I am a naturalist, geologist, self-taught artist and metalsmith, maker of oracles, and servant of felines. I have been writing, drawing, and walking in the woods all my life.  As a child who worshipped sticks and creek pebbles, I set out to become a scientist and teacher, expecting that the path would widen into a paved road with many travelling companions. Instead it became a faint winding trail through wilder land - the solitary way to the blacksmith’s anvil, the shaman’s workshop, and a desert sanctuary that grows a hundred different kinds of thorns, all of them beautiful.
I have a M.S. in Geology and three years of undergraduate education in Botany (including a Smithsonian lichenology internship).  My favorite drawing medium is scratchboard.  I paint exclusively in handground mineral pigments in egg tempera.  My art has appeared in national juried shows and several publications, including  Journal of Geoscience Education, Rocks and Minerals, Shaman’s Drum (#4 8) and We’Moon (’02 and ‘04).  My poetry has been published in Appalachian Heritage, Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review, and Calyx.  I have been blacksmithing since 1994, specializing in “sacred iron” jewelry, shaman’s bells, and women’s ritual blades. 

me carrying Horace

me feeding Horace

7 Responses to “About Me”

  1. Sherri said:

    Hi…I LOVE your work…all of it! And am intrequed by your use of raw ground minerals as a medium…I will check in often to see what your working on!

  2. Gary O said:

    Lorena,

    It is fascinating to follow your explorations on these unique paths through the natural and creative worlds. Will check in here often!

  3. MaHoney said:

    Go raith maith agat! Wonderful! Go maith! Amazing and good craic!

    Politics and negotiations have been entered and concluded–for now. ECelt will be back on live tomorrow from 7 - 9 PM.

    THANK YOU for all you do–which is a ton!

  4. Cowtown Pattie said:

    Fascinating site! I am in awe of your talent and your very obvious inner peace.

    As a desert lover (specifically those special places in the Big Bend region), I appreciate your fern pictures and catalogs, as well as other desert flora.

    Simply amazing!

  5. mooninfog said:

    I am always delighted by your beautiful work and am so pleased to have acquired a copy of the Ironwing 78 cards. This site refreshes me when I’m sick of civilization.

  6. Lunes said:

    I have just found your site linked from JJ Colour Art at http://jjbks.wordpress.com/ will be back to read more over the weekend!

  7. FireLily said:

    I love your work. Inspiring and moving. I have purchased the Tarot and a Shaman’s bell both have increased the work of my path. You inspire my life.

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