I recently took new work, both Raku baskets and Gourd Sculptures, to Enchantment Resort. I am always amazed when I put a body of work together to see where I have come from. The gourd art incorporates needle weaving with geodes but it is moving beyond my previous work. The Native American influence is very strong with the colors used and the designs.

My Raku continues to evolve. Pagoda III is the third of this particular style but is very different from the first two. I have a wall plaque that I just completed that is hanging in my studio that always catches my eye when I walk into my studio. I haven't determined what I will do with it. I have a couple of show coming up in the Fall plus my Open Studio in October so I may hold it for one of these.

So if you are at Enchantment Resort checkout my work at their Marketplace across from the check-in.

Creating artwork is influenced by so many things, places and people. For me, the Native American Influence has been great since moving to Sedona in 2001. We are surrounded by beauty but also the art and traditions that have been a part of this area for many, many years. The weaving done on this gourd titled, Spirit of the Warrior, is done with waxed linen in a tapestry weave. I like to call it needle weaving. The needle directs me as to where it wants to go.  I often say my weaving is intuitive. I do not start with a design. I have an idea but I let the idea grow.

I have been working diligently to get a few new pieces done. This piece, Great Spirit, was inspired by the many Native American works we are surrounded with in the Southwest. The gourd truly spoke to me and I was guided as I prepared as well as when I was weaving it. Although it was not intended, the top of the gourd is very much like the rock formation we have here-Cathedral Rock.

Each year the Verde Valley Weavers & Spinners Guild participates in the Verde Valley Fair. I always try to submit a few items. This year I entered three: Egyptian Goddess (gourd sculpture), Indian Pottery Basket and Vibrations (ash basket). Well, I won First, Second and Third in my category of Baskets and also BEST OF SHOW. That is exciting!

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art's docents toured my husband's, Robert Albrecht Photographic Artistry, and my studio, Red Rock Baskets. We had nearly 40 people. While my husband, Robert Albrecht, talked to half of the group, I talked with the other group. When each of us was done the group switched sides.

It is always great to share my love of basketweaving and how I work with Raku, gourds, antlers to create sculptural pieces and then the more traditional baskets that I weave and teach. Everyone was very attentive and asked some great questions. I wish we had had the time to take photos of the group. I also shared that I will be participating an a Studio Tour with four other Fiber Artists in October. More information will be coming on that.

My husband shared his work with digital painting as well as his other photography work which includes individual and group portraits, weddings, family group photographs and commercial work. He has gone far beyond the traditional photography. He also shared that he will be one of the featured artists at the Sedona Arts Center in May and invited them to attend.

I have lately been fascinated by what you can do with a gourd. This particular gourd had some designs that were a result of how it must have lain in the field. It made me think of the life rings you see in a tree that has been cut which resulted in its name "Life Cycles". Once I knew what I was going to do to bring out the rings I began my weaving in the center.

I like to call my weaving intuitive. I don't plan a design ahead of time, I let the fiber do the speaking. Working with waxed linen is almost meditative. I get lost in what I am doing and when I am done it is always amazing to see what I have done.

Next I will be starting on some new Raku pots that I just fired. One has an almost reptilian look and feel to it so who knows what creative juices will get fired up.