Our new Mac no longer supports the website builder I used to build and update my old website. After many hours of mind numbing pasting and copying, hunting through files for old photos, and grumbling curses at Mac, I have a new shinier Squarespace website eager for visitors. Same virtual location at marilivie.com, new virtual paint, furniture, windows, and attitude!
Other worlds here on earth
These are part of a massive art installation by glass artist, Dale Chaholi. My mother, sister and I got to view this incredible work in Miami, at the Fairchild Gardens. There is something profoundly exciting about artwork that interacts with and even sometimes enhances an outdoor setting. Chaholi’s work turned the tropical gardens into a magical sci fi movie set. In amongst the giant rustling leaves of jungle plants we’d encounter these impossible, glowing, seemingly living forms. Other worlds, here on earth!
Did you hear what happened on the ship last night?
This is the stock photo for my blogging application. It represents a taste of what I am heading for over the next two weeks, though I won’t look this tan and my flotation device will be much much larger. I am cruising the Caribbean with my mother and sister.
Between the flood of shows and sales I participated in, time spent completing a graduate school application, and holiday visits with family, my studio work life has nearly vanished over this last month. I am incredibly excited for this tropical get away, but I predict I will begin having serious creative withdrawals sometime here soon. I am concerned about waking from a frenzied state, having hoisted, snipped, and stitched the garments of some terrified tourists. I am packing a muzzle and a pair of mittens in case my mom and sister are forced to restrain me.
Small Pleasures Invite
Holiday Shows
I just sent this work up to Portland for the Little Things show at Guardino Gallery, opening November 28th 6-9pm. I’ll be there. Please swing by!
Another grouping of work is ready for delivery to The Jacob’s Gallery. The Small Pleasures show opens Saturday November 29th, I’ll be there from 3-5pm. Again, please come by!
Ladybug had a feeling there was something going on between them.
This is one of the small format pieces I am bringing up to Portland for Guardino Gallery’s Little Things show. The opening is right after Thanksgiving.
the tailor’s garden (a short story)
The tailor loved buttons! She admired them for their simplicity, their usefulness, and the way they were simultaneously similar yet each peculiarly unique (this one worn smooth, that one chipped, this one knobby, that one ridged), much like people are different yet the same.
One warm afternoon, after she’d finished sewing a long row of particularly bulbous black buttons onto a fine wool jacket, she got the notion to try a little half hearted experiment. The tailor chose a rather feminine looking brown button from her collection and carried it outside to her little garden plot. She chose a sunny spot beside the rosemary bush, tilled the warm earth with her hands and planted the button.
The tailor chuckled at herself as she watered the spot for the next eight days. The laugh was like a swatch of hopeful sturdy cotton, stitched through with amusement and disbelief. But on the ninth day, before the laugh had a chance to rise in her throat, before the watering can had begun it’s wet work, the tailor glimpsed a pale green tendril unfolding from the planted place.
The following day, the tendril had leaflets. Then a sturdy stem grew, and in a week’s time the tailor saw a heavy red bud begin on the tip of the stem. When the surprisingly large flower opened, the tailor let out a peel of laughter that sang of roller coaster rides, shooting stars, and wild animal sightings.