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Odin – A Blue Heeler/Border Collie/Australian Shepherd Passed Going On 16 Years

on May 9, 2021

Odin and Harley Davidson were born February 7, 2006. We adopted both brothers at the same time. Harley passed awhile back and Odin passed on his own May 8, 2021. Both were very unique and wonderful dogs. Both were very athletic, and David ran with them daily. We are very sad to lose Odin, but know that he was lovingly cherished throughout his lifetime. We were blessed to have had both brothers!!

What reality?

By Sharon La Pierre © Copyrighted 2021

This experience is all a dream. Not real but seems to be. What is this reality?

Our dog going on 16 years old passed on his own, and it has made me wonder what this reality is all about. Why is life so wonderful and at the same time so devastating to the soul? I know I have gotten wiser through the years, but the struggle does not seem worth the wisdom gained. I know I have become a much better artist where my creativity has bloomed into its own expression, but it does not seem enough. I would rather interact with my wonderful horse, Apolo, and all of my other wonderful creatures who have gone before me. I know that people say I will see them again, but I wonder. Apolo seems to be the only one close to my thought. As I wipe away the tears from the recent loss of Odin, I remember all of his fun faces and antics that made me joyful and laugh. I remember how difficult he was as a dog because of his breed but defended his right to live and decide for himself. Each animal lost has brought unbelievable rewards into my life. They have made me laugh. They have made me cry. They have made me mad. They have made me think. But, they always gave me unconditional love and joy to have them. I gained a better understanding of myself because I cared about them. I took the responsibility to make their reality pleasant and safe. I would not trade one second of my reality without my animals. Not one second no matter how painful at times. Not one second!

Maybe this is the answer. Maybe we touch each others’ lives to make our own more whole and rewarding. Maybe reality is what lives within us. Maybe. Will I see them again? As long as I live, they live, and Life feels eternal to me. Cannot imagine my beady little mind not functioning. Can you?

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Steel Relief Sculptures by Sharon La Pierre – Copyright 2020 – Progression of Creating

By Sharon La Pierre

on June 28, 2020

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In categories blogpost, Mixed Media Art, sculpture, Whimsical Art with no comments

“The Final Ascension”

By Sharon La Pierre

on June 28, 2020

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Winston, as he is lovingly called, participated in the 78th Annual Bridlespur Society Horse Show in St. Louis, MO ridden by his trainer Dena Tanner Lopez of Double D Ranch, Versailles, KY. He showed in ASB (American Saddlebred) Western Pleasure Prospect and came away with Reserve Champion in the Championship class. He is a young and beautiful horse who will go far with David Bruce as his owner and rider in the future. This was his fist exhibition and because of the covid virus most shows have been cancelled or pending. This horse show was sold out with hundreds of entries, so we are very pleased with his first attempt and his wonderful training.

Winston’s Sire is Seraph and his dam is The Night Airs owned by Paradise Farms, Scott Gonyaw.

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Marijke fan’t Suderein Remembered

By Sharon La Pierre

on November 26, 2019

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March 6, 1996 to November 24, 2019

Marijke, sometimes called “Mickey,” was a big, beautiful Friesian mare. She was born in the Netherlands and imported to the United States. She even had a passport. She had been trained by various trainers through out her lifetime, but did not connect well with owners, trainers, and especially other horses. She had one foal, but we do know know much about her.

Marijke was an alfa mare and over 17 hands big. People were often afraid of her size because it was difficult to handle such a large horse. Then, she met David Bruce and he fell in love with her magnificent size and beauty and fantastic hand gallop. They connected in the ring and on the ground. He never had any fear of her, and she followed him around the arena without a lead. In the show ring, they won many championships together in Western Pleasure and Huntseat. She won the hearts of many at the National Western Stock Show in 2015 (Denver, CO) when she took the Classic Open Championship. The classes were huge, but she took the prize which was unusual at that show for a Friesian. David and Marijke won a jacket to commemorate the event.

Marijke was a great driving horse, as well.

The loss of this wonderful animal can never be overstated. She touched the lives of many with her beauty, white eyebrows, and curious soul. She will be forever, forever missed and mourned as one in a million. We are grateful and blessed to have been her family. She died in Kentucky where she finally got to be out with other horses in a paddock part of the day, something no one ever thought possible. She finally got a taste of freedom not tied to a stall. Thank you, God, for letting us have her!!

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“Wallflower Series” – Mixed Media Whimsical Faces

By Sharon La Pierre

on August 3, 2019

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All of my life I have had the privilege of being an artist. Creating has brought me much joy and amusement, allowing me to deal with life as a positive experience. My love has been to create whimsical figures, baskets, weavings, and faces by using mixed media to achieve a sense of joy and laughter. I have been lucky to have been able to teach my craft and to have been featured in many articles and on the front covers of many fiber magazines during my career. I have loved hearing people’s comments at exhibitions because my work made them smile.

This is the beginning of another journey called “Wallflower Series.” These faces are done in relief and placed in shadow boxes for display. I am not sure how many faces will be in this series, but I am currently working on the fourth as I write. I have created note cards and pillows from these designs, so far. ENJOY!

One day I was looking through family photos, and I ran across a photo of my grandmother, Minnie Swanson. I was very close to my grandmother and when I was in college I would drive to San Francisco on weekends and she and I would have fun going all over the place, laughing, going to Macy’s bargain basement, eating at fun places like the Fisherman’s Warf, or riding the trolly car. She was one of the first women to own an apartment building in San Francisco. I always wondered why I used pearls and flowers in my drawings and mixed media artwork to create certain effects. When I looked at her photo, I realized that I was patterning my designs after the love I had for her. She was a very classy women!

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“Harley Davidson”

By Sharon La Pierre

on December 11, 2018

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Blue Healer, Collie, Australian Shepherd Mix

2/7/2006 to 12/11/2018

Harley left us today, but we still have his brother Odin with us. Harley was almost 13 years old and very much an alfa male. Having to watch him go this morning made me think a little more about my own life and the fact that it may end at some point too. It seems to be the natural state of affairs, but hard to make sense of it. We all have to face this human condition at some point, and writing about it tends to take the sting out of it.

Harley was David’s running dog, and he was fast. Together through the years, even up until his last few months, Harley loved going with David and Odin. Harley was extremely bonded to David, like nothing else I had ever seen. That is how he got his name….Harley Davidson! David and Harley used to play frisbee in the back yard, and he would jump 6 feet to catch when thrown. After it was over, Harley would run and jump into David’s arms. He really loved David, and the feeling was mutual.

Contemplating the concept of age made me wonder if I would ever see my beloved animals again. The following is a soliloquy of reflections on the topic of growing old. My conclusions about aging and life…….

The Contemplation of Growing Old

By Sharon Greenleaf La Pierre

As we grow older, our lives change in many ways that we do not anticipate. Time goes by much quicker. Our friends pass on. Our friends struggle with illnesses that we cannot help alleviate, but only watch and encourage them to fight. Our self esteem changes because we cannot do the things we used to do with quickness and vigor because our bodies wither with time. All of these changes are frustrating and very fast acting. One begins to realize that the majority of your life is behind you instead of in front of you. One is much more cautious about taking risks and doing things, like traveling alone, which you used to do for fun.

I have had to re-evaluate my existence on a different level to enhance joy and a purpose for living. Disappointments become disheartening and harder to overcome. It seems to take longer, but I treat faith as real.

Younger people have no idea what older people are going through and dismiss them as being “old.” Actually, this is the cycle of human existence and it is frightening to say the least. Younger people have little patience and dismiss the life-long accomplishments and knowledge of older people. It all hurts and older people find themselves discussing these issues with friends who are still alive. What is the remedy for all of this? I do not live through children or grandchildren. My life has to have meaning here and now as me. I have had to dig deep into my soul to avoid crying everyday about what I have lost. Instead, I have had to explore what I have gained. What have I gained in growing old?

Well, I am less afraid to speak my mind, not that I did not in the past…..It is different. I am more apt to step in and give someone encouragement without caring if I get thanked. I am more apt to appreciate my wrinkled skin as a sign of how hard I worked to exist and live effectively. The beauty of age is ageless because I have become more concerned with authenticity than with looks, more concerned with health than weight…never thought I would say that!… It is a kind of unappreciated beauty that society does not relish. White hair means you have had experiences. Wrinkled skin means you have weathered life and won another day. Being outspoken means you have thought about the meaning of life and what you value for yourself and humankind. I never fear the consequences when I feel I can make a difference in helping an animal or person. Politics between people becomes less important, or it should at any rate. Not all of us age in the same way or at the same rate. Not all of us come to the same conclusions about the meaning of our lives. That is what makes the wrinkles so unique….the patterns are representative of one’s own life experiences. It is a canvas filled up, not emptied.

One thing is for sure……I find that when I meet my friends, I laugh a lot more at myself and at them and ignore the pain of age. Daily fears are no longer real or immediate as they once were. I know my time will come when I go away. Where do I go? Will I still be old? Will I meet my loved animals again? The mystery is consuming at times because it is hard to believe my thoughts will cease and my energy will stop. I hope I just drop doing what I love most with no regrets about what I should have done. That means I am alive right now to express and do!!! Yeah!!! Maybe I have won the battle after all.

A friend is always saying, “It is what it is.” Maybe I will change that a bit….It is what I make it now!! That makes my energetic identity eternal.

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Diamond’s Crown Royal, “The Red Raven” Line

By Sharon La Pierre

on July 21, 2018

with no comments

April 1, 1991 to July 21, 2018

“Diamond’s Crown Royal” was euthanized today in Kentucky. Crown, as he was lovingly called, was a very special American Saddlebred Horse. He was almost 28 years old and was stubborn and lovable. He pulled at your heart. Crown was David’s very first horse, and they used to trail ride together. He was not an easy horse, but a very brave horse. He loved playing polo soccer with other horses using a huge ball. He was a terror at the game when younger.

Crown had a very unique characteristic called “Birdcatcher spots,” or white coat markings. These are small random spots that come and go spontaneously and may reappear in other parts of the body. The spots are named after an Irish, red thoroughbred stallion named Birdcatcher in 1833. They appear to run in families and may be genetic.

Crown added great joy to our lives, and it is hard to let go. We are grateful he was part of our family for so many years.

Red Raven Farms is named after the line of Crown’s mother. The dam of Crown’s mother was “The Red Raven.” That may be where he inherited his beautiful rich, dark red chestnut color. Never seen another horse like him. His Sire’s line was “Worthy Son” and “Supreme Sultan.”

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Basketmaking & Fiber Arts – A Lifetime of Learning

By Sharon La Pierre

on July 14, 2018

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My talent as a visual artist allowed me to be successful. I started in interior design and music and later got a masters degree in fiber design, creating whimsical basketry and weavings that were exhibited all over the US. But, my heart was in exploring how to determine the patterns of thought and measurement in regard to artistic spatial thinking or intelligence. This took me to the University of Denver with special classes from Stanford University to study research methods and methodologies in art education curriculum. As a poor, little girl in the days of picking fruit I had fulfilled my dream of attending Stanford University and received my Ph.D. in 1987 thanks to an anonymous donor from high school who saw my potential. This led me to receive a Kellogg Post Doctoral Fellowship in Adult Learning Research at Montana State University.

I settled in Colorado from California in 1969, where I taught at the community college and university levels, giving workshops and lectures, and later running a graduate program at the University of Northern Arizona in Art Education. I published extensively on the topics of artistic spatial reasoning and artistic research methods and methodologies, serving as president of several national professional organizations and editor of peer-reviewed publications.

September 20, 1976
Sharon La Pierre – Littleton, Colorado Weaving Studio
Credit: Denver Post

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Esplendor, A Special Peruvian Horse

By Sharon La Pierre

on February 2, 2018

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LEA Esplendor, my Peruvian Horse gelding, and I were attacked by a Quarter Horse stallion while trail riding several years ago in a field. It was one of the most traumatic experiences I have ever had. I wrote an article about the event, and it was published in Horsetalk, a digital publication.

From there the BBC contacted me and did a radio interview from England. Alice Gioria was the Producer for this Outlook story published by BBC World Service. It was exceptionally well done.

The newest article by Penny Magazine, a Holco Publication, was published June 2018 for The Netherlands and Belgium, a lovely children’s horse magazine for readers ages 7 to 14 years of age. The article is supported by whimsical drawings to tell the story. A small picture of Esplendor appears on the cover. It is written in Dutch for the European market. They paid for a photographer to photograph Esplendor in Colorado (Allison Mae Photography). Gera Laurens-Hoving was the Editor at the time.

Below are the links to all three publications.

Link: https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2017/07/25/horse-saved-peruvian-paso-stallion-attack/

Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05fw6z7

Link: Esplendor

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Closure to a Privileged Time

By Sharon La Pierre

on November 21, 2017

with no comments

The University of Denver Library Archives took possession on November 20, 2017 of my 40 years of professional materials such as articles, books, publications, notes, doctoral research papers and notes, research raw data, correspondence, teaching manuals and syllabi, slides, exhibition records, workshops and lectures, and special projects. It was hard to turn over a new leaf and say goodbye to a wonderfully fulfilling career in regard to researching the nature of artist intelligence, which led to a Kellogg Post Doctoral Fellowship in Adult Learning Research.

What drove me to this work was years of thinking differently from others, starting as a child (much more spatial and wholistic in nature) and not having this ability to reason displayed on tests.…something I would have to learn. I could find the answer in my head without going through the linear thinking process. Yet, most testing dealt with the process and not necessarily the outcome or product. It was like a puzzle for me. A good example is when I had to take beginning and advanced statistics in my doctoral program. I was scared to death that I could not do it. Well, luckily I had one of the best teachers around, and he gave open book tests. However, these were what was called “power tests’ where the answer to the first question plugged into the second question and so on. So, if you missed the correct answer to the first question, you were toast. One had no time to look up anything because there were so many questions/problems on the test. You either knew it or did not. Everyone laughed at me when I came to the first test with three huge color-coded butcher papers showing how to jump from one concept to another and what the possibilities were for interaction, much like how my thinking process works. I spread the papers out on the floor in front of my desk, going way off alone. Needless to say, I got top grades in all of these statistic classes and loved math for the first time in my life. I began to see that I needed to use what I knew as my thinking style and convert my pictures into objective responses. My way was not an inferior manner of thinking, as I had been led to believe throughout my life. On the contrary, I thought with my hands as representative of the mental spatial process. This was an artist’s way of processing information.

I got my doctorate in 1987 from the University of Denver. The instruction in research methodology was superb. One of the most wonderful aspects about this program was that I was allowed to take classes at Stanford University in California to study with Dr. Elliot W. Eisner. He was the leading person in my field at the time. While at Stanford, I had the opportunity to explore its wonderful library of primary resources. I copied everything important to my research and spent hours reading the fantastic collection materials. Many of these out-of-print materials were referenced in my own work. This is what inspired me to leave my collection of primary materials to an archival collection for others to develop and grow from my experiences. To me this is what education is about, not just giving back what is being taught by a specific professor, but utilizing aspects of the learning process for one’s own unique approach.

Throughout the years I had the privilege of co-authoring, co-editing, and serving on committees and national organizations with some of the brightest and most prolific people in my field. They made me work harder to know my craft better in order to contribute. For that, I am grateful to have been their colleague. I loved teaching and knowing my students, as well. They challenged me to reach a higher level of knowledge and self awareness. I really loved what I did throughout the time I remained in my field of endeavor. One cannot ask for more than that in life.

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