Wednesday, September 29, 2004


Cernunnos plate: Gundestrop Cauldron. Unfired clay. Posted by Hello

Cernunnos and his buddies romp in the woods

This part of the the Gundestrup cauldron has fascinated me for years - this being it's most recent incarnation in clay.

Go figure that the original is metal, (a most favourite subject) and I haven't done it in that medium yet.

There's not a lot of information on Cernunnos, the Horned God, except that he is associated with nature and wild animals - perhaps the hunt - in the Celtic cosmology.

Coincidence that I'm repeatedly drawn to this image (?) - my name stems from the Latin Goddess of the Hunt.

Of course, "Goddess" itself will work every time.

Saturday, September 25, 2004


Shiva and Parvati: Hindu sculpture (Art Gallery of Ontario) Posted by Hello

Bharatha Natya

Had the honour to see Miss Hamzathwani Sivanathan perform her Bharatha Natya debut this evening.

Luxurious and resplendent silks in the finest saris, exquisite control, haunting Sri Lankan melody - liquid velvet - dance transcends language, ancient archetypes still present

The graciousness and generosity of the Tamil community who shared their food, their joy and light

Lord Shiva learned and practiced Bharatha Natyan from Goddess Parvati

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

I know what you did last March

The pavement is too hot to walk on comfortably and the Aqua Bar is about to open, and Manuel does not have enough paint brushes or paint to teach a watercolour class of kids.

His letter took a month and a half to get here, and I had to go to the Post Office to get it.

I met him last year when we discovered that we have mutual friends at the Ottawa School of Art. This year, he gave me a shopping list, and he's waiting another year for me to deliver a few pencils, some trivial art supplies....stuff that I'm afraid Havana might keep.

I've got to find a way to get to Holguin next year, even if I am booking Costa Rica next March.

Travelogue: Holguin, Cuba Posted by Hello

Tuesday, September 14, 2004


Campbellton, NB Posted by Hello

Campbellton, NB

Crossing La Fleuve St Laurent, the ferry's gate is a huge, rusted advert

"Irving welcomes you to Atlantic Canada"

Rain. Rust. Steel.

Friday, September 10, 2004


Travelogue: Sofia, Bulgaria Posted by Hello

Shopske Salata?

Bulgaria produces 98% of the world's rose oil. Roses grow like weeds.

Despite rats and corruption, gypsies and pickpockets, communist era block apartments, Sofia still has vestiges of beautiful architecture, reminiscent of a more romantic and vibrant time.

The food is simple, fresh and wholesome.

This comes from a wall mural in Sofia that remonds me of the roses, the people, and the joy of sharing a meal. I'd like to dedicate this to Rosi and Nadia for their unbounded generosity; despite such a huge language barrier. And for Bisi and Elena for getting us there.

Nostdrava!

Code Orange Posted by Hello

The world DID change

Waiting forever at Customs.

Miles and miles of buses carrying millions more commuters INTO Manhattan, despite cops with big guns, buildings with necklaces of police cars. People still go to work. Daily heroes.

Sometimes I wonder if it's worth the wait at Customs.