Sacred Spaces

Keeping Vigil

Do you have places that are sacred to you?  Places that cause you to exhale when you are there and feel at peace?  Being fairly reclusive, my "sacred places" are mostly in my home or - like this one - in my yard.  As I sit typing this at my desk, I am looking out the window directly at this small island of peace that has, in recent years, also become a memorial.  The stones encircling the glass insulators mark the grave of a beloved old dog.  The insulators are part of a treasured collection put together by my late husband.  St. Francis was given to me by my mother who crossed over several years ago.  So while this space has always been special to me, it is now also sacred.  These spaces (my studio being one of them) help me center my thoughts and feelings; remind me to breathe and think fully... mindfully.  A moment spent quietly centering myself prepares me to draw on my inner "sacred spaces" where my art work comes from.

Lovely Crabapple

My frequently photographed crabapple tree (this photo is from 2 days ago) is another cherished place valued for its dreamy sky and mountain views framed by branches that change with the seasons from snowy blossoms, to bright red and gold, to ice encrusted black lace.  This tree also provides me with sacred ritual - each fall, I pick a neon red apple and place it on my white kitchen windowsill.  There, it reminds me of growing things throughout the long winter and slowly shrivels until I replace it the following fall. 

Tundra Fire

I like my work to reflect thoughts, feelings, and places that are sacred to me.  I have not been able to get into my studio yet, but have been furiously making collages on poster board using a box of photographs and magazines I keep for this purpose.  Limiting myself to these materials has freed me to work quickly and spontaneously and just have a lot of fun.  Tundra and all things ice are especially close to my heart which is interesting given my enormous struggle each alpine winter (45 degrees latitude, 5,300 feet altitude) to keep my good humor.  I am reflecting on this dichotomy and pondering how I might incorporate my collage technique in my art work


Wishing you peace and enjoyment of your own sacred spaces.