Real change 101

Field notes: entry #25

An assortment of goodies. It's true. I couldn't help but collect a few stunning field notes for you in the midst of my recent health research.


Notes on photography
So gaga for Leeming and Paterson I can hardly stand it.

Michael Levin's photographs of horizons scratch at the infinite longing (scroll through along the line up).


Notes on book and paper arts
Pulp fiction out of book covers

Fabulous abstract book cover.

Social Proper cards - simple delight

Red thread journal dress. This is devotion to a project. The result is exquisite...Do I use that word too much?


Notes on doing it your own way
Kevin Olusola combines cello and beatboxing (video)

Artist Chuck Close writes a note to his younger self (video)

Independent media producer and storyteller Jen Lee offers in-depth interviews with artists, authors and visionaries...i.e. people doing things differently. (podcast)

The truth about naysayers (spoiler alert) they're driven by their own desire for security not concern for the life of your soul.


Balance your inputs. Notice the beauty all around you.
xo Lisa

To your health and the beauty all around you.

Yesterday's rain.

I've been on a blog hiatus for the past month while I put all of my energy into researching what's going on with my health. I've been in a nose dive for the past two months and now appear to have leveled out at debility. It's not exactly what I had in mind in my evolving search for health and creative inspiration but here I am.

Some of you know that I've been experiencing an odd assortment of health issues for the last few years and had achieved some amount of success through diet and supplementation...and a total upheaval of my life a year ago. That's when I left a depleting lifestyle and set out to nourish myself with good food, creativity and beauty at every turn. There have been a lot of successes and set-backs in the exploration process but the beauty of this exquisite incongruous world has never let me down. It's always there. I only need to remember to look for it.

The simple act of picking up my camera reminds me of this every time and this morning I did just that. I picked up my camera (after another long hiatus) and found this gushing rose right in front of me.

To your health and the beauty all around you.

xo Lisa


p.s. blood work is on the way.

Field notes: entry #25

Notes on encaustic art and being a beginner
I've been experimenting with photo encaustics whenever I find a bit of spare time and it's been a thorough exercise in being a beginner. Of course, being a beginner is an art unto itself.

Here are some words on being a beginner: nobody tells people who are beginners, a beginner's mind, be terrible at something and what being a beginner looks like 

Here are some of the encaustic inspirations I've come across this week: flight of the caterpillar, contemplating nature, dancing light, and mama needs circles. 


Notes on book and paper arts
I've also been making paste papers and little notebooks this week so my mind has been on paper arts...as usual.

Shannon Newby concoctions

Stationary ogling

New York is Book Country posters through the years


Notes on photography
I hope you got a chance to see last weekend's full moon for yourself. Here's a roundup of photos taken of the super moon from around the world.

Heather Jacks black and whites take my breath away.

This is what I'd like to be doing.

And taking pictures of the California poppies in my yard always boosts my spirits.

Have a beautiful week.

xo Lisa

Field notes: entry #24

Let the sunshine in! I spent some time in the poppies this week, trying to capture just how glorious they really are. I do love me some California poppies and new perspectives are always good too.


Notes on the full moon
Saturday night, May 5th, the full moon will be 16% bigger than usual! OK, really it'll just appear that way due to the fact that it will be closer than usual. Take a look for yourself. (link via Erica)

A perfect night to go play with the moon and take moonlight photographs.


Notes on real mail
This, my friends, is a postcard writing machine. I suggest you watch the video. It's spectacular.

Check out this Good Mail Day Flickr group for mail art inspiration and this.

Another stamp alert. If you're a jazz lover, this one is for you.

A little history for you. The first female US stamp designer.


Notes on photography
Humans of New York

Surreal panoramas

I'm in awe of these etherial photo encaustics (via Marji) and these odd collections

I'm joining up with 52 Photos Project today.

May your week be full of new perspectives.

xo Lisa

Field notes: entry #23

Above all remember the wise words of Ru Paul:

Life is about using the whole box of crayons.

Notes on book and paper arts
I always love a good paper art site, especially if it's French.

And the German paper art site? Well, it's all about the pictures.

This blank book speaks to me.

This mini book...just 'cause I love it.

I'm swooning for the cherry blossom centennial stamp.

Then there's the ever-blooming origami cherry blossoms.


Notes on FUN
Here's a wind map. Very cool. Thanks to the person who pointed this out to me whom my brain has deftly forgotten.

Notes on words
The Secret Life of Pronouns and how the words you use reveal many things about you. Here are some groovy exercises to entertain you.

Writer's 10 rules for writers, including Anne Enright's "The first 12 years are the worst."

Genius gives birth, talent delivers.

—Jack Kerouac

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
—Arthur Schopenhauer

Hm.

Why creative people need to be eccentric


Have a beautiful week.

xo Lisa

Playing with paste paper

Last weekend Susan Gross and I played around with paste paper in her Art Barn. It was a blast, as making paste paper tends to be. We tested out a bunch of techniques, went wild with color and let creative play fill the space. Our goal is to do this on a regular basis so you're bound to see more of the process in the future.

For a little background: paste paper is made by applying one or multiple layers of colored starch to a dry or dampened sheet of paper. Impressions of all kinds can then be brushed, combed, drawn, pressed, and sponged into the surface medium to produce various effects. The dry surface can then be further embellished, for instance with gilding.

Here are some photos of our extravaganza.

Susan using lace to achieve a fabulous pattern.

Experimenting with grids and glitter.

This is part of a series of experiments with a patterned rubber placemat.

This is "pulled" paste paper achieved by painting one piece of paper, then 

laying another piece on top and lifting it off in various directions and at various speeds. 

Love the horizon effect.

This came about through a combination of drawing with a bottle of white glue 

and laying on and wiping off a couple of layers of pigmented paste.

This was an experiment in using a clear paste wash as a first coat to achieve the bright white 

when scraping away the layer of red paint. Without the paste wash the pigment in a painted 

layer tends to stain the paper, reducing the contrast.

Wall decor in the barn!

That's Spike.

xo Lisa