www.jhculturefront.org

Another inspiring evening of art sharing and art talk. I am so honored and thrilled to be jumping into more Culture Front projects and partaking in the creation of this project with my good friend Meg. This evening was the second of the series and it was even more engaging, thought-provoking, and touching then the first go around. I love that the community is eating up these discussions, hungry to chat about local art and larger issues that surround the art world in general. Excited to see what direction this all takes....

Working With My Hands & My Voice

I forget how much I love gardening as a job, despite the back pains and the red stripe from the sun that can appear along your back from bending over. I fondly remember the summer after my sophomore year in college when I gardened with four good friends and stayed tan and fit. I felt a bit of that today, although maybe more conscious of how much older I am now. I love picking out plants, getting my hands dirty, and making gardens neater and tidier. You can see your work and your attention so clearly when digging in the dirt; the outcome is always better than when you started.

I also had my last Local Arts Classroom session today. It made me a little sad, partly because I could have gotten more out of it, strived to gain more from the experience. I realized that I have always felt this way about school, that I could have learned more by digging deeper, asking more questions. Being a listener is not a bad trait in the least but, when it comes to learning, sometimes it is seriously detrimental. We had to meet as small groups before today's session and talk about our experiences with the course. I was the group leader for my seven person group, a position I was randomly placed in. It was good for me to play that role and I always realize, when I am forced to do so, that I lead quite well and that when I say something, it can come out sounding articulate and thoughtful. I don't trust that ability enough. A good lesson today in being proud of my voice....

June, thus far

There is so much to write that I am going to recap instead of trying to back date my posts and feeling overwhelmed in that process. The month has been a gorgeous one. I am so content and happy with where I live and this amazing place that I get to call home. It has been comforting to be in one place, despite my whirlwind travel fun, and to nestle back into my house.

The Contemporary Dance Wyoming performances the weekend of June 15 and 16 were highlights, giving opportunity for the visual and performance arts to mix and mingle. It felt good to stretch my creativity and see it come out in a new art form for me, costume design. Watching the awe-inspiring dancers move in my creations, how the costumes would move and change with their bodies, the organic nature of the movement and material and shape coming together. Both the costumes and the dance changed during every performance: the dancers energy altering the feel of the piece and the pods crushing on the costumes in new and intriguing ways. I would check the costumes and repair any minor damages after each show and it was thrilling to see the shapes that the wire and clothe would take, different every time. This was a magical opportunity that only reaffirmed my respect and true devotion to Dancers' Workshop and the artistry that resides there.

Another moment was just last week, while catering for and with my friend Karen and her new business  Firebelly. Karen has a mobile wood-fired pizza oven that she trucks around to events and parties, creating delectably crispy pizzas with creative toppings for attendees to enjoy. A true art. It has been fascinating to learn more about pizza dough, about how to construct a good pie, and to enjoy some of the concoctions. We catered at this amazing home high on a Kelly butte last week, the Tetons and the Gros Ventre river stretching out before us. The sunset didn't disappoint, with yellows, pinks and oranges inking across the sky, framing the grand mountains. The owners have a pet crow that they rescued at birth (along with seven fabulous dogs. Someday I will have a pack.) that is tame and sits on the shoulders of those she is friendly with. I got to hold her and look in that fabulously intelligent bird's eyes and see her expressions up close, her clawed feet griping my arm. Only an hour before I rescued a stunned hummingbird and held the little bird on my finger tip before he flew away safely and soundly. The green of his wings and the purple of his chest...and the littlest eye imaginable blinking at mine. A magical evening of nature at her finest.

Lastly, my trip this past weekend to the City of the Rocks in Idaho, one of the most magical, tucked away places. Although it didn't seem so quiet due to the crowds (surprising), it was still wonderful to get away from the cell phone and computer and be surrounded by the huge masses of rock in a high desert surrounding. Camping with great friends and terrific doggies, climbing for three days after being away from the sport, relishing the feel of rock against fingertips and feet-a great weekend of fun. Climbing pushes me in ways that are both hard and so rewarding. I really think that the sport is one of the best metaphors for life, for working through fear and trying, whether your foot slips or not. Some days end in tears, other in smiles, and it is all okay. The new sliver moon was growing while we were there and on our last night, we were able to scale the rock next to our campsite and enjoy the sinking of the sun, our vista allowing us 360 degree views.