Mount Shasta

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.

                                            ~Frank Lloyd Wright

No matter how many times I drive past this mountain, I am always compelled to stop, to look, to breathe it in, to photograph it. This is not the best photo & by no means captures the absolute beauty of this powerful mountain. I've been lucky enough to climb to it's summit twice, to hike & snowshoe on it's flanks a handful of times... and to just sit & contemplate more times than I can remember. There is just something about the beauty of mountains, this one in particular, that gives me that warm feeling of peace in my heart.

Just Something to Think About...

Wind Energy & Wildflowers~ Along Highway 58, near Tehachapi, Ca

I know some people think these are a blight on the landscape. I just don't feel that way. Let's face it- we live on a very populated planet...  and growing by the day. While some people believe our natural resources are limitless... the  simple scientific fact is that they are not. I don't believe enough is being done to explore renewable energy. I have a little bit of conspiracy theory going on in my head with Big Oil, the government, and why the exploration of, and transition to renewables has been slow to catch on. If you haven't already- watch a few documentaries on the subject, & you'll see what I mean. So when I see these, it makes me smile... because things are at least starting to be done... you know, baby steps. Plus, I just think they are kinda cool looking. Land sculpture, if you will. Also, they are really a lot nicer to look at than massive urban sprawl & tracts of Mc Mansions.

I was also greeted by a lovely display of California Poppies in bloom on the green hillsides!! It's funny, because I used to always drive the Grapevine (very large freeway that drops into L.A.) in & out of Southern Cal... I only found the "back way" through Tehachapi a couple years ago. A much prettier drive, and far less traffic!

Anza Borrego Desert Photos

Just a few pics from a day trip to the Anza Borrego Desert. The Rainfall this year is above average (over 7 inches~ the past 2 seasons have seen only 4 1/2) promising a wonderful wildflower display. Well, we went about a week early... so did not see the valley blanketed with flowers, but there were some patches of brilliant display as well as a preview of what's to come with the early bloom.

Look closely at the photo below. Notice anything? Probably not... look a little closer... a great hiding place for what's inside...

This nest appears to be well protected from potential predators, not to mention the excellent camouflage! I wasn't able to identify what type of bird built this nest~ but from the bird identification book, it appears to be some sort of sparrow.

Seems such a hostile environment to be born into!

Last but not least... 'cause we all need a little love....

Life's Even Littler Surprises!

I've never seen a hummingbird's nest before! Way too cute! My nephew spotted this one in his back yard in an orange tree. The size of the nest is smaller than a golf ball, and the eggs are about the size of those little jelly belly jelly beans. I wish I was going to be here to see them hatch! Life really is full of little surprises!

Life's Little Surprises

I do love catching a good rainbow. I saw 3 separate rainbows on a 1 hour section of my drive today. Unfortunately, I was driving on the freeway in Riverside (Southern California,) which makes photographing said rainbow before it disappears challenging. This section of the drive back into Southern Cal always kinda bums me out... it is always sooooo crowded and I can feel my anxiety rise with the speed of I-15 traffic. I always wonder why it seems like everyone is in such a hurry around here. I pulled off the freeway... and right into urban sprawl & mini malls. Following my intuition, I made a right turn down a random suburban street & after a short distance, came to what seems to be one of the few remaining open spaces in the area. I'm thinking I may have been the only person to pull off the freeway to check this out...

What Makes an Artist?

Awhile ago, a friend of mine posted a question on her blog, "What is Art Anyhow?" To which I responded without thinking much... just what I felt at the time. This is what I said~

"Hi melanie. well, that's a tough question. I feel sometimes, in school, Art is what your instructors say is Art. Back in the days (according to art history) Art was really what the Academy said was Art. To me, it is different. Art is something that we create because we are drawn to create it. I don't feel that Art is only Art when it is validated by others... yet in academia, that appears to be exactly what it is. To me, Art is having the freedom to create, stemming from a desire to bring forth what is inside. Sure it is great if others like it, or if you could make a living from doing it, but I don't feel that's the point."

My opinion hasn't change much, and I have done much more thinking about that question. Yes, I would love to make a living from being creative... but I create, because I enjoy the process of creating. I've always been drawn to photography, ever since I was a child & I received my first little kodak 110 camera when I was about 10. My camera has been a constant companion ever since. A few years ago, I decided I wanted to start playing with clay. I found a couple of ceramics studios, and took a few entry level classes... and fell in love with clay. Somewhere along the road, I decided that once I payed off my first set of student loans, I'd return to school to study art.

 That was a year ago, and since then I've taken entry level classes in Drawing, Sculpture, Ceramics, Digital Media, Art History & Printmaking. I have really enjoyed my classes, but I have to say, the push toward Fine Art really bothers me sometimes. It is not my dream or desire to be a Fine Artist. This is not to dishonor those who are... if that's your dream... that is great! If I ever did become a Fine Artist, it would be more a fluke... or just from my continued desire to create that that would ever happen. This, (and the enormous financial output) is where I have difficulty with "formal art" education. The push, by & large, is to create Fine Artists. I understand that there is a Bachelor's in Fine Art Curriculum at the school I am attending, but there is also simply a Bachelor's Degree in Studio Art... and it would be nice if art for arts sake was talked about, rather than Fine Art, Fine Art, Fine Art.

I love making cards from my photographs, bookmarks from scrap printmaking supplies, and so forth. I use the widely outdated method of snail mail, and send them to friends & family that love to receive something hand made & thoughtful. A discussion ensued during a Printmaking Critique  yesterday on how doing such things (making cards, bookmarks, t- shirts...) "devalues the art." I listened to other peoples opinions, and chimed in with my own. After the discussion was over, I felt very emotional (not unusual for me... although in general, I try to keep tears from streaming down my face in public... and no, dammit, I'm not always successful.) I think the reason I got so emotional, is that I really love creating, for the sake of creating... and to say that what I enjoy doing (and for that matter what all the people who sell their work at arts & crafts fairs enjoy doing) "devalues art" really devalues my ideas, thoughts & work as a fledgling artist. It also made me really question whether or not this is where I belong.

Here's my opinion. When something becomes "Fine Art," and it is hung on a Gallery Wall~ in the opinion of most artists... it is then "Valuable." In the course of becoming valuable, it becomes unattainable for the average person to purchase. Therefore, a person who is economically challenged (poor or middle class) would never have access to such art. It seems to me then, to create a division in socioeconomic class. If you have money, then maybe you are deserving of such art. Do you see what I'm getting at? There seems to me to be a certain snobbery involved. In even the most basic of Art History classes, it can be found that there were many artists that defied such snobbery, but they were often labeled as outcasts... but the fact of the matter is that some of them wanted to create for the sake of creating & challenged the rules of the Fine Art community.  While I can walk through a gallery & appreciate Fine Art, and the devotion of time & labor & skill involved... I could never imagine walking out with such a piece... because I could never afford it.

There are so many lovely, talented brilliant Artists that function at a Community level. They sell their art at craft shows, art booths, even on Etsy. They put effort, skill & heart into their work. Yes, maybe they are wishing they could make a bit more money for their efforts. I have made & sold my photo cards for a while, and if you break it down... the money per hour is quite small! But I'll tell you what, the feeling of knowing that someone liked something I did enough to purchase it at all really made me feel good.  And when I've spoken to the local artisans selling at these craft fairs, by and large I find it is a labor of love.

And that is what art is to me. A labor of love. And in my humble opinion, it should be fun!!! It shouldn't be riddled with the stress of trying to fit in, or trying to achieve a certain status. For me, it is an exploration... playing with ideas & shapes & forms & different mediums... trying to get out what is inside, or trying to capture beauty that I see in the world... enjoying the process along the way. I feel the push for Fine Art can have the potential to take us away from the very reasons we began to create in the first place. Again, all the humble opinion of a fledgling artist.

As if I haven't said enough (yes, this is my longest post ever... I guess I just had to get it out)... I'll leave you with this simple quote, by an artist you may have heard of.

    "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."                                                                                                           ~Pablo Picasso 

Trucks Along Hwy 99

I drive by these old Ford Trucks almost every day on Hwy 99 near Talent.  They are so cool to look at & I kept meaning to stop & photograph them, so finally I did. It was the perfect time of day~ late afternoon, when the lower light made it possible to pick up the detail & textures in layers of chipped paint & rust.

Rainbow Reflections

Leaving the print lab the other day, I caught this reflection of a rainbow in the windows of the Schneider Museum of Art. It doesn't show too well here, but it was pretty cool, so I'm posting it anyhow.  I've only got another week of class, so I won't have any new prints to post, so I thought I'd get back to my photography roots & get my camera out a bit more & start posting more images.

Aquatint~ 4th Plate in "Night Sky Series"

Well, I did it. I went for one more project & went big~ 12x18 rather than my standard 8x10. I wasn't ready! I had difficulty filling in so much space & wasn't super excited about the results. (Plus, that large plate was a pain to ink & wipe, let me tell you!) Well, I just look at it as more practice. I've seen some really interesting results from other artists using this technique... but I think before I could really branch out, I needed to wrap my mind around the process & repetition helps me with that. I only printed one of these so if I ever become a famous artist it'll be worth a mint! :).  I then decided to cut the plate & just include the mountains & full moon, which I liked a bit more.

Aquatint~ Reworking of Plate "Starry Night"

So, after reworking this plate 3 more times (you know the whole aquatint process as outlined below) this is what I came up with. It's funny... when I made the original print I was really excited just learning how to make subtle shade differentiations with the aquatint process and originally I liked this print. I don't know if it's just because I reworked & printed it so many times, but I just don't care for it as much anymore~ but I thought I'd post it anyhow, because it does give me a good visual log of the process as I go along.

** (For those of you unfamiliar w/ the printmaking process- I'm guessing you're probably thinking "why not just add more ink rather than going through that lengthy process repeatedly," but unfortunately it doesn't work that way. It has to be etched in such a way that it will hold the ink when the plate is wiped before printing.)

Spotlight on Advanced Art Student & Printmaker

Yeah, I wish I could take credit for making such a cool print, but alas, I cannot. This is the work of an advanced printmaker & fellow student, Carel (pronounced Carl) Schonerd. This is the first class I've had with him, but every time we have critiques (yes, that is where we all put our work on the wall for all to see/critique/judge.... ugh!) I am drawn to his work over any others. When I saw this one, I asked Carl if he might be willing to let me purchase it, and he gladly did... at a ridiculously reasonable price. I love this print for so many reasons. First & foremost, it just has such wonderful, flowing, expansive energy. The beautiful blues he chose in printing suggest to me the flowing movement of water... almost reminiscent  of a crashing of a wave.  And while there is a certain abstract quality to it, it is also unmistakably refers to natural world with the tree & mountains... representing elements of the earth that I am inherently drawn to.  The technique used here is referred to as "collograph," something I haven't yet had the chance to learn, but if I stick around 'til fall, it'll be offered again in Print III. Probably worth sticking around for! Until then, I am glad to be the owner of a "Carel Schonerd Original." And when he becomes a famous artist.. I can say, "yeah, that guy was in my printmaking class way back when."

Aquatint~ Take 3: Tree w/ Night Sky

So, this is it~ my 3rd attempt at aquatinting (not counting all the reworking of plates yesterday!)

It's by far my favorite image, and it actually came out the way I wanted it to with the dark sky & bright stars. It's really fun to post my results along the way... that way I can see where I came from, & the meshing of ideas to results as I understand the processes just a little bit better. This quarter is quickly coming to a close, so I'll probably spend most of the time reworking plates & printing the ones I already have. I do have an idea for a much larger print (these have all been 8x 10~ now I'm thinking 12x 18!)

Larger plates are a little intimidating to me. How to compose & fill all that space feels like quite a challenge.... so we'll see.

Aquatint: The Process

Ok, so a little visual background for all the verbage on the last entry. This was my workspace today. Decided to rework my first 2 aquatints Starry Night & Night Sky with Tree, so I thought I'd show a bit of the process. What I wanted to do essentially, was to darken the sky a bit & add a bit more detail to the mountain scene. To do this, you kinda have to start over. You cover the areas you don't want to etch with a hard ground & let it dry. Then you start your aquatint process over. The aquatint is a latex/h2o based spray that is sprayed lightly over the plate to keep only small ( & hopefully even) portions of the plate from etching when it is placed in the acid. If you remember, this process is then repeated 5 times... so- spray, etch, spray, etch & so on.

Once the plate is placed in the acid bath, you've got 20-25 minutes to work on other projects (there's always something to do)... or go grab coffee. I like to manage my time to do both :)



I know what you're thinking now- just print it! Oh, were it so simple. Now you've got to clean up all the built up junk that you covered your plate with first... and let me tell you, that stuff can be stubborn! I skipped that part in the visual... didn't want to bore you too much! Now, the printing~
you cover the plate completely with ink, then begin the slow process of wiping it off just right. (Are you now thinking of that scene from "karate kid?")  Wax on, wax off, grasshopper....

Ink on. ink off... and at this point you are ready to print. I hate to keep you in suspense, but I have no finished prints to post from these two. Suffice it to say, I was very happy with the results for Night Sky w/Tree resulting in a darker sky... but the mountain scene had to go through same process I just outlined... again! Still with inadequate results!

I did, however end up with a beautiful print using this same process on thursday. Will post soon~
:)  Learning, learning, learning!

Night Sky w/Tree; Aquatint Take 2

Well, I am definitely learning, and that's why I'm here, so that's good. Getting this aquatint process down is a challenge for me & quite time consuming! The problem I had with this one was that I didn't get the etching quite right, resulting in a night sky that was not the deep black that I had in mind. My solution to this was to wipe the plate a little less over the sky portion, which gave this neat swirly effect. I like it. I printed this plate about 6 times to get the effect seen here. (Takes about 30 minutes per print to ink, wipe & print- just to give you an idea of the patience required for printmaking!) On the plate itself, there are stars (as in "Starry Night" below), but if I wipe the plate "properly" to show the stars, everything comes out with middle grayish tones- looking too washed out for my liking. Problem for me is, once I print a plate so many times, I get a little bored with it, so I have to move on to the next project. I spent about 5 hours working on another plate this morning. (You get down time- 20 minutes x 5 while the plate is in the acid... giving time to work on other projects, or perhaps go get a cup of coffee. :) The upcoming one has the same theme, with the night sky & tree~ just a little different composition... and hopefully with the darker sky & stars, as I had envisioned on this one. All part of the process, but dang those learning curves!

Starry Night; Aquatint

This is my first real attempt at using the aquatint technique to create a print. I was experiencing a block in terms of what to do for this print,  but then a few nights ago, the clouds finally parted, leaving behind a brilliant starry night. So, I thought I'd experiment with trying to capture that somehow. Being as this is my first real experiment using this technique, I rather like how it turned out. My initial idea was to try to create a feeling of looking up at the stars through a canyon, but as it turned out, the structures in the front remind me of the Tent Rocks in Northern New Mexico. For my next print, I'll try to darken the night sky a bit more, and add more texture to the foreground. Off to print!

Latest Results: Woodcut

With a little help from my instructor, I was finally able come up with the subtle shade difference on the top of the seastack to make this print work. After all the trial & error on the 3rd color, I ended up with a series of 4 prints that I liked. (Still a challenge to photograph it properly in low light- this image is not as sharp as the actual print.) Moving on from this one, I've tried reworking the copper plate (below) to add a bit more texture, but haven't come up with anything exciting. Meanwhile, I started a new aquatint etching with some some results that I found interesting. More to follow...

Printmaking- Latest Results with Copper Etching

 

It's all experimentation. There are so many different ways you can go w/ Printmaking... and clearly I have no clear focus just yet! So, what I did here was start with a copper plate, applied a soft ground, then laid various leaves & pine needles over the surface & ran it through the press to make the imprint in the ground. Then, the organic matter is removed & the plate is placed in the acid bath. Problem was, due to my inexperience & lack of knowledge in this technique, I applied too thick a ground, so when the leaf matter was pressed into the ground it didn't go deep enough... thus, when I put it in the acid bath it wasn't etching the way I would have hoped. Normally, you leave it in the acid about 1/2 hour... after conferring with a fellow student, I left it in for 5 hours!! Another issue I had was a combination of fresh & older leaves (the fresher leaves more of an imprint) so the etching was inconsistent. That said, I still enjoy the over all feel of the print. The larger print on the top was waxed, (encaustics) which turns the thin Japanese paper transparent, then I applied it to a natural background paper & then to the black paper to create a mat. The one on the bottom, I just chose to use part of the plate & print white ink on black paper. I'm currently in the process of reworking this plate & thinking of new ideas for my next print.

Printmaking- Woodcut in Progress

A little frustrated with the results so far on my latest woodcut. It is based on this photo I took on the Oregon coast... but I had a difficult time turning my idea into the desired result. Printmaking can be frustrating in this aspect as it is very time consuming to do the initial cuts, mixing & achieving the colors desired, a day's dry time in between each color & run through the press,  & of course the clean-up. I really liked the color combinations I came up with on the first 2 runs... but on the third run (trying to darken in the sea stack & reflection in the water...) I kept coming up way short of the desired result, which is not pictured here as I'm still working on it. I tried printing it 4 different ways with slightly different colors, and now I am down to only 3 remaining like the one shown here... so after all that work, I may not even get something I like out of this one! I imagine with more & more practice, the execution from ideas to results improves. But for now.... arrrgh! 

Aaaaah... Sunshine

 

No, this is not really a recent picture. I pulled over on the side of the road to get this shot somewhere in Victorville, Ca... on my travels from Oregon to California to New Mexico in December. I just liked it, (partly because it is sunny, & you don't see the sun quite often enough in southern Oregon this time of year...) so I thought I'd post it. Also, my posts have been a little Printmaking heavy, & I wanted to start putting more of my photography in... only I haven't been out taking pictures much lately. That's something I'm going to work on in the near future. I've got lots more to write... but I'm off to print lab to do some printing of a Woodcut that I spent a good portion of the day yesterday working on... will blog again soon!