Hello lovely people!
As some of you may know, I have been working on a new series of Concrete_mixed Media sculptures which were titled, "Family of 5". They were a deep seeded connection of entities and beings. One of the things about keeping true as a maker is being in tune and in sync with the spirit of the work. Always - listening to where 'it' wishes to go or what 'it' wishes to become. It may have started one way ...and then as the path is followed and explored it will shape shift- in what can be the blink of an eye...or perhaps long afterwards.  This revelation always happens in its own time and I remain grateful to play a part in the process of its creation.  This series is changing and will no longer be titled "The Family of 5". each work wishes to be independent and forms and spirits are changing.
So it goes!

Today_ I shall post some photos from of One of the works from this series. I don't always have the energy or power of health to enter 'the garage womb' studio. I work with several challenges but Do try my best to get in there- saying "HELLO" to the Work in progress and Plants! Then to sweep the floor!
Carrying on rituals in Garage womb- My dear Beloved CeZanne Blue who LOVED with all his beautiful soul... to be with me in this space of fearless creating... I still carry on the rituals that he and i shared.. .such as: making sure his votive is lit
( i use battery votives so as  not to create fire)! I have been known to ignite some powerful flames! lol.
I also turn the music on loud... have a shot of shlivovitz...and do a dance and make sure to sing while working... He would love to dance with me...and when he could not dance...his last months of life..he always smiled watching me ham it up!
There has been many months that going into the Garage womb...was very difficult... i cry too much and feel empty... but this is how i heal. It takes time... the most important thing is not to give up on myself -nor the work.  As my Grandma Barica would say, "we all have something in our lives that demands we try harder and keep faith and not to give up when things are a bit challenging". 
I also try to keep the work, 'honest'. this requires listening carefully.
Not only in the 'look' of the work but what the work is composed of. The materials....need to be the right mix- kind of like a whipping up a magic potion!  The Alchemy - always a fuel for my fire!

OK - NUFF said:
Here are some pics... I will now call this Particular work "Morning Star". She is made in reflection of a very special person in my life. I try to connect to 'an essence' ...not have the work look like the person and their exterior shell. More about the soul.

thank you for allowing me to share with you!
Hope you come back, and leave a comment or two!

dk

   Concerning Landscape, curated by Megan Winkel, is a dual-location exhibition that explores the construct of landscape and its various forms of expression. The show at DAM focuses on conceptual interpretations and features artists Carla Anderson, John Azoni, Helen Gotlib, Carole Harris, Kayla Powers, Sharon Que, Jocelyn Rainey, Olya Salimova, Jon Setter, and Ann Smith. A presentation of works from DAM members is on view at the neighboring Henry Ford Health’s Brigitte Harris Cancer Pavilion.
Exhibiting Artists at Henry Ford Cancer Pavilion:
Donald Cronkhite, Pamela Day, Ellen Doyle, Frank James Fisher, Bill Gemmell, Alex Gilford, Birgit Huttemann-Holz, Sarah Kasper, Nancy Kozlowski, Diane Marie Kramer, Matt Lewis, Brant MacLean, Steve Miller, Scott Millington, Christine Monhollen, Jon Parlangeli, Catherine Peet, Kari Rasmussen, Christine Ritchie, Bill Schahfer, Mark Zapico

Featured Artist: Beto Patino, curated by Jeff Cancelosi

The work I have in this show is "Silent Night" Mixed media on wood and framed in copper.
Other elements used: paint, cloth, paper, torn pages from departed family prayer book, pressed flower petals, hair, copper mesh, metals...and more.

These are a few of the new works in progress. I am using my Garage studio which I call, "Kramer's Art Womb". i am running out of time weather-wise...and not sure how or when i have chance to  continue...when water from the hose need be turned off. (where i live we get very cold weather). No sink in the studio or running water. The work is made like most of my work in a rather primitive way. I envy those who know how to use tools. I have some such as: tin snips, hammer, staple gun...but for the most part I put things together in the very same way I had as a child. It all comes intuitively. This presents both pros and cons. I like to play with the work in early stages...adding some things to it and perhaps some stay and some may be tossed.... the work comes into its own on its own time. The forms are made thus far of mortar mix , steel mesh, pigment pieces of tree limbs...rope, etc... I hope you enjoy some of the following photos of this 'Family of five" journey. I will try to add more photos later on. Thank you for your visit and Please feel free to comment if you so wish. Cheers!
DMK. November 9th 2022

"Mr. Bojangles"  Mixed Media Sculpture is on exhibit at the DAM - The Detroit Artist Market Gallery. This Exhibit was juried by Srimoyee Mitra. Reception July 15th 2022 6pm- 9pm
4719 Woodward ave, Detroit, MI. 48021  Show is up from July 15th to August 6th 20022
gallery number- 313 832 8540
www.detroitartistsmarket.org/interim-page/

I am very happy and grateful to be selected into this show and welcome you to stop on by if you can while the work is up.

warm regards,
Diane

Hello, I hope you are all keeping well during these days of uncertainty and Covid 19 Illness. Thank you for visiting my blog today. It is a good feeling to share with those who take interest. Please, leave me a comment if you wish!
Today I am sharing a few recent photos of the work "Elea" in progress  and also adding a few earlier photos of the work. At this stage of the game- I am going to let the work 'cook' for a bit before completing her. I have changed the patina several times....usually Just adding pigment to the cement mix, and in a rather spontaneous fashion. This way of working allows me to play with the form and colors. I am not quite sure where she will lead me...but have an idea. I need to obtain more cement supplies and work on getting a proper heater for my studio in order to work on this in the colder months. I have no running water so must depend on a red wagon to help me carry the buckets of water. This will be challenging in the winter months as we have to turn off water outside. Other then the strain on my spinal disabilities - i do not mind working this way as it keeps things simple and primitive in some ways that seem to keep the work fresh and Raw. I seem to adapt fairly well to creating in such environment and this way of working can influence how the work develops to some extent.  For now_ i will add photos of the various stages of her progress. I enjoy using Buddy Rhodes Vertical Mix and Ramp for the Cement mixtures. I usually will add some fiber to the mix and the pigment. I am awaiting some white cement to be used with pigments for top surface.

Elea has bits of pigment added at this stage.... added a photo of one of my photos from a wonderful trip some years back while visiting the Adirondacks in NY.

I worked some on 9/11 in garage studio and felt inspired to make a photo montage....in honor of the lives that were taken during the tragic bombing 20 years ago. The eyes in Elea are from a photograph of my eyes.

the photo on the bottom right is where our girl is at presently. I am not waiting to get my white cement shipment.

People ask me from time to time, 'why it is that  I choose to work in mixed media and why I let Intuitive thinking guide me'.
I find it mentally and emotionally -stimulating & freeing in visual and spirit content.
I usually will have a feeling that generates an urge to created what is being 'sensed' ...does not matter at the time of the 'sparked connection' what i choose to paint or draw or sculpt- and this also applies to the medium that the work will be birthed onto
Whether it be on paper, canvas, cement, or in digital format.

“All of my work is conceived from within. Just as nature shapes through time its landscapes, I too have been shaped by my past experiences. I try to discern “the essence of things”. Intuition and dream states are channels through which I arrive at the form and content of my work. I am able to focus beyond the immediate visual reality and allow myself to enter a dream state. I am then able to cultivate my images, feelings and forms which connect me to the unconscious world where my images are developed. My work conveys the passage of time and inner worlds
Reflecting who I am as an artist and individual”
dk

Below I shall share a few "WIPS" which means  "Work in Progress".
I started to make, "I don't want to go" when i was concerned about some friends and family who were ill and also just feeling the emotions one feels when one has lost someone special. I am not quite set up in my new garage studio, but i found my way...I had stapled up some canvas...and gave it a whirl when I felt a need to create. During the work I learned of several good friends who had passed on and two who were presently ill. One of them was a very good friend of mine. Her name was Linda and we not only were friends but we shared well over a decade of Art School.  Our paths meshed into a life long friendship. I had the fortune, tho heartbreaking- to e mail and speak with my friend not too long before she left this world. After hanging up- the Garage studio waited once again. This work is not finished and it is one of those works which requires time to "Cook". It may be that i return the following day to continue the visual journey or it may be weeks, months or years -before the return.

I have used oil paint, pencil, old dishcloths from when i used to live with my parents, string. I am sure if needed other elements will appear or not.

These are all some of the WIP details. Will post others later.