show (and tell -- if I can find the words).