station of the cross #2

Originally uploaded by bbmarie.

This is a phot of myself in the role of Jesus stumbling with his cross. It is a reference image for an illustration I am working on for Christainity Today. I built the cross out of some old timbers I salvaged last fall. Pearl took the photo. Today I cut a wood block and printed it with several different pieces of ephemera which I hope to combine into a collage tommorrow when the ink is dry. The thought of Jesus stumbling under his load and needed help to continue is a compelling one, especiallys since we live within a culture that makes you feel such shame when you reach out for help. Some times you just can’t get there on your own.

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bentwood trellis

Originally uploaded by bbmarie.

This is the first bentwood trellis I made. I have always loved things made from bentwood and have wanted to try to do it. Today I borrowed a van and whent down to the Grand River and cut a bunch of willow to make some more. Brenda came home from the library the other day with a book explaining the basic techique with lots of nice drawings of different designs. We want to make our yard as beautiful as possible this summer. We want to stay connected to nature as we live in the city. Do you know where we can get some bunnies for our bunny hutch? And by the way do you have anything to contribute to our garden in the way of mulch….leaves, manure, straw? Got any wilow that needs trimming?

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Rick and Snowman

Originally uploaded by bbmarie.

The snow really disapeared today. I keep lifting up straw mulch looking for earth worms. I just want to see them and know that they are there getting the soil ready for growing things. The kids played outside most of the day. Brenda took all the girls - Rose to the park for a picknick. I stayed home and worked on willow trellises. Making rustic trellises is my new passion. I am scrounging saplings from the edge of a local park and hauling it home with my bike trailer. I have plans to borrow a van a go along the river tomorrow to get a bigger bulk of material with a lesser chance of getting busted. I had to say good by to my good friend Mr. Snowman this week as the temps traveled up near sixty degrees.

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Brenda’s winter sowing

Originally uploaded by bbmarie.

We have been taking a organic farming course this winter. In the process we have met a number of wonderful people who are all interested in farming and growing gardens. I have been inspired by the veriety of people drawn into this class. I think living last year in NYC created with in us a great hunger to connect more deeply with the earth, nature and growing things. It is wonderful to be back in MI and have a yard where we can get close and personal with our food source. The picture here shows Brenda’s current progress with her winter sowing containers. This is a wonderful way we have learned to extend the growing season in a northern climate like MI has. You can also see the cold frame behind which I built out of scrape wood and old storm windows pulled from dumpsters. The Beatle song “Here Comes The Sun” has been in my head lately.

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karisa wilson

Originally uploaded by bbmarie.

This is Karisa Wilson. She will be playing a house concert at our place on Sunday April 15 beginning at 7:00 so mark your calanders. Your can read more about her at karisawilson.com and check her out at myspace. She hosts the open mic at Rocky’s on thursday nights and she live in our neighborhood. We are doing these house concerts as a way to fold in another layer to the percalating local Grand Rapids music scene. Musicians need a place to play where people are actually listening. The listener actually enables the musician to do what they do. It is a relationship, a give and take, a completed curcuit. Our band will be playing the same night. We will be playing friday the 13th at the Buckam Fine Art Center in Flint MI for an art opening of a group show of artists from Grand Rapids which will include some pieces that Brenda and I have created together. I am inviting you.

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