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

Fourth of July Sale!

HAPPY 4th of JULY! This weekend I'm having a SALE in my Etsy Shop! The sale runs through Sunday July 7. Please visit the store for details.

    www.elizabethfrank.etsy.com

Some New Small Works

Here are some photos of some of the small offerings available in my shop this summer.

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Baby Birds

Baby Birds

The Baby Birds are carved from found aspen and recycled yard sticks. There is a hook on the top of each bird so that it can dangle from a hook or string.These tiny birds look great hanging in a window or from the ceiling. They are delicately carved and painted with acrylic. 

Size: 4.5"w x 2.75"h x 1.5"d

Blackbird Boy

Blackbird Boy

This figure is carved from fallen aspen wood that I collected in the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico. The base is made with a mosaic of vintage wood. The figure's has a tiny tree atop its head made from a mesquite twig. It's been painted with acylic and finished with a light layer of wax

Works in progress...

I'm quietly working in my studio this summer. It feels good to have some uninterrupted time. I won't be traveling to any craft shows but instead traveling a bit for fun!  Here are a few works in progress.

Inspiration~Woodcarvings by Yoshimasa Tsuchiya

View more works by this artist here: 

Yoshimasa Tsuchiya 

New Milagro Series

New Works- Milagro Series

These hands with flowers, leaves and thorns are carved from found aspen wood. Each one is set on an antique piece of carved wood from India that was once used as a textile printing block. There are hooks on the back to hang them on the wall. 

They are part of a new series inspired by Milagros. Traditionally Milagros were used as offerings to request help or give thanks for assistance with any number of circumstances, from mending bones to finding lost pets. Frequently Milagros are used in requests for healing. Milagros made from metal, wood, and wax are found throughout Latin America and Europe. They are often made to represent body parts but also animals, tools, cars or other inanimate objects. The word "milagro" means miracle in Spanish.  

My milagros aren't meant to assist with a problem but rather to celebrate how the health of our minds and bodies is deeply connected to nature.

Mano Sagrado #1- Milagro Series

Mano Sagrado #2 - Milagro Series

Peace by Piece Art Project

I just received this debris from Hurricane Sandy in the mail today. As part of a group project I will be constructing something from these materials in response to that devastating storm. Part of this project involves documenting my process in creating the artwork. As I develop my offering I'm going to share some thoughts and images here.  For more info about this project or to donate to help offset shipping costs please visit http://www.peacebypieceartproject.com/

Equinox

Wheel of Life

Some new works to celebrate the changing seasons. Happy equinox to you wherever you may be!

Flowers on antique textile printing blocks

Purple Skatebird

Little Bird Talismans

I too have been covered with thorns~Rumi

Hand Heart and Thorns

I Too Have Been Covered With Thorns 

I am your moon and your moonlight too
I am your flower garden and your water too.
I have come all this way eager for you,
without shoes or shawl.
I want you to laugh, to kill all your worries, to love you, to nourish you.
Oh sweet bitterness, I will soothe you and heal you.
I will bring you roses. I too have been covered with thorns.
~Rumi

Desert Mermaid

It is said that Christopher Columbus spotted mermaids while exploring the Caribbean. They inhabit the dreams and myths of cultures all over the world. Here is a mermaid story that you might not have heard before...

In the Sonoran desert where water is scarce rare creatures emerge in the puddles and pools after a rainstorm. Their lifespans sometimes last just a few days. Once the water dries up they disappear as quickly as they came. Most common to appear in the temporary pools of water are the desert frogs and fish. Shown here is one of the rarest of the desert creatures-a Desert Mermaid.

Her head is an antique Tin Minerva doll with the original blue glass eyes, Her body is carved wood. The arms are articulated so they bend up and down at the elbow. The hands are made with antique porcelain doll parts. Each flower and thorn is delicately carved and painted. The antique doll face has been coated with a varnish to preserve the paint. The entire piece is finished with wax.

12"h x 7"w x 3"d

Desert Mermaid

My Funny Valentines

Blossoming Heart 

Hands and Hearts

Heart Series

On the Table

Here's what's on my work table now...
The weather has been cold and dry which can cause my wood to split. Just when I thought I'd finished building the tall figure at the top of this photo I drilled a hole in the hand to fit the bunny in and...Crack! Back to carving...

Looking out on the desert from Wupatki Ruins 

In 2013~

May you be touched by kindness

May you be moved by Beauty

May you be inspired by something new

May you be transported by something ancient

May you be surrounded by love

Happy New Year!