Mandala CCLXIV, Green Handled Pruning Shears

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLXIV (Nicknamed: Green Handled Pruning Shears). Custom framed: 37 1/2" x 37 1/2".  Found objects hand stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A sun shape that was peeled off a decorative plate stitched to a souvenir porcelain; blue perns/spindles wrapped in yellow yarn; dominoes; green handled pruning shears; wooden blocks (cut in half); Mardi Gras doubloons; wooden clothespins; toy drum Christmas ornaments; blue coffee K-pods; fabric figures; assorted plastic lids; toddle snack tops; tins in the shape of card suits; spoons; assorted rubber duckies; a toy train track circle; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

Christmas has come and gone.  New Year's Eve is almost here!  (On that evening, the Ohio State Buckeyes face Miami in a quarter-final National playoff game.  If our team wins, we might travel to Hilton Head to watch OSU along with members of the alumni association!  Go Bucks!)  

(Detail of Mandala CCLXIV.) 

I haven't blogged in two weeks but we had company and I kept very busy making art.  I also accepted a commission for nine Stained Glass Series pieces from an interior designer in Charlotte.  Many afternoons were dark and gray ... not good times to capture quality images.  Then it became unseasonably warm; outdoors called!  Today, however, I've shot pictures of artwork and will start writing a series of posts that will publish over the coming days.

(Detail of Mandala CCLXIV.)

This first piece was started months ago!  Literally!  The train track was stitched down but I just couldn't decide what objects I wanted to go with it.  Finally, I acquired the green handled pruning shears but still couldn't figure out other items.  Finally, I returned from my one-month art residency in Montana and knew that as assortment of colorful rubber duckies were meant for this piece.  Steve bought a tub of duckies while I was away.  Yet, I was so excited to create my Tidal Wave of Duckies that this mandala got neglected.  Plus, I had lots of other things to finish, frame, blog, and basically "catch up" with!

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLXIV at an angle.)

At long last, the piece was finished!  I'm glad I waited for the perfect pieces!