Frida Burning Bowl

FRIDA BURNING BOWL

Frida Burning Bowl

Sold. Thank you Gloria!

I had been planning on making a Frida burning bowl for some time but wanted to add just the right embellishments. Since Frida loved color and flowers, I knew I had to find just the right ones. After searching through my stash, I found several beautiful old jewelry pieces of flowers. The one on top is a cluster of three and is a real antique made of clay. The one on the right side is of metal. I added a sparkly gem from an antique earring to her naval. She is the standard size of my burning bowls and is 5”w x 6”deep and about 10” high. She is priced at only $68.

Close-up

I have created many posts of my favorite Mexican icon- Frida. You can view one of them here.

Close-Up of Antique Flowers

The concept of the burning bowl came from Unity church. They use a large bowl on New Year's Eve and ask each person to write down some vice or problem they would like to leave their lives. Then, the bowl is set ablaze and the problems are gone. I decided to make smaller, more personal burning bowls that can be used as such or a candle or incense can be placed in the stained glass bowl. You can view more images of Frida at my Etsy shop or inquire at my e-mail. Hope you like her.

Side View

Everywoman

EVERYWOMAN

Top View

Side View

When I finished this piece yesterday, I tried naming her but every time I did, I had to start over. She looks as though she is Native American, yet, I see Italian, Slovak, Greek, Egyptian, African and practically every nationalty in the world. I wrote a story called “Morning Song” that seems to fit. She represents every woman..she is universal and timeless.

Close-up

“ Morning Song”

She woke up this morning feeling different. She heard the sounds of this morning and yet the sounds of many other lifetime mornings were returning. She heard the infinite sound of distant runic bells, a call to alms, merchants voices echoing over the river Nile, sheep bleating on a pastoral hillside, roosters, guns, flutes, chimes, laughter, weeping..for she had heard all these mornings and she had heard all these sounds before. It was as if they were all becoming one great sound...one great morning..this morning....and she knew that all the returns of mornings purpose was to teach her the uniqueness and significance of this morning...of now.

~Cheryl Dolby~

Close-up

Morning Song is 6"w x 7"d x 13!/2"H. I used stoneware clay, which I then kiln fired and added stains and embellishments. Antique beadwork adorns her body. I have priced her at $185.00 and just listed her on Etsy.

Also, the story of Everywoman can be found at my Etsy shop in my book “Layers.

You can also contact me about either of these items by e-mail.

Beadwork

Back

Hopi Native American Sculpture

HOPI INDIAN WOMAN

NAMPEYO

Front View

Years ago I studied with the Hopi’s at the Isomata School of the Arts in Idlewild California. The Nampeyo family, my teachers, came from the first mesa in Pollaca Arizona. I was actually studying the art of polychrome pottery, their trademark, but also learned much about the philosophies of “the people.”

Side View

We gathered our pigments and made our brushes out of the tips of a yucca plant. We created our sculptures and then built our kilns out of sheep dung, which we chopped into bricketts. While the kiln was firing our pieces, we listened to stories told by the elders. When I asked why we were using sheep dung when it had to be brought in, instead of horse dung that was readily available on their mesa, I was answered with one word; one important word. ”Tradition.” The pottery is made in the same method, using the same materials that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is important to the Hopi’s to pass on their methods and beliefs.

Angled View

In a tribute to my teacher, Bonnie Nampeyo, I wrote a story which is included in my book “She Who Whispers.” I also name most of the pieces that I create that include a Native American woman with pottery, Nampeyo, although I usually use a black finish which is more indicative of the Acoma tribe.

Another Angle

Nampeyo is 10" H by 7"w and 7"xD. She is sculpted from stoneware clay which has been kiln fired, ( in my electric kiln, not the sheep dung.) I have priced her at $200. You can see more views of her at my Etsy shop or purchase from me directly by e-mail.

Back View

FRENCH TOMATO PIE

FRENCH TOMATO PIE

Slice of French Tomato and Cheese Pie

I made my French Tomato Pie last night and it was the perfect dish for a humid August evening. The tomatoes were the real thing. Unfortunately not my own because the rains this summer just haven’t worked for my garden. I purchased them from our Farmer’s Market here in Roanoke. They were all acidy and yummy tasting in the pie.

Pie Just Out Of The Oven

One thing I like about this pie is the fact that it is super easy to make and is lighter than most tomato pies I have tried in the past. The other thing I really like about it is that it takes only minutes to prepare. The recipe comes from a cookbook I‘ve had since the early 70’s called “”The Joy of Eating French Food” by Renny Darling.

FRENCH TOMATO AND CHEESE PIE

1 9-inch deep dish pie shell-defrosted. (Carefully place shell into a 10” quiche or pie pan and pat it down to fit

About 3 large tomatoes, chopped fine for summer or in the winter I use 1 lb stewed tomatoes, drained and finely chopped

¼ pound mushrooms, thinly sliced 2 C. grated Swiss cheese or about 8 oz. 1 T. Parsley ¼ t. basil and thyme ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese Black olives, onion rings or capers to taste for top 2 t. Olive oil

Bake pie shell in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Combine the remaining ingredients except the black olives etc. which go on top. Mix well. Spread these evenly over the preared shell. Place black olives on top. Drizzle top with 2 t. olive oil.

Bake in 350 degree oven until cheeses are melted and top is lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Serves 6 (sometimes only two!)

Bon Appetit!