Discoveries

When we moved into our new temporary residence, we found this in the freezer. A beetle and a moth. A funny thing to come across, certainly. But I cannot help but commend the leaver's poetry, whether meant or not meant. It was kind of a lovely thing to come across actually.

The painting of Alex on the step was chosen from the SU employee On My Own Time exhibit (by the Cultural Resource Council) to be part of an exhibit at the Everson Museum of Art from mid-September to mid-October. The exhibit features selected works from several CNY companies and organizations that participate in the OMOT show. "Alex" will also be used in the OMOT exhibit catalog coming out sometime before the exhibit opens. Some good news.

Moving, taking classes and Everson

Well, we've moved! Down the street and around the corner, and another corner and another street. But it's new. And it's ours. We've managed to make it comfy, even though it'll be short-lived. Celebrating with a Co-op supplied meal, we settle in. Here's to a year of working, taking more Art History classes and having fun with the Everson as a volunteer!

Speaking of classes, my summer course began this week. It is a strange feeling returning to studenthood, but a year of life away from academia has made me realize how much I do miss it. So I return as a non-matriculated Graduate student to freely jump into whatever classes I choose, and my heart leads me to the Arts. Again and again.

Ode to the single lens reflex...

A return to photography. Not that I ever really left it. I just had a dead battery for a while...in one way or another.

I think the greatest thing photography ever taught me was/is patience and acceptance. It, more than any other medium has taught me the zen-like calm, focus and reflection that is necessary for compassion, empathy, and regeneration. In its natural frankness, I find comfort that I struggle to find elsewhere.

Side-Note: Saw Naom Chomsky speak about US Foreign Policy on Wednesday. An inspiring and worthwhile way to spend an evening. The program was put on by the Syracuse Peace Council, who had some wonderful messages to give about giving locally.

Whale watch.

It has been a quiet past couple of months. Quiet in the way that the sea is quiet.

The making of recent weeks has been more internal than external, hence my physical output has been less than usual. I've made a number of lovely additions to the book shelves and now piles. I've replanted and tended to a tree that mysteriously and spontaneously decided to grow itself in the pot of my now 5-year companion houseplant...in the middle of my bedroom. And I've made a few japa malas for myself and as gifts to a few who might appreciate them.

Three pieces (granted, they are not new pieces, but oh well) were put in the SU employee artwork show. They're now on display in Hendrick's Chapel on campus. I begin again into the world of Art History and academia in just over a week when my summer class begins.

Welcoming Spring.

Welcoming renewal.

Intro to Sculpture

It's been a slow month in terms of creating. I just finished a 16x20 landscape with two figures for a wedding gift, which was a little return to traditionalism and to the figure. And now I find myself wanting to break again from 2D media to explore sculpting. I've begun whittling Lord of the Rings chess pieces out of poplar (with a beautiful jack-knife cased in turquoise, red jasper and mother of pearl...thanks Alex). This is a project that will take at least a year, with my half being the "light" side and Alex's half being the "dark" side. And if it ends up being even longer, well that's okay. Because it will take me just as long to read the books.

But in the meantime, I've chosen a piece of Brazilian soapstone to start chiseling away at. Here it is. I have no idea how long the process will take or if I will like the results, but I'm starting.

Notes from the Armory...

We went down to New York to visit some galleries and mostly to see the Armory Show. It was 55 degrees and the sun was out all day, making for a pleasant walk-about. But at the day's end, after all was said and saw, this lovely photo of Miranda and my bloody mary just post-bus-drop-off seemed to be the only one I took, so it shall be posted. And, even though I didn't manage to take any photos at the Armory (I suspect this was due to the chaotic and packed setting), I did manage to leave with a few scribbles, as follows:

(Page 1)
Notes:
Tom LaDuke-paint swabs on foggy delicate images-multi-dimensional
David Scher-King at table-oils
self-breaking piece-witty-makes people feel awkward
little kid with great hair trying to open installation piece of door with leg sticking out of it-gallery rep rushed to stop him-no parents around-funny
Jenny Scobel-drawing of girl in pencil w/ watercolor-freckles-soft
Michael Borremans-"The Ear" * had "heat"-vivid
Sigurdur Gudmundsson-photos-70s-3 artists running, funny
Birgir Andresson-portraits with words, silkscreens, "Portrait #15 &17"-Moscow XL Gallery-strange man guarding this section
Claudia Wieser-Mystical Room-very precise
giant photo of white Schnauzer-I miss Maggie
Tom Sachs-woodburning piece (accompanied by a scribble of the framing of his work)

(Page 2)
"No, you do not touch Art; you look at Art. You do not touch Art. (miniscule pause) Look! A burning tire!"

The latter note was a quote from a father to his ~5 year-old daughter after she attempted to touch a very textured painting. I feel that this statement sums up the event nicely. I put my notebook away after recording it.

It was a good trip.

Philadelphia.

Philadelphia! We took a little one-year-together celebration trip down into Pennsylvania this weekend to visit family and art and to see the miraculously talented Yann Tiersen perform at the First Unitarian Church downtown. (Favorite piece of his). The city was most comfortable and I think we'll be returning soon. The Philadelphia Museum of Art was epic and full of fantastic pieces...Alex as my notepad for thoughts and observations, I gathered new inspiration and started looking forward to a few nights of canvas stretching and sketching. There is work to be done. After seeing several of Thomas Eakins' portraits, including the Agnew Clinic (a personal favorite), as well as some Reubens, Cézanne, Picasso, Duchamp, Rothko, Miró, Johns, Degas, Whistler, Homer, Wyeth, and several others, I feel like a changed person. Is this an overexaggeration? No. There is always, always benefit to seeing these works in person, especially as a person who strives to understand and utilize the same tools of language. It's amazing what amount of information and instruction an artist can gain from experiencing the original works with heightened and full senses. You can almost taste the colors. Synesthesia comes to mind.

Latest development: Looks like we're staying in Syracuse for a little while. I'll be working on General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry for the next two years, if all goes well, and building up experience with local art conservators in my long-term plan to go back to school for Art Conservation. I've left plenty of room in this plan for my mind to change, if it so decides to, and to redirect, however, I don't anticipate it wandering too far off of this goal. The merging of general history through art history with the sciences and with manual craftsmanship is just about as close as I can get to a perfect vocation. It won't happen quickly, but as life unfolds, it appears clearer and clearer ahead of me, even if it is far away. And though Syracuse isn't exactly a hot bed of artist activity, it is home for a little while. Life is long. And I'm glad for that more and more each day.