Osa Native Plant Workshop

We've been away for a few days helping to present a workshop on native plants. We're part of a group called ProNativas which has a project underway to establish a national native plant network, with regional chapters across the country. We are responsible for the region of the Osa Peninsula.















This is my husband, Osa's botanical expert, Reinaldo Aguilar, talking with some of the workshop participants. The workshop was hosted by local conservation organization Friends of the Osa.















Part of the workshop involved starting up a small native plant nursery at Cerro Osa, one of the Friends of the Osa properties, located in the Piro area.















A group photo of participants and presenters.















After the last day of the workshop we got to hang out on the beach at Piro. It's a hard life ;) Here's Nilo with Pronativa's co-ordinator, Natalia Vega.















Sunset over the Pacific ocean.

Fruits of the Forest

Yesterday, I ventured a little way into our forest on the main trail. I had not walked even 50 meters, when I found treasure!



















A gorgeous dying leaf.















Crazy little white fungii on a fallen twig.



















A foul smelling fungii. I love the structure of these (but not the smell!) I will edit this post when I figure out what species this is.















Fruits of Jacaranda copaia (Bignoniaceae)

* The final pair are really for a new friend Jude Hill Jude is a very talented cloth maker. Her cloths tell fabulous stories. You should check out her fabulous blog. She has a thing about eyes!

































Like an African mask?

Scrap Pack Swap #1

I'm into doing scrap pack swaps! All the small stuff! I have put together a bundle of off-cuts of fabrics (ranging from 1-10 inches squared) that will fit in a CD sized Jiffy envelope. Any takers?... The one who accepts, then mails one back to me :) Swappping is useful for folk who do crazy patchwork, applique, and other small-scale and/or detailed art fiber pieces. It's a great way to get little bits of diverse fabrics, stuff that perhaps one would not choose oneself ('coz, if you're anything like me, you set out with the intention of breaking away from your normal selection, but come home with exactly what you said you were NOT going to buy this time!), for free, and it also helps to use all of those scraps. Interested?... Post your comment (with a contact address).

A little light indulgence

Another beautiful sunny day. The menfolk have gone snorkeling. Think I'll take advantage of the peace and quiet to begin stiching moth#1. But for now, here's a little light indulgence. A fallen leaf of Cecropia peltata (Cecropiaceae). They're all over the garden. I have always been fascinated by these leaves and the ornate forms they make as they dry and curl. Don't know whether the form will figure in my work at some point. Probably! But if you feel inspired by these images, then you go right ahead and work from them (just remember to share the results with me!) I have a small leaf on my work table with the light playing upon it. Through it. I'm watching what happens to it over time. Transformations can be subtle... or not. Interesting palette. Have a peaceful day.











































































The following image, of the same leaf but further into the process, was added on the 7th December.

Moth #1

A good day. I feel satisfied with how this new piece is shaping up. Slowly. But surely. Some of the photos of the in-between stages of the construction are rather beautiful in themselves, so I'm including a few of them here. These were photographed held up against the light, and it made them look very delicate... hmmm... something to think about for future pieces. The various layers of fabric collage, which make up the form of the moth, are mostly cut and basted now, ready to be properly stitched.

Long Night Moon #1

The 1st of december was full moon. This month is exceptional, in that there will be another full moon on the 31st. A "blue moon", since to have 2 full moons in the same month is a rare thing.














Last night (2nd of december) we watched the moon come up from behind the Golfo Dulce, big, golden and stretched, like an African sun.



















I have put my blue butterfly embroidery piece aside for a while, and have something new on the go...

The wingéd eye

"...all you restless things,
That dance and journey in the fields of air:

Your secret's out! I know you for the souls
Of all light loves that ever caused heartache,
Still dancing suit as some new beauty toles!
Nor can you e'er your flitting ways forsake,
Till the just winds strip off your painted stoles,
And sere leaves follow in your downward wake...."

(don't know the origin of this verse, found it on the internet, with no reference. people, cite your references!)

lately, i've become intrigued by butterflies and moths. i continue exploring this subject...symbol?... with cloth. the beauty in reinaldo's photo shown here was flapping around the house on saturday night. i only heard it and supposed it was a bat (we get alot of those here). sunday we found the moth in some small bush at the front of the house. see... and be amazed!