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

Tai Chi, Anyone? Or, Strut Your Stuff !

                                                         Sold to Private Collector
                                        Le Mariage Shibori Silk Kimono in El Tigre
                                     Cassandra Classics Swarovski crystal bracelet
                                                     with Sterling Silver bangles



Hello, hello.  And, Christmas Greetings All!

Gonna get this one in fast, before I run out the door to the studio... everyone's rushing about getting ready for "December Nights" at Spanish Village Art Center in beautiful (be-you-tee-ful) Balboa Park.  This wonderful tradition has been taking place every year for over 35 years (more, actually), and is the "Don't Miss", "Must See" event of the year!!!  Our celebration runs 12/3 - 12/4, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00  p.m. at the Village.

Each year, we (the members of Spanish Village Art Center) go all out to decorate and recreate the North Pole and Santa's Wonderland brought to life in the Village.  This year the Village is bedecked in White Light with presents on every tree we could find!  It reminds me of that old Christmas carol ... "and, presents on the tree".  Actually, when I think about it,  this year's theme is "reminiscent" of my decorations last year, when I placed gift bags and wrapped boxes along the path to my studio, softly lit with votive candles to guide the way.  I guess this is what they mean when they say, "Art imitates Life".  If you missed it last year, the pathway to Studio 32 will be there welcoming you to visit.  Ah, well, it's a Jolly - Happy - Caroling - Hot Chocolate drinking time in Spanish Village Art Center!!!

So, come ring in the Yuletide, and "Strut your Stuff" in Pia Zza!, Le Mariage and Cassandra Classics.  Of course, you will find all of those in Studio, #32, in Spanish Village Art Center, located at 1770 Village Place, San Diego, California.

As for the "Tai Chi" plug, people always ask me, "Are you doing Tai Chi in the photos"?  I smile and say, "No. Actually, I am recalling a finale dance performance in my third year of college, where we performed inspired choreography to Michael Olfield's, Tubular Bells".  (Bless you, Hanea, for your choreographic vision).  The hand and arm movements of that performance seemed perfect for showing off the fluidity of my shibori silk kimono, wraps and boas.  So, I took a walk down memory lane.  For those aficionados of Tai Chi, my sincere apologies. 

I guess that leaves us with "Strut Your Stuff"!   Yay!  You go Girls ... You are Fierce!  Especially so, in Pia Zza!, Le Mariage and Cassandra Classics!  So, make Spanish Village Art Center your "home for the holidays", artfully done.  And, as we Villagers say every Christmas, "DON'T GET MALL(ED)"!  See you there, along the path to Studio 32, and your holiday shopping delight!


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

Shall We Dance? (Zebra Autumn Dreams)

                                                          Sold to Private Collector  
                                    Le Mariage Silk Kimono in Zebra Autumn Dreams 
                               Cassandra Classics Pearl and Silver Feather Necklace



"Trip the light fantastic, Anyone"?

Although this kimono is sold, it was such a delight to make that I thought I would share it with you. It falls (no pun intended) right into the color scheme of Fall and Thanksgiving. The pumpkin and olive tones of autumn contrast nicely with the spunky, but under played, Zebra pattern on the reverse side. So take your pick. Zebras or pumpkins...pumpkins or zebras. The question is, are you feeling cozy and Autumnal or Zebra-nesque? Wow! I'm feeling my creative license today...with linguistics as well as my brush. Maybe, I will create another kimono in this color scheme sometime soon. This one was such a hit.

So, be you a Pumpkin or a Zebra ... "Shall we Dance"?  (...and, the band played on.)




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

"Self Expression is the Texture of Life"

                                                         Sold to Private Collector
                                     Le Mariage Shibori Silk Kimono in Sonar Azul
                                       with contrasting Lapis Neckband and Cuffs




Greetings, Everyone!

Welcome to my "day to day" art and creative expression blog.  It has been a long time in the making, but I am so happy that I have finally gotten started.  Okay, first things first.  My name is Cassandra Pia Shepard, and I am an artist first, last and always.  It's very much like "once bitten".  But, more accurately described, I would say, "Once smitten...forever written"!  Hmmm.  I like that.  Forever and ever, amen.

So, what I hope to express here on my blog (through my paintings, free form fiber arts, shibori and jewelry design)  is my "individual and personal self expression" of the colors, moods and textures of life that I experience while bringing my art pieces to fruition.  I don't imagine it will always be an easy thing to do..."expressing in words what I feel or think, as I create".  But, where I falter in verbal expression, perhaps, the artwork itself will speak to you in volumes.  Shhh!  Did you hear that?  I can almost "hear the textures" now.

Artist's Private Collection

"Chrysanthemums and Cranes" Wedding Uchikaki

Handpainted with Gutta Resist and Shibori techniques

I, also, welcome you to visit me in my art studio at Spanish Village Art Center, Studio 32, located at 1770 Village Place, San Diego, California in beautiful and picturesque Balboa Park.  Drop by any day of the week between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  I, or my talented studio partner, Judy Starr (metal smith and jeweller par excellence) will be there to greet you.  A visit to Studio 32 is truly an experience in "texture, color and brilliance" as all of our patrons tell us.  From original drawings and paintings to fabulous fiber art and textiles to exquisite and unique jewelry design, Judy and I have, as they say, "got it covered".   It's "all in there"!  We welcome you to visit, and "Express the Elemental in You".  You'll see what I mean when you get there.  It's high time to stop by and "Texture Up" your self expression!



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