That Golden Glow

Summer ended with a golden kiss of promise. That kiss for the future was imbued in the ochre light of the autumn which was coming on. 

Ochre like love is an ancient color and has been used by humans since the earliest of times.  In a cave in northern Australia predating the caves of  Lascaux yellow ocher was used. Since Neolithic times humans have made yellow to describe, and symbolize their days. In Pharonic Egypt, yellow was used to depict the sun, gold, and to differentiate the complexion of female from male in sarcophagi. In 2500 BC the Egyptians developed a yellow color called an  orpiment a natural yellow pigment derived from arsenic sulfide. This wonderful warm dangerous golden tone was used by the Greeks and many other cultures.  Cennino Cennini warned painters not to soil their tongues with this dangerous paint. Finally its use was banned in the 19th century. So then in trying to capture golden tones, Naples yellow, a color which contained lead was invented, Rubens used  it when he painted fleshtones.

Venus at a Mirror, 1651, Liechtenstien

All over the world ancient peoples worked on capturing that golden glow. Cosmos and dahlias were used by the Aztecs to create a dye, Turkey used chamomile, western Africans the kola nut and golden rod was used by some native Americans. Then of course that essence from crocus pistils, saffron makes the most expensive yellow dye of all. 

This color,  yellow, which I associate with September and the heralding of fall in the Rocky Mountains,

Steamboat Spgs, Colorado, Fall 2009

is a color I will be watching as it unfolds  in the topmost trees of our urban forest in Denver and reaches high to the tallest peaks of Colorado. What better way to herald the passing of the sun and its embrace of the land than in the golden warmth of young promise.

The Best Weekend Ever! Part 1

Since December when my daughter Johanna became engaged,( You can check this out at
http://nativemoments.blogspot.com/2009/12/proposal-picture.html) a slow rhythm has been building and it finally came to a crescendo last weekend. A beautiful crescendo- Nature obliged and the hot muggy weather, that part of Kansas can have- on Labor Day weekend - never occurred. Instead still, calm quiet graceful days unfolded into a beautiful family occasion for a celebration for a young couple with a fresh and open style.

We all assembled at The Circle S Ranch http://www.circlesranch.com/secOffer/Weddings/Weddings.htm
It was a family affair, cake and pie stands were donated by family and friends.

Pies made by family members, Jams made with Colorado fruit by me, decorative swags sewn by Johanna and hung by all. Flowers were locally grown and decorations made and donated. So this post is about the ambiance and a later post will be more about the event.

                               Flowers were picked from the roadside and used to decorate the altar.  

 While the Bridal  Party got ready and photographers prepared to take photos family members hung out, talked, played croquet, bocce, badminton and enjoyed the day.

The Bridal Party

The Groom, Ryan and Bride Johanna and Bridesmaid Kate (sister of the Bride)

The Bride and Groom

Anticipation!

Check out my daughters blog because that is where all of my energy and excitement has gone.
www.nativemoments.blogspot.com- Later- I 'll let you have the full report from my side and you can check in from her side.

So here is a cool lively Natalie Merchant concert to tide you over--Natalie Merchant sings old poems to life | Video on TED.com

Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/natalie_merchant_sings_old_poems_to_life.html

I'll have to see what else my mind comes up with while it wanders over lists- checking them more than twice- spraying birdcages with high gloss. Doing this and that. Enjoy until after the wedding! 

Abiento!

Coming Celebration! What Will She Wear?

Something really exciting is going to happen in my family in two weeks time, can you guess? Take a preview by looking at the manner in which women have dressed for this moment since the 15th C. until now.

" The Arnolfini Wedding" Jan Van Eyck, 1434, Belgium

 1951, English, Norman Hartnell, Designer, Victoria & Albert collections

"Farewell Sweet Liberty"
1992, England
Joe Casely-Hayford-designer
Liberty & Co. LTD

"Qui a le droit"
Black Wedding Dress
1992, Paris
 Christian Lacroix
Victoria & Albert

Hopefully during the first part of  September I can send you pictures of the dress my daughter has designed, made and worn. My mind is bumping around from normal daily activities, to being filled with anticipation. Whew! maybe some yoga meditation is in order if only I could hold my flitting mind open. Mean while keep tuning in as I try to remember to write here and not be busily off on my upcoming family adventures.

Did you notice the variety of color as well as form for these dresses?

Just a note on Van Eyck's famous wedding picture entitled "The Arnolfini Wedding"- I had always believed that Mrs. Arnolfini was pregnant in this picture but  I found out while researching this that she is merely holding her dress in front of her belly as was the custom of the time.

Passions Power

I am teaching a small art class at a nearby school. This is the time for teachers to meet and prepare themselves for the upcoming annual learning tasks.  This video was shown to us today and I found it very thoughtful. Sir Ken Robinson is a lively speaker. In 2007 his speech on Creativity made the rounds so it is good to see what he is thinking of now.
Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! | Video on TED.com

Take a moment and watch Ken Robinson talk about the power of passion and learning. Although he is talking about education think of his words in reference to adult learning and creativity as well.

August Associations

How many of you know August is the time of wakefulness and nightmares for a large part of the population. If you are a teacher you are past pretending that summer still lingers on. Your mind betrays you as you awake  in the night -

Odilon Redon,Le Char d'Apollon" Musee d'Orsay

you thought you were at the cottage, seashore but instead here you are your mind racing NOT ON VACATION trying to figure out how you can get all the students in your class to sit quietly, be focused and excited about learning. You know this year will be improved and different and you begin to make the "grand plan".

Berthe Morissot , "La Lecture", Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg Fla.

I dreamed for many years how to recreate this Picasso picture in my classroom. Little artists would be so engrossed and only the noise of creative industry would be heard in my classroom.

Pablo Picasso, "Claude dessinant, Francoise et Paloma"-1954, Musee Picasso

So heres to teachers and their students as they ready themselves for their scholastic adventures!

Using Red to Make Memories

"COLOR THINKS by itself, independently of the objects it clothes"
___Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867)


What did Baudelaire mean? Did he mean the strawberry as a beautifully juicy fruit had no conscious will to be red? I know that red in nature can mean danger, poison! Did the strawberry become red so that not all birds and bears would eat up the entire species, saving some for me and my new canning skills?  Or did he mean that humans give this color all its meaning and the color only receives it?

Red can mean protection as the ancients used to sew(embroider) it to the openings of garments to protect the wearer, it can demand attention as a stop sign or as a red carpet. It provides homage when royalty dons it. 


It will signify delicious aromas, images when I turn the lid of my recently canned strawberry jam some winter morning in the future.  I will remember the kindness of my friend Jill as she taught  me how to make a summer memorable and turn a small red fruit into a gift given at my daughters wedding to the guests.

Ah the final picture will be taken later when we can line all the Colorado strawberries, apricots, peaches  ensconced in small glass jars at the wedding. I also will be sure to paint that image of fruit and snowy morning- there is more to come with red and I will continue to think of Baudelaire's observation.