6.7.2012: farm day

This morning, we worked in the Victory Gardens at McEnroe Organic Farm. It was foggy when we arrived, but cleared up by the time we were done transplanting squash and cucumbers in the cold frames. Below are some of the lovely lettuce and tomatoes they are growing.

Then, we went out to the Victory Gardens to plant beans and corn and weed the strawberries. Before I was done, my hiking boots finally kicked the bucket:

6.6.2012: hanging a bit o' sun out to dry

Sun pods, wool yarn, clothespins, clothesline, 2012, chaNorth, Pine Plains, NY.

It's been cloudy and chilly, and I was looking for whimsical ways to make it warm and sunny. Not long after this, the sun came out.

6.5.2012: buildings and landscapes

I haven't posted in awhile, and thought I might get back to it. I have been thinking about landscapes lately. Iceland rocks and hillocks are still rattling around in my head. Mix that in with the Virginia coast where houses on stilts battle occasional hurricanes, and images of High Line Park in NYC. Add a desire to continue reading Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities and give it all a shake.

So, I'm contemplating altered and elevated landscapes and ways we might interact with them. Here's a model of one bare bones permutation from today (my first full day at chaNorth artist residency):

1.8.2012: Red Rock Canyon

Today, we took a hike in Red Rock. It was beautiful, clear, and cool,
and I felt much better.

1.7.2012: Wild horses

I got to spend a few days in Las Vegas this weekend. After a short, icy hike in the mountains nearby, we drove over toward Cold Creek to look for wild horses, and found 'em. It was an excellent visit!

12.29.2011: Snowfall

 I took a walk around today, while at my parent's. It was cold and crisp and quiet, except for the birds, of course. As I neared the house, I noticed a huge log on one of the trailers next to the driveway. 

Beautiful, thinly cloaked in snow, waiting...

10.1.2011: Rainbow

 

Green light rainbow.

8.13.2011: Shenandoah National Park

 We took a little trip to Shenandoah National Park. It was foggy most of the time, but cleared occasionally. It was hot at home, so this was a spectacular cool way to spend the weekend. It's good to hang out with nature and say hello to the critters, too. We heard tell of a black bear on the longest hike we took, but didn't see him- only heard some crashing in the woods a couple of times.

 The fog at the top of our hike.

7.16.2011: wrights and kites

I found myself at the Outer Banks today and stopped by the Wright Brothers National Memorial. They happened to have a kite festival going on! Walking on the beach was excellent, too!

7.11.2011: man vs. nature

I visited my sister today, and we took a walk in the evening. (It was still ridiculously hot and muggy, but at little better than earlier.) We happened to walk by this series of mushrooms popping up around the water access. A natural abstraction. I'm entertained by how the forms mimic each other.

7.6.2011: Reykjavik: blue lagoon

 Ragga was kind enough to drive me to the Blue Lagoon. So, I had a dip in the mineral baths for an hour or so. It was cloudy when I first arrived, but halfway through the afternoon, it cleared up. The water is naturally a light, creamy turquoise, and is very nice to relax in. (Don't expect to be able to brush your hair afterward (because of all the salts and minerals.) But, it's worth it.) I didn't get a chance to walk around after my swim to see more of the water and lava in the area, so will just have to go back someday.

The remarkable walk to the (unremarkable) parking lot. And, off I go to the airport! Goodbye Iceland! Hope to see you again soon!

7.5.2011: Reykjavik: nearing the end

On my last full day in Reykjavik, I went to the National Gallery of Iceland and saw the Louise Bourgeois exhibition. Good show. Then, off to the Handknitting store to see what I could see. After such and eventful morning, I required a cup of tea and a piece of vegan carrot cake at Café Babalú. I nearly got the cheesecake, but wasn't sure I could handle the tasty goodness today, so carrot cake it was.

As I was headed back to the guesthouse, I came across one of Ragga's sculptures in the window of this jewelry shop. Shortly after, she took me swimming at the pool. Lovely afternoon!

And then this evening, I strolled down to Hólavallagarður Cemetery. It was quiet (although a few other people were wandering around) and the sun was brushing through the sycamores. I spent about an hour there, and now here we are at another door.

Thanks for another good day!

7.4.2011: Reykjavik: the view from here

 While I was waiting for Ragnhildur (a fellow Carnegie Mellon grad!) to come by for a visit, I noticed the graffiti across the street. I like how it makes the other colors in the street pop, too- the yellow lines on the road, the signs in the windows, and the flag...

 And here is the view out my window, and the view from another window at SÍM. Do you see the guy out there?

But, I have to say, these photos do not do the day justice. While I didn't celebrate the 4th of July U.S. style, I had a great day hanging out with Ragga and meeting her family. And, while we were having tea at her house, lo and behold, the doorbell rang, and in walks her neighbor, Hrafnhildur. Very shortly, we figured out we had friends in common already. I've been saying this a lot lately, but what a small world... Thanks for celebrating the 4th of July with me!

7.3.2011: Goodbye Skagaströnd, Hello Reykjavik

 All ready to go. Good thing I don't have to bicycle to the bus stop in Blönduós. (Thanks Sara!) And, thanks to Ólafía, the Nes residents, and everyone else I met for making it a good trip!

 I made it to Reykjavik in time to visit the flea market around the corner from where I'm staying. Look at all those glasses! And, of course there were all sorts of clothes, books, and wool sweaters.

My new bracelet.

7.2.2011: Skagaströnd: midnight rainbow

My last night in Skagaströnd. Shortly before I left the studio, we all went outside for a few minutes, and found a sunset rainbow. I'd never seen a rainbow at 1:15 am before, so thank you!

Originally, someone said- hey, do you see that pink light going straight up in the sky? And, then we looked for a little while longer and realized it must be a rainbow, and that we could see the whole thing. Most days sun turns the sky salmon colored as it sets, or pretends to set, or whatever you want to call it at this time of year here. It was overcast and foggy, and raining off and on- perfect rainbow-making weather. 
(And, yes, technically, it was early Sunday morning, but I hadn't gone to bed yet, so it was still Saturday.)

7.2.2011: Skagaströnd: groundhog rocks

I saw these guys during my walk on the hill a couple of days ago. I am going to miss all the playful rocks. They look like groundhogs popping up to check out what's going on.

7.1.2011: the space between

The space between...

Wool twine, push pins, 14" x 22" x 3/4", June 2011.

And, two others:

The space between (II and III)...
Wool twine, nails, 87" x 28" x 1/2", June 2011.

Details below.