following fallow

I just had a significant birthday, one that ends in a 0 and one that means I'm likely past the half way mark of my life. In the Jewish tradition the 49th year, seven times seven is a fallow year, a Jubilee year, in which the fields rest, debts are forgiven, prisoners are let out of jail...I did feel fallow this past year though I'm still paying the mortgage and worked hard teaching and mothering. However I'm looking to 50 as the time to start again. To dig deeper into my creative process, my green work, and mostly mindfulness. I'm writing my intention here with the internet as witness; to cultivate a practice of staying still and getting quiet. Just connecting to my breath as ballast. Breath, simple something to practice, for the next day after day.

yogurt lid cut outs

Here are some yogurt lid cut outs I made. I have a big collection of yogurt containers and lids and well, one thing led to another and I began making these cut outs. I've given some away and some were made with a particular person in mind but I'd like to have a show with a group of them sometime.

There is a tradition of Jewish paper cuts that I'm also referencing in this work and an amazing 8th grade student I know also inspired me with some of his cut outs...Also I can almost finish one if I get up early and start cutting before anyone else in the house is awake. It's a great way to start the day when I can manage it.

Mini-Maker Faire

I'll be making a collaborative solar powered sculpture at the East Bay Mini-Maker Faire on October 24th, More info is here

my own private Idaho

We went to Idaho to visit family for the holidays. When I was a child Idaho sounded impossibly remote to me. I lived in the Oregon woods but in Idaho I was sure the trees were taller, disappearing into the blue, the shaggy dark green branches, covered in snow like heavy frosting and drifts so deep one had to tunnel out for months at a time. Now when I drive to my in-laws from the airport we pass Borders, Target, the Olive Garden. Everywhere feels like everywhere. On our return to Oakland my 7 year old daughter points out TJ Maxx. " They have that in Idaho." "Yup, they do."

solar chandelier video

solar chandelier installed!

Here are some shots of the sculpture. First being installed by Maurice and Jeff Levitch. I'm so glad I didn't have to ascend the ladder. The second shot shows the panel and the last two show the piece hanging...It all went well, a few adjustments were made and I was nervous as it went up, would someone fall? would the panel work? (edit...oops posted in the opposite order of preview for some reason so the first mentioned is the last, but you get the picture...video to follow)

it moves

my solar panel is moving the solar sculpture in circles...maybe a bit faster than I had hoped but still....it moves!