A look into the inspiration behind the work.

I discovered this little Violet Wood Sorrel growing in my “Hidden Garden” this spring. I was hidden in among the other foliage and shyly peeking through the shadows. It only grows about 4” tall so you can see why it was a treasure to find.  The day I discovered it, I felt lucky to have found it instead of stepping on the fragile plant. I didn’t realize that day that I had possibly been luckier than I thought.  There is an argument that the Wood Sorrel is the original St. Patrick Shamrock. I don’t know about you, but I remember as a kid spending hours in the playground searching for a lucky shamrock or 4 leaf clover. Well, here I am – decades later and I have actual shamrocks growing in my own back yard!

Through my research on this little guy, I dug up an old manuscript from 1911 that is available on the web, “Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, Fruits, and Plants in All Ages and In All Climes” by Charles Montgomery Skinner. This eBook will be most valuable while considering stories about my Kansas Wildflowers.  I love to learn new things about the plants that I’m drawn to painting, it adds to their character in my mind and make the plant even more fun to paint.

So here is the argument from the early 20^th century as to why the Wood Sorrel is actually the original Shamrock – Enjoy!

“The clover which we call wood sorrel was anciently a charm against snakes and other poison dealing creatures; and witches, too, would none of it. On going into fights soldiers would tie a sprig about their sword arms, or to the handles of their blades, that they might be secure from the foul strokes of enemies who had black and secret ways of killing. The Arabic word for the trefoil is shamrak, and Persia makes it sacred as emblematic of the Persian Triads. Our wood sorrel is white with faint ruddy or purple streaks in the petals. A pink variety appears in England earlier than the white, but, as in other flowers, the farther north we go, the more of white appears in the flower, bluebells being white in Russia, and red campion emulating the snow in Arctic lands. Wood sorrel is ‘the hallelujah’ in Spain and Italy because of its blossoming when the Hallelujah is sung, after Easter; the Welsh name it fairy bells; the Scots call it hearts and gowk's meat. Cuckoo sorrel is a common name for it in the British islands, where it appears when the cuckoo begins to sing.

“Among the plants one no longer eats is this same wood sorrel, once used as a salad. Sheep or field sorrel, which is of a different botanical family is still used as greens, though it is sharp to the untrained palate.

“The acid of wood sorrel (oxalic, from the botanical name of the plant, oxalis) is extracted as ‘salt of lemons,’ a chemical in some demand for commercial purposes, but a rank poison. Its leaves yield five per cent. of acid. Because of their heart shape the doctrine of signatures prescribed them as a remedy for heart troubles. The variety cultivated in Bolivia as oca has a tuberous root as well prized as the artichoke; another four leaved variety is used on Mexican tables; the Peruvian species, arracha, is also eaten, both root and leaf stalk.

“Wood sorrel is held by many to be the original shamrock, as its Persian name implies, although the plant commonly worn as such on the 17th of March, when all the bows to St Patrick is Dutch clover. It is a little disconcerting that the authorities are not a unit as to what a shamrock is. The Erse word seamrog is from seamar, three leaved, and og, meaning small. It occurs variously as seamsog, seamroge, shamrote, shamrock, shamrug, oge, and chambroch. The plant actually used by St. Patrick may have been Dutch clover, or trifolium repens, or trifolium minus, or wood sorrel. Early references to it in Irish literature represent it as a food plant, Campion, in history of the island printed in 1571, speaking of ‘shamrotes, water cresses, and other herbes they feed upon.’  Matthias Lobel, a Flemish botanist, tells of the purple and white trefoil, and says of the white variety it is good for fattening cattle, but that it is also ground meal for consumption by the peasantry.  Spenser, the poet, also relates how, during the wars of Munster the escaped starvation by feeding on cress and ‘shamrokes’; and Fynes Moryson describes them as devouring herb of sharp taste, the acrid wood sorrel, one may fancy, ‘which as they run and are chased to and fro, they like beasts out of the ditches.’  If, however, the ditches contained water, the plant was probably cress, which still use as a garnish to our meat.

“The religious association of the shamrock, and its adoption as the emblem of Ireland, is due to an inspiration of pioneer of Christianity in that country:  After his landing St. Patrick found his pagan subjects in deep trouble the Trinity. Preach and argue as he might, he could not prevail on them to accept its possibility till, looking down on the earth, in the course of one of his homilies, he chanced to spy the little divided leaf of the shamrock. It exemplified his point to a nicety. Stooping he plucked it and showed how, though a leaf, it was yet three leaves in one. After the Irish accepted Christianity, they used the shamrock as their sign, the three leaves typing in their formulary, the national virtues of love, heroism, and wit. The leaf was already in general use as a defense against witchcraft in St Patrick's time, and many a peasant plucked a trefoil before he ventured across the moors and bogs where banshees cried and fairies stole the souls of wayfarers. It was the power of the shamrock indeed, over poisonous and maleficent things, which enabled St Patrick to drive the snakes from Ireland, for he had only to hold it toward them to see them go scuttling into the sea.”

From “Myths and Legends of Flowers…” by Charles Montgomery Skinner (source link above)

Well, no matter where you come down on the argument – may the luck of the Irish be with you always.

Check out my entire collection of Kansas Wildflowers in Oil

This piece for me is both nostalgic and celebrates my new achievements. In the nostalgic department, I am not unfamiliar with belly dancing as I took several classes during my husband's first deployment and choreographed a dance for him when he returned. Since then, I have had an appreciation of the art which is wonderfully feminine and alluring. As for the present, last Saturday, I exhibited 11 artists in my Art Print Express booth at the NOTO Saturday Market (a new venue for artists in the NOTO Arts District north of the river in Topeka, Kansas). If you look carefully you will see my booth in among the background vendors. It was that weekend that I took advantage of the Irie Blu troupe performance to capture my friend Cyreigna in action and to place her at the Saturday Market.

The term "Raks Sha'abi" refers to a belly dance style that is "dance of the people". This seemed an appropriate name for this piece even though the dancer works in the American Tribal Belly Dance Style. Many locals will recognize the Cyregina in her belly dancing regalia because she regularly performs in public venues such as the NOTO Saturday Market. She has also posed for my Open Life Drawing Sessions at Washburn University with her full costume, sometimes even bringing her dancing props such as a Scimitar (a curved Middle Eastern sword) balanced on her head - it is always a fun and lively event when she models. 

Cyreigna is also Owner/Director of Irie Tribal Dance Co., a Fatchance® Bellydance Sister Studio...Irie Tribal, is derived from the Rastafarian saying, 'Irie,' which stands for 'I Respect I Eternally,' and is a word that conveys hope and happiness--exactly the emotion Cyreigna endeavors to create.

Irie Tribal Dance Company is an all-inclusive Dance company that offers not only classes in American Tribal Style® Bellydance, but also tribal costuming. They believe that no matter what type of dance you do, as long as you are true to self and others everything will indeed be Irie, (a word that conveys hope and happiness).

While trying to open more eyes, hearts, and doors in the Auburn/Topeka area, Irie strives to portray themselves in a positive light and give back to others....Dancing for those can't dance for themselves....Dancing is the most unselfish thing we can do...That is why we smile, that is why we dance. It brings us joy to see joy in others!

The performing Troupe, Irie Tribal consists of Cyndi (Cyreigna) and Amy (Miriam)
Irie Tribal Dance Company students are known as Irie Blu. They are taught pure ATS® as Carolena intended.

To purchase the piece  or explore my other pieces go to my website

First Friday Art Walk - March 2nd 5:30pm - 8:00 pm - Come to Foole's Dream Studio in NOTO 833 1/2 N. Kansas Ave. which is welcoming 5 new artists to the family. Becky Drager, Joyce Volmut, Richard Owen Nelson, Michelle Levian and Susan Anderson. The show includes the see never before shown work by Michelle Leivan's Life Drawing Series. These pieces were each done during one 2-hour session with a live model. Full of life and color. 

The great folks at WIBW will be prempting their 13 News @ 4 show for the Arts on February 6th. Please set your DVR's to see a sample of what the arts community in Topeka has to offer. The show will consist of three segments that will feature several art venues and as one of those segments, three artists: Marylin Horsch, Michael Allen and Michelle Leivan (I always wanted to prempt a show!) were interviewed by John Ary last month to talk about the the Artists to Watch in 2012 show at SouthWind Gallery. 

Because I know you can't wait to see the show, here is a different short YouTube video from SouthWind Gallery where they asked several of the Artists to Watch in 2012 what the best advice they've ever been given was. This video is sure to spur you on as an artist. And, the exhibit is sure to amaze you. So, if you have not already done so, I would recommend getting over to SouthWind Gallery to see the works from these regional artists! SouthWind Gallery, 3074 SW 29th St., Topeka, KS through February 15, 2012.

Here is a short video about what inspires each artist!

There are so many important things that happen to us on a daily basis and often times we get into the habit of just taking those seemingly daily events for granted. I regularly go to coffee with my Dad and his "cronies" several times a week. I started out reluctantly, thinking that I wouldn't have much in common with a bunch of old guys. How wrong I was, this morning diversion in my day has become a ritual that I look forward to and regret when other things keep me from being able to join them. At first I didn't understand them, they would talk to each other in no way any woman would dare to talk to another woman and expect to remain friends. The best way to describe their banter is the scene in "Grand Torino" with Clint Eastwood when he walks into the barber shop with his young mentor and begins to talk to the barber. (For those who haven’t seen the movie, at the end of this post is  a rundown of the dialogue.) As you watch the movie, you understand that Walt and Barber Martin in "Grand Torino" love each other and Walt also loves Thao or we wouldn't see this scene. Never the less, that scene would play in my head for the first month that I joined them and stayed pretty quiet until I figured out the rules. 

Ok, so my guys aren't quite that crass but you get the point. It took me a while to assimilate to their banter. We’ve had discussions as lively as the use of barbed wire to scratch that itch you can't quite reach and not to forget it is also useful for hemorrhoids, to the healing benefits of dog licks to heal a pesky wound that is slow to heal. It is often like sitting in a council dedicated to saving the world. They always tell me that I'm the best looking of the group - how can I pass up that ego boosting opportunity? With all kidding aside, they have become wonderful mentors with wonderful life stories and wisdom that you would not expect to be found at a McDonalds. They are my guys and I love them and miss them when I don’t see them. 

Last July my husband, son and I traveled to Austin, TX to go see my brother-in-law who had just returned for leave from a tour in Iraq. One morning during that trip we stopped at McDonalds for a quick breakfast. There in the back of the restaurant was another group of guys not all that dissimilar to these guys, enjoying their coffee and discussions to save the world. I was tempted to walk up to them and simply sit down at the table and explain that I had left my coffee group guys back home and that I missed them so could I please join them for a while. There is no doubt in my mind that they would have welcomed me and made me feel at home. Had it not been for my present company (my son would have been mortified) and the urgency to get back on the road I would have and enjoyed every second of it. That realization in a foreign place was the seed that germinated into this painting. I wanted to paint my guys in their everyday environment shooting the breeze and easily laughing at something someone said. You may not know them, but yet you do, because all you have to do is walk into any McDonalds or corner Cafe across the nation, in the morning between 6 and 10 and you too can find your very own McCoffee Council. 

Scene from Grand Torino as quoted by the IMDb website: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/quotes

Walt Kowalski: Now you just gotta learn how guys talk. You just listen to the way Martin and I banter it back and forth. You OK? You're ready? 
Thao Vang Lor: Sir! 
Walt Kowalski: Alright let's go in... 
Barber Martin: Perfect! A Polak and AND a Chink! 
Walt Kowalski: How ya doing Martin, you crazy Italian prick? 
Barber Martin: Walts! You cheap bastard! I should have known you'd come in, I was having such a pleasant day! 
Walt Kowalski: What'd you do? You ruse some poor blind guy out of his money? Gave him the wrong change? 
Barber Martin: Who's the Nip? 
Walt Kowalski: Ohh... He's a pussy kid from next door. I'm trying to man him up a little bit... You see kid, now that's how guys talk to one another. 
Thao Vang Lor: They do? 
Barber Martin: What, you got shit on your ribs? 
Walt Kowalski: Now you go out and come back in and talk to him like a man, like a REAL man. Come on! Get your ass outta here! Come on back now. 
[to Martin] 
Walt Kowalski: Sorry about this. 
Thao Vang Lor: What's up ya old Italian prick? 
Barber Martin: [pointing rifle at Thao] Get out of my shop before I blow your head off, you goddamn dick sucker! Go! 
Walt Kowalski: Jezus Christ, Holy Shit! Hehe. Take it easy, take it easy! 
[to Thao] 
Walt Kowalski: What the hell are you doing? Have you lost your mind? 
Thao Vang Lor: But that's what you said. That's what you said men say. 
Walt Kowalski: You don't just come in and insult the man in his own shop! You just don't do that. What happens if you meet some stranger? You get the wrong one, he's gonna blow your gook head right off! 
Thao Vang Lor: What should I have said then? 
Barber Martin: Well... why don't you start with... eeehm... Hi or Hello... 
Walt Kowalski: Yeah, just come in and say... eeeehm... Sir, I'd like a haircut if you have the time. 
Barber Martin: Yeah, be polite, but don't kiss ass. 
Walt Kowalski: In fact you could talk about a construction job you just came from and bitch about your girlfriend and your car. 
Barber Martin: eeeehm... Son of a bitch, I just got my brakes fixed and eeehmm those son of bitches really nailed me, I mean they screwed me right in the ass! 
Walt Kowalski: Yeah, don't swear AT the guy, just talk about people who are not in the room... eeeh... you could talk about your boss... eeeh... making you work extra time when there is bowling night. 
Barber Martin: Right, or... eeeh... my old lady bitches for two goddamn hours about how... eeeeh... they don't take expired coupons at the grocery stores. And the minute I turn on the fucking game, she starts crying how we never talk! 

This First Friday on November 4th finds 3 events featuring my artwork, Kansans Paint Kansas, Sunflower Cirque both in Topeka and Visions of the Flint Hills, in Kansas City. 

The Topeka Art Guild will have their artist reception for the Kansans Paint Kansas show. Juried by Judith Mackey, the art represents the wonderful beauty of Kansas. I had two paintings accepted in this show, Bee's Knees on Echinacea and Sun Worshipers. Come browse the beautiful Kansas art, and enjoy all of the great artists that Topeka has to offer with the bonus of some wine and cheese. Christmas is just around the corner so it is time to start thinking about buying local art for your friends and family. This month I also have a few of my giclee prints on canvas and paper along with my note card sets of Kansas wildflowers and florals will be for sale at the guild. Located in Fairlawn Plaza at the west end of the mall next door to the new restaurant Lazy Toad. Time: 5-8 pm If you can't make it to TAG on Friday, stop by when it fits your schedule they are open Wednesday - Saturday 11-5 - this show runs through the end of November. To learn more about the show go to www.topekaartguild.org

Bosco's features art, music for First Friday Art Walk

Three Michelle Leivan sunflower pieces,  Apollo in DelphosFacing the Evening Sun, Apollo in Delphos Facing the Morning Sun and End of the Season are 3 of 77 pieces accepted in: 

Sunflower CIRQUE

Exhibiting works of art centered around sunflowers . . . about sunflowers or made from sunflowers!