Rusted Wings

art abounding!

2012-01-21T15:49:00.000-08:00

recently my daughters and i were asked to be apart of a Winter Solstice art display, and now we have been asked to display our work for a Winter carnival art walk in our quaint little town of Whitefish, Montana. i am amazed at what my girls are doing (all self-taught), and they are all busy now on more paintings every moment they can steal away! how they inspire me!! (these paintings are from the 3 girls who live here...the other 3 are amazing artists as well!!)

This maasii boy and 'raw sugar' (sold) below are done by miriam- soon to be 23 yrs.

the graphite piece below is amazing...almost photographic work, done by mikaelah, 20 yrs.

my youngest mariyah is 17 years, and has only been doing art for the past year. she (and we) were amazed at what she has done! the paintings below of john lennon and jimi hendrix (sold) are fabulous! and the scratch board art of her sister zionah & wolf dog shaveya she just finished...a belated christmas gift for her sister! incredible detail!!!

the 3 below are some mixed media pieces i have recently done...experimenting with different papers and mediums! what fun!! so much art abounding from our family these Winter days!

curried myrrh

2011-11-22T18:27:00.001-08:00

i am so excited to present my beloved friend elizabeth michelsen jonas' most wonderful creations and new blog 'curried myrrh.' she is a master craftswoman and artist, who has found a most beautiful way of creating headdresses and accessories for the 'modern tribe', made of reclaimed fabrics, vintage jewels, beads and feathers. recently she was discovered by 'free people' and was featured in their catalog and online.

in a few days i will be hosting a studio show and open house in my home featuring her many lovely varieties of headdresses. if you can't make it to our showing, please visit elizabeth's blog~ curriedmyrrh.blogspot.com and website~ www.curriedmyrrh.com

some time ago i did a photoshoot of some of the headdresses...here my daughter miriam wears a lovely one. she is now the official 'face' of curried myrrh.

the most lovely diem-q models another beauty. diem-q ( yim-q) is also my 'adopted' daughter and dear friend...apart of our family with her love marco and their beautiful daughter carmela.

miriam & diem-q model a few of the head-pieces in the wedding line...stunning!!!

miriam and her wolf-malamute 'lomasi' (pretty flower).

such lovely ladies!!!

i am the very blessed owner of a few of these headdresses for summer and winter, and as elizabeth so rightly says in her blog..."truly a powerful symbol mirroring the beauty and complex creativity of the indigenous people of the world." a portion of the proceeds benefit "rahab's rope", an organization providing hope and help for women and girls that are victims of human trafficking.

celebrations

2011-08-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

we just returned from a great celebration of the birthday of a dear friend and

'angel dad' (doug), for whom i made this script and framed it in an antique swivel frame to remind him daily in his office, how each day comes bearing it's own gifts for us to untie the ribbon and behold blessings of newness...fresh beginnings.

the celebrations have abounded recently with birthdays also for 2 of my 6 daughters, and i've pulled out of the volumes of old photos some favorites, along with so many precious memories of their childhood, growing up in the hills and hollers of rural tennessee.

these first two are of mariyah, my youngest 'baby'...riding on the golden hay pulled out of a stuffed mattress we found in the loft of the old barn in the 100 yr. old homestead house, where the creek flowed below the front porch that the girl's daily played in and hunted crawdads and frogs. mariyah is now 17 and a beautiful young lady, still loving the simple life in montana.

and then, mikaelah is above mariyah in birth order, who just turned 20 yrs. and also lives nearby on the land in montana these days...and is also an amazing artist (check out her charcoal drawing of the old gypsy woman in my etsy!). these 2 photos were taken of mikaelah when we lived on a 300 acre cotton farm, in an old 6 bedroom plantation home built in 1887 in tennessee. mikaelah was born in that old house and loved to hunt arrowheads and relics in the fields and elk river on the property. she is still a collector of very select old treasures, and hopes to study classical realism in florence, italy someday.

my youngest girls, mikaelah & mariyah...growing into beautiful young women...who i hope and pray will always aspire to all the highest and best that their Father-God has designed for their lives.

zionah

2011-06-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

it is the 25th birthday of my beautiful daughter zionah! how she has changed from this sweetie by the sheller, when we lived on the cotton plantation in the hills of tennessee. she loved sitting in the early mornings, listening quietly to the mourning doves and whippoorwills, frolicking in the hills and dales with her 5 sisters (she was the 3rd in birth-order), dancing with the fire-flies.

i had wanted to get her a pair of doves as a birthday gift, and yesterday a lady called from a 'potting shed' nursery nearby to ask if i wanted a flock of doves (around 15!), newly hatched baby, and the beautiful handmade cage...for free!! listening to the doves will bring back memories of those precious chapters of our lives...and zionah is so excited as well!!

this photo was taken about 6 months ago, when zionah moved from our home in nw montana, to so. montana, where she now lives and works. this is her wolf-malmute dog 'cheveyah', meaning spririt-warrior.
and here is my spirit-warrior woman-child in a day of play. my heart prayer is that she continue to seek after the Great Spirit Creator God, and know and walk in the miraculous way of the Almighty One, in love & truth...all the days of her life. i love you zionah.

shariyah & ellen

2011-05-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

recently my daughter shariyah had a birthday, and though far from her montana home, living with her kiwi hubby in new zealand, she was being thought of in a most special way by our long time friend in alabama, ellen goode. i received this beautiful card that ellen made, with shariyah's childhood photo on it that she took when we lived in tennessee, and where most of my six daughter's sweetest childhood memories are still. ellen is a master cornhusk dollmaker and taught my girls how to craft cornhusk indian & pioneer girl bookmarks, and for around 20 years they had a very successful home business, 'shuck art'. visit shariyah's beautiful blog: http://www.shariyahgarner.blogspot.com/ where she is having a 50% off sale...and ellen's website of cornhusk doll art: http://home.hiwaay.net/~jegoode/shucks/

(click on photo for a larger view!)

love ya'll!

in honor of mothers and children~

2011-05-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

recently i created a painting for a dear friend's birthday, Dr. Annie Bukacek, who is a vigilant advocate for the unborn and a powerful voice for the voiceless in this state of Montana.

this painting depicts a beautiful mama who caresses her 16 week old baby within, which i found in a photograph of a fetus at this age who looked as if it was praying. then i found this scripture that was a declaration of a child ..."the Lord called me from the womb~from the body of my mother He named me...He formed me from the womb to be His servant" (isaiah 49:1+5) and then from the declaration of independence, a statement of the right to life for all.

with "mother's day" upon us, i am thinking too about a quote that used to encourage me (and still does) as i birthed and raised my six daughters...

"there is a God above, and the light and glory from His throne rests upon the faithful mother...no other work can equal hers in importance. she has not, like the artist, to paint a form of beauty upon canvas, nor like the sculptor, to chisel it from marble. she has not, like the author, to embody a noble thought in words of power, nor, like the musician, to express beautiful sentiment in melody. it is hers, with the help of God, to develop in a human soul, the likeness of the Divine."

what a high and holy calling it is to be a mother. and even those who have no children influence children surrounding them, and can bring the touch of love and light into their hearts, and assist the angels in guiding them in the path of beauty and truth. blessings be upon all 'mother hearts' who shelter in so many ways, and bring heaven to earth~

with love.

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sunshine on a grey day

2011-04-22T05:23:00.000-07:00

it's been grey for weeks now...snowed the past 3 days, after the earth was finally visible and we really thought that spring had held her ground. but this dance of the seasons continue, and winter is not letting go easily this year. my being longs for warmth and light...for eternal spring.

and then this ray breaks through...a treasury with my painting 'the glance' featured... and the title, bringing hope and reminding me that behind the clouds the sun is always shining.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dab6a14a1c86d914344990e/sunshine-on-a-grey-day

OWOH giftings!

2011-04-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

i have been waiting to post my winnings from the incredible One World One Heart gathering of bloggers until all had been received, but though one prize has still not made it's way to me, i can wait no longer!! it has been exciting to find each of the 5 gifts i won so specially created by such a unique array of artisans! i love each and every gift and encourage ya'll to check out their blogs to see more of the amazing works of their hands!!

1. a very exquisite bracelet by Debi Levine of www.oneheartsblog.blogspot.com where you'll find such lovely jewelry and art with a message of peace and harmony.

2. a most beautiful felted landscape i treasure created by Michelle Wilkinson, an incredible fiber and mixed media artist @ http://socr8v.blogspot.com

3. lovely handcrafted clay beads of my favorite color by claymates: Carolyn & Dave Good, who make beautiful wearable art pieces & jewelry for the home you'll have to check out @ www.2goodclaymates.blogspot.com

4. a whimsical beaded art doll 'far out' by Laura Obiso, using a tie from Jerry Garcia of the grateful dead for a dress! far out! aside from other art dolls, she is an amazing mixed media & fiber artist @ http//makeminelemonade.blogspot.com

5. such an amazing signed copy of Kim Nugent's own book: "Interactive Art Workshop: Set Your Mixed Media in Motion" which is full of incredible projects to inspire any artist! Kim also creates beautiful journals of her art, and does unique assemblage works which you can see @ www.kimraenugent.blogspot.com

Thank you again each one for your wonderful gifts from your hearts!!

happy birthday tammie!

2011-02-20T19:55:00.000-08:00

today is the birthday of one of my oldest, dearest long-time friends (over 35 yrs.!!) mz. tammie lee (of 'spirithelpers', and 'beauty flows' blogs). we met while in our 20's when our old boy-friend's were musical partners in so. california. then 6 years ago tammie came to visit me here in montana, and ended up living in a little log cabin next to our home, and she has never left!

we had a beautiful evening toasting in a new year, and sharing a delicious meal at wasabi's, and i created this painting for her as a birthday gift. since her 'word' for the year is 'listen', i painted a heart with the word, held close to the heart of the listening lady. my sister lori (lori-diane blog) had given me some vintage wallpaper that became the background for this painting.

'knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens' ~jimi hendrix

'since in order to speak, one must first listen, learn to speak by listening

i should sell my tongue and buy a thousand ears when that one steps near and begins to speak'

~rumi

'be still, and know that I AM God' ~psalm 46:10

And the Winner is....

2011-02-17T21:02:00.000-08:00

This years OWOH gathering of artists and art lovers has been such a sweet blessing! I have received so many loving comments from over 400 bloggers, and know many will be a continual inspiration as our friendships grow.

One comment from a lady in new South Wales, Australia touched me deeply and i was so excited when the random number generator pulled her out as the winner of the mixed media painting i created for this event!

Congratulations to Suzyqu, lover of the beautiful, and very talented, creative fabric & fibre artist! This 'Little Bird' will be winging it's way to your home 'down under' shortly!

My deepest thanks to Lisa Swifka for bringing this gathering of like-minded artful souls together and giving us so many precious moments of joy on this journey! And like Lisa said in her recent post, WE MAY BE CLOSING THE DOOR TO ONE WORLD ONE HEART BUT WE ARE OPENING A NEW DOOR TO OUR WORLD OUR ART in 2012!

One World One Heart Giveaway!!

2011-01-30T14:41:00.001-08:00

Blessings and greetings of Love and warm welcome to the fifth and final OWOH gathering of bloggers and art lovers from around the world, created by the lovely...
Lisa Swifka of A Whimsical Bohemian.

This is my 3rd year participating in this event, which has brought me in contact with so many other like-minded artists, and has been a source of inspiration and fun. My blog, Rusted Wings, is a journal and art-space for me and my 6 daughters, who are all amazing artists!

I was inspired to create a piece specifically for this OWOH event as my giveaway. I thought of the 'winged' theme, and thought of the passage that has recently taken place for me as each of my daughters one by one, has flown the nest. Though my youngest is away at boarding school and comes home for only school breaks, I am currently an "empty-nester" (though some of the girls still drop in daily for lunch, supper or spend the night occasionally =).

"Little bird~Still Voice within, lead me and guide me" is my prayer for us all.

If you'd like to enter into the giveaway for this 9x12 Original mixed media on 100% cotton Fabriano watercolor paper, please leave your comment on this post with contact info. and the winner will be drawn on Feb. 17th. May it be a joyful, inspiring journey as you each wing your way through blogland!!

Seeking balance & a heart of love~

2010-12-10T22:06:00.000-08:00

after many moons and seasons of change i am finally emerging with a few words and offerings prompted by a winter's solstice gallery show where i and 3 of my daughters contributed a few pieces of art. it's interesting at such times what comes forth and what it means...so much solemnness and shades of blue in this winter season of my life. so much seeking for the balance and clarity of heart and life in harmony with love and truth. such is the balance of intention and surrender. only those whose hearts have been touched by love know the secret language of the glance.

Treasure Found

2010-07-04T08:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to pick up a few items I had won (an old sap bucket, and metal wall shelf) as my daughter had entered my name in a drawing months ago when she purchased a beautiful candle holder for me for Mother's Day at a renovated antique mall that was once an old train station. I had to be at an appointment, and only had a couple minutes to browse as the owner was waiting on other customers, when my eyes landed on this treasure...a framed print of Da Vinci's 'Il Rendentore', which was wonderfully textured with a hint of gouache, and a slashed sale price of only $9!! What an inspiration piece she is, which now hangs next to the bathroom mirror reflecting "the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is in the sight of God, of great price." (1 Peter 3:4)

Mad Tea Party 2010 Special Giveaway

2010-06-27T06:54:00.000-07:00

The amazing dollmaker Christine Avarado of Du Buh Du Designs is celebrating her 200th post and special giveaway of one of her most lovely dolls pictured or a custom design of the winner's choosing, for the Mad Tea Party 2010!! The contest ends July 4th, so hurry on over to her wonderful site and be carried away in the rickshaw along the enchanted river of dreams.

Better late than never!

2010-06-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

I know, it's been too many moons since I last posted...but for now I will share a few highlights of the past month, and my recent trip to CA. to pick up my youngest daughter Mariyah after her boarding school let out in Monterey. On the way I was able to spend some time with my oldest daughter Shekinah, and one & only most precious grand-daughter Sofia. We even got to spend a fun day at Disneyland for her 3rd birthday!

Then onto my mom's home for a week, where I got to see a few other friends and family. Here is pictured my beautiful niece Courtney and my mom (86 years!) Doesn't she look great!

From their homes in So. CA. I made my way up to visit sweet friends in Santa Cruz and shared a delightful meal and good night's sleep.

I always love to bask in the beauty of my friend Ray's courtyard and inspiring, artful home.

Then early the next morning, I went onto Monterey and loaded up Mariyah & her 'stuff'. She could hardly wait to be headed home to Montana for the summer!

The next day we arrived at my sister Lori's beautiful home in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She is a new blogger and has recently rediscovered her passion for painting, and is such an amazing artist! You must check out her blog (http://lori-diane.blogspot.com/)! I love all the special 'still life' around her home.

Heading home to Montana from Cali is always such a long road, but always so good to be back with my beautiful daughters & friends. Pictured are 4 of the 6 girls, l-r: Zionah, Mariyah, Miriam, the lovely Yim-Q, and Mikaelah (Shekinah & Shariyah are missing).

My girls and our extended 'family' shared some amazing meals together with Yim-Q's Vietnamese cuisine...loved that gorgeous, flowering papaya salad!!

Then we spent the evening listening to the band rehearse. The photo is of my girl Miriam & her love Micheal, lead singer & songwriter for their music. Check it out: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-love-ep/id349433158

Before the band left Montana for their Pacific Coast tour, Yim-Q and her & Marco's baby Carmela, stayed with us a few days. How sweet it is to have a baby around the house!!

Farewell gathering of the kids at my home the morning they left on tour....sweet blessings of life and family!!

OWOH Love Connection!!

2010-04-13T18:14:00.000-07:00

One World One Heart - A LOVE CONNECTION???

You just never know when or how love will come your way, or how you might be used to bring hearts together!! Lisa Swifka tells this beautiful story in her recent post, and I'm amazed to be apart of this story (as the match-maker)!!! As a participant in my 2nd year of Lisa's One-World One-Heart gathering of bloggers, I 'met' through an email an amazing artist June, who contacted me specifically about one of my daughter's pieces for sale. She was so friendly and her questions about my family and home in Montana, caused us to exchange a few emails. Since she lived in Santa Cruz, I couldn't stop thinking about my (single) friend Ray, also from that area. To make a long story short, I connected the two, and now their relationship is blossoming into LOVE!!! Who would have ever thought that OWOH would also be instrumental in such an amazing turn of events!! Oh and also, Lisa is good friends with June! This magic carpet ride Lisa initiated, has taken some new twists and turns this year, much to our surprise, and delight!!

"Lines of Life"

2010-03-06T18:06:00.000-08:00

My 18 year old daughter Mikaelah, just finished this amazing graphite rendering of an old gypsy woman....can you believe it!!?? It is such photographic quality of realism, it almost takes your breath away! I'm so proud of her and her accomplishments, as she's only been drawing and painting the past 3 yrs. What an inspiration!! If you're interested, we will be offering prints of this piece in our etsy shop.

OWOH Winners!!

2010-02-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

How exciting it is to finally announce the winners of our One World One Heart giveaway! It has been an amazing and wonderful journey visiting so many beautiful blogs around the world and to meet so many artists who are following their hearts!!

Congratulations to our three winners!!

Robin at http://aroundtheisland.blogspot.com/ wins the print, "Eternal Spring."

Louise at http://raggedystitcher.blogspot.com/ wins the print, "Version Mary.

Joy from http://joytotheblog.blogspot.com/ wins the dream-catcher earrings.

Again, Congratulations to all!!

OWOH Giveaway!

2010-01-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

Blessings of LoVe and inspiration, with welcome to the One World One Heart gathering of bloggers and art lovers, created by lovely Lisa Swifka of A Whimsical Bohemian! Join the magic carpet ride that will take us all on an amazing journey into blogland, to visit many enchanted sites, and possibly win some prizes!!

We at Rusted Wings will be offering 3 prizes...created by myself and 2 of my lovely-artsy daughters!!! These prizes are open to all, but make sure you leave contact information, with your comment at the end of this post!! This event runs until Feb. 15th at which time we will announce the winners. Also, check out our etsy for more offerings!! We look forward to visiting each of you as well, and wish you much joy on this journey...

THE PRIZES~

1st prize: A print by me, Abigail Folk, of the painting 'Eternal Spring".

2nd prize: Print by Zionah of "Version Mary"

3rd prize: last but not least, Dream Catcher Earrings made by Miriam of wrapped leather, waxed linen with turquoise & red glass beads, red strung guinea feathers and strung rooster feathers.

Sketch 1

2010-01-24T12:15:00.000-08:00

I am a week late with the first lesson in the "Drawing & Painting Portraits" online class with Misty Mawn, that my sweet daughter Shariyah gifted me with. This being, because Shariyah and her new husband Cameron spent a few days with us before returning to New Zealand, their home. Then daughter Miriam (21st birthday today!) and boyfriend & musical partner Micheal, moved back into the household for the Winter, while working on new music and getting inspired with our beautiful land in NW Montana. So the house has been buzzing with energy, friends, parties and lots of LoVe!!

This first drawing was a great graphite meditation in the early hours of the morning, and I'm looking forward to catching up in the next few days. I need to begin a new habit of drawing daily....

Winter Solstice art

2009-12-06T06:04:00.000-08:00

My 'budding artist' daughter Zionah, who has only been drawing a couple months now, a few weeks ago sketched her 'version Mary', then wanted to try to transfer it to canvas. This is her first painting, and I think it is incredible!! She has it displayed in a nearby art show, but it can also be found in my etsy shop!
For the Winter Solstice art walk this last week I finished this Snowflake Angel to go alongside the Eternal Spring piece, and you can find both in my etsy shop.

Eternal Spring

2009-11-28T21:25:00.000-08:00

It snowed most of the day today, and it looks like it's going to stick this time....we've got around 3 inches on the ground now. I haven't been looking forward to this day, as up here in the North country of Montana, we won't see the ground again until around April or May. I feel like the Winter season of my life has been for many, many years now...maybe this is why it's so hard to face the external reality at the same time. But the beauty to behold is beyond words....like that which awaits the faithful, who endure to the end and know that the Eternal Spring will be worth it all. I guess it is a perfect time to finish this painting today.

a budding new artist

2009-10-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

Each one of my 6 daughters is artistic in their own way...some with fashion & body-work, some do amazing paintings and drawings (http://shariyahgarner.blogspot.com/) and (http://chrondrawn.blogspot.com/), one an esthetician and make-up artist, one a musician & singer in a band (http://www.myspace.com/humanlab).

A week ago, my massage therapist daughter and singer with her sister Miriam (http://www.myspace.com/thedaughtersofthemosthigh), Zionah, said she wanted to start sketching. I gave her a drawing book, and everyday since she has been doing one or two sketches, and this one she just finished, to her and my amazement...as she's hardly ever drawn much at all before. Now she is consumed with it, eagerly waiting to see what comes forth next, feeling a new flow of artistic, creative energy! And this is just the beginning.....

Birthday Blessings

2009-09-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my birthday, and how blessed I am...to be surrounded and celebrated for days with friends and family in so many lovely ways! My dear friend Elizabeth planned a wonderful evening, beginning with an herbal foot bath, and a meal fit for a queen! Then she surprised me with another of my favorite head-dresses she makes (for the modern tribe), and an incredible ceremony creating the most beautiful mhendi design on my hand! Thank you my beloved friend Eliza!!

Then the next night my 3 girls (at home) surprised me with a sweet gathering of friends, flowers luscious foods and gifts! Calls from my other 3 daughters (thank you Shariyah for this lovely tribute...http://www.shariyahgarner.blogspot.com/), gifts and gatherings with other friends continued to surround and bless my soul with so much LoVe!! Then last night my daughter Zionah gave me the most wonderful foot, hand/arm massage, with hand-made chocolate and candles, incense & music filling my room...sending me into a deep dream-land.

I thank my Lord for such a wonderful Life, and for the Love that fills my soul with beauty and grace.

Inner Sanctum

2009-09-16T07:38:00.001-07:00

This is the first piece of art I've done in months, since moving the gallery, my daughter's wedding in Santa Barbara, moving my youngest on her miraculous journey to a boarding school in Monterey, CA., and having another daughter's incredible band HumanLab (http://www.myspace.com/humanlab) and friends in my home in for 3 weeks, while they were doing gigs around NW Montana. I'm also trying to find work and figure out how to hold on, have put my house up for sale, while 3 girls have moved back home & a grandbaby! Life has been full to say the least!!

So in the midst of it all, I've needed to find that quiet place where I can process, and be at peace. Such a reminder came as my next art assignment for the "Lucky 13" group I've been apart of, with a new theme each month to then pass on to the next in the group of 13 artists. This subject of "inner sanctum" has also brought me to this meditation by Rumi...."Worldly power means nothing. Only the unsayable, jeweled inner life matters. Everything you want and need is inside you."

So to "be still and know that He is God" is the resting place, where I know that "everything is working together for good".

My daughter's wedding

2009-09-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

What a Day of Days!! On July 26, 2009 my precious daughter Shariyah became the blushing bride of Cameron Morris, her kiwi love. They have a storybook tale of God's miraculous Providence as they followed His leading and grew in love from the first day of meeting and kept their relationship pleasing to Him, with a faithful vow of purity and chastity until the day of their marriage! What a high standard and depth of holy love! It was wonderful to have all of her 5 sisters, and Cameron's sister Shea as bridesmaids, and a beautiful blending of our families in a lovely spot in Santa Barbara, CA. These first photos are the amazing works of Joy Marie at http://www.joymarieblog.com/ and scroll down to Santa Barbara wedding, Shariyah & Cameron.

Shariyah & Cameron reside in his homeland of New Zealand....and you can visit Shariyah's blog at http://www.shariyahgarner.blogspot.com

Mourning Dove

2009-06-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

My daughter Zionah just turned 23 and I created this painting of her (for her) with a dove, as when she was a little girl we would call her mourning dove. She loved to coo like the doves we would hear in the early mornings on our farm in Tennessee. Each one of the six girls had an Indian name (inspired by 'Dances With Wolves').

I found this beautiful verse to write around the edge of the painting from the Song of Solomon..."How beautiful you are my darling~Your eyes are like doves...Arise My darling, My beautiful one, and come with Me...The winter is past, the rains are over and gone...flowers appear on the earth, the season of singing has come. The cooing of doves is heard in our land."

Birthday blessings my precious mourning dove...

Innocence

2009-06-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

I just finished this new offering for the Lucky 13 group I am apart of, this time on the word "Innocence" with a sweet little angel child alighted on a bird's wing...and the thought on back reads..."We are not moved by the imagination of a child because it is young and fragile. On the contrary: the imagination of a child moves us because it is powerful and pure, and its song is confident and clear."

Corn on the Cob in Season

2009-06-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

In our 'Lucky 13' group our latest subject was CORN, and my creation came forth quite unexpectedly! As the little corn girl took on her personality, and grave concern as she ripened and became more luscious for birds and hungry beings, I too became concerned for her very life! However I will most likely give in to the long awaited desire to partake of the soon coming 'corn on the cob in season'....yummmm

Faith & Hope, Love & Truth

2009-06-06T20:57:00.001-07:00

It's been a long weeks since I've been able to post....been too busy putting my house up for sale, having yard sales, sorting , sifting thru 25 yrs. of stuff! Oh, and then my computers nearly crashes, and was in the shop for a week! So now I'm trying to catch up, and did these two paintings for a show on "mother's and daughters" last week...which is always a subject close to my heart (having 6 daughters!). I'll put them up on etsy as well.

To the Minstrel of Love

2009-05-11T20:12:00.001-07:00

I just finished this little book for my daughter Miriam's boyfriend Micheal Medlin, and hopefully he'll receive it tomorrow, May 12th, on his birthday. He is an amazing musician, and leads out in the band "Humanlab" (check them out on myspace music), and Miriam harmonizes with him. He is such a lover of everything that is pure, true and good and wants to share love and beauty with everyone on this planet! Actually the book was sewn by an amazing artist Joanne Huffman, and I filled it's blank pages with inspiration for Micheal. Happy Birthday sweetie!!!

Blessed Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is the last picture i have of me and all my girls together (and grandbaby Sofia), taken over 2 yrs. ago....it's hard to get us all in one place these days! Next time will be for the first wedding of Shariyah's (living in New Zealand) in July. This Mother's Day it's just me and Mikaelah (who is busy making me breakfast)...I so love and miss them all (Shekinah, Shariyah, Zionah, Miriam, Mikaelah & Mariyah) and thank God for this blessed, sacred trust of mothering!

Blessed Mother's Day to you all!!!

altered words

2009-05-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

In our 'Lucky 13' group we recently had a theme on 'words' and this collage is what came to me. AFTER finishing it, I thought of the story in on the Tower of Babel (babel meaning confusion), where according to chapter 11 in Genesis, there was a united group of people who spoke one language and decided to build this tower so immense that it would have "its top to the heavens". Unfortunately, the vain glory of man's works motivated the efforts, instead of God's glory, and the fruits of the project came to be a confusion of languages, altered words, and a scattered people.

I just read a beautiful poem of Hafiz, the old Persian poet, on words... "when the words stop, and you can endure the silence that reveals your heart's pain of emptiness or that great wrenching-sweet longing, that is the time to try and listen to what the Beloved's eye most want to say."

pretty maids all in a row

2009-04-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

"Pretty maids all in a row" popped in my head the other day and I decided to do a version of it in "red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight".

fragile love

2009-04-05T07:18:00.001-07:00

Recently I joined a yahoo group called ArtSisters, and this is my first offering, though in different versions, to 6 ladies. The spring colors, stitches on the musical 'nest' and beeswax coating give a softness to the message. Spring is my favorite season...there's so much hope prevailing, and new life arising and sweet songs filling the air. I've been in such a long winter season in my life, and 6 months of snow in Montana seems to emphasize it too much!

In the celebrations at hand the pagan themes of the Easter season have never been my focus (though an egg hunt is always enjoyed!)...but so much of this season brings for me a clearer vision of new life in Christ, and reminds me of the supernatural rebirth I experienced in Him when I was 21 yrs. young! Life is so fragile...and as I write those words, the Elton John song rings back through my mind..."Love is the open-in door, Love is what we came here for....no one could offer you more...do you know what I mean, have your eyes really seen?"

dreaming of Spring

2009-03-29T08:19:00.001-07:00

Up here in the North country of NW Montana, the first snow can be around Thanksgiving time, and then it doesn't completely melt until around May!! Way toooo long!!! For us now bulbs and seeds are still buried under a thick blanket of white, and many of us are longing and dreaming of Spring. So Kage and I have been creating images that remind us that it will soon come, and will be worth the wait!
About 6 months ago, Kage started a "Lucky 13" group amongst 13 artists. Each month we create a themed image, then pass it on, and eventually each participant will end of with a packet of 13 original pieces of art. These two images are inspired by the "Botanical" theme, and just happens to be occurring during our waning Winter, with the hope of Spring.

Room Without Mirrors

2009-03-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

A recent piece I've done reflects the soul burden I carry for those who seem to be groping in darkness and vanity, with so much energy spent on the "outer adorning" instead of developing the inner beauty. "Is it possible to see yourself in a room without mirrors?" We need to take time to be still, and honest, and reflect and truly see with new eyes the truth, instead of the illusion of what is beautiful!

OWOH gift again!

2009-03-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

This week I received the most lovely gift from Deborah at http://paper-n-soul.blogspot.com from the OWOH giveaway last Jan.-Feb. It is in soft shades of springtime, a triple strand necklace of green aventurine, polymer clay beads, copper beaded accents and some silver-lined Czech glass seed beads to dance with the light. Deborah has a wonderful blog you should check out! Thanks again Deborah!!

Mother Wisdom

2009-03-02T20:38:00.000-08:00

Motherhood is such a weighty responsibility and sacred trust, and at times brings you such challenges that are so overwhelming. One can only hope and pray that the children come to a place of trust to receive the wisdom you are trying to impart, and spare themselves, and you, so much heartache and pain.

I recently went through a very trying time with my oldest daughter, who has almost always insisted on learning the hardest ways possible. This painting, "Mother Wisdom" was my creative release during this painful period, and shows the mother holding her heart of love, and the key of wisdom she longs to give to her children (the nest of six eggs...my six daughters!).

OWOH Winnings!

2009-03-02T18:36:00.000-08:00

It has been so exciting to repeatedly open my mailbox and to find a variety of gifts I won from the OWOH Giveaway! I have received 4 wonderful gifts that I'd love to share with you and encourage you to visit these artist's sites....

The first arrival from the UK was a gift tag and bookmark that are so detailed and lovely from www.maygreen-fairies.blogspot.com/ Thank you Amanda!! You must visit her wonder-ful site...she is such a sweetie!

Then a great book called "Juice it up" arrived from http://sur-la-table-cuisine.blogspot.com/

I am looking forward to an internal "spring cleaning" soon, and this book has some creative recipes for raw meals in a glass! Thank you Enzie! She's got some other amazing art blogs you should check out!

Kelly at http://bluegirlink.blogspot.com sent a sweet handmade fabric card with ribbon closure with a few blank pages for some art or favorite embellished verses. Thanks Kelly!

And then my "hoped for" win was realized with a wonderful gift wrapped in and old quilt block and silk ribbon from JoAnnA at www.mosshill.blogs.com/ !! It is a most elegant antique bottle filled with mica flakes and pink & silver German glass glitter, with a beautiful soldered heart and vintage jewelry piece. Thank you JoAnna for such a generous gift from our heart to mine! And you must check out JoAnna's beautiful site and online workshops!!!

Blessings on you all!!!

Waiting and Hoping... new gallery art

2009-02-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

My most recent collages are a new twist on an old vintage photo I found from a movie. This first one "Hoping" is of a beautiful woman (actress,Dorothy Lamour) and she is speaking in Spanish "where are you my love... I am waiting".
Her love is framed at her heart, with many admirers surrounding her.

This next mixed media collage "Waiting" is of his (actor, Ernie Kovacs) love and pledge to the woman of his heart (if you know who this actor is, please tell me in your comment). He is responding in Spanish "I am here my love.... I am waiting".

Such romantic, faithful souls!

These are available in our etsy shop.

New Items in the Gallery

2009-02-15T11:20:00.000-08:00

Hello out there Happy Bloggers!

Look at what just flew in...

We are pleased to announce the arrival of CLARA and BEATRICE! These are really cool Folk Art Dolls created by Karen Minton.

Winners of the OWOH Giveaway!!

2009-02-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

This being our first blog, and first giveaway, we are so excited to announce our two winners of the One World One Heart Giveaway!!!

And the winners are.......
DIANE @ http://dianesmixedart.blogspot.com
KAREN @ http://farmgirlingastyle.blogspot.com

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Since neither of you winners commented on which print you'd like between "Frida" and "Queen of Hearts"....please contact us by email (rustedwingsgallery@gmail.com) and let us know your favorite pick of the two!

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by our new blog! We loved reading your comments and visiting your blogs and look forward to getting to know more of you in the days ahead!

"Rocky Mountain Snow Ghosts" Book Signing

2009-02-09T19:03:00.000-08:00

For the Whitefish Winter Carnival festivities, the author of the book "Rocky Mountain Snow Ghost", Patti Hirst, and I (illustrator) were asked to be featured at the Stumptown Art Studio for a book signing.
The window displayed much of the art, as did the wall behind us in the photo, where many of the original art-pages of the book were hung. Then in the parade, one of the floats from the Whitefish Community School had some large blown up pages from the inside and cover of the book, along with a sweet group of children dressed up as snow ghosts!! It was precious!!!

Author Patti Hirst & Illustrator Abigail Folk

Stumptown Art Studio's window display

The Rocky Mountain Snow Ghosts Float!

Some precious little snow angels...

Rusted Wings Gallery is now opened!

2009-02-09T18:10:00.000-08:00

We finally opened the doors of Rusted Wings Gallery on February 2nd!!! A "soft opening" to begin with, but we have regular hours so people know we'll be here. Please come in, and enjoy looking around (though in photos); we hope you return often and see some of the new art we'll be adding regularly!!!

We hope you've enjoyed your first visit to our gallery! Please feel free to come by and visit our Etsy shop for a closer look at some of the art we have for sale!

One World, One Heart

2009-01-24T00:17:00.000-08:00

This is a world-wide blog giveaway event that you are invited to enter, whether you are a blogger or not! The main idea of this effort is to unite lovers of art, to bring bloggers together, and to let everyone know about all the beautiful things that people are creating...so we can all be inspired!!! This is a wonderful place to see what creative juices are flowing globally, and to encourage everyone to keep doing it...sharing the LOVE!

When you click on the globe "One World, One Heart" it will take you into this wonder-land where new blogs are posted daily, with prizes, until the winners are announced on February 12th.

So please leave a comment on this post (along with your email address if you don't have a blog) and enter this drawing for one of the two art prints that I, Abigail Folk, or Kage Harp are offering. And then, on February 12th we will contact the two winners!!

Our two winners will have the choice of one of the following:

Mixed media print "Frida" by Kage Harp

Mixed media print "Queen of Hearts" by Abigail Folk

We'd like to invite you to follow our new blog as we will be listing artwork weekly! Warm welcome to you!! To follow our blog, just click on

Follow our blog to receive our updates!

"Beginnings"

2009-01-20T19:55:00.000-08:00

This is the wonderful, providential beginnings of Rusted Wings...and our first blog entry!!

A few months ago as I was strolling my 1st grand~baby Sofia around the side-streets of our little mountain town of Whitefish, I stopped directly in front of a small red barn, which used to be an antique store. Now it was empty, and on the door was a sign that read "for rent". Immediately, out of my mouth, OUT LOUD, I said..."what a perfect art studio and gallery!" At the time, I had my art desk in the only space available in my recently purchased and renovated 1300 sq.ft. cottage-home, where I live with 3 of my 6 daughters, and little Sofia. I so needed my own work space, and a new job, as I've been illustrator for the alternative toy catalog Magic Cabin since it's inception almost 20 yrs. ago, and now, under new ownership, I am getting very little work anymore with 4 other artists working as well!

Two days after this experience, and with continued prayers and thoughts, I got a phone call from one of my favorite artist-friends, Kage Harp. She told me that she had finally found a house to move to, and behind the house there was this cute little red barn....for rent! Then she said the exact words to me that I spoke aloud 2 days before when I stood outside that vacant barn..."what a perfect art studio and gallery it would be"....and did I want to rent it with her!!?? I immediately, without hesitation said, YES!!! What a powerful, affirming moment of the manifestation of a dream, and clearly, a higher plan...God's will!!!

So the dream is now becoming a reality, and we will be opening the door of Rusted Wings Gallery at the end of this month. It will show-case the works of some other great artists in the valley and beyond, as well as our own art. Many of these pieces will be listed on our etsy site, so check it out too!

We want this blog to journal the unfolding of events and beautiful art that develops over the weeks and months of our journey. We hope to connect with many other visionaries and artists out there in blog land, and get to know more of our extended family, and to inspire each other!