3.31.2010: day 35

I was driving through Confusion Corner (there was certainly confusion today, too) and tried to take a photograph of all the tourists down Duke of Gloucester (DoG) street as I went by. This is the photo I ended up with. It doesn't show the crowds, but has a nice blurry, overexposed, impressionistic quality to it.

3.30.2010: day 34

Whenever I walk by the pipes at the hardware store, it reminds me of the time I went with Liz and Hunter. (That was a long, long time ago...) It was an epic journey in Home Depot. We were shopping for art supplies, of course. And Liz decided to give an impromptu pvc pipe didgeridoo performance. It was truly spectacular. Miss you guys.

3.29.2010: day 33

About a year or so ago, I started editing the vinyl lettering after each exhibition comes down. I peel off the letters I don't need anymore to reveal something new. This is the one I did today.

Who's in and who's out?
Kramer, who lives downstairs, greeted me when I came home this evening. Every so often, he stops by for a visit.

3.28.2010: day 32

The Blue Ridge Mountains. 6:09pm yesterday.
(It was too lovely a view not to post...)

3.27.2010: day 31

We went to Monticello this afternoon, and then drove down part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. At one of the scenic overlooks I saw this huge rock and little tree. At first, it appeared the tree was holding the rock up. But, now it looks like the tree is giving the rock a smooch.

3.26.2010: day 30

Keyhole. Outside in. 8:39pm.

3.25.2010: day 29

Watching the waiting watchers.
I went to see the Orchesis dance company tonight, and was waiting for the performance to begin. Good show! I heart Orchesis.

3.24.2010: day 28

Is it better this way, or that way? This way, or that? This way, or that?

My students critiqued their dowel projects this morning. Everyone had so much to say, we didn't get through all the work.
So...we'll continue Monday...
(Close-up of one sculpture)

3.23.2010: day 27

Orange on a gallery outing...
What is it with fruit outside my office???

3.22.2010: day 26

We went over to the building next door to check out the classroom we'll be using for summer 3D classes. It's an old lab room. When we opened the door, we saw shelves full of snakes and a few other critters, but lots and lots of snakes.

3.21.2010: day 25

Laundry. Watching clothes spin around in the dryer is meditative.

3.20.2010: day 24

Sunlight and shadows.
I started to walk home and realized it was way too warm out to wear my jacket. So, I set my water bottle down to take off my coat. I looked down and was struck by the light and shadow from it. Just call me crow-like: distracted by bright, shiny things...

3.19.2010: day 23

Part of the wall in my office. Much I inherited, although some I have added.

3.18.2010: day 22

On my way to Charlottesville this morning, I noticed a distinct cloud line angling up behind me. Luckily, the clouds dissipated and it was sunny and 70 the rest of the day. Nice to go without a jacket today!

And, here is one of the cool kids from my workshops this morning. We talked about the ways we remember people when they're not around, and then they helped make more pieces for my Recall(ed) Quilt Project. Lots of fun! Thanks goes to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders at Greenbrier Elementary!

3.17.2010: day 21

Who's lookin' at whom?
I was walking through the courtyard at work, and heard something rummaging around. I thought it might be a squirrel, but it turned out to be this fluffy little bird. He's got his eye on me.

3.16.2010: day 20

Another nighttime photograph... I liked the pattern of shadows the street light made on the pavement through the long-needle pine tree. Reminds me of nerve cells and clouds.

3.15.2010: day 19

I took a short walk this evening and was pondering how different things look at night. Many hotels and motels and bed and breakfasts are located nearby, and I wonder how they are surviving these days. This forlorn motel appears to have one lonely guest.

3.14.2010: day 18

I went with some friends to the Artists Who Teach exhibition at the Charles H. Taylor Art Center, in Hampton, today. My friend, and colleague, Jayson Lowery, won First Place with his sculpture, Untitled, 2010. The photo above is a detail.

3.13.2010: day 17

Every time I visit my sister I enjoy watching the shamrock. The leaves are broad and delicate and open and close in the morning and evening. Fragility. Strength. Action. Reaction. Even as I take for granted the changing light and passing time...

3.12.2010: day 16

So many zippers...so little time...
I was standing in line waiting to get fabric cut, and found myself staring at this giant wall of zippers. I realized I have never sewn a zipper into anything. Maybe I should sometime.

3.11.2010: day 15

My next read- a birthday present from my sister. It was written in 1947 and set in early 1900s Williamsburg. The light heart was meant to be...
Looking at the covers, I have the urge to make up conversations between the people: "What are you doing here at the bottom of the stairs, my little sugar lump?" "Why, Dear, I was so overcome by your handsomeness I promptly had to sit. Your teeth...are so...mesmerizing..."

"Please come down off that horse and run away with me!" "I might, if I could remove my foot from this stirrup..."

3.10.2010: day 14

This afternoon, I helped take down, and then restack, one of the soda kiln chimneys. We were making the chimney wider so it would have more draw. It was a nice little arm workout.

3.9.2010: day 13

Morning light.

3.8.2010: day 12

Evening sky outside my apartment, looking straight up from the top step. Love the deep blue. Love the stars.

3.7.2010: day 11

I went to Pony Pasture, a park and series of trails along the James River in Richmond, today. There are some rapids nearby. Kayakers went by as we walked along the trail.

Along the riverbank, tree roots have grown around stones. They go back and forth between looking wounded and like they're in the middle of a stone snack.

3.6.2010: day 10

I visited St. John's Church in Richmond today. It's been around since about 1740.
Many well-known people attended services here, including George Washington and George Wythe. Patrick Henry gave his famous 'Give me liberty or give me death' speech here.

Here are some of the other cool, old headstones:

Then, we went over to Careytown and I saw a cute, blue tandem bike parked at a cute, blue row house.

3.5.2010: day 9

I went for a walk today and saw the first blooms of the season.
This photograph makes the crocuses seem huge. Or, maybe they have big attitudes because they're the first ones up.

I also came upon this old tree.
Natural sculpture.

3.4.2010: day 8

Recent reads. Tiny art collection.
I didn't have a working tv for awhile this fall, and was reading more. And now, I find I frequently leave the tv on, even when I'm not really watching it. I should go back to reading more often and listening to the radio.
As for my tiny art collection- I'm glad I unpacked these recently.
Each one is a little time capsule.

3.3.2010: day 7

Front door accoutrements.

3.2.2010: day 6

Leaving work this evening, I happened upon an upside-down apple in the middle of the floor, directly in front of the doorway to the large lecture hall next to my office. Succinct stereotype? Political statement? Forsaken fruit?

3.1.2010: day 5.2

Comfort.

3.1.2010: day 5

Due to several recent conversations, I've had sound on my mind lately. Today, I came across some thin strips of wood. When I picked two up together, they made a satisfying slap. A quick little, low budget, sound sculpture. (And, yes...low budget video, too...)