Haystack Bound

 Tomorrow we leave for Haystack Mountain School of Art in Deer Isle, Maine.  It is a Massachusetts College of Art Alumni (and friends) retreat and I will be teaching cyanotype and monoprinting workshops.  It is my 5th year attending.  I love it there.

Haystack is a very special place.  It sits amid trees and rocks right on the ocean.  The architecture won many awards as it uses the landscape as a integral part of the design.  The studios and cabins radiate off a central staircase.  The photo on the left is the staircase looking up toward the dining hall and central meeting place.  Below is the view to the sea from the same point on the stairs.  So called "Faculty Row" is very close to the shore.  Good views on the one hand, but many stairs to climb on the other.  It is probably a good thing since the food is so good--a few stairs may help keep extra pounds from accumulating...

Vietnam calligraphy

This is Nguyen Quang Thang, a Vietnamese artist, scholar and calligrapher who visited Mass College of Art this past week.  He showed us several types of old style Vietnamese calligraphy.  The character based writing of Vietnam was romanized during the French colonial period.  His study has helped preserve the calligraphy and at the same time modernized it.

He is creating an image of my name--or an iteration of my name.  Gail=gale=wind.

Our future travel plans include a trip to Vietnam.
More on that later...

Open Studios

ArtSpace Open Studios was this weekend, Sept 24 and 25 from 12 -5 both days. I spent the week getting ready, hanging artwork, cleaning, organizing.  Here is a photo of the studio--in progress.

There were a lot of people through on Saturday and steady, but lighter, traffic on Sunday. Many engaging conversations with visitors.  Most were interested in my process which involves the 19th century photo technique of cyanotype, 21st century digital photography and rust.  The images pictured on the right are each 52 x 40 inches and the triptych on the left is 30 x 36 inches.

It was rewarding and exhausting.

Reflections on my trip

There is always a re-entry period after a trip.  It includes unpacking, doing laundry and reflecting on the trip.  Some things I did while in Sedona but didn't comment on:

I explored galleries while in Sedona and learned a few things.

Druzy is a thin layer of quartz crystals covering the surface of a host gem.  It creates a section of minute crystals which take on the color of the host gem giving it a feeling of added texture.

I found I liked mesquite wood inlay with turquoise.  Actually, it could be any wood and any object--cutting board, table, bowl.

Horsehair pottery is interesting for the texture and patterns created.  Add inlay of metal leaf and the effect is quite beautiful.

Sorry, no pictures this time.

Last Sedona entry

At the airport waiting for my flight. Good memories of the trip. Glad to be heading home.

Red Rock Crossing

Took a pleasant hike along the creek with views of Cathedral Rock. Relaxed at the pool until the clouds came in. Packing up for early morning flights tomorrow.

Sedona Shopping

A low key day of shopping and eating--what else! As we headed home to our condo we stopped at the Airport Overlook. This is a photo of the view. We arrived about 4:00 and the light was illuminating the rocks. It has now clouded up so the sunset will be a disappointment. I guess we will just have to go drink margaritas.