Category: Gallery Exhibitions

A Sappy Birthday Show with Cactus Gallery

3/15/2021

Happy 16th Birthday to Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles! The call was for a contribution of artwork themed sweet, sentimental, or silly. This tiny cow crossed paths with me many years ago, and I've been saving it for just such an occasion. The cotton fabric in this work is vintage and was passed down to me; the original project was created in the 1970's.

'A Sappy Birthday Show' opens Saturday, March 20th, online with Cactus Gallery.

Happy Trails to Moo 2021
3.25" x3.5" x2.5"
mixed-media/assemblage sculpture
available through Cactus Gallery

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Friendship exhibit with Cactus Gallery

2/8/2021

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I have created two new winged chickens small works, for an exhibit themed on Friendship with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles. This group show opens online, February 20th.

Friendship is a deliciously complicated and layered subject. I had so many ideas for so many new works. It was difficult for me to narrow them all down to just two works. The first work, 'In Numbers' gave me the chance to make use of some gold lame fabric scraps I've been saving.

'In Numbers'
4"x5.5"x 1.5"assemblage sculpture 2021
available with Cactus Gallery

My second work for this exhibit is a diptych: 'On the Table' has two shadow boxes, which can be hung from a wall (sawtooth on back) or they can stand on their own. The chickens interact either way (or you can display them with the chickens flying away from each other, if the mood suits you. Haha!).

Detail, 'On the Table'

'On the Table'
5.5"x4"x2.75" and 5.5"x4"x3" diptych assemblage sculpture 2021
available with Cactus Gallery

Detail photos of the individual boxes:

This group show opens online, February 20th with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles.

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Tiny Treasures XV

11/30/2020

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detail, Gwenhwyfar
9.5" x 4.75" figurative sculpture
stone clay, mixed-media. 2020

Long before she appeared as a Queen, in the Arthurian legends, Gwenhwyfar, Guinevere, Ginevra, or even Jennifer was revered by the Celts, as a Goddess. Her roles as assorted as the variations on her name, she has served as guardian of the passage between worlds, and guide of souls who travel from this world to the next. She has been Goddess of fertility and of the earth, with strong parallels to Persephone. She has been a Goddess of sovereignty and authority; even today, there are those who summon Her assistance, for answers and direction, especially in times of a need for leadership. I could not help but be struck by the significance of that, as I was creating this work in 2020.

Gwenhwyfar is also referred to as the ‘Virginal’ Goddess, though today we often mistake that meaning; ‘virginal’ in this case translates as “complete, in and of herself.” As a queen, Gwenhwyfar is the eternal feminine principle of strength and peace in the universe: She is powerful and influential without requiring a pairing or a partner --in other words, she doesn’t need a man. But he needs her: In the older stories, it was Gwenwhyfar who gave the legendary King of Camelot his right to rule, simply because they were together. Ancient Celtic tradition says that for a man to be King, he must be paired with the Goddess: Her role was to mix the King’s energy with the earth’s energy, in harmony. Arthur pursued her, then, not for love, but because without her he could not be King. In fact, in the Welsh Mabinogion called Culhwch and Olwen (circa 1100) she is listed among the weapons of another world, which Arthur received as a gift, suggesting her divine origin and reinforcing her power and sovereignty.

That’s a far cry from some of the more modern takes on Guinevere, depicted primarily in many of today’s stories as a secondary character --as the wife of a king-- or reduced to a plot device --as the love interest of a knight. Gwenhwyfar isn’t here to play scenery, or serve as anyone’s plot device, and she’s definitely not here to smile for you.

If you would like to add this work to your collection, please visit my page with
Cactus Gallery, online!

Two tiny works accompany this sculpture in this year's Tiny Treasures XV with Cactus Gallery; Culhwch (green) and Olwen (lavender) are each 3"x3" and can be found on my Cactus Gallery page

Gwenhwyfar's staff 9” Requires two CR2032 batteries, please keep batteries away from pets and children, as they could be dangerous if swallowed. This is my first attempt at wiring battery operated lighting; Gwenhwyfar’s staff is idiosyncratic, lighting up when it pleases her, or not. Battery pack is hidden beneath the skirt and attaches to the base with a rare earth magnet.

Studio Cat photobombs the portfolio shoot.

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The Patient-Artist Experience

8/26/2019

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I've been invited to join a group exhibit with the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery, Misericordia University, Pennsylvania. Co-Curated with Ted Meyer, 'The Patient-Artist Experience' is on exhibit now, in the Trocaire Building.
Exhibit runs August 26 2019 - May 31, 2020

Created in 2014, 'The Lines Unread' is a mixed-media work in ink and acrylic, layered over one of my own original poems. The original work is 14"x'11" on canvas; a print of this work has been sent to Pennsylvania for the exhibit. The original work appeared in Los Angeles, as part of my solo exhibit with the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine, 'Forward Motion.'

This work is part of an ongoing series, titled 'Silence.' See more photos in my gallery.

This body of work examines the ongoing transformations in my life, and my work, as a result of living with Lupus and Fibromyalgia.

The works in this series are all mixed-media; inclusions of graphite and ink are particular allusions to loss of function in my hands: Before my illness, pencil and pen were my tools of choice; as my illness progressed, use of such fine instruments became more difficult and painful. At that time, I let go of keeping a daily sketchbook and handwritten journal, and turned instead to more abbreviated art forms, which required less strain on my hands --abstract sketches in crayon, and poetry. As I regained some function in my hands, I re-learned to paint, and re-worked many of the early crayon sketches into paintings, on canvas. Several works in this series have my poetry from that time, written in pencil, ink, or both, beneath or between the layers of acrylic gesso and paint.

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'CATS' Online Exhibit, with Cactus Gallery

12/1/2018

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'The smallest feline is a masterpiece."
~Leonardo da Vinci

Flashback to 2006: This acrylic painting, titled 'Merry Meet' was created using line work from a crayon sketch of our first cat, Wednesday.

Above: 'Merry Meet' acrylic on canvas 2006
Below: Photo of Wednesday, 2006, and crayon sketch I caught of her, that same day

Wednesday was a faithful Studio Cat for almost two decades. When we lost her, I clipped the original line work from my old sketch book and pinned it up with a photo of her, in the studio. It was the first thing I thought of when we were asked to created 'Cats' themed works for the upcoming 'CATS' online art show, with Cactus Gallery.

I decided to honor Wednesday with a new work, based on that original sketch:

I still can't listen to Lisa Loeb's 'Waiting for Wednesday' without good memories of our first Studio Cat. I borrowed the song title for this painting, a 4x4" acrylic on 1 .5" artist wrapped canvas.

Also for 'CATS' with Cactus: 'Rawr!' is another 4x4", and an expression of my ambitions for the year ahead. To quote the incomparable Judy Chicago, "Art can educate, inspire, empower people to act." I intend to be consciously doing just that, with more of my work, in 2019. I have a dozen new projects in my queue to this effect, including paintings, sculptures, and collaborative works in concepts photography, with some of my favorite fellow artists.

It's going to be busy year at the raven's nest. Stay tuned!

Sister small works. One looking to the past; one looking to the future.

These works are available for purchase through Cactus Gallery.
Contact Sandra Mastroianni at [email protected] for collector preview.

'CATS' online art show, coming soon to Cactus Gallery. Exhibit opens Friday January 18th at 5pm. Visit cactusgalleryla.com/ or find Cactus Gallery on Facebook.

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Tiny Treasures XII and Things with Wings!

10/13/2017

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NEW photos from the opening reception! Full slideshow at the end of this post.

"Art flies around the truth, but with the definite intention of not getting burnt.
Its capacity lies in finding in the dark void a place where the beam of light can be intensely caught, without this having been perceptible before."

For many years, I've left this quote in various places where I'm sure to stumble over it, throughout my studio: Taped to a book cover. Captured on a faded post-it note. Scrawled on the back of a sketchbook.

All of my winged works, in one way or another, lead back to the ideas captured in these words by Franz Kafka: I want to tell the truth, as I know it, without getting burnt, or burning others, in the process.

My winged works have been given a featured spot in the upcoming "Tiny Treasures XII" with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles.

In addition to a new collection of whimsical chickens, I have created for this installation a mini-series of quixotic creatures, inspired by a work I was commissioned to create, over the summer. Fellow artist Liz Jimenez asked me to create a set of hybrid bee-and-butterfly wings, in memory of her brother, Cody:

'Polymorph'
2017 24x"72 diptych acrylic on canvas
commissioned

Through my work with Liz, I was inspired to fuse the morphology of the two pollinators further, into a new series of flying sculptures --part bee, part butterfly. They will be on exhibit part of my 'Things with Wings' installation, at Cactus Gallery. I named my first hybrid creation 'Chimera' and she's a colorful creature:

'Chimera'
2017 10x10x15.5" mixed-media flying sculpture
w/18"h stand & 20" adjustable chain.
available

This candy-colored creation is whimsical in appearance but serious in subject: Our planet's pollinators are in serious jeopardy and we must start taking better care of them --and ourselves, and this world that we all share --while we still have time.

Less colorful but equally cute: 'ButterBee!'

'ButterBee' 2017
flying bee-butterfly hybrid sculpture 10x10x18"
w/ 18"h stand & 20" adjustable/detachable chain
available

For those who have a sweet tooth; this one will send you into 'Sugar Shock!'

Sugar Shock!' 2017
11x11x18" flying bee-butterfly hybrid sculpture
w/ 18"h stand & 20" adjustable/detachable chain
available

And, because all you need is Love; and Love Wins:

'Love Wins' 2017
10x10x15" flying bee-butterfly hybrid sculpture
w/ 18"h stand & 20" adjustable/detachable chain
available

'Shy Violet' 2017
10"x10x16” mixed-media flying sculpture
w/ 18"h stand & 20" adjustable/detachable chain
available

Also along the lines of things with wings; there will be new chickens on exhibit with 'Tiny Treasures XII' tiny works exhibit:

'Letters Home' 2017
assemblage sculpture shadowbox 5x5.5"
sold

'Something in the Air' 2017
set of three mixed-media assemblage sculptures, each 5.5 x4.5"
shown above: One and Two
available

'Something in the Air' One 2017
mixed-media assemblage sculpture 5.5 x4.5"
available

'Something in the Air' Two 2017
mixed-media assemblage sculpture 5.5 x4.5"
available

'Something in the Air' Three 2017
mixed-media assemblage sculpture 5.5 x4.5"
available

'Unrequited' 2017
5x3" mixed-media assemblage
sold

'Process' 2017
4x5" mixed-media assemblage
sold

'Glass Houses' 2017
3x4" mixed-media assemblage
available

'Bloom' 2017
5x5.5" mixed-media assemblage
sold

'Let's Go Where the WiFi is Weak' 2017
tiny triptych mixed-media assemblage sculpture
largest to smallest3x3" (2.5" deep); 2.5x2.5" (1"deep); and 1x1" (1" deep)
sold

'Let's Go Where the WiFi is Weak' detail 2017
tiny triptych mixed-media assemblage sculpture
largest to smallest3x3" (2.5" deep); 2.5x2.5" (1"deep); and 1x1" (1" deep)
sold

A flock of flying fuzzbutts will be joining the bees and chickens, at the opening reception of 'Tiny Treasures.' These 'Things with Wings' each have marabou bodies, washi paper wings, an a 5" chain with a lobster clasp at the end.

'Flying FuzzButts' series 2017
5x8.5" mixed-media flying sculptures

several of these little cuties have already been adopted; shop Cactus online to catch them before they are all gone!

Also on exhibit; two new tiny winged shadow boxes, titled 'Coming' and 'Going,' which join previously created works 'Forward' and 'Backward.'

'Coming' 2017
3x5" mixed-media assemblage
sold

'Going' 2017
3x5" mixed-media assemblage
available

'Tiny Treasures XII' opens November 18th, 6-9pm, Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles.

Opening Reception for 'Things with Wings' and 'Tiny Treasures XII'

All of my beautiful portfolio photography is the work of Todd Powers. Thank you, Todd!

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Pinocchio's Follies

7/21/2017

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In August, Cactus Gallery will open for 'Pinocchio's Follies' a group show featuring the work of artist Joe Alvarez. Exhibit runs August 12 - September 2.

I've created a small painting for this Pinocchio-themed show. 'Heading' is 4x4" acrylic on a .5" artist-wrapped canvas, and features the character of the Fairy's pet Snail.
For pre-sale information on this work, contact Sandra Mastroianni at [email protected]

'Heading'
4x4" acrylic on .5" artist-wrapped canvas
Varnished; sawtooth on back

Carlo Collodi intended the story 'Pinocchio' to be a tragedy. In the original version (1881), Pinocchio dies a gruesome death: hanged for his innumerable faults. At the request of his editor, Collodi added chapters 16–36, in which the Fairy with Turquoise Hair rescues Pinocchio, and eventually transforms him into a real boy --when he acquires a deeper understanding of himself.*

I can't help but see, in the Pinocchio story, a metaphor --for the situation humanity currently inhabits: Despite innumerable warnings, from countless scientists, over multiple decades, we continue to rush headlong toward a global catastrophe that we ourselves have created. Within this metaphor; I clearly see the ugly side of humanity represented in the foolish, selfish character of Pinocchio, while science and scientists are embodied in the prudent, generous Fairy with the Turquoise Hair --a character who repeatedly counsels Pinocchio to improve his ways, providing him with guidance, as well as assistance, on numerous occasions throughout the story. Humanity may very well have doomed itself, through the ongoing abuse of our planet. Science may yet provide us with opportunities for a second chance --a chance we may not deserve, any more than Pinocchio did.

In the story; a Snail character provides Pinocchio with opportunities for a second chance, and later in the story, for a chance to give back, to the Fairy who has given him so much. Pinocchio's acceptance of these opportunities, to make a change for the better, is what ultimately leads him to become 'a real boy' with a better understanding of himself and his place in the world. I'd like to think that humanity could be like Pinocchio in this sense; I'd like to think that we have the capacity to change, and to take advantage of the opportunities provided us --while there is still time.

*Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Pinocchio

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The Love You Make

7/8/2017

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"The Love You Make," A Beatles inspired group show will run: July 22 - August 5, 2017 RECEPTION: Saturday, July 22 * 6p-9p Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles

For this exhibit, artists created works interpreting characters from Beatles songs. I created three new tiny works, featuring my flying chickens, for 'Across the Universe,' 'Honey Pie' and 'I Get By,' my favorite Beatles song. For pre-sale information on this work, contact Sandra Mastroianni at [email protected]

Across the Universe
3.5x3.5" mixed-media 2017

To Bee Where You Belong
4x4" & 4x4" diptych mixed-media 2017

I Get By (with a little help from my friends)
3.25x4.5" mixed-media 2017

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Places to Bee on June 10th

6/1/2017

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My work will be making appearances in two exhibits this month, and both are opening on June 10th. Bee there, or bee square!

'Bee Squared' and 'Euglossa' will be in Los Angeles, for 'Something Wild in My Garden' and both are available now with Cactus Gallery. See more photos in the online shop.

'bee squared' 2017
4x4" acrylic on 1" deep artist-wrapped canvas

'Euglossa' 2017
mixed-media sculpture 10”L x 10”H x 17”W

See more works like this one in my gallery.

Stand: 9.5”W x 6.5”L x 20”H

Work-in-progress video of 'Euglossa' creation:

More videos of Euglossa in-progress can be viewed on my Youtube channel.

Euglossa is a genus of Orchid Bees, or Euglossini. Euglossa occurs naturally in the Neotropics, from Mexico to Paraguay, also Argentina, Brazil, and Jamaica.

110 species within genus Euglossa have so far been identified, including Euglossa dilemma. They are typically bright metallic blue, green, coppery, or golden.

A native of Central America (Costa Rica to Mexico), Euglossa dilemma was first detected in Florida in 2003. Euglossa dilemma have since been found in Texas as well.

It is thought that Euglossa dilemma was introduced to the US by accident; perhaps a nest was transported north in a wooden structure such as a pallet.

Euglossa dilemma are specialized to visit particular species of neotropical orchid; the male uses the fragrances during courtship. In Florida, Euglossa dilemma have successfully adapted to breed with the presence of any orchid.
(Source Material: Wikipedia)

'Something Wild in My Garden' opens June 10 with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles and runs through July 15, 2017.

Exploring the plight of urban wildlife: Many of our furry and feathered friends have been evicted from their habitat by an exploding human population. In our search for progress, we are destroying their natural environment. In turn wildlife are forced into our residential areas, in order to find food for survival.

Also this month: My 'In Life' wearable art series will be joining 'All U Can Eat' in Pomona, CA.

'All U Can Eat' is a curated small-works exhibit, hosted by Bunny Gunnery Gallery.
Opening with the Second Saturday Art Walk, it will appear at two locations: La Bomba Vintage (195 W. 2nd St.) and DPOA's Metro Gallery (119 W. 2nd St.). Exhibit runs June 10 through July 1, 2017.

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Selkie Woman

4/11/2017

Selkie Woman
2017acrylic on canvas, varnished 36x24"
View this work in Cactus Gallery's online shop
View other works in this ongoing series

The Selkie is a creature of Scottish and Irish folklore. Selkies live as seals, in the sea, but may take human form when they come ashore. Should a man happen upon a female Selkie; if he can steal her seal skin and hide it from her, she will make him an excellent, if wistful, wife. But should she ever find and reclaim her seal skin; the Selkie will return at once to the sea, her true home, leaving him to languish and die of heartbreak.

In my favorite Selkie legend; a young man happens upon a lovely Selkie, dancing on the beach. He steals her skin, hiding it away from her. And so, she becomes his wife; she bears him many fine children, and brings him great good fortune. He becomes increasingly wealthy as the years pass; he moves his family repeatedly, to larger and grander houses. But on their final move; his wife discovers an unfamiliar box hidden among his things. She opens the box, discovers her stolen seal skin, and returns immediately to the sea. The man’s luck is broken, as is his heart; he dies pining for her. As this legend comes to a close; the Selkie is said to be seen often near the shore, playing with her children in the waves.

This work is the newest addition to my ongoing series, 'Reaching' and it will exhibit with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles, in 'Bad Girls and Outcasts' opening April 22, 2017. Visit Cactus online to see the show before it opens!

In 2006 I wrote a poem inspired by the Selkie Legend. I've been meaning to create a painting to go with it, ever since. The theme of this exhibit, "the witchy, wicked, wanton, and weird women of fairie tales, myths and legends" is a nice match for my Selkie Woman. It feels good to finish this project.
Can't wait for the next one!

Selkie Woman

awash in the surf
I sing content
but for your shadow
on the beach.

enamored of you
I slip my skin
you take it willing
you hide it well.

now wretched am I
upon the sand!
keening, keening
for my freedom!

and rest you smug
in my defeat.
but be aware,
oh mortal one:

the longer
you hold me
the worse off
will you be

when I return
to the ocean's embrace.

~Jen Raven 2.06

¡Loteria!

2/25/2017

I've been invited to participate in Cactus Gallery's annual '¡Loteria!' exhibit, in which artists are assigned cards from the Loteria deck as inspiration for original artwork. I've been given card #31 'Las Jaras' (the arrows) and also, from the older, lesser-known deck, card #87, 'La Plancha' (the iron).

My work for 'La Plancha' is a nod to activism on behalf of women's rights, and includes a quote often associated with the women's movements in the 1960's; "The personal is the political." The iron is a tool easily associated with the kinds of work society usually assigns to women --the work that is 'never done' while also largely unrecognized and usually unpaid.

'La Plancha' is 5x3" watercolor and archival ink on watercolor paper. The frame I built for this work is permanently attached to the painting, hardware on back.

While sketching out my ideas for 'Las Jaras' I was mindful of a Mexican proverb;
"They tried to bury us. They did no know we were seeds."

'Las Jaras' is 12x9" acrylic on composite board (a clip-board with the clip removed), hardware on back.

'¡Loteria! iii' opens March 11, 2017 with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles..
Shop Cactus Gallery online

To the Moon, Alice!

11/12/2016

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'Tiny Treasures X' was my first exhibit with Cactus Gallery, in 2015. This year's tiny works exhibit will mark my one-year anniversary with the gallery. Yay!

Detail, 'Fly Me Away Home'
6x 2.5" mixed media

2016 has been a real roller-coaster of a year, as rewarding as it has been challenging. I didn't get to do everything I had planned, but I did get to do a lot of other things, that I never would have planned --and I made a lot of new friends along the way.

The tiny rubber chickens have returned for 'Tiny Treasures XI' --some of them with their own small fleet of hot air balloons. Also included in this body of work are new additions to my ongoing bee-themed series. Find all of them at Cactus Gallery Online.

'To the Moon, Alice!'
6x3" mixed media

'There's No Place Like Home'
5x2.5" mixed media

'Off to See the Wizard'
6x3" mixed media

'... And the Bees'
3x2" mixed media

'The Bee Keepers'
3x4" mixed media

'Backward'
3x6" mixed media

'Forward'
3x6" mixed media

'Holiday Heck' One
3x6" mixed media

'Holiday Heck' Two
3x6" mixed media

'Break these Chains'
4x3" mixed media

'To the Rescue'
3x4" mixed media

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An Ever-Fixéd Mark

8/4/2016

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Update! Only two of these works remain available! Shop Cactus Gallery online at: https://cactusgalleryla.com/collections/water-group-show/jen-raven

The Chickens are back ... and setting sail for Cactus Gallery in August! --As part of a 'Water' themed group exhibit, in conjunction with the 10th Annual Frogtown Art Walk:

My collection of paper fortunes has given sails to a fleet of tiny fortune-cookie ships:

I've named this set of Chicken Adventures 'An Ever Fixéd Mark,' from a line in Shakespeare's Sonnet 116:

"... it is an ever-fixéd mark,
That looks on tempests, and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken."

Take A Chance
8x6x 2 .5"
Shop online with Cactus Gallery
More photos of this work in my gallery

This mixed-media/assemblage project included more work with thermoplastics: Worbla turned out to be the perfect material for these little wandering barks (their worth's, as-yet, unknown).

You can see these tiny sailors in person at Cactus Gallery;
'Water' runs August 13 through September 1, 2016.
Or visit Cactus Gallery online at cactusgalleryla.com

Delightful Mysteries
8x6x 2 .5"
Shop online with Cactus Gallery
More photos of this work in my gallery

" ... Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds, / Or bends with the remover to remove: / O no! it is an ever-fixéd mark / That looks on tempests and is never shaken; / It is the star to every wandering bark, / Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken."

Detail of 'Eyes Open'
8x6x 2 .5"
Shop online with Cactus Gallery

Update: 'Delightful Mysteries' and 'Take a Chance' have sold!

"Arrange for death to find you in the midst of a great love affair with life; with words and notes; with the dog down on the floor or the rose garden down the street; with the glorious revelation great art leads us to expect. Die in a state of wonder at all there is and all that you didn't manage to get to. It is so gloriously exhausting to live, and I wasted so many opportunities. I want to be in love with things when the tide rolls out." ~Tennessee Williams

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Blue Monday

6/5/2016

Another bee has landed, just in time for 'Symphony of Wings'
group arts exhibit, with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles.
Featured on beautiful.bizarre.net

'Blue Monday' 2016
Mixed-Media flying sculpture 15x10x10"

'Symphony of Wings' runs June 11 through July 2, 2016

'Blue Monday' in-progress, supervised by Studio Cat.

Custom hanging base measures 7x9x23"
This work can fly from a ceiling hook, curtain rod,
wall bracket, or provided sculpture base.
Decorative chain is removable.

Included in this project; my first attempt at layering airbrush colors over faux-fur.

View 'Blue Monday' at cactusgalleryla.com, or at Pinterest.
See more of my bee artworks here and here
Read more about 'Symphony of 'Wings' at Beautiful Bizarre
Portfolio photographs of my work by Todd Powers

Beastly Beings

5/8/2016

This month, I exhibit with 'Beastly Beings' group show at Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles!

In keeping with my recent trend of bee-themed works, I've created a Beastly Bee:

'A Fluid Phenomenon'
2016 mixed media 16x10, 11h"

'Beastly Beings' opens May 14 and runs through June 4, 2016
Cactus Gallery 3001 N. Coolidge Avenue Los Angeles

For this exhibit, participating artists were challenged to focus on "the powerful yet beautiful connectedness of animals, the outside world, and the harsh realities that are the core of human nature." Around that time, I happened to be reading David Whyte, and also some Anaïs Nin; both have written excellent insights into the "struggle between one's longing to be whole, and the acceptance of one's self as a fluid phenomenon" (David Whyte). Such ongoing conflicts, and their resolutions, are definitely a harsh reality concerning my own human nature.

This Bee, herself, was very much a fluid phenomenon. I am no stranger to creature construction, but this was my first experience using a thermoplastic called worbla. I had

I am a series of moods
and sensations.
~Anaïs Nin

been meaning to learn worbla for some time, and this was the perfect opportunity; I wanted Bee to 'fly' and so needed her to be light as well as strong.

Learning a new material on a deadline can be challenging, in more ways than one;
I was in for a considerable learning experience, and I got to spend some quality time with certain other 'harsh realities' of my own human nature, in the process. The irony!

After much trial and error, and several burnt fingers, Bee finally came to life. She is a mixed-media work including worbla, faux fur, Lutrador paper-fabric, acrylic matte medium, gesso, paint, tulle, embroidery floss, and multiple gauges of wire.

'A Fluid Phenomenon' shown with her included
hanging-sculpture base, which measures 9.5x13, 23h"

Working details on this piece: Display chain is removable and adjustable. Hanging ring is hinged, for removal/replacement. Bee can fly from this base, or may be displayed from a wall bracket, ceiling hook, or curtain rod.

View 'A Fluid Phenomenon' on Pinterest or at Cactus Gallery.
Photos by Todd Powers.

Photobombs courtesy of Studio Cat.

UPDATE! Bee has sold, and now has a home with the
Buena Vista Branch Library in Burbank, CA. Yay! Thank you, CR!

Tiny Treasures X

11/5/2015

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So many good things in progress right now --Yay!

It's been an especially busy week at The Raven's Nest; we continue to work through photo tests of body painting and costumes for our ongoing project, The Bee Keepers. In addition to this, I am delighted to report that I will be joining Cactus Gallery's annual tiny works exhibit, "Tiny Treasures X." Exhibit runs November 14 through December 23.

For this exhibit, I've created a new body of tiny works, titled "In Life." I've borrowed this title from the quote, "In life, we are in death;" I am always appreciative of this reminder to live each day to the fullest. These are functional artworks --wearable hair and clothing accessories which have bar pins and/or alligator clips on back.

Also for this exhibit at Cactus Gallery, I've added three new tiny works to my ongoing series, "Flight."

I am a lifelong fan of the works of Roald Dahl. My tiny work "A Golden Phizzwizard" is a nod to Dahl's "The BFG." If you have not read about The Big Friendly Giant, pick up a copy and read it with your kids; it's terrific fun!

"A Golden Phizzwizard" measures 3x3" and has a sawtooth hanger on back.

Also for "Tiny Treasures X" are works "We Get By (with a little help from our friends)" and also "Guess What (chicken butt!)."

"We Get By (with a little help from our friends)" measures 4.5x3.5" and has a sawtooth hanger on back. "Guess What (chicken butt!) measures 2.5x3" and also has a sawtooth hanger:

Included, in this busy week; Todd and I have been working with our neighbor, Terri, and with model Aileth Bran, to find homes for two scrappy little survivors we've dubbed Zack and Dragon:

Above: Model Aileth Bran wearing a creation by Jen Raven, and posing with kittens Dragon (orange, left) and Zack (brown, right).

Their mother was a feral; the litter was abandoned; a stray dog attacked the litter: Only two of the five kittens survived the attack --somehow they managed to escape unscathed, and Terri eventually found them, hiding in her grapevines. Terri is fostering them and providing for their Veterinary care; Todd and I have given them Dawn dish soap flea baths, as they were too young for flea medication; and we are now working with Terri to find forever homes for these adorable little fuzzbutts. Model Aileth Bran volunteered to pose with them, this week, in order to help us get the word out.

Model Aileth Bran wearing creations by Jen Raven, posing with kitten, Zack.

Both of these adorable kittens are five weeks old, male, and have had their first Vet visit and first shots. They are free of worms and fleas; their current foster, Terri, has pledged to pay for additional anti-parasite treatments AND will pay to have them neutered, when they are old enough. If you would like to meet one of these little cuties, and perhaps give him a forever home, please contact Terri at 661. 833. 2675. Thank you!

Below: Aileth Bran models "In Life" pieces, created by Jen Raven.

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An afternoon in Upland

8/21/2015

Selections from our concept photo series Pas de Berlin are now on exhibit with Erns Lab, a new arts space in Upland! Also on exhibit are several of my recent acrylic works, and my creepy creatures in cages.

Erns Lab, the latest brainchild of artist Erns Valdez, is an eclectic creative environment, offering a photography studio, equipment rental, and studio space. The Lab will also be hosting classes, workshops and small private shows and events.

The Captain. The Bat. The Lab.
Artists Erns Valdez and Todd Powers

Erns, an award winning gallery director (and producer of the Mindclouder Music Festival) has recently relocated his arts business from Pomona to Upland. His last arts space, Loft Beats, was voted 'Best Gallery in the I.E.' two years running by Inland Empire Weekly. We loved working with Loft Beats in Pomona, and we believe Erns Lab will prove an equally rewarding experience.

This exhibit will run now through September 24, and every Thursday Erns Lab is open for the Farmer's Market in Historic Downtown Upland, so if you're in the area, be sure to check it out!

Stay tuned for more on our collaborations with Erns; we've got big plans for the future!

Forward Motion

2/21/2015

On February 20th, as part of my exhibit with UCLA Geffen School of Medicine, I gave a talk to the students, in the Gallery at the Learning Resource Center. Below, are some of the notes from my talk, re-worked into a blog. Photos of the talk, portfolio photos of my artwork, and work from our Pas de Berlin series are courtesy of Todd Powers.

My name is Jen, I am a professional artist, and I live with Lupus and Fibromyalgia.
I became symptomatic at age sixteen; I was diagnosed at twenty-seven, and I have since spent the last ten years learning how to navigate a relationship with my illness.

That it is a relationship, or that it can be seen in that light, is a fairly new concept for me; in the early years following diagnosis, I approached Lupus more as a battle to be fought, and initially this was helpful to me (it’s far better to fight, than it is to simply give up). But recently, I’ve been learning how to engage this facet of my life in a more productive manner.

I continue to be surprised at how helpful it actually is --helpful for me and for those around me-- to actively engage this subject: It is helpful to paint about my illness, write about it, talk about it, create conversations about all the ways this illness influences my life and my choices on every level.

For too many years, I’d deliberately avoided doing any of that --Lupus was already taking so much of my time, and I resented it. Lupus had already stolen so much of what used to be my life, and I was angry about it. I wasn’t willing to give her anything she wasn’t already taking from me, by force. I didn’t even want to talk about it.

It took me a long time to see the extent to which my relationships with my illness reflected my relationships with myself, right down to the avoidance, the anger, and the resentment. I realized then, that I had a lot more to work on than just the physical aspects of chronic illness: I needed to do more work on myself, as a person --and along the way I discovered that doing this kind of work, to better myself emotionally, resulted in my doing better, physically. Intrigued, I continued along these lines, and have since continued to improve.

Through my work (painting, writing, assemblage, and collaborations), I began to explore the ways my illness was re-shaping, and forcing me to more closely examine, all of my relationships --with my body, within my mind, and also, my relationships with others.

My relationship with my body

‘The Lines Unread’ belongs to my Silence series. This body of work examines the ongoing transformations in my life, and my work, as a result of living with Lupus and Fibromyalgia.

The works in this series are all mixed-media; inclusions of graphite and ink are particular allusions to loss of function in my hands. Before my illness, pencil and pen were my tools of choice; as my illness progressed, use of such fine instruments became more difficult and painful.

At that time, I let go of keeping a daily sketchbook and handwritten journal, and turned instead to more abbreviated art forms, which required less use of my hands --abstract sketches in crayon, and spoken word --performance poetry.

In addition to the figurative sketches in ink and pencil, many of the works in this series have my poetry written in pencil, ink, or both, beneath or between the layers of acrylic gesso and paint. ‘The Lines Unread’ is the title of my poem, within the painting, bearing the same name.

My relationship with my mind

'‘To Anger’ is part of my Dine-in,Take-out series. The origins of this series reside in a loose collection of abstract crayon sketches, created in 2004 and 05 --the time when my function was most impaired, and sketching often required controlling a single crayon with both hands. Economy of line was critical,

requiring me to work in more direct, less detailed, techniques. Such blunt visual communications left me little space to equivocate, and forced me to terms with emotions long interred, and issues which I had been previously unable to tackle with any honesty.

Lupus and Fibromyalgia forced me to stop --physically and mentally-- for the first time, in my life. Before chronic illness, I had not realized the extent to which I was being driven, by my own pain, anger, and avoidance. The crayon sketches helped me to work through some of that. In 2011, recreating the crayon sketches into paintings helped me to work through a bit more. Writing about this series, at the present, I find myself doing that work, yet again.

My relationships with others

‘The Fruits of Self-Compassion’ belongs to my ongoing narrative series, Reaching. Unlike the works of previous series, which look to the past, Reaching is firmly established in the present, with an eye to the future. The characters in this series express forward motion --reaching for that which is higher, within themselves and in their environments.

As visual elements, the exaggerated shapes and sizes of the hands in these works communicate the complicated relationship I have with my own hands: I no longer take my hands for granted.

I am keenly aware, day-to-day, of what my hands can do --I find myself carefully planning each day’s activities, and routinely mapping out entire weeks or even months in advance; I do this not only to make the best use of my hands, but also to allow for energy levels, mental acuity, and pain management.

There was a time when I didn’t think I’d ever regain function, especially not to this extent. I am deeply grateful for this, and always mindful of what it means, to have hands, and to be able to use them.

Also present in this series are themes of growth, from within. Each of the works in Reaching is inspired, in part, by a particular relationship in my life, which has endured and grown stronger in spite of, or because of, my illness. Life with chronic illness has taught me many valuable lessons, including who my true friends are, and what my true priorities have become. I have also learned how to ask for help; that has never been easy for me. More importantly, I've learned how to receive help --not the same thing.

Forward Motion

In addition to my ongoing solo projects in acrylics and assemblage, I've begun a series of collaborative concept photography projects, with fellow artists in various fields who also seek to tackle painful personal issues through their work.

These collaborations have been highly rewarding: Through these projects, we seek to encourage a determination, within ourselves as well as others, toward courage, healing, and forward motion.

Photos on exhibit with Forward Motion include selections from Pas de Berlin, a series in concept photography, spanning twelve months of collaborative work themed on a seven stage model of the grief and healing process.

The full series guides our viewers through eight different landscapes, breaking down the various stages of grief into visual elements, and creating a narrative of courageous recovery.

Currently on exhibit, are photographs from two of our eight separate sets: Efface, a dance terminology ('shadowed'), describes the frightening pain and guilt often referred to as the second stage of seven; Epaulement ('shouldering') explores the fourth stage --heavy feelings of sad reflection, isolation, and depression.

Pas de Berlin Contributing Artists:

Jen Raven ~ Creative Direction, Concept Artist, Costumes, Properties
Todd Powers ~ Photography and Editing
Ande Castaneda ~ Makeup and Hair Artist
Berlin ~ Dancer / Model

Special thanks to Ted Meyer, Artist in Residence at UCLA Geffen School of Medicine; and to LuAnn WIlkerson, Assistant Dean of Education, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine.

Artist Jen Raven, and LuAnn WIlkerson, Assistant Dean of Education, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine.

Eye Spy . . .

11/24/2014

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'Coda' was the final segment in our 'Pas de Berlin' series, and my preparation for this shoot began months in advance. A backdrop canvas had to be painted; set and costume pieces had to be built, schedules had to be coordinated. After the shoot, the set and costume lilies were dis-assembled and re-made, into individual works of art, for the gallery exhibit.

Portfolio shots of my Lily creations by Todd Powers:

Lilies on display in the gallery, with the artwork:

In-studio creation of the lily vines; individual elements are altered, painted, assembled, and then re-assembled:

On set, day of shoot: Backdrop and props are set up, just before Model Berlin arrives in makeup, courtesy of our skilled makeup artist, Ande Castaneda. Berlin has to be further altered with body paint, moss, costume vines and lilies, before the shoot begins:

'Coda' was shot in three separate segments: First, Berlin becomes acquainted with Lily, representative of her hard-fought, and hard-sought, transformation (she is 'seeing' her pain, recognizing and accepting it). Next, we remove the Lily prop as Berlin dances, embodying the Lily spirit (relying on dance, she works her way though the pain). Finally, Berlin is re-created; now a fierce, powerful Lily, she is stronger for having embraced and accepted all parts of herself -both light, and dark (by taking ownership of her pain and grief, she also gains control over these strong energies; she now has the skills to bend those strong energies to her own will, use them as she sees fit).

'Coda' Set, 'Pas de Berlin' series 2014 *model Berlin * photographer Todd Powers * MUAH Ande Castaneda
costume, accessories, properties by Jen Raven * concept direction provided by Jen Raven

"I found I was able to be comfortable using the movements of my dancing experience to draw emotion into my modeling. It was rather healing. I took a step back and realized in some aspect this (modeling) is like dancing. In ballet or lyrical, whether I was having a good day or bad, I would portray that into my choreography, and how ever you may have danced that day, your raw emotions poured out for everyone to see, who understood. In some shoots I found myself crying or tearing up after, it was like a performance I poured my heart into, a performance that was rather healing for me. This was the right way to heal, the method I’d been searching for. I began to eat right, exercise, travel, I met some amazing people (from the art community) who continue to stay by my side, and most of all I began to heal, to sleep again at night, to forgive myself, to just. be. happy. for myself. I genuinely still am. I didn’t realize how dead I was as a person until I met the right people who set me down a better path. I am forever grateful. Art does save."

~excerpt from 'A Broken Recovery' by Berlin

We named the final shot of the final set 'Coda' and it was used in creating the event graphics for advertizing the exhibit:

I am so very grateful that I had the opportunity, to experience this marvelous, year-long collaboration. What an amazing team. What an uplifting experience it has all been!

See more behind-the-scenes photos and video from this collaboration here!

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Pas de Berlin: A Year in Photos

11/7/2014

'Pas de Berlin' is a unique collection of concept photography, captured by photographer Todd Powers. Spanning twelve months of work themed on tragedy, courage, and recovery, this body of work creates for the viewer a stunning visual narrative, following the progress of a young woman, Berlin.

As she dances her way through a series of eight different landscapes, each representing a new stage in her journey, Berlin boldly takes on the grieving process, and breaks it down into visual elements, determined not only to heal herself, but also, hopefully, to help others who are grieving find peace, as well.

This innovative team is rounded out by makeup and hair artist Ande Castaneda, with concept direction provided throughout by Jen Raven. Together, they have created a body of work which chronicles twelve months of collective curative exploration.

For more information about this series, including behind-the-scenes photos:

Epaulement and Avant Sets
Danseuse Set
Joyeux Set

Coda Set

Behind the Scenes

'Pas de Berlin' exhibit photography by Todd Powers
Model Berlin - MUAH Ande Castaneda - Concept Direction provided by Jen Raven

Artist Bios:

Jen Raven is an artist in acrylics, assemblage, and the performance arts. She holds a degree in English Literature; her awards include an Arts in the Community Grant from the Arts Council of Kern, and three consecutive Empty Space Awards for Best Gallery Exhibit. Raven has most recently exhibited with Bunny Gunner Gallery in Claremont, Loft Beats Gallery in Pomona, and The Gallery at the LRC, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine.

Todd Powers is a concepts photographer with a fine arts background. He studied printmaking, figure-drawing, painting and sculpture at Bakersfield College. Powers has exhibited his photography with Loft Beats, Pomona Arts Colony, and with The Gallery at the LRC, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. His work has been published in Bakotopia Magazine, The Bakersfield Californian, and Fashion Bombshell.

Berlin is a dancer, model, and Biology major at San Diego City College, studying toward becoming an Emergency Room Physician. She has had over eight years of formal dance training in various styles, with a focus on ballet and lyrical. Berlin has appeared in several publications, including ICING Magazine, and continues to work as a model throughout Southern California.

Ande Castaneda is a Bakersfield native, working in Southern California. A self taught makeup artist and formally trained photographer, she also holds four various certifications, two Associate's degrees, and is working toward her first Bachelor's degree in English (with Single Subject Prep), as well as her Cosmetology license. Her work can be seen in music videos, blogs, movies, and magazines internationally.

Lovely Behind-the-Scenes video footage captured and edited by Ande Castaneda:

November 7, 2014: The Empty Space Gallery will open an exhibition to the public featuring The transformative photography of Todd Powers.

'Pas de Berlin' is a unique collection of concept photography, spanning twelve months of work themed on tragedy, courage, and recovery. This body of work creates for the viewer a stunning visual narrative, following the progress of a young woman, Berlin, as she dances her way through a series of eight different landscapes, each representing a new stage in her journey.

A local photographer, who studied Art at Bakersfield College, Powers says he prefers concepts to any other form of photography; "I find concepts to be creatively satisfying, and enjoy the challenge of communicating ideas visually --allowing elements within the photo tell a story, through sets, costumes, lighting, and body language." In this, Powers says he is fortunate to be working with model Berlin, whose skills as a dancer (trained in ballet and lyrical styles) lend extra dimension to her performance as a model. Says Powers, "She knows how to translate her strong emotions into movements. That's a valuable skill for a concept model."

In creating this body of work, Powers also collaborated with makeup artist Ande Castaneda, who cleverly combined both traditional beauty, and high concept looks, to stunning effect on model Berlin. "I had been looking for an opportunity to color outside the lines a bit," Castaneda jokes. The fourth and final artist to take part in this project, Jen Raven, expressed gratitude for this opportunity to work with such a dynamic team. In addition to providing concept direction throughout, Raven created many of the costumes, accessories, and properties for the shoots --some of which will be on display in the gallery.

Exhibit runs November 7th through the 29th, 2014.

Please join us in celebration of 'Pas de Berlin' at our artist reception on Saturday, November 15, from 2-5pm. There will be music, refreshments, and a short video segment of one of the shoots, created by Ande Castaneda.

'PAIN' Group Exhibit

6/22/2014

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dropping my work at the P.O. in April

My first Los Angeles exhibit -and I'm so excited! This is a mail-in exhibit, with participants sending in work from around the world --Asia, Europe, South America, as well as all over the USA and Canada.

'PAIN' group exhibit, curated by Ted Meyer, is hosted by The Gallery at the LRC, the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. In the slide show; my shown works are #90 and #91.

In April, I had postcards created through my PIXELS page, of a few paintings that fit this theme, and I also printed two photos from my first concept shoot as director, which also fit the theme. Below, a slideshow of how I prepared a few of my works for mailing, and another from the day of the exhibit opening:

I also created some new work to wear, for the opening reception. "We get by with a little help from our friends" seemed appropriate, given the overall theme of the exhibit.

"PAIN"runs May 7 through August 30th, 2014, at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA.

'PAIN' group exhibit was also covered by U Magazine, UCLA.

For more information on this exhibit, please visit The Gallery at the LRC.

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We get by with a little help from our friends

4/6/2014

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These last few weeks have been all about the chickens.

... And also, about paints, fabrics, wires, clock parts ... and plenty of five minute epoxy.

I've been creating a new collection of work, especially for Bunny Gunner Gallery's 'All U Can Eat' small works group exhibit, opening in Claremont CA this weekend, 4.4.14.

The title of this collection is 'We get by with a little help from our friends,' and each work tells a different set of stories within that theme.

'Chariots of Fire' 4x4"

'The Best Defense' 4.5x4.5"

Each small work explores larger truths, concerning the ways that we, as people, depend upon one another, to get by --regardless of our age, station, or situation.

'Out of the Frying Pan' 3.5x7"

I don't know where I would be, if not for all the help and support I've been fortunate enough to receive, over the years; teachers and mentors, colleagues and patrons, family and friends --these fine people make all the difference. And I am so grateful.

'Confession' 3.5x4.5"

'Escape Artists' 7x5"

My husband makes costume armor out of foam sheets, and the scraps from his work come in handy (or, help me get by! ) when small, delicate pieces like these are ready to ship: Each one will travel securely within it's own custom-built case, inside the box.

Hanging hardware is on; labels are secured, and the pieces are ready to ship!

'All U Can Eat' is a popular exhibit, and many pieces had already flown off the wall by the time we got there ... including a few of my own works!

By the time we arrived, 'Escape Artists' had already flown the coop!

Sales had been made, all over the gallery --and with good reason! The work in this exhibit is consistently excellent, year after year. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be included in an exhibit like this, with so many skilled and talented artists.

Another of my pieces sold, while we were at the exhibit!

'Out of the Frying Pan' sold right in front of me!

Evidence of sales was present all over the gallery, in the form of lovely little red sale stickers, and holes in the neat lines of beautiful artworks, still available for sale.

"One of the great grounds of study for all of the arts is friendship. Arrive daily without expectation of your friends, only gratitude and understanding." ~John Gielgud

With friend and colleague, artist Lisa Klassen-Barnes, at the 'All U Can Eat' exhibit

To see more photos from the exhibit, please visit Bunny Gunner's photo album of this event on facebook.

Event photos by Todd Powers
Portfolio photos of artworks by Todd Powers

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One

1/6/2014

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Update! Photos from my collaboration work "One" with Todd Powers and Alala Archer have joined a new group arts exhibit, "PAIN" at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, in the Gallery at the LRC .

Chickens appear often in my work.

Born with wings, but rarely given the chance to fly, they represent deep, often unsatisfied longing, for that which cannot be --for paths not taken; for unrealized dreams; for unrequited love.

I've recently had the opportunity to play with my theme of chickens in a new medium: Concept Photography.

I've been working with Todd (my husband) on his photography projects for many years, as a set dresser, designer, and manager, as a body painter and costumer. I enjoy this work; it provides opportunities to stretch my creative muscles, and think outside the bounds of my usual mediums, the canvas or mixed media.

This was to be my first photo shoot as director. I pitched my concept to Todd, and to model Alala Archer; we all agreed on a test of the concept, to get our minds working.

I collected my supplies and grew the necessary properties for my concept:

For several weeks, lemon seedlings adorned my windowsill.

The day of the test shoot arrived. The "test" however, produced such lovely results --too lovely not to publish. We decided to properly edit this set, and release it:

I have titled this set "One," with a nod to the old axiom:

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

'One'
Concept Photography
Photographer: Todd Powers
Model and MUA: Alala Archer
Concept, Direction, and Properties: Jen Raven

With this shoot, I was hoping to do more than continue my theme of broken dreams (represented through chicken imagery); I was also exploring the unexpected opportunities which often arise out of thwarted plans, if one is present enough to be able to see them. As the saying goes; every cloud has a silver lining. In this way, my 'One' series is also a bridge to my 'Dine-In, Take-Out' series:

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For Gallantry in Action

10/18/2010

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'For Gallantry in Action'
2010 acrylic on canvas 24x20"

I was invited to create a piece for the upcoming “Heroes” group art exhibit at The Foundry. Women’s issues are always important to me, so it was not hard to decide on a piece about women serving in the military. As proceeds from artwork sold in this exhibit will go to the Wounded Heroes Fund, I chose also to focus on the women medics serving. Online research led me to a Washington Post article about a young army medic named Monica Brown. It’s not a recent story, but it got my attention:

“Army Spc. Monica Brown, a medic from 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, is the second woman since World War II to earn a Silver Star award for gallantry in combat.”

From there I found a story and video about Spc. Brown … and then another … and another. Her story struck a chord with me; and while I hadn’t originally intended to create a piece based on a single individual, that’s what I wound up doing. I created a portrait of Spc. Brown in my ‘bobble-head’ style, as Todd calls it. I hope she doesn’t mind. I have to give props to vets Matt Ruth and David Reichelt, who helped me figure out some of the finer details concerning army uniform insignias, and the M-16 rifle.

As a military brat, raising money for the Wounded Heroes Fund is a cause I’m happy to get behind, and I hope you’ll all be able to join me for the Opening of our “Heroes” exhibit at The Foundry on Thursday, November 4, from five to seven p.m. Entry is only $5, and well worth it. Veterans admitted free with I.D.

UPDATE! 4-17.17: 'For Gallantry in Action' has been adopted! Thank you, Lucy Cruz, for supporting the arts! And thank you, Solmayra Ocampo, for your service! Here's to strong women everywhere: May we know them; may we be them; may we raise them.

More photos of this and other works can be viewed in the gallery!

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A Sappy Birthday Show with Cactus Gallery

Friendship exhibit with Cactus Gallery

Tiny Treasures XV

The Patient-Artist Experience

'CATS' Online Exhibit, with Cactus Gallery

Tiny Treasures XII and Things with Wings!

Pinocchio's Follies

The Love You Make

Places to Bee on June 10th

Selkie Woman

¡Loteria!

To the Moon, Alice!

An Ever-Fixéd Mark

Blue Monday

Beastly Beings

Tiny Treasures X

An afternoon in Upland

Forward Motion

My relationship with my body

My relationship with my mind

My relationships with others

Forward Motion

Eye Spy . . .

Pas de Berlin: A Year in Photos

'PAIN' Group Exhibit

We get by with a little help from our friends

One

For Gallantry in Action

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