The motivating theme for all of the pieces is to to recycle old fabric, art supplies, outdated samples from my interior design library, broken watches, jewelry, and old keys, just to name a few of the many elements that have been retrieved from the dark corners of my drawers and bookshelves. Rather than throwing the stuff out, I've created a series of "mandala mirrors" with this trash to treasure approach. I use 12" x 12" plywood boards with a mirror in the middle and a pattern of objects surrounding it. I begin in the center with a glue gun and work my way meditatively out to the four corners. Karl Jung drew mandalas to get insight into his own problems. The mirror mandala pictured above uses 4 translucent wall panel samples flanked by outdated Formica chips, surrounded by upholstery trimming that never made its way into a pillow business—my last entrepreneurial fiasco.This morning I took a break from the mirrors to walk toward Ball Square for a fresh cup of coffee at True Grounds. Spectacular blueberry muffins! Here are some scenes along the route from this glorious day.
Summer graffiti on the side of an electric switch box
Our Gentleman of the Recycled Porcelain
An exquisitely square bell tower on a Broadway Church
