Highway Dedication
June 5 was a day of celebration in Coulterville California where they dedicated a portion of Highway J 132. The Sierra Sun Times began their article, “On a bright sunlit Saturday morning, June 5, 2010 history was made on Highway J132 from Coulterville, California to Highway 120 in Tuolumne County as the road was designated the ‘Historic John Muir Route.’ “ You can read about the dedication at this link: http://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/component/content/article/78/342-2010-john-muir-highway-dedication-ceremony-
My husband and I, along with friends Nancy Robbins and Rifka arrived early to set up our booths. I had an added bonus of my Aunt being there since she helped organize the event and 2 of my cousins drove up to partake in the festivities.
Our Booth.
John Muir was even there to read from his journal.
Hummingbird Show
MEANWHILE on the home front our local hummingbird decided he needed to protect HIS territory. David and I sat on the deck stairs watching from about 10 feet away while I drank my morning coffee. The two hummingbirds dueled for over an hour. They were hitting each other, buzzing each other, diving at each other and at one point fell into the daisies surrounding the feeders. All we could hear was their buzzing on the ground.
After a while of fighting I thought perhaps they needed to drink so I stood at one feeder while David stood at the other. My reasoning was that they would be able to drink without the other seeing. It didn’t work. The two kamikazes continued to battle as if we didn’t exist. That’s when the thought popped into my head, ‘great photo opp’. I grabbed my camera and took my place next to one of the feeders. It’s not easy to catch a photo of the little fighters zipping to and fro. At one point around the time I took the picture of them in front of Dave, one slammed into Dave’s stomach. It was quite comical, the bird was fine, he never missed a beat and continued the pursuit. They would take breaks sitting fairly close to each other in the tree. They are such fascinating little creatures.
Last Saturday I demonstrated pastel painting at the gallery for the monthly Art Hop. I chose to paint Half Dome with a full moon rising. I took the photograph last November. I was drawn to all the pinks and lovely lighting. I lightly sketched the scene with pencil before I arrived at the gallery. Phyllis McAdams was demonstrating oils and working on a still life.
This is what I accomplished for the day.
Phyllis McAdams.
After Art Hop we moved 2 doors down to Stellar Gallery for the………..
Poetry Performance by Claire Blotter and Students
Claire Blotter, a former Poetry Slam National Finalist, has taught writing and performance poetry at San Francisco State University, John F. Kennedy University, Dominican College and the College of Marin. She has published two poetry books and received numerous grants for poetry, theater and video.
The performance/reading with with Blotter and guest poets Lee Underwood and Mary Lee Gowland will begin at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 12 at Stellar Gallery. At the evening gallery reading, Blotter will perform her poetry, and workshop participants will be invited to read or perform a poem written in the workshop.
The event is sponsored by Sierra Art Trails, a non profit organization dedicated to supporting artists and artisans in the Sierra Foothills.
We enjoyed the creative and very brave students who shared their poetry with the audience. I couldn’t have performed in front of people like they did. Lee Underwood has just published a book and read a few of his poems. His book is available at his website. All the poets take you to another dimension when you listen and visualize their words. The Stellar Gallery is currently exhibiting a photography show entitled ‘Going Deeper’. The students chose works by photographers to inspire poems. I like the idea of the 2 fields of art interacting with each other to inspire works of art.
People gathering in Stellar Gallery before the performance.
Claire Blotter talking with Lee Underwood and Sonia Crespy.
Claire Blotter surrounded by students preparing to introduce themselves.
Jon Bock, owner of Stellar Gallery and Williams West gallery, reading his poem.
Art in The Garden June 13
Sunday was Art in the Garden in North Fork California. The event is a yearly fundraiser for the Friends of the Library of North Fork. This is the 14th year of the event. You can read an article by reporter Tiffany Tuell of the Sierra Star. David and I were interviewed for the article. http://www.sierrastar.com/2010/06/09/52595/art-in-the-garden-raises-money.html
David and I were located in Gay Abarbanell’s garden where she has vegetables in raised beds, a shade garden, a rose garden and lots of other planted areas. As you enter her garden area a very large Buddha sitting in a glass enclosure greets you. Between her house which is set into the hillside and her garage with overhead apartment, is a stream under a large oak tree that flows down to a pond. Gay has created such a magical atmosphere with all her gardens.
We met so many nice people. Unfortunately one of my limited giclees wasn’t marked so I explained to the interested party that usually my giclees are priced the same as David’s photographs but since this is a limited edition it’s price is higher. I offered the lower price, which would have been a steal but he seemed to doubt my information. I learned to make sure everything is marked in the future. Had he bought the giclee it would have been $50 cheaper than usual.
After we packed up the car we took time to enjoy the gardens and take photographs.
Gay Abarbanell and her photography. Gay has travelled the word with her camera.
David next to the tree, tent in front of garage/apartment.
Buddha beyond the Coral Bells and Manzanita.
….but I’m quiet and don’t say anything (much). I always take a photograph just in case it’s the last photograph….is that bad??
