Bite the Peach

I’ve been working on peaches lately. Don’t know why. Maybe it’s the pseduo-sexual swell of the peach-shape, or the joy of working with minimal colors on a fresh, white background. Maybe it’s because every brush stroke reminds me of a deep, juicy bite into a fresh-off-the-tree treat. Maybe it’s because my own J. Hale peach tree is struggling with peach leaf curl (which is really a rather poetic affliction), and my mother in law sends us boxes of peaches via UPS during the dead of summer, and I can almost smell the fuzzy sweetness, mingling with cardboard, on a hot July afternoon.

In China, the peach is a symbol of immortality. The word itself looks and sounds like the word “Immortal,” and by proxy, each ruddy fruit embodies the essence of health, longevity, and immortality. Shou Xing, the God of Health, carries one in his hand wherever he goes (luckily he’s an immortal, and he can probably magically accomplish things that normally require two hands). The Peaches of Immortality are not unlike the Apples of Immortality, found in Norse (and other)  mythology–one bite can bring enlightenment. And the joy of the bitten peach? A topic for another article, perhaps…

Here are two of my peach-buddies, done with Chinese brush painting techniques, on slightly off-white double xuen paper. They remind me of those delectable white peaches, with red blush, that you see in the markets now and then. Maybe I should also do a Saturn Peach!

 

Tea Appreciation Class - Enroll NOW!

Tea Appreciation  
Enrollment Open Now!

Saturday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM;
3 sessions starting June 7, 2008, ending June 21, 2008 
~ Summer, 2008 semester at UNM Continuing Education ~
Cost $80
Course number - 15936
Instructor: Renee Adams  
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico - Factory on 5th Artspace

Tea has been enjoyed for thousands of years. From the high mountain Oolong of China and Taiwan to the dark, robust Indian Assam and delicate African Honeybush - the consumption of true tea and herbal tea is meditative, relaxing, invigorating, and reflective. Tea brings health benefits and stress relief. It’s used as medicine, as a beauty product, and even in art and douse cleaning. Delve into this lush class, which offers you the chance to taste, sample and discuss tea from all over the world. It’s an ideal class for those seeking something beyond supermarket tea bags, or for those wanting to learn more about (or to sample) world teas. Proper brewing methods, tea tasting, tea grading, and even some tea tales will be discussed.

This fun, hands-on course allows you to sip tea, and learn about its complex flavors, in a friendly environment.

Note: $10 materials fee due to the instructor at the first class.

To enroll, visit the UNM Continuing Ed. Website!

The Old Man in the River

I haven’t blogged much lately. Life has had me really busy–and bouncing to and fro like a tether ball in the wind, getting whacked now and then by a giant steel bar. At least it’s fun to fly freely in the air before you hit the bar, though! A little exhilirating.

I’ve had a series of health issues this year, which is new to me, as I’ve never had so many illnesses and issues in a row. Stress plays a big role in our ability to heal as well, and a few life situations have made it all worse. I came down with two different cold/flu deals, and have had issues with two separate wisdom teeth (funny, in some way!), including ongoing issues with an impacted wisdom tooth which, today, is reminding me that I’m alive.

It reminds me of one of my favorite Taoist stories:

“A Taoist story tells of an old man who accidentally fell into the river rapids leading to a high and dangerous waterfall. Onlookers feared for his life. Miraculously, he came out alive and unharmed downstream at the bottom of the falls. People asked him how he managed to survive. “I accommodated myself to the water, not the water to me. Without thinking, I allowed myself to be shaped by it. Plunging into the swirl, I came out with the swirl. This is how I survived.”

Going with the flow. Issues melt away. While sometimes we can’t help it if we fall into the river, we can make the best of it, enjoy the ride, and pop out on the other side.

Anyway, I’m working on several new painting series, which has been enjoyable. I had a dry period there, where nothing wanted to travel from my brain to my hand, but I’ve been painting again and working on additions to my Tea Wash series, as well as two other series. “Balance” (pictured below) is part of the Tea Wash grouping. I will post images of the new work shortly.

I enjoy working with tea. It intrigues me that I can use an ancient drink, with calming and healing properties, in a work of art.

Now if more paintings fly off my painting table, with the speed of that rushing river, I’ll be even happier.

Balance Bamboo Painting, originally uploaded by plasticpumpkin.

Original Chinese brush painting, which uses traditional techniques, on white xuan paper. The symbol is an ancient moniker which represents the harmony of man and woman, and which therefore can also be thought to represent balance (or as another way of expressing the yin yang and the sacred copulation of male and female, in perfect balance).

The Possibility of Impossibility

The Possibility of Impossibility

When I was about 7 or 8, I remember walking outside on a bright day. It must have been mid-spring and the trees were slowly filling with new leaves, while the air had a crisp edge.

The front driveway was ringed by large trees, with a central “open spot.” The driveway was just hardened, yellow, high-desert dirt, rutted here and there with years of car-parking.

I remember noticing how wonderful the air felt and how vast the trees were. I remember thinking, matter-of-factly, that I could just exist up at the top level of the trees, right there in the open sky. At that moment, in that place, it was perfectly possible to just walk right up there and stand, suspended in the slightly warm, still, air. It was easy to become part of the skyline. Part of the universe.

Taking a few steps forward, I felt the “air” beneath my feet. I walked into the sky and stood at the crown level of the trees, feeling light and perfect. It seemed natural and completely possible. It never occurred to me that it could be impossible.

I stood there for a moment and resisted the urge to walk higher into the sky. I even thought, “I better not go too high or I might not be able to get down.”

I descended down the arc and stepped back onto the hard driveway floor.

It was exhilarating and simple.

Chinese Lantern Dream Mini Painting

Chinese Lantern Dream Mini Painting, originally uploaded by plasticpumpkin.

mini painting (Artist trading card size; the size of a baseball card), done with Japanese watercolors and a Niji water pen, on white rice paper. Available.

Lately I’ve been playing with a Japanese Niji water pen (a portable, almost-sumi style brush, with a body which can hold water). It’s a very different animal from the Chinese brushes I’m used to, and it’s been fun to expierment.

I love Chinese lanterns. I love Japanese lanterns. Heck, I love lanterns of any size, shape, and origin.

The soft glow of an illuminated paper or silk lantern, set against a night sky is enchanting–yet so is the soft glow of a red lantern against the fresh, sunny sky. The glow is not quite as prominent, but it still whispers.

I’d have my entire house filled with lanterns, if my cats didn’t also enjoy them.

View the ACEO art card on Etsy.

All things Must Age

Age is really irrelevant to me.

Whether you’re 2, 20, or 200–each person has a set of experiences, a place in time, and a position in the universe which is unique, immediate, and ultimately transitory. I’m not one of those people who only wants to hang around with people my own age, or pursue people younger than myself, as if satisfying some latent fear of getting older by surrounding myself with what I believe is “youth,” and layering myself with the styles and trends of the illusionary world, just to keep myself “young.”

In the bigger scheme of the universe, we’re all such tiny little children, anyway! And even still, mountains which are millions of years old, are only wee little things compared to geographic formations that’ve been around the block for a billion years… And in the end, the mountains fall, and the formations change..

I have, however, noticed that I’m older than I used to be. Yep. It’s true. This isn’t a bad thing at all. It’s just different. It’s just interesting to be passing through that point in my life–the point where I realize I’m transitioning. In fact, it’s fascinating. It’s weird. Fun. Strange. Crazy.

I had an epiphany last night. I bet we all long for times when things seemed nicer, especially in our own lives, when things aren’t going perfectly in the present day–and I’ve lately been enjoying 70’s and 80’s cop and detective shows, which have always been a secret passion of mine. I was watching Miami Vice. Yes, really–an epiphany while watching dated TV, with droopy eyed Don Johnson, and lots of overacting by secondary cops and bad guys.

I realized–it’s been 25 years since this episode aired! And I remember it so clearly when it aired. 25 years! One of the investigators I work with everyday is only 21.

And yet–who the heck am I to have a revelation like that? I bet Don Johnson says, “Man! It’s been 25 years sinceI was 35?! How the hell did that happen?”

I have never been worried about it before, but lately, little interesting things have popped up. Like the episode. Like remembering things that other people don’t. And I’m sure there’s someone else reading this blog, chuckling at my innocent, youthful naivety–that I have only just had the 25 year epiphany.

Aren’t we all one day older than the day before? Isn’t it interesting?

Here’s to 25 more, and 25 more, and 25 more…

Givin’ Love to DaWanda

I registered with DaWanda, an international arts & crafts shopping site, almost a year ago. I haven’t done much with my ID over there, but I was pretty impressed with the site look, feel, layout, and most especially–with the deep, international nature of it.

This year, I am renewing my interest in online arts & crafts sales venues, given some of the recent problems at Etsy, and DaWanda is heading my list. I have been busy posting work on DaWanda all morning, and enjoying the work of others. It’s easy to list on there, and free, too (they take a small commission if you sell).

DaWanda allows you to pin favorites, add comments to products you like, and share mini galleries you make of your favorite items.

If you enjoy shopping for original arts & crafts, or if you’re an artist/crafter looking for more online places to sell your wares, check it out this weekend. I’m diggin’ it.

DaWanda is in English, French, and German, and prices show in Euros (although anyone, anywhere can purchase products from the site). I like to use this US Dollars to Euros conversion site when working on Etsy.  Think of the extra exposure US sellers will get when listing on DaWanda! If you’re in the US, and only want to ship to the US, you can still join–just don’t offer international shipping on your items.

Here’s my newly updated DaWanda shop

Here’s one of my “pinboards” of other peoples’ items: Fun Stuff

New ACEO Cards on Flickr

A whole slew of new ACEO (artist trading cards) are up and available on Etsy.

I enjoy making these. They are tiny moments in time.

I sell them through Etsy, but I also trade them.

Lomas & 5th St, Albuquerque, NM

Lomas & 5th St, Albuquerque, NM, originally uploaded by plasticpumpkin.

This is a figurative cityscape , done with a Japanese sumi ink pen, on white paper. You’re heading East on Lomas, during late August, toward the corner of 5th st., in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The shadows stretch as 4:00 rolls into 5…

This is an 11 x 14 piece. $28.00

Available.

Enter the Spiraling Forest Mandala

Enter the Spiraling Forest Mandala

This is a mandala made by digitally altering one of my original photos of a flowering Robinia Neomexicana tree, with the KrazyDad Kaleidoscope program.

The shadow and light of the tree’s leaves give this mandala its interesting border.

In sanskrit, “mandala” means circle, and it implies balance, wholeness, completion, and the universe–a core focus of Buddhism and other Eastern philosophies and religions. gaze into its spiraling center, and you can see the patterns of the universe: the cycles of birth, growth, life, death, mystery, epiphany, and the mathematics that make up every atom. That’s what I love about looking at mandalas. It’s everything, and nothing, all in a neat pattern.