My mom’s birthday

My mom’s birthday

I shed tears this morning.

Noon.

And night.

It’s my moms birthday today. She would have been 77, and just over 6 months since she died unexpectedly.

The first day of spring. Today. Or, at least it used to be..the earth shifted? Something to that effect….The equinox. The egg balancing. A new birth for me. A new season. Onward I trudge at times. Onward I go. Just like the sun. I arise. “Way to lean into that shit.”  The most honest words from a friend.

Plowing through I go. On so many levels. Snow. Earth. Grief. Sorrow. Quilts. Paperwork. Emails. For my moms taxes.

The snow melts and freezes around the car tires. Frozen in place.

Stop.

Hello Moon.

Goodnight Moon.

Hello Sun.

In Stereo

I never took chemistry.

My locker during a of year of high school was right across from Rogers room.

We became hallway friends, and later, bonded over chocolate and The Grateful Dead.

As it turns out, he was also friends with my husband, through different means.

For our wedding, he gifted us a 3-D view of life and living.

I like to think he and my dad are enjoying great conversations together, wherever they are…

Environmental Art

Orbis

Sculpture by Aurora Robson

2011, 24″  24″ x 24″, plastic debris (PET), aluminum rivets, tinted polycrylic + mica powder

When I first ran across this sculpture, I immediately tracked down her website to see more of her artwork. I love that she too uses recycled materials in her work. This series reminds me of the water, waves, rivers, and oceans of my dreams. Thank you for that Aurora, I hope our paths cross in person someday.

Ever After

Ever After, an in-progress image.

This is how I work. I gather everything from around my studio that I think might “go” with the piece I’m working on.

Arrange and rearrange. Repeat numerous times.

Walk away. Let the changes sink in.

Maybe even move the piece into my house so I can look at it in a different light. In a different mood. Get feedback from friends who stop by.

Everyone has a story to tell, art is my first language.

 

 

Time Flies

Time Flies

In tribute to all my friends and classmates during our 30th high school class reunion,

Happy Jubilee! It’s been great to see you all and reconnect.

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© 2009 Jodie Atherton

“Time Flies”

Ceramics, watches, barbed wire

15 x 13 x 9″

photo by BHP Imaging

Collection of Wyoming Technology and Business Center

Reflections

Reflections

This is one of my favorite sculptures I have made. I have not spent as much time on sailboats as I would like, so whenever I see them, I reflect on the time I have and dream of being rocked to sleep… This boat is made from an old oak planter that fell apart in my yard. The texture of the wood, the blue glass beads from my trip to Turkey, handmade paper rolled into waves and an old silk shirt are just some of the reclaimed items in this piece.