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I'll Stop Wearing Black When - A Short History of the Non-Color Black
I’ll stop wearing black when they invent a darker color - Wednesday Addams
Writing about the history of black is probably a bit strange here in the middle of spring with flowers blooming up a storm in all sorts of beautifully varied and cheerful colors. But just like Wednesday Addams of the Addams Family fame, black has always been a color (or non-color as it turns out) that I enjoy wearing. Black has a very long and rich history, something I found most fascinating. I kept reading and reading and reading some more: interesting information and tidbits about black, both the elegant side and the more “evil” connotations. So, I decided to share some of the information. And also highlight unique handmade items from artist friends that feature black prominently in the design. Other photos of interest about black are also scattered in. All photos are linked.
Flora and Fauna - Artisan Handmade
The Earth is such a beautiful place to live on, if we just take the time to look and observe. No matter where we go, unique plants and animals can be found, two very important parts of any ecosystem. I’ve been lucky to have lived in many places and many different ecosystems, from Central Texas to North Carolina, from near Georgian Bay in Canada to a forest in Northern Virginia, from North Texas to an island in South Carolina. Now I live in the gorgeous Desert Southwest. The flora and fauna of each place was awe-inspiring - some the same but, most often, very different. Since I love what Mother Nature has to offer, I find it all VERY, VERY interesting and want to keep on learning about how our wonderful Earth functions . . . and what we need to do to heal it.
Colours by Donovan - Three for Thursday
A couple of days ago, while I was picking up some veggies and fruit from our local Whole Foods, I keyed in on a song that was playing in the background - a song I loved waaaaay back when. When I got home, I looked it up on YouTube, played the video and then let the mix of music from the mid-60’s to early 70’s continue playing. Brought back to many happy, and some sad, memories. One of the songs that played was Donovan Leitch’s “Colours,” a song I adored then and still adore now. I get lost in the peaceful lyrics, the lovely simplicity of the folk guitar accompaniment and Donovan's hauntingly beautiful voice. The song was released in 1965 and, 54 years later, is still a classic. I have played it over and over since “rediscovering” it. The lyrics are shared near the end of the post.
Here’s a link to the YouTube video (version without harmonica):
And here’s an incredible live version of the song with Pete Seeger sitting in on banjo:
Original Art - Three for Thursday
“The paint is simply an extension of my hand, my mind.” ~ Antonio Masi, Watercolor Artist
Having never been a painter - although I did dabble in watercolors for a bit and realized very quickly I had no talent for it besides “abstract blobs” - I am always astounded at the beauty that artists reveal on their canvas of choice. I think you will also be amazed at the wide variety of techniques and styles of the three painters featured in this new Three for Thursday blog. The artists are: Sharon of RavensBendFolkArt; Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; and Jacki of Christie Cottage. I hope you enjoy these choices and that you will visit their shops to see more art.
Need Some Love - Artisan Handmade
There is something ALL handmade artists go through: you design a beautiful piece of jewelry, or create a fabulous painting, or crochet an intricate piece of table art, or . . . the list goes on and on. You have put so much of yourself into the piece, you love it and you are sure it will sell very, very quickly. Unfortunately, there it still sits in your shop . . . and you have no idea why!
Artisan Handmade Beauties - Three for Thursday
My favorite reason to buy handmade is just that - it's handmade, which means quality, and a whole lot of love!
Cammi Higley
I love the quote above from Cammi about handmade . . . because it’s so TRUE! The artists featured in this week’s Three for Thursday blog definitely create quality products, all made with HUGE doses of love. The artists this week are Roxanne of watercolorsNmore who uses watercolors to convey the beauty of Florida; Sue of starspiritstudio who creates amazing rustic terra cotta findings and reclaimed tin earring dangles; and, Sharon of RavensBendFolkArt who paints one of a kind functional items with a whimsical folk art flair. If something catches your eye, please be sure to click on the photo or the link below the picture to be taken to the item for more photos and information. I hope you enjoy the unique artisan handmade items featured below. And remember: BUY HANDMADE!
Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year!
Wishing all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a joyous NEW YEAR.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love animals of all kinds. When I saw "The Christmas Star" painting by Lynn Bywaters, I had to share it.
Deep peace to you and yours during this holiday season.
Flora and Fauna - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
I have always admired Walter Cronkite on so many levels, but mostly as an intelligent and reliable newsman and as a vital, moral human being. Even though he died in 2009, I still remember his plain spoken grace in delivering the news, from moonwalks to war, assassinations to peace treaties and thusands of other topics. A favorite quote of his, made 2005 (but still oh so relevant today), is this one:
“I am joining the hundreds of thousands who shall be marching in the Virtual March on Washington to Stop Global Warming in order to demonstrate the concern that we all hold for the future of our planet and all the living things — flora, fauna, human and animal — that exist upon it. The governments of the world have tarried long enough, and the United States is scarcely without doubt the greatest culprit among them. We the people have the strength to bring our country from our weak-kneed stumbling gait in the last ranks of reason to the leadership of the great march to environmental victory.”
Autumn Art Fest, Saturday, September 23, El Paso, Texas
On Saturday, September 23, people who love great, home grown art festivals will make their way to the house of Rachel and Michael Davis to browse and (hopefully buy) a wide variety of artisan handmade items, amny of which are one of a kind pieces. The Autumn Art Fest will be held on a large, tree shaded lawn during the prettiest time of the year in the Texas / New Mexico borderlands area. To be able to take part in the festival was by invitation only and eighteen artists accepted. So you know the quality of the handmade pieces for sale is extraordinary.
Date: September 23
Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Admission: Free
Address: 5737 Montoya (in the Upper Valley)
The Magical Number 7 - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
The theme for this week's Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade is "The Magical Number 7." Throughout the history of mankind, the number 7 has been seen as a number with special magical and / or spiritual significance. Here are some examples:
- The number 7 is the number of perfection, security, safety and rest.
- Used 735 times in the Bible (54 times in the book of Revelation alone), the number 7 is the foundation of God's word.
- Seven circles form the symbol called “The Seed of Life”: six circles symbolize the six days of creation and the central circle symbolizes the day of rest.
- The number 7 is the sacred spiritual number, “the energy of the mystics."
