A Lotta Art and a Little Soak

I've begun working on

encaustic panels

in preparation for a spring show. 

It started here...

and now sits here.

There will be many more layers of

encaustic wax medium added...

soon.

I recently spent some time here.

A very creative eclectic place.

Where art is the main focus

of why this place exists.

It's in every nook & cranny.

In every corner & ...

on every door.

It was a sweet break

from my norm

that provided

a cleanse of my creative &

personal self.

I find I am nurtured

in this space.

I notice

interesting moments

even if they weren't

intended to be that way.

And then there's that saltwater lagoon thing...

Mmmmmmm.

On my way home I stopped here...

I see it often

it's part of my normal route.

I don't take the time to

stop

and take it all in

as much as I could...

or should.

On this morning

I stopped.

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And of course there's always this...

Water. Land. Snowshoes & Art.

Morning 

"pour over" 

[aka wake your ass up in a hurry]

coffee 

on the water...

to an afternoon

on land...

quickly turning 

to water...

which means.....

snow up the mountain...

I think.

But first...

ART...

I plan

I assess

I organize

I sketch...

then I go out to the shed to find

my snowshoes.

It's the last place I saw them.

I think it's a good sign 

when a shed has 

mysterious paint...

Voila!

But snowshoeing will have to wait.

I have art to make.

And lots of it.

[but I'm makin' tracks the first chance I get]

In the meantime...

when I'm

in my "creative zone"...

I feel

like this...

somewhat

e t h e r e a l

and I can't get enough.

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Things like this help with my process...

It's still raining.

Sideways.

BIG FAT DROPS.

TONS.

A Year Passed & I Ended up on Vashon Island

Last year at this time

I was beginning my thesis studio work.

Today...

I am free to sit in my kitchen.

Burn incense.

Cruise the internet.

And stare out the window.

Of course taking the random pic of citrus

in beams of sunshine

is also an option.

I live part-time

on a sailboat right...

so sometimes I awake to this...

and this...

Pour over coffee

is always the remedy

for a crispy

frosty

marina

morning.

It wakes your ass up in a hurry.

Some days are excellent for a morning paddle.

However...it's difficult to leave 

each morning when I'm on the boat.

I'm ready.

And I'm content.

Not a good work day combo.

I suppose...

that could mean...

I'm a bit off center.

I did hit the road recently.

Bound for Vashon Island,

to prep for a spring show

and meet the curator.

The majority of the ride north was

snugly layered in fog.

Just how I like it.

So I hopped the ferry from Tacoma to Vashon.

{Tacoma, WA in the distance}

It's a short cruise.

But one of the two only ways to access the island w/your car.

A magical place in the harbor.

Full of delightful treasures

in every nook & cranny.

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This is always a welcome sound on any of my commutes....

My Sunday...so far...

As my eyes opened this morning they were confronted with

 the vision of my tiny closet bursting with

a plethora of personal belongings.

Don't get me wrong...

I am thankful to have such a collection

but cannot figure out a way to contain them

behind closed doors 

(read... I have not made the time to deal with it).

Outside of my nesty-bedding

this is the first textile experience I have

every time I get my bum out of bed.

My feet are very pleased.

They'll be more pleased if my toes were painted.

My closet isn't the only "collection" space.

I've stashed a mirror that I made years ago behind

my bedroom door. I have yet to determine its final placement.

After indulging in morning coffee

I began planning my attack on

creating a painting to hide behind the barn door.

A secret spot.

At the moment I have absolutely no idea what to paint.

So I'm priming it, but not to the edges.

It will stare at me each time the door is closed

segregating space within the house I

share with two males.

(whom which I have known for a very very long time)

The door was a gift, found & purchased off

the sidewalk in front of an old building in the town I live in.

It was one of those screaming deals.

I'm guessing it's 100 years old (approx.)

My Sunday...

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...as I listen to this on Pandora...

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Crazy Little Winter, Keats, Summer

...O sweet Fancy! let her loose; 

Every thing is spoilt by use: 

Where's the cheek that doth not fade, 

Too much gazed at? Where's the maid 

Whose lip mature is ever new? 

Where's the eye, however blue, 

Doth not weary? Where's the face 

One would meet in every place? 

Where's the voice, however soft,

One would hear so very oft? 

At a touch sweet Pleasure melteth 

 Like to bubbles when rain pelteth..

~ the sixth stanza of Fancy by Keats ~

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and this... it's not Keats...but I like it just the same...