My Lefty on Exhibit at Ground Floor Gallery

I'm very pleased to announce that my Lefty "Full of it" (pictured above) will be part of the BARED exhibit at the Ground Floor Gallery. This exhibition explores the gendered narratives that clothe and fashion the body as well as gender subversion and the traditional male gaze. It was curated by Sally Deskins and features the work of selected artists from the book of the same name, published in January 2017 by Les Femmes Folles. The exhibit runs from August 2 - September 2, 2017. 

Interestingly enough when I was recently chatting with Susun Weed on her radio show she mentioned that the Goddess Ephesus who was my inspiration for "Full of it" might possibly be sprouting rows of testicles, not breasts as I had originally thought.  Hmmmm...food for thought!

"Love that image!" ~ Janet Decker Yanez, Artist/Curator/Director, Ground Floor Gallery + Studios

Buy a hand signed print of Full of it

About the Exhibit: BARED
Curated by Sally Deskins

Artists: Kathy Crabbe, Courtney Kenny Porto, Libby Rowe, Chuka Susan Chesney, Stacy Howe, Teresa Dunn, Cathy Sarkowsky, Bonnie Gloris, Rosemary Meza-DesPlas, Susan Jamison, KA Letts, Susan Detroy, Florine Desmothene, Evelyn Katz, Belgin Yucelen, Suzanne Proulx, Lauren Rinaldi, Amy Cerra, and Marlana Adele Vassar.

Ground Floor Gallery: BARED Exhibit
August 2 – September 2, 2017
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 5, 2017 6-9 pm

942 4th Ave South
Nashville, TN 37210
Gallery Hours: Wednesday 9am-1pm
Thursdays 5-8pm
Otherwise by appointment
groundflrgallery.com
Contact: 615.478.1467

Ground Floor Gallery is committed to providing contemporary exhibitions with depth and relevance in multiple disciplines for a diverse audience with the intent to connect artists with other art professionals, community builders and potential buyers. We present artists with the opportunity to exhibit their work in an alternative gallery and collective artist community, which allows artists to take risks that are not generally supported by commercial galleries.

Parking in front of the building or on Oak Street.

About Les Femmes Folles

Les Femmes Folles is a volunteer organization founded in 2011 with the mission to support and promote women in all forms, styles and levels of art from around the world with the online journal, print annuals, exhibitions and events; originally inspired by artist Wanda Ewing and her curated exhibit by the name Les Femmes Folles (Wild Women). LFF was created and is curated by Sally Deskins.  LFF Books is a micro-feminist press that publishes 1-2 books per year by the creators of Les Femmes Folles including the award-winning Intimates & Fools (Laura Madeline Wiseman, 2014), The Hunger of the Cheeky Sisters: Ten Tales (Laura Madeline Wiseman/Lauren Rinaldi, 2015) and BARED: Contemporary Poetry & Art by Women (Edited by Laura Madeline Wiseman, 2017). Other titles include Les Femmes Folles: The Women 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 available on blurb.com, including art, poetry and interview excerpts from women artists. See the latest call for work on the Submissions page.

Sally Deskins is an artist, writer, curator, mother and wife based in Morgantown, West Virginia. Her art explores gender, the body and motherhood and has been exhibited nationally in group and solo shows. Her writing focuses on women, feminist and curatorial issues and has been published in Bitch Magazine, Hyperallergic and n.paradoxa, among others. She has curated several independent exhibits around feminism and women. She founded Les Femmes Folles, an organization providing a platform for women in all levels, genres and styles of art. She obtained an MA in art history from West Virginia in 2016 where she won two awards for her thesis research examining the curating of Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party. She is currently Exhibits Coordinator for West Virginia University Libraries.

Leo New Moon Oracle: Caava Kicks Butt

New Moon Lefty Oracle:
Caava kicks butt

Mantra: I am strong.
Affirmation: I mean business.
Element: Fire

Song
I am a mean machine.
I love conflict,
getting angry,
and kicking butt.

But that’s not all!

I’m also charming, gracious,
well put-together and make
a mean strawberry/rhubarb pie.

So, don’t judge me
‘til you know me
and I’ll do the same for you.

If this card appears in a reading it’s self-evident that you need to take a stand. Who or what needs the boot in your life? Bolster your strength and courage and do something about it. NOW. Reach out for support. You don’t have to do this alone. Your heart is in the right place and you WILL move forward. There is a time and a place to take action and that time has come. Don’t charge in madly until you know exactly what you need to do. Write it down or talk it over with a friend if need be. Then move forward, one spiked toe at a time and it’s done. Good work, brave soul!

In my own life I usually like to wait to take action in regards to a grievance until I feel the fire in my veins. I’ve prepared for that moment by thinking and talking it through so I’m ready with the power of emotion and intellect for when I do take action and it gets results!

Creative Journal Prompt
Take a moment to pretend that you are climbing the tallest mountain around and that you have just reached the very top. Look around. Breathe the air, feel the exhilaration, the quiet peacefulness AND the pounding of your heart. We can be both: quiet and exhilarated. Take another moment to feel this duality within yourself. Now add a third element: knowing-ness. Then take one goal and apply these three elements to it while journaling and leave extra space in your journal entry so that you can record your progress over time.

Expressive Body Movement Challenge
Pretend that you have just climbed the aforementioned mountain. Then re-enact the part where you reach the top. What do you do? Express all three elements discussed above using expressive body movement. i.e. quiet, exhilarated, knowing.

*Excerpted from the Lefty Oracle Deck 92 page Guidebook

Purchase Caava as a print here

Learn more about the Lefty Oracle Deck

CAAVA Kicks Butt in the We'Moon Datebook!

Caava was lucky enough to kick butt in the We'Moon Datebook and in my self published book: Odds & Ends A Collection of Friends. Here is her short and sassy poem from that book.

Recipe Kickbutt
(for Virginia)

Ingredients:
strong calves
pointy shoes

How to Create Sacred Space

1. Block out some regular alone-time on your calendar for sacred circling ie. New and Full Moon Circling.

2. Create a circle by orienting yourself with the 4 directions: north/earth, east/air, south/fire and west/water.

3. Place symbols in each ‘corner’ of your circle:
North (Earth) – green agate sphere, talking stick, oak acorns
East (Air) – hawk and crow feathers
South (Fire) – a lit candle
West (Water) – a glass of water in a handmade chalice

4. Light a candle, say your blessings and cleanse your space with sage or incense to help you focus and center. Yoga, meditation, chanting, and playing a Native American flute, rattle or drum will help create a magical, sacred mood.

5. Call upon the 4 directions, the Divine and your spirit guides as you walk clockwise around your circle. The inner workings are up to you! To close your circle and ground your energy eg. bring yourself ‘back down to earth,’ walk counter clockwise, blessing all 4 directions and your guides and then blow out your candles as you send healing prayers of health, wholeness and holiness to all those in need.

Capricorn Full Moon: The Garden Is Within

During this Capricorn Full Moon on July 8, 2017 feel safe trusting that God/dess or your higher power has your back.

In my own life, I'm learning what it means to come into my power as a Crone, at age 51. I've gone through menopause (early) and have come out the other side; wiser and more fulfilled. I've finished three years of training and initiation into Third Road Celtic Faerie Shamanism with Francesca De Grandis and I feel fantastic; more grounded, strong and beautiful and ready to help others do the same. It hasn't been easy (of course), but we all age, grow up and then give back. I give you my paintings (my heart and soul) and my wisdom and intuitive knowing with thanks to the Divine through my soul readings and past life readings.

May your soul be blessed, this Cappie Full Moon with strength, flexibility, healing and love.

Be still within.
Allow the cacophony of voices pulling you in different directions to be still.

Breathe in fresh air
and be blessed.

Feel your heart beat
and be blessed.

Hear the bird's song
and be blessed.

Feel the earth beneath you
and be blessed.

Then go within
and hear your breath
breathing you,
welcoming you,
Home.
The garden is within.

Lefty Oracle of the Month: Jolene, missing the embarrassment gene

Mantra: I am daring.

Affirmation: I am so proud to be me, can’t you see?

Element: Spirit

Song
Yes, I AM wearing a fox tail. 
Why? 

Maybe it's a cat tail
to impress my friends,
of course.

No, really, it's just me being me:
without shame or excuses.
Just plain ol having fun.

Crazy? 
Definitely.   
And proud of it. 
Dang, grrrr.

If this card appears in a reading expect the unexpected. Be prepared to be unprepared and be okay with that. Jolene, like many a Lefty is a trickster who was sent to shake you up and out of your comfort zone. Be optimistic and aware; have fun, yet keep your wits about you. This is a time of growth and new experiences that will expand your consciousness. Enjoy!

In my own life, this card was inspired by a girl I spotted at a cafe in Santa Cruz, California wearing a tail. This amused me to no end and I just had to paint her as part of my Lefty Oracle Deck to inspired you and me to be more odd, quirky, and outlandish just for the fun of it.

Excerpted from the Lefty Oracle Deck.
Purchase a deck here.

Fey Familiars

My newest work are the Fey Familiars. All originals are 35% off until July 23, 2017, Use coupon code: JOY

Aradia, Queen of the Witches

This is an older painting on watercolor paper but I thought I'd share it because the painting process might be of interest.

My newest work are the Fey Familiars. All originals are 35% off until July 23, 2017. Use coupon code: JOY