http://sculptorsjournal.com
http://dawntreestudio.com
http://henrymitchellsculptor.com
http://earth-sign.com
Copyright © 2005-2010 henry mitchell. Copyright for all artwork shown on this site resides with the artists.
http://dawntreestudio.com
http://henrymitchellsculptor.com
http://earth-sign.com
Copyright © 2005-2010 henry mitchell. Copyright for all artwork shown on this site resides with the artists.
LEFT:
"Alone"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
BELOW:
"Reader"
gesso on paper
24 x 20 in.
"Alone"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
BELOW:
"Reader"
gesso on paper
24 x 20 in.
Saturday 10 April 2010- Yesterday I met at the Anchorage in Greenville, South Carolina with six other self-admitted "artists and mystics," who by that definition are probably among the most dangerous people in town. All of them are exceedingly law-abiding citizens, but their capacity for original thought and Spirit directed actions marks them as agents for change, therefore somewhat suspect in the eyes of the established powers of this world. Fortunately, most of those powers regard us as harmless excentrics, and we are not likely to be much hindered by them until we are well along with the work Maker has put us here to do. Right now our work is to draw together as a koinonia, opening one to another and to Spirit who has gathered us. That in itself is dangerous enough work for now.
LEFT:
"Dawn"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
BELOW:
"Blossom"
gesso on paper
24 x 20 in.
"Dawn"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
BELOW:
"Blossom"
gesso on paper
24 x 20 in.
Sunday 11 April 2010- As time grows short before the open studio at the end of the month, I am spending more time each day making preparation for that, but I am still going out to the yurts each morning to do my daily drawing ritual. The entrance to the yurts faces east, and on a clear morning, when the sun pops up above the tree line, there is an explosion of light in the yurts, sun shining in the door, and shining through the translucent skin of the structure. The light itself takes on substance, binding and defining everything, seemingly shining not on objects, but from within them. It is impossible not to draw in that moment when everything around seems impossibly real and present. It is a small eternity, outside time, and for the rest of the day, part of me is living in that instant when the light arrives and fills and possesses all.
Monday 12 April 2010- Took advantage of a beautiful April day to walk up through Jones Gap where spring has climbed the mountain almost to the top of Little Pinnacle (below).
RIGHT:
"Holly"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
BELOW:
"Stonebinder"
gesso on paper
24 x 20 in.
BELOW RIGHT:
"Woodwright"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
"Holly"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
BELOW:
"Stonebinder"
gesso on paper
24 x 20 in.
BELOW RIGHT:
"Woodwright"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
Wednesday 14 April 2010- I am having a lover's quarrel with God. Not for myself. I am blessed far beyond anything I deserve. I live a secure and comfortable life, and can do the work I please to do, whether anyone wants it or not; but I have friends who have incredible gifts as artists and healers and makers, yet they are hindered by poverty, or must spend their days at hard and unrewarding labor just to feed and house themselves and their families. There is so little left then to give to their true calling. What is Maker up to? Why give the gift and then deny the opportunity to share it? Does She really expect one to live by lesser means after being touched by Fire? I keep thinking I am missing something obvious here, that any fool should know.
I don't believe that I am the only artist who has faced this dilemma. If any of you out there have any insight, please respond. I will post it here.
I don't believe that I am the only artist who has faced this dilemma. If any of you out there have any insight, please respond. I will post it here.
LEFT:
"Untitled"
gesso on paper
20 x 28 in.
BELOW:
"Nemesis"
gesso on paper
20 x 20 in.
BELOW LEFT:
"Survive"
gesso on paper
20 x 20 in.
"Untitled"
gesso on paper
20 x 28 in.
BELOW:
"Nemesis"
gesso on paper
20 x 20 in.
BELOW LEFT:
"Survive"
gesso on paper
20 x 20 in.
Saturday 17 April 2010- When I gathered the mail today, there was an envelope from a friend I have never met face to face, containing an incredibly beautiful hand-made book. It was really a painting, two paintings, actually, in the form of a book. The inner pages are blank, inviting participation, but for the present I am going to regard this as a sacred object to be viewed and experienced just as it is, while I contemplate an appropriate response. Whenever I begin to think too highly of myself, something like this happens to humble me and restore my perspective. Nothing in my life makes me deserve the generosity of my friends. Whatever I can give back to them all will never be enough.
Sunday 18 April 2010- It doesn't help my faith to hear a bunch of rich folks singing about how good God is; but when I am standing among people who don't know where they will sleep tonight, whose only meal for the day will be the one they eat at church, and we all say together, "To the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!", I can actually believe it for a little while
Sunday 18 April 2010- It doesn't help my faith to hear a bunch of rich folks singing about how good God is; but when I am standing among people who don't know where they will sleep tonight, whose only meal for the day will be the one they eat at church, and we all say together, "To the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!", I can actually believe it for a little while
BELOW:
"Wait"
gesso on paper
20 x 20 in.
"Wait"
gesso on paper
20 x 20 in.
ABOVE:
"Moon Singer"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
RIGHT:
"Maine"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
BELOW:
"Norway"
gesso on paper
20 x 28 in.
"Moon Singer"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
RIGHT:
"Maine"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
BELOW:
"Norway"
gesso on paper
20 x 28 in.
LEFT:
"Cullasaja"
gesso on paper
20 x 20 in.
BELOW:
"Rain"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
"Cullasaja"
gesso on paper
20 x 20 in.
BELOW:
"Rain"
gesso on paper
28 x 20 in.
Friday 23 April 2010- I could happily spend the rest of my life making drawings. The way of the brush is as much spiritual as anything. What is left out is just as informative of form as what is marked. The white void of the paper is just as weighty as the black gestures of the ink. The simplicity of technique and material concentrates the process into a direct flow from perception to response. The act is completed before there is a chance to intellectualize and conceptualize.
It is easy to forget oneself in drawing.
It is easy to forget oneself in drawing.
The expressive figures on my pots represent a freedom of living, a freedom of becoming fully the beautiful, talented, magnificent people God created each of us to be. I knew these people who lived on my pots, who they were, what they looked like, but I didn't know their names until I heard a sermon one Sunday. Rev. Cy Rogers talked about "Wild Extravagant Livers of Life"--and I knew then the name of the people on my pots. "Wild Extravagant Livers of Life"-or "livers" for short- live life with open hands, open hearts and open minds. They live life enthusiastically and love with wild abandon. Believing in themselves and their limitless potential, livers move past fear and tough times to recognize goals and dreams. Livers not only say "yes" to life, they say, "oh yeah!"
Copyright © Katherine Owen
Saturday 24 April 2010- I met Katherine Owen at the artists' and mystics' gathering at the Anchorage this month. She is based in Easley, SC. Besides being well-made and imaginative, her work is pure joy. Below are her own words about her work; also images of some of her pieces. Katherine's website: http://www.liversoflife.com
"Women of Wisdom" mug (below) and Communion set (below right)
Copyright © Katherine Owen
Copyright © Katherine Owen