monkey hands

Beijing Minimalist Bird

Not quite stork-like in body, but stork-inspired legs on this new bird I made last night. I've named it "time-bird," because the wings are made from a Japanese wrapping cloth printed with world clocks, and time is precious; it was a gift from one of my sisters, who is currently living in Tokyo. "Minimalist" because I decided to leave the eyes and beak to the imagination.  

Prominant sign at the Sultanpur National Park Bird Sanctuary in Delhi. I'm dreaming in birds since spending time here a few days ago.

The "Beijing" clock is next to the "Tokyo" clock, reminding me that my sister and I are geographically closer to each other (3.5 hours by air) than we've been in decades. 

I'll migrate over to Japan later this month to visit my sister and niece, and to meet our mother/grandmother, who will be flying (in a big silver bird) over from Tucson for a visit. Beijing air is not fit for birds or people today: 

As recorded by the U.S. Embassy this morning.

Bird Sanctuary in Delhi

Sultanpur National Park--a peaceful, beautiful place to spend the last day in Delhi. Overcast and drizzling.

Crane

Stork and two cranes

Peacock and cow

Buddies

Wool Face--Last Block Made on India Trip

This face was inspired by faces on the statues in Shimla roadside gardens. Photos taken with a borrowed I-phone; the shadow looks (to me) as if I'm waving good-bye. I'll miss the smells, sounds, and tastes of India.

This is a state tax collection booth between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab:The advertising slogan written on the side of the building, "Don't kill the personality of your child," is promoting holistic-type education at a chain of independent schools. Seems like a sound philosophy to me.

Seeing Rings, Sewing Rings

Inspired by the circling roots of this plant on a terrace in Shimla (dozens of similar plants, so it's intentional potting) and Jude Hill's (Spirit Cloth) images and discussions of circles and spirals, I doodled with needle and thread on a piece of found linen last night: 

I'm seeing rings, circles, and spirals in all sorts of places. A new shoot is reaching up out of the chaos of pot-bound roots. It seems there are lessons and metaphors of all kinds to be found in the place where nature meets human intervention.

Faces and Places

This new wool square is a bit of a departure from the previous squares. It's inspired by Jude Hill's online course, Sun, Moon, Stars (see Spirit Cloth link), and the faces I'm seeing on people, statues, and relief images in this amazing place.

Town square in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. As some of you may remember, as much as I am inspired by people wherever I go, I am adverse to voyeuristically taking pictures. I snapped this scene because it seemed to show the vibrant community spirit of this gathering place without revealing many identifiable faces. 

New Year, New Face in India

This is my first new wool face of the new year. I started it in the car on the way from Delhi to Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. Two days later, I'm not sure it's finished, but here it is.

View of the Himalayan mountains from Shimla's main street

Garden statue, carrying heavy load. Gardens are built along the streets -- into the sides of the mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detail of an old fresco on the side of a city street. Interesting faces everywhere.