New Year Plan

It's hard to believe that it is mid-spring and that I had a new year plan. That's not true, I do revisit my plan regularly, it's just that I am such a Present Moment Person, that some things I foresee manifesting take longer than a year because I forget how slow I am. As soon as I returned from Twinrocker paper mill, I began this drawing, so it is the first in the series that will premiere at Birds of a Feather exhibit, May 2 at Rezny Gallery.

©Kathleen O'Brien, New Year Plan,
drawing on Twinrocker Linen paper, 20x15"

My plan (i.e. describing the symbols in this drawing) : be with my grandson and family as much as possible, be open to guidance from above, add every color (in every sense of the meaning) to my life and being, continue to care for the bees, make my plant spirit medicines, and LISTEN to the messages from my dear guide, the hawk.

Giveaway Lesson from Turkey

In Jamie Sam's,  Medicine Cards, turkey is the giveaway animal, sharing everything so that life can go on. Her perspective on the creatures of the earth is so profound, I urge you to read her directly. she certainly influenced me beginning in the late 1980's until this day.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Turkey Feather Fan,
drawing on Twinrocker Linen paper, 20x15"

A fan is used with burning purifying herbs like sage. A dear friend gave me these turkey feathers when I was feeling very low and disconnected. Turkey extended her healing to me by realizing how much my friends had given me. As I made this fan, I gathered trinkets they had given me as symbols of their devotion in friendship to add to the yarns at the bottom. The process pulled me out of that negative space, and continues, 30 years later to remind me that we are all related.

Prayer Sticks

Have you ever made a prayer stick? I learned how from the Hopi to, especially for the Winter Solstice, make what they call Paho. As the feathers are attached to the stick prayers are said. They are placed in the earth for safe keeping.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Flicker Prayer Stick,
drawing on Twinrocker Linen paper, 22x15"

I made this one last time I was in Colorado, before the floods of last year. West of the Mississippi River, flickers are coral underneath, instead of yellow in the East. I drew a few correspondences from Sun Bear's Earth astrology: as Flicker represents the month of Cancer, the flower is rose, the mineral is carnelian agate, and it is the Strong Sun Moon - Summer Solstice, yes, when I was there.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Hawk Prayer Stick,
drawing on Twinrocker Linen paper, 22x15"

Pictured here is a Prayer Stick of Hawk feathers I found walking my dogs on my land. they are attached to a paint brush that has dried paint.

The texture on this Twinrocker 100% Linen paper takes pencil marks so well. The graphite is so easily extended with a tortillion, and you can add and add more graphite, continuing to create great shading. Also with the colored pencil, I found I could add many layers without the paper becoming saturated. In some areas, like the top blue area I just wanted it to look like pencil strokes, not blended.

First Look at a New Drawing

Even though I have been working steadily in the studio "all year" I have not put any new work on my website. There are many drawings stacking up for my shows this year.

The subject of these are sacred objects that I don't display, but enjoy drawing. Wholeness features a swan prayer feather and tiny lion wrapped in fabric. A small child dreams peacefully of his wholeness.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Wholeness, drawing on Twinrocker Linen paper, 24x19" framed

5 things I am grateful for

Happy birthday, Alyson Stanfield. and thank you for posing a challenge to us on your day. You know, I always like to play. So here goes, with challenge #5, my gratitudes.

©Joe King, A & B in 1982

1. My 2 children, shown here years ago at the Washington zoo. And added to this, my wonderful son in law and grandchild.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Greg with our first Corgi pup

©Kathleen O'Brien, Greg doing his favorite thing, driving in Big Sur

2. My wonderful husband, who is unconditionally loving and kind, supportive of all things positive. 

©Kathleen O'Brien, various papers I use in art making

©Kathleen O'Brien, Studio storage and inspiration shelf

3. An abundance of art supplies that reside in a perfect studio.

©Greg Orth, Alyson & I at Art Sale Soiree last June 

4. For Alyson Stanfield coming to my Art Sale Soiree while in Boulder last summer.

©Greg Orth, me cooking on the wood stove during a power outage

5. For our trusty wood stove keeping us warm in Arctic Vortexes. And for the security of knowing we can cook and heat water for watering can showers during power outages.

So I hope your day is full of surprises, Alyson. Thank you for all you have taught me.

Artists; if you need help with your business, Alyson's site is the place to start.  

For Colorado part 1

Gold, Silver, White Energy for Colorado was ritually, prayerfully created and transformed September 17 from Rain Dance 5.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Gold, Silver, White Energy for Colorado, acrylic, watercolor, drawings, collage, 2013, 24x24"

Rain Dance 5 was ritually, prayerfully created and transformed from Rain Reaches the Water Table and Rain Waters the Sweet Grass from June - August 16, 2007 during a prolong drought.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Rain Dance 5, acrylic, 2007, 24x24"

The original collages Rain Reaches the Water Table and Rain Waters the Sweet Grass created in October 2002, humbly asking for rain.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Rain Reaches the Water Table & Rain Waters the Sweet Grass, watercolor, graphite, collage, sage leaves, grass, 2002, 24x24"

My deepest prayers continue for the people, the land , 

the animals and all growing things.

For Colorado part 2

 Prayer Feathers for Colorado was ritually, prayerfully created and transformed September 16 from Rain Dance 6.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Prayer Feathers for Colorado, collage, acrylic, watercolors, Hydrangea flowers, 2013

Rain Dance 6  was ritually, prayerfully created and transformed on June - August 28, 2007, 

during a prolonged drought.

©Kathleen O'Brien,Rain Dance 6, collage, acrylic, watercolors, 2007

The original collages ritually, prayerfully created in January 2004, humbly asking for rain.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Book of Light, pages 48 & 49, collage, watercolors, graphite, oil on paper, ferns, 2004

My deepest prayers continue for the people, the land, 

the animals and all growing things.

I will...Remembering 9/11

I just made my pledge of service on the 9/11 Day of Observance site. Now 30 million people observe this day in the spirit of "good deeds unite us through positive action." My pledge was to continue to dedicate making my art in the service of peace on earth.

One year ago I wrote a post about 8 collages I created, ritually listening to Mozart's Requiem mass, K. 626 to honor those who died in the attack on the twin towers. It was the "Rolling Requiem" project for the first anniversary of 9/11.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Requiem, Sanctus

It was sung around the world for a 24-hour period by chorale groups in 2002. The collages are in the originator's Seattle Symphony collection. Pictured here are the other 4 from the series, named for the movements from the Mass. I invite you to listen to Mozart's mass in prayer for those who died 12 years ago.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Requiem, Tuba Mirum

©Kathleen O'Brien, Requiem, Confutatis

©Kathleen O'Brien, Requiem, Liber Scriptus

Remembering 11 Years Ago

© Kathleen O'Brien 2002, Lacrimosa

You might recall the “Rolling Requiem” project for the first anniversary of 9/11. Mozart’s Requiem mass, K. 626 was sung around the world for a 24-hour period by chorale groups in honor of those who died on September 11, 2001. When I found out about the project I decided to create collages all day while listening to the Requiem, Mozart’s last and in my opinion, most profoundly beautiful work. It was my way of participating in the event. Afterward I located by phone Madeline Johnson, the creator of the event. She had much good feedback from people around the world about art’s ability to heal. She was touched that she and the project had inspired my artwork. I sent the 8 collages to her, and they became a part of the Seattle Symphony collection. Below are more from the series, named for the movements from the Mass.

© Kathleen O'Brien 2002,  Lux Aeternum

© Kathleen O'Brien 2002,  Benedictus

© Kathleen O'Brien 2002, Requiem Aeternum