Category: Mandala Art

Watching…

by susanbradfordart, posted in Mandala Art

orca drawing

 

 

Watching myself…

as I procrastinate getting back into the studio after being in Water Gap for two weeks.  Yes, we have wonderful company to distract me.  Yes, it is a very busy time.  Yes, there are many weeds in the garden.  And yes, there is a knowing that I need life and some rest right now to feed what can happen in the studio.  So I watch myself without judgment (or at least try to keep those judgmental feelings to a minimum).

Watching the whales…

though the Orca “killer” whales are really in the dolphin family and have that same special power of communication.  For the first time since we have lived here, motivated by having our friends visiting, we took a whale watch tour.  It was totally magical!  A very special voyage with two Orcas choosing to come as close as thirty feet from the boat.  We also saw two whales breaching (not so common) and felt so honored.  And we saw the 100 year old Granny Whale with her daughter and grandchildren.  Oh my!  Not even one good photo, but no matter.  It is all in my heart and in every cell of my body.  And it has everything in the world to do with making art.

Too much watching?

Inside, outside, upside down.  Start to Be more.  Be the watching.  Take the lesson from the whales.  All the rest is gone!

from tree to shining tree

by susanbradfordart, posted in Mandala Art

Here I am at home after a mere twenty eight-hour journey from the East to the West.  From the amazing willow tree across from the Deer Head in Delaware Water Gap to the huge cedar tree outside of our house.  From  a sultry Tuesday to a sunny breezy Wednesday.  From celebrating the Solstice in Anita/Interplay style to embracing summer Orcas style.  From Reiki Reiki Reiki to Art Art Art.  Time to shift my focus once again.  Making art here on Orcas and playing in the glorious garden.  Practicing Reiki in PA and feeling so happy that the art gets seen.  Thank you Delaware Water Gap!  Hello Orcas!

Time After Time

by susanbradfordart, posted in Mandala Art

Somehow it all comes together, and keeps coming together.  My past, present and future.  The chance to share my art work, my ability to practice and teach Reiki, the deep need to stay connected with dear friends, the desire for jazz.  Feels so complete, familiar, safe.  But let’s not forget the humidity, the allergies, the poison ivy.  The reality.  It’s all here in Delaware Water Gap, all around me.  All OK.  Somehow it works.  Four times a year.  Coming back.  Time after time.

I Did It

by susanbradfordart, posted in Mandala Art

After many delays and a few false starts, I sat down and made seven garlic baskets in just a few days.  They are sweet and satisfying baskets to make.  Each one uses the exact same material, a lightweight rush often used in caning chairs.  The spokes in each basket are all cut to the same length, as is the one long weaver.  And yet each basket feels unique to me.  Each one develops its own personality as I work on it.  Some end up longer with a more narrow neck.  Some seem to want to be short and squat.  Each one has a mind of its own.  I just weave and listen.  They all bring me pleasure as I sit on the deck to weave, or talk with a friend, or watch a movie on Netflix late at night.

You’ll be able to see the results this Saturday, June 11th at the Cherry Valley Day Festival, held at the Josie Porter Farm from 10 am to 5 pm.garlic baskets All the beautiful items from the members of Mandala Design Works will be shown and Wellspring Holistic Center will be offering mini-treatments.

I love the idea of bringing them to a farm where beautiful, organic garlic is grown.  It seems like such a perfect match.  So when the garlic is ready to harvest this year, you’ll know where to go to fill your basket with the freshest, tastiest garlic around.

The event this Saturday is free!  And there will be music, crafts, educational demos, food and lots of fun.

Being a Tourist

by susanbradfordart, posted in Mandala Art

 

 

 

 

 

On Memorial Day, I met my cousins in Seattle.  In seven years, I’d only been to Pike’s Market once.  Now I’ve been there twice.  Had drinks for the first time at a well-known Seattle Irish pub called Kell’s.  Rode the Monorail.  First time.  And from there went to the top of the Space Needle.  All fun to do.  Being a tourist wasn’t so bad.  From the Space Needle, I could see the Olympic Mountains and it was comforting to know that my home lay beyond them to the North.

I took a ton of pictures from the top.  What interested me the most was to find a shape or a color that drew my attention from far so above, and then to zero in on it with my camera and to see what happened.  These two photos have not been cropped or edited.  Some of them feel like living mandalas or mandalas in the making.   We’ll see.