The Road to No Where

Hwy 190 into Death Valley National Park is lonely. I've driven it, and I've pedaled it as well. It's a quiet, desolate, and yet amazingly beautiful place.

In the print, I tried to create the glare you get from the sun reflecting off of, well, everything! The only thing that you can really see is a long line of hot asphalt, stretched out a a piece of licorice taffy.

Now I can do my snow day chores.......

SnOw daY!!!!

Wellllllllll, unless the plow decides to roll through, I'll have to take a snow day for the first time in about 8 years, and only the second in my entire law enforcement career. Spent an hour shoveling out the car in preperation, but no plow yet. Hate having to call off, but Mother Nature trumps all wishes!

Even the ladies were reluctant to get out in the 15" of new powder....

National Park Challenge

I put together a challenge at http://wetcanvas.com for printmakers. The call is out for a wide open interpretation of National Parks with an final unveiling date of Earth Day, April 22, 2008. I've decided to do a two-fold challenge;

First, I plan on creating a monochromatic relief print of every National Park I've been to. At last count, it was 18.

Second, I plan on doing a large multi-color reduction print of my favorite park, which I won't share until April 22nd. Hopefully, I'll improve whilst I carve away!

Why National Parks? Personally I've had some of the best moments in my life in a National Park. A quick top 10 would include #10-Watching the sunrise over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with Tami #9-Climbing ladders up a cliff in Mesa Verde #8-Seeing Yosemite Valley for the 1st time #7-Bouldering with Tami & Kyle in Zion #6-Seeing a Bearded Dragon in Hovenweep #5-Watching lightning and listening to thunder roll across the Grand Canyon #4-Climbing Pothole Dome with Kyle when he was 3 in Yosemite #2-Doing a 100 mile bike ride under a full moon in Death Valley #1-Giving the man-talk to Kyle around the campfire in Joshua Tree.

So, I figure I owe it to the Parks to pay them homage.

One down, a bunch to go. This is from Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park.

Not on My Watch

For those who follow my wife's blog, you know my mother-in-law has been seriously ill. For those who read my blog, you probably have guessed that I'm generally am optimistic person. So, when my mother-in-law spoke to my wife about her requests and wishes 'when' she passes vs. 'if' she passes, it was quite simply gut wrenching.

Tami and I have discussed this stuff, but in a theoretical way. This was real and my initial instinct was to put my game face on and get pragmatic. But, when Tami mentioned that Shyron wanted us to take Kyle to Disney World in Florida after she's gone because that was the next trip she had planned with him, I lost it.

Shyron was there for Kyle's first Disneyland experience. I think it was for his 1st birthday and I can remember him being absolutely excited about the whole thing. At the Mainstreet Parade that night, I snapped a photo of Shyron holding Kyle that has always been one of my favorite; a grandma's beaming smile, gazing at a happy little boy. It has been the essence of their relationship ever since.

Well, I got to carving and tried to recreate that moment. I will give the print to Shyron, with the caveat that she will take Kyle to Disney World.

Why Nothing Gets Done

I always start the weekend with good intentions; get the garage clean, do some stuff in the yard, get some riding in, visit with the family..... Sadly, before I know it, the weekend is over and I'm left wondering where it all went. Then, my son took a photo that explains it all.

Though not apparent in real life, the film has captured two ghostly apparitions that appear to haunt me the second I sit down. These para-normal beasts effectively suck the life force out of me and leave me reclining with my feet up.

When I'm not sitting, these same creatures make voices in my head that sound like a Siren's call, willing me to venture out into the freezing cold to walk down by the creek. Upon return, I feel a compelling need to slap peanut butter on a treat and lay it on the ground.

I don't know where these harpy like vampires come from, but look at the photo~~~ They are REAL!

Alright, maybe I've taken dramatic license, but, damn those dogs! They get me all peaceful on a cold winter day. Thank god for football on TV!

(And, I did do a carving of some Anasazi Pottery. I liked the photo, which had a very abstract feel to it; like ancient art deco!)

Never to Old to Rock

For me, a great source of pride comes from when my son says "Dad, you know that song that goes 'Brahh-wah-wah-hwah-twaaahhh' real loud?" as he rips out a verbal guitar riff.

"You mean the one where they go 'gbow-wow-zeeeeeeeee---brahh-wah-hwah-twaaahhh?"

"Yeah, that's the one! Can you download it for me?"

While I download the tune to his ipod, I tell him about the song; what it means; how the guitarist was amongst the best before (pick one) sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll did him in; what I was doing in high school when the tune came out. A real history lesson.

I'm lucky if I get a "thanks" and stoked if I'm blessed with a "cool." Still, it's my way of connecting with my son, spanning the great divide, bridging the generation gap. I know he appreciates the download, even if it comes with a monologue.

Yesterday, while I'm watching football, I hear my son talking with his friend while they listen to tunes upstairs.

"You may think this song's about a trip across country, but what it's really about is discovering all the things he likes about his girlfriend..." he says and then casually mentions that the songwriter died in a plane crash/speeding in a Ferrari/eating a bologna sandwhich. And, of course, his knowledge illicits the appropriate "coooool........" And not just from his friend, but from dear old dad.

First Reduction Print

Since I have a new press to play with, I tried a reduction print. Reduction is where you carve away the lightest color, print the color, carve away the next color, print it, and so forth. By reducing the block, it's destroyed in the end.

Anyway, it's from a pictue I took, and have posted here previously, of two crows in Mesa Verde National Park.

Arches National Park Print

It rained all day, so I watched football and perused some vacation photos. Carved up a shot of Delicate Arch while watching my beloved Redskins lose in the playoffs.

The best part, though, was Tami making up some killer hot artichoke dip, creamy spinach dip, and a cheese and salami tray. MMM MMM MMM!!!!

Supposed to get a foot or more of snow tonight, so I'm sure I'll be busy shoveling out all day Sunday. This is Southern California, right?

Brighten the Day

Hey, first post in the new year! Looking out across the meadow, it's a foggy, drizzly, cold day here in the mountains. Just waiting for the 'storm of century' to hit. I've got this crazy wiener-dog passed out in my lap, and a need to do some art. Who will win?

I just took the full plunge into printmaking with a purchase of an intaglio etching press and I can't wait to explore all the possibilities! To that end, I read a Taoist quote which I really found compelling

~To the beginner, the possibilities are endless; to the expert the possibilities are few.

For all the creative folk, I think it's a great reminder to keep an open mind on your creative pursuits (or anything else for that matter), no matter how accomplished you may be.

So, I'll close with a description of the vividly colorful photo above; a free spirited boat in Monterrey Bay, touched up in photoshop using a dry brush and sponge filter with a whole bunch of saturation and contrast thrown in.

PS Tattoo Lesa- Kick some butt in 2008

5,4,3,2,1..... HaPpY NeW yEaR!

Well, it's just about upon us; another year! I checked on my resolutions for last year to see how I did and here's what I found......

~Lose 10 pounds........................ Lost 7, so it was close.

~Travel more............................. Went to the Sierra's 4 times for camping, kayaking, hiking,

cycling, and fishing. Spent a week in Monterrey. Several trips down to San Diego. Not bad!

~Become more creative............ Got back into photography and picked up the addictive habit of

printmaking. Started doing this blog. Pretty decent.

~Enjoy the family...................... Better than ever! I can't imagine having a better wife and son.

Sooooo, for 2008, here's the low down! I'm going to drop another 10-15 pounds, get back into bike racing, kick it up a notch on my art, do some serious outdoor adventures with my son, spend more grown-up time with my wife, do something spectacular with our front yard, stay healthy, and get one year closer to retirement (8 years and counting).

I hope 2008 is a good year for all!

The photo above is something I'm working on. It's the Minarette's in the Sierra's. Once I get a press, I plan on printing multiple images ad collaging them onto tie-dyed papers. We'll see how that works out......

Peace on Earth

As 2007 comes to a close, my wish for the Holidays is that the world finds a little more peace; that we reach in before we reach out, and that we find humanity in our actions.

I hope the Holiday Season finds you and yours safe, warm, and filled with Peace. Season's Greetings to all!

Curtis, Tami, & Kyle

The Last Piece of Lino

So, I get all these amazing cards and prints from some incredible printmakers from around the globe. Now, I'm all creative and inspired! I go to my lino stash and all I have is one sorry piece of 6x8 that has some bubbles in it. Well, time to make lemonade......

I did I quick rendering of a Maynard Dixon painting that graced the cover of Sunset Magazine back in 1903 and colored it with my wife's prisma pencils. Kinda fun! I think I'll revisit this subject again when I get some good lino in and I get better at carving.

Thanks to the printmakers on wetcanvas.com for providing so much inspiration!

Fun & Sun Southern California...

For those who live in the land of 4 seasons, I thought I'd share with you what our morning was like in sunny & warm Southern California. Up here at 6000', we picked up about 6 inches of snow last night and the temps only crept up to 38 degrees.

Took the ladies out for a walk. Didn't take long for Shelly to pick up the scent of the rare Arctic snow squirrel. And Mabel? We'll, she was more concerned about the snow scraping her belly.

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

SWA(M)P

For several years, I've watched my wife get involved in swaps and challenges. I never appreciated just how much work they really are until I got involved in a print swap with 20 other folks. Dang!!!! It's hard work!

Thus far, I've received a couple of prints and I can see the addiction; it's completely fun to open up a card to see how others have interpreted a challenge. The prints I have received are amazing-much better than anything I'm capable of at this point in my relief print career.

Anyway, here's my submission for the exchange, done in a variety of colors. A great learning experience for me and definitely makes me want to get better and better!

Let Them Know

I'm in training this week; critical incident repsonse/hostage negotiation/dealing with mentally ill folks.... One of the facts stated in the training kinda intrigued me....

Adolescents report receiving ONE positive comment per week from their parents. Now, I'm thinking the number is so low because they are the ones reporting it! How many times have you said 'You look nice today' only to hear the retort of 'You're making fun of the way I look' or some version there of...

Still, I got to thinking and realized something. I constantly admire my son for the challenges he overcomes, the character he displays, and decency he shows towards himself and others. And, even though I think it, I don't always follow it up with anything verbal.

So, tonight, I told him I was very pleased with his report card, quite impressed with his art portfolio, and proud as to how he has been handling the last few weeks, what with my wife having to devote a lot of attention to her ailing mom right now. I swear he grew 3 inches taller and floated out of the room.

So, parents, give em' that good feedback, even more than you think you should. Sometimes it's hard to remember to do.

In honor of Kyle's artistic ability, here's a shot he did of the daschund. I told him to take some photo's, but make them interesting. Pretty good vision!

Under Watchful Eyes

I spent the afternoon trying to print up a linocut design for a seasonal card exchange. I'm pooped! Aside the fact that it was hard work using a barren to pull a bunch of prints, I had to deal with the pressure of an audience.......

My dogs kept a curious eye on me at all times; in part because they weren't sure if food was involved, in part because they heard me cussing quite a bit and didn't know if they were in trouble. For those who don't know, Shelly is the big dawg, a Hungarian Vizsla whose almost 7. Mabel is the lil' dawg, a Dapple Mini Dachshund whose about 9 months old. Quite a pair, especially when stalking squirrels (another sordid tale).

The card shot is a test. It's Akua Intaglio ink on sumi paper (the only paper I have as a rookie printmaker). I edged the card with a Krylon gold leaf pen for a little flair. Cardstock is parchment, 5x7.

Card Challenge II

In addition to the print below, I'm considering this one as well. I've got a thing about Canadian Geese and I'm going for a Northwest Native American look. I am incorporating "Joyous" as a homage to the season. Again, just a test print....

Any and all feedback is appreciated!!!!!

Card Challenge

Yes, the title could be from my wife's blog, but this is a challenge I've gotten into. Actually, it's the first I've ever gotten into.....

Anyway, the theme is winter season. Winter in Southern California isn't exactly Currier & Ives for it's scenery. But, I know it's getting cold somewhere when I start to see Canadian Geese coming down for the winter. So, that's my theme and I'm sticking with it!

Right now, it's a 5x7 print. I'm thinking I'll ultimately use ochre or rust Akua Itaglio inks on a natural mulberry paper. ANY feedback would be appreciated!!!! The photo is a test print, not a proof.

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

1000 years ago, an artist sat in front of a sandstone wall. You wonder what went through his mind (and I assume it was a 'he' as it was generally a shaman or the like).

Was he trying to touch spirituality; was he trying to leave a message; was it his magnum opus; was he a tagger?

My guess? He sat there, just like I am today, saying "Dammit, I just can't make it work....." So, if you're stuck on your project, remember, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Hopefully I can crest the creative hump and get busy creating!

San Diego

With school still out due to the fires, we drove down to San Diego for the weekend. If I had to live in a metropolitan area, San Diego would be it. Laid back, lots of great restaurants, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. We visited Sea World, Old Town San Diego, and Balboa Park (think Smithsonian's). We tried to get in to see the Dead Sea Scrolls, but it was pretty much sold out.

The culinary highlights included pumpkin pie gelatto, and a sandwich which had smoked turkey, fresh basil, tomatoes, gouda, red onion, cranberry mustard, and feta-cream cheese spread on a toasted whole grain bread. Yum!!!

Anyway, the picture is from the Botanical Gardens at Balboa Park. Not often that we all get to pose together!