Orphaned

"Left-over" Christmas trees always sadden me. I think of all the time and energy and yes, love (I presume), that has gone into nurturing and caring for them, to grow them up to become evergreen specimens ready and willing to grace a home or business with their fragrance and beauty. Even before Thanksgiving dishes are washed and put away, the trees have been cut, severed from their life source, and shipped out. I know they are expectant, filled with dreams of tinsel and lights and presents. Perhaps someone has told them what is ahead, their purpose in life, their destiny. And it is made to sound so good and noble and fine. Many are adopted, selected and taken home, but there are those who remain in the lots. Under lock and key there is no escape. I know there are much worse things to contemplate, but today I think and record my thoughts on the orphaned trees, the "left-overs."



yesterday I saw
a flock of evergreens
ensconced in a
Christmas tree lot
crowded together
pushing and shoving
jostling for position
tightly against
a chain-link fence
topped with razor wire
confined with
no way of escape
incarcerated
through no fault
of their own
looking like puppies
up for adoption
anxiously peering
hopefully expectant
eyes pleading

choose me
pick me
please
take me home
with you

Pick Me!

Trust

Because of the techniques I used in coloring the text around the center, this image may be difficult to read. Here are the words written around the central text: "...and then a most curious thing happens...peace comes...creeping in as relentless as the tide...unapologetic, washing over my soul followed by great leaps of waves of HOPE as trust MOST graciously settles in..."

Twirling

While on our Thanksgiving camping trip, I became infatuated with the rustling falling leaves. So many had already flown off of their branches while others seemed flighty and anxious to be moving on. Many were still attached and wavered like a loose tooth. Non appeared reticent, attempting to hold on, but rather wiggled around boldly facing forward into their new season. I liked that and put it on this page.

Polka Dots

I punch many holes with my hole punch as I make pages for my 3-ring journal. By gravity these fall to the floor where they tend to accumulate 'till someone vacuums them up. The sunlight in my studio attracts my cat who rolls in its solar warmth and exits the room covered in dots held in place by static cling.

Alchemy

While decorating a Christmas tree to be used in the dining hall at Triune Mercy Center, I came up with the idea of using an old hymnal that I had purchased at Goodwill for $1.00. I tore out pages and cut star shapes which were glued to string like a garland and flung upon the tree. Some were upset that I had used the hymnal in an unconventional way (desecrated it). "But" I said, "I have turned music into stars!" And as I continued in this thought, the attached page for my three ring journal came into mind.

Diving Ducks (poem)

This is an experiment that I wanted to share. While on a recent camping trip, I watched diving ducks or ducks diving for a very long time. Fascinated and mesmerized, I wanted to record this in a poem. I wrote the poem, then painted the poem and painted it again. I may even paint it another time and see what blossoms. I don't know if it is progress or just adventure with words and color...but I like it. What fun to take the words and swing them like rainbows just to observe the effect!

Recipe

I have never been known for my great skills in the kitchen. I love watching the Cooking Channel, but rarely participate. Occasionally something does catch my attention as being simple enough for me to give it a try...and this marvelous salad recipe did not disappoint. It may sound weird, using tomatoes and peaches (canned work as well), but believe me it is a keeper. Try it - you'll like it!

Bulbs (poem)

Twin Lakes

Sunlight sparkling like diamonds on Lake Hartwell...autumn leaves crunching beneath our feet...the fragrant aroma of camp-fire smoke...peace, peace, and more peace...

Yellow Flowers (poem)

My illustrated poem about the flowers now appearing in my front lawn.

Poet Me

This is me on a beautifully crisp autumn day sitting in Carl Sandburg's chair in Flat Rock, NC. It is OK, because he wasn't using it at the time and I had just discovered that I am a poet. This truly was a revelation. I had thought that I was just painting pages in my journal and writing my observances on top of the colors in an interesting and creative manor...when what to my surprise I saw that they were actual poems, funny little poems, but poems never the less. I think I will call it "illustrated poetry" which will encompass this new genre. How exciting! What a lovely revelation! How unique a gift! So, when I found Carl's chair unoccupied, I thought to take a rest and a ponder and to peruse this newness occurring in autumn when things are normally coming to closure, falling apart, or drying up. In future blogs I will begin to reveal my new work as I scan my colorful wordy pages and post them.

Front Porch

Since moving to the south many years ago, I have often made fun of southern porches with major appliances and/or upholstered furniture. That is until a few weeks ago when we were removing a chair from the living room to the garage via the front porch. Its destination was Goodwill. But it has had a layover right next to the front door. I did it first as a joke, a southern joke. And then I sat in it on the porch...and well, actually it felt nice and was actually kind of fun. So, I thought I'd leave it for a day or two. It is now into its second week and we are becoming great friends, the porch, the chair, and I. I'm not sure how long will be the reprieve from Goodwill, but I now understand the attraction of stuffed furniture on the front porch. I also eat grits and greens!

Hunting Island

We call our little camper "Daisy" because we get to driver her around!!

She especially liked this campsite (58) at the Hunting Island Campground.
Gathering my "implements of creation,"I greatly enjoyed my time on the beach.
Phil and I were up and out early to take sunrise photos of the landscape...but this picture just happened and I LOVE IT!!

Beach Time

Can you feel the peace? Can you hear the surf? Can you smell the shrimp? A wonderful week spent at Topsail Beach compliments of Jim and Bernice. Ahhh...

Lake Russell

Thank God that autumn has finally arrived in the south. We left home for Calhoun Falls in the middle of a rain storm and arrived as the rains were moving out and on down the road. The fragrance of water-washed and sun-drenched pines was both welcoming and intoxicating. Patches of crimson and russet poked out amidst the greenery along the shores, or should I say beaches, of Lake Russell. One of my favorite sightings was that of a gramma riding her bright red electric scooter with a large metal basket attached to the handlebars. In the basket sat her 8 month old grandson with the most delightful look upon his face; the identical happy, self satisfied grin as his gramma.

Three Ring Binder Art Journal

While exploring the art of art journaling, I have come up with the idea of personal art through a small 3 ring binder. Personal art is the creation of art just for you, not to sell, hang on walls, or give to friends. It's personal. I fill the binder with a wide variety of accumulated papers. Some I keep as is and others I prepare with paint or stamps or....whatever is at hand. Then as the mood strikes, I write or paint more on the pages. The absolute beauty of this process is the FREEDOM you have with your pages. Sequence is irrelevant as they can be changed out at any point OR even tossed. You are in control! The following is one of the first completed pages. I had painted a very quick acrylic sketch of a bird and then the words just came to mind.

Oconee Point

Oconee Point is one of several Army Corp of Engineer Parks situated in Georgia and South Carolina on Lake Hartwell. This was one of our best camping trips ever. Fall was in the air and our site was right on the water. We could roll out of bed and go for a swim or an adventure in our kayaks. Since the kids were back in school it was VERY peaceful!
What a view!
Anything with bacon tastes great!!
Morning has broken.....

Lake Jocassee

The weather has broken and we are out and about again!! If you will look carefully at the top photo, a little to the right, you will see the corner of a hammock...a grand new addition to the camping experience! The weather and water were just right and all the little children were back in school so that the campground was very quiet. Lovely!


Nestled in the midst of a little forest (and right across from the bathrooms).

Nothing better than bar-b-qued chicken!

A very happy and handsome retiree!

I had brought a zinnia bouquet from my garden and when we left, I just put them in the midst of an old stump.

G Magazine July/Aug 2010

Arts: Lingering Gaze
Local artist gathers her observations on Greenville in handmade book
WRITTEN BY: APRIL A. MORRIS

Walking down the street, cell phone to ear, you may not have noticed the striking curve of a branch over the sidewalk or a butterfly soaring over the Reedy River. Observing and absorbing the world today is sometimes superseded by our engagement with technology or other preoccupations. Greenville artist Karen Lucci felt this disconnect and recently resolved to pause daily, look around, and record her “noticings” in a journal. From this practice has grown The Fine Art of Noticing, a homemade publication featuring Lucci’s musings.

Bound in heavy paper, actually her own recycled art prints, the tall, slim volume—twelve pages to be exact—is a pleasure to hold and truly a tactile experience. Miles away from a Kindle or an iPad, this hand-bound and stitched, self-published book contains a distillation of Lucci’s daily noticings edited by three writer friends. Each photocopied page features an entry set in Greenville, ranging from people and nature to memories and poetry. Lucci says she felt drawn to put pen to paper after working on stories for a nonprofit newsletter and weekly prayer e-mails. “I’ve always been a writer without realizing,” she adds.

Because the covers are made from several different Lucci prints, the outer image varies and often depicts a local scene. “It’s more than a card, but it’s got a poetry feel about it,” she says. And the publication’s popularity has proven to be strong. Readers have been purchasing copies in the initial run of seventy-five as gifts, especially for the person who has everything, says Lucci. And this summer she is working on a second edition that is scheduled to be released in late August—something that should not escape notice.



The second volume of "The Fine Art of Noticing" is now available. If you liked the first, you will equally like/love the second which is focused on literary sketches of my walks down Main Street and into the parks of Greenville, SC. The cover painting is a fabulous picture of local folks on the Liberty Bridge. Both of these books are now available at Liz Daly Designs on Main St. in Greenville, SC of course!

Garden

Some folks display their collection of dainty tea cups in lovely cabinets in the dining room. I, however, challenge mine to defy the elements and grace my garden with their pristine presence! My next "Noticing" book will be thoughts I have gleaned from my garden. And yes, that's me in my garden!

New Paint Job

I just spent a week repainting the lower level of our home. I had planned this for six months and am so glad that I had put aside a whole week. I'm not as young as I used to be (a ha) and it definitely took a while to do, but I am so happy with the results...especially the front door!

Summer Garden

Yes, I know I should have removed the hose before I took this photo, but gosh its hot!


Mostly I just like to sit and observe my garden - what works and what doesn't - what attracted my attention last week and has now become ( to my way of thinking)mundane. Everyday I enjoy my little angel in the bird bath and now with the flowers encircling the base...it just makes me smile and feel content...that somewhere, right now, all is well with the world...at least in my little spot of it.


Marigolds are such accepting, tolerant little flowers. They ask for so little and yet reward us with bouquets of brillant color and an odor that will keep the bunnies at bay.

Lake Hartwell

All settled in and ready to enjoy.


Gladiolas from home.


Work in progress.."it's all so green!"


A hot summer's evening still requires a campfire complete with s'mores.

Pochade

A pochade is a small painting done in a little wooden box on a tripod, "plein air" (on location). These are several paintings (6x8") that I have done for each camping trip. They are precious little souvenirs of our journeys.


Lake Hartwell


Lake Russell


Calhoun Falls State Park


Hunting Island State Park


Lake Keowee


Myrtle Beach State Park