Out on my latest dig, this little flower-arrangement of shapes emerged out of the surface of the paper.  I think it may be something but I'm not sure.  I've sent it in for classification.  I will let you know when I get the data back.

Something has to change.  It's a little dangerous.  It's a path that leads you to the edge of becoming somebody  else.  And at some point, you have to jump off the edge into the unknown and unfamiliar.  That's why real change is hard.  With real change, the whole world changes because you change.

You can be curiosity driven or anxiety driven, but not both.  You cannot be simultaneously open and protective.  So how do we let go?  How do we clear our mind?  How do we get rid of all the extra baggage that we've become accustom to carrying?  How do we reawaken that mind/body/spirit connection and integration with nature?  How? 

STEP 1:  Get out there and move.  Breathe.  Positive emotions comes out of positive motion and travel. Find a beautiful place. Bike. Hike. Kayak. Physical exertion and exhaustion is integral to the human growth cycle.  Perspective.  Outlook.  Attitude.  These are growth concepts. 

STEP 2:  Leave the baggage behind.  It's hard.  But when we let go, suddenly we find ourselves available moment by moment by moment.  We have a chance to be in touch with the sensation of the planet and it is refreshing and often exhilarating.  

STEP 3:  Revitalize curiosity. Develop and exercise the need to wonder about things.  Reach out.  Touch.  Explore.  Discover.  A strong sense of curiosity is the adventure. 

STEP 4:  Take action. Draw out your observations on the surface of the page.   Like a small child, we relearn that touch is our way of learning.  Journaling is a good place to begin collecting ideas and developing a spirited connection with nature and a sense of touch.

STEP 5:  And now you are on the path that leads you to the edge of becoming somebody else.  It's a little dangerous.  But something has to change.  Are you ready for a new version of you?  At some point, you have to jump off the edge into the unknown and unfamiliar.  That's why real change is hard.  With real change, the whole world changes because you change.

Looming on the horizon is the universe... there is a great mystery to reach for and connect with.   It is your choice to seize the day, grab hold of your life, and take responsibility for who you really are and who you are mean't to become.  

October 17-20, 2018
Bike, Hike, Kayak, & Camp
Dance Around the Fire
Artist's Workshop for Teachers
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Southern Nevada
With Chris Hammond, Camp Host, Facilitator, Tour Guide
Five seats available ($1,000 per seat)
  
Experience a new level of focus, purpose, and passion through interaction and conversation with other artists and teachers.

Topics for open discussion:
1. Audience engagement begins with an effort to deepen and enrich the artist's conversation among ourselves.  
2. New formats and frameworks to develop and deliver insightful materials about the creative process.
3. Where are we going with this?  Goals and purpose to activate, influence, engage, encourage, and teach.

My 'folder' is a 17' long sea kayak.  It is a 'skin on frame' type of folding kayak.  It comes in a bag (or two bags) designed to fit airplane size/weight baggage requirements.   This one fits into two bags about 35 pounds each.

  

In about thirty minutes or forty minutes, it begins to actually look like it might be seaworthy.  

Then I put the boat up on top.  I keep it up there during the boating season ready for a fast and convenient trip to the lake.   

 Through a dirty windshield, you can see the lake just on up ahead.  

I'm waiting for Linda to quit taking pictures of me and jump in the front seat.  I'm ready to do some paddling!

It comes together (more or less) through trial and error.  It is a gamble.  It's experimental.  There's luck involved.  You have to sort of believe that something will emerge from the page.  It is not instantaneous.  You have to look for clues, read the signs, and be on your toes.  There are no guarantees.  It is an adventure.  It can be magical.  And that's the fun of it.  It is a healing journey.  

Last week, we made a quick get-away, escaping the Summer heat of the Mojave desert.    We drove our little camper up to Mt. Charleston and stayed for a few days at the McWilliam's Campground.  It's well under two hours to drive up there from our home in Henderson, Nevada.  

From the Las Vegas area (including Henderson of course)... Head north on the 95 for about 20 miles beyond the outskirts of town and take Lee Canyon 156 up to McWilliams Campground.  Once you turn off on the 156, watch the outside temperature drop 1 degree each mile as you climb the mountain for the next 18 miles.   When we left Henderson, the temperature was climbing into the upper 90's.  It was in the 70's at the 8,500 foot level at McWillie's. 

What is your favorite thing to draw?  Below, I've drawn a little clump with little flowery thingys.  The subject, however, has more to do with the way it is drawn: The lines and their quality and style. 

In this simple drawing, some of the lines have been brushed in quickly and sweep straight across the page to indicate the ground.  Then I hatch-in shorter marks in a more intentional way to define the figurative elements.  

It sort of comes and goes, but on a good day, I'm more or less aware of lines I want to draw as silly scribbles and other sets of lines that I try to draw with more touch.