Art-4-Art, Lyons Regional Library, June 2019

Title: "To Each His Own"
Artist: Damaris O'Trand
June 15, 2019
Lyons Regional Library

"To Each His Own" #1 of 22 in series

Process, Media, Technique

I was given samples of Maruca material several months ago. Then I saw prayer flags that had been installed at the Lyons Memorial Labyrinth and was reminded of my favorite poem by Charlie M. I painted flags with water colors, attached squares of Maruca material to the front with glue dots, connected two ATC's with a brad, and covered the brad with art stickers shaped like flags, added a dab of gold water color to the prayer flags, and made a series of 22 cards while teaching my grand nieces (ages 12, 12, 13, and 14) how to make ATC's. Under the material on the front of the card, I numbered the series using pens given to me by my sister. My nieces were so enthusiastic about making ATC's that all four of them have decided to come to their first ATC Swap in Lyons, Colorado at the Lyons Regional Library, on June 15, 2019.

The title of the card is a short-hand phrase that my great-grandmother used to say when encouraging her daughters (my Grandmother Lula and Great Aunt Clifftonia) not to pay attention to what other people think. Of course, our mother, Idabelle, repeated the phrase to her own daughters (my sister and me) as we were growing up. The full phrase is, "To each his own," said the old lady as she kissed the cow.

Art-4-Art, Solvitur Ambulando

Title: Solvitur Ambulando (It is solved by walking).
Artist: Damaris O'Trand
Mixed Media
Series of 18 cards

The artist printed out a photo of tree bark, then made two lighter copies, and hand drew tangles on each page using a black sharpie. Each page was cut into ATC-sized cards and decorated using various kinds of colored pencils. A pattern of the labyrinth path was drawn on the back of each card using a gold gel pen. A second card was attached with a brad, with the signature sticker on the back and the quote from Diogenes, the Cynic written in cursive on the front. Each card in the series of 18 was numbered using a gold gel pen. Tied to the brad on each card is a golden thread, symbolizing the story of Ariadne's unrequited love for Theseus. For the full, x-rated version about the imprisonment of the the Minotaur at the center of the Labyrinth, read "The Greek Myths," by Robert Graves.

Lyons Memorial Labyrinth, prayer flags

Snowy Day in May at the Lyons Memorial Labyrinth
The Labyrinth Flags looking good. Reminding me of Charlie M.'s poem:

prayer flags
battle flags

no difference
to the wind

Commentary: How then shall we live?

Lyons Memorial Labyrinth, May 11, 2019

Lyons Memorial Labyrinth, May 10, 2019