I am moved by the photography of Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre in which they capture the state of ruin.

Ruins are the visible symbols and landmarks of our societies
and their changes, small pieces of history in suspension.

The state of ruin is essentially a temporary situation that happens at
some point, the volatile result of change of era and the fall of empires.
This fragility, the time elapsed but even so running fast, lead us to watch them one very last time :
being dismayed, or admire, making us wondering about the permanence of things.

Excepting, perhaps, the fabric of love itself, all things fall. All things pass. The only constant is change.

If we don't support our local artists...who the hell will? Stand up (or sit down and have a drink) for what you believe in...LOCAL ART!!!

Many of you know my roommate, tarirocks, who is a talented (and sassy) singer/songwriter. If you've never heard her original music, I encourage you to listen to some of her free tracks here. The tracks don't really do her justice though, so it would be even better if you attended some of her upcoming gigs in October. I've listed details from T below. Enjoy!

*** October 5th, 8 pm at Silvie's Lounge (1905 W. Irving Park)
Silvie's does Acoustic Showcases every Monday night, where you can see five local acoustic acts. I've played here before, and it's actually a really cool, low-key room. Plus, it's just down the street from the Irving Park Brown Line stop, in case you want to get lit on a Monday!

*** October 11th, 3-5 pm at Argo Tea - St. Clair (550 St. Clair)
I love playing coffee and tea shops, mostly because they're such low key gigs....a couple hours to just hang out and rock out and play song after song after song after song. If you're hanging out downtown, why not stop in for some tea and listen to a couple songs? This tea shop is right off Grand, not far from Michigan Avenue.

*** October 27th, 9 pm at Wild Pug (4810 N. Broadway)
Wild Pug is a very cool LGBTQ-friendly pub in Uptown, and this Fall, they're running an Acoustic concert series featuring a bunch of local queer and queer-friendly acts (such as yours truly!).

If you spend time with me, you know that I like to talk about food and our relationship(s) to it (often ad nauseum....sorry!). I am a firm believer that food is art. From a classically painted still-life to a stunning cake with a crab on top, I have appreciated the beauty and creativity that food has inspired. Until today, however, I had never quite seen this...





I can change the world, one meal at a time...an in so many ways!

While this Tennessee girl has become overly fond of spring and summer since living in Chicago ('cause there's just too much damned cold weather in these parts!)...my favorite season is fall. A lot of folks seems to share this love and all around me, people are making happy noises about the beginnings of fiery foliage and sweater season. The Farmer's market is a delight of rounded, russet glory as pumpkins, apples and gourds of every type are displayed in vibrant piles. Suddenly my tongue is dreaming of all the sweet, warm spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, anise, mace and cardamom. The fabric of love is shifting from summer silk and is knitting itself from sage, sienna and scarlet skeins.

I am bewitched by it all and in love with the richness of life. Along with many of my other "most favorite things", I see that the Mexican Fine Arts Museum is opening their annual Day of the Dead Exhibt next weekend. Their website touts it as the largest Dia de los Muertos exhibit in the nation! If you're going to be in town between September 25 and December 13, 2009 - I cannot recommend this experience enough (as I mentioned in a previous post from 2007). It is a stunning, sacred, marigold-clad honoring of the beloved dead and a joyfully-sorrowful herald of winter's coming sleep.

I know you've all been waiting with bated breath to hear more about my adventures in pottery.

"What..." you must ask yourself daily, "did Jennifer decide to do about that pottery class?!?!"

Well wonder no more! ;>) I have signed up for the next level of wheel throwing classes, the first of which was last night. So far, things are off to a good start. I really enjoy the instructors (who are much more helpful than my last teacher) and have already learned three valuable things that I was not told/shown before.

All the other students seem to be much more skilled than I. I went back to simply trying to pull a cylinder (one of the more difficult shapes) while the folks around me pulled pitchers, platters and a mini-replica of the Cathedral at Lourdes (okay, that last one didn't really happen but I'm feeling hyperbolic).

At first my ego was smarting. In the past, I used to be rather a quick start at artistic things but pottery is its own ball of...erm...clay. I don't mind being the class dummy though. I pulled up two pieces, both of which were twice as tall as my puny mugs from the first round of classes. Besides, working with clay is such a sensual treat and my hands and arms are exceedingly soft at the end of the night.

I am looking forward to free studio time where I can work wearing my headphones. Visual art flows much more beautifully from me when I'm listening to music. Also, throwing is so much about the body and I could use a little help finding my feet in this dance.

Hmmmm...it may be awful, but I'm mighty curious about a film version of Tennyson's Lady of Shalott, particularly since they used Waterhouse's paintings as a visual guide.

Anyone out there seen it?

This summer has been so busy and often I have not had time to share my adventures with you. I did want to look back to July, which was jam-packed but wonderful...

Early in July I made a trip to Michigan where I was invited by Trillium Reclaiming to teach Pearl. I had never worked with my co-teacher, H, and was a little nervous about us blending and finding our rhythm. Fortunately, we settled in quite quickly and I really enjoyed her, personally and professionally. She has an amazing knowledge base and I could have spent months trying to soak up brainy tidbits that fell from her like fertile rain. I also really loved getting time with the Trils again. They are a wonderful community and they spoiled us rotten! I had all the comforts I could ever want and the organization was beautiful. There was even a gift basket waiting on my bed (with local honey no less). I also got a bit of time with thegreencall, a dear one of mine, who treated me to a delicious vegan dinner, a lovely bottle of local mead and fabulous conversation. YUM!

A, M, m and myself, reflected in the blue glass of the Guthrie

Later in July I made my first visit to Minneapolis (Megabus...YAY!) where I was lovingly hosted by ippola (A) and family. It was a glorious trip; I got to see many beloveds and was very impressed with the city itself. There was a lot of green space, there seemed to be a commitment to community there and much more inclusion/honoring of diversity and alternative life choices. I was very impressed with the amount of ethical and/or vegan-friendly food that was available and again had to wonder why Chicago is so lacking in this area. I was also thrilled at the prodigious and unique art that is thriving there.

Saturday, A took me on a tour of The Guthrie Theatre (beautiful) as well as the Mill City Market. The market was divine and offered so much more than any Farmer's Market that I have visited here. I especially loved the dresses made from old flour sacks, the blueberry-garlic jam and the Earl Blue tea (Earl Grey with lavender) all of which were local, of course. A found delicate, orange zucchini blossoms there, which were breaded and cooked for us that evening (Italian style!).

We then spent a fascinating evening at the Bedlam theatre where we took in an outdoor fire show (great props, including fairy tale-like dresses made of flame) and a performance-art piece with two OUTSTANDING actresses (wish I could tell you more, but I don't remember their names and there doesn't seem to be any info about them on the Bedlam site). As if that weren't a full night, we then danced our asses off to a 30-piece circus punk marching band, Mucca Pazza (if you get a chance to see these folks - DO IT!).

The following day we went to the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts for their breathtaking exhibit: Sin and Salvation: William Holman-Hunt and the Pre-Raphaelite Vision. Pre-Raphaelite art is one of my favorite things in the world. I often love the poetic subject matter but it is the richness and saturation of color that makes my pulse leap and my skin tingle. It is rare to find all that much PRB art here in the states, so I was euphoric. The exhibit was small, but stunning and included not only Hunt's work, but works by Rossetti and Millais as well. Some of my favorite paintings are here, ( behind the cut: )

And a few pics from the rooftop of the Guthrie are ( hiding here: )

I cannot begin to list the wonderful moments I shared with folks that weekend. I have been struggling more and more lately with feeling very disconnected from people and it was blissful to feel so welcomed as though I were family. I believe that some doors opened while I was there that will guide my feet down new paths, expanding my mind, heart and spirit.

I cannot wait to go back.

It's always curious to be in a corridor phase. One door has shut, so what is opening?

As some of you know, I took a pottery class a while back. I REALLY enjoyed it and am debating saving up for the next level of wheel work in the fall. I had decided to hold off making my decision about pottery (to pot or not to pot) until I finished all of my pieces from the basics class. Given how much I loved the process, I felt pretty sure that I'd want to go on with this art form if I liked the outcome and I was eagerly anticipating a set of sexy coffee mugs the likes of which the world has never known!

Erm. Well. That's not exactly what happened.

I do have several finished mugs...and it's sure that the world has not known them. They are, after all, 100% unique...lumps, dents, flaws and all. I would not exactly call them "sexy", though some aspects of them are pleasing. They are much too small for my aesthetic (though I tried to account for shrinkage when building them I don't think I really understood the wet/finished proportions).

In some ways I am disappointed not to have created works of astounding beauty and in other ways I am still in love with the process. I guess that makes pottery a lovely metaphor for my life. While I'm usually hoping for "more" from myself, I still can't help but be in love with the process and the "shaping of mud" that is me...

If you're interested, you can see my lumpy work ( behind the cut )

For the past few weeks I have been taking an introduction to pottery class at Lillstreet Art Center. It has been an experience and I have a new appreciation for ceramics as I now understand how damned difficult they are to create. I took the class because it was a b'day gift from my roomie, and I thought I'd waltz right in and start cranking out works of art with ease. After all, it's clay and clay's fun to work with right? And I'm creative, artistic and have a great sense of color and form, right?

Well...erm...not quite right.

Clay is fun and I do think I have a nice aesthetic...but this is not an easy skill. What's more, while I liked the instructors at Lillstreet, I did not find them particularly effective. They're all nice and would likely be fun if you wanted to go out for a beer but as instructors they seem to only have two offerings: 1) "gosh, I don't know what you did wrong and I can't really tell you how to do it right because pottery is all about muscle memory and you just have to learn to do it by feel" or 2) they take over and do it for you. Neither is a particularly effective learning model for me.

After the first few weeks I was frustrated and angry at myself for not "getting it" (and being perfect, let's face it). Hand building was okay, but not as interesting to me as the wheel - and I didn't seem particularly good at it. I hand built "the drunken-footed bowl" and a kala cup - neither of which is pretty. You can see pics of the drunken-footed bowl ( behind the cut )

I had even worse luck with the wheel and at the four week mark was sour-graping to people that I didn't think this was a craft for me, and that it was much to expensive and time consuming anyway (so there! humph!).

Then I went in to work alone on a sunny afternoon when the studio was quiet. I had my headphones playing mellow tunes and there was not an instructor in sight. I wedged six pieces, determined to craft at least one vessel on the wheel - and what do you know? I did it - and I loved it!

They are by no means perfect (and my phone takes crappy pictures) but you can see my wheel thrown pieces ( behind the cut )

Our class ends this week and I am torn. Part of me wants to try to continue with this art form, part of me knows that would difficult for me financially (if I did go on I could repeat this class, or could spend more money for a longer class with different instructors, or I could just pay for studio time to see what I can learn by doing). Lillstreet also offers oil painting classes (which are cheaper and I have more experience with oil painting)and I wonder if I should sign up for a painting class instead. I'd love to do them both, but due to time and money that's really not possible. Really, I don't have extra money for classes at all but it's so nice to be inspired, to meet other artists and to have a creative outlet with set goals and deadlines (which makes me work more regularly).

To pot or not to pot...that is the question...

I will dive,
deeper,
deeper still,
within...



...to what is gold
and sparks
in shadows'
shiver.

Here is pride,
white
as pearl's glow.
Mine.

Painting: "Goldfish" by Gustav Klimt

I am back from a perfectly blissful visit to Detroit and the fabulous mountain_ash78 and blue_sky_48220 (who, quite frankly, spoiled me rotten!). I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the company and conversation, and would have been more than happy just to sit around gabbing with these fascinating folk - but was also pleased to get to tromp about gathering unique and expansive experiences.

Though I arrived quite late on the Megabus Friday night, J and M still stayed up with me 'till the wee-hours ('cause I'm a nocturnal blabber-mouth, don't cha know). Saturday, J and I walked out on a gorgeous day to Toast for a brunch so tasty it would make you smack your momma. I had an omelet made with roasted beets, caramelized onions and chèvre which was a seductive blend of sweet and savory. Mmmmm, I'm drooling on my keyboard just thinking of it.

Later, we visited a fantastic local art fair with lots of unique glass and pottery and then hooked up with some fab folks from Trillium Reclaiming, for pre-ritual pizza. Well stuffed, we then drove out to a lovely horse farm which would be the location for Trillium's Midsummer ritual and celebration.

Though the day had threatened rain, the weather was perfect. I was charmed by the land, and even more so by the warm welcome I received. I really liked so much about the ritual. I admired that Trillium has a ritual arc/theme for the whole year, and was excited that it happens to be the Feri creation story. I loved the invocations, which were short and connected, and I realized yet again that I sometimes chafe at very heavy emphasis on ritual arts. I was also very glad (and nervous) to be given an opportunity to push a personal edge as I stepped into drumming for the ritual (which outside of trance drumming, I never do). Folks were very supportive of me and not one shoe or horse patty was thrown my way. I felt it was good work, and I felt honored to connect (and in some cases reconnect) with these bright ones.

The weekend also featured a visit to Dragonmead a local microbrewery (mmmm...mead), as well as The Inn Season Cafe, a fabulous vegan/vegetarian restaurant (who put J's kale eating abilities to the test!).

Some of my favorite moments though came when spending the afternoon with J and M at the The Detroit Institute of Arts. Art museums are among my most favorite things to experience, especially with I can share them with others who like to discuss the works and the emotions and thoughts they evoke. I was especially pleased to get to see two works I have always hoped to view live: Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry fresco cycle and The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli.

I could babble on about those pieces...particularly Rivera's work, given how much there is to it and how much it seemed to speak to issues that are core for me...but I won't bore you. I will however include some visual links below in the hopes that you'll take a peep.

( This is the north wall of Detroit Industry with subsequent drill downs for detail. )

( And here is the south wall of Detroit Industry. )

( Also, here are some details from Detroit Industry. )

( Fuseli's, The Nightmare. )

( And one I did not know but loved, Thomas Wilmer Dewing's The Recitation, whose ethereal quality really cannot be captured here... )

I'm not sure how I've met and filled my life with such smart, beautiful, fun, aware and magical people...but I am one of the truly blessed.

Yesterday I went to Greenmaker Supply Company to get no VOC paint for our new apartment. I had not been to Greenmaker before. It's a fun little place to visit and the customer service was the best I've experienced in ages.

If you're looking for no VOC paint, Greenmaker is not the only place that you can find it - unless you're like me, and love deep, saturated color. Happily, many "non-green" paint shops will do low or no VOC paints in lighter hues...so if you're decorating, there are eco-options out there without going out of your way.

Because these paints were a bit more expensive, we did not buy all the colors we will ultimately need - but did get supplies to paint the kitchen, living room and the full bath. I also got a variety of colors which will help me to create an offering; an act of devotion of my bedroom.

I tried scanning in our color chips to give you an idea of what we're doing, but the colors have shifted a bit through the process (they're very washed out). Still...( this will give you hint, if you're interested.  )

This past Saturday I had a date with Tari, which was one of the most enjoyable days I have spent in some time. I awoke to steadily falling snow, and several inches of accumulation - so I bundled up, wrestled the big boots and headed out to the train. Tari met me there and we stopped for some coffee and breakfast in Lincoln Square. From there we commuted over to Pilsen, where the National Museum of Mexican Art is located.

We went to catch the Dia de los Muertos exhibit before it closed for the year, and as always - it was a visual, emotional and energetic adventure. The offrendas were diverse; they were joyous and sad...and of course there were lots of fantastic Catrinas (which, for some reason, I adore).

From there we viewed the permanent collection, which actually included the most impactful piece of our visit. It was a mural named "Ancient Memories" by Mario Castillo. I will paste in an image of the mural here, but I cannot do this work justice. You cannot tell that there are layers upon layers of translucent images here - many of which are connected by power points (like the hearts or eyes)of creatures and beings which make up this shared history. Throughout the painting are ribbons of light or life force, connecting everything and over it all - glossy skulls, invisible save only in the right flash of light, dance at the completion of life's cycle.



My favorite part of the mural was an image of a "Universal Mother" whose lovely, violet-diaphanous form held within it myriad spiral galaxies, stars, planets and mysteries. I wish I could find a clear image of her to share here, but this is what you get...



On an interesting note, this artist works in semen acrylics so that a part of him is always within each work he creates. Certainly this piece is charged...you can feel it. I was almost knocked back a step when I turned to take this in for the first time. If you're doing Feri work, I recommend this mural especially...if it is not a paean to the fabric of love herself, then I don't know what is.

If you live in Chicago or are visiting and are able, I highly recommend stopping by to take this in. The museum is always free and is within easy walking distance of the Pink Line.

After a great day of art, Tari and I chose to walk over a mile in the snow. It was too beautiful out there not to indulge, and I had fun acting like a six year old, catching snowflakes on my tongue and lashes while piping out Vince Guaraldi holiday carols at the top of my lungs. Tari didn't even pretend not to know me...can you believe it?

Once fully frozen and a bit foot-sore, we headed over to our favorite vegetarian watering hole, The Chicago Diner. Sadly the food and the service were VERY lacking (excepting the Miso-based french onion soup) and Tari and I decided that we need to try out some other veggie restaurants in town. There are quite a few interesting prospects...I'll let you know if we find any treasures.

Speaking of wows (because I apparently am tonight) - I loved the work of this photographer, Eolo Perfido. The image below, "Geisha", is his.



I have spent a lot of time looking through his galleries. He makes me want to paint again. Many of his more theatrical images remind of me of TUTA's work (TUTA is a theatre company of which I am a member).

Okay...I'll go to bed now.

So I'm supposed to be cleaning my house because I'm hosting a Knitting Workshop this weekend - but true to form I am procrastinating the inevitable. As I type however, I am washing laundry (and did stop by the grocery to get healthy grub for the week), which brings some balance (and clean socks) into my unconventional universe.

I have been studying Norse myth a lot lately, and am trying to develop a relationship with the runes. I have been reading a book that Tari loaned me: "Gods and Myths of Northern Europe" by H. R. Ellis Davidson and am enjoying it in a dry way.

I am very captured by Freya, and her relationship to Inanna/Ishtar/Astarte/Aphrodite/Venus. I found an image of her today on the web (attached) which I quite like - though to me it only portrays her sex/love/attraction attributes and does not show her to be the bad ass that she is. I am especially curious about this image because it feels like a Pre-Raphaelite painting to me (which is one of my favorite genres of art) - but I cannot find any references to the painter.

If anyone recognizes this piece, I'd love to know more. It is hard to see here, but is quite lovely as she poses wearing Brisingamen.