Encaustic Crows

I've been layering some of my photography lately

in multiple layers of textures.

I'm still intrigued with the photos of the winter crows that

always seem to be present throughout the seasons.

They stand out drastically against the

white winter sky.

I will take them further, adding encaustic wax

and more texture with oils.

They will then find their temporary

home at small local boutiques or possibly my
quiet little etsy shop [(I should give more attention to)...waiting

to connect with their future admirers.

This...

...is a video directed by Hiro Murai.

I recently worked on

the art staff for a Shins video he directed in Portland,

of which should be completed in a month or so.

Outside of 

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a summer psychology course, 

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a few photo shoots and 

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a hankerin' to finish my encaustic digital photos

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my summer is pretty light. Fall semester will be here before I can say...

am I really crazy enough to take another five classes?!?!?!

The answer is yes,

with a grin of gratitude and pride.

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One of those quick warm up paintings

that I've come to appreciate.

Oil on bond paper spring 2012.

P.S. I'm not sure why the type in this post randomly spangles inside a white box...

I'll figure that out later. 

Ciao! 

Mental Illness Architecture & My Imagination

During this last semester I had the opportunity to tour the Oregon State Hospital with my Theory and Practice: Art and Psychology class. Although the newly renovated facility is state of the art and beautifully designed, it was the old abandon campus that bewitched my interest. I was feverishly capturing the emotional impact the environment had on me thus having too many photos to share in one post. Underground tunnels, vacant buildings frozen in time and a landscape that no longer serviced patients physical and emotional needs are some of the topics that I found myself drawn to. This selection represents deserted windows and benches remaining on the old grounds. Some of the old structures have been demolished.

 The location was host to the 1975 movie One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. Pacific Northwest author Richard Brautigan, Trout Fishing in America, was also committed here in 1955. It now serves a state government department or two but was recently purchased and may be currently totally abandon until the new owners establish themselves. The incredibly creative McMenamin brothers were interested but to my knowledge are not the purchasers.

 The children's ward filled my intrigue and collided with my psyche. My imagination bee-lined to invented stories of chaos and whimsy. My vision spangled with images of rambunctious scenes that may have taken place. Children haven't been present on the property since 2003, the institution took focus on adult care at that time. I contemplated sharing my invented stories but when I began to type them seemed insignificant. There are enough tragic stories of mental illness that have caused turmoil in peoples lives. My interpretations would be gravely flawed and not something I'm willing to unleash at this point in time.

 A window in the playroom.

 A once tranquil place to dwell.

 A glimpse to a crisp, misty Pacific Northwest morning from the playroom.

 A viewing window in a thick solid wood door into the isolation room in the children's ward. The door was one of two that aided care givers in protecting other patients, themselves and the child in need of extra care. To my knowledge isolation is treated in different ways by today's standards. We weren't allowed to view the resident or treatment quarters in the new building due to privacy policies. 

 Through the door window into a dusty semi-cluttered space.

 On the lower level of the children's ward into a desolate courtyard.

 A favorable circumstance for some natural light. Not too many of these exist in the four-miles of tunnels stretched beneath the city of Salem. The tunnels provided a secluded path for getting from building to building. I have had the pleasure in an unrelated circumstance to meet a gentleman who used to work as the transporter of deceased bodies from the main facility to the morgue and crematory. Since our conversations I have learned that many cremated remains still set on shelves, unclaimed for decades.

An American artist who worked on the set of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in 1975, Mary Ellen Mark, found herself interested in documenting the female patients of OSH in Ward 81. After several attempts to gain legal permission, she lived in the facility for 36 days with an assistant photographing the daily lives of these women.

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Two April Art Workshops

I’m sharing my passion for all things art in two workshops this month.

 Creative Collage & Layer Painting

Friday, April 27^th, 12:30 – 3:00pm

Fee: $45 includes all supplies, tea & cookies & art!

This session offers an exploration in mixed media using

collage materials, acrylic paints, inks, stencils

and some nifty sketching (be brave, nifty = no pressure).

You are invited to...

find your voice

let go

&

escape all boundaries of expectation.

 FACES

Friday, April 27^th, 6:30 – 9:00pm

Fee: $45 includes all supplies, wine & chocolate & art!

In this session you will be introduced to

highlight, shadow and everything in between.

I’ll provide an understanding of the elements of shading and

tips for exploring the proportions of the human face.

We will use acrylic paint, graphite and

our imaginations...

...with a splash of humor.

Workshops are held in Stevenson, WA

To RSVP and for more information

please email dawnsartblog@gmail.com.

Seating is limited, to reserve your space

please register and prepay by Tuesday, April, 24^th.

“Not knowing when the dawn will come I open every door.”

– Emily Dickenson

Funk Interrupted

When the sun beams through

the semi-drawn curtain window of my bedroom

on a lazy Sunday morning, I document it's effects.

Not to say

I do this every time

it graciously exposes itself

during a Pacific Northwest

gloomy spring-time sky.

This morning was different.

It interrupted my four day bout of

confusion,

frustration

and self pity,

how rude.

I'm sensing that mysterious shift in perspective,

the one that is impossible to imagine

when in the thick of one's

ultimate state of funk

(as in a dejected mood

not "this"-- click,

although "this"

I consider to be a

beneficial therapy for such a mood).

And of course

on all my photos in this post

I incorrectly typed my blog address,

the correct (as you already know since you are viewing this),

is...

dawnsartblog.blogspot.com.

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Namaste

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l u c k & g r a t i t u d e

 I am fortunate enough to be in the presence of some pretty amazing things.

 Things that some people only get to experience vicariously.

 This...I'm pretty sure isn't one of them. However I am a fan.

When these little babies start hitting the stores it means autumn is here.

My favorite season, given I'm in the pacific northwest.

 Autumn makes everything seem

magical

delicious

tantalizing
cocooning

and

joyous.

 Indoor plants appear more comfortable.

They bask in what little sunlight makes it's way through those impenetrable clouds.

I recently went on a waterfall hunt.

I took a friend.

It was a project of sorts.

 The rain brings out the best in a rocks surface.

It allows for it's true essence to show itself.

As if it were hiding until the autumn rains.

 Given the crisp temperature and the amount of rain that was falling,

we weren't expecting this little guy. 

Although he had just advanced from his year of life in the

water he seemed like he didn't have a place to go.

Like he was too late, he missed his chance to enjoy the summer.

 My friend and I took many photos of our excursion.
Some of these are hers and some are mine.

Like I said...I am so lucky to have all of THIS around me in my daily life.

See what I mean.

 The road less traveled is always free from conformity.

 Just another canvas.

 One of many.

My life is truly amazing.

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m y

t i n y   a r t

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c l i c k   i t

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When I see and hear things like this it always makes me smile...

Daily Musings

Teeny-tiny bells hanging in the doorway of a closet.

 Frida waits patiently amongst the other contestants.

 Rain-boots are always a comfort in the Pacific Northwest.

Just don't wear them out in the snow even for a minute...CRACK!

 A place to hide for a while.

 Feeling small in a big world.

 If you don't catch it, it will be gone in a flash.

 Glowing foliage mystifies the soul.

 Perpetual motion.

 Drive by trees.

Done for a while.
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A tiny space of my very own to daydream, rejuvenate and breathe.

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And a little ditty...