New Art, TX, on the Llano River

Though this event happened over a month before today's posting, it remains fresh in my memory.  My sculptor-painter-poet muse Bill Worrell hosted his annual Legend of the Christmas Nachos party the first weekend of December on the grounds of New Art, Texas, his property on the Llano River.  This was my third time attending this gathering of friends, relatives and neighbors, gallery owners, artists and musicians.  It is truly unlike any other party I've attended. Music, barbecue, laughter, and Worrell's spirit and art are everywhere -- monumental, towering sculptures overlooking the river and tiny treasures tucked in unexpected places. I especially enjoyed introducing my friend and colleague Kelly Miller to Worrell and observing her encountering the magic of his art for the first time.  I feel a special -- and spirit-filled -- connection to this place and was honored to speak about our collaboration and introduce a recording of his SOMEDAY I WILL FLY, during the "concert" portion of the evening in his studio, built on the design of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert.  His gift of a raku sipapu incense burner now graces my home studio. (The sipapu was a hole in the floor of a kiva, the ceremonial chamber made and used by the ancient Pueblo Indians.) The inscription on the back is “Light candles, burn incense, and think of those you love, knowing their spirits are with you.”