Donna Wocher
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A Rose by any other name

2/17/2020

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The Unfolding Lotus
Donna M. Wocher, PhD

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It is that time of year again.  Time to set big vision and measurable goals.  There are all kinds of systems and approaches for writing goals and mapping out next steps.  But I like something creative and dreamy.  I like creating my own Compass Rose.

​
What is a Compass Rose?
A compass rose is a navigational device used on a compass and on maps.  It helps you stay on course.  I like the idea of creating  a personalized compass rose with words and images that suggests how I will move through the year.  I can use  it as a sort of medicine wheel as I move from new beginnings of the North moving clockwise around to the East, to the herald of the Spring towards the waning light of South autumn arriving at the West of winter's solstice. 


​Writing + Questions = New Beginnings
I create my compass rose by answering two questions.  
  1. What do I really want?  
  2. What do I want to learn create, and experience this coming year?  

Then I start free writing.  Free writing is what the name implies.  You start writing without a care for grammar or order.  The idea is to write whatever comes to mind in a stream of consciousness.  I like to do my free write over the course of a couple of days.  I like to re-read what I have written and invite myself to go deeper.


What's Coffee, the Unconsciousness & Pinterest
got to do with it?

Free writing gives you words but I also like images.  Images communicate with the unconscious mind so why not add that to the mix.  I like to design my compass rose by gathering all of my source images, free writes and assorted supplies. I use images from magazines, Pinterest and photographs of my art work.  I gather all of these into a nice big pile.  Next, I get all my supplies and lay them out.  I use glue, matte medium, scissors and a variety of mark making materials (e.g., oil pastels,  pens, etc.).  Then, I get myself a nice cup of coffee, put on some smoothing music and start.


​Art Practice:  
Making a Compass Rose

Step 1:
I begin by reading what I have written during my free write.  
I circle key words and sometimes I cut them out.

Step 2:
I look at the images I've collected and pull out the ones that speak to me.  I cut out sections or pieces of the images that I like.  I move them around on my template until I am satisfied.   I don't worry about perfection.  I just go with my initial reaction.

Step 3:
I start to glue images down on the paper.  I add key words that remind me of my goals.

Step 4:
I start to embellish my Compass Rose.  I write words using a jelly roll pen in write  I circle and outline different features.  I doodle and dapple in various places on my Compass Rose until I am happy with the result.

Step 5:
I finish my Compass Rose off with a layer of matt medium and wait for it to dry.

Step 6:
I hang my Compass Rose up in my studio where I can see it every day as a reminder of where I am going.  


What are your plans and dreams for 2020?

How can you capture those on a Compass Rose?
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Donna's Art I Cafe La Tartine I June 1 through June 30, 2018

5/31/2018

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Donna's new work will be on display at Cafe LaTartine from June 1 through June 30, 2018.  
Cafe La Tartine
830 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA  94063
Telephone:  (650) 474-2233
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Marshland - The Gift of Fear

5/29/2018

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Fear is an emotion of readiness.  Fear and the art of being prepared link together like a nut and bolt.  Fear is a warning system, a guide.  The emotion of fear is a flickering whisper in your ear, a message to prepare for action in response to unfolding events.  I encountered just such a messenger of fear while out on my daily walk.  I routinely walk along the salt marshes near my art studio.  This nature preserve is home to a variety of animals.  On any given day, I might enjoy the company of a variety of marsh birds, ground squirrels or if I am lucky, a jack rabbit.

On this particular walk, I enjoyed the company of a small light brown jackrabbit. As I scanned the salt marshes along my walk, I spotted her – lovely brown fur and big round ears.  She stood still and erect scanning the horizon for predators.   I felt a ripple of awe and fear as I saw her out in the open field, vulnerable and pensive.  I continued my walk and saw her again this time further out in the distance.  Her ears bobbed up and down through the tall dry brush as she made her way forward.  I felt her rapid breathing and quivering nose.  I guessed that she could smell me coming down the path as the wind blew my scent in her direction.  She did a quick dance of bob and sweep, followed by a full stop.  Again she would start, stop, and wait. Was this jack rabbit a signal for me about the recent changes I was going through?  Was it time to stop and focus with clarity? Or was it time to act and move consciously to a new chapter in my life?​

I stopped and came out of my reverie and came back to the present.  That is when I noticed I had lost sight of her.  But then, just as I rounded the corner where the dirt path meets up with the asphalt bike path, I caught sight of her again.  She was half hidden in the deep shadows and stiff tall grasses that encircled the marshland gate.  Her big black unblinking iris gave her hiding place away.   I held my breath and made a sideway glance catching a glimpse of her while I kept a slow steady pace past her hideaway.   She stood facing sideways, her sweet face in silent profile. I sent her my loving kindness and gratitude for her wild beauty and message of attentiveness and focus,  the gift of fear.     

Post Script;  The image of "Marshland" above is an original watercolor on Claybord by Donna M. Wocher copyright 2018.

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Art Opening San Mateo February 11

2/10/2018

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Join me this Sunday for art and coffee! Or visit Philz  Feb 11th thru mid March.
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No. 2 second layer

1/3/2018

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No. 2 second layer with turquoise, burnt sienna, red iron oxide. What’s next? Keep a look out. #acrylicpainting#abstractart #abstractexpressionism #red#turquoise #water #mystical#landscapes#contemporaryart#painting#abstractartist

A post shared by Donna Wocher (@donnawocher) on Jan 3, 2018 at 7:57pm PST

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OPEN STUDIO ~ Original Art for Holiday Gifts

11/15/2017

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Join me for the ArtsRWC Holiday Open Studio Event and get ahead on holiday shopping with some original art!

Noon to 5:00 p.m. - Saturday, December 2, 2017 & Sunday, December 3, 2017

​ArtsRWC Holiday Open Studio Event
1700 Industrial Road
Studio #207
San Carlos, CA
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​1700 Industrial Road
Studio #109
San Carlos, CA 94070 
​donna@donnawocher.com