Canoe Season: Spring 2010

With the warmer weather, we launched the floating studio. The water levels were just high enough to navigate up the Salt Creek but not so high we suffered from muscle burn going up river. The sunshine, the art, the natural beauty are all conspiring to free my spirit for more creative work.



Empty water vessels are a potent symbol for the direction I want to move with the Waterways Project. I'm making big plans for the summer and will let you know what's happening. But for now, this is an ancient vessel I drew at the Field Museum last week.






If you'd like to watch another short video clip and see more vessel drawings, you can vist my blog.

Waterways Project: It's Easier to Forget

Cup
paper and watercolor


If you are a regular reader, you know I've been struggling with what to do for the next step in Waterways. After much discussion with friends and rumination, I had an idea hit me like a thunderbolt yesterday.

At one time, it was possible to dip ones cup into the Des Plaines River and DRINK clean water. As modern people, we just assume that no body of water may be drunk from safely and it's much easier to forget that fact.This is a painful reminder that it was not too long ago that clean rivers, streams and waterways were taken totally for granted.

I am suddenly flooded with ideas for projects and this small, fragile paper cup is going to be part of 300 other cups placed on the floor somewhere (don't know where yet!) as part of an instillation illuminating the above fact. The cups will be arraigned like a meandering river across an expanse of space and remain vulnerable to crushing underfoot, the wind of an open door, etc.

Studying the work of William Kentridge. has inspired me to think larger and more fluidly about my art practice. I'm feeling almost giddy about the possibilities. Working on my police project has really given me the confidence to branch out and think about working with large government departments as art partners.

So do something to support clean water today!
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
Don't flush the toilet as often. (OK, I know it's not polite to talk about but it helps!)
Purchase a rain barrel and use it.
Write to your legislator and demand stricter clean water laws.
Write to companies that persistently pollute the water.
Savor your clean tap water.

Here is a page from my sketchbook with my initial thoughts and ideas about the instillation.

Waterways Project- Origami Canoe

Today, Dear, Watery Readers, I had a lovely knitting date with my good friend Kelly who also happens to be gifted in the "bright ideas" department. This conversation along with caring, intelligent suggestions from our band of Merry Bloggers here has helped me to shake up my art making practice. This little tutorial is an homage to all the enlightening ideas I have been feasting on and a tiny hint of things to come in the Waterways Project.Here's a very LARGE thank you for your support and good wishes!



Step 1


Step 2



Step 3


Step 4


Step 5


Step 6


Step 7

What's happening here is that you gently turn the whole form inside out (without ripping the folds!) to form the canoe.


Using a bone folder helps set the creases more firmly.
If you want the outside of your boat to have a pattern, fold with the pattern side of the paper down on step one.



Here's a You Tube video with a slightly different approach.

Now I need to figure out how to fold a paddle.

Waterways -Thinking About a New Direction

I've had a small series of paintings I'm ashamed to say I started.....last November.
The reason I've taken so long to finish them is because I've not only been busy with my other project, but I'm in transition with the Waterways Project. My very patient spouse drove all over the South Loop with me this last weekend looking for some grit to inspire me in my new direction. I'm enjoying inching my way along conceptually to a new direction.




You can see more images of the South Loophere on my blog.

Waterways Nostalgia

Calm Day
Oil on Canvas
7" x 12"

Well, this looks pretty strange amid all the elegant muted tones and startling snowy light of January. This has everything to do with Early November and the mad riot of color just before the light plunges into the dark. Winter is a lovely time to clear out the studio , organize all the paint pots and wind up unfinished business. So I'm sharing this little bit of nostalgia from the season past; I have several unfinished pieces to attend to. Brew up a fancy tea. Serve yourself a cup on fine china. Make friends with your unfinished business. Happy Winter.

Waterways Snow Globe

Happy Holidays everyone!

Waterways Project: November Catch Up

Gray Day
Ink and watercolor

This is my favorite time to sketch out doors. The bright light...the warm breezes...Just kidding. But I do like the linear quality of the trees and the filtered light. (No bugs helps too!) If you'd like to see a few more from the November sketchbook, I've posted them here on my blog.



Bright Day
ink and watercolor

Fair Isle's Beauty

Dave Wheeler
Yoal hauled up above the sea foam

I subscribe to Nature Conservancy's weekly pod casts and this story about an American family's move to Scotland's Fair Isle captured my imagination. This remote, storm buffeted island is remarkable for not only its beauty but the tenacity of it's inhabitants as you will hear about in the pod cast.

After visiting the Fair Isle Web Site, I found not only a couple of live web cams but the most extraordinary photographs by Dave Wheeler His photography takes my breath away and I had a very hard time deciding which sea scapes to choose to illustrate this post.Many thanks for his kind permission. You can see more of his work on Fair Island here.

I've already begun to casually mention in several dinner time conversations how much I'd like to take a work camp vacation on Fair Isle. I'd probably have to commit to nightly back rubs to sweeten the deal.

Last Canoe Trip of the Season :>(

Last month, Craig and I had a chance to, once again, canoe the lovely Kishwaukee River. This class "A" river was a bit low on this day. The water was warm which was very convenient as we had to float the boat over a few sand bars.



As you can see from the videos, the weather was clear and warm in the early afternoon, then later, we broke out the ponchos for my first rainy canoe trip. I'm embarrassed to say, that the first mate grumbled a bit when directed by El Capitain to go back and pack the ponchos even though the sun was shining. The ponchos were perfect and we both remained dry and cheerful.


This week, we have had freezing temps and I'm afraid that this was our last trip of the season. I will miss Dry Sherry, her silver hull shining only from metallic luster (not leaking water) as we bed her down for the winter.

Creative Burn Out Recovery Plan

Riverside
Watercolor and ink


I've been quiet here for awhile because I've been burned out not only creatively but burned out web-wise too. Some thoughtful friends have suggested I do a few gentle posts from time to time to let you all know I'm still alive and kicking.....and tell you how I'm recovering.

I'm cooking more and here's my latest cook book:
Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone The author is a sympathetic omnivore with some really interesting flavor combinations.

I'm getting out doors as much as possible and preferably in a quiet, natural setting.

Visiting with family and good friends.

Not making art if I don't want to and being gentle with myself about not wanting to.

I'm doing my yoga and yoga breathing when things start to feel overwhelming.

Spending time doing nothing.

I'm living as much as possible in the REAL world. This means I won't be visiting blogs for awhile but it's been heavenly to not be feeling obligated to spend so much time on line. I was starting to feel numbed after hours on line. I also found myself obsessively checking my site stats.This is such a HUGE time waster and was strictly about vanity; a sort of adult version of the high school popularity contest. I turned blogging into a J-O-B with all the heavily weighted baggage that denotes.

I highly recommend the web restricted diet if you are feeling burned out. I'd be interested to hear how others cope with creative and web burn out.

Lake Michigan Paddle

Recently, on a very calm morning, Craig and I checked the marine report for Lake Michigan and decided to risk a paddle. I say risk because Lake Michigan's weather and conditions change often and quickly with sometimes disastrous results. Craig and I remember our adventures last summer in Northern Michigan when on one glorious calm morning we paddled on the big lake for a brief, thrilling adventure.

This trip was no less thrilling and as you can see, we were treated to some really beautiful sky conditions. Vivien has suggested a minimalist painting series based on these and I think I'll take her up on it.

Plein Air In June, With The Best of Intensions

Thatcher Pond,Dead Tree, More Rain Arriving
10" x 10"
canvas board
with mat

Last month, I resolved to finally just do it! I packed up my tubes of oil in my nice pochad and trekked out to my favorite haunt: Thatcher Pond. Almost without exception, everyday I had time to go out with my paints, it either rained, or was threatening to do the same. My little plein air experiments continued and if it looks like the light was the same on all the days, it pretty much was the reality of the situation!

I've had a request to show the Waterways Project in my village and I've been busy framing some of these new pieces. Now I have to catalogue them and add prices. Fingers tightly crossed for a possible first sale!


Without Mat


Des Plains River, Inundation
8" x 10"
Oil on canvas panel




Irving Park Canoe Launch
9" x 12"
oil on canvas


Thatcher Pond, One Lone Heron, Bullfrogs Croaking
8" x 10"
Oil on canvas panel

Floating Studio, Be It Ever So Humble

With a title like this, perhaps you were expecting this or maybe something like this

But, be ever so humble, there's no place like our own canoe. I usually bring some art supplies along on our trips. Sometimes it's my tiny box of watercolors and Niji brushes. Sometimes it's only a pencil and paper. I'm lucky that the captain of our little boat supports the occasional mutiny of the first mate! But to be fair, we really need an anchor so someone does not have to keep us pointing away from danger.

Recently, I learned how to use the tiny film function on my camera and here is a tiny snippet of a canoe trip.





You can see another snippet of video from the same triphere

Niagara Falls Suite

Niagara Falls Suite # 2
22" x 30"
Ink, acrylic and watercolor on paper


Niagara Falls Suite # 3
22" x 30"
Ink, acrylic and watercolor on paper


Niagara Falls Suite # 1
22" x 30"
Ink, acrylic and watercolor on paper






Niagara Falls #4
22" x 30"
Ink, acrylic and watercolor on paper

I could have spend hours at Niagara Falls however, our visit was sandwiched in between two 18 hour car rides with Derek's commencement ceremony being the real filling. Although there was a bit of grumbling from the family about adding more driving hours on to the trip, when we all got there, we all felt overwhelmed by the grandeur, power and visual impact of the falls. As you can hear from the short video, it's also very loud.


The Canadian Side



View Larger Map

I madly scribbled in my sketchbook as we strolled along both the American and Canadian side. We'd been warned about the honky tonk atmosphere on both sides of the falls, but we tried to close our eyes going through these areas. The American side has a nice park that goes along the edges of both Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls. But the Canadians have, hands down, the most beautiful, if soggy view. You can see from the video above that the lens was getting a dusting of droplets during the filming.


I have about 12 sketches for a series of paintings, I was so profoundly moved. The scale, volume of water just sucked me in, so to speak. These large drawings feel more like sketches to me. The drawing at the top could only end up on a full sheet of watercolor. Anything smaller and I would loose the feel of the place. What I feel working this big is a huge amount of freedom and I find by working on 3 at once, I'm less likely to tighten up by being afraid of messing up.

I'm working toward applying the paint with reckless abandon...working to express the headlong rush of the water over the falls. However, it is possible that I'm going over the edge in a barrel: blind and out of control creatively. Also, the white on white does not read very well on screen.

If you'd like to see more still photos, you can see them here.


Here is anothervideo from the American side if you'd like to take a look and also, my initial sketchbook drawings are here.

You can find a brief history of the falls and other interesting facts (like what happens to the falls in the dead of winter here.

Ronell was kind enough to send methis link for a group of plein air artist's working at the falls.

Illinois River Lock

Last weekend, Craig and I had a lovely get away at Starved Rock State Park. The park is right on the shores of the Illinois River. Craig and I brought old Leaky and ended up canoing on the mighty Illinois, barge traffic and all. But that's a different story. On one of our afternoons, we spend several hours watching all the barge traffic going through the locks.


Barges, two wide and three deep are stuffed into the lock. The tow boat has to wait until the next water flow to go through. There is no room in the 600' lock. These babies are huge!



The science behind these locks is really ancient technology. The doors actually float so they are relatively easy to open and close. They are shaped so that the water in the lock holds the door closed so very little energy is needed to run the whole operation.

Craig and I had a short chat with one of the barge workers. We asked him how the traffic moves thorough the lock if the tow boat has to wait outside. He said the whole gaggle of barges is pulled along with a chain, that sits just above the water line next to the barges. If you look up and down the river, there can be many barges waiting their turn. Sunday was a busy day for the lock tenders.

Barge traffic is a very efficient way to move goods. One full barge carries the same pay load as 58 large semis and 15 jumbo hopper train cars. This is all good news for global warming and new leaner balance sheets for businesses.

Anyone else live near locks? Please feel free to add links in the comment section so we can "visit" you local lock.

Water on Earth Day-Chicago Lake and River Front

Over the three years I've been working on my waterways project,I've photographed Lake Michigan and the Chicago River in their many moods and colors. To celebrate Earth Day, I've chosen a few of my favorites.

PBS Frontline: Poisoned Waters

Airing in the US April 21st on your PBS station.

Waterways Project: Clear Michigan Light in Oils

Oil on Canvas
4" x 12"
Lake Michigan, April 09



I've been inspired by other Watermark members Jeanette and Sarah and Vivien all of whom are working in oils lately. I have not worked in oil much since school nearly 10 years ago so I'm having to play catch up. Two books that are helping me are Brushwork Essentials and The Oil Painting Class You've Always Wanted.

The first book, Brushwork Essentials, is a very practical book for learning how to load paint on a brush and get it to make the exact stroke you want for many different effects. Very helpful to me as I find it difficult to get away from applying and mushing paint around with my gloved hand. I'm childishly attached to finger painting....still.

The second book gives some practical advice on how to set up your painting space and the nuts and bolts of creating a basic painting.

If I could only buy one, I'd buy the first one.

The great beauty of oil painting for me is that unlike my oil pastels, I have UNLIMITED color choices. I'm looking forward to Sarah's up coming post on a step by step explanation of her plien air experience as this is what I'd like to be doing this summer too!

I've also finished work on my new web sitse for the Waterways Project if you'd like to see all my work together in the same place.


oil on canvas
4" x 12"
Lake Michigan April 09 #2

Waterways Project Hits Pay Dirt

Lake Michigan/ Gary Indiana Winter 09
watercolor, ink and mud on paper

My endless love affair with media took me to the banks of the Des Plains River this week. Yes, Waterways is getting down and dirty. Playing with mud, mess and all, evokes childhood mud pies and I had absolutely no expectations. As a result, I was rewarded with a new direction for my project. The way the mud granulates and shifts when I tilt the paper, suggests geology to me. I'll be investigating the bed rock under our area waterways now. Thoughts of geologic time compared with the very tiny human structures, places things in their proper perspective. Helps me to remember humility in the face of natural forces.

Vivien has suggested stabilizing the mud by mixing it with PVA. I'm going to try this and perhaps a spray matte finish. Any other ideas?

If you'd like to see one other mud experiment, I have one posted on my blog heree.

Napping Muse on Company Time

Here's a scary thought for a Watermarks member: I'm feeling adrift with my Waterways Project! Shouting for my Muse to wake does absolutely no good. So, I'm using this nagging twinge of anxiety to branch out and explore some new visual ideas. I'm very thankful for Tina's generosity in sharing images from her latest visual project:Wave Mechanics. Her photos are my jumping off point for playing around with various ideas. Thanks Tina!

If you want to see more visual trawling (for watery ideas), you can visit my blog for a slide show.






NOAA, the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (in the US) runs a site for Watershed Prediction for many rivers in the US.Here is the page for the Des Planes River Does anyone else have this sort of service in their country? If you do, why not share a link in the comments section.