Jazz Collages

These collages are related to jazz music. I listened to a variety of musicians and recordings while working on these pieces.I played one particular selection many times throughout the process. "Popsicle Illusion",a solo album by jazz pianist Joanne Brackeen, is brilliant. The playfull improvisation, colorful rhythms and variety of textures, make her music exraordinary. The parallels between music and painting sometimes seem very close. In these collages I have tried to use three mediums; watercolor, colored pencil and collage, like instuments to create a kind of trio. Spontaneous washes, lines and shapes harmonise to create an abstract interpretation of this wonderful sound. The interview at the end of the recording is also very enjoyable. Her responces and descriptions reveal her positive and poetic outlook on music and the human condition.

Chickadees

Last winter while crosscountry sking I came across an aspen tree teeming with mountain chickadees. They were very busy and chattering incessantly. I watched and listened to them for quite awhile and could not help but wonder what they were communicating to each other. Perhaps; clean up your branches, or where is your sister?, or I'm going to the store, would you like something besides worms for dinner? Actually these hearty little birds, who are one of the few species to remain here throughout the harsh winter months, survive on insects gleaned from trees in the forest. Many times you can hear their tiny voices without actually seeing them. It is this song that inspired me to make these collages. I wanted to paint their symphony.

Top of Augusta

Spring Ski

Sking in the spring is one of my favorite ways to enjoy natures treasures. For one thing there are no lifts, so you have to work for your turns. Rising way before dawn, hoping for cold enough temperatures, the long journey begins. Today I am sking Augusta with Jasmine, Shelly and Jacks brittnay spaniel, who is one of my best friends and climbing companions. To bad she can't belay me, I'll have to work on that one. We are greeted by a clear and cold morning. The approach is enjoyable with a magnificent sunrise and frozen snow down low. Gradually as we gain altitude the conditions change and because of the storm that blew through last week we are trudging through six to eight inches of crusty wind blown snow in the summit bowl. Climbing becomes slow and arduous and we finnaly reach the summit at about ten oclock, nearly four hours after departing. I am a little apprehensive about the ski down, but enjoy the incredible views and some hot tea at the summit. The sking is variable in the bowl and I set off a pretty good sized slow moving sluff. Luckily, Jas is off to the side and out of harms way. As we descend the conditions become more stable and we enjoy some beautiful turns on the lower snow fields. Walking out, the sun is warm and the first wildflowers of spring are abundant. Another epic adventure!

Sighting

I had a bear sighting the other day. A beautiful cinnamon colored black bear. He strolled right by my back door without a care. It seems that natures creatures are constantley searching for their place in this rapidly changing environment. It is obvious that we are the intruders and they are being forced into a shrinking box with dire consequences. We have had numerous visits from two bears. Because they have been seen together, I think they are a mother and offspring pair, and this is the young one. It breaks my heart to think of his or her future when all it knows is that the trash in town is an easy food source and the bears are all to comfortible around people. On his own now, he does not know to be afraid.

Storm on the La Sals

Storm on the La Sals. The blue mountains disappear behind boiling gray clouds. The wind, so intense it moves you. It fills your eyes with sand and creates a haze blurring the endless horizon. Before long snowflakes mix with the sand and a winter chill fills the air. Its hot and cold in the desert.

The Desert is Blooming

I just returned from the desert. What a treat climbing the stellar cracks in indian creek, Utah and the endless walls of Red Rocks, just outside of Las Vegas. The desert is about extremes, enduring and enjoying intense wind, cold, heat, sunshine, clouds, rain, snow, ultra classic lines and beauty beyond discription. I was inspired by the unique sense of place in the desert, its ability to be incredibly vast and intimate at the same time. "Emptiness in the desert is the fullness of space, a fullness of space that eliminates time. The desert is time, exposed time, geologic time. One needs time in the desert to see." From Terry Tempast Williams, Red,Passion and Patience In the Desert, an exploration of the desert, its magic, its volnerability and its importance. Why, after spendig time there, and every surface of your body is covered with sand, the desert becomes a part of your soul.