The beginnings.....

Can you see a red tailed hawk head in this piece of bone?  I don't know what the bone is part of...but for me, it's now a red tailed hawk, and I'm inspired!....

An inspiration for a Reiki Wall piece....stay tuned..... :)

Kihawahine Dragon Goddess

I need to select photos of this piece to submit for the jury process, to see if my work can be accepted into the Hawaii Artist Museum Show.  Can you tell me which you think I should choose?

The wings, which can be removed

Kihawahine without her wings....

 Dragons. Lizards. Deities. Whatever word used to invoke them, mo‘o rank among Hawai‘i’s most mysterious mythic creatures. They figure into the oldest Hawaiian stories and are a key to a deep, nearly forgotten magic.

Most mo‘o of legend are female, shapeshifters capable of appearing as beautiful maidens or water dragons. They dwell in caves, pools, and fishponds and are fierce guardians of freshwater sources. According to nineteenth-century Hawaiian historian Samuel Kamakau, when fires were lit on altars near their homes, the mo‘o would appear: twelve- to thirty-foot-long reptiles, black as night, glistening in the water. “If given a drink of awa,” he writes, “they would turn from side to side like the keel of a canoe.”

Mo‘o are said to possess profound powers: They are omniscient. They can manipulate weather. Even their disembodied tongues and tails have potency. The more vicious among their tribe have been known to summon giant waves to sweep trespassers from trails, or drown victims in pits of poisonous phlegm. But not all mo‘o are malevolent; many are beloved protectors who lend aid to their devotees.

At one time, fishponds and pools throughout Hawai‘i had stone markers signifying their resident mo‘o. Ancient Hawaiians believed that if a mo‘o guardian received proper nurture, she would respond in like manner, ensuring fat harvests and healthy stream flow. But if she were neglected, she would wreak havoc. The underlying philosophy was respect for the land — a basic tenet of Hawaiian culture.

Kihawahine with her wings and on her base.

Working on her Head dress....

Adding rhinestones, of course  :)

A Dragon Spirit in progress....

I've decided to submit my work for a show at the museum in Honolulu....I have until Oct 15th to create my best work and submit photos. 

I am inspired to create a dragon spirit and in my search for dragons on the internet I found all sorts of legends of Hawaiian Dragon Goddesses......

So here she is in her beginning form....more to come tomorrow.

"Pumpkin Dreaming"

Just in time for the Halloween Season!

Create a darling little babe asleep in a pumpkin! Perfect for that special Halloween touch!

Use it for a placecard holder, or a hanging ornament....or just place it by your bed and follow your own pumpkin dreaming!
 For more information:  That Creative Place

"Bird Spirits"

"Bird Spirits"  Half bird..half human.....quite fun. :)

The beginning....the inspiration...a piece of antique metal found in France....do you see a bird tail?   I did.... :)

Online Class....Alice Down the Rabbit Hole!

My online class is beginning on Tuesday. I call the piece "Alice Down the Rabbit Hole"! 

This piece is created to be hung on the wall.  It begins on Tuesday, but really, one can download the lessons and work on your own time.  That is the beauty of online classes.  You are free to create when you want and the information is right there for you....as I am.  :)

You will learn exactly how to form, build and shape the shadow box in which Alice tumbles.
And that's just the first step.
From there, with hundreds of photographs and detailed instructions, we will sculpt head, hands legs and feet, paint and dress Alice.
You will also learn how to attach her into the shadow box and finally how to apply magical finishing touches.
The class is separated into 4 weeks to allow you to enjoy creating in a step by step process.

This is a very fun class, with great whimsical detail and design.
$55 for the class
Come join me!
Register here:   http://www.aforartistic.com/Alice-Down-Rabbit-Hole.html

The Hidden Kingdom: Tree Speaks 

 A very dear friend of mine has written and published a wonderful book. 

 She and her son put this presentation together....sharing a bit of her writing.

  Please take a moment to watch this moving presentation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hopg_9jq7dM&feature=youtu.be 

http://tinyurl.com/divine-presence-in-nature

The Hidden Kingdom is more than a book. It is a living invitation, directly from the earth, to rediscover our ancient and profound connection with Nature. Through inspired prose, journaling exercises, and an unexpected shamanistic adventure, the author takes us on a transformative journey. By opening our mind and heart to the extraordinary unseen voices from the natural world, we open more intimately to the truth of who we are.

"Seashell"

She's done. :)  Hand sculpted, capice shells, beads, pink shells, clam shells, apoxie sculpt, antique lace, antique lamp base, antique sequin fabric, antique bead work embroidery, swarovski rhinestones.

Working on a new piece....

Inspiration comes from many places....for this piece is was the wonderful beaded napkin holder that made a fantastic head piece!

I have much more to do.....shells will be painted white.....

And I see using another of the beaded napkin rings to accent her bustle.....even the collar is created from a napkin ring of capice shells.

The pink shells...which will remain pink...were collected on the white sand beaches of an island called Holbox in Mexico.  Such a beautiful place....white sands....turquoise water and pink shells....

I think she'll be complete tomorrow so check back to see the full unveiling. It's so nice to be back in my studio in Hawaii where shells become gowns and napkins rings become headdresses!