What is a seed bomb? The seed bomb is a mixture of clay, soil and seeds rolled into a small ball for the purpose of direct seeding. Seed bombs were popularized by guerrilla gardeners, in New York City in the early 1970s where they were deployed as a stealth weapon to alleviate urban blight and rehabilitate and/or re-green vacant lots. They were inspired by the natural farming methods of Japanese micro-biologist Masanobu Fukuoka, who used clay encrusted seed pellets to propagate his crops. Mr. Fukuoka believed that Mother Nature takes care of the seeds we sow. She decides which crops to provide us with depending on the available resources and prevailing conditions. Ultimately, it is Mother Nature who decides what will grow and when germination will occur. Whether that be in seven days, seven months or seven years. Handmade and homemade in Petaluma, these seed bombs were created to inspire joy and wonder. They consist of clay, earth/soil and native wildflower and grass seed.
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 About two weeks ago, I started working on another guerilla giveaway. In honor of Mother's Day, I decided to honor all mothers, including Mother Earth and Mother Nature, by making seed bombs from native wildflowers and grass seeds. I got an early start on the project, making 200 seed bombs immediately. I also researched and ordered small biodegradable bags to put them into for distribution. And then... the project stalled. The seed bombs sat untouched on a foil-covered metal baking tray near the stove and I lost interest in writing for and designing the packaging until last night. When, my enthusiasm returned and everything came together.
So, began a whirlwind of activity, and another late night and early morning of putting together fun and colorful surprises. I am on the fence about whether my procrastination is a problem for me or not. Since, I can't force myself to do these things any sooner AND I really like what is born of it. So, for the time being, I am just not going to worry about it at all. It is what it is. Below are some images of the production in progress.  The tray of dry seed bombs early in the packaging phase. Each seed bomb was placed into a biodegradable bag which was inserted into a paper wrap-around and stapled.  This was the state of things last night when I was less than halfway through. I have discovered that working in little batches is much easier on the body, mind and spirit than completing one task before moving onto the next one. I loved seeing the finished pile get larger and larger and more colorful!  Flower POWer distribution displays which went together rather quickly. The most difficult part was the write-up which may be just too long for casual passersby. TMI or overshare, you decide.  Packed up and ready to go. I have discovered that stealth work involves careful planning and packing. The displays are filled up and loaded in intact, so that installation can be done quickly and easily with two zip ties. I also pack few extra items, like tape, string, wire, wire-cutters, and my don't leave home without it unless you are going to the airport trusty olfa knife, Just in case, zip ties are not adequate for hanging.
I created this as a donation for the Altered Book show/fundraiser at MOCA which runs from April 24 through May 23, 2022. This piece came together despite my best efforts to over-think and complicate it. The pink is lighter and brighter than it appears in the photo. It was designed to hang on the wall, like a painting. Getting good images of this piece was challenging, since it was finished mere moments before being delivered. Procrastination seems to be the name of the game for me these days. Things are ready when they are ready, and no sooner. This piece remains untitled. It evoked different ideas, thoughts, insights and feelings as it was pulling itself together, never really settling on any one, but rather incorporating them all, in a multi-layered or point of reference sort of way. A friend saw it and asked me about metaphors, meanings and what it meant. I hadn't really thought about how to describe it, since I sort of felt it. It was interesting for me put it into into words to see what I thought.  Untitled, April 2021 (front left view)
This piece is also somehow invisibly tethered to this thought/quote... "Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue." - Rainer Maria Rilke
Ultimately, I doesn't matters what I see in a piece or what I intended. What matters is the observer's experience. How it makes them feel and what it says to them when viewed thorough the unique lens of their existence. The links below contain more information about the show, in case you want to see the other pieces in the show and/or bid on them. Info to visit in person: https://marinmoca.org/exhibitions/event/131/ Info to visit & bid online: https://www.bidsquare.com/.../rayne-madison-untitled-220243  Happy Earth Day 2021!!! Plants have the power to heal the earth and its inhabitants. They provide for us in myriad ways asking for nothing in return. So, this Earth Day, I am making seed bombs to commemorate the day. Please join me if you are available. Details are below, as are instructions for making your own seeds bombs!
The Love Bunnies hit the streets of downtown Petaluma on April 4, 2021 to coincide with the Easter Sunday. Six locations in high traffic areas were chosen at random.
The Love Bunnies were created to inspire joy and spread the language of love! 160 Love Bunnies were created, each with a bright brilliant heart and the word love, translated into a different language, on their back.
Handmade and homemade in Petaluma. The Love Bunnies are made from cast painted plaster with paper appliques.
 A few weeks ago I started a project I have been calling the Love Bunnies. The thought underlying this project is that symbols carry meaning and transmit energy. Symbols are often universal and are used to communicate ideas or concepts beyond language. With spring in the air, I had rabbits on the brain. I was seeing them everywhere. So, I decided to create little rabbits to leave around town, as positive tokens, on Easter Sunday. The Love Bunnies were created to inspire joy and spread the language of love! 160 Love Bunnies were created, each with a bright brilliant heart and the word love, translated into a different language, on their back. I made the Bunnies using plaster in silicone molds. The rabbits were then hand painted and later the heart and translation appliques were attached. Below are some of the production photos.
I installed a portrait version of The HUman element in the front window of the Museum of Sonoma County this afternoon. The installation is part of the Open and Out program, which put artists to work and brought art out into the open in downtown Santa Rosa. Many thanks to the City of Santa Rosa for this opportunity and to Jessica Rasmussen for coordinating and assisting in the installation of this "mur-all." I also wish to express gratitude to all the lovely people who participated in the project. I literally could not have done it without you. I am growing this project. So... get ready for it... here is the pitch... If you would like to donate time, materials or funds. Or learn more please visit the shop & support page for additional information! Thank you! links: https://museumsc.org https://www.sweetfrau.online/
 The HUman element with the lovely Jessica Rasmussen after installation. Sweet Frau Strikes again! I installed some bright, fun, seasonal signage this afternoon at the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum. There are five signs in the series. So, time permitting, we may see a few more. Hoppy Holidays! & Season's Tweetings! 
So, my studio kitchen has spread into the rest of my apartment. While it is loads of fun working on multiple projects, space can be an issue. Why not use the rest of my tiny place to the best advantage?
I inherited a used wide format printer, which is named Bertrand, about two years ago. Being impatient, I took the printer home and began to use it immediately, without investing adequate time to learn about or calibrate it. Consequently, I have been frustrated with intermittent quality issues from time to time. Yesterday, after spending about an hour trying to research the source of color banding in the prints, I gave up the task and tuned into Netflix for solace. This morning, I thought I would try again. I spent six hours researching, reading, cleaning, calibrating and experimenting. And, the results were well worth it. Thank you for your patience and all your efforts Betrand!
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