'SHI" "I AM NOT THE BODY"

“SHI”

“I AM NOT THE BODY”

Sold. Thankyou Deb!

I love the effect I get when I use earthy, woodsy materials along with the Renaissance Oil painting method I use for my faces. It seems to produce a rich quality that I can’t get with acrylics or other methods I’ve used.

The story I gave her comes from my book, “Grandmother Tree.” The book is out of print at this time but I will soon combine it with my “She Who Whispers” book to create a 3rd edition. “Shi” seemed appropriate for this original mixed media painting. Here is the story:

“SHI”

“I AM NOT THE BODY”

She so bravely bore her illness. Knowing there were those who would miss her in the end and being selfless beyond compare, she spoke these words. “Grieve not for me, for I am not the body. I am the green, fertile earth, the waves merging with the sea. I am the silence of the Himalayas and the eternal vibration of Om…know that I will live forever..for I am not the body….I am the soul.” The word Shi in Zen, written by calligrapher Hakuin, means death…anyone who sees Through death becomes ageless, deathless and Immortal..

~Cheryl Dolby~

“Shi” is 11” w x 14” h and 1” deep. I have priced her at $235.00 and she is available through me at this e-mail or you can purchase through Etsy. Thanks so much for viewing. This is definitely going to be a new series for me.

GODDESS BURNING BOWL-"MISTFLOWER"

GODDESS BURNING BOWL

“MISTFLOWER”

Full View of "Mistflower" (In the Snow)

Sold. Thank you Deb!

I just finished this Native American Goddess burning bowl and decided to name her “Mistflower”. For those of you new to my blog, I create Goddess Burning Bowls out of stoneware clay and a stained glass base. The story behind the burning bowl is this:

Unity Church has a special ceremony each New Year’s Eve. A large bowl is placed at the altar and each member of the church is asked to write down problems or vices they wish to annihilate from their lives.. It could be a wish to quit smoking or drinking. It might be a desire to loose weight or to quit any of a number of addictions. Each person places their list into the bowl and at midnight, the bowl is lit. Everyone watches as the fire burns away all the troubles.

Close-up of Face

Years ago, I decided to make small, individual burning bowls. I named them Goddesses or Crones. Mistflower is one of the smaller ones at 10”h, 4”w and 5” deep. I have priced her at $52. If you would like to purchase her, please check out my Etsy shop, where you can see more pictures or purchase from me directly at my e-mail.

Stained Glass Bowl

Here is her story:

“Mistflower”

She stood by the great falls watching the water as it cascaded over the edge. The water was never the same..always new..always flowing. She thought of how much it reminded her of the human race..always new generations, never the same people..all moving toward something bigger than themselves.

She walked to the edge and saw her reflection and thought about how much we are all alike and how, as her people had taught her, we are all the great mirror..simply the reflection of one another.

Cheryl Dolby

View of Back

OCEANA FACE MIRROR

OCEANA FACE MIRROR

Close-up of Ocean Face

Sold. Thank you Trish!

This post will be short and sweet. I just finished a small Oceana mirror that I thought someone might like. As I gaze out of my windows at the snow, my thoughts are definitely on the ocean and summer. Below is the poem I wrote that I attach to all my ocean pieces.

Full View of Mirror-I Definitely Need a Lesson in Photography-Mirrors are Impossible!

“Oceana”

As she was standing at the edge of the ocean she could hear the waves chanting their familiar song. “Come to me, I am greater than you, I am wiser than you..I am the one.” She resisted once again. How long can she continue to resist… How much longer before she embraces her larger self, her destiny, her soul… ..the sea….

~ Cheryl Dolby~

Another Picture of Mirror On Studio Wall

is 6” wide by 10” high and would look great in a bathroom or just about anywhere. She is just $58. You can e-mail me for more details or just purchase from Etsy.

Thanks so much.

WITHIN THE WITHIN GODDESS NECKLACE

WITHIN THE WITHIN GODDESS NECKLACE

Picture of "Within the Within" on Manniquin

Years ago, I took a correspondence course with Yehwehnode Two Wolves-Twyla Nitch, clan mother of the Seneca tribe in New York. She named her followers “The Keepers of the Stones” and even sent me my own special stone in a little leather pouch. I have kept it through the years and think of her often. She passed away a few years ago. I was glad that I sent her a story I had written about the Seneca’s and her in particular. titled ” Within the Within,” I sent it to Twyla for her approval. She read it and told me that she approved of all but one word. The last word in my story ended with the word “power.” Twyla explained to me that if I changed that name to “withinness,” more “power” would be invoked into my story because it was the “withiness” that takes us to our center and our truth.

Close-up

Here is the story I wrote.

Within the Within

At a very young age, she had learned to speak the language of the stones and the language of the trees. Her people, the Seneca, Keepers of the Western Door of the symbolic Longhouse, had taught her.

They taught her of the foundation of truth which is called "within the within.'" She learned of the sanctity of the circle and how it symbolizes perfect truth and is considered the pathway of peace and harmony.

But of all the many truths that she was taught, he sould knew a truth that her mind was just beginning to comprehend..HER truth. For there is no collective truth. The truth of one soul is not the same as that of another. She knew that truth's purpos is growth...soul growth. She would be open to all truths but true to her own. She knew that by being true to herself, therein she would find her withiness.

Chain Detail

Within the Within is 3” w x 10 1/2 “ long with 81/2 “ chain measured from neck to top of necklace. This particular necklace, unlike some of the other ones I have created, would work well for a shorter gal. I’m very tall and tend to make them all geared toward my height.

I used turquoise and other embellishments and sculpted an original clay face as the focal point of the necklace. I hope whoever receives my necklace wears her with power and withiness.

I have priced her at just $89. You can purchase her from Etsy or from me.

A TRIBUTE TO JULIA CHILD

A FESTIVE TRIBUTE TO JULIA CHILD

My Version of Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon!

For those of you who are new to my blog, I must tell you that although I love my life as a sculptor and artist, food is my passion. A friend of mine, who is a chef, started an unusual dinner club about 3 years ago. He asked for some of his Facebook friends to come to his home one evening for dinner. Many showed up from Roanoke and surrounding areas. We all had just two things in common. Facebook and our love of food. The Little Supper Club came to life. Today we boast about 15 active members and 5-10 who join in on occasion. At the beginning, we didn’t have theme dinners but over the last year or so, we have chosen to create foods from all parts of the world. This year, we are paying homage to our favorite chefs. About 13 members showed up last night and we were off to France and Julia Child’s cuisine. Julia would have been 100 years old last August.

Yours Truly On The Left and Friend Dian On Right As Julie and Julia

Chef Stratton's French Onion Soup

Since I love a challenge, I chose to make Julia’s classic Beef Bourguignon. I must say, after many hours in the kitchen and a hefty grocery bill, I won’t make it again. As a matter of fact, I have a recipe for a “stew,” which Beef Bourguignon primarily is, that tastes better and is a breeze to make. No only that but it is very inexpensive. I made it on busy days when the children were still living at home. As a matter of fact, they made it for themselves often times since it is so easy.

I have included my simple recipe at the end of this post for those of you who would like to try it.

In the meantime, here are a few pictures of what our members created for the party. There was too much French food at the party for me to show all the entrees. Without further adieu..off we go.

Tina's Creme Brulee

Dean's Eggplant Pizzas

Dian's Shiaparelli Hat From Paris

Tom's Scalloped Potatoes

Last But Not Least, Stratton St. Clair, Our Chef Extraodinaire and Founder of "The Little Supper Club"-Roanoke's Best Kept Secret

Recipe for No Watch 5 Hour Stew

In a greased casserole place: 1-16 oz package of stew meat 6 carrots 5 potatoes 2 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup 1 bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste

Combine allingredients. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in slow oven (250) for 5 hours. The stew will be cooked to perfection..That’s it!!!!! Trite but anyway, as Julia would say, Bon Appetit!