Sketchbook Writings

~ From my Sketchbook Writings, Sunday March 20th 2011 ~

(At the summit of the Trinidad Head Trail)

(In the lightest rain the heavens could drop)

Up here the air is thick.  Rich.  Each mouthful a culinary experience.  Up here the wind has tidied her kitchen, taming the brush into an orderly existence, perfectly uniform curves and closely shorn foliage.

I check in on my senses one by one, lest I'm overwhelmed with all this peak has to offer.  When I open my mouth I can taste the sea.  I detect a hint of sweetness from the sugared blooms, each pink saucer smaller than my fingernail, a tang that causes my jaw to clench from the years of detritus below my feet, a chalkiness from limestone grinding away, and finally a bright note that can only be attributed to the ten thousand trilliums raising their holy faces to the wind.  My undeniably human odor is mixed in there too; I wonder if the sparrows sense me on the air, breath in all my idiosyncrasies, if my scent compliments the rich soup of this coastal air.

The Third and Final Round

On The Duality of Hope and Hopelessness

16" x 20"

Receiving Messages: Wait

6" x 6"

Tribute: Facing West

8" x 8"


Listy listed in the shop...

Which brings me to say this:
Thank you.
YES,
YOU.
For looking, for seeing, for considering the work of my hands, for communing with me what you see in it, for supporting this path I tread in SO MANY different ways.  Art becomes intrinsically richer when shared.

You are the cherry on top.
A big, homegrown, brandy-soaked, crimson red cherry sitting tip top.

None of that maraschino formaldehyde business.
Here's to the waning hours of our weekend!
~ Umber

Round Two: Smallies Galore

Hear Your Intuition

8" x 8"

Receiving Messages: Hear

4" x 4"

Tribute No 7

12" x 4"

The Virtue of Instinct: Fight

8" x 8"

The Virtue of Instinct: Flight

8" x 8"


Available in the shop right now...

A Bird in the Hand

Good Noon to you!
I'm not quite ready to admit that the morning has passed, but clearly the clock is reading afternoon, and therefore almost cheese-and-apples-hour.

I've been working this week on my 2011 art show schedule - very exciting things in the works! - details to come as the times approach!  In the meantime, I will be offering a selection of my works in les ol' Etsy shop for a limited engagement.  Some of these works you may have seen, some had been offered only as prints in the past, and some are brand spanking new.  The paintings below are the first; I'll be slowly adding to the shop over the weekend starting now!

(Full story-titles and descriptions can be found in the Etsy Listings)


The Gloaming
12" x  4"

Santo DeeDee
4" x 4"

Receiving Messages: See
4" x 4"

Searching the Forest for the Trees
5" x 5"

Be Here And Now
8" x 8"


In other news, BC is taking me out tonight for the Official Celebratory Dinner and Drinks and Hot Tubs!  I plan on lounging in a steamy cedar tub under the open skies with a full belly and a contented heart, letting the music of rain fall on my shorn head.

On the subject of post-apocalypse wear

Just a small announcement to let you know:

In the event of a zombie apocalypse (since, according to American media, we are heading that direction and fast), THESE boots will be the first thing I put on.

1.  I can easily tuck my side arm in the left calf.

2.  Stacked heel equals stability when running for dear life.
3.  Solid toe for all the round house kicks I will need to deliver.

4.  Does any body really want to mess with the bad-ass-ery of over the knee boots?

I thought not.

POW!
~ Umber ~