Thursday, June 15, 2023

Saddleback Wanderers

 Introducing my latest installation 

"Saddleback Wanderers" 

Fallbrook Arts Center

June 17 to July 16

contact the Arts center for information 

103 S. Main Ave, Fallbrook, CA 92028
(760) 728-1414 | email

Update! all but 2 works have sold! 

view the video here ... Saddleback Wanderers      





Helen Shafer Garcia

 This instillation is dedicated to displaced people around the world. These countries hold the highest amount of people who are forced from their homes. 

Syria

Venezuela

Ukraine

Afghanistan

South Sudan


I chose to name each animal rider with names from each of these countries, names that are uplifting and meaningful. The Horse names are Latin, with encouraging and uplifting meanings as well.



1 . Bobcat: Olena the Scout

Origin. Greek. protector of humankind


Horse: Valens who leads the Way          

 Latin.  powerful                                       



Olena’s swift and alert eyes lead the way for the tribe. Olena and Valens are 

excellent scouts, looking for the safest direction and good places to settle for a while. 

 

$475.00




2. Owl: Mykola of the People 

Origin. Greek. Victory of the people.


Horse: Nobilis the Remarkable

Latin. courageous, bold, strong, ardent, energetic.            



Mykola and Nobilis are strong companions who plan the area for each campsite. Mykola spreads his wings and hovers over the ground moving large obstructions at  each clearing. They carry wood to start a fire to warm up  the campsite settlement. 


$ 400.00. Sold


 





 

3. Mouse: Carmen the Gardener 

Origin. Latin, Hebrew.  Garden, vineyard


Horse: Calimorfus of the Jardin. Latin.  Beauty



 Carmen and Calimorfus have been riding many years together. They both love plants and knew that they could provide food and spices to contribute for the meals. Carmen is an avid horticulturalist with skills needed to find the essential plants. Calimorfus’s body has become the essence of the earth. 


$350.00 Sold



4. Coyote: Zina the Storyteller      Origin. Greek. Shining or hospitable                               




Horse: Scholasticus of the Books.                    

Latin. Studious


Zina and Scholasticus are the storytellers and keepers of documents. They provide papers to document stories told by the tribe members.  Geological travel documentation is also an important role for historical proposes. 


$450.00 





5. Hare:  Nadia Healer in the Wind

Origin. Slavic, Arabic.  Hope,  Morning dew, generous, natural giver           



Horse: Dromos Two Wings

Latin. Racer, avenues


Nadia and Dromos are new companions. Nadia is a bit hesitant and unsure of Dromos’s flying skills. They both “sweep” the tribe, making sure everyone keeps the pace. Dromos has eyes directed to the front  to navigate with swift speed.  Nadia is skilled as a healer and carries hidden supplies for first aid and afflictions. 



$450.00.  Sold


 






6. Bear: Bernardo Strong as a Bear 

Origin.  ancient Germanic “bero” = bear + “harti” = hardy/brave


Horse: Nobilis the Archeologist        Latin. courageous, bold, strong, ardent, energetic                                                     




Norbilis and Bernardo are seeking bits and pieces of interesting artifacts along the journey. They are historians, keepers of the past, and protectors who value all in the tribe. 



$400.00. Sold




 

7. Horse: Yeva Mother of Life

Origin Russian, Hebrew                                



Children: 3 little mice- Paloma, Oliver, and Mira. 3 piglets- Benilda, Sonit, and Acha,  who belong to all in the tribe. 


Abuelita Yeva is the oldest horse who takes care of the children while traveling. She carries adornments representing her gentleness and love. Her side panels hold a small Puma family that needs extra protection. The top of her body opens up becoming a vessel for treasures within.  


$475.00. 



8.  Racoon: Anahita

Origin. Persian. Goddess Of Rivers And Water


Horse: Arista        

Latin.   an ear of corn, bristle like fiber on some grains or grasses. A bristle that extends from the antenna of certain dipterous insects: used in flight for monitoring

 air speed and for wing control.                                  








Anahita  is an excellent chief who prepares all meals with the help of the tribe. Her remarkable hands quickly work up delicious meals. Arista carries all of the materials needed for cooking. She also carries tent materials for camp. The fabric holds bits of scribes and text, holding stories to tell. 



$475.00. Sold



 






9. Young Horse: Elpis                  


Latin. Hope             


Elpis is a foal with hope for the future. Hope that this tribe will find a safe and wondrous place to live forever. 



$160.00.  Sold








Saturday, June 10, 2023

Baja Expedition

 Last Month, 5 days after I landed at LAX from New Zealand, I traveled with Rancho Bellota Art for a splendid journey points south in Baja California, Mexico.  Our travels led us to San Felipe, Cataviña, and  San Ignacio. As quoted from our itinerary..The botanically rich Cataviña ecosystem includes incredible boulder fields and indigenous flora – gigantic Cardon Cactus (Pachycereus pringlei), Boojum (Cirios), Mexican Blue Palms (Blue Hesper Palms), and Elephant trees (Bursera microphylla). 

It was an amazing experience that will stay with me for a long time. The terrain was so enriching and different..especially coming from New Zealand!


the road to San Felipe..via the grade to Mexicali 


San Felipe


Elephant Tree
on the way to Catavina...a stop for lunch at an awesome little restaurant with indigenous plant materials. Raul Aguliar was our guide extraordinaire   and owner of Rancho Bellota. Marjorie and Lois having a fun time!



painting on location and at the hotel in the afternoon..it was a bit windy so we enjoyed the warm corridor. 




Raul and our guest botanist Eulogio Reyes 


Cardon

an adventurous journey to points north about an hour from San Ignacio to the Cave Paintings in San Francisco de la Sierra in the mountains. It was wondrous and breathtaking to see and hear about these ancient paintings. 

our guides who families are from the ancestors of the region ranchos
Ellen and Eulogio 


goats are in charge of the roads at times





the small community near the cave paintings was timeless







in San Ignacio plein air painting in the Zocalo. 






a Boojum tree




Stayed the night at Bahia San Luis  Gonzaga


and on the way home to Rancho Bellota....side botanical Tidbits trips with Eulogio