In Search Of Trees

I’ve spent the month focused on my online store, turning all thoughts and energy to jewelry, I am surprised and happy with what has been unfolding before me. The new designs seem to flow out of me coming from somewhere deep inside ~ these old hands ache but it’s a sweet ache. I do love what I do!

Later today, I took my camera out for a walk in search of trees. I needed a break from the computer and trees call to me and soothe my soul as little else can.

My walk ~ in a word ~ splendid

Trees ~ sky ~ Magic

“There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden,
but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.”
–   Minnie Aumonier

The Heralds Of Autumn

Woke up to a cold, gray morning. Brr

As I stepped out onto the patio, my ears were greeted by the squawking of geese overhead as they made their journey south. The heralds of Autumn.

Afternoon winds gently blowing against the curtains. The smell of old leaves and earth . . . Reflections . . .  Recollections of all the past Autumns . . .  Time slipping by . . . Sweet longing for a place where I can curl up unnoticed and sleep in the late afternoon sun … warm and comforted . . . safe and loved

Weaving ~ Creating ~ For now, this moment is all I need. x0

Sacred Moments

Sacred Moments: She Carries Me

Signs Of Autumn

The signs of Autumn have arrived. Brisk mornings, browning leaves rattling down the street carried by strong breezes and me with a cup of hot coffee in my hand watching the sun slowly rise over the mountain. What an incredibly beautiful day!

Quietly painting in the studio. Images & dreams I will always carry in my heart.

Sonoma Tree Line – Digital Painting – Watercolor & Impasto brushstrokes on layers – 8 x 10 inches

So many signs – Quiet Change

Ephemeral things – soft and fragile

Slower, Deeper – The Wheel of life Turns

To the Light of September

When you are already here
you appear to be only
a name that tells of you
whether you are present or not

and for now it seems as though
you are still summer
still the high familiar
endless summer
yet with a glint
of bronze in the chill mornings
and the late yellow petals
of the mullein fluttering
on the stalks that lean
over their broken
shadows across the cracked ground

but they all know
that you have come
the seed heads of the sage
the whispering birds
with nowhere to hide you
to keep you for later

you
who fly with them

you who are neither
before nor after
you who arrive
with blue plums

that have fallen through the night

perfect in the dew
– w.s. merwiin

And It’s August Again

A peak at a new digital painting I am working on.

Taking a break on the patio. It’s been a rather stressful week and I just needed to relax for awhile, so as I sat down, I noticed the antique bottle I had left out on the table yesterday.

I love these old bottles, the way the light reflects off of them, the soft muted colors and the way they make me feel nostalgic. Like dear old friends!

This bottle belonged to Aunt Margie and I know she would love the fact that I found such an unusual use for it.

Cleaned up my messy studio. Whew! Organized my acrylics, brushes and art journals.

Organic lettuce, homemade balsamic honey dressing, add some wine and good company and you have the makings for a perfect meal.

At the end of the day …

Nothing left to say …

Watching the sun go down over the hill … xo

What has been going on lately

The days of summer are going by so fast and I have been taking lots of photographs to capture the precious moments to soothe and comfort me in the winter. I will post more later.

Thought you might like to take a peak at my work space.
I am painting more. . .

Playing with beads and creating more necklaces . . .  Enjoying myself

Making heavenly organic cacao truffles. Yummy! Many thanks to my friend Salina for this wonderful recipe.

I love this time of the year and all the good things that come with warmer weather barbecues, unplanned adventures, gathering my thoughts, journaling, sipping tea, going for long walks, visiting friends and creating fearlessly.

Finding refuge in the simple things – roses, stones and tree roots.

That’s all for today folks. xo

Star Of The Sea

Copyright Jewelry by Rose Arizmendi

I finished the starfish necklace.

Using sterling silver, I created a wire wrapped bar of vintage fabric, fresh water pearls to show off the silver starfish pendant, then I added a vintage clay bead with the words “the sea” collaged onto it. Next I  attached wire-wrapped gemstones to the main bar and added freshwater pearls, sea shell beads and gemstone dangles. Lastly, I added a silver bird charm.

The necklace is approx. 18 inches long featuring two lovely blue lace agate nuggets along with blue topaz, lapis and chrysocolla beads. Unfortunately, the photograph doesn’t catch the beautiful swirl patterns on one of the nuggets. They look like ocean waves!

As I was finishing this piece I felt the need to visit Bodega Bay, it’s been awhile since my last visit and I long to feel the sand between my toes and listen to the waves crashing along the  shore line. The ocean calls me with her siren voice and my heart longs to listen to her song and of course the chance to find some treasures to bring home to remind me of my visit.

My soul is full of longing
For the secret of the sea,
And the heart of the great ocean
Sends a thrilling pulse through me.
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

If you are interested in purchasing “Star of the Sea” necklace, please contact me.

Gathering Treasures

Lately, I’ve been hunting and gathering treasures to add to several necklaces I am currently working on. I found some beautiful clay beads which I collaged words onto and a  pendant that features two herons with their necks intertwined.The clay pendant has a Celtic motif with a gorgeous Raku finish. Love it!

Below is the back of the pendant with words collaged on it. When the glue has dried I will add some color over the paper. The clay bead above the pendant is finished and ready to be added to the other necklace.

While I was waiting for my pieces to dry I was able to work on one of my acrylic paintings and feel pretty happy about the way it’s going.

Today, I’ve been flitting back and forth from one art making project to the next and loving it! xox

Morning Digital Art Warm up

Cityscape – Digital Painting – Soft Charcoal, Soft Pastel, Dirty Marker Pen & Gritty Charcoal Variant of Charcoal -5 x 5 inches

This morning I grabbed a cup of tea and sat down at my computer and began painting. I used  Painter 7 along with my walcom tablet and pen.

The inspiration for this painting was a cityscape. I started with the dirty pen variant of felt pens, then I applied rich layers of color using the soft charcoal variant of charcoal and the gritty charcoal variant, lastly I added more texture with the dirty pen variant.

My daily morning warm ups  gives me the opportunity to play, explore and try new techniques, mediums and ideas with wild abandon. No worries about wasted paint or canvasses. If I decide I don’t like what I’ve done,  I just hit the delete button. No fuss, no mess!

The abstract painting above is my interpretation of  what a city looks and feels like.

“All that a city will ever allow you is an angle on it — an oblique, indirect sample of what it contains, or what passes through it; a point of view.”
– Peter Conrad

The Heart of Gaia

The Heart of Gaia – Digital Painting – Soft pastel variant of pastels & Soft charcoal variant of charcoal – 8 x 8.5 inches

I started this painting a couple of weeks ago and finally finished it yesterday.

The painting is about touching the earth, listening to her heartbeat and being filled by the mysteriousness of all life. Gaia whispers, Heaven is right here. Can’t you see it?”

During my walks down by the creek near our home I am always filled with wonder and love for all the beautiful flowers and creatures which inhabit the area.  There are oak trees, willow trees, alder trees, blackberry bushes and wild flowers along the dirt trail near the creek. Everywhere you look Mother Nature has touched the Earth with her paint brush.

Last week I watched a Snowy Egret bathing in the creek. It was so beautiful with it’s  fine delicate feathers glowing and shimmering in the reflected sunlight. It was such a magical moment I added an Egret to the painting as a symbol of resurrection, regeneration and renewal.

Within the heart area of the painting, the Goddess Gaia watches over a Snowy Egret. She is the primal Mother Goddess of the Earth, complete in herself.

The Snowy Egret which is a small white Heron is said to be a Spirit Guide. The Heron was considered to be sacred by the Greeks and was believed to be one of Athena’s divine messengers. In China, the Heron stands for strength, purity, patience and longevity. In Egypt the Heron is a symbol of creation.