Little paper jewels

I've been experimenting with collage sporadically for many years. (I still remember the first one I made in second grade so the medium obviously made an impression on me!) I tried to incorporate collage influences in my design work and I dabbled on my own art projects occasionally. 

In the late 90s I signed up for a collage workshop through the Naropa Institute for Continuing Education and taught by Christina Craigo. I lived in Denver, worked in Boulder, and was single mom to a young daughter. My friend, Joan Padgitt, offered to babysit for my daughter so I could stay late in Boulder one night each week for 6 weeks or so to take the workshop. (Thanks, JP!) It was the first time I had taken the time to experiment widely or worked in a series (the final class project). 

The collage at left is one of a series of five Color Constructs (8 x 8"), each done as a single color study on black board. I was using cut papers from magazines with a glue stick, mounted to black illustration board, so it is somewhat surprising that they are still intact! Anyway, they remain fun to look at and continue to inspire my work today. I still remember that during the class critique someone said the series was "like a group of little jewels" -- an analogy I loved. I'd like to do more of them sometime... (Note to self: add to list!)

Let it rain

I love the occasional rainy day, like today. I developed an affinity for the rain during my college days at Oregon State University. (I even have a playlist called Rainy Days on my ipod.) Rainy days tend to be productive and contemplative for me... not sure why, maybe it is the noise of the rain on the roof. I like the view from beneath a hood. And then there's the intriguing smell of rain, also known as petrichor. So, back to work!

Philip Glass Documentary

I went to see "Glass: a portrait of Philip in twelve parts" last week. It was fascinating to see the creative process of a composer documented -- so foreign to me -- however much of what he said about his work was quite relevant to all artistic endeavors. I was amazed that he could compose with an open window amidst the noise of New York and with children running just outside his office. He said music runs like a river below the surface of his life. He does not imagine the piece of music, he has to listen carefully for it as it comes to him and get it down on paper. His level of focus and productivity is huge and inspiring. Interviews and comments from Chuck Close, Martin Scorsese, and Woody Allen, as well as his family, were quite revealing. Discussions of the work he has done in scoring film and opera brought out his thoughts on collaboration. Even his spiritual practices were included. Glass is just as complex and interesting as you would imagine him to be upon hearing his music...  I highly recommend the film.

Savoring Sundays

I have a new commitment to take at least one full day off each week, really off, from work. We've had some exceptionally nice weather lately and have been able to hike for the last two Sundays. This week we hiked along the Rim Trail at Castlewood Canyon State Park. Great picnic and spectacular views, none of which were done justice by my iphone camera... but maybe this one tells the tale just as well. Can you almost smell the pine needles? It's so refreshing to get out of town sometimes!