St. Gertrude of Nivelles -- the Patron Saint of Cats and People Who Love Them

I grew up in Southern Ohio as a white bread mainstream protestant.  For awhile my family lived next door to the Italian Catholic Sabatelli family.  I went to public grade school and the Sabetelli kids went to Catholic grade school.  I heard about Catechism and The Saints from the Sabatelli kids and I pretty much dismissed catechism as stupid and The Saints as fairy tales.

Over the years my religious beliefs changed quite a bit and I had one of what Dr. Phil refers to as "defining moments" in my life when I started studying in the Sufi Order and my teacher told me that "God didn't have to be anything that I ever thought he was."  That one sentence pretty much blew my mind and totally changed the way I viewed my own religious beliefs and the beliefs of others.  

In my adulthood, I traveled in Catholic Mexico quite a bit and lived in Puerto Vallarta for about three years where I was exposed to many more stories and beliefs about The Saints -- learning that they were indeed real people, not fairy tales, and that in order to become canonized as a saint, they had each performed at least three documented miracles.   Every town in Mexico has a Patron Saint.  Every occupation and trade has a patron saint.    Here's a quote from Wikipedia about Patron Saints:

"A Patron Saint . . . is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family or person. Catholics believe that patron saints, having already transcended to the metaphysical, are able to intercede effectively for the needs of their special charges."

Now that I live in New Mexico, a very Catholic State, I continue to be exposed to the culture of Patron Saints and we even have Saints who are "popular" in the Southwest,  There are many artists in New Mexico whose work consists of making southwestern style saints. -- paintings, bultos, retablos, carvings, etc.

I first encountered St. Gertrude of Nivelles (who was a 7th Century abbess) on a greeting card designed by Barbara Barrett in Papers! -- the decorative paper store where I worked and taught classes for several years.  You can see Barbara's greeting card work at thekaleidoscopedesigns.com

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I decided that my second Altoid Tin Shrine would feature St. Gertrude.  St. Gertrude  of Nivelles (there are two - the other is Gertrude the Great)  is also the patron saint of the insane and gardeners, so maybe that also explains why I was immediately drawn to her.  Ha.

This shrine is constructed in the same style as my Virgin of Guadalupe Altoid Tin Shrine -- removing the lid from the box, etc.

St. Gertrude stands in her gold glittered nicho, holding a kitty, and two (button) kitties frolic on pebbles in front of her.  I covered a royal jelly glass container with blue glitter, and the container holds the whiskers of my beloved Houdini who had some amazing whiskers that I'd find around the house.  The whiskers lived in a glass spice jar until I made this little shrine -- a perfect spot for them. 

Here is my big boy Houdini, now in Kitty Heaven, in one of his favorite spots -- right in the middle of my work table.

Back to the shrine -- add some flowers, leaves, sequins, beads, metal corners and studs -- and there you have my Altoid tin shrine #2.

Shrine #3 is a second Virgin of Guadalupe shrine which I gifted before taking photos of it.  One of these days I'll have the opportunity to photo it and add it to the blog.

Watch for Shrine #4 to be added to my blog soon -- St. Catherine of Bologna, Patron Saint of Artists.

Fall Classes

FALL CLASSES AT PAPERS! 

Here are the four classes I will be teaching this fall at Papers! in Nob Hill - 108 Amherst. All materials are provided in the registration fee.  Papers! will begin taking registrations on August 15 -- call 254-1434 to register.  Many of my classes fill within a week of being announced, so if there is a class that you would really like to take, I recommend that you call early in the registration process.

COLLAGE ON CANVAS - "What a Day for a Daydream"
Sunday, September 22 , 1-4pm, $45

Create a beautiful, dreamy, nostalgic work of art and at the same learn a myriad of techniques to add color, texture and movement to your work. You will begin the class with the preparation of the background on your canvas, then while the canvas is drying, in a series of short exercises and demonstrations, you will learn assorted techniques. Then, dive into creating your striking piece of art. Start with an image of a 1940's silver screen diva (choose from several), then begin your collage using a wide range of the wonderful decorative papers carried in the store, plus ribbons, lace, and other decorative items your instructor has carefully chosen for you. Take home a ready-to-hang work of art, no frame necessary! Everything is provided, but if you would like to personalize your work, please bring several images or paper ephemera to incorporate into your piece. If you have them, please bring your detail cutting scissors. If you use them, remember to bring your reading glasses!

JAPANESE YUZEN PAPER JEWELRY -- PILLOW BEAD NECKLACE AND EARRINGS
Sunday, October 6, 1-4pm, $50

Back by popular demand -- learn to fold the intriguing three-dimensional pillow bead from beautiful Japanese yuzen paper. This class is for those of you who like to get an early start on holiday gift-making. The beads can be used to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings. In this class, we will create an eye-catching necklace and matching earrings. Project appears intricate, but is suitable for beginners with a bent for precision!

DAY OF THE DEAD DECORATED SKULL
Sunday, October 20, Session One: 12n-3pm, Session Two: 4:30-7:30pm, $55

Since this is an extremely popular class, instead of filling the first class and adding a second, we're announcing two sessions at the outset -- choose from an early afternoon or late afternoon class.

In this class you will create a glorious, eye-catching Day of the Dead calavera (skull). You will first cover an almost-life-sized skull form using ginwashi paper, then, using a multitude of the fabulous decorative papers carried in the store, you will decorate the skull in true Day of the Dead fashion. If you have them, please bring your detail cutting scissors. If you use them, remember to bring your reading glasses!

DAY OF THE DEAD CIGAR BOX SHRINE
Sunday, October 27, 1-4pm, $50

In this class you will create a mixed media folk art cigar box shrine featuring calaveras (skulls), calacas (skeletons) and cempasuchitl (marigolds). You will work with assorted papers to cover and line your box. Choose from a huge array of embellishments including sequins, glitter, beads, ribbons, braids, and marigolds, as adornments for your shrine. The shrine makes a fabulous keepsake or a wonderful gift. All materials are provided, but please feel free to bring any personal items (including a copy of a small photograph of a departed loved one or pet) that you’d like to incorporate into your shrine.

Summer Classes 2013

Here are descriptions and photographs of the classes I will be teaching at Papers! in Nob Hill in June and July.  All materials are provided in the registration fee.  Call 254-1434 to register.

 PAPER DOLL PLAY - "THE GIRLS IN THEIR SUMMER DRESSES" - Sunday, June 9, 1-4pm, $45

Set aside a Sunday afternoon for pure play! For this class, I have received special permission for us to use figures designed by paper doll designer Alina Kolluri. Start with a simple dress template and modify it to create many new designs, which will be carried out using beautiful papers from the store.   I will also teach a torn paper strip collage technique to create a glorious full-skirted dress (center figure). Use assorted papers, ribbons and embellishments to adorn your lovely paper doll figures. Let your imagination run wild, as you allow your interior fashion designer to emerge! If you have them, please bring with you your favorite pair of detail scissors, and if you use them, don't forget your reading glasses!

Visit The Paper Doll Shoppe  http://stores.ebay.com/The-Paper-Doll-Shoppe?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 on eBay to see all of Alina's paper doll designs.

"ART GODDESS" CIGAR BOX SHADOWBOX SHRINE - Sunday, June 23, 1-4pm, $50

In this class you will create a folk art cigar box shrine featuring the goddess(es) of your choice -- Minerva (Roman), Athena (Greek), Sarasvati (Hindu), St. Catherine of Bologna (Catholic saint), or a modern-day "generic" Art Goddess. You will work with beautiful assorted papers to cover and line your box. Feature whichever goddess(es) you so choose in the box interior, using color and/or embossed images. Then embellish to your heart's content! Everything will be provided, but please bring something to incorporate into your shrine that speaks to your particular art or craft form (or that of the person for whom you are making the shrine).

COLLAGE ON CANVAS - "MERMAID GROTTO" - Sunday, July 7, 1-4pm, $45  I have a truly summer-appropriate collage on canvas project prepared for you! Head to the bottom of the ocean, and create a secluded mermaid's grotto filled with sea creatures and ocean-bottom plants. We will be using decorative ribbons, Thai unryu paper, Nepalese lokta paper and Japanese yuzen paper. And I have some wonderful new rubber stamps you will use to create embossed sea plants to incorporate into your grotto. Take home a ready-to-hang work of art on 14"x11" stretched canvas, no frame necessary! If you have them, please bring with you your favorite pair of detail scissors, and if you use them, don't forget your reading glasses!

JAPANESE YUZEN PAPER JEWELRY -- PILLOW BEAD NECKLACE AND EARRINGS, Sunday, July 23, 1-4pm, $50 

For those of you who like to get an early start on your holiday gift-making, learn to fold the intriguing three-dimensional pillow bead from beautiful Japanese yuzen paper. The beads can be used to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings. In this class, we will create an eye-catching necklace and matching earrings. Project appears intricate, but is suitable for beginners with a bent for precision!