Tag Archives: vardo

My mom is right this minute getting 2 new knees.  How strange is that?  New Knees.  So if you wouldn’t mind saying a little prayer for her safety and healing.  I have all of the mantises working on it, but all prayers to all Gods help.  That’s what I like to think anyhow.

I have a lot to show you.  First– It’s the 15th, and means HALF OF SEPTEMBER IS GONE! But also it is the day of sketchbook exchanging in our Sketchbook exchange program, a la Jim

You should go ahead and check out the flickr on it.  Such cool stuff trading around.  In about a year well get them back, with at least 7 pages of artwork by the 13 others on the group.  What a treasure.  It is nice to meet new friends along the way as well.

So this week I had the effervescent Jody’s book.  She is a wonderful photographer, an amazing and prolific spinner and knitter, and someone who seems to effortlessly balance the happy/crappy scale.  Jody, I am thankful for you.  If you don’t want to see your pages– go away!

I was feeling much more playful with Jody’s time.  She also requested some art by the girls.  Here you go.

I have this whole Roma-gypsy fixation going on right now.  I have always loved the imagery and romance of them.  ( and am in no way diminishing the hard living of…)

“There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir, We must rise and follow her; When from every hill of flame, She calls and calls each vagabond by name”

So maybe it’s the October days coming, maybe it is some past life as a wagon painter , maybe it is one of my favorite songs by the Be Good Tanyas down there on my playlist.  Go ahead and listen.  It’s fill your head and heart today.  I am trying to manifest my very own vardo for the yard.  This is influenced by their stupefying beauty and also this 25 year infatuation with little summer houses.  Did you ever see the movie The Summer House from the early 90′s?  It had the loveliest english summer houses– a small little temple of soul where you can escape and enjoy solitude and usually nature, in my fantasy.  A tree house would serve, a bender tent, a teepee, a walden type shack….  I will have one someday.  A vardo would be perfect!  Here’s a sound argument:

These highly decorated gypsy caravans are ideal for many uses. As an office away from the main house they’re cosy, warm, water-proof and away from the kids! As an extra bedroom to the house they are perfect. For the artist or writer, they offer peace and tranquility with warmth and light. last but not least, back a horse into one and take off for life on the open road. Nothing arouses that magical feeling that a gypsy caravan does.

Easy to take with you!

And wow can you jazz it up!

Anyhow, a girl can dream.

People were allowed to respond to their partner’s work in whatever way they wished. The goal was simply to give writers and artists a challenge, a new way of looking at the world and their work, and a chance to inspire another creative soul. Many of these people didn’t know one another, nor did they ever meet in person, but they signed on with a desire to try something new.

I was assigned a very interesting partner, who sent me some great poetry to work with.  I’ll share that when I have done her piece.  Here is what I sent to her.  The girl in the front has her face.  Who doesn’t enjoy a speck of narcissism now and then? Plus I liked throwing her in there to the story.

I need to get up from here and get out into this day.  It is my favorite sort of windy fall day, and I have a huge iced decaf in my hand.  Enjoy the day!