Outsider art is a term used for any work of art produced by an untrained idiosyncratic artist who is typically unconnected to the conventional art world. The “classic” figures of outsider art were socially or culturally marginal figures. They were usually under educated; they almost invariably embraced unconventional views of the world, sometimes alien to the prevailing dominant culture; and many had been diagnosed as mentally ill. ~ Britannica.com I've always considered myse

Be around the light bringers, the magic makers, the world shifters, the game shakers. They challenge you, break you open, uplift and expand you. They don't let you play small with your life. These heartbeats are your people. These people are your tribe. ~ Danielle Doby It seems that spring is here.......for today anyway. I made it thru my first South Dakota winter. It was long but beautiful none the less. Around about January I realized that the studio wasn't going to bri

Trade is a sacred concept, revered among all peoples in our part of the world. Through it articles move from people to people, but there is more: the spiritual aspect. Everything is born of power, derived from the ripples of creativity that Breath Giver exhaled into the world. When something is made , say a copper pendant the crafts person takes a bit of raw copper and meticulously pounds it flat. He places the copper on a carved wooden mold, then uses bone or antler dowels t

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive. ~ Dalai Lama In a crazy upside down world the only way we will survive is to remember love and compassion for all beings. I come back to this everyday. Just thought I would start this post out in a positive way! Winter is here in a big way. A time for introspection and creation. Mother nature forces us to slow down. I've been in the studio at Cheyenne Crossing and home. Working on new pi

Mothers, Lovers, Sisters, Daughters, Friends, we are all of these things at some point in our lives. Above all else we are beautiful. Go out in the woods, go out. If you don't go out in the woods nothing will ever happen and your life will never begin. ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estes Being in the business of adornment a large percentage of my clients are women. They are strong, resilient, intelligent women. I'm awestruck by them most days. Feeling blessed all days. She is free in h

The only way out is through. Robert Frost I have been wanting to go check out the Whitewater Mesa Labyrinths for the longest time. Last week I finally made the trip. Long over due! It was a beautiful and inspiring trip! Whitewater Mesa Labyrinths are loctated in Southwestern New Mexico on the road to Mogollon. About 70 miles north of Silver City.For more information please go to www.wmlabyrinths.com. Or better yet just go! Cordelia Rose is the artist who created these labyrin

There are many traditions this time of year. As I have written in the past I enjoy looking deeper into these holidays we celebrate. I was looking for information about Stonehenge and came across a great website ~ Druidry.org Here are some excerpts from the website about winter solstice. Alban Arthan, or Light of Arthur. Arthur is symbolized by the Sun. The Sun dies and is reborn, just as the mythical Arthur is sleeping deep inside a mountain and will wake up again when the pe

Every step we take is rhythm. Every word we speak is rhythm.~ Foli FOLI (there is no movement without rhythm) original version by Thomas Roebers and Floris Leeuwenberg Stealing the Drum ~ A West African Folk Tale Long ago a boy named Kofi was hunting in the jungle when the ground beneath his feet began to shudder, and he heard a haunting sound from far away. Kofi stopped in his tracks. The sound caused his heart to throb and filled his mind so completely that he could think o

The taste of bliss in the absence of all thought . Sanskrit This is what I try to achieve every time I sit down to create. Its like a drug really. That point where you are creating without thought. I often describe my creative process as a dust devil. There's this tiny spec on the horizon and as it builds and collects energy it becomes this massive ball of traveling earth! Yes I know, sounds a bit dramatic...... true though! When its time for me to work, I'll start doing sma

Each time I sit and start to write these posts I try to find something uplifting to say. Something that will make your day a bit brighter. These past couple of weeks have been rough. For the world, for myself. What does a person do in times of trouble? For me, the eternal optimist, share beauty, and that is what I am going to do today. Enjoy. She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and

The Fool represents new beginnings and carefree adventure. Though this card could indicate foolishness, it is more optimistic in the sense that it stands for pure actions and being free from the constraints of your present life. More than likely, there are important decisions coming your way, and the answer to your question is yes.~ www.trustedtarot.com Sounds good to me. Always the optimist and yes is always a good answer! Happy April Fools Day! Coyote Dances With The Stars

All of us need to be in touch with a mysterious, tantalizing source of inspiration that teases our sense of wonder and goads us on to life’s next adventure. ~ Rob Brezsny Inspiration, move me brightly. light the song with sense and color; Hold away despair, more than this I will not ask. Faced with mysteries dark and vast, statements just seem vain at last. ~ Jerry Garcia , Robert Hunter Where does inspiration come from? That is a question I get asked all the time. Its alw

One day Badger came up to his friend Coyote with a bag. “What is in the bag?” Coyote asked. Can I help you carry it?” “I will let you carry this bag,” Badger said. I have to do something. But do not open it while I am gone.” Coyote took the bag while Badger went off to do something. “If I am not supposed to open this bag”, Coyote said, “then I should look inside it so I can know what it is I am not supposed to look at”. So Coyote opened the bag. As soon as he did so, it got d

Love is wild; its whole beauty is in its wildness. It comes like a breeze with great fragrance, fills your heart, and suddenly where there was a desert there is a garden full of flowers .~ Osho Even though its only February, spring is in the air. Off to Arizona next week for a 3 weeks of art shows and motorcycle rides and camping. First stop Litchfield Park just west of Phoenix for the 7th annual Wigwam Fine Arts Festival. February 17 - 19. I have lots of new jewelry made for

I spent last weekend in Arizona. It was my first show of the season. Even though the weather did not cooperate it was a great time. I have found that life gives you little gifts if you are paying attention. It was also the debut of my new booth design. The weekend made me even more sure about the road I have chosen. I'm a traveling artist, fated to wander and happy to do so. It must be in my blood to be so strong. I've been hearing about people taking DNA tests to see where t

The new year is here and its back on the road I go. My first show of the year is the 6th Annual Cave Creek Indian Market in Arizona. The annual Cave Creek Indian Market celebrates the colorful history and rich heritage Of the Southwest with a diverse gathering of Native American, Spanish and Southwestern fine artists and craftsmen. Stagecoach Village, nestled in the scenic foothills surrounding Cave Creek, provides an environment reminiscent of the Southwest frontier. January