Bodhisartva ..... Art/Spirit/Life

The Gift of Art and Love

When my two youngest went away to college, I sent them off with a piece of my heart and a place to keep theirs.  These boxes are shaped like books and made of paper mache'. 

Sara spent four years in Wisconsin.   I cannot tell you how my heart broke when I left her there.  I'm so happy she is back home now.  When she returned, I found a safe place in my studio for her bookbox (but honestly, honey, I have never looked inside!).

The polaroid image on the cover is something my Dad took.  I manipulated it with the DayLab.  What a loss to artists is the demise of Polaroid!  That antique button is one of my treasures; you know how much I love my daughter that I parted with it!

Katie is spending her college years in New York City, so her book seemed to require something different.  The inside of the book is collaged with materials sent by The New School to entice her enrollment (not that it took ANY enticing.)  I took these photos right after she moved into the dorm, so I have NO idea what is inside this box now.  I only hope they are her treasures and that the box has given her a bit of love and home. 

 

The outside is collaged with maps - the edge of the back begins with Los Angeles and the cover ends with New York City.  I really need to make one for Jessica in Hawaii, now, or I may find myself accused of favoritism. 

 

In the Garden

Some people think it's always the same in Southern California, but really, it's not that boring.  We actually have seasons and this one is one of my favorites.  It's spring - oh yes it is - and though it's not the same spring as New York or Chicago, it is our spring and I love it!

The sweetpeas I planted months ago are in full bloom.  By May, they will be over the top of the fence; this is the best crop I have had in years!  I mixed seeds of hybrids for show and antique for fragrance, so I hope for a perfect combination.

I got a dwarf Meyer's Lemon last year and it's full of blooms and tiny fruit.  I am so happy!

This is the new little bed I built this year.  It's so cool - I can step outside the door and pick veggies without bending over - it's on top of a wall.  Seeded some beans and transplanted them this weekend.  I just put in 5 kinds of tomatoes. 

The carrots, radishes and onions are up.  Not sure what happened with my brussels sprouts seedlings indoors.  Not enough light, I imagine.  Well, I can always start over, though they may struggle with the heat before they produce anything.

If you don't plant a garden, think about it this year.  Even the White House has one!  There is great information here and here about starting your own.  It's SPRING!