Janice McDonald / Collage Art Studio

Gnarliness

I took this photo at a viewpoint overlooking the Pacific in the San Juan Capistrano area yesterday. There was a whole group of these wonderfully gnarly trees. I don't know what kind. The structure of this one reminded me of a hand reaching up to the sky. I'd been in California to visit relatives and unfortunately my mom fell and broke her hip, requiring surgery. I was able to delay my departure and stay a few extra days to help out. So I took this photo during a quick break away from the hospital. A foray into nature, however short, tends to put life into perspective for me. No ocean photos (although it was pretty) -- it was the trees that spoke to me of age and strength and determination. 

 

Aerial Landscapes

(Written 09.03.08, but somehow not posted until 09.04.08)
Flying home from a quick visit to see my dad... These are shots I took on my flight out -- of fields as we approached Sacramento. The photo doesn't do the very-graphic landscape justice -- the shades of green were beautiful. Now, as I fly back to Denver, I see the first white of snow on the mountains. It looks like powdered sugar just dusted over the highest peaks. When I look down from a plane window I often think of Georgia O'Keefe's cloud paintings from above, inspired by one of her first airplane flights. No clouds this evening, but spectacular scenery. I always love the window seat!

Reflections

This photo was taken at the Museum of Modern Art last week while touring the Home Delivery exhibit of pre-fabricated structures. I was inside a plastic-walled house with photo cells embedded in the walls and the sun was setting so these great patterns were created. MOMA always inspires in unexpected ways! The Dali exhibit was spectacular. The following day I saw the Louise Bougeois show at the Guggenheim. She is one of my heroes and I can't wait to read more about her -- I splurged on the catalog. One of her "cell" pieces had the following embroidered text: Art is the guarantee of sanity. All this visual and intellectual stimulation is so great... plus time away to reflect on my work and motivations. Today I am at the National Gallery in Washington. More on that to come.

Shadow Patterns

Today was a beautiful spring day and we all took advantage of it... it's supposed to snow again by tomorrow. I was struck by the late afternoon sun coming in through the storm door and projecting a beautiful, slightly-distorted, scroll-like pattern over the wooden door. Very fluid and ephemeral.