drawing the blues for the Full Moon

Seven for a Secret  Mo 19
5H graphite on watercolour paper
I want to draw all the magic & wildness in this beautiful old lady of a house and our favourite haunts here in inner city Sydney over the next two years for the Sayonara Sydney show in March 2021 when we hope to move to the Blue Mountains!
an old sketch for Dark Moon Dancer with the seven feathers
it’s the Full Moon on Good Friday and I am missing our beautiful cat Ariel who passed away 2 years ago
so I’ve been stitching away the blues
Ulrike Bogdan sent this beautiful resist dyed indigo scarf awhile back along with some indigo dyed linen, so I made a fringe to give it a bit more length, it worked beautifully as a stole but I was worried about losing it!
these beautiful words have me itching to make the next moon
“The moon, second-hand, worn at the edges, was hung up in the sky like something a housewife leaves out to remind her it needs mending.”
Brothers and Sisters
The Real and the Unreal selected stories of Ursula K Le Guin
Volume One Where on Earth
page 5
Glennis Dolce’s blue moon cloth, a beautiful piece of indigo dyed silk from Louise Watson, another Glennis moon on Liz Ackert’s pennon a crow feather for flying in the dark & a stitched feather on black velvet from awhile back

remembering Anne Dybka inspiring mentor & friend

Anne Dybka taught me glass engraving in her studio in The Rocks from 1987 and 1989, she was an inspiring teacher, passionate environmentalist and very good friend. Jeffrey Hamilton and Rod (aka Old Man Crow) recorded her story in 2006 she passed away in 2007

The Shoal by Anne Dybka 2001 carved when she was 80
it was so good to listen to the recording again this morning

more ripples of love as the pennants and talismans find their way home

The previous ripples post was getting very long and WordPress started getting wobbly about it all so
I will keep updating this post as everyone sends back photos of where their pennant or talisman has settled
to keep the dream alive!René Walkin’s beautiful pennant has arrived home safe and sound
“Thank you for the return of my pennant and mementos from your beautiful exhibition. It was a privilege to be a part of such an inspirational event.
Thank you again for including me. I wish you and Old Man Crow a wonderful year.”
With blessings to you both, Rene

Beth Brennan’s Tree of Life pennant is home at Still Life Pond where she posted these beautiful photos and words
“The Tree of Life pennant is back home again after her journey to the other side of the world. The circle has opened but remains unbroken.
She rests at the base of the black oak that was our muse.
Thank you so much @mocrow2016 it was an honor to take part in your installation and in such fine company.
I dream of a world where love is the answer. 💙
(And thank you, Mo, for the talismans, lace, and tulle. I’ve been contemplating a piece they might work in, and so might continue…)”

Dana Webb’s alchemical dream is settling in from her travels
Dana posted these beautiful words and photograph on her latest post at Raven & Sparrow
“The tide of love has washed across the world and returned, collecting and focusing bits of imagination, design skill and artistic execution into something larger than themselves. Mo Orkiszewski from Sydney Australia orchestrated this wave, sending strips of satin cut from an old wedding dress to fiber artists in Australia, North America and Europe, bidding them to embellish the fabric in their own ways upon the theme “I dream of world where love is the answer”. Slowly the pennants drifted back to her across the oceans, changed by the efforts of the people into whose hands they had been entrusted. Mo added her own extensive skills to the gathering and amalgamation of these highly varied pieces (including a beautiful selection of tiny talismans) and produced a soaring installation that evoked a proud ship under sail, flying the flags of love. I am so grateful to have been included in this project and so touched by the exquisite individual expressions of a universal principle gathered into a clarion impossible to ignore.
Now, the crescendo has been reached, and the tide is receding. The installation is disassembled and the pieces are wafting back across land and sea to the hands that took them from scrap to statement. Mine came home yesterday, wrapped in clouds of tulle and accompanied by bits of branch still bearing stars from the larger piece. It has changed during its absence, as travel changes us all, and carries the vibrations of its experience which has enhanced its meaning a thousandfold. Thank you Mo. Thank you everyone.”

Marti Weisbrich has been working on her Bosque cloth that will include the lace from the dream
“The lacy bits from the dream have been swaying in the wind behind my pennant but they are starting to tear a bit at the bottom so I brought them inside. Looking at them, holding them up to a window has given me an idea on how to use them in a cloth:
I’ve been working on a cloth that I have named, Bosque. Bosque is the Spanish word for woodland and in New Mexico, we have many bosques; they are defined as forest habitat along river banks in the southwest. I’ve pinned a cloth that shows my interpretation of the undergrowth, the rich riverbank soil and on top, the trees and vegetation that grows from the riverbank. In looking at this pinned cloth, I wondered how it was years ago when settlers built their homes, some I’m sure, along the river. What did they see as they looked out of their windows? If they had curtains on their windows, were they made out of prized lace? Your lace pieces reminded me of curtains so they are now floating in a glass jar, infused with tea and will solar dye for a few days to get an old, weathered look. My intent, once my Bosque cloth is stitched, is to then assemble these gossamer bits of cloth, over the top, stitching only the top so they can float like curtains caught in a breeze, overlooking the bosque…fanciful to be sure, but maybe I can pull it off!!
Here is a photo of my pinned Bosque cloth on my clothes line. I use my clothes line as my studio wall. On top of the ledge is the glass jar with the tea dyeing lace cloth and you can see some grapevines that I pruned and left to dry. I use them to hang my cloth collages.”
For continuing the dream, Marti

Susi Bancroft’s beautiful dream of a pennant is home
she posted this photo and words on her blog
“I was so honoured and delighted to have work in Mo Crow‘s extraordinary and magical project I dream of a world where love is the answer and Exhibition Have a browse through the posts which give the story and journey and there is a catalogue of work to view. What an achievement Mo! It is a richly rewarding read.. The experience of joining in was wonderful!
I talked about my ‘I dream of a world’ pennant on this blog, and off it went on it’s voyage of love to add to the power and strength of the dream.
Now – here it is after winging it’s way across the world back home to me…
Perfect timing as I am about to start the natural dye cycle again – the dandelions are shining golden and the first solar dye bath is about to begin. The dream lives on around the world, the circles continue to ripple and to sing out to share ways to nurture our beautiful world..”

Hazel Monte’s ‘Love Can Mend’ is enjoying the spring sun in her garden
these beautiful photos and words are posted on her Handstories blog
“The “Love Can Mend” pennant is back from being a part of Mo’s powerful installation of love, “I Dream of a World Where Love is the Answer“.  Mo’s vision, talents and magic gathered together love and hope from around the world.  I wish I could have been in that room and have been surrounded by the energy of it all.
There is some weariness going on here, just as there was in the making this, and remembering what I wrote, back in November, when sending it off to Mo, ‘…maybe this is how it really is. This work and struggle for peace, healing the earth, trying to find a way through-  It doesn’t usually happen because everything is a calm and hunky-dory garden of sweet peas and roses. The ripped and rough places show us what’s really going on, and call to us for mending.  For most of us, we do what we can with what we have.  Piecing together whatever kind of inner scraps we might have within. And just maybe, all of the frayed worn bits can be brought together and worked into a kind of wholeness again.‘
While I’m sad that the gathering is over, it’s been good to have it back, as a reminder that there is love and beauty in mending.
Mo’s generosity continued with the added gifts of one of her brilliant stars, bit of blue and a cloud of wedding cloth (I see some sails in there…).  And while wrapping the ties in the tree for photos, there was a sudden movement to the left, turning my head, there was a hummingbird mid-air,  eye-level, within arms reach.  We looked at each other for a split second before it zipped away, another gift.
A heart-deep thank you to Mo and the Gathering, oxo.”

the ripples of love as the pennants and talismans fly home

So good to see Martine’s beautiful pennant has arrived home in The Netherlands safe and sound! The circle is complete, the spell is cast, all the pennants and talismans are on their way back to their makers around the world. Making the dream was the most beautiful ride on a huge wave of love that has now brought me gently to shore. The circle will keep rippling with love for our beautiful broken world.

I will keep updating this post as everyone sends back photos of where their pennant or talisman has settled to keep the dream alive!

Nanette Gilbert’s talisman has arrived safely in northern NSW
“I’m just sending this pic of the talisman with the lace and tulle, that for now, I’ve draped and pinned to a couple of my small art quilts, otherwise it all disappears into the cream wall behind. (Actually, now that I look at the photos again, I really like the red hearts showing through from behind) I have an idea of making them into something more permanent, stitching them to a backing so the fine lace and tulle can be clearly seen. I have some silk scarves my son brought me from Darjeeling, that he was given when he stayed in a Nepalese homestay, and I feel to give substance and depth to the finery will be a good use of these.
It was wonderful to be part of The Dream, and for my talisman to be in such good company, soaking up the love and energy, and now returned home.”
Namaste
Nanette

Els put this photo of her pennant and talisman up on her blog today along with some beautiful early spring flowers & wrote in an e-mail;
“Yesterday your package arrived safely here in Holland, Thank you so much ! The piece feels like it brought home lots of vibrations and good will of all the other pieces that surrounded it during your wonderful exhibition and of course of YOU ! I’m so happy with the extra pieces you included : they will surely find their way into other pieces I will make ! LOVE the piece of the blue branch and the many stars it surrounded !!! I will find a special place for them too 😉 You did a wonderful “job”, with your idea, the binding of the stitchers in a loving circle all around the world, and the realization of the artwork itself … magic !
(and I’m proud and grateful that I could be a little part of it)
Lots of love for you and Old Man Crow,
Els
PS Today daughter was here and saw that the pennant was back : she LOVED the heart-talisman with your WONDERFUL tiny stars around the blue branch .. I gave it to her 😉 She has a kind of small altar at home where she keeps several objects that mean a lot to her. She is a “Fire-Keeper”:
makes and tends to the fire needed for ritual sweat-lodges (Indian style) It is a good place for the heart to rest !

Tina Zaffiro’s beautiful talisman is back home, she just sent these stunning photos along with this note;
“Everything about this from start to finish has been magical. My heart is filled with such joy right now looking at how lovingly you have packaged all this OMGOODNESS .. by far being part of this journey has risen me to new highs in ways I cannot find the words for.
Thank you .. thank you!!
Love and Blessings galore to you and all who traveled this journey with me.”
Tina

Elizabeth Bunsen’s talisman has arrived in her lake house safe & sound, she wrote over on her instagram page
“deeply honored to be part of this”
Elizabeth knows how to photograph light!

Louise Watson’s beautiful pennant is home safe and sound in England she posted these photos over on her blog;
“Thanks to Mo the Mending the Sky pennant has come home on a tidal wave of love with some extras that will be cherished and the lace will be incorporated into my work at some point. So glad I took part in this amazing adventure. Thank you so much Mo!”

Dee Mallon’s pennant has arrived home safely too, she posted these photos over on her blog today
love the reflection in the mirror

Michelle Slater’s rose pennant & promise ring have arrived home safe & sound,
she posted these photos over on her blog

Marti Weisbrich’s pennant is home and flying in the winds of New Mexico
she sent these beautiful words & photos
“On this extremely blustery day, winds clocked at over 50 mph last night and almost there today, my pennant has arrived back home and Spirit is full circle. When I received the wedding dress piece, I took it outside, tied it to our ornamental pear tree and let the spirits of New Mexico surround and permeate the cloth. It hung on the tree in sun , in rain and in blustery winds because New Mexico is the land of unbelievable sky and fierce dancing wind. When my dyeing and stitching was complete, I again tied it to the tree to receive a benediction from this place before sending it to you. How fitting that it returns today, to the same windy conditions. After taking a photo of all that was contained in the package, I took the pennant outside to return it to its place, on the limbs of the pear tree but but this time, my pennant has been embellished because I stitched the wondrous little star and bit of blue armature to it and it danced in the wind, with joy, spirit and gratitude.”
“To my eyes, my pennant seems so much larger because it is filled with the love and connections from all who made up the Gathering. Wanting this to be full circle, besides hanging the pennant to the tree, I also hung the lace gifts on the backside of the pennant, completing the ritual forming the Circle of inclusion. We all connected and shared, guided by your vision Mo and now all across the globe, pennants and talismans are filled with an incredible magic and for that, I send you my deepest blessings: Below are some photos showing the return, the placing of the pennant to the pear tree and in one photo, the pennant has been whipped around by the wind as if to embrace the joy of gathered spirits. Thank you so much for the invitation Mo- you shine so much light and love in our world. Blessings from the spirit winds here in New Mexico”
Marti

Liz Ackert’s Mended Shell has arrived home safe & sound, she wrote with these beautiful words & photos over on her blog

“May the circle be unbroken…
The torn and tattered heart that journeyed around the world to be a part of Mo’s dream …
has returned to the nest …
Thank you Mo, for your vision and great heart … I will treasure the memory and the beautiful pieces you sent.
And thank you, Rod, for your music and a heart to match Mo’s.”
Liz’s beautiful pennant with all the words to I dream of a world where love is the answer stitched on the back will make the perfect birthday present for the man in June
thank you (((Liz)))!

namaste
to be continued in a new post

Botanica 2019 at Lion Gate Lodge RBG

Hakea laurina by Tess Mahar
watercolour
560mm x 620mm
Eucalyptus sp by Kate Nolan
watercolour on vellum
180mm x 200mm
Themeda triandra by Kate Nolan
watercolour on vellum
180mm x 180mm
Eucalyptus x tetragona by Annie Hughes
watercolour
300mm x 240mm
Trichocolletes hackeri by Angela Lober
Watercolour on vellum with gilding
60mm x 50mm

Papaver nudicaule by Dianne Emery
Mixed media, conte, pencil and gouache on acrylic ground
470mm x 570mm
Botanica 2019 Art Exhibition: 20th Anniversary
is on at Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney til April 14th
all images courtesy of the Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens
see the full catalogue here

windfall of Hakea laurina

On Sunday we were called out to stake up a Hakea laurina that had fallen over in the high winds on Saturday afternoon in one of our gardens, we don’t usually work on a Sunday but this was an emergency for one of our favourite plants!
We had to cut off several branches of flowers to take the strain off the roots when we tied it back up
gardeners perquisite
Michele and Justine kept a stem and caught this beautiful detail
and there was plenty for Dotti and Renate’s birthdays!
Magic Days!

photo credits:
1 Rod Morgan, 2 & 3 Mo Orkiszewski, 4 Michele O’Young, 5 & 6 Dorothea Dauter

The Ideal Home at Penrith Regional Gallery

The Ominous Domestic
eX de Medici 2017-18
Gilded wood, printed and embroidered Duchess silk, mixed media
eX de Medici (fabric design, project manager)
Janni Liangis (gift of original sofa)
Robert Little/RLDI (photogaphy and digitisation)
Sharon Peoples (embroidery)
Azzopardi and Hancock Upholsterers (restoration and upholstery)
Lisa Fletcher floral arrangement)
Sharon Peoples machine embroidered eX de Medici’s Seat of Love and Hate
she wrote about the process on her blog last year
the spiky Euphorbia was the starting point for this massive undertaking
Sharon honoured eX de Medici’s meticulous attention to detail
the eerie view through glass in an adjacent bathroom
in the next room
Karla Dickens Bound 2015
Polyptych in six parts
Bound by Money
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, vintage printed cotton material, printed canvas money-bag, coat hangerBound by Marriage
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, vintage printed cotton material, homemade wire dog muzzles, waxed linen thread, coat hanger
Bound by Land
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, cow teeth, vintage printed cotton material, coat hanger
Bound by Children
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, artificial flowers, embroidery, artificial lace, coat hangerBound by Beauty Myths
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, plastic combs, human hair, waxed linen thread, coat hanger
Bound by Addiction
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, plastic monkeys, printed cotton, coat hanger

“BOUND” by Karla Dickens

You asked for it
in front of God
for better or worse
in sickness and in health
‘till death do you part
hand-cuffs lock vows
obey

Not in front of the kids
reassure the unborn baby
pegging tiny singlets on the line
hands tied behind her back
dying desperate housewives
crippled by fear
pregnant

Home sweet home
black and blue poorhouses
with a high security guard
a decorated cell
common place anchors
dreams of great escapes
hung high by a worn heart-string

You’re lucky you’ve got me
ugly whinging bitch
wrapped in tight cruelness
a social dress malfunction
out of date and damaged
drowning in shame
be grateful

You need me
mummy’s little helper visits daily
waiting on a chemical disaster
too lost to care
too numb to fight back
knots of effective confusion
disgraceful embarrassment

Impossible departure
in ropes with closed wallets
depending on a pittance
worthless money-makers
cutting off circulation
restraining the sunshine
imposing quiet punishment

Bondage isn’t sexy
if an everyday tool
cover up the swelling
buckled up for pain
blood-stained devotion
promises of change
sorrys no more

Run

The Ideal Home at Penrith Regional Gallery
closed last weekend
Carolyn Skinner of Oz Arts Magazine wrote a brilliant review
I am still digesting my response to this hard hitting inspiring exhibition as the dream flies out into the world
the studio space is cleared to begin the next project Sayonara Sydney scheduled for 2021 when I turn 66 and will move out of this big mad city west to the Blue Mountains
Dream On!

PS Deirdre Bean’s fabulous Fish and other things closes this afternoon at Stella Downer Fine Art
Sardines and a spoon Deirdre Bean
watercolour on vellum
22 x 28 cm
&
soul painter Jane Stapleford’s magicial Menagerie closes tomorrow at Day Fine Art in Blackheath
The Merchant’s Hare Jane Stapleford 2019
watercolour on paper
37 x 27 cm