tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339745392024-03-14T01:30:57.230-07:00Susan's Art & WordsSculpting a Life with passion, joy and creativity.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-89236655392979814492018-08-16T17:31:00.000-07:002018-08-16T17:31:29.406-07:00Hello there,<br />
If you're visiting and wondering why there haven't been many new posts lately, it's because I've moved my blog.<br />
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Please join me at <a href="http://sculptingalife.blogspot.com/">Sculpting a Life </a>Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-18796011390928625192010-03-10T21:23:00.000-08:002010-03-10T21:24:12.123-08:00<b>A NEW BLOG</b><br />
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Today, I started a new blog. Why? Well, when I started this blog almost 5 years ago, the blogs were very different. So, was I.<br />
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When I started here, the blog choices were very limited. I had only a few templates to choose from, limited picture space and loading. I wasn't able to get a blog address that matched the blog name. And as my blog grew, I really outgrew the name. <br />
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Back then, I wasn't sure what my blog would be about, but knew I wanted to share my art and some of my writing with other people. And I have met some wonderful artists, art lovers and writers! And I want to keep growing with all of you and the new world of blogs. <br />
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To do that, I want my blog to cover a wider range of my creative life. I want it to be a place to celebrate my joy, passion and creativity in all aspects of my life including my art, writing, friends, family, my dog, Jilly and maybe even my not so little secret hobby, crochet. <br />
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My new blog is named Sculpting a Life because I really feel that my life is a lot like sculpting in many ways. Every day, I carve out my life around time working in my studio, writing in my journals, walking my dog, Jilly, enjoying time with my husband, Michael, children and friends. Whether I'm exploring new materials like acrylic paints on clay, trying new things like crocheting socks, discovering the joys of baking, rediscovering old story ideas, I want to be able to share my passion about creativity with all of the like-minded people out there in one blog space.<br />
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So, come by and visit my new blog, <a href="http://sculptingalife.blogspot.com">Sculpting A Life</a>. Let me know what you think and share how you find joy and passion in your own life.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-34318475849584317622010-03-01T17:30:00.000-08:002010-03-18T17:47:08.419-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4x50wYFu4I/AAAAAAAAAsw/wcfBOTyRfWI/s1600-h/DSCN2767.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4x50wYFu4I/AAAAAAAAAsw/wcfBOTyRfWI/s400/DSCN2767.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443859996830186370" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tree of Life-"Courageously Taking Root"-Completed!<br /></span><br />About 4 months ago, Lisa Smith and Brenda Boylan met with me about doing a copper project for their school auction at Valley Catholic School. Although we talked through many different ideas, including a wreath, Lisa had a tree in mind and showed pictures of iron trees that she'd found on the web, representing the Tree of Life. I suggested the children could put words and textures on the copper leaves. Brenda did a small sketch of a tree with 29 leaves, beads and wire. I explained how I envisioned the tree to be more sculptural by incorporating copper tubing along with the leaves, wire and beads. <br /><br />The tree sprang to life. <br /><br />I ordered the copper and cut it down to squares, then Lisa and Brenda cut out the birch shaped leaves. I visited the class and worked with the children to do the repousse work, writing the words into the copper. After they cleaned the copper leaves, I did the patina on each and every leaf. I painted a chemical patina into each of the children's hand written words and colored them with a heat patina. I did heat patina on the textured leaves. Then, with the help of my husband, Michael, we soldered and wired and beaded each of 45 leaves onto the many branches of the copper tree I made in my studio. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4x3l78Sg9I/AAAAAAAAAsI/kvIeA4zqaA4/s1600-h/DSCN2734.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4x3l78Sg9I/AAAAAAAAAsI/kvIeA4zqaA4/s200/DSCN2734.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443857543213515730" /></a><br /><br />Although I had their input and reference materials, the tree took on a life of its own as I worked on it in my studio. I made several sketches of my vision of the tree as I worked out the size of the trunk, limbs and branches. Then I made a working drawing of the tree in the original dimensions of 2x3 feet. The finished tree is almost 4x4 feet. <br /><br />Once the drawings were done, I went to work constructing the trunk and branches of the tree to be sturdy and beautiful. As I twisted and turned the copper, I realized that the trunk I was making for the tree was, well, a lot like life. Life spirals up and out in many different and unexpected directions. It branches out growing stronger as time goes on, yet even the oldest and strongest branches can sprout new tender shoots and leaves at any time. The three spiral roots link together, just as our bodies, hearts and souls entwine in our lives.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4x3rROrP2I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/3hy2vq2bX5o/s1600-h/DSCN2747.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4x3rROrP2I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/3hy2vq2bX5o/s200/DSCN2747.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443857634827124578" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Tree of Life is an age-old symbol that appears throughout history in many cultures around the world. Different cultures use different types of trees ash, yew, oak trees to magical trees made from dragons. It symbolizes birth, death and knowledge. In some cultures it represents a variety of pagan gods. In Christianity, it is used to represent Jesus Christ. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4x44J47RQI/AAAAAAAAAsg/zm4BoH_vH6s/s1600-h/DSCN2774.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4x44J47RQI/AAAAAAAAAsg/zm4BoH_vH6s/s200/DSCN2774.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443858955706778882" /></a><br /><br />This tree of life project entitled, ‘Courageously Taking Root’ has birch shaped leaves and, in some cultures, the birch tree is a symbol of rebirth and new life. What a wonderful symbol for young children and a beautiful way to raise money to build a new school. I couldn't think of a better symbol for young children and even some of us who aren't so young anymore. That no matter what your age, you are always able to grow. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Lisa wrote this about the project for the auction catalog, entitled, "COURAGEOUSLY TAKING ROOT". "Nature holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our lives. This will be portrayed using a birch tree which has symbolic meaning both for our children and for the Valley Catholic community as we move towards building our new school together. The tree of life is approximately 3x4 ft done in copper. It can be hung inside or outside and has a built in hook on the back. The children have chosen words of inspirational and beautifully engraved their words on the leaves. This piece would look amazing inside or out and will have gone through a "patina processing" embellished with various "jewels" that have been added through out the sculpture. Beware and be ready as you will want this for your your home, office or special place."</span>Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-52572198594202246752010-02-25T14:04:00.000-08:002010-02-25T14:14:12.161-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4b2FuLglhI/AAAAAAAAArQ/O3sm6Un0EXE/s1600-h/DSCN2761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4b2FuLglhI/AAAAAAAAArQ/O3sm6Un0EXE/s400/DSCN2761.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442307777879905810" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Now it's Summer!</span><br /><br />The Tree of Life is almost done. All the leaves with words and without words are soldered and wired on. The beads are on, although, I may be tempted to add a few more. There's still some patina work to do and a few places to polish up. And I have a few branches to 'prune'. Then it will be ready for delivery.<br /><br />My biggest challenge right now is stopping. I'm in that 'futzy' phase where I tend to get bogged down with adding and subtracting elements that, in the end, I realize I really don't need. I've loved working on this project and it's hard to see it end. But what I really need to do is face up to the finish line and acknowledge the that the project is done.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-65122171027522544912010-02-23T17:08:00.000-08:002010-02-23T17:13:02.648-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4R9F-KRL_I/AAAAAAAAArI/RuxXk8cLBgs/s1600-h/DSCN2759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4R9F-KRL_I/AAAAAAAAArI/RuxXk8cLBgs/s400/DSCN2759.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441611791309287410" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">From Winter to Spring in just two days!</span><br /><br />Here's the latest photo of the Tree of Life project. All the words that the children pushed into the copper sheeting are up and soldered on. Half of them have beads and wire as well. <br /><br />There's more to come...more leaves, beads and wire, too! I'll post more photos after my studio session tomorrow.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-33111512907351793262010-02-22T19:04:00.000-08:002010-02-23T13:00:44.119-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4NIe7-H9-I/AAAAAAAAArA/xyu1qwXFl7Y/s1600-h/DSCN2755.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4NIe7-H9-I/AAAAAAAAArA/xyu1qwXFl7Y/s400/DSCN2755.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441272471125227490" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Leaves are bursting out in my studio.<br /></span><br />The Tree of Life grew leaves today. The picture today shows some of the leaves with words attached to the ends of the branches. It's only about 1/2 the leaves with words and then, there are the leaves that are textured and smaller. And then, there are beads and wire to add. And then? I guess I'll know when I get there.<br /><br />This Tree of Life is a lot like life, of course, a process that requires passion, hope, faith, courage, and love. Look closely and you'll see all those words and more up on those branches now.<br /><br />Stay tuned. More to come!Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-81403900802465544012010-02-20T13:28:00.000-08:002010-02-20T13:32:21.110-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4BUl9M0u3I/AAAAAAAAAq4/1rWob5EwpQw/s1600-h/DSCN2747.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4BUl9M0u3I/AAAAAAAAAq4/1rWob5EwpQw/s400/DSCN2747.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440441360923802482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4BUiUBGt1I/AAAAAAAAAqw/0SbKnjRSXdQ/s1600-h/DSCN2734.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S4BUiUBGt1I/AAAAAAAAAqw/0SbKnjRSXdQ/s400/DSCN2734.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440441298329188178" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A tree grows in my studio.</span><br /><br />You can see it here in process. The large copper tree will be adorned with copper leaves and beads. <br /><br />The project is called, Tree of Life, and just like life, it’s a creative adventure. The trunk has many layers of spiraling copper that twist, turn as they grow upward a symbol of how we all grow in many different directions. The branches are heavy and light reaching outward, again, like life; there is a need for strength and delicacy. The base has three main roots symbolizing the body, heart and soul. <br /><br />The leaves were given to the children in the class to repousse’ with words and textures. I had a great time working with them and found their word choices fascinating. The most popular words were peace, wisdom, faith and life. In second place were the words, dream strength, courage, joy hope and grace. Five children chose these words; friends, vision, thrive, passion and energy. No one chose the word, love. <br /><br />So I added my own leaf with the word, love. Because, this tree project is certainly been a labor of love for me. I’ll keep you posted on further progress and pics of the finished piece.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-91421567743634261872010-02-15T20:06:00.000-08:002010-02-15T20:45:02.538-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S3oirTABQpI/AAAAAAAAAqg/rUmD4tK8Ej4/s1600-h/DSCN2729.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S3oirTABQpI/AAAAAAAAAqg/rUmD4tK8Ej4/s400/DSCN2729.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438697627233370770" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Celebrating Love before and after Valentine's Day.</span><br /><br />I'm lucky to do what I love...art and writing and teaching. But it's not always easy. It's very easy to get side tracked, blind sided and disappointed by things that happen in life. So I don't take it for granted when life delivers me a weekend of what I love and sharing in what the people in my life love as well.<br /><br />I went to congratulate friends on their new gallery shows. My husband did what he loves to do as well. The next day, we had time together walking, napping and watching the Olympics. Then later, we both got to share our daughter's performance doing what she loves to do, singing. And we enjoyed a delicious meal of salmon, salad and bread. <br /><br />Sunday was restful and relaxing as we took turns cooking up a storm in the kitchen. We both love to cook and cooking together in the kitchen is always a labor of love and a way to connect and create. It was harder when the kids were little, but we still made time to make these heart shaped cookies(in the picture above) that the 'Valentine Fairy' magically hung on their bedroom doors just in time for Valentine's Day.<br /><br />This weekend, we were childless...something new to us. Caitlin has a home of her own now and Kyle was out of town snowboarding with his friends. <br /><br />Alone in the house, Michael and I made a puff pancake for breakfast, spinach Parmesan omelet for lunch but we saved the big adventure for dinner. We cooked a live lobster! It isn't as hard as you might think, you just steam that lobster in a big pot for about 20 minutes, crack it open, clean it out and serve. It was delicious with the fresh asparagus and hollandase sauce. We shared one of our heart shaped cookies for dessert. <br /><br />Love comes in many ways in life and I'm very grateful that this weekend, I got the chance to cook up ways to connect and share it.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-3984953855158824512010-02-08T12:15:00.000-08:002010-02-08T12:22:14.448-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S3ByXEJ6AXI/AAAAAAAAAqY/azaOSEW_WHo/s1600-h/DSCN2728.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S3ByXEJ6AXI/AAAAAAAAAqY/azaOSEW_WHo/s400/DSCN2728.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435970490814038386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S3ByRsCsbWI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/WwyTbODGHqY/s1600-h/DSCN2724.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S3ByRsCsbWI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/WwyTbODGHqY/s400/DSCN2724.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435970398441991522" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Hanging out with art and artists.<br /></span><br /><br />What could be better than two days of fun friends and family, great art and tasty food? <br /><br />I feel honored to be chosen as one of over 100 Oregon artists for the 28th Annual Visual Arts Showcase. What made it even better was celebrating with so many artist friends. I love Joni and Cynthia’s sculptures. Brenda’s pastels are always so beautiful. And Christy, Christine, Tupper, Gretha and Sunny’s paintings were treasures for the eyes and the soul.<br /><br />The food on Friday was absolutely delicious. Catered by Ava in Beaverton, there was a dazzling selection of cheeses, fruit, focaccia sandwiches, salads and little bite size desserts. Saturday, I enjoyed chocolate covered strawberries, dessert bars and cheeses. Yum!<br /><br />The exhibit included a wide range of fine art and craft including paintings, pastels, mixed media, photography and sculpture. I enjoyed seeing all the pieces and meeting many new artists.<br /><br />I had two pieces accepted this year. My ‘Ocean Elements’ triptych and ‘Reflection’ are two very different and yet, very similar pieces. Both are ‘bas’ relief pieces out of metal. <br /><br />The ‘Reflection’ piece is copper sheeting sculpted using my version of the age old technique of copper repoussé. <br /><br />I sculpted the ‘Ocean Elements’ piece using my fingers, hands and arms, then painted the aluminum mesh with many, many layers of acrylic paints. It’s the biggest piece I’ve ever attempted in aluminum mesh. After it was done, it hung on my studio walls for quite a while. I wasn’t sure what to do with it, actually. I knew I wanted to frame or mount it somehow, but, the question was…how? I know I didn’t want the edges tucked or matted. My husband made the frames and we figured out a way to ‘float’ the mesh pieces inside the frame. <br /><br />It’s always a little nerve-racking wondering how your art will be displayed. The triptych was hung at the entrance to the show on the brick wall and it really worked against the red brick. <br /><br />I was so happy to see it there in the show and to spend the weekend hanging out with friends, family and art…well, life doesn’t get much better than that.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-19286442934817437132010-01-29T20:08:00.000-08:002010-01-29T20:13:14.624-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S2OxbTdihKI/AAAAAAAAAqA/Nxg0T0M4zOc/s1600-h/DSC05801.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S2OxbTdihKI/AAAAAAAAAqA/Nxg0T0M4zOc/s400/DSC05801.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432380658177705122" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(Wolf and Bear masks enjoyed by their new owners)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Question: Why do I do what I do?<br />Answer: Love.</span><br /><br />I make masks out of window screening and copper. I’ve made all kinds of animals and mythical creatures in metal…cats and dogs, lions, bears and birds including a frog, donkey, tarantula, cheetah, macaw, owl, phoenix, dragon and a thunderbird just to name a few. I’ve made a series of fairies faces and masks that look like leaves. <br /><br />A decade or so ago, I’d have thought I’d be done with all these masks by now, but I just keep on making them. Not only that, I keep coming up with ideas and creatures that I just need to make. <br /><br />So there’s that question again…why? And the answer, so simple and clear…love.<br /><br />I love imagining the animals and mythical creatures. I love shaping them out of aluminum and copper. I love painting them even though the process requires many, many, many patient layers of paint plus carefully detailed painting and repousse’ to get the richly detailed feathers, fur and scales. I love the fact that the depth of color defies the lightness and transparency of the completed mask. <br /><br />Most of all, I love that people are so thrilled when they see them, feel them and put them on. They are transformed from boy or girl, woman or man into a wolf, bear, frog, lion, dragon or phoenix. I love to see the wonder on their faces when they look in the mirror and see their new masked persona. I love it when they realize that I can’t see them as they were but only as they are with the mask on. <br /><br />I love that no matter what the person’s age or stage, the mask brings out the clear, true spirit of imagination that we usually only see in very small children. I love being part of that link and transformation. <br /><br />Yes, it takes a lot of time, effort and skill to make each and every mask but when I’m working on the masks, my life becomes timeless. <br /><br />Why do I do what I do? Love. Pure and simple.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-45716795477888760182010-01-24T19:15:00.000-08:002010-01-24T19:23:09.414-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S10OL2Yye3I/AAAAAAAAAp4/RoOOMgu71eU/s1600-h/DSCN2704.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S10OL2Yye3I/AAAAAAAAAp4/RoOOMgu71eU/s400/DSCN2704.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430512322419522418" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(Above: new bisque fired clay pieces awaiting inspiration)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Inspired in a basement.</span><br /><br />On Friday, I got the chance to visit Gina’s clay studio.<br /><br />I met Gina last year during the opening for Beaverton Art Showcase. I really enjoyed meeting her and interviewing her about the mural project in our suburban downtown area. So I was really looking forward to visiting her clay studio.<br /><br />Gina is a well known local painter and for the last few years, she’s been working in clay, too. I’ve worked in clay off and on, but this year I’m doing more thanks to a gift of a kiln. Having my own kiln gives me many new opportunities, but there’s also a lot for me to learn. <br /><br />Gina generously offered to share her knowledge and techniques with me. Down in her basement, I was surrounded by clay bowls and vessels big and small. The shelves were filled with rows of work waiting to be fired, glazed and finished. Three tables were topped with even more work in process. <br /><br />Gina showed me how she paints different colored slips on different colored clays to create a rich textured surface. She showed me the glazes she uses and how the colors look on the pieces after firing. She generously shared her knowledge and I learned a lot, of course. <br /><br />We shared our thoughts, our process and our fears about adventuring into a media that was new to us. And we laughed a lot, too. <br /><br />I enjoyed getting to know Gina better. I was inspired by her whimsical bird houses, her vessels and bowls, the deep colors and textures, and the amount of work that surrounds the space. And even though she may not be aware of it, I can see how Gina’s painting techniques coming through her work in clay.<br /><br />Seeing all the different ways to use one glaze, touching the different colored clays, talking about art and sharing laughs, I felt energized. I couldn’t wait to get home, get out my clay catalog and make a list of new supplies. I felt new ideas dancing in my head. I started to crave the touch of soft, new clay. <br /><br />But the most important thing I found in the basement was a my inspiration. I didn’t realize that it was buried, until I ventured down into Gina’s clay studio.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-63533912087605114962010-01-16T19:33:00.000-08:002010-01-16T19:55:18.458-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S1KJm0cBZ_I/AAAAAAAAApo/5hRJi_1rZA4/s1600-h/DSCN2719.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S1KJm0cBZ_I/AAAAAAAAApo/5hRJi_1rZA4/s320/DSCN2719.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427551800939079666" /></a><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Share your creativity rituals and help light the way for others in the new year.<br /></span><br /><br />For years alone in the studio, I began my day with a ritual I called ‘CM’ or creative meditation time. I poured myself a fresh cup of coffee, turned on my favorite music, lit a scented candle and sat down in my chair. Closing my eyes, I attempted to bring my thoughts from the world of everyday activity to the world of creativity.<br /><br />Doesn’t this sound restful and wonderful? Then why does it take so much work to get my butt in that chair? Why do I find myself at the computer, answering email or dust mopping my floors instead of sitting, focusing and creating in my studio? <br /><br />I can say I’m too busy but after a few weeks, I get tired, cranky and resentful. Yes, it’s easy to put the needs of others before mine. Yes, it’s easy to find other jobs more productive. And again, yes, it’s easy to blame myself or others for my lack of ‘CM’ time. <br /><br />The other day, I met an artist friend for coffee. After talking to her for a while, I realized that although I feel all alone in my struggles, I’m not. Almost every creative person finds themselves fighting the foes of fear, procrastination and time.<br /><br />It’s a new year. And this year, instead of guilt and fear, I want to embrace the feelings of freedom, lightness and joy. I know that getting back to my ‘CM’ time is a big step in the right direction. But maybe in the New Year, my old ‘CM’ ritual needs some renewal, too. <br /><br />So I’m asking for your suggestions. What steps do you want to take this New Year? Do you have a ritual that gets your creativity going everyday? <br /><br />Share it here. I’d love to hear some new ideas. What sparks your creativity can light the way for all of us.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-65546408601541488132010-01-10T21:08:00.000-08:002010-01-10T21:12:14.581-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S0qzByO8HBI/AAAAAAAAApQ/XuM0u5qGTs8/s1600-h/DSCN2707.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S0qzByO8HBI/AAAAAAAAApQ/XuM0u5qGTs8/s320/DSCN2707.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425345544366857234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S0qy97dA4ZI/AAAAAAAAApI/TAWhnG6HIiw/s1600-h/DSCN2710.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S0qy97dA4ZI/AAAAAAAAApI/TAWhnG6HIiw/s320/DSCN2710.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425345478122332562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S0qy4xooNqI/AAAAAAAAApA/qvqjWYHJ1n4/s1600-h/DSCN2715.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/S0qy4xooNqI/AAAAAAAAApA/qvqjWYHJ1n4/s320/DSCN2715.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425345389587347106" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Decking the halls for the New Year.</span><br /><br />It all started the year my daughter cried when we took down the Christmas tree. I had to admit, taking down all those colorful, shiny decorations, festive plants and wreaths always felt sad to me, too. So, I told her that I wasn’t taking down the decorations for an entire year, I was ‘redecking’ the halls for the New Year.<br /><br />Since then, as the Christmas holiday décor comes down, the New Year décor goes up. A white, gold and silver theme replaces the reds and greens. On the table, I put a white tablecloth with metallic threads, a gold metallic runner and a centerpiece with a hurricane, white pillar candle and festive beads complete with brass bells to ‘ring’ in the New Year. The mantle gets a snowy theme with little flocked trees and lighted white wreath. The hutch which holds the Christmas china gets redone with crystal champagne glasses and a silver champagne bucket. One year, I made a New Year’s wreath. You can see it pictured above…I cut oak leaves out of aluminum sheeting adding veins and details in repousse’. <br /><br />It doesn’t take long to add these festive touches but it goes a long way to brighten up everyone’s mood after Christmas is over. My daughter has carried the ‘tradition’ to her own apartment this year as she ‘redecked’ her halls for the New Year, too.<br /><br />I think what I love the most is the process itself. I renew my home for the New Year. I honor the past year’s good times with the gold touches. I welcome the abundance for the new year with the silver oak leaves. And I open up to new beginnings with all of the white touches; the candles, flowers, table cloth, trees and lights.<br /><br />What started as a way to make my daughter happy has become a tradition that makes us all happier in the New Year.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-45724003870713023622010-01-01T18:28:00.000-08:002010-01-01T21:29:34.113-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/Sz7Y6qtkEsI/AAAAAAAAAo4/tkkq1uNiytA/s1600-h/DSCN2695.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/Sz7Y6qtkEsI/AAAAAAAAAo4/tkkq1uNiytA/s320/DSCN2695.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422009503810065090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/Sz7Y175l3OI/AAAAAAAAAow/Yf8BJibZ8Zw/s1600-h/DSCN2685.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/Sz7Y175l3OI/AAAAAAAAAow/Yf8BJibZ8Zw/s320/DSCN2685.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422009422524570850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/Sz7YwnWyIxI/AAAAAAAAAoo/hznoYv6pUHY/s1600-h/DSCN2677.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/Sz7YwnWyIxI/AAAAAAAAAoo/hznoYv6pUHY/s320/DSCN2677.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422009331110519570" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(photos bottom to top: before, during and after)</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Flames and fireworks:<br />Burning the past and lighting the future.</span><br /><br /><br />For many years, my husband and I have spent New Years Eve at home either hosting sleepovers for our children and their friends or monitoring their party plans and hoping for their safe return. Saying goodbye to 2009 meant saying goodbye to old patterns and hello to what I hope is a new end of the year tradition: celebrating with friends and fireworks and a ritual burning of a sculpture made by Patrick Gracewood.<br /><br />Patrick has created and burned a special year end sculpture for the past 30 years. His first sculptures were stuffed with fireworks and ignited on the beach in California. After moving here, Patrick continued the tradition despite the rainy Portland weather. For two days before the end of the year, Patrick gathers found objects, cardboard boxes, mailing tubes, wood shavings, leaves and seeds. Then with paint, glue, string and fireworks, Patrick creates a sculpture to burn. <br /><br />Every year, the sculpture is different. Last year, it was a Nutcracker King with rats for the Chinese New Year. This year, with the second full moon for December on New Years Eve, Patrick’s sculpture had a ‘blue moon’ face, arms like the goddess Shiva and two large tigers because 2010 is the year of the tiger. <br /><br />Everyone gathered, talked, ate and enjoyed the warm peaceful space of Patrick’s studio. When the time got close to midnight, people began writing their goodbyes to 2009 and what they’d like to say hello to in the New Year. The folded, rolled papers were placed in a basket decorated with white flowers in front of the blue moon goddess. Close to midnight the sculpture was carried outside. Michael and I proceeded with the storytelling sticks, others carried fireworks, sparklers and baskets of seeds which were saved originally for Y2K. Remember, it was supposed to be the ‘end’ of the world? We were all glad that almost a decade later, we could let go of those old fears, too.<br /><br />Miraculously, the rain stopped just in time to set the sculpture on fire. Sparklers sizzled. Colors exploded. The darkness of the past and future were lit up. The flames warmed the cold, damp night. And as we all stood around the funeral for the past and the birth of the future, we shared a collective sigh. Some talked of letting go of the many mistakes from the last year and keeping the lessons learned. Someone else saw meaning in the fire ritual, how as it burned the creation to ash, its flames allow us to see the light of possibilities in a year of unknowns. Others shared hopes for the New Year: new beginnings, health and happiness. <br /><br />As the flames died down burning the past and lighting the future, we exchanged wishes and hugs for the New Year with new friends and old. Then we left quietly into the early hours of the new morning of 2010.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-15701655445974710672009-12-28T18:10:00.000-08:002009-12-28T18:18:41.212-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SzlmK7PkmnI/AAAAAAAAAog/SZ7Qv6iOiEM/s1600-h/DSCN2661.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SzlmK7PkmnI/AAAAAAAAAog/SZ7Qv6iOiEM/s320/DSCN2661.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420475964404832882" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><span style="font-style:italic;">Jilly at home with her new Christmas toy.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jilly: A good dog comes home when she’s called. Finally. </span><br /><br /><br />Jilly ran away from home today and I didn’t even know she was gone. How did that happen? Well, earlier today we had new internet and phone service installed in our home. The installer left the gate open on the side of the house and I didn’t notice until after I let Jilly out in the backyard.<br /><br />Big mistake. I know. Especially because Jilly has a history of running away and not coming when she’s called. <br /><br />Three years ago, when we adopted Jilly from Guide Dogs, she was being ‘career’ changed because, she wouldn’t come when she was called. They called it puppy training issues. I called it a good dog with bad messages.<br /><br />It’s taken me a lot of time, treats and training to get Jilly past most of these bad messages. Some, I know will never go away. But Jilly and I have worked hard to get past the big one, coming on command. And we’ve made huge progress this year. <br /><br />She played on the beach, off leash, and stayed close to me. She follows me up and down the street off leash, too. Now, she’ll even run from one end of the street to the other between my husband and I and not run away. <br /><br />So today, when I found the gate open, I whistled for her. When she didn’t come running to me, I used the ‘call’…Jilly, where am I? No response. Ok, I responded with quite a few @#$$##@@ but we won’t print that here.<br /><br />Then I ran in the house, put on my coat and Michael got the car. As he turned off our street to the left, I went to the right looking for her. Michael hadn’t even gone ½ block when he tooted the horn, there she was! <br /><br />I stopped, turned and yelled, “Jilly, where am I?” She started running right to me and I started running for home. She followed me, passed me and ran right up our driveway into the garage and sat on the rug in front of the door looking up at me. What did I do? I gave her a treat and a kiss, of course. Then I told her what a good dog she was to find her way home. And come when she was called…finally.<br /><br />That makes my year happy new or old.<br /><br />Then I locked the gate!Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-45621857623378642002009-12-22T20:46:00.000-08:002009-12-22T20:50:04.688-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SzGhSQGifcI/AAAAAAAAAoY/JUfvqHV7EvU/s1600-h/DSCN2649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SzGhSQGifcI/AAAAAAAAAoY/JUfvqHV7EvU/s320/DSCN2649.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418289161635528130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SzGg6uL-2vI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/wjp2Bi1tyXQ/s1600-h/DSCN2645.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SzGg6uL-2vI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/wjp2Bi1tyXQ/s320/DSCN2645.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418288757394561778" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">En-lightening holiday:<br />Bringing creativity, heart and spirit back to the season.</span><br /><br />A few posts ago, I wrote about how life changes had changed my holiday over the past year or so. And that’s not a bad thing. I realized that this gave me a chance to change some things, keep others and add something new.<br /><br />I asked myself these questions: What cookies do I really love to bake? What do I want to light up with lights? How many decorations do I really want to get out and set up? <br /><br />The answers were simple, really. I baked what I love to eat: Grandmother Gallacher’s Cherry Cake, shortbread and chocolate candies filled with walnuts. I lit up the tree and stairway with lights. I put out my Christmas Tree China that I love, filled a few bowls with pretty purple and gold balls, added snowy trees to the mantle, a wreath to the hall table and set out a few scented candles. <br /><br />It all seemed to come together simply and easily. <br /><br />As an artist and writer, I really love to create. This year, I let myself do that with my Christmas baking. When we had chocolate left over from the chocolate candies, I spread it out on waxed paper, added two kinds of chopped, salted nuts and put it in the freezer. Voila’…chocolate nut bark, yum!<br /><br />Another thing I love to do is solve problems. And this year, I did that too. Long ago, my mother had gotten a recipe from my Grandmother Gallacher for her Filled Butter Cookies. But when my mother tried to make them, they didn’t turn out. I’ve had the recipe in my file for decades, but now, I wanted to make them myself. Looking at the recipe, it was clear to me that the proportions of butter to flour were all wrong. So, I fixed it. For the first time since my Grandmother died, I tasted these delicate butter cookies filled with cream cheese and raspberry jam. They are delicious!! <br /><br />I really believe creativity and inspiration are meant to be shared, so I asked you: What do you love to do for the holidays around your home? <br /><br />Lynn H said: <br />“I like peace and quiet, and days alone at home with my beloved Brian. I like making soup in the crock pot which does not need watching. I like the strings of Christmas lights which we leave up on the windows all year, and plug in from November-March while the sun is so absent. I like "less is more" for holidays. Last year we had our (1940's silver tinsel) tree but no decorations upon it. It still bounced light around the house and made it festive. I think holidays are about celebrating relationship. About telling those I love that I love them, one more time.” <br /><br />I agree! This is a time to show our love for those we love, and that includes ourselves. Loving myself has always been hard for me, but doing these small things to light up my own holiday has been en-lightening to me. Because it’s not about doing things differently, it’s about being who I am, doing what I love and sharing that spirit with those I love. And that includes all of you!<br /><br />May the season lighten and enlighten you, too and I hope that you’ll feel welcome to share it here, too.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-31521469164021146442009-12-14T19:48:00.000-08:002009-12-14T19:51:58.052-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SycHyoH8qzI/AAAAAAAAAoA/1M_-0ZZJcSI/s1600-h/Lake+Shot+1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SycHyoH8qzI/AAAAAAAAAoA/1M_-0ZZJcSI/s320/Lake+Shot+1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415305643281918770" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A Walk in the Park -<br />An occasional series</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ice Lessons<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />This week taking a walk in the park is freezing, literally. Early morning temperatures are in the teens and the ‘highs’ for the day are in the 20’s. <br /><br />As I walk by the lake every morning, I see a new layer of ice. The ducks are crowded into smaller and smaller ponds where the ice isn’t frozen until finally, the top of the lake is completely covered in ice. While the ducks huddle as best they can, the heron stands in solitary splendor on the ice. <br /><br />When I usually spot the blue heron, I find her camouflaged by tall grasses beside the lake or perched on a grey branch near the shoreline waiting to catch the fish swimming by. This week is different. The heron stands on the ice in the middle of the lake waiting and watching. I wonder, why would she even bother? She can’t catch the fish through the ice. <br /><br />Perhaps there’s a lesson here on the ice for me. <br /><br />When I look out onto the icy lake, I see a barrier, like a solid floor, closed door or glass wall. I see what’s on top, the ice. I don’t see what’s underneath hidden from my view.<br /><br />But maybe the heron does. And that’s why she’s standing in the middle of the lake on the ice. She sees what’s underneath the ice. She sees fish, food, possibilities and life. <br /><br />Suddenly, I see it too. <br /><br />I see that although the top layer of the lake is frozen. Nothing is moving. Nothing is growing. The trees are bare and appear lifeless. That’s just the surface. Below the fish are swimming. The algae are growing. The trees are very much alive even without their leaves. <br /><br />At this time of year, when the sun comes out only briefly and darkness covers more of our days, it’s easy to get stuck in an icy frame of mind. Feeling cold, gray and seeing the world around me as frozen and unmoving. <br /><br />But the heron showed me that below the icy, grey surface, the world is teaming with life. The world is moving and thriving. Just because I don’t see it or hear it, doesn’t mean that the things aren’t happening all around me. Things that, like the heron knows, take time to come to the surface. <br /><br />What do I do in the meantime? Take my cue from the heron, walk out into the world, then wait and be ready to catch those fish when the ice melts.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-31327350772351030572009-11-29T19:36:00.000-08:002009-11-29T19:47:53.349-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SxM-qeS9jmI/AAAAAAAAAn4/eRVLyccqwCI/s1600/DSCN2191.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SxM-qeS9jmI/AAAAAAAAAn4/eRVLyccqwCI/s320/DSCN2191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409736476810120802" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><span style="font-style:italic;">Wreath-Copper repousse'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bringing light and lightness to a dark time of year.</span><br /><br />It’s the beginning of the holiday season. This year, for me, it’s going to be different. My daughter now has her own home, so she won’t be living here for the holidays.<br /><br />For the past few years, she’s helped me do the decorating and some baking. She enjoyed working with me getting out all the ribbons, Christmas books, Santa collection and candles. I used to do it all myself, becoming grumpy and frazzled. With her cheerful help as co-decorator, it all came together with an ease and grace and lightness that felt much more like a holiday. <br /><br />This year, she’s been busy decorating her new apartment. Buying candles, table runners, ribbons, colored balls and twinkle lights. She called me on the phone to tell me all about the deals she found at the stores. Today, she proudly showed me her holiday decorated home. It looks lovely.<br /><br />I’m glad she’s happy and into the holiday spirit. I want to feel the same spirit. In holidays past, she used to bug me to get the tree, decorate the stairs, put up the lights, get out the Christmas tree china. Ok, I used to feel a little pressured by it all, but now, I’m just not as motivated to get the holiday decorations up. Right now, I’m busy with other things, classes to teach, articles to write, pieces begging to be worked on in the studio. I’m glad for the work, especially work I want to do. <br /><br />Maybe that’s a clue here. The holidays have always been something I did for others. I usually abandoned my creative work in order to get all the decorating, baking and shopping done. I did make some choices I liked but most of it was a combination of what the kids wanted and expected. And that was ok, Christmas was for them after all.<br /><br />Maybe now, it can be for me, too. The question is what do I want? The answer, I’m not sure. <br /><br />What cookies do I really love to bake? What do I want to light up with lights? How many decorations do I really want to get out and set up? <br /><br />What do you love to do for the holidays around your home? Share your favorite and maybe we can inspire each other to bring light as well as lightness to this dark time of year.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-17198845995684222162009-11-21T19:03:00.000-08:002009-11-21T19:17:44.075-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SwiqsYc28EI/AAAAAAAAAno/PD_qBWW2N18/s1600/DSCN2452.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SwiqsYc28EI/AAAAAAAAAno/PD_qBWW2N18/s320/DSCN2452.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406759032112738370" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Losing control.</span><br /><br />For the past month, I’ve taught 3 different project classes in 3 different places, gone to meetings upon meetings, done interviews, and managed to squeeze a few hours in the studio. Ok, I’ve been busy. The point is: how much of these creative projects and time are within my control? <br /><br />As a self-employed artist, teacher and writer, you might think all of it. I used to think that, too. Not anymore.<br /><br />I’ve always been a self-motivated creative person. If I wanted to make something, I made it. If I didn’t know how, I figured it out. That might mean reading a book, taking a class or just doing it. Whatever I needed to do, I did it. Myself. I had creative control of my project.<br /><br />That was an illusion. I wasn’t in control of my creativity then and I’m not now. <br /><br />I may want creative control, but I don’t have it. It doesn’t matter whether I’m working alone in the studio, on a group project, or in a class with students. Students show up or not. Some people are easy to work with, others not. Ideas that seem good, go bad. Supplies get discontinued. <br /><br />What I really want is a good ending. That's why I think I need creative control. What I need to do is to lose control and follow the creative road. Trusting the bends, bumps and detours are all important parts of the journey. And that the end result I’m trying to control isn’t the end at all, it’s just a stop along the way. Sometimes the stops are good. I make a beautiful piece with clay, metal or words. Sometimes, it’s bad. I recycle the pieces and learn something new. <br /><br />Maybe, creative control isn’t something I really need and don’t really even want. It’s just my fear wanting to drive my life, so maybe it’s time to shift into a different gear. Lose the control and enjoy the ride.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-41494201674425729592009-11-09T14:51:00.000-08:002009-11-11T11:58:13.478-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SvidvmNzBgI/AAAAAAAAAnY/nlSQWVEl7oU/s1600-h/pcc-class-11-09.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SvidvmNzBgI/AAAAAAAAAnY/nlSQWVEl7oU/s320/pcc-class-11-09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402241194068739586" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/Svidd-8UauI/AAAAAAAAAnI/Sc7cRVmNQtY/s1600-h/pcc-student-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/Svidd-8UauI/AAAAAAAAAnI/Sc7cRVmNQtY/s320/pcc-student-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402240891468671714" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SvidQANCXUI/AAAAAAAAAm4/JNqmujRvnlk/s1600-h/pcc-students-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SvidQANCXUI/AAAAAAAAAm4/JNqmujRvnlk/s320/pcc-students-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402240651289058626" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Fun with metal.<br />A great class on Saturday.</span><br /><br />I love working with metal. I love sharing my love of metal and creativity with others. When I get to do both in one afternoon, it’s delightful.<br /><br />It was a dark and rainy afternoon outside, but inside creativity bloomed. These wonderful women worked magic with copper and aluminum screening sculpting them into bowls, baskets, leaves and vases. Then, on went the colorful beads, wire, gold leaf and paint!<br /><br />Here are photos of their beautiful art work.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-64535825480996710972009-10-29T19:30:00.000-07:002009-10-30T16:46:38.827-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SupSz8wD4FI/AAAAAAAAAlI/z9Bbiw4t1QE/s1600-h/HH+Pendragon+Banner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SupSz8wD4FI/AAAAAAAAAlI/z9Bbiw4t1QE/s320/HH+Pendragon+Banner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398218155791474770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SupSq9GK65I/AAAAAAAAAlA/XAHG5K55yKc/s1600-h/Helen+Hollic+pic.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SupSq9GK65I/AAAAAAAAAlA/XAHG5K55yKc/s320/Helen+Hollic+pic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398218001265388434" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">An interview with Helen Hollick<br />And a book review: Pendragon’s Banner</span><br /><br />(Listen to a podcast interview with Helen Hollick at <a href="http://www.voicesoflivingcreatively.com">Voices of Living Creatively</a>)<br /><br />It turns out Helen Hollick and I share a love of Mary Stewart’s Arthurian fantasy novels, Crystal Cave and Hollow Hills. Both of us remember enjoying these wonderful stories about Merlin and the young Arthur. But for Helen Hollick, it was something in the back of Stewart’s book that brought another sort of magic into her life. “The thing that intrigued me was her author’s notes which said if Arthur had been real, he would have lived around post Roman times. Now that really got me interested. Because I had never liked the stories that had placed him around Medieval times. When I read that, I thought, oh, I’ll check into that.”<br /><br />That started Helen on a path leading her to write a trilogy of books about Arthur before and after he becomes king. <br /><br />The first book, The Kingmaking, I reviewed here last year and loved for its detailed down to earth portrayal of Arthur as the supposed bastard son of Uthr who takes the throne and becomes king. The second book, Pendragon’s Banner covers the years between 459-465 A.D. and tells the tale of Arthurs struggle with the power, politics and family strife. <br /><br />What I like about these books are the many, many wonderful details about the daily life of Arthur, Gwenhwyfar, their three children, servants and soldiers. The fighting among the family for control of the throne is just as believable as the battle scenes. <br /><br />I wondered, how did author, Helen Hollick write so richly of a past that may or may not have happened. Some of it comes from Hollick’s extensive research and diploma in Early Medieval History. Helen explains, “I looked into what facts we do know of that period, really researched post roman and early saxon, so in weaving in the real facts, that can make what we don’t know for sure to be more real. I looked into daily life. I looked into what kind of horses they would have had, harnesses, armor, and the buildings.” <br /><br />Helen’s research includes personal experiences as well. “I’ve actually been to all those places in the books, Glastonbury, visited Summerset, been to Scotland,” says Helen. “It makes a great excuse for a holiday.” <br /><br />Some of the plot details, like the scene where Arthur’s young son falls into the river, come from her feelings and experiences as a mother. “We were actually on vacation camping by that very river,” Helen explains. “My own little girl was about 5. It had been raining, and we went down to look at the river. It was in flood, flowing very fast exactly as in that scene. I held my Cathy’s hand so very tight, because I had a vision of a child falling into the water. I pulled her back from the bank, told her to be careful and picked her up and held her. Then I went back to the camp and just wrote the scene down. It was very hard to write. I was in tears the whole time.”<br /><br />That wasn’t the only scene that was hard for Helen to write. “I have to say I don’t know how I manage to write the battle scenes,” says Helen. “It really helps to be in a bad mood. It’s a really good way to get rid of angst, to write a battle scene.” <br /><br />The battle scenes details aren’t the only thing that grabbed me as a reader but the depth of Arthur’s feelings about the work a soldier must do. Helen agrees, “Yes, when you read a story of battle it’s always made out to be a glorious thing, propaganda, of course, to get people to go out and fight. But you don’t think about the other side, people get killed, horses get hurt. This is the reality.”<br /><br />The battle scene that begins Pendragon’s Banner came after a long period of writer’s block. “I got to the point where I thought, if I don’t do something about this writer’s block, I’m not going to get this book finished,” explains Helen. “And I was determined to write the words, ‘the end’, even if I never got published. So I went along to a writer’s course and the teacher said, I want you to write down your feelings. I just wrote down the first word that came into my head. Before I knew it, I wrote the word, sword, then the word battle. And all of a sudden the whole battle scene just came into my head and I just sat and wrote. It was really funny because then the teacher said, ok, you can stop now and I said no way, I haven’t written for 6 months and if you think I’m going to stop now, you’ve got another thing coming.”<br /><br />Even though Helen’s extensive historical research gives the scenes detail, it’s not what got her started writing. “I hated history when I was at school, absolutely hated it,” says Helen. “When I was 13 I was writing pony stories, because I really wanted a pony of my own and we couldn’t afford one. So I made one up.”<br /> <br />From then on, writing has been a life long passion. Even when her original publisher stopped printing her books, she got the copyright back and self-published them in the U.K. Then found a new home for her trilogy here in the United States with Sourcebooks. In addition to her Arthur trilogy, Helen Hollick has written a fantasy adventure series about pirates for fun and most recently, a movie script about the battle of Hastings called 1066. “We hope to shoot in the UK but it will be on release in American as well,” Helen says. “We’re talking big blockbuster here. Fingers crossed, I’ve even got my dress.”<br /><br />Whether or not her books or movies about Arthur, pirates or a battle are a success, Helen would never stop writing. “I’m always scribbling something down, even if I’m not working on a book. That short time when I heard that they weren’t going to publish my books, I was devastated,” says Helen. “I sobbed for 2 weeks. Then I pulled myself up and thought come on, it doesn’t mean you can’t publish your books.” <br /><br />And she advises everyone to follow their dreams, too. Helen’s advice, “Do it. Don’t think about it, go out and do it. At least try, I feel that at least I tried and I’ve managed it. Ok, if my books don’t sell it doesn’t matter, at least I’ve done it. Rather than looking back in a few years time and thinking oh, I wish I’d done that. At least have a go, give it your best shot.”<br /><br />In my opinion, Helen Hollick’s given it more than her best shot. Whether it’s The Kingmaking or Pendragon’s Banner, it’s an enjoyable, fascinating read into the past that feels like you’re there, too.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-24288932663996941692009-10-26T16:20:00.000-07:002009-10-26T16:37:19.520-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SuYvPI6IrhI/AAAAAAAAAkg/2bglbkI3uew/s1600-h/Reflections+1a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SuYvPI6IrhI/AAAAAAAAAkg/2bglbkI3uew/s320/Reflections+1a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397053140585983506" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><span style="font-style:italic;">'Reflection' Copper repousse<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sculpting a life and a living.<br />Writing. Showing. Teaching. Making.</span><br /><br />Looking at this month, I’ve been blessed to be able to do everything I love to do.<br /><br />As an artist, I sculpt out of metal and clay. I’ve made jewelry and garden art and started new masks out of mesh and copper. <br /><br />For two weekends, I was part of the Portland Open Studios Tour and opened my studio to men, women and children interested in finding out what I do and how I do it. It’s always a little hectic getting ready for the event. I clean out my studio, set out demonstration materials, put out some of my pieces for display. It’s a lot of work. But what makes it all worthwhile are the looks of wonder, the words of appreciation and the people who come back every year to see what’s new. <br /><br />Right after my open studio event, I delivered a large copper repousse’ piece to a juried exhibit downtown. My piece, “Reflection” will hang in the First Presbyterian Church as part of the Works of Faith exhibit until January 2010. It was wonderful to meet my fellow artists and the people from the art committee on Sunday. <br /><br />Later in the week, I started an artist in residence at a local elementary school. The project is based on my ‘Ethnic Portrait’ series and involves the students in art and writing, two of my favorite activities. I met with the teachers, went over the supplies and the timelines. Then I went back to my studio, made an example of the project and prepared some supplies. At the school, I set up, presented the project and taught the classes with the help of the wonderful teachers and students. It was a great experience!<br /><br />Today, I’m setting up interviews for articles I write on my blog and others. Writing advertising copy. Making a list of the supplies needed for the second week at the school. Getting work together for a photo shoot tomorrow. Putting some paint on one of my mesh masks. Taking my dog for a walk in between rain storms and making dinner. <br /><br />Sometimes I worry whether it will all get done, but it does. Somehow, in spite of the bumps, I am able to sculpt a life and a living doing what I love to do. I’m grateful.Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-6282369180223012062009-10-15T20:05:00.000-07:002009-10-15T20:24:51.178-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/StfncJG9b7I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/reJknjakYj0/s1600-h/DSCN2559.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/StfncJG9b7I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/reJknjakYj0/s320/DSCN2559.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393033549466922930" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/StfmJAVd41I/AAAAAAAAAkA/eYUJVDgcaas/s1600-h/DSCN2557.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/StfmJAVd41I/AAAAAAAAAkA/eYUJVDgcaas/s320/DSCN2557.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393032121182708562" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Portland Open Studios:<br />Opening my studio and my creative process to my neighborhood.</span><br /><br />I do sculpture work in aluminum screening, copper sheeting and clay. I love faces and animals and the concept of shapeshifting. I see faces and figures in the landscape around me, the leaves on the trees, the clouds in the sky, the rocks and even the marks on the ceiling. My source of inspiration and materials seem right to me, that’s why I do it.<br /><br />But to others, I realize it may seem a bit odd. Since I work on my own, in my studio, this isn’t a problem, really. I can do what I do and no one knows the difference. Until now.<br /><br />As part of the Portland Open Studios Tour, I invite people to come into my studio and watch me work. They get to see me push a bear shape out of aluminum screening, press dragon scales into copper sheeting and read some of my stories. I explain how I do what I do. I show them the materials and the process. I answer their questions. <br /><br />I have some of my finished pieces on display, so they can see the finished product as well as the process. I hope it helps them to understand what I do and why. I hope it helps them learn more about art, the creative process as well as inspiring them to honor their own creativity. <br /><br />Every year, I feel a little like the curtain is drawn back on my creative process and there I stand, alone and revealed to the world. It’s a little scary. But every year, I find out just how wonderful and generous and eager people are to share in the creative process.<br /><br />If you’re ever in Portland the first two weeks of October, get a tour guide and come and visit my studio! This year, I was interviewed by a fellow artist and you can read the interview on the <a href="http://portlandopenstudios.wordpress.com">Portland Open Studios Tour blog</a>Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-56447075507269641622009-10-04T09:54:00.000-07:002009-10-04T11:28:42.873-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SsjoWE4IXlI/AAAAAAAAAjw/41xCYYZGrls/s1600-h/susan1+med.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/SsjoWE4IXlI/AAAAAAAAAjw/41xCYYZGrls/s320/susan1+med.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388812420112735826" /></a><br /><div><strong>Pushing and pulling.</strong></div><br /><div><strong>Punching and painting.</strong></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>For me, making art is a physical act. I cut copper sheeting or aluminum screening and push it into a beak or nose, round it into a moon or rock. Whether I'm making a mask, landscape or pendant, it takes strength and delicacy to get the images and textures into the copper or aluminum.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I've been working very hard the last few weeks to get new work done for this year's Portland Open Studios Tour. I wanted to have a variety of pieces in copper, aluminum mesh and clay to show the people who come through the tour. I want them to see that although the stereotype of an artist is working in one medium all the time, that's not necessarily the reality.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I love masks. And I make masks in clay, copper, aluminum, as well as teaching mask making to children and adults in clay, plaster and collage. I love animals and landscapes and jewelry. And I make animal sculptures that have human qualities, landscapes that have faces in the rocks and sky. When I was a teenager, I loved making jewelry. This year, I decided to do more of what I love, so I've been busy in the studio making earrings, pendants and pins out of the copper I love so much. It's a great way to use the good pieces left over from my larger work and to play again in a familiar and happy playground.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>The tour starts next weekend. I still have work to finish like an aluminum eagle sculpture, a lamp, as well as mounting, glueing and setting up all the work for display. I'm feeling a little stressed with the deadline looming right now. But I know that next weekend, I'll be ready. And I look forward to meeting the people from all around my city who come to peek over my shoulder, watch me work and ask questions about how and why I do what I do.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Before I was on the tour, I took the tour. I loved seeing all the different work, studios and meeting all the artists. It not only gave me a better idea about art but it gave me the courage to do my own art. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>My hands may be stiff. My shoulders and back are achy. My mind is reeling with to-do's that still need doing, but I'm happy to be working in the studio. I'm grateful I get to do what I love and next weekend on the Portland Open Studios Tour, I get to share that with all of you who visit me.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>If you live in or around Portland, Oregon, take the tour October 10, 11 and 17, 18 from 10am to 5pm. Just pick up a Tour Guide at Art Media, New Seasons, Powell's Books or online at <a href="http://www.portlandopenstudios.com/">www.portlandopenstudios.com</a> Celebrating our 10th year, the Portland Open Studios Tour brings 100 artists and art lovers together to share the process of creativity. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I hope to see you! If you want to know more about the art and artists in Portland Open Studios Tour, check out our blog at <a href="http://portlandopenstudios.wordpress.com/">http://portlandopenstudios.wordpress.com</a></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div>Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33974539.post-48343544526268459292009-09-26T20:11:00.000-07:002009-09-28T14:37:41.048-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/Sr7YtRcZsUI/AAAAAAAAAjY/LfNTXu-zY8A/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jwu558zYyUs/Sr7YtRcZsUI/AAAAAAAAAjY/LfNTXu-zY8A/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385980476669931842" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5048301-1");<br />pageTracker._initData();<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><strong>How to keep that Maui feeling in Portland, Oregon.</strong><br /><br /><br />I came back to Portland from Maui on September 16th and ten days later, that Maui feeling is starting to fade. I don’t want that to happen because there was a feeling to life there that I know I need here and now. Everyday.<br /><br />It’s not just about a vacation. But a state of mind that was, in spite of recent life circumstances, healthy. It was like I’d been rescued from turbulent waters, wrapped up in a blanket and given a nice, warm drink. As well as time to take in my rescue and decide that life, in its very essence was a very good thing, something to hold in the palm of my hand, gently, savoring every little taste like a bite of delicious chocolate.<br /><br />But, as we all know, life gets in the way. It gets busy. I had masks to send off to a show in another state, something I’ve never done before. I had work to finish for my open studio coming up in 2 weeks. I had interviews to do and articles to write. I had classes to set up, meetings, emails, problems to solve and animals needing walks. You get the idea.<br /><br />For awhile, that Maui feeling stayed anyway. But slowly it started to fade away, buried under the to-do lists. I didn’t want to lose it, so I kept reaching down under the pile of life stuff and brought it back again. I put a sunrise view from our lanai on my laptop to remind to greet the day. I found hibiscus blossoms in my own garden and floated a few in a crystal bowl on my desk to remind me that beauty is life giving. I wore my Maui sarong in the evenings to remind me that life can be free of constraints. I used the coconut soap, shampoo and lotion that reawakened my senses. It all helped…a little.<br /><br />Then, my friend, Susan suggested compiling some words to describe the experience there that I could use here. I followed her wise advice and started scribbling words on a piece of paper. I struggled. None of the words seemed to capture it for me. I asked my husband for suggestions. He added a few words. I scratched off a few. The list was longer than I wanted. Life was simple there and I wanted the list to be simple, too.<br /><br />The words on the list are acceptance, bountiful, enjoyment, restful, peaceful, sweet smells, birds, ocean, sands, beautiful, colorful, live. But they all seemed too much. <br /><br />Here are the words I feel say it better now: Calm, beauty, ease, pleasure. <br />What do you think?Susan Gallacher-Turner http://www.blogger.com/profile/04060849318151375753noreply@blogger.com0