Three Sisters & a WASP Tribute

Marguerite (Ty) Hughes Killen

Born ~ May 16,  1924

Died ~ Jan. 17, 2011

WASP:  Women Air Force Service Pilot

Ty, as I called her was my very best friends Mother.  She was a character and a hero in her time.  She was one of the first WASP's to fly in World War II. She attended civilian pilot training and received her commercial and flight instructor ratings on her 18th birthday and at 20 she graduated as a WASP.  As a teenager she spent most of her time at Fly Field in Yuma, AZ servicing planes and learning all about them.  She was flying planes when she was 15.  She later was a flight instructor and a teacher.

All records of the WASP were classified and sealed for 35 years, so their contributions to the war effort were little known and inaccessible to historians. In 1975, under the leadership of Col. Bruce Arnold, son of General Hap Arnold, the WASPs fought the "Battle of Congress" in Washington, D.C., to belatedly obtain recognition as veterans of World War II.

On July 1, 2009 President Barack Obama and the United States Congress awarded the WASP the Congressional Gold Medal.

Ty and Shauna (my BFF) before the award ceremony

As a small tribute I created Three Flying Hearts one for each daughter with three roses that were Ty's favorite flower and also representing her three daughters.

Flyer's Prayer

When this life I'm in is done, And at the gates I stand,

My hope is that I answer all  his questions on command.

I doubt He'll ask me of my fame, Or all the things I knew,

Instead He'll ask of rainbows sent On rainy days I flew.

The hours logged, the status reached The ratings will not matter,

He'll ask me if I saw the rays

And did you see the twinkling eyes,

Of student pilots keen?

The way your heart jumped in your chest,  That special solo day -

Did you take time to thank the ones

Who fell along the way?

Remember how the runway lights Looked one night long ago

When you were lost and found your way, And how - you still don't know?

How fast, how far, how much, how high? He'll ask me not these things

But did I take the time to watch The moonbeams wash my wings?

And did you see the patchwork fields And mountains I did mold,

The mirrored lakes and velvet hills,

Of these did I behold?

The wind He flung along my wings, On final almost stalled,

And did I know it was His name,

That I so fearfully called?

And when the goals are reached at last, 

When all the flying's done,

I'll answer Him with no regret -

Indeed, I had some fun.

So when these things are asked of me, And I can reach no higher,

My prayer this day - His hand extends

To welcome home a Flyer.

by Patrick J. Phillips

Drop a Love Bomb & Others

I had a lovely comment today on my Art and wanted to share with you what I discovered on her blog http://creativelysensitive.blogspot.com.  This is why Blogging is so wonderful ~ strangers stop in and out of your blog, say wonderful things, spread their love and make us aware of a bigger picture then the one we see just outside our windows.  I know this new "socialization" changes lives everyday.  It has changed mine forsure.  It makes people who may not be able to get out and about bring the world to their little piece of heaven.  It teaches us, it makes us believe and it saves us.

I'm so thankful to all of you that share yourself with me.  I learn so much from all of you!

If you do nothing else today go here! 

http://dropalovebomb.com/

http://www.itstartswith.us/blog/

http://payitforwardday.com/

Thank you "Creatively Sensitive" for sharing these posting on your site.  

Repurposed ~ Resurrected ~ Shovel Art

One of the crazy Recycled Art Resurrections I do are Repurpose Old Shovels into delicate, whimsical sculptures and the older the shovel the better.  In fact, I won't use new shovels their ugly!  They have no character plus they don't smell like cow manure when I fire up my plasma cutter! OK I know that sound weird because SHOVELS as delicate, whimsical art doesn't really match.  I made this for friend of mine who I've known for many years who always helps me with my garage sales & loves dumpster diving with me whenever she's in town and she's just a really good friend.  It's one of my favorites.. one because it's a scoop shovel and they make the best wide palate for cutting out designs on and two because of the butterflies. The bottom has an old curtain finial since the handle was broken.   I hope she likes it.

Modern Monster!! then my salvation :)

I'm about to finish the fireplace cover I mention a few posts ago.... can i just say now NEVER, EVER AGAIN will I agree to do something I HATE!!!

He caught me in a weak moment, although I tried to get out of it by placing the responsibility on the customer to email me  with what he wanted and a drawing, (I was hoping he's lose my bus card) then I quoted what I thought would be a price to high to accept and HE BOUGHT IT! In the end of how long it's taken and all this issues of this project I think he got the better end of the bargain.  OK I vented enough .... on to things I'm passionate about. 

During the process of this MODERN MONSTER ~ I had to clear my brain and paint another IRIS.  It made me feel so much better.

Rebirth, Rust & Transformation

Ojo Caliente was one of my many stops thru the Tewa Indian Territory of New Mexico were I lavished in many old Arroyo Junkers that filled the front and backyards of old adobe homes, like flowers fill an English garden with their many colors of blue, green, yellow and orange.  The only other major attraction is the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs, which is actually one of the oldest and most sacred springs and health resorts in North American. 


This relic of an oil rigger has certainly been out of commission for a seriously long time, who knows perhaps it was a mineral springs rigger.  There is an endless supply of Junkers in this part of the country ~ which makes me wonder why?  Perhaps nothing really dies, it's just resurrected & reborn through a lens or a rusty piece of art.  I hope to make a book of Rustic Resurrections someday of all the beauty seen in these old pieces of history (one more thing on the list of Things to Do).   I'd also love to reproduce these beautiful patina's in my metal work.

 Old Oil Rigger

Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

 1942 

Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

 Cuyamunge, New Mexico

Tewa Indian Territory

 Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico

"Place of the Strong People"

Eating... Painting... Sanding

EATING:  The New Year is almost hear folks and I'm sad to report I'm 10 lbs heavier than I was 3 months ago!  ARRGG.  Really I'm 5 lbs lighter than I was last year at this time.  I lost 15 lbs earlier this year and since the end of Oct I've gain 10 back.  Bizcochito's are the reason why!!!  Well for sure one of the reasons.  They are my demise, they are addictive, they are almost gone!  Since I'm from New Mexico we make these every year before Christmas as it is a long held tradition in my family and they are one of my favorite holiday cookies.  

Bizcochito's

Bizcochito or biscochito is a crispy butter or lard based cookie flavored with anise and cinnamon. It was developed by residents of New Mexico over the centuries from the first Spanish colonists of New Mexico.

PAINTING:  I couldn't take the sanding anymore so yesterday I started a watercolor painting - this afternoon I completed it.  I think I'm finally getting the hang of leaving the paper white for light.   I love painting Iris ~ my mom was an iris breeder in her spare time and so there were many gorgeous ones to pick from.  You should see her garden in the spring time.

SANDING:  Today I have been working on a "MODERN" fireplace screen that I really shouldn't of excepted doing for someone.  1st Reason is I don't do this type of work, 2nd I don't do MODERN!  All day I've been sanding this thing (I'll post when I'm done).  It's actually fairly simple, but it's so not what I do.  Note to Self:  Don't except work you're not excited about. 

Iris Weaved Hearts & The 12 Days of Christmas

 

I just finished a really fun project.  I saw weaved metal online and thought it was so beautiful, so I tried it.  It was challenging and I didn't get it exactly straight, but I guess everything I do is never perfect ~ I like flaws.  The iris was fun trying to make it look real.  I used a purple patina on the final flower and red patina for the weave.

This will be the last project I'll be working on until after the holidays.  It's time for baking, shopping, cleaning & decorating.  Yes I am that behind!  Yikes!

Merry Christmas to all 

and may Santa bring you Abundance

in

Love, Blessings, Kindness, Understanding

&

Compassion

or may he bring you just what you need

12 Days of Christmas..... explained

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.  It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

Starving Artist or Not?

Sometimes I feel starved for ideas

starved for knowledge and training,

starved for a connection, starved for social interaction,

starved for attention and understanding.

I'm starved for inspiration, 

I'm starved for time and energy.

But, if truth be told... I'm full,

satiated,

appeased ... truly.

I don't make a living at this craft I've chosen,

but I do make a life at it.

So that Question?? of starving ... is definitely questionable

at least in this Artist.

The burro is a pretty bird,

and loves to dine on shirts,

But for a midday luncheon,

Prefers to eat old skirts,

old petticoats and bloomers

Appraise his appetite

While crinoline and corset

Fill him with delight

Once in while a kind monk comes

to her stable and brings

a pear, but more

than that,

He looks into her eyes and rubs her ears

and for a few seconds the burro is free

and even seems to laugh

because love does that

Love Frees

Crow caw from the fields

sun slants through old bottles of

brown, green claret, clear

Rust is an Aphrodisiac

It's the afternoon before Thanksgiving and I've been cooking all morning, the Indians are getting restless and I'm in need of a "FIX" ... a Rustic Resurrectionists Aphrodisiac, which means METAL, JUNK and RUST.  So we packed up the guests and headed out to feed that need.  It was a gorgeous day here  ~  the news stated that it was the coldest day on Thanksgiving in 80 years ~ a high of 58 degrees!  We get very excited about cool weather in AZ and I know some of you are thinking ... 58 is cold! YES, here in AZ it's like an Arctic Blast... Trust me.

OK, back to my Aphrodisiac.... I don't know about the rest of you metal lovers, but RUST is my favorite color.  It can have more beauty than any man made color I've ever seen.  It changes normal colors to spectacular colors.   So on our little outing here is what I found.  Beats clams everyday of the week!  Don't you agree?

SunFlowers & Iris Metal Garden Art

I've been away from my blog for far to long, forgive me for I have missed you, but it has been for good reason.  I've been busy, busy, busy.  November is a very hectic month around her...  Eight birthdays to celebrate (I guess I get along good with Scorpio's!) Mom came down from NM to help me celebrate my bday and she actually had a big surprise party for me.  Last surprise party I had I was 16!  That was definitely a loooong time ago.  I had a great time and I know it wasn't easy pulling it together, because rarely has anyone ever been able to keep a secret from me of that magnitude.  I guess I'm getting old and not paying attention to things.  Although there were a few strange comments made that gave me pause... don't think I didn't notice them folks.

 We are back out doing shows and trying to get ready of the 20+ people showing up to feast on Thanksgiving dinner, but I've carved out a few days to create some more of my garden stakes and butterflies for Saturday's "Wild West Days" show. 

May you all be blessed with good friends, good wine, new memories and full belly's!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Caged and Broken Hearts

The Botanical Garden Sale this past weekend was a huge success.... That's Good and Bad!  Good that people loved my stuff... BAD that I'm back at it trying to replenish my supply.  Hey, this isn't suppose to be a  JOB!!!  When did that happen?  I need to talk to the manager!  Oh yeah, that's me.... #@%&!

I'm having so much fun making these winged hearts here's a few more.  They are a tribute to the caged and broken hearts in the world.  I see so many shows about abuse and control that these are for all those survivors that have come out on the other side and pieced their lives back together after so much heart ache.

Winged Hearts & Butterfly Shovels

The house is a mess

There's sheet metal remnants & dirty dishes in the kitchen

The laundry's spilling over

The yard is trashed from the lastest storm 

but...

WHO CARES

I'm creating again like a mad woman

I've gone off the track as usual and decided to make some new creations....winged hearts, some 3D flowers & butterflies on my shovel art.  I've got a big three days show coming up in a week in a half at the Botanical Garden's Fall Plant Sale so I guess the chores will just have to take a backseat to

PASSION

 Because without that..... we have nothing!

I love the red metal in the wings & hearts.  I found this piece of steel in a cow field and just had to have it.  Nothing prettier than that old weathered paint.

 This one will be rusted soon.  I love it in just the steel look and always agonize if I should rust it or try to keep it pristine.  Dealing with putting patina or paint on steel  is always a struggle for me.  In fact, my husband bought me an airbrush machine 2 years ago.... I've yet to try it cuz it scares me!

 This one is flame heated to get that blue flame look

  Lots of sewing with steel wire... Fun

Live ~ Love ~ Laugh

Friendship Resurrected

As Much as Life Changes.... it Remains the Same.

Back in May I spent some time wondering thru the back roads of my childhood.  The house that my grandparents & great-grandparents built and the house that I grew up in was still there. It's a beautiful old adobe with hand carved doors and beams that my grandfather carved.  I have not been in that house for over 47 years.  I was lucky enough to go inside since my Mom knew the artist that now lives there.

 

Me my brother and our loyal watch dog Hondo in front of that door. I did ask if she'd sell me the door, but she wouldn't.  How wonderful it would be to have that in my house. 

 

It was wonderful growing up there and having 3 generations together.  Every morning I'd awake to the smell of fresh baked pies my "Nana" would make for a local restaurant.  We had a bountiful orchard that supplied an abundance of fresh fruit.  Sadly, it is no longer there.

I was stunned to see the same floor still there.  They don't make linoleum like they used to.  Definitely more worn, but in tact.  The cupboards still the same, the concrete sink in the laundry room that I used to get bathed in ~ still there.  It took me back to a time that was joyous and carefree ... my childhood.  Growing up in the country, riding my horse, swimming in the river, playing with my best friend... Jeannette.  The Good Ole' Days

As I left the house and drove down the road to see where my bestfriend lived I discovered her mother still lived in the same house.  Of course, I went to the door to say Hi and she remember me like it was yesterday.  She gave me Jeannettes' phone and after I got home I contacted her.  We hadn't spoke in over 47 years, but it didn't matter.... we were best friends.  After catching up and promising to get together on my next trip and before saying goodbye, she said "you know for 47 years when I go to visit my Moms, I take the exit before her house to drive by your old house and I always think of you".

How great was that!

Here we are at a Halloween Costume Party. 

I'm the "China" Girl