Kay Sarver Art

I have been slightly obsessed with researching alternative building methods - those that are eco-friendly, low cost and fairly easy for the self-made home builder - me. 

I know what you might be thinking, especially if you are a professional contractor, architect, construction worker, carpenter, handyman/woman or just another creative fool, like myself. I have always had my hands on something in the making, and it is not always my art.  Not to underestimate the importance of creating art, which I love eternally.

I have always seen myself building my own home.  But, there are some things I would never attempt to do.  Electrical, and plumbing are on top of this list.  I could put in a light fixture, but would prefer not to mess with anything that could send me to the other realm in a scary second. 

Same goes for super-heavy labor.  I used to think I could lift stones and shovel dirt with the best of them, but at this stage in my life, I am thinking I do not need to kill myself digging ditches. Pouring a concrete foundation falls into this category, and I am not sure it is the way to go for the kind of terrain we live in.  Seems everyone has foundation issues in the Gulf Coast area. 

I am getting way ahead of myself, but love to dream of my life goals.  We want to buy land/acreage a bit north of the city.  We used to take an hour's drive out to small, rural areas... lots of rolling pastureland with patches of trees here and there.  Would love to not see my neighbors, unless they are invited over.

I imagine having enough land to spread out a bit... build a little separate casita for someone to stay a while.  I see a large veggie garden, some farm animals - chickens, for sure, and my dogs running freely, with some sort of fence surrounding part of the property to keep them safe.  I see wooded areas with wildlife, a stream moving through, and a peaceful, panoramic view from our back porch - my spacious, well-lit studio extending from some part of the house.

I see a couple of wind turbines, some solar panels, a water catchment system with an underground tank, a greywater garden and whatever else may help this "off-the-grid" plan come to fruition.  I would love the home to be totally sustainable.

Over the past few years, I have drawn multiple plans of how this home would be/feel.  I have seen an open living space, some sort of fireplace or wood stove,  two bedrooms, one office and two bathrooms, all fitting comfortably within less than 1500 sq.ft, including my studio. 

I do want cost-effective, safe and green products to make my home.  I have looked at so many ideas, and almost everyone of them seemed the best choice at some point.  Adobe, SIPs, rammed earth, aerated concrete blocks, strawbale, papercrete, earthbags and one of my latest favorites - plastic bottle construction.  I am amazed at the strength and beauty of this kind of building.  The possibilities are endless.

Perhaps my writing this will somehow make it more real.  Just putting it out into the Universe, or to that wealthy, generous donor... whoever you are.  I do know this, sometimes, an artist needs to take a break from her current body of work and envision her dreams.  Dreaming from the heart.

Michael Harlan Orr - November 11, 1941 - December 18, 2011

I will never forget one of the most memorable, life-altering vacations I have ever taken.  It was because of  Michael Harlen Orr, that I was able to do so.  In 2000, He planned another trip to Mexico, offering to take both his son and myself along for the ride.  In a spontaneous moment, we made the decision to join him, and I cannot say just how much I appreciate that we did. 

But more than this, it was “Pappa Mike”, as he was affectionately called, who brought about this awakening in my life.  He was the vehicle that took me there, and what a special gift this was.  Even though I gave him many thanks during the trip, as well as after our return, I could never convey the gratitude I felt and continue to feel to this day. 

Not only did I see the overwhelming beauty of a never-ending, mountainous terrain, but a wondrous people, so strongly entrenched in two very different worlds… their ancient, mysterious past and the ever present struggle of their modern day lives.  I was so struck by all of this, experiencing so much in only three weeks.  Thank you, Mike.  This gift lives inside my heart everyday.

We will miss your timely jokes, your quick wit and your enormously, loving presence.  May you rest in peace.  

A panoramic look at the exhibit.  Hope you enjoy!

I love working with natural elements.  Wood has always been a favorite one, and some time ago I discovered how wonderful wood works with oil paint.  The paint sinks into the surface like a stain would do, becoming part of it…. a perfect relationship.

When I first thought of creating this new series, I had already played with steel wire to produce a few other projects in the recent past.  I enjoyed how I could shape the wire often creating multiple layers to form an animal, figure or object.  The wire became a simple suggestion of a thing, which I felt captured the energy of this object - encompassing its "essence", if you will.

Thus, the title of this series was born.  Wanting to speak to this issue of how we are connected to all around us, the idea of combining paintings and sculpture seemed a most appropriate collaboration, as the wire was used to create an ethereal rendition of the this living or non-living thing. 

The paintings show the human figure interacting by "feeling" this pure energy with eyes closed.  The figure is female, which exemplifies the feminine sensitivity that exists in both male and female.  She is also indigenous to the Americas, as this connection to Spirit is such a intricate part of the Native American cultures.  Indeed, it is the vital approach to life, insuring a healthy coexistence.

For me, it became a personal longing to embrace this state of being.  To feel this primal connection to all around me, and most importantly, to know my own, enduring spirit.

Courtesy of my dear friend, Donna Perkins, and fellow artist's clever I-phone, we now have a short video of one of my newest wire pieces made for this upcoming November exhibition at Archway Gallery.   She advised me to not clean up my studio... "people like to see the mess", she said.  Sure, this seeming chaotic state is part of the creating process, at least in my studio.   Now it is for your viewing pleasure and amusement.

The large, slightly unfinished painting in the background is also part of this new series and show that will open, Saturday, November 5.  The reception will run from 5 - 8 p.m. with a brief artist talk at 6 p.m.  Archway Gallery is located at 2305 Dunlavy, Houston, Texas.  The exhibit will be on display from November 5 - December 1, 2011.

A few weeks ago I began a fun mural project for Ethel R. Coop Elementary School, located just north of the city of Houston, Texas.  Measuring 72' long and 8' tall, with the top edge at 16' from the floor, I knew it would be a challenge to finish this project before the children came back to school, but fortunately, the mural was completed just in time, taking 14 working days in all to finish.... yeah!

My sweet sister-in-law, Betty Orr, who happens to be a great teacher at this very same school, connected me with her Principle who had mentioned that he was interested in having an artist come to paint a mural for the kids.   After viewing my website (praise to the power of this helpful artist's tool) and a few meetings and one rough sketch later, we were off to a good plan to begin this project!  Thank you, Betty!

With every project there is a learning curve, and this one was no exception.  The school was to provide a scaffold, which they were happy to do as they possessed a "lift", which I thought was more like one of those moving cherry pickers that go beep, beep as you drive the machine.  I have used these on numerous other projects, but alas, this was not the case.  I am certain this was the smallest space I have ever worked from for one of the largest murals I have ever painted.  Quite and undertaking, but doable.

I felt like a giant on a tiny platform, and every time I needed to bend over to mix colors, my head would hit the safety bars that enclosed me.  At least I did not have to climb up and down a scaffold, but I did need to move this hydraulic lift manually... not hard, just became necessary to do at least 1000 times throughout this project.  Still, I was happy doing this as it allowed me to go high or low with great ease... so important.  


What I enjoyed most of all was doing this mural for children.  It was such fun to come up with the idea/theme, along with the colors and patterns to create an overall and hopefully enjoyable piece for the students to gaze upon while they fill their hungry bodies with lunch goodies.  I have to admit, when I was first up there to sketch the image, I did find what looked to be dried food particles on the wall.  Seems children will be children, and food can go a long way when flung high into the air.

There was another challenging part to this project - taking time away from creating my artwork for a scheduled solo show in November... now just a shy two months away!  Studio time is my mantra lately... lots of it!  But I am most satisfied to have accomplished this mural in a rather short period of time for a most worthy audience.  May they dream, ponder and puzzle over the images and words that float above their curious and impressionable, little heads.  

We were blessed to know him for nearly 3 years.  He roamed into our front yard on an extremely cold December day, a bit thin and slow moving.  It was obvious he was not well.  If only he could have told us where he lived, but instead he fixed his weary eyes upon ours.  Throughout the day, we noticed him making a hole in the ground to lie in, never roaming away.  I guess we thought he may find his way home.  Even though we already had 3 dogs, we knew we could not leave him out in the cold... we brought him in.  I promptly put out signs in our large neighborhood, hoping to get a quick response from a worried owner.  After a few weeks, we had one call looking for another dog.

In the first week we had taken him to a vet, only to find that his heart was heavily infested with heart worms and he had a severe case of hip dysplasia.  They guessed his age to be about 10 years or so.  We started treatment and fed him a special diet.  He gained weight, gradually improving.   It was not an easy time, as his health was compromised and other issues developed.  He had tumors, and one in particular began to grow with amazing speed.  We had it removed along with a few others about 8 months ago.  He recovered well, and seemed to gain a new energy, but within these last few months, he had days where he just did not want to get up.  A few days ago was one of those days, and with each day after, he did not improve. 

I had that sick feeling knowing what the vet would probably say.  After it was clear that his liver was failing, we decided to put him down.  Such a dear friend... so sweet and lovable.  I will miss you.