Sculpture -" Remembering"

"Remembering"

made it's first appearance at the
Manatee Art Center, Florida Art Exhibition
where it won First Place.

Remembering is about a walk among our Florida wildlife.
The Cuckoo bird flies free at the top of this sculpture
representing freedom and how wonderful freedom is
yet how fragile it can be.

In the middle of this sculpture you will see
a Robin feeding her three new born babies.

There is no love like that of a mother
and her importance in the life of her young can not
be replaced.

The Scrub Jay's are beautiful yet fragile as each day

they lose more and more of their habitat.

To observe nature and her beauty is something I

will never tire of. To put those observations into

an art form and share them with others 

is both a joy and a honor.

Fall Block Party - Craft Show

This Saturday Connecting Pieces 

will be at 

The Fall Block Party Craft Show.

Nov. 16th from 2:00pm - 6:00pm

578 McIntosh Rd.

Sarasota, Fl.

This will be an opportunity for you to meet

 artist Ginny Taylor

 and to see some of her many creations.

Ginny's Art Birds and "one of a kind" Cuffs 

will be on display as well as many new things.

Ginny is creating these fabulous

sea shell and crystal pieces.

A "must see" in person.

These sweet tiny glass bottle necklaces capture everything from

sea glass to rose petals.

Ginny is capturing memories with her hand written poems

and treasures of the past and present

by creating wonderful one of a kind collage necklaces, lockets and

miniature books.

You have seen the many photos Ginny has taken

 of sunrises and birds. 

She is now sharing those photos

 in the form of note cards.

There is so much to see. 

Come on out and join us for

 a wonderful day of fun.

Art Birds and Avaries

Capturing Nature's

Beauty

Through Mixed Media

Perserving the Past

Upcycling

Sculpting

Keeping it Relevent

Creating

Lifetime

Treasures

You can find my Art Birds in
my Etsy Shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/connectingpieces?ref=si_shop
Or email me at
connecting.pieces@gmail.com
 for custom orders.

Art Birds - The Aviary

While out and about one day I found 

this glass, wood and metal

lantern.

My heart started beating really fast

my mind went into a spin as I began to 

imagine an aviary full of art birds.

I used Bunting birds as my inspiration.

The first bird sits on her nest that is

 tucked securely among branches.

She waits patiently for that day all mom's

long for. The arrival of her newborn.

Grand mom flies in to make sure 

every thing is okay.

Then we have the Painted Bunting dad pacing back and forth

as a he waits longingly to see his little chick come into the world.

Now this Aviary tells a story

 of a mom and her family.

For my Mom who has always

watched over me.

Art Birds

My most recent passion has

become making these wonderful nature 

inspired Art Birds.

I have been so inspired by

  watching and studying birds as they play and work.

If I am fortunate enough to have camera in hand

 I will snap a shot or two of my sightings.

Then I will go home and sketch the bird

 that has inspired me that day. 

From that sketch will come several drawings that will

eventually become a specific bird pattern.

Vintage ties and repurposed

clothing and material are gathered.

Seams are ripped out and all are pressed

for cutting.

Each beak is sculpted and painted and set aside.

With needle in hand the fabric sculpting begins.

This a a labor of love and the excitement builds 

 as each of these birds come to life.

Some of these birds have hand wrapped wire

feet. This is yet another time eater but

I really want each bird to be special, original

and one of a kind.

 There are many wonderful 

sources out in the world today for our bird's eyes.

 However I want my birds to have a folk and slightly primitive.

  The use of beads opens up thousands of opportunities

for my birds to look out at the world.

 Each bird tells a story. 

What do you see?

"I am searching, waiting, resting, 

perplexed, I would stop and sing but I'm very busy" 

and so much more.

 These wonderful Art Birds are now

available in my Etsy shop.

 Stop by and take a look.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/connectingpieces?ref=search_shop_

Art Birds - Pileated Woodpecker

While on a morning walk I heard a

 thump thump, rumble sound.

"Could that be the sound of a woodpecker?"

 Looking to the sound my head tilted up 

and swung to the right,

there he was, a Pileated Woodpecker.

My mother-in law called them

"Oh Lordy's!"

A good definition I think, because when you

see one of these very large

and beautiful woodpeckers that is exactly

what you want to say. 

I stood and watched as he walked all around 

this palm tree pecking away the day.

 That is until an osprey scared him away.

I never did get a perfect photo of this fascinating bird.

He did however give me a lot of inspiration.

I am now making art birds.

They are all original. 

I make my own patterns and use repurposed

materials for their bodies.

Their beaks are hand sculpted as well as

their feet.

Each bird is hand sewn and sculpted.

This Woody is pecking away

on an antique wooden spool,

while waiting for a new home
in the connecting pieces
Etsy Shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/connectingpieces?ref=search_shop_

Nature's Inspiration

Nature's inspiration

started when I looked up

high in a tree and saw this 

black crow with his iridescent feathers

and bright yellow eyes.

I then found this feather laying on the ground.

A simple little sketch became a dry point print.

My heart was so inspired after an artist friend showed

me the beautiful work of artist, Ann Wood.

After seeing her cute little birds 

I wanted to try making a bird. 

Never wanting to copy an artist yet being inspired 

by both the crow and the artist I choose to make a Raven.

I loved making this little guy.

 The whole process was intriguing, fascinating and truly delightful.

I see more repurposed fabric coming to life in my future.