crop crop tree

Trees, trees. I love trees!

Those of you who noticed that the tree in the illustration on my last post looked a lot like the tree in an earlier photo of Lake Michigan were right!
:0)
I like it so much, I thought I'd crop and re-post just the tree portion.

I'm still missing the 50+ year old Russian Olive tree we lost to the heavy, wet snow we had earlier this winter. What should we plant in its place? We won't be living here long enough to see a tree grow to maturity. Hmmmm. . .

Earth Mother

It felt so good to paint something again! Even though I want to try so many new things, I keep coming back to the familiar.

Maybe that's what January is for, up here in the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere - returning to the warm comforts of the familiar.

This time of year always has me looking forward to the first tiny signs of Spring. On January 21, I actually saw three male robins in our back yard. I always thought this was too early, since it usually gets especially cold here in January and February. A few years ago, though, I saw an entire swarm of male robins in January. There were dozens of them. I've never seen anything like it before or since. They were more like a gang of unruly young men, making lots of noise and fluttering about. Apparently they come back earlier than the females, to hang out with the boys and look for likely nesting spots.

Who knew?

This last month I was thinking a great deal about Mother Nature, Mother Earth, and the many goddesses who were worshiped throughout time.

I ended up doing this little illustration, too. I called it "Erda Greeting the Midwinter Sun." This is the first tree I've done that I'm really happy with.

Have you noticed all the trees that bloggers have been posting about in the last few days? I love it!

Erda actually is one of the names for Mother Earth. It's especially closely related to the German word for earth, which is "Erde." Have I ever mentioned that German was the first language I spoke? I learned English from my playmates and kindergarten classmates in Canada. Only German was spoken in our home.

That's why I chose the name "Erda" for my Earth Mother painting. To honor my heritage and the lives and beliefs of those who came long before me.

Erda was the goddess of fertility, the hearth, home, and domestic life. Some other names for the Earth Mother are:

Astarte
Bertha
Cybele
Ceres
Earth
Gaea
Gaia
Hertha
Herta
Hretha
Hrethra
Ishtar
Mother Earth
Nerthus
Peace Bringer

Rheda
Rhede
Tellus Mater

I've always liked learning about what people thought about and considered important long ago. They often seemed to know mysterious and vital things that humanity has forgotten as we became more "civilized." It's interesting stuff.

Hamming it up in South Georgia

Ed Hose

I'm always looking for inspiration.
I've been slogging through artistic concrete lately.
That is, until I found Ed Hose. Gazing upon her amazing menu of art has my brain basting in creative juices!

Ed Hose is Fabuliscious!
I discovered her (yes, her) yesterday through Camille Ronay , owner of Georgia Made Georgia Grown.
I couldn't wait to share with you her crazy wild parties on paper.
She's promoting a show at Gallery 209 in Brunswick, Georgia.
Click the pic to get the full view and once there, click "press to play".
I've said enough. Enjoy the song!!!

Bacon Wrapped Double Happiness—The Song!
Composed by Ed Hose, Mike Dyche and Pilliard Dickle
Performed by Pilliard Dickle

Press to Play!

Go get 'em Ed!
Catch ya later fellow bloggers,
Ronnie