​Creating collages has been my main distraction during this pandemic. It has kept me productive and occupied. My youngest daughter fought the virus for over a month and thankfully, is now recovering. My oldest daughter was married a couple of days ago and I wasn't able to attend the wedding. Turning to gardening and art has been a comfort and therapy. 

So far, I've created 105 collages. 

A friend recently for more information on  the process so I've included the steps below. 
Most of the plants I sketch are from my gardens. Planting and watching them grow is one of most  rewarding parts of the process!
There's a saying - 
"When the world wearies, there is always the garden."
​I don't think it's ever been more true than in 2020. 
​

The next step it so paint them. When I did my course on Enhancing Your Life with Herbs, I painted over 200. It's a six week course and I've delivered it four times, always taking in fresh cuttings to pass around the class so they could experience the fragrances, textures, color and at times, the flavors. Unfortunately, since our class will be on Zoom this year, we won't have that opportunity. Having the illustrations will be even more helpful this year. 

After I create the paintings, the next step is the tedious, but satisfying job of cutting them out. 

Painting the papers comes next. The papers can be used as backgrounds, or torn or cut to create images. Using the best quality paints ensures the colors are intense and vibrant!

Finally, all are combined to create my collages!

 
!/2 watermelon, seeded and cubed
Juice of two lemons
Puree watermelon and lemon juice in food processor. 

Raspberries - i cup
Fill center column with raspberries. 

Pour watermelon mixture into pitcher. Fill with water to the top of the center column.

Wait several hours or overnight for the flavors to blend.
Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices and raspberries. 
 

Playing with how  to group my  collages! So many choices!
​By color, season, type, holidays, zodiac signs, romancing, haunting . . .  

Calling my herb lover friends! I have presented my "Enhancing Your Life with Herbs" course 4 times at the Renaissance Institute through Notre Dame University of Maryland. I've painted over 200  herbs to illustrate the course. This fall I'll be using another format - Zoom. I'd like to form a small (6 - 10) focus group willing to attend 6 one hour zoom sessions - probably Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00 EST, for 3 weeks,  or possibly 3 two hour sessions. To be determined based on input. 
The course is light and fun - not serious and scientific. (That's another course!) Topics include
1. Overview of Course and History,
2. ABCs of Herbs
3. Holiday Herbs (Halloween, Valentine's Day, etc.)
4. Herbs for Health,
5. Zodiac Herbs and
6. Wrap Up/Party!
​Send me a message at ywmikell@gmail.com if you're interested. 

Hoping you are all safe and well. These times are unlike anything I could have imagined. I've been filling my time with morning journaling, meditating, taking walks, talking to family and friends and working on projects. This week's focus was mostly on finalizing my Taurus herbs, all under the influence of the planet Venus. All are feminine - of course - and most are the element water, with a few of the earth. 

 The first collage layer was made by ripping papers I painted and textured, and glueing them to the base. 

Next I chose 12 of the herbs associated with Taurus. I added the common name and Latin name, the gender, deity and element associated with each herb, and a painted image of the herb. The final step was the power or powers of each herb. 

This fall I'll be teaching my Enhancing Your Life with Herbs course, a six week session, for the Renaissance Institute at Notre Dame University of Maryland for the fourth time. I painted 200 herbs to  illustrate the course. I'm hoping to update it with these layered herbs for the zodiac session.