I've just returned from my intensive journey (the drive home was almost 12 hours), feeling tired and renewed at the same time. Creatively renewed that is.
Some highlights
-listening to Jacqueline DuPrey on the radio while driving past fields of waving long grasses and corn.
-touring through the Adirondacs with the Be Good Tanyas This has to be the best driving album of the year!
-sleeping (or trying to sleep) in a cabin (that appeared to be sliding off of a massive cliff) during a rainstorm
-the Mass Moca of course, the shows inspired a batch of new exercises for myself to try this week. See them here.
-we got terribly lost trying to find the The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and arrived there slightly frustrated and drained at 3:55pm, (to find it closes at 4pm). A very sweet and sympathetic woman there (with curly blond hair) said, "Where did you travel from?" When I told her we drove all the way from Canada she smiled and said, "The gallery is locked, but come with me I have the keys." I couldn't believe my luck. So we got a chance to see the shows very quickly, in about ten minutes. I could tell this woman really loved the work and was happy to share it with someone else who loved it too. The collages of Eric Carle were so stunning and full of little details that you cannot see on the printed pages. Little pieces of collaged tissue paper make up little bug legs and arms, a delicate piece of white paper was glued on to make a paper lantern that was so compelling I gasped. There was a display in the middle of the room that showed his process, dozens of sheets of paper, each decorated and hand painted with different brightly coloured patterns, add scissors. I was so grateful to this woman for giving me this gift and thanked her repeatedly. She informed me that there was a rehearsal for a new ballet of "The Hungry Caterpillar" going on and that I could take a peek. I looked through a small round window to see dozens of young ballerinas in bright Eric Carle costumes in wonderful shapes moving around as little insects. It was magical. The books had come to life. Thanks again blonde-curly-haired lady (I wish I had gotten your name so I could send a thank-you gift, you made my day!)
-a really quick tour of Northhampton. A town with a large artschool, needless to say I felt very at home there. I saw Anne Lamott's new novel which I will try to find here.
-sitting around a campfire with A's family (many flew in from Holland), and laughing till my stomach hurt. It seems that some dutch sayings do not translate well to english. The phrase "Don't get water in your shoes" still leaves me giggling uncontrollably!
-seeing a sign that read, "Pete's Gun Shop & Dry Cleaners" *only in the US.
-eating "Chuck's Sister's Salsa" which is rumoured to only contain tomatoes, green pepper, and jalapeno. I'm going to experiment with it, as I came home to a garden bursting with ripe tomatoes. If anyone has a recipe similar to this one please share it!
-our friend Michelle dressed up as Marg Delahunty Princess Warrior , she had on the most fabulous shiny silver bustier suit, and high boots. She wildly pranced in amidst a sea of shocked faces to present the bride and groom with a large sword. Yay Michelle!
-recieving a green work apron from my sister-in-law (a belated birthday gift). I have always wanted a work apron and this works perfectly! There is very freeing great about having permission to get dirty as a painter.
-Picked up a great quote that sums up my life completely:
"I am still learning." -Michelangelo
*kinda takes the pressure off to do everything perfectly.
Now I must get to the barrage of email that has built up over the last few days, yikes. It's good to be home again, my bed was a welcome sight after sleeping in tents for many days now.
k.
do you know where the gun shop/dry cleaning sign was? going past Shelburne Falls, MA, on Rte 2 there is a place that always has wacky (joke) signs and that sounds like one of theirs. The only one I can remember right now said Come on it! We've got Topless Mechanics!
Posted by: Soren on September 18, 2003 04:41 PMEnjoy keeping up with your adventures and inspirational thoughts. Congrats on the new book.
A light salsa recipe:
chop a few nice ripe tomatos
rinse one can of black beans
drain one can of corn
chop one small onion (red)
chop a large handful of fresh cilantro
mix together and season with salt, black pepper, one clove of garlic, finely chopped, and the juice from half a lemon. Let salsa rest for an hour in the fridge, giving the flavors time to meld (if you wish).
Alternately, combine the above ingredients with a packet of "garlic & herb" flavored couscous, prepared according to directions on the box for an easy salad.
enjoy the last days of summer!
-Kim
Oh Keri! We are all going to get terribly spoiled! What a treat to hear from you more than once a month! I can hear the collective "Yay!!" from all over! Thank you for the wonderful Eric Carle descriptions. I know it moves me to tears when I get to see the actual works of art I admire so much in print in person. I love seeing the brush strokes the most, that is when it really comes to life for me. I love that you gasped at the tiny details of this great artist's work! Thank you for sharing! And happy messy painting!!
Posted by: Michelle on September 12, 2003 10:52 PMYay! to restorative trips!
Thanks for the exercises they looked really interesting.
Posted by: m on September 11, 2003 10:12 AMWelcome home Keri! And I am so happy to find your new blog format. I have your book coming in the mail and I check my post office box each day with great anticipation.
xx
welcome home, keri, it's great to hear that your travels went well. i have been staying up at night, going through your book. i love it, it inspires me to find out more about me :)
Posted by: stef on September 10, 2003 12:48 AMHey Keri
I am SO EXCITED that you are doing a blog now - I am addicted to the Wish Jar Tales and they always brighten my day when they appear in my 'new mail' box.
Congratulations on your book - it isn't available over here in New Zealand yet, but I hope to order it off the internet when my finances allow an indulgence.
So far the blog is wonderful! You are a real inspiration, Keri. Thanks for the 'aroha' (maori word for love and affection) you share with every post!
xxx Helen
Posted by: Helen Lehndorf on September 10, 2003 12:30 AMKeri your updates are so terrific! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I'm quite excited to do some of those exercises you posted. So neat! Thank you and all the best!!! xoxooxox
Posted by: willo on September 9, 2003 09:09 PM