Mary Ellen Long

ABSTRACT VIEWS

2012-01-16T16:20:00.005-07:00

This mixed media work is part of the exhibit "Abstract Views", being shown at the Durango Arts Center in Durango, Colorado in January. The drawing uses charcoal (a fire site rubbing) and oil pastel with sumi-dyed tea bags. Two other works are also exhibited. "Tapa African" and "Sumi Root 2" (see post Feb 2, '11 and Sept 3, '10 -1st of the series). The show is curated by Nancy Harris and Joan L. Russell.

Of Fire Of Ashes Of Tears

MORE ART ON THE NAVAJO REZ

2011-11-29T14:18:00.003-07:00

Coming east from a Del Mar, California visit through the Navajo Reservation between Cameron, Arizona and Kayenta, Arizona more enlarged photographs by Chip Thomas reveal themselves. Some are fading away, some have inspired other art. Always thought-provoking and enhancing. See my May, 2011 post for other Thomas photographs.

2011 OPEN STUDIO EVENT

2011-11-28T13:07:00.002-07:00

I am opening my studio and home to the public this coming Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4. Small art objects, collage, drawings, prints, book art, and sculpture will be shown. Lots of gift ideas. 209 El Diente Drive, Durango, Colorado, (10-5 each day). Refreshments and Art. Below are examples of the mixed-media/collage pieces that will be available for viewing.

Talisman 5

Homage: Japan

Errata

SEUSS ON THE LOOSE EVENT

2011-11-12T08:14:00.003-07:00

Here are a few shots of 4th graders from Park Elementary School in Durango visiting the Seuss exhibit.
Just made Seuss hats

Docent giving tour of exhibit

The reading corner

SEUSS ON THE LOOSE follow-up

2011-10-29T17:18:00.004-06:00

Here are some shots of the installation at the Durango Arts Center. An exciting exhibit that I curated along with Shan Wells which focuses on Ted Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss' process of preparing art for the children's books, political cartoons from the 1940's, and a selection of drawings for the Grinch. The children's book drawings were coupled with the finished books. A reading area has been well used throughout the month. Many school groups have visited, and been guided by our Docents through the exhibit, and then participated in art activities, Seussical The Musical has been playing to sold-out crowds and is a terrific production created by Durango Performing Arts Co. Thanks go out to all of Durango businesses and individuals that helped to support this exhibit generously loaned by the Mandeville Special Collections, located in the Geisel Library, at the University of California, San Diego. The community-wide event will close with a Farewell party November 11, 5-7 featuring a dance performance "Which,Way" at 6:30.

SEUSS ON THE LOOSE

2011-09-26T15:36:00.003-06:00

For the past year I have been working on a curatorial project - bringing a selection of original drawings and political cartoons
of Dr. Seuss to the Durango Arts Center, Colorado. The art of Ted Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) is being loaned by the Seuss Collection, Special Collections Library at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). For a complete schedule, see durangoarts.org.

INTERVIEW ON THE WEB -

2011-09-04T14:54:00.005-06:00

Detritus San Rafael - Book sculpture on site

Concentric Circle, 2nd phase

Just posted on New Voices is an my interview with Dottie Moore. I speak about my environmental art work at length. The site also shows some images. See my links for the ladybug address and then scroll "programs", click "The Gallery".

MEMORIAL - LOIS CRAWFORD BUB 1927-2011

2011-09-04T14:48:00.003-06:00

ME and first cousin Lois, July, 2003

SUMMER IN COLORADO

2011-09-04T14:38:00.004-06:00

Another beautiful, blue sky day, hiking the high country trails.

Above Little Molas Lake, San Juan Mountains, north of Durango, CO

Old growth ghosts

COLORADO HIGH

2011-09-04T14:28:00.004-06:00

Family hike

Wildflowers on the mountain

Each summer the high country of the San Juan Mountains calls. This year my New Hampshire family, Mark, Rebecca, Nathaniel, and Ellinore visited and climbing Engineer Mountain was a high point of their stay.

KUMI KORF EXHIBIT CLOSES

2011-09-04T14:19:00.003-06:00

After a two month stay, the exhibit of prints and sculptural books is over. The Art Library in the Durango Arts Center has been a beautiful space with soft colors hung unframed on the walls.

Mary Ellen and Kumi at the opening reception in July

KUMI KORF'S SCULPTURAL BOOK WORKSHOP

2011-07-19T20:08:00.005-06:00

Walks in the Wild Box

Another view

Box top

Box bottom

The two-day workshop recently taught by Kumi Korf of Ithaca, NY at the Durango Arts Center was quite fascinating. Kumi has invented an architectural structure that is inventive and open to numerous interpretations. Participants came up with lots of interesting uses for the structure.

I used topo maps and journal text from my forest hike book "Walks in the Wild", created in the nineties. It was interesting to revisit text selections and bring another perspective to the theme by using Kumi's box form with its unfolded stages and spaces."Stage" objects included lichen ball, wasp nest fragment, sumi-dyed roots and animal skull, and small books of photographed root forms.

EDGEMONT HIGHLANDS HIKES

2011-07-15T20:06:00.003-06:00

Big Oak Bird Rest at Edgemont Highlands

Tomorrow is the first of a series of hikes through my environmental art sites

CREATED ALONG THE WILD TRAILS OF EDGEMONT HIGHLANDS IN DURANGO, COLORADO

GUIDED HIKES BY THE ARTIST
MARY ELLEN LONG
Saturday, July 16, 9:30-11:30
(the first half of the trail system)
Sunday, July 17, 9:30-11:30
(the second half of the trail system)
----------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, August 6, 9:30-11:30
(the first half of the trail system)
Sunday, August 7, 9:30-11:30
(the second half of the trail system)

PLEASE CONTACT MARY ELLEN LONG
FOR RESERVATIONS

WMELART@YAHOO.COM

WINTER PRESSING 2010-11

2011-07-04T15:28:00.004-06:00

Winter Pressing series 1

Winter Pressing series 2

Winter Pressing series 3

Each year I lay paper on the earth and bury it with snow. In December 2010 I laid 3 paper pieces wrapped in wire (8"x10" each) and through the winter, about 40" of snow fell. When the papers were harvested in April, I found that the rust marks I had hoped for were not left on the paper. The papers, nicely sculpted however, were perfect for sumi-dyed roots with accompanying ink drawings.

ASPEN GUARD STATION VISIT

2011-07-03T14:28:00.003-06:00

Aspen forest in Montezuma County, Colorado

Recently, W. and I took a drive west and above Mancos, Colorado to revisit the site where in the mid-90's I had an artist residency. Friend Jane Pedersen was having her residency for the week, making books in the quiet atmosphere of the aspen forest. Just as beautiful as we remember it, the visit brought back fond memories of my time there. I had made site installations through the land adjacent to the old cabin...stone circles, carved logs, sculpture out of natural elements, all connected with a path through the aspen meadow.

NEW WORK

2011-06-30T16:01:00.003-06:00

Ancient Embroidery Revisit 4

Ancient Embroidery Revisit 3

A transformation of the variable print edition of the past into ANCIENT EMBROIDERY REVISIT SERIES. The addition of handmade paper and other elements layers my intaglio embossed prints. I am continuing to enjoy recycling older work into new visions

KUMI KORF COMES TO DURANGO

2011-06-22T13:55:00.003-06:00

A wonderful occassion for the Four Corners:
Kumi is an amazing artist and teacher and I encourage signing up for her workshop and/or seeing her exhibit and attending the opening reception after which a film about Kumi will be introduced by the artist herself.

SUMMER WORKSHOPS

2011-06-15T08:04:00.002-06:00

BELOW IS MY WORKSHOP SCHEDULE FOR MY HOME STUDIO. JUST FINISHED THE PAPERMAKING CLASS WHERE BEAUTIFUL PAPERS WERE CREATED BY WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS.

2011 ARTIST STUDIO WORKSHOPS

MARY ELLEN LONG
209 EL DIENTE DRIVE, DURANGO

PAPERMAKING
JUNE 11& AUGUST 20
basic “kitchen” techniques
western and eastern style methods
emphasis on local fibers

COLLAGE
JUNE 18 & AUGUST 13
basic techniques
understanding of adhesives

BOOK ARTS
AUGUST 27
review of all styles
bindings and sculptural forms

ALL WORKSHOPS
beginning to experienced
consultation on individual projects
all materials supplied
small classes

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER: wmelart@yahoo.com

MEMORIAL

2011-06-07T20:42:00.005-06:00

Celebration of the life of Red Bird

I was honored to be part of the dance and poetry performance at the memorial celebration of the life of Leonard "Red" Bird, a professor, peace activist, author/poet who was a friend, living many years in Durango, CO. The site was the campus of Fort Lewis College in Durango.
Flight performance

I contributed by unfurling Japanese-style handmade paper tendrils and giving them to the dancers. The paper was used as a symbol for the connection that Red Bird had with the people of Japan. The dancers were Anne Bartlett, Desiree Henderson, and Kathryn Moller. The music was performed by Jonathan Latta and the words were spoken by Charles Eagan. Simone Kelly, 2 years old, performed by placing a red folded paper crane on an aspen branch to end the performance.

PHOTOGRAPHY ON THE REZ

2011-05-16T11:37:00.004-06:00

Navajo Code-Talkers

Traveling home from the west these photographs plus others were spied from the car. Chip Thomas, an ER doc/photographer on the Navajo reservation, has been wheatpasting large photographs of Native American people on sides of barns and abandoned buildings in the Four Corners for a number of years. These photographs are examples seen between Tuba City and Kayenta on Highway 160. I hope to see and photograph more as I travel south and west of where I live.

Native American women

DR. SEUSS

2011-05-15T16:29:00.003-06:00

Dr. Seuss and The Cat in the Hat sculpture

At the University of California, San Diego in La Jolla, I visited the Geisel Library (Special Collections Library) and viewed selections of the Seuss Collection (original drawings of Ted Geisel aka Dr. Seuss).

SAN DIEGO BOOK FAIRE

2011-05-15T16:15:00.002-06:00

While in California I participated in the San Diego Book Faire, held in the Seuss Room, Special Collections at the Geisel Library, University of California, San Diego. Well attended, the visitors viewed artists' book exhibits and demonstrations, and participated in a silent auction and a raffle.
Book Sculpture by Sally Hagy-Boyer

Geisel Library, UCSD, La Jolla, CA

The Book Faire scene

WASHI WORKSHOP

2011-05-15T16:04:00.004-06:00

Papermaking

The April workshop at the Durango Arts Center was quite successful with students exploring the special qualities of fibers such as kozo and mitsumata and the techiques that are used in Japan and Asia. The 2 day session was prefaced with the showing of the film on sheetforming of paper throughout the world by Elaine Koretsky.

APRIL TRAVEL

2011-05-14T16:43:00.003-06:00

A week on the island of Molokai was a relaxing interlude. An island without much tourist presence, beautiful in its simplicity and magnificent terrain yet haunting with its history of the once leper colony and Father Damien, caregiver to these abandoned people.

Offering: Molokai, Hawaii

Offering: Molokai, Hawaii

Another site - Sandy Beach on the island of Molokai, Hawaii - for my continuing series of floating handmade paper circles on bodies of water as symbols for peace and healing

Flotsam on the Beach

The beauty of washed up neting and ropes on the beach is bittersweet - floating debris in the ocean being one of our environmental problems

Croton Plant

One of my favorite plants in Hawaii

Raft Floating

Another piece of flotsam found on the beach, pictured as it floats with the tidal current along the shore.

THE 8TH ANNUAL EDIBLE BOOK SHOW AND TEA

2011-04-03T13:12:00.003-06:00

The Art of Gardening by Heather Hinsley (chocolate and marzipan)

I Love Books by Mary Ellen Long (graham crackers and frosting)

The event was a big success this year. Some very cool entries. We feasted on delicious "books".

WORKSHOP OFFERING

2011-03-14T17:02:00.004-06:00

Cloud Root Paper (handmade paper)

Announcing "WASHI: THE ART OF JAPANESE PAPERMAKING" I will be teaching on the weekend of April 9-10 (9:30 AM - 4:30 PM) at the Durango Arts Center. I will also do a free presentation on the subject Friday night, April 8 at 7 PM.

This workshop explores Asian papermaking including fiber preparation, sheet forming, and decorative techniques.

Class is limited to 15 students. Please register before April 1 to reserve your space.

Contact me for more information.

OFFERING IN IRAN

2011-03-13T17:02:00.002-06:00

I recently collaborated with three Iranian land artists to make an "Offering" for peace at the 30th Environmental Art Festival in Iran. This collaboration was arranged by Raheleh Zomorodinia who exhibited her environmental art through photographs at the Open Shutter Gallery in Durango last year. My Offering series is exhibited in photographs of floating handmade paper circles on bodies of water all over the world. The artists involved were Shoushtar, Tara Goodarzy, and Shahrnaz Zarkash. This collaboration is posted on WEAD (Women's Environmental Art Directory online) under Raheleh Zomorodinia. I also have a few images on that site.

THE 8TH ANNUAL EDIBLE BOOK SHOW AND TEA

2011-03-13T16:49:00.003-06:00

Edible cake books, by Heather Hinsley

sponsored by The Art Library at the Durango Arts Center

FRIDAY - APRIL 1 - 5 PM
JOIN ARTISTS AROUND THE WORLD FOR THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL
EDIBLE BOOKS FESTIVAL

PARTICIPANTS ARE INVITED TO CREATE A SCULPTURAL BOOK OF ONLY EDIBLE MATERIAL FOR THIS
1-HOUR SHOW THAT BEGINS WITH A DISPLAY FOLLOWED BY TEA
FEATURING THE CONSUMPTION OF THE ART

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO VIEW, EAT, AND SIP TEA!
RESEARCH:

Research: Google Edible Books and DAC Art Library scrapbook

ROOTS EXHIBIT STATEMENT

2011-03-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

ROOTS

deep dark root
tangling
wrapping
spreading

In 2002, the San Juan Mountains, adjacent to Durango,were ravaged by fire.
This fire came very close to my home and studio.
A fire break was made on my land.
In this process, roots of oak, aspen, and pine were revealed...and
I collected them.

This led to amassing many roots of all sizes and from many places.
I began wrapping them in handmade paper and dipping them in sumi ink.
Their complex forms and functions began to fascinate me.

anchoring
absorbing
storing

Part of my explorations took me to a juniper forest
(an environmental art site... The Land at Mountainair, New Mexico)
where I combined handmade paper-wrapped roots from the Colorado forest
with the exposed juniper roots in the Land’s arroyo
which made for an interesting conversation.

Earth from my land in Colorado and earth gathered
from The Land in New Mexico
has been part of this combining and connecting
I have explored during the past year.

More recently, the root forms have evolved into the meandering lines of rivers.
The series Roots to Rivers is in process as I research and draw
the aerial views of the world’s great river systems.

Mary Ellen Long
2011

ROOTS EXHIBIT PHOTOS

2011-03-11T16:28:00.007-07:00

Artist with drawings - Art Library, Durango Arts Center

Installatiion

Reception

Installation

Installation

Installation

ROOTS EXHIBIT IN DURANGO

2011-02-25T13:52:00.002-07:00

ROOTS
a sculpture and drawing installation

MARCH AND APRIL

RECEPTION, MARCH 4,

5-7 P.M.

THE ART LIBRARY

DURANGO ARTS CENTER

This is an exhibit that was shown last year in Albuquerque.

TAPA

2011-02-02T16:36:00.003-07:00

Tapa cloth from Pacific islands has been in my storage area for many years. I have always felt that the back side of this cloth was more interesting than the front side. This drawing on cut strips of tapa, mounted on canvas, has been inspired by language forms from Africa.

African

RECENT WORK

2011-02-02T16:05:00.006-07:00

January has been a month of recycling my early art (mostly prints from my 70's portfolio) into new pieces.

Night Cloud 1 (cut embossing with drawing)

Night Cloud 3 (cut embossing with drawing)

Bundling: Black Talisman (torn etchings, thread)

Tearing: Sea Stone (torn lithograph prints)

BLUE Collage Series

2011-01-09T13:50:00.002-07:00

I have recently completed a new series of collage, the Blue series. Thirteen of the eighteen works will be sent to the International Collage Exchange in New Zealand this spring.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2010-12-24T16:42:00.004-07:00

Fir tree cut at 8500 feet in the San Juan Mountains (on the property we once owned)

Christmas Eve and all is frosty here in Colorado. After 3 days of wet snow and rain, today began with blue skies, turning out to be a good day for a brisk walk and snow on the ground for a beautiful White Christmas. Cheers to all and may the world become more at peace in the new year.

WINTER WONDERS

2010-12-19T11:50:00.003-07:00

Winter has arrived in Colorado and the branches of the Curly Willow beautifully hold the snow.

SAN FRANCISCO

2010-12-05T13:31:00.002-07:00

Spire (Andy Goldsworthy, sculptor)

Another version of hugging trees!

This fall a trip to California included seeing a new work by Goldsworthy at the Presido in San Francisco. The piece is made of assembled cut cedar trees that had died on the site. It echoes a building in downtown San Francisco. I also took in a great fiber show nearby - "Intersections 5: Colors, Concepts, Contours". Saw a cool show in Japan town, Ken Hamazaki's "Grateful Red" at Superfrog Galley. Had an amazing tour at Industry of Light and Magic. (the George Lucas "industry"!) And saw the film, "Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff" presented by the Mill Valley Film Festival in Marin, north of the city. Our time in Marin included visits with friends and exploring the arts at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts ("Mapworks, the Map as Art"), "Zaragoza" in San Anselmo, and meeting Donna Seager at her Gallery in San Rafael. This gallery has a wonderful collection of artists' books. It was interesting seeing alot of "local" artist's work and smaller venues on this trip instead of the usual museum exhibitions.

LIBRARY FOLIAGE

2010-12-05T13:19:00.003-07:00

Sombra

This month I am part of the exhibit "Library Foliage" located at Studio 2 Gallery in Austin, Texas. The theme relates to the altered book and is juried by John Sager. My assemblage features a small facsimile of a book, mounted on an antique book page.

2010-11-14T20:49:00.003-07:00

Gold Indigo - collage

A One-day Studio Sale and Open House - Saturday, November 20 from 10-5. Showing paperworks, collage, mixed media, small objects, sculpture, paintings, prints. My home studio at 209 El Diente Drive, Edgemont in Durango, CO.

FALL WORKSHOPS

2010-10-09T08:04:00.004-06:00

"Heisel" (collage with paper fragments)

"Arroyo Muds" (books of earth and root)

"Cloud, Root, Paper" (close-up of suspended book sculpture - kozo and abaca fibers)

Coming up the last of my 2010 workshops

COLLAGE, Saturday, October 23
BOOK ARTS, Saturday, October 30
PAPERMAKING, Saturday, November 6

(held in my home studio, includes beginning to experienced students, consultation on individual projects, all materials supplied, small classe) for more information email me - wmelart@yaoo.com

DURANGO OPEN STUDIOS

2010-09-14T18:10:00.002-06:00

Sumi Root

Talisman

These mixed-media works are featured among many new works and work through the years in my Open Studio event the coming weekend, September 18-19. This year I am part of Durango Open Studios where forty-one artists open their creative spaces to the public for one weekend. The times are 10-4. I will also stay open on Monday, September 20 and by appointment until the holidays. I will have paintings, prints, paperworks, sculpture, artists' books, collage, etc. displayed and a walk in the woods as part of a visit to my home and studio. Refreshments will be served and work will be for sale at reasonable prices. If you are a Durango, Colorado area resident, come on by. Maps and more information are found on durangoopenstudios.blogspot.com.

OPEN DOORS EXHIBIT

2010-09-13T20:47:00.005-06:00

Entry 3 (close-up)

Five Elements

These pieces, and one other are presently being exhibited in the Open Doors Exhibit at the Durango Arts Center, a taster show for the Open Studio Event coming up. A reception was held last Friday night along with the opening of Cities on the Side in the Art Library. The Library show featured Christy Ferrato of Durango, Nance Van Winckel of Spokane, WA, and Renee Rossi of Dallas, TX. These poet/artists created video and audio works, photography, drawings, and pyansky eggs - all quite exceptional. A poety reading was also held after the reception. They offered a workshop "Text Off the Page" which was very inspirational and challenging for all that participated.

ROOTS

2010-09-08T17:05:00.005-06:00

The exhibit "Roots" is now residing at The Land Gallery, 419 Granite NW in Albuquerque through September 30, 2010. This body of work has been the main focus of my art making for the past year. I primarily considered the physicality of roots, their function and form...the beauty of the tangle, the spreading, the delicacy. I left it to the viewer to attach the metaphors if so desired.

The Gallery is open Thursday and Saturday by appointment through the month.
Please refer to my link to the Gallery website for more information, commentary, and photos.

Artist (wall: Collection-Roots, sumi-dyed)

Wall drawing of roots with Rootlet books, Source Book (sumi-dyed handmade paper wrapped book, earth), 20 Drawings (charcoal, earth, conte crayon)

Rootlets (closeup: books - handmade paper, earth, solvent-transfered text with wall drawing - charcoal)

ROOTS

2010-09-08T16:30:00.004-06:00

Here are more images of the exhibition "Roots" The show took 2 1/2 days to install. Many tiny pins, velcro, and wall drawing. With the help of Edite and Tom Cates, owners of the gallery, the installation went well and I was very pleased with the result. The reception was well-attended and the viewers seemed intrigued and pleased.

Rooted (nature-altered paper, tea bags, sumi-dyed roots, earth)

Entre to Gallery - shown: Anchoring (handmade paper, sumi-dyed roots, earth) and Meristem (sumi-dyed root, ink-jet print)

Roots Arroyo (one-of-a-kind book of handmade paper, ink-jet print on kozo paper)

Cloud/Root/Paper (3 suspended handmade paper sculptures)

20 YEARS AT THE ATHENAEUM

2010-09-08T16:09:00.003-06:00

Sumi Root

This collage, part of a series, was part of a Secret Sale at the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library this past summer. The Sale was part of "It All Adds Up: Celebrating 20 Years of Exhibitions" at the La Jolla, California site. I was included because I have exhibited there through the years - the Main Gallery (1993), the Rotunda(1997), and the Reading Room (Work in the Collection - 2010).

SOLO SHOW IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

2010-08-30T16:13:00.001-06:00

WALKS AT EDGEMONT HIGHLANDS

2010-08-14T08:26:00.003-06:00

Sandy Creek

Waters Past

This summer found me leading walks along the trails at Edgemont Highlands, a development just east of Durango. I have been the artist-in-resident there for 5 years and am currently maintaining 30 sites. "Sandy Creek" is one of the sites that needs its raking each spring. "Waters Past", a sculpture made of clay fragments from an old water system, also needs an annual tending. The wild trail encircles the development, passing along stream beds and wetlands and through ponderosa pine forests. The complete hike takes about 2 hours. Residents and community members participated in the 3 artist-led walks on the trail this summer.

SIGNS OF FOREST

2010-08-14T08:22:00.002-06:00

There will be a closing reception at the Arena Gallery for "Signs of the Forest" exhibit on August 21 from 3 to 6 p.m.

SIGNS OF THE FOREST

2010-08-07T13:48:00.004-06:00

Detritus II

This open book, part of my Detritus series, was originally photographed in a snowy aspen grove in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The scorched markings echo the worm larvae carvings on the inner bark and cores of aspens. This image comes from an installation at the Long Beach Museum of Art, Long Beach, California in 2009. Currently this book sculpture is back in Southern California at Arena 1 Gallery in Santa Monica. I am one of 16 artists exhibiting in the show "Signs of the Forest", curated by Jean Clad. The exhibit runs from July 17 to August 21.

AMPERSAND article

2010-07-05T11:21:00.002-06:00

Secrets of the Burn, 2004

I am happy to announce my inclusion in the recent article "Book Artists Who Make Their Own Paper: Peter Thomas, Mary Ellen Long, and Lisa Beth Robinson". The article by Deborah Kogan appears in the Winter 2010 issue of Ampersand, a quarterly journal of the Pacific Center for the Book Arts, San Francisco, California. The four page inclusion covers how I discovered book arts, my rituals of paper in the landscape and other projects that use handmade paper, how I learned to make paper, the characteristics of the paper made for my book works, and the influence of handmade paper on the book works produced. The making of "Secrets of the Burn" illustrated above is also included. Issues of Ampersand are available for purchase online at Green Chair Press. (see link)

THE LAND/AN ART SITE

2010-06-16T21:00:00.003-06:00

Entrance Sign

Sculpture Example

Arroyo Roots

Last weekend I visited the sculpture reserve The Land near Mountainair, New Mexico, founded by Edite Nuevo and Tom Cates over a decade ago. And ten years ago I was part of a curated show at the site, creating an open book sculpture in the arroyo on the property, a temporary installation that spoke to the native plants and sandy earth of the arroyo. This current visit was made in conjunction with my solo show that opens September 4 in the Land's gallery site in downtown Albuquerque. The theme of the exhibit is roots and during my visit I photographed and collected roots for the upcoming show. I also installed handmade paper-covered roots within the exposed roots of juniper trees in the Land's arroyo as part of my on-going exploration into the physicality of roots. (click to enlarge photos)

SUMMER/FALL WORKSHOPS

2010-05-31T15:10:00.003-06:00

Each year I teach workshops in my home studio. This year I will be offering the following:

PAPERMAKING, June 19 and July 10 (basic "kitchen" techniques, western and eastern style methods and emphasis on local fibers)

COLLAGE, June 26 and October 23 (basic techniques and understanding of adhesives/materials/papers)

BOOK ARTS, October 30 (review of all styles, bindings and sculptural forms)

All workshops are for beginners to experienced. There will be consultation on individual projects, and all materials are supplied. Classes are small
Hours 10-4 $65.

Please email to register - wmelart@yahoo.com

TRIP TO CANYON DE CHELLY

2010-05-30T20:49:00.004-06:00

Canyon view

Spider Rock

White House ruin

White House paintings

Canyon wall with circle paintings

A few days ago, I traveled to Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona with husband Wendell and friends Genie and Al Shenk. The experience included a drive along the rim - looking down on the immense canyon, and a guided drive down into the canyon along the stream. An incredible experience in Navajo land. The overviews with ruins of structures built by people Archaic to the Navajo people were quite grand but I carry away the detail of the wall paintings and the rock geology as most impressive and inspirational.

WADE IN THE WATER

2010-05-30T20:14:00.003-06:00

Last weekend I attended the Colorado Art Ranch Artposium in Salida, Colorado. The theme was Water - "Wade in the Water". The presenters were author, naturalist, and desert adventurer Craig Childs, poet/writer, water law expert, and state supreme court justice Greg Hobbs and Basia Irland, sculptor and installation artist, poet and book artist, and an activist in water issues. All amazing presentations. Part of the weekend was given to workshops. I took one workshop on the chemical properties of water and another on photographing water. The following images were taken during a walk around the Sands Lake State Wildlife Area and another at a nearby lake photographing water. One evening we meet and heard from the Artists-in-Residents who have been working in Salida for the past month and who the Artposia supports through the participants' fees. All quite impressive - visual artists and writers alike. See more by checking out coloradoartranch.org.

Family on the water

Beaver Lodge

Beaver returning

Reflections

A NEW ADDITION

2010-05-29T08:02:00.005-06:00

Purr cat

Purrsha

Beautiful Purrsha (Purr for short) is a frequent studio visitor. Her varied grey and white markings blend well with color themes throughout the house and studio. (Currently studio work tends toward black and white!) Was she not designed to belong to us? Purr has a grey "heart" adjacent to her nose and performs a terrific sit-up for her morning treat. Very affectionate and a purr-fect friend!

LAURA WAIT WORKSHOP

2010-05-11T08:01:00.002-06:00

The Friends of the Art Library (F.O.A.L.)at the Durango Arts Center recently brought Laura Wait of Steamboat Springs to Durango to teach a two day workshop on a variety of sewn book bindings. I used the opportunity to bind my journal that I began during my trip to Kauai last month. Very old tapa cloth was used for the cover and the binding was sewn on leather straps. The journal includes watercolors, drawings, photographs, and written text.

Kauai Book

Heliconia page

RECENT COLLAGE PLACEMENT -THE ATHENAEUM

2010-05-04T08:36:00.002-06:00

Encore 1

While visiting The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla this April, I was very pleased to place the Encore series of collage (3 works) in their collection.

RECENT ART PLACEMENT- UCSD

2010-05-04T08:18:00.003-06:00

While in Southern California, I visited the UCSD Special Collections in La Jolla and was very rewarded with 3 placements in their Collection.

Language Found

Gradations of Grey

Leaf 4 (a collage)

CALIFORNIA ART HAPPENINGS

2010-05-03T17:34:00.005-06:00

In April I visited the San Diego Book Arts' "Edge to Edge" Exhibit in the
Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego, CA. My book, "Shrines, Prayers, Offerings" was included in the exhibit.

The Garden Gallery

The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library, La Jolla, CA has 7 of my artists' books in their collection and they were displayed during the month of April. It was nice to see my old friends again in their current home.

Collection of Mary Ellen Long in the Reading Room Cabinet (one example)

The Reading Room
The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library, La Jolla, CA

WESTERN JOURNEY

2010-05-03T16:46:00.005-06:00

Kauai Bird of Paradise

Paper Offering at Lihue, Kauai

Pier Pilings on Del Mar Beach

Most of April was spent in Southern California with a lovely week on the Hawaiian island of Kauai which included snorkeling, beach walks, and exploring. Visits with friends and family and some beach combing walks on the beach in Del Mar comprised the California part of our time away from Colorado.

RESURRECTIONS: ECO-logy and ECO-nomy

2010-03-21T15:40:00.005-06:00

...A Functional Trash Exhibition. I am participating in this exhibit that runs May 1 to June 30 at the Boulder Public Library Canyon Art Gallery, 1000 Canyon Blvd, Boulder, CO. Off on vacation in a week so my contribution is being packaged and sent to Boulder early. Here is a preview with my accompanying statement.

Blue History Sustained (front view)

Blue History Sustained (back view)

Blue History Sustained (close-up)

I have a history of patching, recycling, and reinventing almost everything around me
...clothing, crockery, art.
My first inspiration was a Japanese farmer's coat patched with indigo fragments,
photographed in Japan.
An old kimono-style robe was the beginning.
Worn-out jeans, from Colorado cowboys and California beach boys,
...memory fabrics and antique fragments all come together.
A recycle, a resurrection, a non-disposable,
...tea bags with stories and secrets.
A meditation on the experience of thrift and survival,
...a message to save it all.
Who knows when you will need it.

33 IDEAS -DIA

2010-03-14T14:40:00.004-06:00

If you are going through the Denver International Airport this spring, don't miss this exhibit. Opening March 15 and continuing until June 13, Colorado Art Ranch has installed the exhibit "33 Ideas" in a grouping of 33 cases in the Airport.

My case entitled "Mapping: Knowing the Land" is an exploration into nature's process in both an ecological and historical sense with the location being the forest in the San Juan Mountains adjacent to Durango, Colorado. The book art shown deals with narratives of time and place, the many elements within the forest, and seasonal change.

The exhibit is located on the walkway bridge from the Terminal to Concourse A, just before the Security area.

For more information about the exhibit and the other artists please see coloradoartranch.org.

Mapping: Knowing the Land (bottom shelf)

Mapping: Knowing the Land (top shelf)

AN ATHENAEUM EXHIBIT

2010-03-07T14:17:00.003-07:00

Tres Pinos

I have been fortunate to have a number of my artists' books purchased over the years for the Erika and Fred Torri Artists' Books Collection at the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla, California. A Selections exhibit in the North Reading Room Gallery opened February 26 and ends April 3. "Tres Pinos" is one of the book works on exhibit. This wire-wrapped book was altered by nature during its one year stay in the forest (shown in the photograph). It is part of a series done in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado where I live.

EDGE TO EDGE

2010-03-07T13:59:00.004-07:00

Shrines, Prayers, Offerings

This small book (approximately 3" x 6") is currently being exhibited at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, San Diego. The book belongs to a series of many books with Japanese bindings from my Japan Journal Journey Box. The exhibit "Edge to Edge: Books with a Japanese Theme" has been organized by San Diego Book Arts, of which I am a member. The exhibit runs from March 1-31. Regular Garden hours are Tuesday - Sunday: 10AM - 4PM (last admission at 3:30PM). There is an admission charge.

DURANGO ARTS CENTER MEMBERS EXHIBIT

2010-03-07T13:38:00.003-07:00

Remains

A collage of book fragments from my studio collection - I originally envisioned book remains pinned to the wall in a large installation. The framed version is currently being exhibited at the Durango Arts Center and sports a red dot!

2010 FURNITURE AS ART AUCTION

2010-03-06T16:36:00.002-07:00

Cork Curtain

Here is my contribution to this annual fundraising event for KDUR (Durango's college radio station) to be held at the Durango Arts Center March 18. This cork project was quite a challenge (approximately 680 corks were punched and threaded). It currently hangs at The Wine Merchant located in the Nature's Oasis health food store in Durango until the day of the Auction. Check out KDUR.org for more images of artists' work that will be available for bidding.

WINTER IN THE STUDIO

2010-02-27T16:26:00.002-07:00

These small collages are part of the Encore and Leaf series that have been created during a very snowy winter here in Durango, Colorado. This quiet time indoors inspires my work recycling paper fragments collected over many years.

AN ANNUAL RITUAL

2010-02-27T15:59:00.006-07:00

Collage in Miniature: These two collages are part of the "Windows series" (13 in all) that will be part of the 12th Annual International Collage Exchange and will be exhibited in Okato, New Zealand and on the internet at the virtual tart site listed in my links. The exhibit opens in April for a month.

JANUARY IN DURANGO

2010-01-24T17:30:00.002-07:00

FOUR CORNERS COMMISSION EXHIBIT

Winter Pressing Book (Spine view)

Winter Pressing Book (page example)

Winter Pressing 20007-08

These artists' books are being exhibited in the January show, The Four Corners Commission at the Durango Arts Center, Durango, Colorado. The Winter Pressing Book documents my ritual for 25 years of placing paper under winter snows in Colorado. That ritual continues with my placing papers on the earth last December 1.

NEW HAMPSHIRE IN WINTER

2010-01-24T16:57:00.004-07:00

A Ride on Remember Me (Reme), Ellie - my Granddaughter's new horse

Father Mark and Daughter Ellinore and Reme

From New York City we rode north to New Hampshire with friends Katherine Leiner and Andrew Lipton. We stayed in the charming Chesterfield Inn, across the river from Brattleboro, Vermont. Visits to son Mark and daughter-in-law Rebecca's farm nearby included horse and pony adventures, visits to the 100+ sheep with their guard dogs, checking out the chickens, and good meals and gatherings around the wood stove.

Grandson Nathaniel on Water Run Farm's pond

It was interesting seeing the pond at Water Run Farm iced over after swimming in it the past summer. The icy beauty of the pond in the landscape frames Grandson Nathaniel practicing his hockey skills. The trip included seeing two hockey games in which Nathaniel and Ellinore played very well.

NEW YORK CITY VISIT

2010-01-24T16:04:00.003-07:00

The Whale Skeleton of Gabriel Orozco

Three days in New York this month was full of museum visits with friends Richard and Leslie Madigan. My favorite exhibit featured the amazing art of Gabriel Orozco at the Museum of Modern Art with his floating whale skeleton with drawings over all the bones - a great variety of spiraling marks. His objects/sculptures with accompanying drawings were very inspiring. Kandinsky's paintings at the Guggenheim gave me a new perspective about the community of artists around Kandinsky and their connections and exchange of ideas. "Slash", a paper show at M.A.D. (the Museum of Art and Design), was a mix of installation, books, and sculpture - alot of laser cutting.

Central Park

The city was very cold and crisp. The winter vistas in Central Park were quite beautiful. One theater evening - "Brief Encounter" was incredible. Film, music, and creative staging made this classic love story new and exciting.

HOLIDAY ART

2009-12-13T21:52:00.004-07:00

Bark House

I recently donated my idea of a gingerbread house to the Durango Arts Center on the ocassion of a fundraiser for the children's art program at the Center. The base was actual gingerbread and after gluing together the walls and roof, the house was covered with ponderosa pine bark, other tree bark, lichen, nature-altered papers, and porcupine quills. This house along with others is being auctioned off at the Center during December.

AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY PAIRS OF SHOES: A WOMAN'S JOURNEY

2009-11-17T15:21:00.006-07:00

Artists in Durango, CO are making art out of all kinds of shoes and recycled materials for a benefit fashion show and auction this coming weekend, November 21st and 22nd at the Strater Hotel. I have created a kimono-style garment from handmade paper from Thailand. Sumi ink-dipped tea bags hang on the back. Collage elements which include Japanese antique schoolbook fragments and gold Joss paper decorate the inside. Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) is featured on the front of the kimono and symbolizes "peace". The event supports the Alternative Horizons, a local non-profit that provides resources, services, and alternatives to victims/survivors of domestic violence.

Kimono

Kimono collage interior

FOAL OPENING AT DAC

2009-11-17T14:56:00.003-07:00

My Japan Journal Journey Box is shown in a hands-on installation in the Friends of the Art Library (FOAL) Group exhibit at the Durango Arts Center. The opening reception is this coming Friday, November 20, 5-7 PM. The exhibit runs through December. The Box contains small books of photographs taken from my journey through rural Japan one year ago. Japanese-style bindings are used and memorabilia is included. In an interesting serendipity, I photographed a red box in an antique shop in Kurashiki and realized I had an almost identical box at home which was a perfect containment for my accordian-style journal and accompanying books.

Japan Journal Journey Box Installation

DURANGO COLLECTION

2009-11-16T16:06:00.005-07:00

This month nine pieces of my work and the art of other Durango artists was purchased by Terry Bacon, SMI Real Estate Ventures. The art has been installed in a recently remodeled historic building in Durango, Colorado that houses the international company Korn-Ferry (formerly Lore International Institute, founded by Mr. Bacon). "Spirit of Place" is one of a series of three in the collection. The text in this aerial photograph of mountainous terrain adjacent to Durango, uses words from "Practice of the Wild" by writer-poet Gary Snyder. A drawing, "Primal" is part of the purchase and "Winter Pressing, 2008-09" (see blog entry June 10, 2009), is a five piece work that is also included.

Spirit of Place

NEW WORK

2009-11-14T12:16:00.004-07:00

Here are a few images of new work that was exhibited at my Open Studio event last weekend. I am still open by appointment till year's end for Durango folks.
Indigo Root

Japan Package

AFRICA ART MARKET

2009-11-10T08:31:00.004-07:00

Language: Africa

My mixed media piece is being auctioned off at the Africa Art Market at the Durango Arts Center this week. The reception last Friday night was exciting with drums, color, and costume. A rich market filled with a myriad of beads, baskets, woven fabrics, jewelry, sculpture, and much more continues this week.

OPEN STUDIO WEEKEND

2009-11-02T10:56:00.005-07:00

Peace Leaf. 2009

Lots of preparations are happening for my annual Open Studio event this weekend. New work will be exhibited as well as art over many years.

Fall Workshops

2009-09-28T12:52:00.004-06:00

Studio during a past Papermaking workshop

There is still room in my fall Durango workshops:
October 3 - Book Arts
October 17 - Collage
for information: wmelart@yahoo.com

ASPEN INSTALLATION

2009-09-28T11:48:00.007-06:00

During the past weekend, I participated in the Co-Lab art show at Three Springs in Durango, Colorado. This art exhibit was part of the Open Studios weekend in and around Durango. Three Springs is a new development adjacent to Durango's Mercy Hospital and the raw and empty commercial spaces in the Mercado District where the artists exhibited their work, were an interesting and unusual venue for art. My Aspen graphite drawings, not often exhibited because of their size, are approximately ten feet in height and fit well in the space. The floor installation, titled "Forest Walk" or "Detritus" in past exhibits. is made up of cast paper tree sculptures with a central book sculpture "Detritus I". Leaves and lichens create a path through the installation. "Forest Walk" was recently shown in a larger form called "Detritus" at the Long Beach Museum as documented in a May 10th post this year.

FLASH! This installation has been left in the space for a few more weeks. It can be viewed quite well thru the north window. It is at the opposite end of the building where the popular cafe, "Digs" is located. 125 Mercado St, Suite 119. It is also possible to be viewed in the space by contacting the artist at wmelart@yahoo.com.

Aspen drawings and Forest Walk

OPEN DOORS EXHIBIT

2009-09-07T10:51:00.005-06:00

Reliquary

Nara

Shrine Path

In Durango, the Open Doors exhibit at the Durango Arts Center opens Tuesday. September 8. There will be a reception on September 18, Gallery Walk night. As part of this exhibit I have collages that were inspired by my journey to Japan last year and one box sculpture - a shrine to the traditional book form and text.

BOUNDLESS TRANSFORMATIONS: THE BOOK AS ART

2009-09-07T10:36:00.002-06:00

Winter Pressing 2005-06

One of my Winter Pressings, works that evolve from my ritual (over 25 years) of placing paper under winter snows, is being shown at the Art Students League of Denver - in the show "Boundless Transformations: The Book as Art" curated by Alicia McKim. The exhibit has a reception on Friday, September 11 (5:30-8) and runs from September 4 to October 28. The League's gallery is at 200 Grant Street in Denver.

SUMMER IN THE EAST

2009-09-06T16:25:00.006-06:00

Wave Field by Maya Lin

Wendell at Andy Goldsworthy's Stone Wall

After our visit in Santa Fe, we flew to New York and drove up the Hudson River Valley with friends Leslie and Richard to Storm King Sculpture Park, the site of Maya Lin's newest land work, "Wave Field" and "Stone Wall" by Andy Goldsworthy.

Water Run Farm, West Chesterfield, New Hampshire

Todd-Long Family Picnic

The Long Family East

The trip ended with five days at Water Run Farm, home of the Todd-Long family (Mark and Rebecca and grandchildren Nathaniel and Ellinore). We stayed in the remodeled sugar shack with our own outhouse down large stone steps. Lots of swims in the pond, blueberry picking, a rural theater experience seeing "Art", watching Ellie at her horseback riding lesson, ping pong in the barn, watching the rams butt heads, and daily delicious meals out of the expansive garden.

SUMMER'S END 2009

2009-09-06T15:52:00.003-06:00

Gail Rieke, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Zenos and his Grand-ME

Summer has been a full time with hiking and gardening, maintaining my environmental sites at Edgemont Highlands, a visit from Zenos, our grandson who lives in Copenhagen, and a drive to Santa Fe for the Japan Journal Journey tour reunion with a visit to the studio exhibit of Gail Rieke.

20/20 VISION: A Retrospective+

2009-08-12T13:32:00.002-06:00

Japan Quartet (mixed media collage)

Exorcism (mixed media) and Sando Sign (willow and handmade paper)

Sands, Signs, Symbols: Western Journeys (handmade paper installation)

The Durango Arts Center is presenting work of 20+ artists with 20+ years of involvement with DAC. Everyone submitted 3 older works and 1 new work. My older works have been shown in the three previous locations of the Arts Center starting in 1983. The Japan Quartet is dated 2009. The exhibit opened August 7 with a reception and continues till September 4, 2009.

PAPER NARRATIVES

2009-08-02T15:53:00.002-06:00

Language Bound (artists'book)

The above work is included in this invitational exhibition featuring 2 & 3-dimensional works on or of paper by artists concerned with narrative as both a visual & a conceptual element of their work.

Curated by Alicia Bailey at The Abecedarian Gallery in Denver's Art District on Santa Fe. July 30-September 5...first Friday reception August 7, 6-8 p.m.

MEREDITH NEMIROV WORKSHOP

2009-07-28T17:09:00.004-06:00

I enjoyed the workshop "Artist's Sketchbooks: Classic and Contemporary" given by artist Meredith Nemirov this past Saturday. Meredith is exhibiting in the Art Library at the Durango Arts Center this summer. Lots of drawing and inspiration for me as I embark on a new direction in my art. Link to Meredith's website to see her interpretations of nature and the aspen tree in particular.

Barbara and Janet confer with Meredith Nemirov (right)

CAROL BARTON'S WORKSHOP

2009-06-29T10:54:00.003-06:00

Thinking back on happenings in June, the Friends of the Art Library at the Durango Arts Center sponsored a very "happening" workshop on paper engineering, given by Carol Barton of Glen Echo, Maryland. All kinds of pop-up and movable paper structures were taught and everyone in the workshop went home loaded with lots of models, ideas and inspiration. For more information link to Carol's blog.

Participants Deborah and Amy

Carol Barton

NOVEL CONSTRUCTIONS: CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS CREATE MONUMENTAL BOOKS

2009-06-28T19:57:00.004-06:00

A review by Shirle Gottlie from Art Scene, California

"Novel Constructions" (through August 16 at Long Beach Museum of Art) consists of eight large scale constructions by six female artists who work within in the "book art" genre. Yes, these are essentially books, but no, you cannot grab any off the shelf to hold them in your hands. Most literally, you will encounter an oversized book. But then there is a room papered over with diary pages, pages formed into a large sacred ring, the text of the "Odyssey" cut up and reshaped into a labyrinth. Lots of "Wow" in this show.

Excerpt from the review in July newsletter of Art Scene, California

You have to see "Detritus" to believe it, only to discover that the facts behind Mary Ellen Long's installation are as exciting as the finished project. Using essential ingredients from nature, Long has created a faux forest that stretches the length of the gallery. Lying on the floor of this make-believe wilderness are seven handmade paper books constructed from decomposing paper. Displayed among fallen leaves, they lay opened at the base of cast-paper trees that range from 1 to 7 feet tall. Every year for the past 18 years, Long stacked pages of handmade paper outside her Colorado studio before it snowed. In the spring, after the snow has melted, she retrieves the paper and goes to work. Noting the transformation that has taken place due to nature, time, and decay. Long uses the paper as material to recreate her forest scene, time, and decay. Now, almost two decades later, "Detritus" culminates her annual ritual, as well as an exceptional exhibition.

SUMMER WORKSHOPS

2009-06-25T21:08:00.003-06:00

Books from the Japan Journal Journey Box, 2009

JULY AND AUGUST WORKSHOPS in my home studio.

July 18 - Papermaking - basic "kitchen " techniques, western and eastern style methods, emphasis on local fibers

August 1 - Collage - basic techniques, understanding of adhesives

August 8 - Book Arts - review of all styles, bindings and sculptural forms with hands-on learning

August 22 - Eco-Art - visualizing environmental at, tour of artist's outdoor art, opportunity to create your own "nature art" 9-3 - $50.

The first three workshops are from 10-4 and cost $65. which includes all materials. The workshops are for beginning to experienced. Small classes will allow consultation on individual projects.

sign-up through my email wmelart@yahoo.com

DURANGO ARTS CENTER ANNUAL JURIED SHOW

2009-06-10T13:35:00.003-06:00

Winter Pressing 08-09: Writing

This year's exhibit was juried by Shelley Horton-Trippe of Santa Fe, New Mexico. My accepted work used a variety of media (charcoal, sand, sumi ink, conte crayon, and scorch on natural-altered paper). The theme refers to nature's markings, automatic writing and written language: emergence, development, and disappearance. The reception was Friday, June 5. The show runs until June 27.

HIGH FIBER

2009-06-04T15:59:00.003-06:00

Encyclopedia

One of my handmade paper-wrapped books from the Encyclopedia series is part of the exhibit HIGH FIBER at the Conrad Wilde Gallery in Tucson, Arizona. The show runs from June 6th to July 25th. The reception is Saturday, June 6th from 6-9 p.m. The Guest Curator was Catherine Nash. I am sorry not be be able to attend the reception. A catalog will be available and can be purchased by calling 520-622-8997.

THE BOOK: WIDE OPEN

2009-05-21T07:46:00.004-06:00

Winter Pressing 03-04

Language Found

Pages Flying

Three of my book works were chosen by Lin Fife, curator for "The Book: Wide Open". The exhibit will be held in the Hagnauer Gallery at the Business of Art Center in Manitou Springs ( adjacent to Colorado Springs), Colorado. It runs May 22 to June 27 with the opening reception May 22.

COLORADO ART RANCH'S SEX & SENSIBILITY ARTPOSIUM IN TRINIDAD , COLORADO

2009-05-19T17:42:00.004-06:00

Trinidad, Colorado

Located south of Wasenberg on I-25 near the New Mexico border, known for the Gender Reassignment Surgery Department in the local hospital

Leaving Durango for Trinidad

A van full of nomads: (l to r) Karen Pittman, Ron Ozaki, Carol Ozaki, Mary Ellen

Carol at reception

We registered at the First Street Gallery, in downtown Trinidad where a reception took place that featured Santa Fe, NM artists responding to the theme of Sex & Sensibility. The resident artists, part of Colorado Art Ranch program, exhibited their work also.

Sculpture garment of Christine Comeau

Carol and Ron and 2 others were part of the fun, wearing Christine's creation.

Resident artists

(l to r) Christine Comeau, Quebec, Sculpture; Greg Larson, Michigan, painter; Kristen Iverson, Memphis, writer; Zoe Childerly, UK, photography.

The artposium featured presenters/speakers, Charles Baxter, writer from Minneapolis; Dr. Marci Bowers, Trans-gender Surgeon of Trinidad; Mark Newport, fiber artist from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan; Laura Pritchett, author/editor, Northern Colorado; Joe Quirk, author of "It's Not You, It's Biology" from California.

Saturday we listened to a talk by Joe Quirk, "Sperm-Spreaders vs. Egg-Protectors", followed by Mark Newport's "Alter Egos" that focused on his knitted super heroes. The afternoon contained breakout sessions making wire sculptures with Katy Haas, Writing Sex Well with Laura Pritchett, and a follow-up "Sex with Joe". That evening we viewed "Trinidad, the Film" followed by music at the La Quinta. Sunday featured Dr. Marci Bowers "A Transgender Natural History" talk which provided insight into the transgender experience. This was a very informative and impressive presentation. Charlie Baxter talked about his work weaving sex, love, etc. throughout his novels and stories. I have attended 4 other Artposiums, presented by Colorado Art Ranch and presented at the Durango spot. All in all this Artsposium was one of the best yet relative to the quality of the presenters and uniqueness of the subject.

For more information on the Colorado Art Ranch and future artposiums and residencies, please use the link on this blog.

THE ATHENAEUM'S 7th BIENNIAL ARTISTS' BOOKS JURIED EXHIBITION

2009-05-19T17:05:00.002-06:00

"Gradations of Grey"

My book "Gradations of Grey" was selected for this exhibit.
The juror was Stanley Strauss, Curator Emeritus of the Artists' Books Collection, Cerritos Library. It runs May 16-June 20 in the main gallery at the Athenaeum, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA. The reception was May 15 which I was not able to attend.

CALIFORNIA TRIP (APRIL-MAY 2009)

2009-05-10T14:38:00.007-06:00

Mitchell and Mom (at the Long Beach Museum reception)

Friend Julie Mullin (at the Long Beach Museum reception)

The primary reason for this trip was my participation in the exhibit at the Long Beach Museum of Art - NOVEL CONSTRUCTIIONS: CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS CREATE MONUMENTAL BOOKS. Below are a few images of work in the show. (My installation photos follow in the last post.)

Genie Shenk's "Ring"

Carol Shaw-Sutton's "Longitude"

Sue Ann Robinson, Director of Collections at the Museum with husband Wendell

Along the way we visited Balboa Island.

Lunch with cousins Bill Crawford and Lois Bub

A great day was spent with Julie in Santa Monica which included an appointment at the Lora Schlesinger Gallery in Bergamot Station, where 7 of my new collages were consigned and a visit to "Obsolete", an amazing gallery of antiquity - construction, collage, and photography. Time was spent on long beach walks in Del Mar and Encinitas. Water still too cold for dipping. California in the springtime was rich with many tones of green.

The succulent garden of Genie and Al Shenk, Solana Beach

NOVEL CONSTRUCTIONS: CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS CREATE MONUMENTAL BOOKS

2009-05-10T13:15:00.007-06:00

My installation "DETRITUS" (9'x 35'x 5') at the
LONG BEACH MUSEUM OF ART (May 1-August 16, 2009)

"Detritus" installation (cast paper aspen trees, artists' book made of handmade paper with flowers, created in San Juan Mountains, Colorado)

"Detritus" installation (cast paper aspen trees, book with imported papers, natural elements, created in Telluride, Colorado meadow)

"Detritus" installation (cast paper aspen trees, collage, natural elements, artists' books)

I am happy to be part of this exceptional exhibit, curated by Jean Clad in California. The reception was attended by a large appreciative crowd and I was excited to greet son Mitchell and dear friend Julie Mullin from Mill Valley. Two of my favorite pieces in the show are the "Ring" by Genie Shenk and "Longitude" by Carol Shaw-Sutton. Other artists participating are Cheryl Sorg, Edith Abeyta, and Beatriz Mejia-Krumbein. Sue Ann Robinson, Director of Collections was our host and helpmate throughout this challenging installation.

JAPAN JOURNAL JOURNEY INSPIRATION

2009-04-19T14:17:00.006-06:00

Naoshima

Japan Journal Journey Box

from the Origami collage series

This winter I spent many hours "downloading" my November Japan Journal Journey experience in the form of collage and artists' books. The Origami collage and Naoshima are examples. Much of this new body of work will be placed in the Lora Schlesinger Gallery in Santa Monica, California.

A large series of artists' books contained in the antique red box will be shown at the Durango Arts Center in November.

Coming up, April 30, is the opening reception at the Long Beach Museum of Art's "Novel Constructions: Contemporary Artists Create Monumental Books". I will be making a large installation called "DETRITUS". Images will be posted in May.

OPENING A BOOK: ENVIRONMENTAL ARTISTS' BOOKS

2009-04-18T16:01:00.002-06:00

Winter Pressing Book and Winter Pressing 2008

On April 4, We journeyed to Albuquerque, NM for the reception of "Opening a Book: Environmental Artists' Books at The Land/gallery, presented by The Land/art site. Inc. The photo in the gallery shows 2 of the 3 pieces that Jeffrey Lee curated into the show. Ten years ago I worked on The Land/art site near Mountainair, south of Albuquerque, creating a large open book sculpture in an arroyo using indigenious elements. It was wonderful to connect with the founders, Edite Nuevo and Thomas Cates again. Their relatively new gallery space is beautiful - clean, white, and well designed. The show included many fine artists such as Basia Irland who carved an ice book embedded with seeds. We stayed overnight at the comfy adobe of Mark Rudd and Marla Painter. Sunday we brunched with Florida friends Van and Fran Massey and daughter Laurie at one of our favorite eateries - Santacafe in Santa Fe. Before leaving for home we visited Site Santa Fe and saw the show "Pretty is as Pretty does".
Quite a show, pretty on the exterior, but inside was another matter.

6th ANNUAL EDIBLE BOOK TEA

2009-04-14T09:38:00.005-06:00

Nori Tales by Mary Ellen Long

Dr Seuss Style by Heather Hensley

Dead Sea Scrolls by Ari Vicenti

The Edible Book Tea was held at the Durango Art Center on April 3. Here are a few examples. The complete show is in the Edible Book scrapbook in the Art Library (DAC) if you are in Durango.