Archive for the ‘Plants’ Category

What is it?

Sunday, August 20th, 2023

This was found on a cutting rooting in a vase of water.

what is it

what is it


Book–Pussy Willow Song

Tuesday, April 25th, 2023

The book cover is made of three pieces of embroidered hardware cloth. The code of the cover is the word willow. Three Salix cuttings were bound together and then bound to the book cover.
Pussy Willow Book 01A

Pussy Willow Book 01B

Pussy Willow Book 01C

Pussy Willow Book 02

Pussy Willow Book 03

Pussy Willow Book 04

Each page is a piece of textured paper with a slightly wider sheet of green paper.
Pussy Willow Book 05

I used a modified Masonic cipher for the code. I made the texture by rolling each sheet diagonally (corner 1) around a piece of dowel. Removed the rolled paper from the dowel. Folded it in half, then pressed the folds together. Rolled the paper diagonally (corner three), folded each direction. The result is a grid of diamonds.

Pussy Willow Book 06

Pussy Willow Book 07

Note Envelope
Pussy Willow Book 08

Pussy Willow Book 09


Pussy Willow Song Wallpiece

Tuesday, April 25th, 2023

My Salix has catkins. When I was looking at them, I remembered a song I learned in school when I was a child. I suspect the song would be banned in most schools today.

I do have a tendency to perseverate. To attempt to rid myself of the Pussy Willow song I made the wallpiece and I am working on a book with the song in code.

Pussy Willow Song WP1

I have an old version of Flash that I use for layout. I like that I can make code symbols that can easily be replaced. I printed the layout and used it for piercing and reference.

Pussy Willow Song WP2A

Used a modified Morse Code–short lines for dots, long lines for dashes. Had the ide of connecting the lines for each letter, and for each word.

Pussy Willow Song WP2B

Pussy Willow Song WP3A

Bound Salix cuttings to the background to break up the text a bit.
Pussy Willow Song WP3B

Bound the catkins to the background with the hope of preventing them from falling off.
Pussy Willow Song WP4

The only space left in my office that was long enough for the piece.
Pussy Willow Song WP8

Note envelope attached to the back of the piece.
Pussy Willow Song WP9

The notes regarding scale are a bit messy. Originally I had another piece of paper glued to the notes. I thought about writing out the lyrics, but decided not. When I removed the paper there was a bit of glue residue left. It prevented the lead from making clear marks.
Pussy Willow Song WP9

It is a bother. I suspect I will erase the lot, remove the bit with glue and rewrite the notes.

Materials–Used packing envelope, paper, fiber, pussy willow cuttings.

Scale–30.5″ x 12″ x .5″ without hanger. The addition of the hanger adds approximately 7″.


A Few Things Found in My Gardens

Sunday, February 19th, 2023

New Growth

New Growth on the Original Trapped Cactus Cuttings

Alstroemeria

First Alstroemeria Flower of 2023

Muscari

First Time Noticed Muscari Asterisks

Muscari

Passion Vine

Last Season Passion Vine Tendril

Volunteer

Volunteer in Orchard

Rose Bush Leaf

Rose Bush is in Need of Attention


Oxalis

Monday, February 13th, 2023

Oxalis is considered an invasive plant by the California Invasive Plant Council.

A portion of our garden is covered with the plants. Not planned, just happened.

Oxalis

I cut a few to dry and use in a piece. The flowers are lovely with a sweet, subtle fragrance.

I had a few buds left. Popped them in a small vase of water. Three days later they opened and are still opening during the day and closing at night.

Oxalis

The plants also have interesting foliage.

Oxalis

If the flowers are dried in my microwave flower press they become a golden color. When dried in my flower press between layers of blotter paper and cardboard they retain most of their yellow color.

The leaf is nearly dry; the flower completely dry.

Drying Oxalis


Weeds or Volunteer Plants

Wednesday, October 19th, 2022

Living on the California Central Coast, during years of drought. “Weeds” can be a nice surprise.

It is odd that they don’t seem to want to grow in the designated gardens. They often grow between pavers, areas that aren’t watered.

Weed Yellow Flowers

Weed Yellow Flowers

Weed Seed Pods


Drimiopsis New Growth

Tuesday, July 12th, 2022

Drimiopsis New Growth

July 1, Drimiopsis New Growth

Drimiopsis New Growth

July 7, Drimiopsis New Growth

Drimiopsis New Growth

July 7, Paper Cover Removed to Allow Freedom of Growth

Drimiopsis New Growth

July 7, Drimiopsis Additional New Growth


Flowers Evoke Memories

Saturday, June 11th, 2022

Code is three words stitched vertically–flowers evoke memories.

Flowers Evoke Memories

Flowers Evoke Memories

Flowers Evoke Memories

Materials–altered found frame, paint, PVA, dried flowers, cork, paper, bamboo fiber, tacks.

Scale–7.5″ x 10.25″ x 1.75″


Evening Primrose

Friday, June 3rd, 2022

Unfurling Evening Primrose

Evening Primrose

Evening Primrose and Companions…

Evening Primrose and Geranium
…a geranium and an ant.


The Many Forms of Trapped Cactus

Monday, May 23rd, 2022

Trapped Cactus Original Cutting
Interesting that the flower bud is located on a leaf that I thought was dying.
Trapped Cactus Cutting

Cutting Taken From Original Trapped Cactus Cutting in Its Normal Setting

Trapped Cactus Cutting

Trapped Cactus Cutting

Trapped Cactus Cutting

Trapped Cactus Cutting

Trapped Cactus Cutting

Trapped Cactus Cutting

Trapped Cactus Parent May 11 2022
It is still growing in between a fence and a privacy fence.
Trapped Cactus Parent

Even in lousy conditions, the Trapped Cactus blooms!
Trapped Cactus Parent