For the Birds

I'm fascinated by birds. One of my favorite things is to find a quiet place to sit and watch them. I am a bird nerd. When I spot a bird that I can identify I like to drop names. My favorite bird name is the Vermillion Flycatcher. The name has a lot of syllables which I find impressive. It's a fine looking bird too. Birds seem to have many traits similar to humans. They sing, dance, gossip, argue, and court. And of course they have the added gift of flight. They are beautiful, poetic and also very funny. I've been making birds for a long time. I decided to try to get a group of them together this month for my yearly studio open house. Here's a photo of the gang. You can view them individually in my Etsy Shop.

Skatebirds and Baby Birds

Welcome October

It's a lovely time of year here in the Southwest. The days are hot but evenings are crisp. Our garden is coming to life after a steaming hot summer. Now that the weather's changing I remember why it is that I live in the desert. This season is intoxicating. It's inspiring lots of new work in my studio. Here are pics of some Autumn offerings~

Leaf Crowned Angel

Bird Boy and Beanstalk

Little Bird Talismans

Heart with Stars

Angels and Offerings

Angel for the Transmigration of Souls

This month began on a bittersweet note with a happy birthday celebration but the loss of a friend. And so it seemed right to channel some of the angst that I've been feeling into this Angel for the Transmigration of Souls. Sometimes pieces come out like prayers.

It's included in a group exhibition for Santa Muerte Music and Arts Festival at Sacred Machine Museum and Curiosity Shop. The Festival opens September 14 from 5-11pm. You can view the exhibit online at www.sacredmachine.com

I also have some new offerings from my Corazon Series. Little balms to sooth the spirit...

Sacred Heart with Vintage Key

Hands and Hearts

Art Takes Paris

Uh oh. I entered a contest again. This one is called Art Takes Paris. The winner will receive a grant and opportunity to exhibit in Paris. How could I resist that? If you are a user of social media and enjoy viewing my artworks please send me your vote! Go to http://elizabethfrank.see.me/atp2013 and click on vote. It will give you the option to vote via twitter or facebook.

Summer Angel

Summer Angel

This is a new angel from the Lost and Found Series. I love the old ceiling tin used for the wings. I found it on ebay recently. It has so many wonderful layers of rust and paint.  I can't wait to do a bigger angel to show off more of the tin's elegant decay. In this angel I also used a mexican milagro in the heart and an antique watch face in the belly. The carved figure and flowers are done with my usual favorite, found aspen wood.

Ice Bear and Ursa Minor

Ice Bear and Ursa Minor

There is an island off the coast of Siberia where ice bears go to raise their young. It is something like a bear nursery. This piece is dedicated to the journey of those bears. Perhaps they follow the stars to find their way...

This piece is carved from aspen wood collected in the mountains. It is painted with acrylic and metal leaf. There is antique tin nailed to the surface of the boat. The boat is set on a metal stand. 
14.25"h x 13.5"w x 7"d
Here's a link to a story about the island that inspired this piece:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/05/wrangel-island/sides-text

one of my study sketches for the Ice Bear

View inside the boat

Secret Languages

Several of my new pieces are featured this month in an online exhibit called Secret Languages sponsored by Artful Home. Each of the six artists included incorporates some form of narrative in their work.

I'm happy to be involved with this because not only am I in fine company but one of my favorite wood and mixed media artists, Christine Kaiser is also taking part.

Until by Christine Kaiser

Here are a couple of photos of my new pieces

Animal Tales

What stories do animals tell in the secret languages spoken amongst themselves? This figure is carved from found aspen and reclaimed wood. It holds a book made from antique tin, mica, and mixed media. It's painted with acrylic and finished with a light layer of wax. The base is made with a mosaic of vintage, reclaimed wood.

Spotted Woman and Butterfly

The Spotted Woman follows the path of the Monarch Butterfly. On her journey she encounters both flowers and thorns, difficulty and grace. This piece is carved from aspen and reclaimed wood. The base is covered with layers of antique tin. The figure is painted with acrylic and finished with wax. It holds a book made of mica and antique tin with the found wings of a Monarch Butterfly pressed inside the pages. 

Works in progress