“Every human life has their seeds, their birth,
their family history and cultures, and their own experiences.
In your studio, it should be yourself that you are seeking.
We are all thickly layered and fragile.
Heredity, culture, and experiences all combine to make
each one of us unique and different from each other.”
Donna Watson
Welcome to the art/life trail!
I trust that here at the height of summer you’re taking time to notice the profusion of growth taking place.
This week I came across this photo of my garden taken in early spring.
April Garden
I am amazed by the transformation!
Blossoms abundantly.
Imagine that, as part of nature, you are also burgeoning.
August Garden
Here’s my seed story:
Spring of 2017 I was invited to exhibit my paintings at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. (the seed).
Throughout the year 30 pieces of work came together to form:
Noble in Nature…
Take a virtual tour here.
Tufted Titmouse, Drozda, mixed media/linen panel, 11 x 14″, 2017, Private collection
Artist Statement
Noble in Nature explores my relationship with the natural world, experienced at my lake shore home and at my tree farm in the Virginia Piedmont; each location connects me with what my eye can see as well as the mystery hidden from view.
Using color, line, texture and form I weave visual stories. My painting decisions happen intuitively . . . communication coming first through the colors that reflect my feelings.
As a work grows I deconstruct; break apart, paint over and push back key elements as a variety of materials layer and build the over-all image.
Some of my favorite materials include: unstretched awning canvas, Acrylic paint (drawn and carved into while wet), gesso, collage, mono prints, stampings, oil stick, hard pastel, and charcoal.
Blind, Drozda, mixed media/canvas, 72 x 57.5
My over-arching theme is “nature/nurture”.
I seek adventure, looking for something new . . . something that I haven’t seen before.
My hope is that you will explore and discover your seed relationship with the natural world.
Notice movement, shape and atmosphere as you nurture the seeds of your metaphoric nature story; a story that speaks to your Noble Nature.
The keyword for August is Trust.
Prompt: invest a few moments in the week ahead to journal and inventory the seed ideas planted in the spring. How they are growing for you? Leave a comment and share the Trust portion of the trail…
Let’s grow together.
On the art/life trail,
Iona
Visit:
Wren House Studio Paintings: Donna Iona Drozda
Creative Coaching: Lifecycle
22 Prayer Poems for Care Givers book
Wren House Studio Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/WrenHouseStudio
Thank you for your LIKE on Fan Page
Donna, I am Sooo Happy for You that your work will be displayed IN The Norfolf Botanical Exhibition !!! WOW I am Very Impressed . Quite a Compliment to your Art Work and Talent. YEA !!! Congrats !
Thanks Kathleen 😉 The Norfolk Botanical Garden is a very unusual and cool space for art to be displayed…which has made it all the more interesting. Being in this large open space also serves as the inspiration to contact other gardens along the east coast. It would be grand to have ‘Noble in Nature’ travel to places where I can drive, or easily ship, the 30 paintings that make up the series. Thanks for your message of congratulations!
Likening the cycle of your garden to the annual and lifetime cycles of our own lives gives me comfort. I feel secure in the knowledge that a new season is just around the bend, with new opportunities and a chance to hit the reset button.
I feel likewise Luise…the cycles and the seasons truly do offer us opportunities for newness and also for reset…each in their time…I like to call it Natural/Circadian/Feminine time…the flow that allows us each to be a flow*er in our own most creative way. ‘-) Thanks for your message…food for thought.
Wow, your garden is such a powerful emblem of transformation! Carefully tended seeds emerging from a seemingly-barren piece of earth to bloom with such luscious profusion!
And, indeed, your art is blooming as well 🙂
All delicious.
Thanks Wild C ‘-)
Wren House Studio garden makes my heart sing day after day, no matter what the season…that said…W O W. Summertime…it is a knockout for my artist eye! I so appreciate your taking the time to take a peek. Hugs d