urbanrosary

Taking my breath away....

Recently I had the opportunity to travel back to California to see my daughter who is in University there and to visit the world I left to live in Idaho. It was truly SO beautiful.

My girlfriend, Lydia who is a water color artist from Laguna Beach came to visit. My mom, nieces (ages 5 and 8), and myself had the opportunity to paint with her in my sister's garden. Lydia is a self taught artist who began painting after being bedridden because of a car accident years ago. Due to a back injury, she couldn't move very well for about a year and decided to try water color painting during that time. Inspired by music and the medium Lydia found her passion and talent. She is an inspiration to me and so many on so many levels.

Her site is www.delgadowatercolor.com.

Spending time with my family, especially my mother and watching HER paint again was really wonderful.

I wanted to share photos of all the California foliage, and what was an inspiration to us only because it took my breath away.
Cactus Flower....these flowers are so large...about 6 inches!

View from my sister's balcony....feeling fortunate to be able to visit and see such beauty. I felt like I was breathing in all the color....especially green!

We called this the "fried egg plant" growing up but it is actually a poppy that grows in certain places in California.

Back in Idaho, tiny leaves are starting to show themselves on the trees, and I am back at my studio. I will be posting more of my altar and devotional pieces as I make them.

Springtime Mandala

Springtime.....I am so glad it is finally here! It is getting warmer and the grass on the hillside is getting greener.

In the spirit of springtime, renewal and new beginnings I created this piece. Although I have an attachment to every altar piece I design and create, every once in a while I make one that I just have to keep for myself. I just connected to this piece. It is simple yet elegant to me. It stands ten inches tall and four inches wide. The sterling silver rosebud on crystal chandelier chain is a little off center with delicate glass beads that lead to a dangling sterling silver dragonfly. The mandala reminds me of nature waking up as it begins to burst in a delicate new way.