Sassafrass Winter Solstice

["Mercury" Original Block Print ]

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:52:01 GMT

Frame size: 11in x 14in
Matted Opening size: 8in x 10in
Title: Mercury

Original Print: Signed & Numbered

["Angel of Annunciation" Original Block Print]

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:44:40 GMT

Frame size: 11in x 14in
Matted Opening size: 8in x 10in
Title: Angel of Annunciation

Original Print: Signed & Numbered

["Amor and Psyche" Original Block Print]

Sat, 21 Jan 2006 01:16:30 GMT

[a better photograph will be taken!]

Frame size:11in x 14in
Matted Opening size: 5in x 7in
Title: Amor and Psyche

Original Print: Signed & Numbered

["Apollo and Daphne" Original Block Print]

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 16:53:21 GMT

Frame size:11in x 14in
Matted Opening size: 8in x 10in
Title: Apollo and Daphne

Original Print: Signed & Numbered

Here's the story of Apollo and Daphne,
in the immortal words of Thomas Bullfinch

APOLLO AND DAPHNE

Daphne was Apollo's first love. It was not brought about by accident, but by the malice of Cupid (Eros). Apollo saw the boy playing with his bow and arrows; and being himself elated with his recent victory over Python, he said to him, "What have you to do with warlike weapons, saucy boy? Leave them for hands worthy of them, Behold the conquest I have won by means of them over the vast serpent who stretched his poisonous body over acres of the plain! Be content with your torch, child, and kindle up your flames, as you call them, where you will, but presume not to meddle with my weapons." Venus's boy heard these words, and rejoined, "Your arrows may strike all things else, Apollo, but mine shall strike you." So saying, he took his stand on a rock of Parnassus, and drew from his quiver two arrows of different workmanship, one to excite love, the other to repel it. The former was of gold and ship pointed, the latter blunt and tipped with lead. With the leaden shaft he struck the nymph Daphne, the daughter of the river god Peneus [river in Thessaly], and with the golden one Apollo, through the heart. Forthwith the god was seized with love for the maiden, and she abhorred the thought of loving. Her delight was in woodland sports and in the spoils of the chase. Lovers sought her, but she spurned them all, ranging the woods, and taking no thought of Cupid nor of Hymen. Her father often said to her, "Daughter, you owe me a son-in-law; you owe me grandchildren." She, hating the thought of marriage as a crime, with her beautiful face tinged all over with blushes, threw her arms around her father's neck, and said, "Dearest father, grant me this favour, that I may always remain unmarried, like Diana (Artemis)." He consented, but at the same time said, "Your own face will forbid it."

Apollo loved her, and longed to obtain her; and he who gives oracles to all the world was not wise enough to look into his own fortunes. He saw her hair flung loose over her shoulders, and said, "If so charming, in disorder, what would it be if arranged?" He saw her eyes bright as stars; he saw her lips, and was not satisfied with only seeing them. He admired her hands and arms, naked to the shoulder, and whatever was hidden from view he imagined more beautiful still. He followed her; she fled, swifter than the wind, and delayed not a moment at his entreaties. "Stay," said he, "daughter of Peneus; I am not a foe. Do not fly me as a lamb flies the wolf, or a dove the hawk. It is for love I pursue you. You make me miserable, for fear you should fall and hurt yourself on these stones, and I should be the cause. Pray run slower, and I will follow slower. I am no clown, no rude peasant. Jupiter (Zeus) is my father, and I am lord of Delphos and Tenedos, and know all things, present and future. I am the god of song and the lyre . My arrows fly true to the mark; but, alas! an arrow more fatal than mine has pierced my heart! I am the god of medicine, and know the virtues of all healing plants. Alas! I suffer a malady that no balm can cure!"

The nymph continued her flight, and left his plea half uttered. And even as she fled she charmed him. The wind blew her garments, and her unbound hair streamed loose behind her. The god grew impatient to find his wooing thrown away, and, sped by Cupid, gained upon her in the race. It was like a hound pursuing a hare, with open jaws ready to seize, while the feebler animal darts forward, slipping from the very grasp. So flew the god and the virgin- he on the wings of love, and she on those of fear. The pursuer is the more rapid, however, and gains upon her, and his panting breath blows upon her hair. Her strength begins to fail, and, ready to sink, she calls upon her father, the river god: "Help me, Peneus! open the earth to enclose me, or change my form, which has brought me into this danger!" Scarcely had she spoken, when a stiffness seized all her limbs; her bosom began to be enclosed in a tender bark; her hair became leaves; her arms became branches; her foot stuck fast in the ground, as a root; her face became a tree-top, retaining nothing of its former self but its beauty, Apollo stood amazed.

He touched the stem, and felt the flesh tremble under the new bark. He embraced the branches, and lavished kisses on the wood. The branches shrank from his lips. "Since you cannot be my wife," said he, "you shall assuredly be my tree. I will wear you for my crown; I will decorate with you my harp and my quiver; and when the great Roman conquerors lead up the triumphal pomp to the Capitol, you shall be woven into wreaths for their brows. And, as eternal youth is mine, you also shall be always green, and your leaf know no decay." The nymph, now changed into a Laurel tree, bowed its head in grateful acknowledgment.

["Celestial Water Nymph" Original Block Print]

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 16:43:41 GMT

[a better photograph will be taken!]

Frame size: 11in x 14in
Matted Opening size: 8in x 10in
Title: Celestial Water Nymph

Original Print: Signed & Numbered

["Tree of Life" Original Block Print]

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 16:31:34 GMT

Frame size: 11in x 14in
Matted Opening size: 8in x 10in
Title: Tree of Life

Original Print: Signed & Numbered

One aspect that I sincerely appreciate about linoleum prints [lino prints] is the fact that even though if you create a series of 5 or 100 prints from the same block -- they will all come out different. The darkness/lightness that changes with each pressed print --due to the changing amount of ink brayed. Even the patterns of ink surrounding the image will always be different. Each one of the same theme, yet unique in their own way.

[SassafrassWinter.com] - launching mid May 2007!

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 16:13:15 GMT

[[[UPDATE]]]

Greetings Everybody:

I've been finishing working on the design for my online art gallery which will be launched sometime mid May 2007. [That is why I have been so silent lately!] The greatest benefit to my art website is the fact that with each sale small portions of the profits will enable me to continue to make donations to many charities.

Many Events & Specials
When my website launches I plan on having many events & specials taking place to mark the occasion in a profound way.

examples:
+ Select items will have 100% of the sale price going to charities
+ Granting loans to several people at Kiva.org whom are trying to start or maintain their
own business dreams.
+ eBay auctions for 100% charity
+ & more...

Independent Artist Supporting Independent Artists
After I have my business underway for several months I plan on launching an "Independent Artist Supporting Independent Artists" event. I don't have all the details planned out yet, but what I hope to achieve is this. I plan on every couple of months selecting one independent artist [from all varieties] from which I will purchase one of their creations.

Buying Independent Artist's Art
I will probably have something setup where artists that are interested in participating in this event will leave a comment/message of interest either on my myspace profile or on a site specific blog that I plan on developing soon. From those entries [and from a list that I create on my own] I shall choose the winning independent artist. I will purchase some of their artwork, as well as place them on a special page on my website that explains who they are, what type of art they create, etc. I hope this will be a great way to offer fellow artists additional exposure and financial support at the same time.

working hard to make the mid May 2007 launching deadline
Sassafrass Winter Solstice

[Comments: have been disabled]

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http://sassafrasswinter.com/

Sun, Nov. 26th, 2006, 07:36 am

If this takes off -- I have larger plans in the works. Which involves junk yards, the community, and artistic expressions ... but for now I am going to take it one step at a time. Another huge component in this gallery project is to donate a portion of the sales to charities and community programs.

but more on this to come later...