The Road Home

On Rim of the World Highway, there's a huge old sugar pine that has been topped by lightning/wind/fire. It sit's below Strawberry Peak and is local landmark for locals and 'flat landers' alike. I like the tree because it has an almost bonsai feel to it and it clings to a fairly steep drop off. It just feels like the essence of preseverance and stability because the Old Fire burnt everything around it, but could not manage to burn this tree.

I'm sure I'll re-visit this subject, but for now, it was printed on Stonehenge watercolor paper with akua brown oxide ink. Carved from a 6x8 blocl of linoleum.

There's Gold in Then Thar Hills!

Mountain biking is a passion. It keeps me fit, reduces stress, and give me some great folks to 'break bread' with and share in camaraderie. But the best part is when you get to pedal through amazing vistas.

Today, we went down to Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas, CA. The Santa Ana winds were howling. Several 18 wheelers were tipped over on the freeway it was so bad. But, about 5 miles from the park, it was like someone flipped the off switch and the winds just died. There was even a hint of coastal humidity in the air.

The backside of the ride was absolutely packed with wildflowers. You could smell just a hint of sweetness mixed in with with earthy tones. It was pretty spectacular. I almost forgot we were in a regional park with nearly 5,000,000 people within a half an hour of us. One of the biking moments to remember!

That little red dot? That's me.....

Witches & Burgers

We went to Wicked-The Musical last night at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. Let me clarify that I'm not a theater lover of any great degree. It's not that I don't enjoy it, it's just that often times the show of patrons in the lobby is better than the actual production. Not so with Wicked!

About all I can say is WOW! The production was outstanding. Tami, who's seen shows on Broadway, said it was one of the best she's ever seen. The stage, the lights, the costumes, and the actors were simply amazing. And the story itself was rich and complex; not at all what I expected.

Of course, I still enjoyed the people watching in the lobby. The older lady in a black latex rain coat with a huge tribal tat on her shin took the prize ("you have bin der naughty vittle boy & you need der discipline!).

As for dinner.... What does one have on a night of theater habberdashery? Given that we were running late and there ain't poop down there to eat, we chose American cuisine, AKA Tommy's Burgers. For those in the know, it's a locally famous concoction of a double cheeseburger topped with a cinnamon based chili, topped with mustard and pickles, and finally a huge slab of tomato. Throw in the 'hot out of the larder' fries, and you've got the original belly bomb! Thank goodness I didn't share it with any other closely seated theater goers during the show...... Kinda cool, though, when Tami remarked that the glasses of wine we enjoyed at the theater cost more than dinner. That's why I love her; cultured without pretense.

Dirty Old Man

The weather finally broke enough to get out and get some dirt on the bike. But, the wind was so bad it literally blew me off the bike and into a culvert. Still, it was great to play a little bit.

I read a quote from the adventurist who discovered the Titanic wreckage where he said "I was born old and have spent the rest of my life trying to become a child." That's my thought for the day!!!

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.