earth and vessel

summer 2011

2011-10-02T16:52:00.003-04:00

summer 2011

2011-10-02T16:48:00.004-04:00

photo by cindy bell

summer 2011

2011-10-02T16:41:00.005-04:00

photo cindy bell

summer 2011

2011-10-02T16:36:00.002-04:00

photo by cindy bell

2011-06-12T12:35:00.013-04:00

In the Garden

group exhibit

Gandee Gallery

Fabius, NY

May 6 - June 19

check the Gandee Gallery website for hours

I was fortunate to be invited to join this

group of artists for a wonderful show~

Thanks, Jen!

close up of the equator grouping

growing the wheatgrass in the sculpture department at S.U.

the mossery

2011-04-19T14:25:00.000-04:00

My son made this sign for the mossery, it says,
very important moss

I have become bewitched over the years with moss- everything in my woodland gardens has been buttermilk’d, yogurt’d, misted - on occasion it seems to mushroom into something that takes root- at other times not. What is the the spell, the unknown magic to mossage?

hypertufa sphere, october 2010

hypertufa sphere now, april 2011

moss growing on hypertufa mushrooms

the mossery before spring clean up, april 2011

round here

2011-04-15T08:50:00.001-04:00

Yes, I love all things round...round concrete spheres...welded metal spheres...hypertufa spheres growing moss... and my new passion, kokedama, moss balls.

2011-03-19T12:32:00.011-04:00

Spring 2011 Workshops

ah, spring, you can’t get here soon enough...

IF... you have already made a sphere but would like a

“grouping” of spheres,

IF... you have already made a water basin or hypertufa pot

and are ready to make your first “ball,”

these classes are designed for you!

a limited amount of workshops will be presented this spring

click on the month title for more information

APRIL CLASS

+ CONCRETE SPHERE WORKSHOP

april 18, 19 and 20- FULL!

mon-tue-wed

9am-noon

MAY CLASSES

+ CONCRETE SPHERE WORKSHOP

may 3 and 4- FULL!

tue-wed

9am-noon

+ CONCRETE SPHERE WORKSHOP

may 17 and 18- FULL!

tue-wed

1-4pm

+ CONCRETE SPHERE WORKSHOP

may 30, 31 and June 1- FULL!

mon-tue-wed

1-4pm

2011-03-19T12:30:00.003-04:00

april concrete sphere workshop

april 18, 19 and 20- FULL!

mon-tue-wed

9am-noon

+in this 3 morning workshop, you will create an exciting 10-18” diameter hollow concrete sphere for indoor/outdoor display

+your finished sphere will have a smooth surface, with your choice of a natural grey concrete “neat” surface OR a pigmented colour surface

$150 fee, all materials are provided including: dust mask, rubber gloves, an earth&vessel booklet with recipes, and supply resources

+all completed pieces are left wrapped in my studio for 14 days to cure both properly and completely

NEW! dilute vinegar wash included- so when you pick up your sphere,

it is ready for anything, including painting!

Beverages and snacks are provided

Class size is limited to four, so register early!

smooth, natural grey concrete “neat” surface

smooth, pigmented colour surface

(please note: the carved line is NOT included in this workshop)

To register, email: mpm@twcny.rr.com or 315.420.0130

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2011-03-19T11:17:00.034-04:00

may concrete sphere workshops

may 3 and 4-FULL!

tue-wed

9am-noon

+whether this is your very first sphere or you have made many, this 2 morning workshop is a great time!

+you will create an exciting 10-18” diameter hollow, natural grey (no colour) concrete sphere for indoor/outdoor display- your finished sphere will have a textured surface

$125 fee, all materials are provided including: dust mask, rubber gloves, an earth&vessel booklet with recipes, and supply resources

+all completed pieces are left wrapped in my studio for 14 days to cure properly and completely

NEW! dilute vinegar wash included- so when you pick up your sphere, it is ready for anything, including painting!

Beverages and snacks are provided

Class size is limited to four, so register early!

textured, natural grey surface

To register, email: mpm@twcny.rr.com or 315.420.0130

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may 17 and 18- FULL!

tue-wed

1pm-4pm

+this informative 2 afternoon workshop, will cover methods of basic hand building techniques, how to get the mix just the right consistency, shortcuts, mold usage, texturing and proper curing

$125 fee, all materials are provided including: dust mask, rubber gloves, an earth&vessel booklet with recipes, and supply resources

+all completed pieces are left wrapped in my studio for 14 days to cure both properly and completely

NEW! dilute vinegar wash included- so when you pick up your sphere, it is ready for anything, including painting!

Beverages and snacks are provided

Class size is limited to four, so register early!

textured, natural grey surface

textured surface, then painted after curing and vinegar wash

(please note: painting is NOT included in this workshop- this is just to give you an idea of the possibilities...)

To register, email: mpm@twcny.rr.com or 315.420.0130

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may 30, 31 and june 1- FULL!

mon-tue-wed

1pm-4pm

+in this 3 afternoon workshop, you will create an exciting 10-18” diameter hollow concrete sphere for indoor/outdoor display

+your finished sphere will have a smooth surface, with your choice of a natural grey concrete “neat” surface OR a pigmented colour surface

$150 fee, all materials are provided including: dust mask, rubber gloves, an earth&vessel booklet with recipes, and supply resources

+all completed pieces are left wrapped in my studio for 14 days to cure both properly and completely

NEW! dilute vinegar wash included- so when you pick up your sphere, it is ready for anything, including painting!

Beverages and snacks are provided

Class size is limited to four, so register early!

smooth, natural grey concrete “neat” surface

smooth, pigmented colour surface

To register, email: mpm@twcny.rr.com or 315.420.0130

..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

Spring 2010 Garden Show

2010-05-23T21:37:00.010-04:00

recent concrete and hypertufa garden art... for sale... displayed throughout the gardens...

PRIVATE SHOWING

Friday, June 4

10 am-5 pm

WESTCOTT ART TRAIL

Saturday, June 5

10 am- 5 pm

Sunday, June 6

noon- 5 pm

If these times are not convenient for you, please call for an appointment.

photo by cindy bell

May 20th

2010-05-20T18:53:00.002-04:00

photo by cindy bell

May 19th

2010-05-19T08:00:00.003-04:00

photo by cindy bell

May 7th

2010-05-18T13:56:00.003-04:00

photo by cindy bell

May 18th

2010-05-18T07:36:00.004-04:00

photo by cindy bell

Upcoming Spring Workshops

2010-03-11T22:10:00.035-05:00

click on the class title for more information

APRIL CLASSES
+ HYPERTUFA MUSHROOMS WORKSHOP
April 1st and 2nd
9am-noon

Texturing the mushroom cap surface

+ SPHERE PAINTING WORKSHOP
April 27th and 28th
9am-noon

Liz, Susan and Julie painting their
concrete spheres...

...sealed and completed spheres!

MAY CLASSES
+ HYPERTUFA or CONCRETE SPHERE WORKSHOP
May 4th and 5th
1-4pm

Jean, Kathy, Kay and John finishing
their concrete spheres

+ OPEN STUDIO WORKSHOP
May 13th and 14th
9am-noon

Denise smoothing the top surface
of her concrete water basin

+ CONCRETE SPHERE WORKSHOP
May 24th and 25th
1-4pm

Wyny unmolding her concrete sphere

Hypertufa or Concrete Sphere Workshop

2010-03-11T21:34:00.007-05:00

In this two afternoon workshop, you can choose between creating a "back to basics" hypertufa sphere or a
natural (no colour) concrete sphere.

May 4th & 5th (Tue/Wed) 1-4pm
$100 fee, all materials are provided including: dust mask, rubber gloves, booklet with recipes, and material resources

Beverages and snacks are provided
Class size is limited to four, so register early!

To register for a workshop, please contact me at:
mpm@twcny.rr.com or 315.420.0130

Concrete Sphere Workshop

2010-03-11T20:50:00.012-05:00

This two afternoon workshop is great for your very first project or for an experienced artist! You will create an exciting 30-45” diameter hollow, natural (no colour) concrete sphere for indoor/outdoor display.

May 24th & 25th (Mon/Tue) 1-4pm
$100 fee, all materials are provided including: dust mask, rubber gloves, booklet with recipes, and material resources

Beverages and snacks provided
Class size is limited to four, so register early!

To register for a workshop, please contact me at:
mpm@twcny.rr.com or 315.420.0130

Open Studio Workshop

2010-03-11T20:07:00.017-05:00

Mix, mold and sculpt concrete and hypertufa into your own unique and functional garden art. This workshop is open to beginners as well as experienced sculptors. A hands-on opportunity to learn basic hand building techniques, tricks of the mix, shortcuts, mold usage, texturing and proper curing.
During a two morning workshop, choose to create one of the following:
+ Hypertufa or concrete pot and base
+ Molded concrete water basin and base

May 13th & 14th (Thur/Fri) 9am-noon
$100 fee, all materials are provided including: dust mask, rubber gloves, booklet with recipes, material resources, and step-by-step directions

Beverages and snacks are provided
Class size is limited to four, so register early!

To register for a workshop, please contact me at:
mpm@twcny.rr.com or 315.420.0130

Philadelphia Flower Show

2010-03-11T14:31:00.012-05:00

Sphere Painting Workshop

2010-03-03T11:38:00.042-05:00

This is a chance to relax and enjoy playing with colour!

I will guide you through this new experience so you will be pleased with your final masterpiece for garden display-
Morning one…set up concrete sphere, discuss colour scheme, outline painting, apply first overall coat of paint… Morning two…continue paint application, finish

At the end of the second morning, the painted sphere will be allowed to dry for two days in my studio. I will then complete the final step for you which is applying sealant to the sphere. Once the sealant is set, you will be notified by email to pick up your sphere- just in time to display in your garden!

Workshop requirements
+ concrete sphere from earlier workshop
+ completed dilute vinegar wash on sphere

April 27 & 28 (Tue/Wed) 9-noon
$60 fee includes all materials and final seal

Beverages and snacks are provided
Class size is limited to four, so register early!

To register for a workshop, please contact me at:
mpm@twcny.rr.com or 315.420.0130

Hypertufa Mushroom Workshop

2010-02-25T09:39:00.019-05:00

+Mix, mold and sculpt hypertufa into your own unique garden art. Over time, hypertufa will naturally build up a mossy green coat (due to the peat moss in the mix) which will be very striking on these mushrooms in a woodland setting.
+This two-morning workshop is open to beginners as well as experienced artists. You will make three hypertufa mushrooms (caps and stems) of varying heights (4"-8").
+At the end of the second day, the mushrooms will be allowed to cure for 14 days in my studio. I will then complete the final steps for you which include: wash mushrooms in dilute vinegar solution, glue caps to stems and attach a bamboo or metal stake. Once the assembly is complete, you will be notified by email to pick up your mushrooms- just in time for spring!

April 1 & 2 (Thur/Fri) 9-noon

$60 fee, includes wash, assembly, all materials, dust mask and rubber gloves, booklet with recipes and material resources

Beverages and snacks are provided
Class size is limited to four, so register early!

To register for a workshop, please contact me at:
mpm@twcny.rr.com or 315.420.0130

open studio workshops

2009-08-29T16:24:00.018-04:00

Mix, mold and sculpt concrete or hypertufa into your own unique and functional garden art. Workshops are open to beginners as well as experienced sculptors. A hands-on opportunity to learn basic hand building techniques, tricks of the mix, shortcuts, mold usage, texturing and proper curing.

During a two day workshop, choose to create one of the following:

Natural (no color) 30-45” diameter hollow concrete sphere

Hypertufa or concrete pot and base

Molded concrete water basin and base

Concrete table and base

Fall 2009 dates:

October 13 &14 (Tue/Wed) 4-7 pm

November 7 & 8 (Sat/Sun) 1-4 pm

November 11 &12 (Wed/Thur) 4-7 pm

November 16 & 17 (Mon /Tue) 9 am-noon

December 5 & 6 (Sat/Sun) 1-4 pm

December 10 & 11 (Thur/Fri) 9 am-noon

Day 1- mix and mold

Day 2- unmold, surface treatment

All completed pieces are left wrapped in my studio for 14 days to cure properly.

$95 fee, all materials are provided including:dust mask, rubber gloves, booklet with recipes, material resources, and step-by-step directions

Class size is limited, so sign up early

Any questions? Would like to register?

Please call 315.420.0130

the good life- Central New York magazine

2009-07-14T15:48:00.005-04:00

Concrete Sphere Workshop II

2009-07-11T19:36:00.009-04:00

This workshop is great for your very first project or for an experienced artist!
+You create an exciting 30-45” diameter hollow concrete sphere for indoor/outdoor display.
+In the three-day workshop, you finish your sphere with your choice of a concrete pigment colored surface.

Dates and Times: July 22, 23 & 24 (W/Th/F) 9 am- noon--FULL!

Class Limit: 4

Cost per student: $125

Water totem

2009-07-11T18:52:00.006-04:00

If you refer to the post from February 12th,

this is one of the "totems" that had been in the works.

SUMMER GARDEN SHOW

2009-07-07T18:47:00.011-04:00

concrete & hypertufa garden art

july 17 & 18

friday & saturday

9 am-2 pm

call for information/directions

420.0130

summer workshops begin soon!

More balls...

2009-06-16T18:31:00.010-04:00

these cured, washed and sealed concrete spheres...

become layer by painted layer...

a finished painted sphere for home or garden-

Edge of the woods

2009-06-16T17:47:00.007-04:00

cherish the digitalis

Dreaming of summer

2009-06-16T16:39:00.017-04:00

pansy peeking over hosta-

globemaster allium, siberian iris, geranium sanguineum -

an abandoned bearded iris dug up roadside-

allium bulgaricum and valerian officianalis (garden heliotrope)-

Recycling

2009-04-01T17:41:00.009-04:00

Orginally this was a concrete water fountain...

...now, it's a planter with a nice mound of moss

Dreaming of spring...

2009-03-15T19:16:00.021-04:00

Towards the end of May, my garden begins to come to life...

Large hypertufa pots on pedestals mass planted with annual Cordyline Australis (Red Star Spike) plants...

Allium, Baptista (blue false indigo), bearded iris (smell just like grapes) and a random green concrete sphere orbiting a large pine tree in the front yard...

Concrete water basins amongst the galium odoratum (sweet woodruff), hosta, vinca periwinkle and ferns...

To totem?

2009-02-12T12:13:00.006-05:00

Working on a new series of concrete totems- these two just finished curing. Need to finish the bottom edges, wash and seal. I begin the third totem in this grouping tomorrow.

Philadelphia Flower Show

2009-02-11T17:33:00.008-05:00

Last March, my friend Doris and I had a chance to drive to the Philadelphia Flower Show. I had always wondered what all the fuss was about-

Well, here are six reasons for the fuss:
1. Because...in March, we NEED to see and smell spring
2. Because...the Exhibition Gardens, which display gardens, plants and floral design, are amazing- how do they force all those bulbs, perennials, shrubs, trees…?

3. Because...the Individual and Group Entries (competitive classes) are way cool- regular people can really grow plants like that?
4. Because, the Vendors had such a variety of items for sale- beautiful bulbs, healthy plants, seeds, tools, pots, decorations, accessories- and I love all those mosses, twigs- stuff that if I lived in the bayou of Mississippi I would not have to buy for upstate new York.
5. Oh, and there is actual humidity in the air
6. Because...there were a lot of displays with stone, concrete, hypertufa. And, of course, I love that!

Upcoming Workshops

2009-01-29T16:55:00.029-05:00

Learn something new!

+Learn basic hand building techniques, tricks of the mix, shortcuts, mold usage, texturing and curing

+Workshops include all materials, dust mask, rubber gloves and a booklet with recipes, material resources, and step-by-step directions

+The hands-on workshops will you the opportunity to explore techniques that are easy to do at home

+All completed pieces are left wrapped in my studio for 14 days to cure both properly and completely

Concrete Sphere Workshop

Hypertufa Pot and Pedestal Workshop

Water Basin Workshop

Beverages and snacks are provided
Class size at workshops is limited (it’s quality not quanity), so be sure to sign up early!

To register for a workshop, please contact me at:

mpm@twcny.rr.com or 315.420.0130

New classes are added each month!
Send me an email if you want to be notified.

Water Basin Workshop

2009-01-29T16:04:00.012-05:00

+This is a three-day advanced workshop to create a concrete water basin with a single base
+We work with a variety of molds to craft a one-of-a-kind basin and base
+Instructions for sealing the basin (to make it bird poop resistant) provided.

Dates and Times: April 7, 8 & 9 (T/W/Th) 10 am – 1 pm
Class Limit: 4
Cost per student: $125

Hypertufa Pot and Pedestal Workshop

2009-01-29T15:58:00.011-05:00

Ideal for people who have not made a mud pie in years!
+I cover the basics of working in hypertufa as we make a container based on the look of the English troughs originally used to hold water for livestock. When the old stone troughs were no longer used, gardeners found them great as containers for plants. Since these are made of stone and heavy, hypertufa came along to resemble stone, with a lot less weight. By mixing sand, peat moss, various volcanic aggregates and Portland cement, hypertufa is relatively light.
+On the first day of the two-day workshop, we fabricate a pot or trough and pedestal.
+ The second day, we unmold and finish the surface.

Dates and Times: April 1 & 2 (W/Th) 10 am - 1 pm
Class Limit: 4
Cost per student: $85

Concrete Sphere Workshop

2009-01-29T15:50:00.020-05:00

Class Limit: 4

Cost per student: $125

Dates and Times: April 21, 22 & 23 (T/W/Th) 10 am- 1 pm

Class Limit: 4

Cost per student: $125

2009-01-27T12:21:00.009-05:00

got balls?

Actually, I rarely call my concrete garden spheres… balls.

But, it sometimes it just feels great saying, balls, balls, balls!

2009-01-25T15:14:00.020-05:00

fond memories of spring

Whenever I look at past photographs of my Japanese tree peony, it gives me hope that spring will come. Admittedly, this peony is over the top because it is so obnoxiously huge- even strangers walking down the street cannot resist coming for a close up look. About 15 years ago, I purchased this plant at Hechinger’s (like a Lowe’s and since out of business), in one of those wimpy, little cardboard cartons for $3.99- who knew? Not to brag, but there are so many blooms all at once, that I freely cut the flowers and buds and give them to friends and make tons of vases for around the house. The pink of the peony looks great cuttings of lamb’s ear (Stachys) and lady’s mantel (Alchemilla mollis) which are also in bloom at the same time. My only regret …I wish the flowers would last longer!

2009-01-18T13:24:00.006-05:00

very cold.