|| charles freger ||

"Painted Elephants"

Recently I have discovered and fallen madly, completely, and utterly in love with the work of masterful portrait photographer Charles Freger (www.charlesfreger.com). His series focuses upon the uniform of the individual and the subtle positioning of the subject in contrast to its background.

In my mind, Freger's work can be considered a delightful visual ethnography. Every subject no matter how magnificently adorned or simply dressed receives his careful, attentive eye.  With curiosity and respect, his captures portray the essences of expressive cultural practices.

 

Freger's series "Wilder Mann" is an expose and collection of unique European Pagan cultural practices and traditional dress. Below are some of my most favorites.

 

"Wilder Mann"

 

"Wilder Mann"

"Wilder Mann"

|| vvhitch hunts of medieval europe ||

Torture techniques included thumb screws,
iron maidens, witches shackles, the rack,
and having their finger nails removed.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, Europe experienced a mass hysteria towards those suspected of being vvitches or practicing vvitch craft.  Historically this period in Europe has been referred to as "The Great Witch Craze" which in the very title emits a disregard of the severity of the brutality that took place. Unspeakable torture and cruelty was done to women and men suspected of consorting with the devil or evil spirits. Evidence points towards a grossly under discussed gender genocide.

 

The following is an excerpt from "A Brief History of Witchcraft Persecutions Before Salem" by Linder Douglas:  "Over the 160 years from 1500 to 1660, Europe saw between 50,000 and 80,000 suspected witches executed.  About 80% of those killed were women.  Execution rates varied greatly by country, from a high of about 26,000 in Germany to about 10,000 in France, 1,000 in England, and only four in Ireland.  The lower death tolls in England and Ireland owe in part to better procedural safeguards in those countries for defendants."

Women burning at the stake. Often times the victims would be drowned or hung before being burned.

A wood cut of a "Witches Sabbath"

 

The North Berwick Witch Trials of 1590

|| weaving dream catchers ||

 

 

 

I have recently picked up weaving dream catchers.

Last fall when I moved into my home, I realized that a small sapling tree in the front yard had very limber branches. Growing quickly, it produces long spindling arms that are covered in little leaves. The small diameter and elasticity of the branches make them ideal for weaving together. 

|| One of these days I'm going to try to make a basket out of them. || 

 

Woven with hemp cord, this one is adorned with a bouquet of Oklahoma wildflowers || thistle, wild chamomile, golden rod and an unknown seed pod ||, a string of little buttery yellow seed pods, a green agate eye, and strips of vintage fabric.

 

This is a part of a series I have been working on now for several months. It is a study on reuse, harvesting, scavenging, and complementing natural forms. Other pieces in the study include other dream catchers, square, triangle, and pentagram frames, and ceiling suspended wood mobiles.

 

I am currently looking around Tulsa for the an art venue to host the show. I'm hoping to debut in the Springtime. We'll see how it goes.

 

|| four of vessels ||

 

 

 

Todays card of thought is the Four of Vessels.

 

Symbolizing boredom and our inclination towards complacency, this card is a call to arms.

Steer away from falling into the void of depressive, negative emotions.

Resist allowing the routines of life to overcome you with weariness.

I encourage you to draw from the wells of energy around and within you.

Take action in your life, to lift yourself up, and to brighten your spirit.

Nature is nurturing and will respond to your inquiries and actions.

It is up to you to take the first step. 

 

 

 

|| autumn ||

 

 

The family bonfire at Grandma Judy's house in Collinsville.

 

With the thin veil of the spirits of Samhain behind us now, I look towards the winter solstice.

This is my favorite time of year to observe mother nature as she falls dormant.

The brilliant display of colors, the long nights and the cool breath of the morning air.

Bonfires, camping, collecting acorns, pinecones and leaves are my favorite past times during

this transitional period of the animal world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

|| thistle ||

 

 

 

In Scottish lore, it is said that the invading Viking King Haakon of Norway and his army were stopped by the thistle. In order to take advantage of the sleeping Scots, they planned to attack during the cover of darkness. In order to do so, they went barefooted. The Highlanders were awoken when one unlucky Viking stepped on the thorns of a thistle and cried out. Thus undoing the surprise, Haakon and his men were pushed back and defeated.

 

I think it's a charming story, that one spinose flower undid an army.

 

 

|| ethereal window ||

 

 

 

Very excited to be working on my winter art show. For now the working

title is "Welcoming Winter" and I'm hoping to have it near the winter solstice.

 

The premise is recycled and reclaimed plant material and little scavenged things 

that are made into frames. They each have a unique name and meaning.

 

This one is the "Ethereal Window": a frame made of fallen oak, turkey feathers,

copper wire, deer hide, crystal quartz, and a little brass bell. The idea was a

spiritual portal through which wondering ethereal beings could enter or exit

this plane, ringing the bell as they pass.  

 



|| w i l d w o o d ||

 

 

 

Anointed my new set of Wildwood cards.

 

Balanced upon a quartz crystal on a bed of Himalayan salt in a brass bowl.

This absorbs negative energy, and imparts clarity on the cards.

Surrounded by the household goat skull Cernunnos, my feather and shell

smoke wand, and a brass coal burner smoking Copal resin.

 

After I wrapped them in my favorite rabbit pelt. 

 

So excited to use these lovely cards to bring peace to those who question.