J U D I M O R A L E S G I B S O N
t a l i s m a n a r t s
talisman;
a treasured object held to act as a charm, bringing good fortune,
producing magical or miraculous effects on those who cherish them . . .
C u r r e n t S h o w s
My current work glows with the warm energy of hot wax as I develop a series of encaustic pieces.
P a c i f i c G r o v e
Holiday 2007 Open House
My first ever Open House at our Pacific Grove home will showcase all my paintings, including affordable smalls.
I'll also be previewing my Cinder Garden
Design hand-made holiday hats and sock-monkeys.
Sunday, December 9th, 12pm - 6pm
* This is an invitation-only event so contact me for an invite.
S a n F r a n c i s c o
"Holi-Daze"... a unique holiday show of unusual,creative and furry gifts.
I'm exhibiting encaustic and acrylic abstract
paintings as well as my Cinder Garden Design hand-made holiday hats, Snuggle-up fleece PJ pants and sock monkeys
Sunday, December 16th, 10am - 6pm
Cafe Cocomo
650 Indiana Street, San Francisco
http://www.preparefortheplaya.com/
C a r m e l - b y - t h e - S e a
Lauryn Taylor Fine Art Gallery
"Holiday Lights"
I'm exhibiting encaustic abstract paintings.
November 24th to January 2008
San Carlos between Ocean and Seventh, Carmel, Ca
(831) 624-1161
www.lauryntaylor.com
Encaustic Paintings
My love affair with encaustic (hot wax paint)
continues ...
Lately, I experiment with embedding materials,
creating texture and fusing in oil paints for a distressed 'old world' feel.
My most recent works
feature ink monoprints imbedded into the wax, 
which
create eerie abstract images that I love.
Acrylic Abstracts
I
work in fiery color themes, as well as deep ocean blues & greens. 
The
lush local scenery of ocean and forest and my travels to Mexico form color
ideas
and textures. I work with heavy gesso and love lots of texture,
taking inspiration from Carol Dalton, Mark Eanes and Lauryn Taylor.
Although I still paint in acrylic, my recent work
glows with the warm energy of hot wax. My newest
creations are ink monoprints embedded in encaustic
paint to create a wonderful ghostly effect. Scroll
down for images.
Cinder Garden Designs
... play clothes for your inner child
I have been designing and making costumes since 1983 when I was a dancer and singer in the Music in Motion vaudeville show. I studied costume design in college and ran a costume business from my tiny apartment during my college years. Since then, I've been making Burning Man costumes my my family and friends.
In 2007 I launched Cinder Garden Designs. I design and hand-craft Burning Man clothing (costumes and playa wear) for kids and adults. I recycle fabrics when possible and rarely sew with a pattern which gives me absolute freedom to create. I specialize in pajama pants and bloomers made from bedsheets, fleece animal pants with tails, 
faux-fur pants, faux-fur vests and fun fleece, velvet and fur hats. I'm developing quirky yet functional short playa kilts as well. Styles are comfortable, whimsical and funtional, designed for the environment of Burning Man but still great for special events and everyday lounging.
Inspiration
I have the amazing job of Program Coordinator for Artista Creative Safaris
in Carmel California, where we host art retreats for women. I get to paint
and share my own techniques with our
guests regularly, as well as gain inspiration from our instructors and aspiring
artists. 
My work with Las Olas Surf Safaris in Mexico, gives me the chance
to visit Nayarit's Pacific coast regularly, where I always renew my love of
the
color blue.
Mehndi Body Art
I
am a self-taught mehndi artist and have been practicing mehndi (henna body
art) since 1996. Although mehndi does not come from own
culture (American
and Hispanic), I have adopted it as my own. 
Over the years, I've done mendhi
at Burning
Man, art festivals, Open Studios, private parties, and Indian weddings. I
adhere to traditional Indian patterns, use only natural henna and a freehand
technique. 
I
prefer to create designs for the individual, based on her energy, personality
and designs that pass through my intuitive third eye. Educating
others on mehndi's rich tradition and culture is important to me. I have taught
mehndi workshops in years past, and shared mehndi with kids at Art
Day at Benicia grade schools. Benicia
kids still know me as the 'henna lady'.
Found-Object Jewelry
I've
always believed that objects have a past, a history of their own and the potential
to be a talisman. I create jewelry using found objects that
remind
me of cherished objects from my childhood, giving them a second life. I rescue
things like vintage buttons, skeleton keys, foreign coins, small toys, religious
metals and unusual findings. Over the years, I've added tresures collected
from my travels throughout Mexico, Holland and France and through my connection
with William's (French) Antiks. 
My jewelry has been featured at the Arts
Benicia shows,
Benicia Open Studios, art festivals and fairs, as well as California boutiques.
I'm probably best known for my toy fish bracelets.
BURNING MAN CAMP -
HOT MONKEY SOX...
Sock Monkey Workshop
My husband Jonathan and I host a family-friendly theme
camp at Burning Man each year, with our son Dexter
(who has gone nearly every year since he was 16 months
old). 
We always make an effort to contribute to the
art community at Black Rock City in some fun artistic way, and always bring home the creativity and freedom
we experience to our everyday lives.
At our camp "Hot Monkey Sox" we host daily sock-monkey
workshops for our burners of all ages. 
We collect
socks yarn, buttons and pillow stuffing all year which
are reborn into unique sock-monkeys at Burning Man.
Our guests are so dedicated to their monkeys, not even
dust storms will deter them from finishing.
Our calendar year revolves around Burning Man so our week at Burning Man is a really homecoming. It's like living in an amazingly colorful dream... while you're
awake.
.
