New Artwork and Photos Gracing My Walls

For a long time, I always wondered if the artwork I liked was "good" artwork. Maybe it was that art appreciation class in Florence or a field trip to the Chicago Art Institute that made me question if I had good taste. Finally I got it. Art is good if you like it. And since everyone likes different things, that makes room for lots of artists in the world.

I've tried drawing and painting and quickly realized that despite my best efforts, I don't have much natural art ability. Fortunately, I have some friends who are artists, and I've recently added some of their art to my house. 

And since if you're reading this blog you might share some of my tastes, I thought I'd share these pieces of art with you.

First off is a tryptych (three-piece) panel done by Kristin Gjerdset. She was Great Basin National Park's 2012 Artist-in-Residence, quite an honor, as the competition to be the artist-in-residence is quite fierce. The artist-in-residence usually receives two or three weeks housing and in return provides a piece of art for the park. Below is a print of Kristin's contribution, which is on display at the Great Basin Visitor Center. On the left is aquatic life, in the middle terrestrial life, and on the right subterranean life. Kristin captures the tiny things that are so frequently overlooked. (Click on any of the photos for a larger version)

She also did an amazing job of capturing some of the complexity of Lehman Cave.

With the Lepidoptera BioBlitz this year and getting to know butterflies better, I couldn't resist this gorgeous piece of art. You can find even more on Kristin's website.

Another friend who is an artist is Mimi Matsuda. We worked together in Yellowstone many years ago, and now she is a full-time artist based in Montana. Along with some amazing artwork of trout, she also has a whimsical series that makes me smile. The latest one I got of hers is this large 'Wildlife, Watching'. That comma placement is very important! You can see more of Mimi's marvelous creations on her website.


I also enjoy good photography. Fortunately that is one area where I feel I can make a contribution. Some folks have specialty areas of photography, and one is Kelly Carroll of Great Basin Images. He has some amazing night sky photos. I really liked this old horse-driven car with the star trails.

Sometimes you don't want permanent art on your wall, but just want to be able to enjoy a variety of views. If that's the case, Deanna Stever's calendar may fit the bill. Deanna asked me to contribute photos to it this year, which I was very honored to do. You can find the calendar at Lulu or at the Garnet Mercantile in Ely. Deanna also has lots of photos available from her Western Mountain Photography website. 

Inspired by Kelly and Deanna, I've added a few photos to my author website. You can send free e-cards with the images to anyone you like.

I'm curious, what's the newest art you've gotten for your house? I'd love to check it out!

Foot Frenzy

There comes a time,when a desert survivor looks for a little culture...

...a place to learn something new...

...a challenge that will help focus the mind...

...a group of wonderful women with whom to share some time...

...and that is called tap class!

Once a week we gather to click our heels and tap our toes, and it is a real treat.

We are preparing for a performance to the tune of Footloose. Here are the first four seconds. It just keeps getting better after that!


"I grew up with six brothers. That's how I learned to dance - waiting for the bathroom." -Bob Hope.

Graduation

 The last day of May we headed into town to go witness my nephew's high school graduation. The weather actually cooperated (a rarity for the end of May) and graduation was held outside. In this part of the world, it's common to have graduation on weeknights. (Where I grew up, graduation is held on the weekend and then graduates have open houses and well wishers spend their day traveling from one party to the next.)

We got there during the procession and the bleachers were packed and people were stacked a few deep at the top (you enter from the top due to the hilly terrain), so we couldn't really see anything. We decided to go down to the side and then spotted some front row seats empty. What great luck!

 Clay gave a short speech and got to sit up on the podium for the entire ceremony.

 This is what it looked like slightly zoomed from the bleachers. They were way out there! Because they were so far away, it didn't look like many graduates, but it turned out that there were 92. (There were 101 in my graduating class.)

 Being in the front row had the added advantage that the kids could roam, and Desert Girl took the opportunity to check out the neighbors.

 The football field area is quite scenic, with mountains on either side.

 Then it was time to get diplomas. It didn't take long to get to that point--being outside meant it was a little chilly and windy, so no one wasted any time.

 Seeing Clay graduate brought back lots of memories from high school. I am lucky to still stay in contact with some of my awesome high school friends. We had some really good times together, and still try to meet up periodically.

The school superintendent wore jeans! It's a little different culture out here in the West.

After the ceremony, the kids had a fun time chasing the cousins out on the astro-turf (is that what it's called?). It stays nice and green year-round.

Then it was time to go and for the graduates to start the next chapter of their lives.
Good luck, Clay, and congratulations! We wish you a wonderful future.

Rodeo Fun

Delta, Utah was having a rodeo this last weekend for three days, so we decided to go to it Friday night. Amazingly we made it on time for the Grand Entry. (I say amazingly because my husband ended up having to work late and then we had to take a potty break on the way there which is a little time consuming when the little ones that have to go are buckled into the very back of the van!)

I'm always so impressed with how easy the riders make riding a horse look!

Then it was time for the exciting riding to begin! They started with bareback riding, and many of the riders stayed on the eight seconds and more.

And here's Isaac! Jenny and her kids came with us, which made the night even more fun. Isaac loved running up and down the bleachers.

More bucking horses. Ouch. Just watching them makes me ache.

Desert Boy and Ava were keen spectators--sometimes! There was a good crowd, but still plenty of room for more rodeo fans. The weather was about perfect.

I don't know exactly what they were looking at when I snapped this photo, but it must have been good!

Then it was time for mutton bustin'. About a dozen little kids wanted to try their best to stay on the back of a sheep.

Most of them immediately fell off.

One little tyke was like a tic, though. I didn't even notice he was still hanging on for a bit, as he held on so well! (He's on the sheep second from the right.)

Then it was time for steer wrestling. In this round, the steer won.

When I asked Desert Boy what his favorite part of the rodeo was, he said the dessert. He was mightily impressed by the snowcones. You can see what color Ava had.

Back in the arena was a really bizarre show with monkeys riding border collies. I had never seen anything like it.

After running around the bleachers for awhile, Isaac finally got tired and was willing to sit still--in his mom's arms.

 

I didn't get photos of all the events, mainly because the fast action and low light were challenging conditions for my camera. Above is one of the barrel racers-they sure were fast!

I wanted to get a nice shot of all the kids, but probably waited a little too late into the night. They all stayed awake throughout the rodeo. Three fell asleep pretty fast on the way home, but Desert Boy persevered until the last half hour.

I'm really glad we went, it really brought out the spirit of the Wild West. Plus it was some downright good entertainment. 

Archeology Day

 May is Archeology month, and today Great Basin National Park had some special events, with archeologists from the park, BLM, and US Forest Service. We headed out there to participate. The first thing we tried out was grinding corn with a mano and matate. Desert Boy liked doing that.

 Of course if big brother does it, little Miss Emma has to give it a try. She did better than I expected.

 She even managed to not drop the rock on her foot, so that was definitely a good thing.

 Meanwhile Desert Boy went to the rock art station. He was delighted to get a paper bag and put his name on it so that he could keep all his projects in one place. He loves doing little activities, so he had a super time.

 Nicole was at the twig art station. (It was called something else, but I can't remember the correct name!)

 Folks could make figurines with pipe cleaners (what we did) or with willow twigs (the more advanced skill that these guys did).

 Desert Boy had moved on to the tin-can making station. He just couldn't resist drawing railroad tracks on his can.

 This station included glue, so it made it extra fun.

 Some other folks were learning how to make cordage.

 Desert Boy went on to the clay figurine station. Karla showed him step by step how to make a clay figurine.

 Can you tell which one is Desert Boy's?

(Hint: It's the one wearing the sock dress, whatever that is.)

 Then Desert Boy's friend Charlie arrived, and they did some grinding together.

 Then it was time to make clay bowls. I was impressed with how many different stations were at the event. Everyone was super patient, even with rambunctious kids!

Thanks so much, archeologists!

 The day wasn't over yet, though. Next we went to the Baker Archeological Site and learned  how to throw atlatls.

It's really fun!

 Sam was a natural. He figured it out faster than me.

 Ready...aim...throw.

 Where did it go?

 They had an afternoon field trip to a rock shelter that I wanted to go to, but the approaching storm clouds deterred us.

 Instead the kids had fun playing, picnicking, and walking around the Baker Archeological Site. I had to try using the atlatl again, too. I'd need a lot of practice before I could even touch an animal I wanted to hunt!

It was a great way to spend part of the day. We'll look forward to Archeology Day next May!