Summer Adventures

I had several Chicago area shows this past summer and our time in Chicago was a blast! We stayed with family and did a lot of stuff around Chicago with family and friends. We went to the Lincoln Park Zoo and saw two baby gorillas, who were only one month old. They were soooo adorable. The papa gorilla wasn't too happy about all of the people oohing and aahing over his babies though. The zoo staff had to place a rope around the enclosure so we weren't too close to the glass. We also went on a Wendella architectural boat tour of Chicago which was really interesting and cool! We went at night so it was super illuminating to see all the reflections of lights on the water. It did rain a bit though, which made for interesting patterns in the water! We also went to the Art Institute of Chicago. I loved that place of course!!  I'm always inspired when I visit art museums and such. It's amazing how different minds think and create unique art! We went to The Second City for a night of impromptu sketches which was super funny! 

I also had a show in Minneapolis. Before the show, we planned to go to Isle Royale National park but stayed in Schroeder, MN. We saw many waterfalls and did quite a bit of hiking. To see one of the waterfalls, we hiked about 5 miles, but it was completely worth it!! The High Falls waterfall was soooo beautiful!!! Then to get to Isle Royale National Park, we had to take a boat, and we only had a few hours on the island. I'd like to go back, but stay in a cabin overnight, so we could spend more time there. We didn't see any wolves or moose so that was a bummer, hence the reason to stay for more time. During the show, we stayed with friends of friends who offered to host us, which was super nice of them! We had a great time with them. We did get stuck on the water one evening as the boat we were in stopped working. But all was well in the end, as one of their friends towed us back in. This is what we saw when we got back to shore: cool clouds. We also went to the Mall of America. It was unbelievable to see roller coasters in a mall. That place is HUGE!

Between shows, we visited family in my hometown, which I always thoroughly love doing! Got to see my stepsisters, my step-brother in law and some of my nephews and only niece. I can't believe how old they are getting! We saw my youngest nephew in Beauty and the Beast. He played the role of Cogsworth and did a FANTASTIC job! We ate at two of my most favorite places: Monicals (pizza of course) and Custard Cup (peppermint snowstorm..yum)! They are my definite must-haves when I visit home! We had a family barbecue as well, which was delicious! We met up with some of my best, long-time high school friends at Seven Saints owned by some of our high school classmates, and has very tasty food (the cheese curds are to die for). It's always a blast to see them whenever I'm there! 

After all of the summer shows we headed west on I-90 to Badlands National Park, stopping at various roadside attractions along the way including the Pink Elephant, the Jolly Green Giant Statue, the DIGNITY sculpture, Corn Palace, and The Spam Museum. Who knew there were so many different kinds of Spam and that lots of people love Spam!! Interestingly enough, we missed seeing some fellow Austin, TX art friends at the Spam Museum by, literally, mere minutes! Upon arriving at the Badlands National Park, we thought it would be fun to stay in a teepee at the KOA. Ha! It stormed, and with the hole at the top, we and everything in our teepee was drenched! We quickly moved to a kabin the next day. Badlands National Park is beautiful and amazing and I took many photos to use in upcoming works! 

Next up was Mount Rushmore! The artistry that went into the carving is astonishing. There were so many people, from all walks of life, and from many countries! It was great to see such a diverse crowd gathered together at one place! 

After Mt Rushmore, was Wind Cave National Park. Unfortunately the elevator to the actual underground cave was not functioning so we couldn't see the underground rock formations. The land around the park was beautiful, and we saw quite a few buffalo! They are huge animals!! 

Next stop was Oklahoma to visit family. While there, we went to the Oklahoma City Zoo. That day was a free day so there were lots of excited kiddos in camps! They were certainly having tons of fun as we did! 

Check out my facebook album to see all of the photos from the summer adventure! FB album

You’re in the Inspiration

What am I inspired by? I guess it depends on my mood. Most often I’m inspired by nature. I love all that nature has to offer-the colors, the patterns, the drama that the changing light of sunrise and sunset has on Earth’s natural formations, the pieces of Earth’s history, the aspects that are being altered right before my eyes, the living organisms, and the overall beauty and serenity that nature has to offer while I’m there (wherever there is).

I’m inspired by skylines and I am constantly in awe by the fact that humans are able to construct all the beautiful buildings and  bridges that we do.

Many times, I’m inspired by people I know-my friends, my family and the experiences that we’ve shared together, both here and far. From these experiences, my interpretations take shape and form.

Sometimes, I’m inspired by the people from relationships that didn’t last, whatever the duration. I have come to realize that these relationships weren’t meant to be, or at least not in the capacity that I originally hoped for. To those who may think you have been my inspiration: Realize that the art I have created is for me, not for you, and the creative process is cathartic and helped me heal. It is my story to tell, though I do thank you for the inspiration…I, like many artists, visual or other, create works that are inspired by heart-wrenching moments in time…

Occasionally, I am inspired by strangers I've crossed paths with. I’m inspired by their stories, though I hesitate to create works based on these strangers. I cannot say I’ve never done this, however. Years later, I ask myself why I created them. Did the pieces help them in any way?  Maybe I'll never know. Do they even know? Maybe they do know, and maybe I told the right stories, or at least inspired them. Maybe, just maybe, the encounters were truly NOT random. Perhaps we really all are connected by an invisible red thread, and that we are meant to cross paths in order to inspire and help each other see.

To Blog or not to Blog……that is the question…

The name of my blog is “Reflections of an Austin Artist,” yet I haven’t relayed these reflections much, nor have I written any blog posts, since August 2011.  I’m not sure why I haven’t. Perhaps it’s because I think I’ve been too busy. Perhaps it’s because it’s difficult for me sit down, think about a topic and then write about it. Perhaps it’s because I have a difficult time writing exactly how I feel and/or letting people into my world and head. Perhaps it’s because I fear that my reflections, stories and adventures aren’t all that enlightening or important or entertaining to others. Perhaps whether or not others find my writing or experiences interesting just shouldn’t matter anyway, as I should be writing for myself.  As an artist, we all say, “I create work (whether it is visual art, music, writing, etc.) because I love to create.” This is an absolute truth, and we are driven (though sometimes we all need pushes) but no artist can deny the fact that it feels good when others appreciate what we are doing.

Just yesterday I checked a blog I read periodically (http://theredbirdhouse.blogspot.com/) and saw that the blogger hadn’t posted anything since last September. I messaged the blogger to let her know that I enjoyed reading her posts, and the story she had started a few years ago. I had really liked the story and wanted to know how it ended. It was during the conversation back and forth with her that I said to myself, “Okay pot….”  So here I am, writing.

I do have tons to write about. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had some completely awesome experiences during my travels and during my art shows and just during life. I’ve taken the road less traveled (http://www.skepticink.com/smilodonsretreat/2016/03/20/road-less-traveled/) often, both driving and walking, and have some really interesting and great adventures. That being said, that’s all for today…

To answer the question: Yes, to blogging, though how often I cannot say…but more than before…and I may need a kick every now and then….

Yay Art!

Next blog post: You’re the Inspiration (giving myself a pre-planned topic)

The Story Behind Helping Hand

Imagine yourself on one of those tourist adventures in St Lucia (a tropical island in the West Indies). Imagine that you just completed the open-topped-jeep part of the adventure and you saw parts of the rain forest, a cocoa plantation, some waterfalls, the Gros and Petit Pitons (volcanic plugs), and some sulfur springs. You ate lunch at a picturesque, quaint restaurant that overlooks the Caribbean Sea. Now you are relaxing on the boat part of the adventure. There’s rum punch for all, made in a plastic garbage can, and the music of the island is blaring from speakers that probably need replacing. You are enjoying the warm summer rays on your face and the wind in your hair as the boat glides over the aquamarine colored water. Beautifully and brightly colored houses and shops line the shoreline as you pass……

This was where I was when I captured the image that inspired “Dive Shop”.

Upon coming into view of the dive shop, I observed several young men in a small boat and they appeared to be fishing. I couldn’t see from where I was, whether or not they had been successful in their attempts to catch fish. Who knows, maybe they weren’t fishing at all. But in my mind, and in my memory, they were. This scene stayed in my mind as I left this beautiful island.

When I returned home, this adventure and scene inspired several works of art. As you, may or may not, know, I always create my work in groups of two. One piece is the image ingrained in mind (and in pixels). The other is an interpretation of the scene in an abstract or figurative way. Everyone needs a “Helping Hand” and now and then, so far away, back at home, I wished this for them!

More about St Lucia (though not an authoritative source :)
St Lucia

My Dad, the Benchwarmer!

No, this isn’t about sports, and my dad was a good athlete, so I doubt he sat on the sidelines much. This IS, however, about a “bench.”

I have always LOVED working with my hands, working with tools, and creating “stuff.” My first recollection of constructing anything was when I made a “bench” for my dad. I don’t recall my age. If I had to guess, I would say I was between 5-7 years. I don’t remember, either, whether the “bench” was for his birthday or for Father’s Day. I do, however, remember how ingenious, creative and innovative I felt I was. This “bench” was the best idea ever and would be a wonderful gift!!

Okay, so my dad actually helped me build the “bench, ” but the idea was MINE. First, we (he) cut a 2” x 4” board into 3 pieces. We used a hand saw and mitre box. This is the actual saw and mitre box. (My dad keeps almost everything.)

Second, we connected the three pieces with nails and a hammer (sorry, he did NOT keep the bench to show you):

Third, I painted the “bench” myself in shades of blue , and presented “my” gift to Dad. He was grateful, but, I’m fairly confident that he never actually warmed the bench. :)

Through this first memorable experience of using tools and construction, I learned to be proud and empowered by my ideas. I still feel that way each and every time I finish a piece of artwork now! My tools today are much more sophisticated, however!!