Miramonte : Look at the Mountain

For the month of July I have the opportunity to work at Stonehouse Residency for the Contemporary Arts in Miramonte, CA. I have had much needed time for daily reflection and creation of new work.  There are three artists attending the residency and we spend much of our day exploring the natural environment on the 170+ acre ranch in the high Sierra mountains.  When we are not in the studio or walking the land, we spend our days in Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park. These experiences have opened the door to new work, new friendships, and an awareness of a new spiritual path.  

With that, almost every day I have created a "mediation mark making drawing". I use local soils and minerals as pigments, which I collect on my walks through the big sequoia trees, canyon valleys, road side cliffs, and the rolling hills on the ranch. The mediation drawings will eventually become a larger installation.

I have also been inspired by another painter here to dabble into my lost roots in plein-air painting.  I felt the strong urge to paint this realistic painting my first day in the canyon after forgetting my drawing paper at the ranch. In order to amuse myself for 3 hours while sitting in this location watching Maria paint, she loaned me a canvas. I don't think I am a realistic painter but it has been so aspiring and refreshing that I have been plein-air painting and drawing everyday that Maria and I venture into the park.