Hey! Hey! Let's go Back to Day One!

Sold to Private Collector

Le Mariage Shibori Kimono in Off the Grid

Cassandra Classics Swarovski crystal bracelet

with Sterling Silver bangles

Hey...hey, hey!

"Let's go back. Let's go back to Day One!!!"

There's no better time than the present. Quite, literally. It's a new year and a new opportunity to grow. "Can you feel a brand new day...can you feel a brand new day?" Take a look around you...the sun is shining! (excerpt from The Wiz, eh, Dorothy?)" Getting back to Day One is simply getting back to me. Joyous me, creative me... ever enthusiastic me. It's a way of grounding myself, and allowing the memories to surface.

As in "The Clan of the Cave Bear", I find if I sit quietly, walk in the sunshine or gaze at the cornflower blue sky speckled with multi-colored clouds, the "memories" come back to me in surprising colors, tones, shades and limitless combinations of the spectrum of light that lay just beneath the surface of my consciousness. Always there awaiting my summons, a continuous thrum, a rhythm, a muted drumbeat ("Like the rhythms that you find...in the circles of your mind").

The "memories of the people" they called it in the book. I draw from that source, that memory, when I begin to work from concept to inception to the final art work. It is intuitive, and I discover the "masterpiece" along the way during and throughout the process. Many times my students have asked me, "When do you decide this or that? How do you know when it is finished?"  I can only answer that by quoting Michelangelo.  "When it is finished!"  When the Pope, referring to the painting of the Sistine Chapel, repeatedly and insistently queried Michelangelo, "When will you make an end?",  Michelangelo, unhesitatingly answered, "When I am done!!!"  Bravo, paisan...Bravo.


Hold this thought, and I will be right back. I can't say it any better than this excerpt from an African American poem: "Don't you be what you Ain't. You just be what you Is...and go your Own way!"   'Nuf said... Amen.


1/12/11 (8:30 a.m.)
Hey, I'm back, and on second thought, this blog is complete as is.  Being true to oneself is a unique and valuable thing.  Michelangelo knew this.  Da Vinci knew this.  Like stepping to the drumbeat one hears, it takes confidence and dedication.  Dedication to artistic creation.  Dedication to a life lived well.

"So, let it be written...so, let it be said."   Suvate.


All images, text and content copyrighted, 2011, all rights reserved

December Nights was Ah - May - Zing!

                                                       Sold to Private Collector
                                     Le Mariage Shibori Silk Kimono in Sol y Cielo
                                    Cassandra Classics Swarovski crystal bracelet
                                                    with Sterling Silver bangles



Oh What a Night!

A super big "Shout Out" and "Merci, merci" to all of you who turned out for the big celebration, and for visiting Studio 32 at this year's "December Nights" !  Yea!  The Village was lit up like a "beacon" from the North Pole with much merrymaking, kettle corn, Swieners (Swiss wieners in a baguette), St. Louis style barbecue, tamale, homemade ice cream eating, hot cider and cocoa drinking, and a veritable Stampede (...I told You!) of Christmas yuletiders and art lovers!!!  I saw many old friends and met newcomers to Spanish Village Art Center.  They were just astonished at the detail that our members had put into the creation of a Winter Wonderland in Balboa Park, San Diego, California.  Not the  usual vision of sunshine and beaches. 

Perfection, my fellow Villagers.  Perfection!

But, hey, wait a minute!  Hold the bus!  It isn't over, yet..."It's only the beginning" !  Having kicked the season off right, we have 19 days to go before Christmas day, so grab your best gal or friend...come to see me at Studio 32... and, "Get your Shop (ping) On" !  You haven't lived until you have gotten "Pia Zza(ed)!"

Oh, and many thanks to those of you who came and gave me great encouragement on my new line of hand felted scarves and wraps.   Your appreciation and kind support of my work is cherished and welcome.  Remember, there is always more to come from Pia Zza!, Le Mariage, Cassandra Classics and Always a Bride!

See you at the Studio.  Come shop.  Mix and match.  "Bling with Fiber and Fiber with Bling".  Now, would that be Bliber or Fling?  (Things that make you go, hmmmm).   So, Bliber or Fling, "Get Your Layers On (scarves, wraps and jewelry, that is)" !  And, don't forget that "jaunty" hat or clutch.

Remember...Self Expression is the Texture of Life.  Adorn yourself in the textures of  "Pia Zza!, Le Mariage and Cassandra Classics.  Dream of a "White Wedding" in Always a Bride.  'Tis the season to "Express the Elemental in You" !


Happy Holidays from Cassandra.


All images, text and content copyrighted, 2010, all rights reserved