in the studio - finding the fun again

Claudia

Kim

While traveling over the last month I aimed to find the "fun" again in my collage work. 

For the first week I did a collage a day. I called them "scrap people"..... each one a person that I had either met or came in contact with during that week. I wanted them to be a quick, emotional response to who that individual was.

Some were more successful than others- but I had fun and that was the exercise!

*

The following week I focused on using maps again. Over the last 6 months I had gotten away from using them as an integral part of my collage process and I felt that I needed to find a way to reconnect with them in a new and meaningful way. 

I did not push myself to complete anything - just see where an idea might take me - and I was able to lay down the beginnings of 3 pieces that I felt positive about. 

Since returning home and I'm back in the studio every day, I've been able to finish 2 of those pieces and finish a 3rd piece that had been languishing on my table for awhile. 

Sometimes just stepping away and hitting the refresh button is the perfect antidote!

somewhere between the waves

10"x 8" 

mixed media collage on board - photo transfer, photo printed tissue paper, pencil, paint

*

unknown

6"x 61/2"

mixed media collage on paper - antique maps, magazine paper, pencil

*

Barn Study # 6: Somewhere in America

7"x 5" 

photo transfer, paint, pencil on canvas panel

*

I also began to order the frames for my upcoming art exhibit which is now "officially" posted online!  

It's real! Nervous, excited, and nervous.

Journey: People, Patterns, Puzzles

Cotuit Center for the Arts

4404 Falmouth Rd. Cotuit, MA

May 20 - June 18, 2017

*

in the POD - going home

turning a corner and heading home

*

Our plan was to head into the Smokey Mountains for a few days of hiking, biking and solitude before starting our way back home. Unfortunately, the weather was not going to cooperate with those plans. Rain was predicted for our entire stay and we definitely did not want to be sitting in the POD sitting in the woods without outdoor options. 

So we changed our plans.

Instead of spending inauguration day unplugged, in the middle of the mountains and away from most of humanity we instead spent it unplugged (except for the GPS), encased in our POD and watching humanity roll by as we headed north. 

Seemed like a good compromise. 

We ended the day back in Winchester, VA at Bonnie Blue Market and Bakery this time to sample their BBQ! I had the 5 Bone Rib platter with collard greens and mac and cheese and Tim had the 2 Meat Platter with pulled pork, beef brisket, grits and mac and cheese. Every single item was GREAT and we were so happy we made it back here!!

Once again - we left there with leftovers.

Also - soon after we were seated a group of 15 arrived sporting multi-color "pussy" hats! Mothers and their children of all ages on their way to D.C. It was so affirming and made us so happy to see!  

So, the next morning when we began our final leg home, we felt ready to connect to the outside world again watching the beautiful day unfold with protest marches around the world. Many thanks to all those that participated in order to protect the freedoms that we all share.

*

dinner at Blue Bonnet

Winchester, VA

*

in the POD - Nashville friends

We "escaped" from Gold Rush

The Escape Game, Nashville

*

Arrived in Nashville late in the day to visit with our friends Deanna, Brandon and their two young sons (ages 1 and 2). It had been almost a year since we last were in Nashville so there was lots to catch up on! We arrived with bags of groceries and I took over the kitchen to make a big pot of jambalaya while we all stood around and talked as the boys raced around our feet!  

There is nothing like "kitchen time" for sharing - both as the cooking process is under way and, finally, when all are seated together at table. 

*

The next day, after the boys were taken to a babysitter, our friends kidnapped us and took us on a rainy day adventure! 

First, lunch. 

Monell's is a Nashville institution that offers Southern food served family style. Located in the section of the city known as Germantown, the building is a historic brick Federal style home filled with antiques and long farm tables. Putting strangers (at first) together for dining is part of the charm and the simple act of passing the food around opens people up to conversation and sharing. Strangely enough, one of the young women at the table was from Rhode Island! Crazy! Her friend was from Los Angeles (!) and they were both attending Wellesley College in MA!

The food was terrific. Biscuits, cornbread and peach jam was on the table to start us off along with pitchers of water, lemonade and ice tea. What followed was non-stop skillet fried chicken, BBQ chicken, pot roast, meatloaf, broccoli salad, cheese grits, rice, beans, green beans and more! And just in case you were still hungry there was bread pudding for dessert. 

Our next stop was The Escape Game. 

Until we walked into the place Tim and I had no idea where we were going and we still had no clue what it was or what we were about to do. A bold move on Deanna and Brandon's part but a good call none the less. Tim is not really a "game" person but this may have been the most fun he's had in a long time. It was GREAT!!  

We did The Gold Rush, one of 3 different games offered at this location and our task was to find the hidden gold with a 1 hour time limit. The games are fully interactive and set in specially designed spaces/sets. We began "outdoors" locked outside a cabin in the woods. Looking for clues, solving puzzles and lots of teamwork allowed us to first get into the cabin, then thru the fireplace, down the chute into the mine and eventually find all 3 pieces of gold which unlocked the door - with 3 minutes to spare! 

The 2 employees said we were the dream team!

And yes - it was perfect rainy day fun.

*

Our stay was brief and we headed out early the next morning. 

It was great to have the time together and catch up on their young lives and the choices ahead for them. Tim and I even got to enjoy some time with each of the boys - playing and reading to them. It was a nice substitute as we are both really missing Rosemarie about now........

in the POD - Natchez to Memphis

 Natchez, MS

Lunch and a flight, Forks in the Road Historic Site,

Silver Street, King's Tavern

*

Natchez is a small city of 15,000 people that sits about 200' above the banks of the Mississippi. The city is filled with historic homes, some dating back to its founding in the late 1700's. Prior to the Civil War Natchez boasted the largest number of millionaires in the country and was the principal port from which cotton and sugarcane were shipped. Of course, all of this on the backs of the slave labor that ran the engine of every plantation filling the lowlands of the area. 

The city was quiet on the weekend we wandered around - visiting the information packed Visitor's Center, walking the trail along the banks of the Mississippi, and driving past all the grand mansions. A few stand out attractions were:
"Natchez in Historic Photographs",  First Presbyterian Church - this free exhibit spans over 100 years of Natchez life beginning around 1850 and fills well over 5 rooms inside the beautiful Federal style church.
Forks in the Road - a historical marker on a small triangular plot of land, marks the spot of the largest slave market in the South running from 1833 until Union forces occupied the city in 1863.
King's Tavern - the oldest building in Natchez dating to approximately the mid 1700's and the current home of a great little restaurant, AMAZING and fun mixologist, and .... the city's first distillery, Charboneau Rum. Oh yeah!
Wiliam Johnson House - run by the NPS, this is the home of a freed slave who became a wealthy merchant in the city owning multiple barber shops and slaves of his own. For over 20 years he kept a daily diary! One of the few full accountings of the life of a freed black man.

We loved Natchez and the really friendly people that we had the opportunity to talk with and hang out with and can imagine stopping back here at some point.

 Natchez, MS

Hidden home, walls along the Mississippi River,

Emerald Mound on the Natchez Trace

*

We headed North to Memphis by way of the Natchez Trace, a 444 mile parkway that runs along side the original "trace" or foot trail. This trail was used first by the American Indians and then by early settlers and traders. The trace runs through 3 states - Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee and ends in Nashville. Along the way are historic towns, markers, and old settlements. We only drove the first 120 miles of the trace - up to Jackson, MS. But..... it is now on our list of routes to return to and drive the entirety.

 Natchez, MS

Mount Locust - farm home on the Natchez Trace

First Presbyterian Church

Inside Mount Locust

*

sunset over the Mississippi River

Natchez, MS

*

And so..... Memphis is a very big city with over 1/2 a million people spread out over a wide area. All the quaintness and beautiful architecture that we had seen would NOT be found here. A lot of Memphis is touristy, kitschy, and really feels divided.

Marlowe's BBQ

Memphis, TN

*

Kitsch award goes to Marlowe's BBQ! A pink building on Elvis Presley Blvd not too far from Graceland. We stopped on our way to the campground to pick up dinner - and althou not the best BBQ it did treat us to 50's style leatherette booths, a really tacky gift shop, Elvis memorabilia  everywhere and tvs hung from the ceiling playing old Elvis movies! Oh - and all delivery orders are sent in a pink Caddy. 

Surrounded by green shag carpet, the living room, the media room

Graceland, Memphis, TN

*

Game on - we had to start at Graceland!

The next morning the skies threatened rain and thunderstorms all day but we headed out early to start our day. Happy to report that Lisa Marie is well provided for…… WOW! A variety of tours - basic to VIP including separate tours for the house, the airplanes and the garage full of cars, 3 restaurants, 10 gift shops, and more being built. The house itself was very interesting to see - a real time warp. It was not overly large and although a bit wild in it’s furnishings, it was set up for family life. 

The self guided tour employs individual iPads and headphones walking you through each room of the house, out into the backyard, his staff’s office, the horses, and the pool area/meditation garden. Unfortunately, the area housing all the gold records and awards was closed (they are currently making it bigger) but we were able to see/hear all about it on the iPad.  

As a cultural reference, I’m glad we went. Was it worth the $76. for two basic senior tickets? Maybe - cause really just seeing Tim surrounded by green shag carpet on the way up to the Jungle Room was kind of priceless.

Sun Studios, Gibson Guitar Factory

Sun Studios Control Room and Studio

Memphis, TN

*

We headed into downtown Memphis over the course of two days visiting the well known music studios and museums. On a whim we decided to take the Gibson Guitar factory tour and I am so happy that we did! Start to finish a Gibson guitar takes 4.5 weeks to make. Everything is done by hand except for a few machine cuts. To see each craftsperson contributing on a specific stage in the process was so cool - all handmade, hand painted, hand finished - amazing. Real artists.

Sun Records was our next stop. A really good tour. Incredible to fathom how so much rock and roll history came out of such a tiny place! BB King, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and so many more. Surprisingly, nothing has changed in that studio since its start - if only those walls could have talked. 

Stax Records was next on our hit list. Great museum and we spent close to 3 hours in there cause there wass so much to read about and see. The original Stax recording studio and building no longer exist but they rebuilt it and added a big museum space. Once again - overwhelmed by the number of musicians that came through here making their mark by writing, playing backup and creating the Stax sound. Otis Redding, Booker T and the MGs, Carla Thomas, Wilson Pickett and Issac Hayes. Awesome.

National Civil Rights Museum

Memphis, TN

*

On our final day we went to the National Civil Rights Museum. I cannot say enough about this museum. It was built at the site of the Lorraine Motel and they kept the front balcony and parking lot exactly as it was on that fateful day and incorporated it right into the new building. To experience the full museum took us over 4 hours. SO much information and history - much of it we knew and some we did not - but all wonderfully displayed in chronological order. 

As you near the end of the main part of the museum you find yourself in the hallway of the Lorraine Motel. Glass on 3 sides affords you a view into both Martin Luther King's room on one side and that of his associates on the other and in front of you is the balcony. You can not help but weep. 

It was a powerful and affirming celebration of need and dedication.

*

Flying Fish
Lunch - Memphis, TN

*

And we did have a couple of memorable meals - none of which included BBQ.

A late lunch at The Flying Fish, ordering at the counter and sitting at checkered cloth tables, we totally enjoyed the gumbo, catfish tacos, and ceviche.

Dinner one night was at Hogs and Hominy. (A spot recommended to us by Dave Charboneau, the owner of the rum distillery in Natchez.) Billed as Italian cooking / Southern roots it did not disappoint. We shared poutine, grits Al Forno - grits with an amatriciana sauce, and brisket gnocchi! Of course we had to try the peanut butter pie and a flight of gelato to finish.

*

in the POD - stray thoughts

First Presbyterian Church 

Natchez, MS

*

Having left the Gulf coast last Friday we have woken to a new time zone and new bird sounds. We have stood (and slept) 20 feet from the banks of the lower Mississippi River and watched the sun set and the morning fog rise over that majestic river. A constant flow heading south - out into the Gulf. Mixing with the rest of the world.

We have met and shared stories with so many interesting people - from the Louisana beekeepers ( a 10th (?) generation Massachusetts Pilgrim married to a Creole with Oklahoma Shawnee grandchildren) who we met at the Visitors Center in Natchez and kindly shared so much local history,  the bikers we stood outside and drank with along the banks of the Mississippi including Lynn, who worked for the US Forest Service until his retirement returned him home to the south, and the young people that brought their energy and soul into giving tours to iconic American cultural institutions such as Sun Studio and Gibson Guitars. Each and everyone has a story and a dream.

*

I have been thinking a lot about that on this trip. We have not talked "politics" with anyone - except for our friends on Pine Island and one couple from Orlando we met while in the Panhandle (only because they brought it up first... and, luckily, were of similar views). Yet in talking with so many people recently - here in the South - I have to say that on the most basic level the "divide" is not as wide as reported. 

Yes, my sample is extremely small but just chatting with dozens of people about their lives, their needs, passions, and hopes - I felt connected to them. We all want the same thing - happiness, family/close friends, security, kindness, and to be free to make our own choices. 

I think the real propaganda (fake news) is to make us feel more divided than we actually are. I agree that each "side" has a different idea about what each of those words mean to them and how to get to there ...... but that is what this "commonwealth" is supposed to work out through compromise. A word that has lost its meaning and importance in our current political mud-fest.

We need to change the dialogue - change the words that we use. We need to come up with a new inclusive vernacular. Frame it all differently - make it about all of us, all of our shared and best interests. 

Common ground. 

Ground up. 

We have to start again.

just after sunrise along the Mississippi River

*

in the POD - unplugged

9 miles of uninterrupted sand 

St George Island State Park

*

the sound is constant 

like that of a train passing.

hearing the rhythm of the breaths between the cars

I let the waves take over.

I have been waiting to return to this empty beach

in order to pause, to stop moving.

the panorama is bigger than my heartbeat

it lulls me to sleep.

*

Having waited for almost a year to return to St. George Island State Park - I am not disappointed. It is everything I remembered and more now that we have the days to explore more of the 1,962 acres. Sitting at the east end of a long barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, the park has 9 miles of white sand beaches and dunes as well as hiking trails laced thru the salt marshes and tall pines. 

sugar sand beaches

*

We woke to a sunny, but cold day. At less than 40 degrees we bundled up for our first walk thru the slash pines and coastal scrub along the trail to Gap Point, a small spit along the East Slough. An easy hike out, the 2.5 miles were aided by some raised boardwalks over the marshes. The vistas were spectacular and the neutral colors were both calming and refreshing. We emerged at the main road that runs down the center of the park lands and decided to return to the campground via the beach. A beautiful choice only hindered by the 15+ winds heading straight at us! I spent a majority of that part of the walk with my head down - with only few glances up at the crashing of the incoming tide. I busied myself with scanning for shells. I remembered having seen lots of sponges and sand dollars along the shore last time. However, this time there were no sponges to be found and all the sand dollars seemed to have been turned into nickels by the pounding surf......

 along the East Slough trail out of the campground 

*

the POD and Tim .... among the pines.

*

Being in one campground for a few days and a rhythm occurs. Every morning we would head out on one of the trails out of the campground - often sharing the path with a passing dog and their owner - but mostly left alone in the solitude to enjoy the journey. Afternoons spent reading and doing some collage work before we headed out for another walk or bike ride. One day we hopped on our bikes and road the trail to the East End of the island. It's a 10 mile (roundtrip) ride along fairly packed sand and gravel out to the sandy tip of the island. Nestled between sets of dunes the trail offered views of the water on both sides. We rode back to the campground with the sun making its final descent in front of us. 

Another afternoon we took a trip out of the park and back into the "main" town on the island. I had wanted to climb to the top of the island's lighthouse as well as check out an oyster bar that I had read about! The lighthouse, first built in 1833, was rebuilt twice in its original location at the west end of the island. Subsequently, it was moved/rebuilt in its new location in 2008. We climbed the circular 2+ storied tower and had the top to ourselves. 

Looking west from the top of the lighthouse - you can see the POD in the lower right.

*

We then headed to Paddy's Raw Bar, an open air establishment on the bay side of the island. Laid back atmosphere and a very friendly vibe. I had oysters and Tim had mahi-mahi fish tacos. The oysters were plump, dark and tasty! Not as big as the gulf oysters I had in New Orleans but they were really good. Tim ate all of his tacos - which meant he really liked them! We each had a local beer - of course....

I had an Apalach IPA from Oyster City Brewing Company located right across the bay in Apalachicola. Tim had a Mango Wit from Proof Brewing out of Tallahassee. The wit was not overly carbonated and the mango flavor was dry and not sweet at all - which we both enjoyed. The IPA was crisp and dry, not overly hopped. Refreshing and satisfying. 

There were 3 tvs above the bar - all tuned to sports channels. I may be wishing for this bar come Saturday night as I wander Natchez, MS for someplace to watch the playoff game.....

gulf oysters and fish tacos

Paddy's Raw Bar, St George Island, FL

*

Each of our 4 days here has been spent filled with multiple walks and bike rides, ample time for reading, writing, and some collage thrown in for creative measure. And each day has ended with watching the sun set. The weather got considerably warmer each day and reached 70 degrees by our last one. It has been a perfect 4 1/2 day stay. 

Enough time to recharge, time to reflect - a perfect time to be unplugged!

sunset and snacks from a beach pavilion

St George State Park

*

And in keeping with the BBQ theme of this adventure..... we stopped at a great roadside BBQ place on our way here from Pine Island. Hamaknockers BBQ in Crawfordville, FL. We could smell the smoke from a few miles away! An adorable spot along the Coastal Hwy of the Panhandle. The inside was a Florida cracker-style diner - corrugated tin wainscoting, wooden tables, and dark cherry leatherette booths. We ordered 2 draft beers while we waited for our take-out order. Tim had the Oatmeal Coffee Stout and I had the Big Nose IPA both from Swamphead Brewery out of Gainesville, FL. Both beers hit the spot after being on the road for 7 hours. 

Hamaknockers BBQ

*

our BBQ haul

*

$35.00 (which included the 2 drafts) and 40 minutes later we settled into the campground and dove into our feast of 1/2 smoked chicken, 1/4 rack of ribs, 1/2 lb pulled pork (which is not seen on the table), a side of mac and cheese, and 2 of their house made BBQ sauces (Sweet & Tangy and Gold).

All were terrific! The smoked BBQ chicken was just smokey enough, moist, and delicious. The ribs were dry rubbed and meaty. The sweet and tangy sauce was our favorite - dark notes of tamarind mixed with the sweetness of molasses. 

We got 4 dinners out of this! 

Livin' large...

in the POD - bye bye pine island days

boating off Pine Island

*

It's raining today. 

Kind of a perfect way to end what has been a very social week on Pine Island. Lots of get-togethers, lots of people, and lots of sun and exercise. So, a day of rest, laundry and getting us packed up and ready to move on is exactly what was needed.

*

We heralded New Years in at a nearby party of old friends - the party began at 4 pm and was over by 8....... Goodness knows, one can't be driving a golf cart after sundown! It was fun to see everyone, catch up and share some excellent food! Later that eve, Tim and I laid in bed and listened to the fireworks off of Cape Coral and Fort Myers which advised us of the new year "moment". We could have walked to the end of the street and actually saw them - but we were pretty comfortable where we lay. (Note: we did live 3 blocks from the Rose Bowl parade for 4 years and never made the trek. Why start now.)

Took the opportunity of the great weather and flat roads to get back on the bikes and walk everyday. Finally getting back to our 10,000 steps a day! Perfectly perfect weather the entire stay and althou the weather will be @ 15-20 degrees cooler in the Panhandle, it will still be sunny and clear allowing for continued outdoor activity.

Pine Island biking - no hills here!!

*

the quiet end of Fort Myers Beach

*

a day on the water 

*

16 lbs on the spit

*

 Our 16 lb bone-in pork loin from Dietrich's gave us a perfect afternoon to gather 20+ friends for a pit fire under the pines alongside the canal for a great party! Tim rubbed it with a coffee and chili rub and friends contributed many sides and salads. It was the only "bbq" we ate this entire week! I tried to think of this week as a cleanse - HA! - in actuality I simply replaced it with lots of fish and beer.

visiting with with a manatee at the dock

*

Althou I have seen lots of manatees before, I had never seen one so close up and that hung around for a such a long time! This calf came by to drink water from the hose hanging off the dock and stayed for well over 40 minutes. She did not seem to mind Kim or my presence at all - opening and closing her eyes as if she was watching us watch her! 

 looking up at the hosts' home and the POD nestled canal side under the palms and pines.

*

So - bye bye Pine Island. Till next year.

Happy trails ahead

*

in the POD - and in the studio with scraps

day 1 - playing with negative space

*

I've been feeling a bit at drift with my art work recently, starting new projects and then pushing them aside (or throwing them away) because I just wasn't feeling they were headed in any real direction. I needed a kickstart! I needed allow myself the opportunity to just explore without adding any of the pressure I was putting on it!

So, as I packed up for this road trip I packed a small bucket of glues, exacto knives, watercolors, pencils, art board and envelopes filled with old map pieces, magazine pages and cut outs, past printed photos and an odd variety of papers.

My goal is to use only these leftover scraps, give myself a 2 -3 hour limit and play!

day 2 -mixing  some old elements and some new 

*

For the last three days I have done just that and enjoyed every minute of it. The first day I stood in the shade overlooking the canal using our friend's fish counter as my work table.  Not a bad setting to get reaquainted with one's creative self.  

*

"Okay, creative self, you take care of the quality - I will take care of the environment"

I have that quote on a sticky note pinned to my desk at home. I believe it is from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron - which I brought along with me as well  - because re-reading even bits of it when one is at a crossroad can be amazingly inspiring.

day 3 - the start of today's piece

*

Claudia and I have been walking 5 miles every morning and that has been so good both physically and mentally. Talking, walking, looking, thinking - imagining. Walking is one of the things I miss this time of year up north as there never seems to be enough hours of light and - oh yeah - it's really cold! SO I best get my fill while here.

Feeding a soul takes a lot of work. Can't live on BBQ alone.