Sketches, musings, and other stuff from my perspective. I’d love to hear from you (because I don’t know if anyone ever sees this) so please let me know if you’re out there.
About six months ago, I moved into a fantastic art studio in Sausalito’s ICB building which houses over 100 artists. I LOVE going to the space to create new work and just mess around. It’s been an incredible experience being around so many wonderful creators!
Next weekend, December 6-8, I’ll be showing my work during the biggest event of the year, Winter Open Studios. I haven’t done anything like this for about six years and at that time, I didn’t have to curate and hang it all myself. As one of the other artists confirmed, “It’s a steep learning curve!”
In case you’re unable to attend (I’m thinking of you, Prem and Mary) I am posting most of them here. Many are for sale or available as prints. Please send me a message if you’re interested in anything; I don’t have an e-commerce site anywhere (yet?) so am doing everything old-school.
I went to Lassen last Summer with my friends Liz and Jenna (sisters) and about 80 Oregonians, as part of a group called the Chemeketans. I was leery of vacationing with such a large number of people but Liz assured me that it was a great way to go. At a very reasonable price, with communal participation in setting up and breaking down camp, kitchen, meal and shower tents, the group provided the food, drink and facilities for an easy camping experience.
The weather was HOT at the outset
A cook and some helpers are paid and the rest of the jobs are done by campers. I was required to sign up for a few tasks during the week—I requested dish washing.
Liz was right—it was a luxury to wake up to a hot meal and return from a long day of hiking to find dinner all ready and waiting! Yowzah!
Fishing at Hat Creek, the campground where we stayed
Lassen is the least visited of the US National Parks. It’s an active volcano with “steaming fumaroles,” bubbling mud and sulfur pools. Hot stuff! As you can see from my paintings, in many areas, there are gorgeous creeks, lakes and meadows. I was struck by the beauty of the place.
Cliff Lake heather
Mount Lassen is 10,457 feet and in late July we had to pick our way over snow-covered trails at one of the trailheads. Luckily, we were an alert group of hikers and found markers on the trees. Trail crews were at work, a ways down, for the first time that season. We passed three pristine lakes and gorgeous wildflowers as we reached lower levels.
There were hundreds of these miniature froggies
The elevation was tough for us lowlanders. So we continued down the mountain and hitchhiked back to our car. We had no problem getting a ride—nobody was worried about picking up middle aged women with backpacks!
Quick sketch at Shadow Lake
Tortoise shell butterflies
I’d heard, through friends, that monarch butterflies were numerous at Lassen peak at that time of year and I really wanted to see them. We got lucky at another lake where tortoiseshell butterflies virtually covered the path. They differ from monarchs in that the underside of their wings is a dull brown and yellow but the tops are bright orange with black, much like the monarchs.
Camp fire, minus the fire
At the end of each day, all the Chemeketans would bring their folding chairs into a circle (around what would have been a fire if it weren’t Summer in California) and talk about the day’s hikes.
Suzine II 