Philadelphian

The summer was so much away that I nearly forgot who or where I was. Now, things are settling back into place in Philadelphia. Kids back in school. Local connections re-established. Some new ones being forged (hallelujah for their fresh influence).

Some highlights from art(/)adventures this summer...

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Disappearance

Little girl, little girl, where'd you sleep last night?

Not even your mama knows.

In the pines, in the pines where the sun never shines

An' I shiver when the cold wind blows.

--In the Pines (Traditional)

Ran away to the woods for the whole middle part of the summer. The woods on an island in a lake in the far northern middle part of the country. Best parts were daily life with my artist sister, stripped down daily agendas, sleeping as soon as it became dark, and longer-term familiarity with the local flora and fauna: blueberries came into season during our stay; loons were in the picture, also pileated woodpeckers, flickers, and the adorably distinctive call and adorably nondescript appearance of the white throated sparrow. I became lightly acquainted with a pair of sandhill cranes (it's possible we had met previously at a holiday party at Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, but none of us could--or would--say for sure).

Here are a few paintings of the beach, the pines, and the children:

Megan's Favorite, 8"x8"

Morning, 8"x8"

Three Sisters, 9"x10"

All from Madeline Island, summer 2021

Dakota, 8"x8", summer 2021

Unregulated, 12"x12", summer 2021

Here are two more:

1. A depiction of the two sisters at journey's end, heavily influenced by one of my summer reads (and by the transcendent rainbow of connection)

2. A depiction of my 46th birthday party on the island (it happened outside the space-time continuum), heavily influenced by a different summer read

Rainbow's End (Duluth), 12"x12", summer 2021

The mystery of the individual is strongest in sleep.

--Ursula Le Guin, The Lathe of Heaven

46 (Silver and Gold), 12"x12", summer 2021

Time can't be bought back with silver and gold.

--Dolly Parton, Silver and Gold

The core and the surface

Are essentially the same,

Words making them seem different

Only to express appearance.

If name be needed, wonder names them both:

From wonder into wonder

Existence opens.

--Lao Tzu, The Way of Life

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Reappearance

So now I'm back in Philly, back to wondering, "What's La Pointe?"

Time to gather up the invisible threads of community and knit them into a web hopefully sticky enough to keep everything from floating away.

Join me?

Osmond Street μSalon and related projects are in formation. All are welcome.