New Commission Underway

CMC- Mercy Hospital commissioned me to create a gift for the doctors' lounge.

Christie Taylor of Hodges Taylor Art Consultancy presented my work and other artists to the hospital. The hospital, where my husband was born, is undergoing renovation. As each area is renovated, new art work from regional artists is selected to grace the area. Some of my favorite artists are represented, including a fabulous fig tree by Micheal Sherrill in the entry area that is large enough to sit under. It is an honor to be creating a piece that will be in such great company.

Several aspects made creating the initial designs easier. One, I was able to see the exact location and environment where the art would be hung. Secondly, I was told which piece of my art work most represented what they wanted.

Working from my photographs of a couple of different species, I created designs and selected possible fabrics for the piece. The hospital selected a design based on the Kousa Dogwood so I am ready to proceed.

This is a photo of the a branch of the Kousa Dogwood from my garden. Next time I will share some information about this tree and why it seemed so appropriate for a health care setting.

Nancy

Identification of Feathers, Sketches

Ever since taking Jane LaFabio''s workshop at Random Arts, I have been sketching and doing little watercolors. Here are the latest ones. The one at top is a little ceramic sculpture and its box that we fell in love with at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Art and History.





These feathers have been deposited in our garden over the years. Not sure what birds left them behind. I suspect that the bottom one is from a white breasted nuthatch. The blue one is probably from a blue bird. We have lots of them. The two black and white speckled ones might be from downy woodpeckers. I am really puzzled by the yellow tipped feather. Is it a cedar waxwing, a yellow bellied sapsucker, or what?

Identity of feathers would be greatly appreciated.

The drum was one of Don's first Christmas presents, given to him by an aunt and uncle who went to Cherokee. It is about 70 years old from when little gifts could be bought for children that were not imported. The top and bottom of the drum are leather, the side is bark. The lashings are leather thongs. Both top and bottom have painted designs on them.

Nancy