Skip to main content

Sierra Nevada Camping

We have somehow fallen into a tradition of camping for Mother's Day Weekend. Far be it from me to shake a tradition (although a weekend spa retreat would also be a good tradition for Mother's Day), we headed into the Sierra Nevada mountains not far from Truckee, for a chilly, but beautiful trip.

Although it was cold at night, we did not face Donner Party conditions. In fact we had the comforts of heating, a microwave and flat screen TV, so the conditions were very different from Donner Party. We did party for Mother's Day, but no chargrilled camp members were eaten at our party. All in all, I guess the cold and stiff aching bones in the morning was not as bad a deal as I first thought.

 My awesome girls.
I took lots of photos, not exactly Ansel Adams quality, but I want to share a couple of them anyway.
Mornings are rough!

Labels:

Comments

  1. Linda CMay 11, 2010 at 6:40 PM

    I just don't know what I'd do if the family suggesting camping for Mother's Day! They know that my first thoughts about camping are that it comes with dirt and bugs. Your photos show a side of camping that I would had not considered (including and the fact that you could bring along a microwave. Good move!) Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  2. crickettsMay 18, 2010 at 10:18 PM

    I have to admit Linda, that I had a shudder thinking about the cold, but hey, the scenery was fantastic!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blockprinting

One of my favorite forms of printmaking is relief carved blocks. I generally use soft blocks such as linoleum, for the simple reason that it is easier on my hands. The last time I carved wood I ended up with 3 herniated discs, so I might make wood a special occasion choice! Carving wood can be an almost spiritual awakening of sorts, as the consious mind is on full focus of the task of the hands and the subconsious is resting on the creative nature of the image being formed. Once the block or blocks are carved, inking and printing requires a rhythm of motion that brings a level of peace. Here is a Japanese master printer at work printing, just watching him at work in his studio has me taking deep mediative breaths!      
Post a Comment
Read more

Victorian Influences

My head is buzzing with the Printmaker's Conspiracy's upcoming exhibition title. The exhibition is to be called "Secret's Revealed". I am thinking about Victorian Burlesque figures, peep shows, showgirls, keyholes and movable parts on the print to see through the keyhole. I also have another related thread of thought about fortune tellers, maybe the machine "Zoltar" type or an old gypsy with a crystal ball. I like the idea of printing then folding one of those playground fortune tellers (coolie catchers???). I will start some sketches to see what happens. I am halfway through a drawing that I though might translate well in a solarplate etching.
Post a Comment
Read more

Encaustic Monoprint Technique

Today I visited a printmaking friend's studio. Amy is experimenting with encaustic monoprints. I have never heard of this before so I was excited to have a demo. Here is the basic process: 1. Heat up the homemade heat box. 2. Rub the beeswax pigment sticks on the metal surface of the heat plate to melt them. Create a design on the plate with one or more colors. Step 3. Lay a piece of rice or rag paper face down on the painted design and cover with newsprint. Burnish. Step 4. Carefully pull the paper away from the heat plate. Steps 5-6. Clean the heat plate with paper towels. Add more color to the heat plate and repeat the process to add patterns or more color to the print. The smell of the wax is yummy and the pigments are really thick and rich to work with. I had a little play to get a feel for what the print is like (image below). Now I want to build a heat box and play!!
5 comments
Read more