Late Night Drive...

This week the National Cathedral projected Black Lives Matter onto its exterior. The projection was created by their designers in partnership with Atmospheric Inc.and will be up until 11:59 tonight.

"The cathedral is proud to say, Black Lives Matter, no exceptions," the cathedral said in a release. 

 Eddie and I jumped in the car for a completely spontaneous late night/early morning drive to see it. The grounds were so quiet, there were only a handful of people and the night air was comfortable and still. We stayed for a while savoring the message on the peoples house of worship...

 grappling with this moment in history and change.

Making Art & Sheltering in Place

Making art while sheltering in place has grown into an opportunity to push boundaries, coerce a pragmatic approach to making art by "making it work" accepting that creatively solving design problems with the readily available tool rather than the perfect tool.

A sewing needle is a great alternative if you do not have an awl. Rulers or ID cards are an alternative to a bone folder.

The isolation has ignited a freedom to make changes that otherwise would not have presented themselves. My summer goal is to create a prolific studio space and to document the process of what making art entails. The documentation will also serve as digital resources for other art teachers. 

Now more that ever art is a catalyst to promoting change. These last two weeks have illuminated, actually ignited a desperate need for change. Artists that fuel their craft with activism are often the mirror reflecting our times.

The research will begin with reading On Tyranny an hors d'ourve to my inquiry.The nation is preparing for an election in November and voting will be more important than ever. Mail in ballots have been a source of discussion as a result of the pandemic. The US Postal Service finds itself in a precarious spot, and I want to learn more about absentee voting and the mail in ballot system, so that is where I will launch my probe. 

The cover is paper that I marbled and has been just waiting for the right book to cover. 

Black Lives Matter

Do you need links to Black Lives Matter resources? 

Playbill.com has a wonderful layout that is easy to navigate and full of ways we can support and keep the momentum going. 

Looking to deepen your understanding? 
ART21 has a series from artists perspective
living the black experience. 
These artists illuminate their experience and engage in conversations around bias, race and representation.

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture has also recently released a web portal, “Talking About Race.” 

In order to be better, we must listen and learn an act.

The American Crow

Spending more time at home has given me the opportunity to get to know the backyard gang. One of my favorite visitors is the American Crow. 

I have tenderly named the bird Ginger. Initially a little skiddish with the presence of humans, now the bird is not so quick to fly away. The crow loves to feast on grapes, peanuts and meal worms. 

Ginger is regal and sleek. Sometimes I think the bird is actually posing for my benefit. The bird also has a distinct sound, when she calls out it sounds like someone is saying, "UH-OH". When I hear that call in the backyard I make sure there are tastey treats readily available for consumption. 

Artifacts from a Pandemic

That toilet paper that has been so coveted...seems a shame to toss the empty tube at the end of the roll.

Pondered this thought to my sculpture students...and these are our results!

Porchtraits...daily life during the pandemic

Pandemic Portraits...This series is titled PORCHTRAITS. 

It is a pleasure to visit my peeps, and hang out in the yard and photograph this moment in time.

It feeds the extrovert that is raging to get out during this shelter in place. It is  a joy to hang out  and just be candid with my camera. 

I will continue this as long as we are practicing social distance. Using the camera and a longer lens allows me to maintain a safe distance and still quench that thirst for human contact. Invite me over! 

School Daze

Recently, I have been organizing my studio and the mountains of ephemera I have collected over the years...how about a little makeover for an old faculty yearbook photo?