MYSTIC SILKS

Twin Towers`911~A Response To The Silk Painting

2008-06-09T04:48:00.000-07:00

I created this silk painting back in 2001, a couple of weeks after the 911 tragedy occurred. I had seen a photo in the " Times Magazine"; One tower on fire, black smoke billowing into the air, the other tower still standing straight and proud while another plane ready to destroy the second tower, approached it from the side: And something in that photo inspired me to paint the scene on silk.

As, I had written on my squidoo site, I felt helpless and vulnerable after the attack on New York City. I could almost feel the desperation, and fear of those in the towers as they tried to escape the horror.

While in the process of creating the painting at times I almost felt as if I was able to pick up on the feelings of those inside the towers: It was a surreal experience.

A few months later, I was in a juried art show. I gathered my paintings together; the ones I wanted to display. I pondered

over the Twin Towers painting; should I take that one too, I wondered?

I called my art instructor to get her input, as to whether or not I should include it in the display.

She voiced a resounding , yes! "It's art isn't it," she replied.

I took the painting.

I had so many people stop, point and whisper to others.

" Look, I can't believe she's showing that painting." Oh my god...."

I finally placed the painting to the back of my tent.

Later, I put the painting for sale on eBay. The nasty comments I received from people was unbelievable. I took it off eBay. Now, it sits in the back of my closet, covered in black plastic.

I've published the story of this painting on my blog sites. Today I received an email from someone who saw the blog on squidoo. This is what he wrote:

Someone was just checking out your Squidoo lens "Art Work of 9/11~ A Controversial Painting" and wrote you the following note..."Even after so many years I still have nightmares about that horrible day when so many lost their lives. In a strange way seeing your silk painting let me put some of the loss I still feel behind me. At the time my girlfriend was in the building (tower 1) when it went down so I thought it would help you to know not everyone finds your painting repulsive. It is still very hard for me to talk on the subject without feeling hate or heartbreak so I often dont respond to websites I come across. I am interested in buying the painting if you still have it after all this time and you are willing to part with it. Thank you for painting it regardless I think I can understand your intent even if I cant put it into words" --Adam Besaw

I am now thinking and feeling that this painting did have a mission.

Mystic Silks

(addendum)

9/9/09

That fella never did purchase this painting, and it still sits in the back of my closet wrapped in black plastic.

http://mysticsilks.etsy.com/

Is The Middle Class Income Being Sabotaged?

2008-05-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not the sort of person who runs around in a panic, yelling " The sky is falling!" But, as I watch gasoline prices rise, the cost of food rising, and the increases in utility costs going up, I'm ready to yell.

And, we as American consumers feel what,helpless? Helpless to do anything about this situation. We just dig deeper into the wallet, put more expenditures on our already over burdened credit cards, or go without, or with less.
Meanwhile, the oil barons , and oil companies continue to make billions of dollars.

You know, I recall about thrity years ago, for some crazy reason iceberg lettus went from 39 cents a head, to $1.29 a head: Was some kind of freeze in California that affected the growth of lettus.
Well, myself and maybe a million other shoppers simply walked past that $1.29 a head of lettus: We just didn't buy it. The following week, the price of lettus was back to 39cents a head.

So, why can't we do that now. Just don't buy the damn gas! Don't show up for work! Let business come to a screeching halt. Is this anarchy?
Maybe so,but if it makes this country come to a halt, so that maybe congress will move off their rich butts, and do something to stop the financial bleeding of the American people, well, then it's worth it!

But would enough people join in? It would take a huge mass of people to pull this off, and make a statement of, " Enough is enough!"

It would be a"United we stand; divided, we all fall"

What do you think?

Eight Belles: Tribute To A Great Filly, by Mystic Silks

2008-05-04T04:15:00.000-07:00

A great and beautiful horse died yesterday in the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. I've always enjoyed watching the best of the best horses run that race. Every year, I look at each one, and am usually drawn to a particular horse by their name:I'm seldom wrong in my choice.
Yesterday, I was talking to my son two hours before the race, and told him I liked Eight Belles; the only filly running.
My son asked me if I knew the meaning of the words 'eight bells'?
I said, it had to do something with a ships measuring of time, that they rang bells for a meaning.He replied, right, but, it means, it's the end of a ship's watch time. When the bell rings , it's time for a change of shifts for men to rest, to sleep, and others to report for duty.
I said, I hope that's not a bad omen.
All my life I've loved horses, even more than some people. I respect and admire their awesome beauty and strength: There's something godly in a horse. For awhile I trained and raced Standard Bred horses.
But, after watching the rich and famous come into the Derby on Millionaire's Row dressed in expensive hats and dresses, I was taken back in time, to another era in human history: The Roman Empire.
The rich and famous showed up at the coliseums to watch chariot races, fights between gladiators and wild animals. They cared not one wit that humans, or animals were being used and abused for the sole, selfish purpose of their perverse enjoyment and entertainment.
2000 years of history have passed, and I ask, what has mankind learned? Are we more humane? And if not, why not?
I awoke this morning thinking perhaps the death of Eight Bells was just a bad dream, but when I read the news it was all just too real, and so sad.
Eight Bells, I hope you are in heaven, running free across open green meadows. Free of a metal bit in your soft mouth, free of reins across your sleek neck, and free from a saddle burden with a man on your back.
Just free and wild as you were meant to be. And, when I get to that heaven, I'll give you a lump of heavenly sugar, or a sweet carrot. I'll feel your velvety nose in my hand, and hear that soft contented knicker.
Ahh, bless you Eight Belles.

Mystic Silks
http://mysticsilks.etsy.com/

Maybe I can cause a better feeling inside of me, than the one I'm currently feeling.

Silk Scarves~ By Mystic Silks

2008-04-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is just around the corner. You want to buy her something soft silky, alluring. A gift that will delight and please her. Silk scarves have the power to please that fussy, lovely lady.

Visit http://mysticsilks.etsy.com/ to view a wide selection of silk scarves.

Twin Towers 9/11, A Controversial Silk Painting, By Mystic Silks

2008-04-04T05:52:00.000-07:00

I created the painting of the Twin Towers in New York City, after the September 11, 2001 tragedy. I had seen a photo in the Times Magazine of this horrific event about two weeks after the event.
One Tower had been hit by the first plane and billows of black smoke curled up into that beautiful Septemeber sapphire sky. I thought, how could something so ugly,so spine chilling occur on such an awesome looking day?
The other Tower in the photo stood majectically tall, while the second plane flew towards it.

How could such beauty and ugliness exist in the same picture?

I began the painting on silk, and with every detail I could almost feel what
the people inside those Towers were experiencing: Horror, panic,pain,fear.
I said a prayer for the victims, and their families: For the whole world.
How could humanity be so cruel? Have we not learned down through the centuries, that acts of violence towards one another, only breeds more violence?
I recall watching these events take place on TV. My daughter-in-law had called me to ask if I was watching TV, and to turn it on. She said a plane had accidently hit one of the Twin Towers.
I snapped on the TV, and watched as the second plane hit the other tower.
I said to her, " These are not accidents. This is something that was planned."
I watch the other events take place that day, as if it were surreal. Like some damn horror movie that wasn't really happening.
Now, there will not ever be another September 11, that people will not recall what happened that day in history, as long as history continues to be recorded.
That painting sits in the back of my closet. I would like to hand it over to a museum. And, if anyone who reads this, knows how , or who to contact with regard to giving the painting to a museum, please contact me.

Posted by Mystic Silks: http:mysticsilks.etsy.com

Another Great Poem-- Offered By, Mystic Silks

2008-04-03T09:19:00.000-07:00

This is another poem by e.e.cummings. Read it with your eyes, yes, but more importantly read it with your soul.

somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond

any experience, your eyes have their silence:

in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,

or which i cannot touch because they are too near

your slightest look easily will unclose me

though i have closed myself as fingers.

you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens

(touching skilfully, mysteriously)her first rose

or if your wish be to close me, i and

my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly,

as when the heart of this flower imagines

the snow carefully everywhere descending;

nothing which we are to percieve in this world equals

the power of your intense fragility:whose texture

compels me with the colour of its countries,

rendering death and forever breathing

(i do not know what it is about you that closes

and opens;only something in me understands

the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)

nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

http://mysticsilks.etsy.com

Slik Paintings~Silk Scarves~Silk Pillows

The Mountains Are Dancing, by Mystic Silks

2008-04-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

It's the first day of April:time to celebrate the 'now', the present moment.
In honor of April, I desire to share a poem by, e.e. cummings, who speaks of April so beautifully.

when faces called flowers float out of the ground

and breathing is wishing and wishing is having---

but keeping is downward and doubting and never

---it's april(yes,april;my darling)it's spring!

yes the pretty birds frolic as spry as can fly

yes the little fish gambol as glad as can be

(yes the mountains are dancing together)

when every leaf opens without any sound

and wishing is having and having is giving---

but keeping is doting and nothing and nonsense

---alive;we're alive, dear:it's(kiss me now)spring!

now the little fish quiver so you and so i

(now the mountains are dancing,the mountains)

when more than was lost has been found has been found

and having is giving and giving is living---

but keeping is darkness and winter and cringing

---it's spring(all our night becomes day)o, it's spring!

all the pretty birds to dive to the heart of the sky

all the little fish climb through the mind of the sea

(all the mountains are dancing;are dancing)

Finding Long Lost Relatives, by Mystic Silks

2008-03-28T07:04:00.000-07:00

The other day I was feeling oh, rather bored. My shop wasn't having any activity, I made my fill of treasuries, so I decided to do some research on my ancestory.My god, what a task that is!
I must have been through a dozen different geneology sites, all to no avail.
Then I clicked onto Rootswebsite.com. I put the surname I was looking for into a search, and came upon this post that listed by grandfather, grandmother, my mother's name, and uncles and aunts: I almost jumped out of my skin.

The post was dated in 2001, and there was an email to reply to.
I thought gee, that post is seven years old, most likely it's an outdated email address.Well, I wrote to this person anyway. And guess what, I heard from him. Turns out he's my second cousin! He has so much info on family history, I was amazed.

Has anyone ever found a relative using the internet search?

http://mysticsilks.etsy.com

What I Bring to Life on Silk or Canvas, by Mystic Silks

2008-03-24T05:25:00.000-07:00

"Still-in a way-nobody sees a flower-really-

it is so small--we haven't the time-

and to really see takes time, like to have a friend takes time."

--Georgia O'Keeffe

I have observed many styles of artists, and appreciate the art that they express. I sometimes look at mine with a most critical eye, and think, what swashbuckle, daring, bold, impressive bright strokes of paint flash across my silk, or canvas? Not too many, is my answer.

I seem to have taken up the cross of the ordinary expression of life in a painting.

I see a photo in a nature magazine of an owl,and yet there is something so extraordinary, so miraculously beautiful in the tilt of the owl's head, that ever alert look in those huge owl eyes; something compels me to draw it, or paint it.

Once, I found a photo in National Geographic Magazine,of tiny lavender forest flower with an even smaller yellow spider sitting on one petal of this beautiful flower, so small in fact, that most people would trample it as they walked; not even seeing it because it was so small. Again, I was compelled to paint that flower, enlarged in size, in a silk painting.My intention was to have people see something that they would ordinarily miss.

It is my belief that because people are so very, very busy, that they miss seeing the miraculous beauty in 'oridnary' life. And so, I must continue to paint the ordinary.

http://mysticsilks.etsy.com/

The Middle Class American Family: Is the middle class family under financial stress?

2008-03-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

It seems with the rising costs of living, that the middle class family will soon be a thing of the past.
The increasing price of a gallon of gasoline is affecting every financial aspect of the family. The rising costs of gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil has affected food prices, heating homes, businesses,and all manufactured goods in America.
However, the wages that the middle class American earns, are not keeping up with these costs: As a result, people are over using their credit cards. The interest rates on the unpaid balance of those over extended cards keep rising, causing families to go deeper into debt.
If these trends continue, the middle class will decline into the ranks of the poor.
It is time for us to tighten our belts, to make a list of 'wants' and 'needs', and stick by it.

Income Tax Time by Mystic Silks

2008-03-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

OK, I have to vent today. I went to my tax accountant to have him figure out my 2007 taxes.

I'm on SS, do not work:I feel I spent a good majority of my life working, and now's the time to do what I enjoy. I enjoy my art work!

OK, so I had a gut feeling back in 2007, that the stock market was going to take a down turn this year, so I cashed out.

Now, keep in mind for every penny or dollar I bought stocks and mutual funds with, I worked for. I paid taxes on that money when I earned it. Then I invested it. OK, so I got out of the stock market , put the money in a nice safe savings plan.

So, today he adds up what I made in the stock market, etc. And, I again am paying taxes on that earned money.

I asked why I can't include on the credit side of the page, the taxes I've paid in buying gas, or any product I am charged taxes on?

"Because you can't," he says.

I replied, this is more than double taxation without representation.

Remember the Boston Tea Party? Back then it was the King of England taxing the people to death.

Now, it's the US government who is taxing it's people beyond their means.

And, here's the part that gets to me the most, I budgeted my money, I scrimped and saved, and our goverment uses my money, and your money like a drunken sailor.

When I think of the billions of dollars being spent in Iraq, with no end in sight, I could upchuck. When I think of our schools constantly trying to pass a levy by again adding extra taxes to the already financially burden families, I could upchuck again. When President Bush has no idea of what the common folk is paying for a gallon of gas, or gallon of milk, I could upchuck.

I wouldn't mind paying my tax bill if I knew that money was going into our country, into our schools, into finding ways to keep living costs down for the average American family.

So, Bush is giving us back a paltry sum of money this spring and summer. And where is that money coming from? China.

Why, when we are all paying our taxes, does the USA have to borrow money from China?

How did everything get so insane?

OK, I just finished a silk painting called " Tequila Sunset"

Someone buy it, so I can pay taxes on the sale.

Oh, by the way, I wish I had some tequila.

Visit http://mysticsilks.etsy.com

Mountain's Majesty Silk Painting By Mystic Silks

2008-03-04T07:32:00.000-08:00

Mountains have always represented strength to me. I get a feeling of security when I gaze upon their majesty, their unmovable presence.
My son was in Alaska, serving in the Coast Guard,when his ship sailed past this mountain during the time period of the midnight sun.
He was so enthralled by the site, that he took a photo of this mountain, and sent it home to me.
I was enraptured by the beauty, and decided to create that photo in a silk painting.
Ahhhhh, such beauty God has created.

http://mysticsilks.etsy.com

A Poem For Valentine's Day`" Love Is Not All"

2008-02-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

Love is not all: it is not meat nor drink
Nor slumber nor a roof against the rain;
Nor yet a floating spar to men that sink and rise
and sink and rise and sink again;
Love can not fill the thickened lung with breath,
Nor clean the blood, nor set a fractured bone;
Yet many a man is making friends
with death even as I speak, for lack of love alone.

It well may be that in a difficult hour,
pinned down by pain and moaning for release,
Or nagged by want past resolutions power,
I might be driven to sell your love for peace,
Or trade this night for food.
It well may be.
I do not think I would.

Edna St Vincent Millay

I love this poem by Edna St Vincent Millay: It moves straight through my bones, blood, and all the dence matter of my physical existence into the realm of what is spiritual in me.

Mystic Silks
http://mysticsilks.etsy.com

Beautiful Silk Paintings, by Mystic Silks

2008-02-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

I love original paintings. They can be water colors, oils, acrylics; any medium is

fine with me, as long as a human hand has picked up a brush and painted the painting. Oh, I know digital art is big, and is an art in and of itself, however, there's something in me that remains faithful to the artsists of old who painted by hand.

I paint using french dyes, and paints, but my canvas is made of silk. There's something about the mixture of dyes and silk, that bring out a mysterious beauty.

I've added some photos of silk paintings for your viewing pleasure.

Please visit my shop at http://mysticsilks.etsy.com/

9/11 Art Work~ Twin Towers, By Mystic Silks

2008-02-05T05:59:00.000-08:00

I created the painting of the Twin Towers in New York City, after the September 11, 2001 tragedy. I had seen a photo in the Times Magazine of this horrific event about two weeks after the event.

One Tower had been hit by the first plane and billows of black smoke curled up into that beautiful Septemeber sapphire sky. I thought, how could something so ugly,so spine chilling occur on such an awesome looking day?

The other Tower in the photo stood majectically tall, while the second plane flew towards it. How could such beauty and ugliness exist in the same picture?

I began the painting on silk, and with every detail I could almost feel what

the people inside those Towers were experiencing: Horror, panic,pain,fear.

I said a prayer for the victims, and their families: For the whole world.

How could humanity be so cruel? Have we not learned down through the centuries, that acts of violence towards one another, only breeds more violence?

I recall watching these events take place on TV. My daughter-in-law had called me to ask if I was watching TV, and to turn it on. She said a plane had accidently hit one of the Twin Towers.

I snapped on the TV, and watched as the second plane hit the other tower.

I said to her, " These are not accidents. This is something that was planned."

I watch the other events take place that day, as if it were surreal. Like some damn horror movie that wasn't really happening.

Now, there will not ever be another September 11, that people will not recall what happened that day in history, as long as history continues to be recorded.

That painting sits in the back of my closet. I would like to hand it over to a museum. And, if anyone who reads this, knows how , or who to contact with regard to giving the painting to a museum, please contact me.

Beautiful Red Silk Scarf~It's Valentine's Day,by Mystic Silks

2008-02-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

It's coming, the day of hearts, flowers, and gifts for those we love.

I suppose we need to have certain days of the year to remind us to do something special for that loved one.

We all get so busy, so caught up in life, that we sometimes forget to let people close to us, know that we do love them.

So what are you doing Valentine's Day to celebrate that loved one in your life?

I've uploaded some photos of gifts that may say, " I love you", in a silky way.

Visit http://mysticsilks.etsy.com/

Beautiful Silk Painting, by Mystic Silks

2008-02-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

" Tequila Sunrise"~I finished this silk painting in August of 2007. The painting gives me the feeling of a warm relaxing day by some exotic island.

More silk paintings can be seen at http://mysticsilks.etsy.com

2008-02-04T06:54:00.000-08:00

Oh Where or Where Did All My Photos, Go?

2008-02-04T06:42:00.000-08:00

I decided to write in my blog today and discovered that all my photos had disappeared. All the beautiful pictures of silk scarves, silk paintings, and silk pillows.
Boy, am I a bit upset. But I have uploaded a few more. We'll see if these stay!