tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31617710471362559312024-03-12T23:41:19.084-04:00aestheticflowthe search for creative experience in everyday lifeWandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-72789047299446330002012-02-27T16:54:00.001-05:002012-02-27T17:02:26.521-05:00A Paperbook Mystery in Edinburgh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ftzB3lJVSYA/T0v6I7c1jtI/AAAAAAAAAjI/A_KW3Gzxkbw/s1600/book+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ftzB3lJVSYA/T0v6I7c1jtI/AAAAAAAAAjI/A_KW3Gzxkbw/s320/book+art.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Someone spent much of last year creating a mystery around the literary world of Edinburgh, Scotland. Mysterious paper sculptures started appearing at the Scottish Poetry Society, and at other major literary venues around the city. I love both book arts and mysteries, and this was a good one. Read a detailed account of this magical story at thisiscentralstation.com's blog <a href="http://thisiscentralstation.com/featured/mysterious-paper-sculptures/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-73559267844061723412012-02-17T06:00:00.000-05:002012-02-17T07:02:34.365-05:00Inspiration: Mila's Daydreams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcH63a9DPYU/Tzqev6ve8xI/AAAAAAAAAi4/jb5_p7KCVRU/s1600/WMBD_Beginning_forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcH63a9DPYU/Tzqev6ve8xI/AAAAAAAAAi4/jb5_p7KCVRU/s320/WMBD_Beginning_forest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Copyright ©Adele Enersen</span></strong></div><br />
When I was pregnant, I read that babies start dreaming long before they are born. I always wondered what those first dreams were like. My son makes soft little sounds when he sleeps, and moves his arms and legs as though he is always in the middle of an adventure. I stumbled across the blog <a href="http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/p/press-usage-rights.html" target="_blank">Mila's Daydreams</a> a few months ago, and have really enjoyed watching as Adele Enerson imagines her daughter's daydreams to life with elaborate sets she creates from fabrics and other props she has around her home. This seems like a project that would be incredibly fun, and leaves her with the most amazing collection of photos of her baby. She compiled them into this lovely little book, which was just released at the beginning of January.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062071750/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=everwild-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0062071750"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0062071750&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=everwild-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=everwild-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0062071750" style="margin: 0px;" width="1" />Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-41944899487052089172012-02-14T13:05:00.000-05:002012-02-14T13:05:42.497-05:00Wait...don't I have a blog around here somewhere?Um, yeah. So I haven't been coming around all that much lately. In part, it's because I've been busy over <a href="http://everydaywild.com/" target="_blank">here</a> working on a new project. In part, it's because I have been frustrated by some technical issues with the blog and trying to move it to a new location, which I haven't been too successful with. Oh, yeah, and I had a baby. So far, he seems to be taking after me.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I find myself missing this corner of the blogosphere, and I am feeling a bit more energized about writing these days. So, you may be seeing me around a bit more...</div>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-25375354089551873632011-09-06T23:09:00.000-04:002011-09-06T23:09:32.042-04:00Inspiration: Rebirth by Samuel Guiton<iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/24957539?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/groups/4565/videos/24957539">Rebirth</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user984014">Samuel Guiton</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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Silent. Beautiful.Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-91181387495427643422011-04-19T19:55:00.003-04:002011-04-19T19:58:42.861-04:00Khary Jackson: Slam PoetryA few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of watching Khary Jackson perform his poetry. An accomplished performance artist, he held the room captive with his words. Enjoy this performance from the 2009 St Paul Grand Slam.<br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="500" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/d8MqaGuGdWE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-25225248635534817802011-04-10T17:53:00.000-04:002011-04-10T17:53:16.477-04:00Inspiration: Guillermo del ToroRecently,<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/02/07/110207fa_fact_zalewski"> an article in The New Yorker by Daniel Zalewski</a> celebrated the imaginative monster creations of Guillermo del Toro. I remember watching Pan's Labyrinth and being simultaneously horrified and fascinated by his lurid and labyrinthine world, and was thrilled to come across this video exploration of his journals that accompanies the New Yorker article. Enjoy!<br />
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All signs indicate that Spring is coming to the Northeast! Warm winds and soft rain all day were just enough to coax a bloom out of this early snowdrop.Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-91834845156519740522011-03-11T16:10:00.000-05:002011-03-11T16:10:07.657-05:00Inspiration: Supakitch & Koralie<iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/15076572" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/15076572">SUPAKITCH & KORALIE - VÄRLDSKULTUR MUSEET GÖTEBORG</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/elroyo">elr°y</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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Supakitch and Koralee are two French street artists who have joined together in a powerful artistic partnership inspired by Japanese manga. Due to my not remembering anything from freshman year German class, I'm not exactly sure what/where this video takes place, but I love the energy behind their work, and the chance to watch their process in action.Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-26469477083224052702011-03-03T19:07:00.002-05:002011-03-08T16:29:27.832-05:00Inspiration: Kseniya Simonova’s “You Are Always Nearby”Check out this lovely piece of sand animation as featured on "Ukraine's Got Talent", in which Simonova tells the wrenching story of a young couple separated by the horrors of WWII. Bonus points for her use of Metallica's "Nothing Else Mattters"(recorded and arranged by Apocalyptica) in the final sequence...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/518XP8prwZo" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-35594001341267194312010-05-04T20:10:00.000-04:002010-05-04T20:15:28.312-04:00texture<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A few weeks ago we had a warm spell and PK and I went out to the beach for a walk. I was feeling a little cranky for some reason, and had left my camera at home, perhaps thinking "same old beach, same old photo opportunities, blah blah blah..." We drove down the long entrance road to the nature preserve, past hordes of people walking along the sides of the trails and generally clogging up our progress. The road turned to dirt, and we dodged potholes full of thick grey mud that splashed over the windshield and smeared across the hood. Eventually, we left the crowds behind and made our way out to the end of a lonely spit of land. As we walked around the corner of the beach, the sun slipped down on the horizon, and I kept finding my attention drawn to the little ripples of windswept sand. Over and over, I "borrowed" PK's camera and lagged behind, watching the way the sand grains moved with the wind, caught on a ridge and sank into one another. Though I never quite captured the moment, I realized the importance of letting go of preconceived notions and sinking in the moment and its opportunities. Such a simple idea, but one that is too easy for me to forget...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/S2s6d2PW0aI/AAAAAAAAAgw/tT0gkAW1Lu0/s1600-h/plumisland3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/S2s6d2PW0aI/AAAAAAAAAgw/tT0gkAW1Lu0/s320/plumisland3.jpg" /></a></div>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-72572537869983498782010-01-22T16:19:00.001-05:002010-01-22T16:20:28.032-05:00let the sun shine in...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/S1HNhZmEmAI/AAAAAAAAAgA/Ur7Pl8sZ_FE/s1600-h/rose1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/S1HNhZmEmAI/AAAAAAAAAgA/Ur7Pl8sZ_FE/s320/rose1.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This morning I was running late for work-not horribly late, I was just on track to get there 20 minutes early instead of 40. Usually I drive to work in a bit of a daze, numbed by the cold and the dark and whatever horrible tragedy is playing out on the morning news. This morning I noticed the world changing from black to grey to a beautiful pale blue as the sun started coming up over the distant trees. I haven't driven to work in light since early fall, and it warmed my brain to have some exposure to sunshine before entering the flourescent false daylight of school. Once again, I am awed by the earth's cycles and feeling re-energized by the return of spring. It must be time to start planning this year's garden...<br />
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-Martha GrahamWandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-11775178784118203272010-01-04T19:06:00.000-05:002010-01-04T19:06:32.694-05:00Another Mountain New Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/S0C1SVSSs8I/AAAAAAAAAfw/iVxSHejTJfU/s1600-h/newyears10-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/S0C1SVSSs8I/AAAAAAAAAfw/iVxSHejTJfU/s320/newyears10-2.jpg" /></a><br />
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Once again, I spent New Year's Eve on a mountain, watching the snow fall quietly down, landing in whispers and hush. It was a long trek in, made longer by my heavy pack of warm clothing and 0 degree bag, but as I climbed the steep slope of the last quarter mile of trail, I was rewarded with a temporary break in the snow, and a view of the mountain valley that stretches beyond the hut.<br />
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The sun began to set just after I arrived, and I settled myself down to while away the old year with a great group of friends. Laughter was more frequent than words, and I was often content to just sit back and listen to the happy chatter around me. After a long while, the clouds parted again, and we had a single glimpse of the full moon, the second of the month, and I had many reasons to be thankful that I have the warm gift of friendship from such wonderful, creative, adventurous people-not just on the blue moon, but all the days of the year. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/S0C1TU_9tII/AAAAAAAAAf4/GjygGYnChDA/s1600-h/newyears10-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/S0C1TU_9tII/AAAAAAAAAf4/GjygGYnChDA/s320/newyears10-1.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-20255427700122964952010-01-01T09:30:00.003-05:002010-01-03T09:43:12.837-05:00Inspiration: Gregory Colbert's "Ashes and Snow"This pair of beautiful short films are a compilation of images from artist Gregory Colbert's nomadic art exhibit "Ashes and Snow". Colbert's work is a multimedia exhibit that incorporates visual, musical and written elements, and portrays man and animal as partners in a graceful dance of life. More information on the exhibit can be found <a href="http://www.ashesandsnow.org/en/home.php">here.</a> I can think of no better way to start off the new year than drawing inspiration from Colbert's incredible films and unique vision of the world around him. The first clip is an introduction to the concept, and the second a much larger collection of images. Happy New Year!<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Dde5b_q2Hk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Dde5b_q2Hk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-79978188904096935082009-11-29T17:38:00.002-05:002009-11-29T18:03:33.552-05:00Please Pass the Cerulean...<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Setting the stage for Art Night: idea-generating books, bright and diffuse light, plenty of art supplies and (off camera) tasty soup on the stove- spicy pumpkin stew with anadama bread...very inspirational!<br />
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For the last few years, PK and I have hosted a series of "Art Nights" as a way to encourage ourselves to paint more. It's been a great way to build enthusiasm for a project and to companionably share our artistic ideas with others. Some years we are more regular about it than others. Lately, we've had so many outside demands on our time that we haven't been having them as often as we like and the absence of shared creative time has been gnawing a hole in us ever since the summer ended. We finally dusted off our brushes and organized our first 2009 Art Night over the holiday break.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PK and a friend in action...</span></em><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">We tend to hold more gatherings in the winter, mostly becuase our lives slow down a little when it's cold outside, and our thoughts tend to turn inwards, towards more contemplative and creative activities. The formula for a successful art night is simple: Invite people over, tell them to bring a current project, and throw some good, simple soup on the stove. These gatherings aren't really parties, they are working get togethers, and it's important to get that across right from the very beginning. When we first started having these, we ran into the "problem" that we have a lot of social friends who wanted to come over and hang out. This is a fabulous problem to have, but we had to be firm about the intent of the gatherings. By stressing that this is a great time to experiment with something new, and by emphasizing that our definition of creative activity is really broad, we have been able to stay true to the focus of the evenings. We've had folks over doing all kinds of activities: Painting, drawing, writing, scrapbooking, fly tying, collage, photoshop and computer art and much much more. <em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PK painting ducks...his favorite...</span></em><br />
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I spent the evening doing watercolor exercises. Like my abs, those muscles have been left unused for far too long. I can't wait to break out the brushes again at the next art gathering...<br />
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</div>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-41787599348285534002009-11-13T17:26:00.000-05:002009-11-13T20:21:10.160-05:00Shadowblogger<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SrvkT2EKvgI/AAAAAAAAAfI/wWLLDTBsGEM/s1600-h/profile.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385148809033203202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SrvkT2EKvgI/AAAAAAAAAfI/wWLLDTBsGEM/s400/profile.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Working on a return to updating this blog with regularity... <div>In the meantime, writing a novel in a month, teaching full time, painting the house...oh, the excuses are piling up!</div>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-61481981911891790692009-09-09T21:30:00.003-04:002009-09-09T21:33:39.496-04:00Slipping in and out of fog<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379645595384449058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SqhXKppiiCI/AAAAAAAAAew/bOE5CaySS4o/s400/stonington1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SqhXLaLW2KI/AAAAAAAAAfA/RrlOpgRNJg4/s1600-h/stonington+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379645608411191458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SqhXLaLW2KI/AAAAAAAAAfA/RrlOpgRNJg4/s400/stonington+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SqhXLPbt1KI/AAAAAAAAAe4/il2_v-YMOTg/s1600-h/stonington+8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379645605527016610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SqhXLPbt1KI/AAAAAAAAAe4/il2_v-YMOTg/s400/stonington+8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-351805298849654002009-07-17T12:55:00.006-04:002009-07-17T13:14:00.026-04:00Isles of Shoals<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359475311252394562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 303px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SmCuZl2s0kI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/_spHQoJSG5k/s400/white+island+light1.jpg" border="0" /><br />I'm going to call this my "island tour" summer, as I seem to be working my way around all the islands I can get to. In a few weeks I'll be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">heading</span> out for a week of paddling on the Maine Island Trail, and can't wait for more time to inhale the sea air and draw inspiration from the rocks and birds and waves. The other day I went out to the Isles of Shoals on the border between NH and Maine, and had a great few hours of being stranded on the island and left to wander around the remnants of the old village.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359475329123075170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SmCuaobZxGI/AAAAAAAAAeo/jogLatgCkls/s400/isles+of+shoals17.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SmCuaP47-qI/AAAAAAAAAeg/C5U51kGwrVg/s1600-h/isles+of+shoals22.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359475322536065698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SmCuaP47-qI/AAAAAAAAAeg/C5U51kGwrVg/s400/isles+of+shoals22.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SmCuZ10WZJI/AAAAAAAAAeY/kisAvGnd12M/s1600-h/isles+of+shoals13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359475315537503378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SmCuZ10WZJI/AAAAAAAAAeY/kisAvGnd12M/s400/isles+of+shoals13.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SmCuZZ7MHXI/AAAAAAAAAeI/a2SXXA9cVHE/s1600-h/church.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359475308049997170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SmCuZZ7MHXI/AAAAAAAAAeI/a2SXXA9cVHE/s400/church.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>Here is a portion of a poem by <a href="http://www.seacoastnh.com/women/thaxter.html">Celia Thaxter</a>, who lived and wrote on the islands in the mid-late 1800s...</div><div><br />THE SANDPIPER </div><div><br />Across the narrow beach we flit,</div><div>One little sandpiper and I,</div><div>And fast I gather, bit by bit,</div><div>The scattered driftwood bleached and dry.</div><div></div><div>The wild waves reach their hands for it,</div><div>The wild wind raves, the tide runs high,</div><div>As up and down the beach we flit, </div><div>-One little sandpiper and I. </div><div><br />Above our heads the sullen clouds</div><div>Scud black and swift across the sky;</div><div>Like silent ghosts in misty shrouds</div><div>Stand out the white lighthouses high.</div><div></div><div>Almost as far as eye can reach</div><div>I see the close-reefed vessels fly,</div><div>As fast we flit along the beach,</div><div>-One little sandpiper and I.<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-75632666920304335872009-07-14T09:39:00.003-04:002009-07-14T11:32:27.536-04:00Nantucket<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SlyLB-6lbnI/AAAAAAAAAeA/e0_qpe46Kn4/s1600-h/boat2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358310522848898674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SlyLB-6lbnI/AAAAAAAAAeA/e0_qpe46Kn4/s400/boat2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SlyLBvLr_-I/AAAAAAAAAd4/H71-B2wah3o/s1600-h/cottage1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358310518625664994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SlyLBvLr_-I/AAAAAAAAAd4/H71-B2wah3o/s400/cottage1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SlyLBSde1DI/AAAAAAAAAdw/-ujQe6TissY/s1600-h/shell+fence.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358310510915671090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SlyLBSde1DI/AAAAAAAAAdw/-ujQe6TissY/s400/shell+fence.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SlyLA73-kQI/AAAAAAAAAdo/AmKdcubUeXA/s1600-h/hydrangea1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358310504852787458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 359px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SlyLA73-kQI/AAAAAAAAAdo/AmKdcubUeXA/s400/hydrangea1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-2344760716001490852009-07-05T19:31:00.001-04:002009-07-05T19:33:50.881-04:00The first tomato<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SlE387ib2YI/AAAAAAAAAdg/6yxd8UrwngI/s1600-h/first+tomato.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355122951834032514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SlE387ib2YI/AAAAAAAAAdg/6yxd8UrwngI/s400/first+tomato.jpg" border="0" /></a> Most of our garden is a scraggly mess right now, half ruined by too much rain and too little sun. BUT, deep inside one of the most scraggly looking plants of all, I found this little green gem...perhaps all is not lost...<br /><div></div>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-86551579823534825792009-06-30T18:07:00.002-04:002009-07-01T12:46:43.660-04:00shipwrecked<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SkqMyctenJI/AAAAAAAAAc4/E2DmfPR66Uo/s1600-h/shipwreck1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353245905411546258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SkqMyctenJI/AAAAAAAAAc4/E2DmfPR66Uo/s400/shipwreck1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo by SFD</span></em></p>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-31066521505682652922009-06-18T10:20:00.002-04:002009-06-18T17:39:45.575-04:00Another Greyday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SaitkYTOxwI/AAAAAAAAAVU/RofXnxOtKMU/s1600-h/rocks2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307683001366136578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SaitkYTOxwI/AAAAAAAAAVU/RofXnxOtKMU/s400/rocks2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Grey Day by William Vaughn Moody<br /><br />Grey drizzling mists the moorlands drape,<br />Rain whitens the dead sea,<br />From headland dim to sullen cape<br />Grey sails creep wearily.<br />I know not how that merchantman<br />Has found the heart; but 'tis her plan<br />Seaward her endless course to shape.<br /><br />Unreal as insects that appall<br />A drunkard's peevish brain,<br />O'er the grey deep the dories crawl,<br />Four-legged, with rowers twain:<br />Midgets and minims of the earth,<br />Across old ocean's vasty girth<br />Toiling--heroic, comical!<br /><br />I wonder how that merchant's crew<br />Have ever found the will!<br />I wonder what the fishers do<br />To keep them toiling still!<br />I wonder how the heart of man<br />Has patience to live out its span,<br />Or wait until its dreams come true.Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-9235007762585034522009-06-06T13:16:00.008-04:002009-06-11T19:08:08.426-04:00Inspiration: The sea<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SiqkgF4aCUI/AAAAAAAAAco/mgqqCp2Ycz4/s1600-h/blennies.jpg"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344264779070048578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SiqkgF4aCUI/AAAAAAAAAco/mgqqCp2Ycz4/s400/blennies.jpg" border="0" /></span></em></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><em> The Amazing Flying <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Blennies</span></em> by Susan Carlson</span></div><br /><p></p>Lately, there's been a bit of an ocean theme around here. In part, that's probably because it's summer and I'm spending a lot of time on and in the water, and in part because I've always loved the sea. This summer it started innocently enough with a few kayak trips, and a few seafood dinners, and now has infiltrated all of my art projects as well. And now, the inspiration posts seem to overflow with saltiness and finned creatures. Which brings me to these intricate quilts by Susan Carlson. <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm not a fabric artist, but if I were, I'd want to quilt the sea like this... </span><div align="left"><br /></div></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SiqkfyIVFYI/AAAAAAAAAcg/TW5oeUnOLRY/s1600-h/aquawrasse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344264773768123778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 284px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SiqkfyIVFYI/AAAAAAAAAcg/TW5oeUnOLRY/s400/aquawrasse.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;"><em>Age of Aqua-Wrasse</em> by Susan Carlson<br /></span><br />Check out more of her quilts <a href="http://www.susancarlson.com/">here</a>.<br /></div>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-49848403086050799952009-06-06T04:40:00.001-04:002009-06-06T13:34:27.691-04:00Eider Twilight<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SiLrR11lfBI/AAAAAAAAAb4/sNkduuSgbKE/s1600-h/eiders.jpg"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342090799756966930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SiLrR11lfBI/AAAAAAAAAb4/sNkduuSgbKE/s400/eiders.jpg" border="0" /></span></em></a><em><span style="font-size:78%;"> Photo by SFD</span></em></div><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em><div align="left"><br />"Peacefully </div><p>The quiet stars came out, one after one;</p><p>The holy twilight fell upon the sea,</p><p>The summer day was done." </p><p>- Celia Thaxter </p>Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161771047136255931.post-77979781891591657412009-06-04T15:50:00.005-04:002009-06-04T16:16:17.517-04:00Going Coastal<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343562870571197122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SigmHo9c4sI/AAAAAAAAAcA/wPEJvCSk-WQ/s400/wells1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>I'm lucky enough to live close to the ocean, though the shores near me tend to be wooded slopes and seaweed encrusted rock rather than sandy beaches. I went north today, lured by the bright sky and the thought of wide blue seas. Today, cold New England resembled something out of the tropics, with deep blue and turquoise waters that rushed and frothed at the opening to the channel. My mother and I walked along a sandy spit, right to the edges of the sea. But the water was tropical in color only; average water temps are still in the high 40s/low 50s.<br /><div><div></div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343562882830568914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SigmIWoUDdI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/ek8es70yDfY/s400/wells4.jpg" border="0" />I love the way these rocks get tumbled smooth by the waves. There is something comforting about holding a sun-warmed rock in my hand, and running my fingers around its edges, smooth and round as eggs.<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343562876797571442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 370px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SigmIAJ70XI/AAAAAAAAAcI/dsJ5pJqZ1a4/s400/wells3.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><br /><p>These gorgeous <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">quahog</span> shells were all over the beach. This one was larger than my hand. We left it there for others to enjoy...</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343562886338420850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1e9nWyKNp1M/SigmIjspoHI/AAAAAAAAAcY/t74skt6INiA/s400/wells5.jpg" border="0" /></p>After exploring the rest of the estuary, we headed home. Now, I'm back in my study, refreshed and ready to work on some more drawings. I have a lot of photos that will make great material for paintings and sketches, and I'm feeling energized by my exposure to the sea. Sometimes I think I have a bit of mermaid, or more likely <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">selkie</span>, in me. I'm never as happy as when I have salt on my skin and sand beneath my fingernails. I managed both today, and am ready to bring it to life on paper...Wandering Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519084780644561479noreply@blogger.com3