I'm an observer--of mood, light, color, tone, people and relationships. Sensitive, spiritual, creative, practical, and rational, I can experience a moment from many different perspectives.
We do not see things as they are; we see things as we are.
-- Anais Nin
Compost Studios is the place I reduce, reuse, and recycle my life experiences through art, poetry, photography, and essays. I'm a ruminator, and my goal here is to be thoughtful and open in personal expression and meet others who appreciate the value of life's small moments and big ideas.
I've worked professionally as a writer most of my life and have been blogging since 2005. The first blog at this URL, V-Grrrl in the Middle, was begun when I was living as an expat in Belgium. In 2008, I returned to the U.S. and now live in Virginia.
Compost Studios has three parts:
The Art of Life Journal is updated two to three times a week with essays, art, photography, or poetry.
Letters from Home is a special project, a memoir and reflections based on the letters my mother wrote me years ago. It is her story in her voice, but it is also my story--then and now.
The Shop includes listings for handmade cards and/or small works of art. I work using acrylic paint, collage, inks, stamps, sketches, specialty papers, and embellishments. My cards are made on heavy cardstock and come with good quality envelopes, each packaged in a clear propylene sleeve for protection. When you want to send a truly personal, memorable greeting or note, send a handmade card. They are pretty enough to frame and perfect to slip a gift card into. I've sold hundreds and you can read what my customers have to say about them here.