Mud Woman as Mother Earth

I had an entire day to spend by myself in the Denver Art Museum.

It was magical, informative, exhilarating and exhausting.

But it also felt worshipful when I rounded the 

corner and met "Mud Woman."

Mud Woman, Roxanne Swentzell, 2011

I was at the entrance to the permanent collection of American Indian art, just rounding the corner after getting off the elevator and thank goodness I was by myself.  I stopped dead still in awe of this (over 10 foot tall) mud structure and didn't move for many minutes.  Somehow I realized all the messages it offered instantaneously and yet yearned to slowly and carefully read everything I could about this piece.  

And I was not disappointed; Denver Art Museum has one of the best education delivery systems of any art museum I have ever been in.  They take every opportunity to offer (not force, not hide, not make you feel stupid for not knowing) information about each and every exhibit.  After a careful examination of Mud Woman I sat down to watch a video, read books and meet the wonderful woman who created her.  

If you can make the time, watch this (one minute) short time lapse video of her creation with straw and mud. A longer video with shots of the museum and Roxanne working with her husband is here.

The technique used is very similar to how adobe homes are made with straw and mud which then dries very hard.

Roxanne Swentzell has expressed herself in clay from a very young age.  As a child she had a speech impediment and was reluctant to talk to others. Working in clay became her default communication method.  As a result she has honed a remarkable talent for powerful messaging in her art.

in Roxanne's words...

  

Gives me shivers.  How have we gotten so far from the belief that we are of the Earth and will return to it?  How can we not show greater concern for her condition?  

If that is not enough meaning packed into one piece of art try this:  in researching more about Mud Mother's creation I came across a blog written by a friend of Roxanne's, Page Lambert,  who shares Roxanne's request of her to write something to go inside the sculpture.  While Lambert wrote a poem they also selected items with specific meanings to be placed inside the PVC pipe helping Mud Woman sit erect.  Her blog, linked above explains much of this.

So art speaks, it always has and it will continue to do so.  We need to take the time to listen.

In Earth Tones,

Cindy

Jane Peiser's Magical World of Clay

Jane Peiser is a legend at the Penland School of Crafts,

while on campus for a week I made it my mission to 

visit her studio; an unforgettable visit...

I hurried through breakfast so I could hike down the road towards Peisner's home and studio.  It was early morning and the sun was just topping the mountains as I rounded the bend towards her drive.

I slowed as I felt I was about to enter another world; partial proof on the tree stumps serving as pedestals for cracked or misfired art lining the walk, preparing visitors for Peisner's fantasy land.

In the quiet of the morning the rabbit hole beckoned,

revealing a visual advertisement/endorsement of area potters and their wares...

The sign on the door made the instructions clear....

Suddenly I was standing all alone in another world: the clay of Jane Peiser, self taught potter for over 45 years, master of the murrini style of building folk art scenes in colored clay, believer in the human spirit, a generous soul and lover of naturekind.

I carefully looked inside her delicate cups to see that the design, true to the murrini technique, went all the way through the clay.

I examined her tall vases and cups enjoying every bit of fantasy folk imagery and each detail of the carefully constructed clay canes.

I marveled at the range of stories and ideas she was able to convey with her designs and the addition of fun details such as flowers, hands, fingers and faces.

And I came across her most casual way of doing business, trusting that her collectors would respect the rules of sale.

 I was blown away.  I was in Jane's world with no one but her fantasy figures on a sunny mountain morning.  Only the birds saw me enter, it was magical and I realized I was holding my breath.

It was hard to select something for my own collection.  Jane is represented now at only one gallery, Ariel Gallery in Asheville, NC.  Time and age are taking their toll.  She is doing more rug hooking now and less clay construction.  I wanted a piece to remember this by.

 I made my selections, wrapped them up, calculated the tax and left a check next to this note:

I had phoned her the day before looking for a specific piece which she was not sure she had.  A ride back to school?  That's the kind of person she is.  I declined to ring as it was early and I cherished the walk back up the hill to process the world I had entered.  Slowly I closed the door and started my way out.

Would I regret this opportunity to meet a clay legend?  Probably yes.  But as much respect as she had for wanting to give me a lift, I too, had respect for her privacy at this early hour.

And besides, it is sort of within her magic world to leave to the imagination the kind of woman she must be. Some questions are better left unanswered.

And so I huffed my way back up the hill listening to the birds and slowly emerging from a land that only art and imagination can build.  I felt like Alice, leaving Wonderland, knowing my view had shifted slightly just for the visit.

Color Fully Yours,
Cindy

p.s. Please click on the blue colored words above to be lead to more information regarding Peiser, Penland and the work termed murrini.

Craft Show Debut

Happy July 4th!  With it legally being next Wednesday it looks like we might

be celebrating the holiday for at least a week.  good!  the more fireworks the

better in my book.

This year I decided to celebrate with a "soft debut" into the craft show world.

I like to say I am an artist which implies 2d work.  But I have to confess to a

lifelong love of crafts of all kinds.  And sometimes my joy in making them

exceeds the number of folks I have to give christmas gifts to and they seem to pile up

and take on a life of their own....

Enter the world of craft shows and sales....

Please join us in the Town of Seven Devils for our annual BBQ and Craft Fair

to benefit our hardworking police and fire departments.

June 30 - Saturday - 10 am until 3 pm

I'll have my (current obsession) glass garden flowers available:

for only $20.00 apiece!

as well as my river rock jewelry :

(so inexpensive it's embarrassing to print the prices)

and some crazy, fun earrings (et al) made from colorful clay:

very affordable gifts and stocking stuffers!

Besides, since I've never done a show/fair/sale before I could use some friendly

faces of encouragement dropping by.

For my friends out of range from 7D let me know what you want...I can ship; haven't had time to put any of this on etsy yet!

Have a safe fourth!