Spring Time Studio

Late January produced a horrific ice storm that was unlike anything I had ever witnessed living in upstate New York, Europe or anywhere else for that matter. It was catastrophic to the landscape surrounding my home. Icy sleet layered an inch, or more, of ice over every thing to include blades of grass in the yard.

Power lines swung ever so low until the poles snapped leaving many communities without electricity for weeks. I could hear the ‘shot gun’ blasts as the limbs on my trees snapped falling to the ground or just fell hanging over one another. It was very so sad to see that most trees within 60 miles were reduced to skeletons, stark reminders of nature’s wrath. This type of wintry event occurred all over the world and not just here in Oklahoma. Fortunately, we did not lose our electricity and I could continue working in my studio.

Even though things were bleak, the yellow crocus didn’t falter and neither have the jonquils, which are in bloom in my garden this day.

Wild Rabbits

Wild rabbits abound in the woods and fields nearby and it is always exciting to flush one or two. I imagine how hard their hearts flutter from the fear. It is not unusual to stumble upon a pair of rabbits that huddle close together, holding absolutely still, trusting the tall grass to hide them.

And then, they bolt and are gone in a flash!


Wild Rabbits, 24" × 18¾"

More Garden Secrets

Recently, the North winds have introduced natural cool air into my garden landscape, fading the summer glory that provided inspiration for my series of hidden treasures. The energy level in my studio has also perked up and creative work is in full swing once more. I have finished the garden series, which began in August. Here are four of the secrets:

In the spring, my garden is breathtaking with many old-fashion bearded irises. Those are the variety that is wonderfully fragrant and have been in my garden for decades. I have two types, the royal purple ones and the intense yellow ones. I’m sure each variety has an official botanical name, but are lost in time and by my ignorance. I only know these irises each spring are sensational. Purple Majesty, 6"x 6"

Another old favorite in many gardens is the day lily. Mine have been transplanted from another garden, which makes it a welcomed newcomer.

Old Favorite, 6" x 6"

My community is blessed annually by the migration of beautiful Monarch butterflies. On the way north, black and orange flutters among my flowers in the spring and returns again in the fall on the way back to Mexico. Did you know that a group of butterflies is called a Congregation? Butterfly Kiss, 6" x 6"

Some gardeners do not appreciate the presence of snails slipping around their garden. In the cool of a spring morning, I will find these interesting critters. Those existing in my garden are very small. When I lived in the Pacific Northwest, the snails were enormous and people on the Olympic peninsula would collect them to sell to chefs. Escargot, anyone? Slow Pace, 6"x6"

Garden Secrets Series

During the summer, I worked on a series of small pieces in preparation for July 2010’s gallery show I am doing. I was curious about fusible materials and wanted to explore the medium because it is so popular by other artists. I chose small formats, 6" squares, to further challenge my design instincts.

Coneflowers

©Carol Ann Sinnreich

Cat & Marigolds

©Carol Ann Sinnreich

Daffodils

©Carol Ann Sinnreich

Summer Grasses Fade

Because I don’t work well with triple-digit summer heat, this year I have been like a lizard stretched out flat along side a watering hole waiting for relief. Yes, I do have A/C and fans going in my home and studio, but I really prefer arctic temps and must wait for winter. So my dog and me lie low and pant a lot until there’s a swing of the weather vane.

I have spent my time thinking, stewing, reviewing photos, drawing and designing new work in preparation for my gallery show next year. The heat of summer is passing, which means the cooler temperatures inspire more activity in my studio. In the weeks ahead, I will be preparing the master patterns and pulling fabrics for each design to launch an autumn frenzy of action. New CDs have been assembled and stacked to fill the studio with the music of Mario Lanza, Placido Domingo, and may be a mariachi group, or not. Who knows?

As the summer grasses fade and wildflowers pop their seeds, I add, "Wind in the Grasses" to bid a glad farewell to the dog days.

Summer Influences

Local gardens provide some of the inspiration for the botanical wall hangings I like to create. It's always motivating to search through my fabric collection to find just the right pieces to recreate the artistic flair that Mother Nature bestows on her world.

My neighbor's caladiums were
magnificent.

Caladiums
39" × 35", ©Carol Ann Sinnreich

Studio Activity

I am planning the new work for my galleries show in July 2010. Experimentation and new directions are part of this design phase while remaining committed to my interpretation of Old West, its history, animals and people. It’s beginning to be a very busy period of intense activity in my studio.

Anthuriums represents an impression from a place a great deal further west than arid Oklahoma.

From photos taken in Hawaii years ago, I developed this 18" × 15" piece, which has been donated for a local Habitat for Humanity fundraiser.