Back and Back Track II

Back to Centrum, this time to laundry and trees and never ending cycles.

Back and Back Track

The first storm of the season is blowing through Seattle today.  Heavy rain is drumming on the roof and the wind is whipping through the trees causing flocks of leaves to swirl by.  It makes me very happy to laze on the couch and revel in my slothfulness.  While reclining with this laptop on my, well, lap, I found myself perusing photographs that I took just a couple of weeks ago while in residency at Centrum.  That led me to thinking about trees again, this time sun dappled.  And I remembered too that we did have a summer of sorts this year even though it was late and short. 

I have to confess that I'm a fan of both stormy and sunny fall days.  Storms mix things up and leave clear, fresh air in their aftermath.  Sunshine, well, sunshine is just pure joy.  Trees can't live without both and neither can we.  Today I'm enjoying one while thinking of the other.  May you be enjoying your Sunday as much as I am.

Sneak Peek of Mithun Show

If you haven't had a chance to see my show at Mithun and want a peek, here is a link to images from the show.

Infinity

On the beach at Fort Worden State Park.  

Home = infinite stories. 

Parting Shot

This was my view from the sweet house where I lived for two weeks during my Centrum residency.  This photo was taken on my last morning there.

I arrived at Centrum happy, yet very tired, and ready for the next stage of what comes after hanging the largest show of my work that I've ever put together (Further Longings and Dislocations).  In some ways that show was three years in the making although I didn't realize it at the time.  It was one of the hardest and most exhilarating experiences I've ever had. Although in the end making paintings and sculptures and all manner of visual stuff is a solo affair, it cannot be done without the love and support of family and friends and patrons.  For all of you I am very grateful.

Thank you too to the folks at Centrum for the time and space for reflection, for the ability to noodle around without interruption, to begin again.

I've unpacked all of my art supplies at the studio and have taken another deep, reflective sigh.  Dang, it's good to be back home.

Turning Paint Into Yarn

. . . is what I've been doing at the Centrum residency. This is the third of three pieces I've done thus far.  One piece is hanging in my show at Mithun and the other was also completed here.  This one is still in progress and has been especially challenging so it's been an incredible luxury to have uninterrupted time to concentrate. 

Northwest Fine Arts Competition Opening

Please join me tomorrow night, October 8, from 7-9 p.m. at the Phinney Center Gallery , 6532 Phinney Ave N. Seattle, for the opening of this show.  Four pieces from the Home Symbols Series are included.  The exhibition will be on display through October 29, 2010.

Vulnerable

Trees

A couple of days ago I was sitting in a beautiful park on a sunny afternoon with my sketchbook and pencil in hand.  Rather than drawing the scenery I found myself sketching the only artificial structure in sight, a baseball backstop.  

Well, you can't fight nature I suppose but I do love looking at it.  It has some pretty amazing structure. 

Sun or Not

Late afternoon sun on the kelp at North Beach

near Fort Worden State Park

Today the sun is gone but what a glorious run we had.  I'm ever hopeful that we haven't seen the last of the root beer tinged light that only comes on the late afternoon fall days. On the other hand, this low, gray cloud cover make it's much easier to stay inside and do something creative or read a book. Not such bad alternatives.

Only four more full days remain here at Centrum.  This place feels as much like home as any place I've stayed. Having said that, the love of my life is now on his motorcycle heading into the proverbial sun (if it were out, of course).  It was so good to see him and I will surely miss him until I follow him back home. Until then, I have a few more ideas to put down in pencil or paint.