SEEING THE FOREST FOR THE TREES - FILM PREMIERE

Mary Ellen and husband Wendell at reception

(click on to enlarge)

Review in Durango Telegraph, February 21, 2008 (click on review to enlarge)

A very good turnout considering a major fire in downtown Durango was happening at the same time and it was snowing! The reception was quite classy featured "Long Shots" (Mary Ellen Martinis), Asian style apetizers created by Carol Ozaki, and piano music by friends Julia Klema and Chyako Hashimoto. The film on the big screen was beautiful and well-received. I am very pleased that this film takes my passion for environmental art to a larger audience and I am very grateful for the hard work and talent of Jules Masterjohn, Director and Chris Hall, Cinematographer that made this happen. Also to be thanked are John Pennington for sound, Carol Ozaki, Producer, Durango Community Access TV, and all that supported the film through financial contributions. An excellent Q&A session wrapped up the evening. Ordering information will be available soon for DVD's.

ANIMAS MUSEUM DONATION

Forest Stories


I have just donated the artists' book "Fire Stories" to the Animas Museum of the La Plata Historical Society in Durango, Colorado. The book with slate covers holds personal stories and remembrances written by area residents about the Missionary Ridge Fire of 2002, a major fire event in Durango. The stories are written on photocopied topo maps of the fire areas and are unbound, being held by the slate "envelope". Pages between the written stories hold red prismacolor drawing. Pit-fired clay shards embelish the slate front cover.

DREAMCASTING UPDATE

Re: My post on September 23, 2007....the video will not be available of the Sandy Beach reading "...A response to Forest Walk" (Susan Hensel Gallery in Minneapolis, MN); however, two of Sandy's poems from her response to my work at the Hensel Gallery are posted on the tic website, Talking Image Connection....

http://talkimage.org/readings-080407.html

THE HOME SHOW

"Earth: Our First Home"(in background)


Viewing "Letters Home"


I am pleased to be included in this group exhibition. The work received a very positive response at the recent reception.

ATHENAEUM EXHIBIT

A number of my artists' books in the collection are included in this exhibit.

SWEETHEART AWARD

Artsline January 2008

JUROR:4-Corners Commission

I was recently the sole juror for this show at the Durango Arts Center. The exhibit runs through the Month of January. These cold winter months find me in my studio working on a series of artists' books.

ANNUAL OPEN STUDIO IN NOVEMBER

Showing Collage

Studio Display

Opening my studio each year gives the community of Durango and the surrounding region an opportunity to view my art works that span almost 40 years. I offer paintings, prints, collage, drawings, sculpture, and artists' books for sale during this event. Studio visits allow the artist and viewer to have a personal connection which is not always the case when the artist only shows work through the gallery system. Thus I have always tried to make this a regular practice, beginning in Southern California with other artists and craftspeople... and in recent years on my own.

RECENT FOREST INSTALLATIONS

Lichen Tree

Sandy Creek


I have just finished my outdoor installations at Edgemont Highlands, Durango, CO for this year. Over a period of three years I have created over 30 environmental art sites along the wild trails of this development in my role as artist-in-residence. These sites are meant to be slowly discovered as residents wander and hike. Many of the sites are designed to be interactive and educational, acquainting residents with the history of the area, seasonal change and animal life. These sculptures are created from primarily natural elements...one exception being the use of fragments from an historic water system. As the residents hike along the trails, "forest rooms" offer a place in which to sit, rest and meditate. Other pieces are meant to be seen from a distance. All these sculptural works bring to the community a sense of place and a heightened awareness of the surrounding natural landscape.

ANNOUNCING PUBLICATION: "DETRITUS"

"Detritus" Book

The artists' book, "Detritus" has recently been published. This book documents a series (15 in all) of outdoor open book sculptures that were completed from 1992-2001. The edition is 50 and 18 pages are offset printed with photos and text - enclosed in a handmade paper cover, pamphlet style. This book joins other editioned books (4 in all so far) that document my work in the environment. Available through the artist.