Beach Bummin'

Carmel, CA

I have been so busy lately that it seems like yesterday that I last posted when in fact a whole month has slipped right on by.  Let's see if I can get y'all caught up.

Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Texture on the dunes

Sand City, CA

I am currently in Monterey at CSU Summer Arts taking a photography course called "Exploring Photography Through Three Centuries.  I've made it a point to get to the beach while I am here and have visited three so far.  I can't wait to go explore some more.

Taking a group photo.  Say Cheese!

The course is coordinated by Brian Taylor, professor and chair of the art department at CSU San Jose.

Professor Taylor has brought in three awesome guest artists for this two week class and we just finished up with artist, Dan Estabrook who is amazing!  He taught us salt, gelatin-salt, and gold toning, now considered an alternative process which was revolutionary in the 1880's when it was fist invented by William Henry Fox Talbot.  The three prints above are the ones I completed.  The first, on the left is from an image I shot (cough) about 18 years ago.  This one is a salt print.  The middle picture is the interior of the craft house from my recent trip to Penland and is a gold toned gelatin-salt print.  The last photo on the right is from a farmer's market picture of turnips and is a gelatin -salt print.  This process is quite user friendly I would like to explore it some more when the class is over.  

I am currently in the thick of mixed media with our second guest artist, Holly Roberts.  She is teaching the class mixed media techniques using photography, paint, and collage.

Susannah Israel

The weekend right before I left for Monterey I was able to attend a workshop with Susannah Israel who taught us coil building techniques for figurative sculpture.  I am so glad I was able to go to this as Susaanah is an absolute delight to work with and an incredible instructor!

My bunny sculpture from Susannah's workshop.

Soda kiln results

And then there was the soda firing.  It was a mere two weeks ago and already it seems like so long ago. 

I was able to participate in a couple of firings and I am truly addicted.  Phew, that's a lot of activity with more on the horizon.  I have another week in this class and then I will be starting the final two weeks with Clay as a Medium for Sculpture.  I'll try to keep you updated when I can find the time to breath!