Sun Dog and the Rising Sun

A Sun dog, scientific name parhelion (Greek for "beside the sun") is an atmospheric phenomenon that creates bright spots of light
in the sky, often on a luminous ring or halo on either side of the sun.
Sundogs may appear as a colored patch of light to the left or right of the sun, 22° distant and at the same distance above the horizon as the sun, and in ice halos. They can be seen anywhere in the world during any season, but they are not always obvious or bright. Sundogs are best seen and are most conspicuous when the sun is low.
In her history Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance, telling the story of Endurance's ill-fated polar expedition in 1912, Jennifer Armstrong writes:
… All around them, too, were signs that the Antarctic winter was fast approaching: there were now twelve hours of darkness, and during the daylight hours petrels and terns fled toward the north. Skuas kept up a screeching clamor, and penguins on the move honked and brayed from the ice for miles around. Killer whales cruised the open leads, blowing spouts of icy spray. The tricks of the Antarctic atmosphere brought mock suns and green sunsets, and showers of jewel-coloured ice crystals.
The poet Aratus (Phaenomena 880-891) mentions parhelia as part of his catalogue of Weather Signs; for him, they can indicate rain, wind, or an approaching storm.

Taxidermy for Vegetarians

When we were a young family- I a little girl, Grandpa still around, still with his own teeth, we used to get in the car and drive hours to places to eat. One of these magical establishments worth driving all the way, was Roma's Italian on Connecticut Avenue in Bethesda Maryland. Just inside the door stood a Wild Tiger mounted in an erect pouncing stance. The Tiny restaurant was long and narrow, banquet booths flanked a walkway that threaded through. The walls were guilt leather wallpaper, the booths were old black vinyl. Above each table was an old sepia photo of the owner on Safari holding his weapon and animal trophy, above was the animal mount. In the early afternoon a blind woman entered beneath the pouncing tiger and walked down the aisle to an old piano where she would feel her way across the ivory keys and entertain us as we dined in the Taxidermy Menagerie.

The Taxidermy for Vegetarians series has been a precious memory in my head since childhood and in the works for several years. The Animal Mount Pendants are produced in bronze and silver. They are all also produced in pewter pendants and wall sculptures in varying effects. Gazelle Rings are scampering throughout the world on fingers and postcards, with Botswana Agate and Cats Eye Stones. The final piece will be Gazelle earrings with elegant glass drops... about 3 weeks away.

Perfect for anyone without the heart to kill or room to hang the real thing.

Patterns

Coney Island Parachute Drop meet
Mesozoic invertebrate, Astrophyton Darwinium.

From the Carving Block

Last Night Gone with the Wind was on Turner Classic Movies....The perfect inspiration for carving lazy flowing flowers. With candle and chaser and blade more work was done towards the THREE GRACES SERIES. The Three Graces are inspired by the antique arm tie backs and sconces from Rococco days. The single arm holds necklaces. There is a chandalier adornment to hold earrings and shown here is a bouquet of flowers to hang down and hold rings. Named for the three graces who helped the goddess Venus dress in the mornings, these helping hands can make every woman feel a bejewelled beauty. These are off to the caster for first casting. Expected to be finished and for sale in early October.

The September Issue

Well actually, its the November issue, but its on the stands now...
Check it out....last winter's work.

Cave of the Storm Nymphs

many thanks to JWC's endless library of art history he calls a brain and his clever insertions of historical beauty to brighten a girls day. and to Sir Edward John Poynter...