Ultra light Backpacking Art Kit

I just returned from a 5 night 40.5 mile backpack trip that included three mountain passes, one over 11,000 feet. We traversed snowfields and boulder fields all while wearing a backpack.  It was a physically challenging trip but even more mentally challenging...as punching through snow that is covering boulders can be quite scary. But there were way more positives such as the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen and the great group of friends that we went with.

Elk jaw and Mountain Goat wool found on hike for future assemblage project

I have a travel art kit that I have shown here in a previous post that weights 1 pound but I was trying to cut even more weight and got it down to 5 ounces.

 

It includes a very mini sketch pad which is 1 1/4" x 2 1/2" This was one of the items I bought at the Japanese store in Berkley, CA. On the back of each sketch I have included the date and location.

mini sketch pad which still needs a clever cover, but this is so you can see what it is ...

I have also included in the kit a set of mini colored pencils, mini crayons and mini markers.

One of my Treasure Valley Artist Alliance Friends, Leslie came along on the trip, it was her idea to bring art supplies and we sketched together in the evenings after setting up camp. She even had the idea of putting our hiking poles together to spell out TVAA at a scenic 10,000 ft. alpine lake. The pictures are on Leslie's camera, so I will show those later. It was really quite fun.

mini sketch of Baptie Lake, ID still with snow on July 22, 2011

Our Black Diamond 2 person tent set among the rocks and pine trees at 10,000 ft.

Scene from Upper Box Lake, ID

Pine tree growing among the rocks. Pioneer Mountains, ID.

Ex Libris

 This last week has been fun but busy for me with family visiting. I didn't get to studio night at MK's but I did clean my studio for company and created a new piece.

Ex Libris is a 8" x 11" 3D collage on a chalkboard. The miniature table is from my dollhouse furniture collection from 40 years ago. On it I glued a miniature bible and miniature pair of glasses. The Geography book is actually a wooden book and I collaged a cover for it, the other bits are cut from old books that were given to me without covers.

 On the Fourth of July Nancy and I rode our bikes down to the chalk festival and voted on our favorites and visited with one of the Featured Artists, Geoff. He had been working on his large chalk mural since 8 am and it was a hot day! Sorry for the small picture, it was taken with my phone.

Last night was First Thursday. After the storm passed over and cooled things off, it was a perfect night for strolling the town. An added benefit was my daughter was in town and I got to show her around. She and her boyfriend Cody are looking for a place to settle down. Boise had not been on their list but after last night, they decided they could definitely live here! They heard a live concert for free at Liquid and met a bunch of cool people. They said the people here in Boise are the friendliest they have met anywhere. They got a slice of macaroni and cheese pizza at the Pie Hole.

We stopped at many galleries and venues showing art including the AIR artists in BODO, The Art Source Gallery for the Juried Show Opening where  I found out I sold a piece to the Juror, (shown above) so that was pretty exciting,  and had an all around excellent evening.

Mi Recuerdo de San Francisco

My newest collage with 3D objects. The paper bits are all from my recent trip to San Francisco. The collage was glued onto an oval wooden plaque 9" x 18" that hangs by a rope. The plaque was purchased at the "bins." Where reject items from the thrift store are only 50 cents a pound.

Be sure to check out The Altered Page blog.

Where Seth has started the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- "a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts."

I am happy to be a part of this collaboration.

Wide World of Wine

8" x 10" Collage on Canvas Board.

A year or so ago I learned the trick of pouring boiling water in a wine bottle to let the glue release from the glass and pull off easily. Well sometimes it is easy and other times not so much, a few burnt fingers, a few torn labels later... I did manage to collect a few.


When I was visiting my daughter in France last winter her host family had me over for dinner and what a dinner it was. More like a 6 hour, 4 course feast! Well, I mentioned to the host mom that I would like to have the wine label and she graciously excused herself. Later I felt so guilty as she came back to the table with an ironed! label in perfect condition in a plastic sleeve!  Well as you may well have guessed I have used it in this collage. I also glued on a bunch of grapes in the upper right hand corner and added wine corks to the frame.


I added a quote that I was saving but unfortunately I can't give credit to as I have no idea where it came from... as I have shared many a glass of wine with good friends, and wine is always better when shared... "You and your friends share wonderful memories that need to be celebrated and shared. Whatever you do, don't fold them up, put them away, and let them gather dust. Break them out often. Let those memories shower your heart with assurance, release your soul with laughter, and bring tears to your eyes." 

Here's to all my good girlfriends!! Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July!