Summer Taking Time Off

Just so you know, I'm spending most of my summer renovating my website! And gardening...

©Kathleen O'Brien, peppers picked

...walking the dogs...

©Kathleen O'Brien, one of our darling Corgis

...and occasionally lollygagging behind the morning glories reading books...

©Kathleen O'Brien, heading toward the shade

...but always keeping busy. Until next time, I hope your summer is wonderful.

©Kathleen O'Brien, behind the heavenly Morning Glory wall

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.

Spring, Eagle, East

Years ago I learned from my spiritual teacher, Grandfather Wallace Black Elk, about correspondences between the seasons, the direction and the animal who guards that season and direction. East is the direction we face in the Spring, with Eagle flying guard. There are other correspondences like the color yellow, the time of rebirth, and the time of youth. This drawing of an eagle feather was done in 1985, and it was the inspiration that called me back to drawing at the beginning of this year.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Helpers, drawing, 17x14"

There is something so soothing about rendering beloved objects as observed, and also laying out the design from imagination. This was done on smooth Bristol paper that allows for subtle shading. I think this might have been the first time I drew cascading ribbons, symbolic of descending energy, that appears in almost everything I draw now. That rainbow has stuck with me all this time, and long before. Do you recognize the artists who I like to imagine looking over my shoulder?

This will be in the exhibit Birds of a Feather, NFS - I framed this one for myself, but want to share it for the merry month of May with you at Rezny Gallery.

Cheers from the heart to you on Valentines Day

If you are reading this, know that I made this valentine for you. May your year from this day forward be filled with love, affection and care.

©Kathleen O'Brien, V is for valentine, 4x3", drawing on paint chip, collaged

H'Artful of Fun, Nightfall, this Friday

The Living Arts & Science Center’s 24th Annual H’Artful of Fun, Nightfall, will set the stage for an elegant and unique evening of fabulous entertainment, delicious appetizers and desserts, wine, beer and bourbon tastings, and, as always, incredible art. 

©LASC, Nightfall Poster

Building on the excitement and energy of last year’s event, the 2014 H’Artful of Fun will be held again at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park on Friday, February 7 at 7 p.m. It's my favorite art party of the year. Many artists have donated art in support of Living Arts & Science Center.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Hermit Thrush Song, 12x9"

One thing you have a chance to buy is Hermit Thrush Song. This artwork was chosen to hang in First Lady, Jane Beshear’s office for the Kentucky Treasures exhibit, June 1 – October 28, 2013. I was fascinated one day to discover several bird songs that had been transcribed into musical notation. This inspired a series that included  drawings of a bird, its notes and egg, and local botanicals. Two separate drawings were then fused together with beeswax.

Goodbye 2013, and Happy New Year

Wishing you all the best for the coming year, thank you for reading my posts!

©Kathleen O'Brien, Stroke of Midnight, 24x12", collage

Can you discern the Golden Rectangle and Golden Spiral?

Happy Solstice 12:11 pm EST

I am so happy for the Great Return of the Light. May your days be filled with light and warmth.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog, #327, front

©Kathleen O'Brien, Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog, #327, back

Enjoying the Halcyon Days

Yesterday began the 14 day period known as the Halcyon Days, days of Peace. It is a time when the water is calm enough for the Halcyon bird to lay eggs on it's water nest. I love these days and try to avoid the crazy energy that happens around the Holidays. the solstice falls at the midpoint of these days.

This year I gifted myself with an online 21 day "Winter Joy Retreat" with Cigden Kobu. The theme this year is homecoming. Each day we (about 150 women) receive a joy letter on a topic that threads around the theme. There is a playsheet where we write responses to ideas and questions from the letter. Now on day 15 I can feel an integration happening for me.

One day that stands out is the one we were to think about our values, and what drives our daily and long term decisions. There was a prompt to draw a mandala about that.

©Kathleen O'Brien, mandala of values, details of 16 artworks

Rather than draw I found art that reflected the value and cut a detail of it, added the words. the questions around the border are what drive my decisions.

Next time I'll talk about the family tree...

Surprises & Prizes at the Open Studio

If you remember after last years Open Studio I sent an email saying if you printed it out and brought it to my 5th annual Open Studio you would have a chance to win an original collage. Well, if you forgot, contact me, I will resend the email to you. There will be more surprises. I'll show you here 1 prize for the first 6 visitors who want a souvenir from Sunwise Farm & Sanctuary;

©Kathleen O'Brien, Flower Seeds

but I'm not saying all...

4:44 pm today

Autumn arrives later today, bringing with it a whole new perspective, the power of strength & introspection. 

It is a time of equilibrium & balance, thankfully.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Equinox, Day = Night, diptych collage with gold leaf & zinnia petals, 24 x 24"

Autumn is associated with the direction West, & the element of water. Some of the other associations; 

Animal, Bear      Color, Black 

      Time of Day, Sunset     Time of Life, Middle Age

 Ancestral Observance, Samhuin      

 Gift of foreknowledge

time of learning how to be comfortable with not knowing allowing trust instead of control

place of the ancestors,

who stand behind us to help break harmful family patterns

time of letting go of our attachments

place of the sitting meditation 

Free 4 the picking

First of all, Welcome to you, Autumn at 4:44 pm ET today.

Here is a sneak peak for some collages I am working on for the Open Studio November 2-3. For some mysterious reason I am inspired by numbers and geometry lately. This is a series about Magic Squares.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Magic Square of 4, in shadow

The series began with the thought of using my 4 leaf clovers. Walking the Corgis at a brisk pace, I will suddenly stop and gaze at a 4 leaf clover. It is so mysterious to me, this has happened countless times.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Magic Square of 9, in process

I am not bragging, but my poor husband has never found one. This does not mean he is poor, but we have been putting our heads together about how we could transfer this luck to the lottery. Does anyone have any suggestions? 

©Kathleen O'Brien, Magic Square of 16, in process

Oh, do come to the Open Studio, maybe you can take one of these home with you for a little bit of luck. Or find one yourself on our trails. there must be hundreds out there!

"Light of Autumn"

Wow! autumn is coming up quickly, Sunday the 22nd at 4:44 pm. Last year at this time I created 12 collages informed by this energy, Light of Autumn, that will be shown for the second time at Tribeca Trunk, the "Light, as a Feather" exhibit. (Reminder, today is the last day to RSVP for the reception)

©Kathleen O'Brien, Light of Autumn 1-12

Each of the 12 collages has a different leaf, and a stencil of that leaf, an absence & symbol of the transience of nature. The color of the stencil is spring green, a reminder of the never ending cycles of time.

©Kathleen O'Brien, Light of Autumn 1

Let's celebrate the passing of summer and welcome autumn Thursday September 19 or Friday the 20 for gallery hop, I'll be there 5 - 8 pm both days. 87 artworks will be on display until October 20.
Tribeca Trunk
116 Old Lafayette Avenue Lexington KY 40502
859-317-8793       tribecatrunk@aol.com  Hours: Tuesday—Friday, 11:30 am—5:30 pm or by appointment @ anytime

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

Joyful Equinox - A Day of Balance

All the world rejoices as spring arrives. Day = Night, a time of balance. To prove this fact balance an egg on its end. It is possible to do this twice a year, for a 24 hour period.

©2005 Kathleen O'Brien, Vernal Equinox, MM Collage, 14x11"

Erin Go Bragh

Top of the Morning, and Happy St. Patrick's Day. May the wind always be at your back. Just pretend the 4 leaf clovers are shamrocks...

©2003 Kathleen O'Brien, Best of Luck, MM Collage, 22x30"

27 February

Yesterday, I meant to post one of my favorite postcards from the Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog. For one reason it is the birthday of one of my heroes, Rudolf Steiner, 1861, founder of Waldorf Schools  bio-dynamic farming, anthroposophy and so much more. All these spectral stamps to me represent the Rainbow Warriors, aka peacekeepers...

©2006 Kathleen O'Brien, Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog, #30 front

©2006 Kathleen O'Brien, Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog, #30 back

Halcyon Days

Every year I strive to clear the decks so I may fully benefit from the Halcyon Days of peace and tranquility. It is a 2 week period with the Solstice at the midpoint. When I stop my running around and experience peace within and with others, I arrive at the true meaning of the Holiday Season.

©O'Brien, Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog #320, front and back

The secret is, be brave to experience the deepening darkness so we can perceive the great return of the light.

12.12.12

Today's date is the last one of the century that has all three numbers the same. It is one of my favorite celebratory days of the season, for Our Lady of Guadalupe. The miraculous appearance of roses in December is such a hopeful image.

©O'Brien, Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog # 318 front and back

Good Tidings

Starting on December 6, St Nicholas Day, there are so many reasons to celebrate this special season. For one thing, today is the birthday of Thomas Merton, who lived nearby at Abbey of Gethsemani. This prayer of his has been a helpful reflection.

©O'Brien, Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog, #316, front and back

It is also Emily Dickenson's Birthday. This year the Geminid Meteor showers are on the 13th.

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