happiness is…

A damn fine summer.

That is how my friend, Mary Jo, described my life during the past few months & I have to agree!

In addition to the wonderful trips I took to Mendocino & Durango in July, I recently found out that I’ve been awarded a three week artist residency at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim in 2010!!! One of the requirements is that I create & donate a piece of work related to my experience there within a year of the residency; the Park proposed a special project that I weave a tapestry of a full size condor with the Canyon as the backdrop which they plan to exhibit in the North Rim Visitors Center. When I read the email I let out a yell that had Dennis’s hair standing on end! Condors are one of the largest & rarest birds on the planet, the Grand Canyon is one of my favorite places on the planet, & I have been given the opportunity to create a piece of art for one of our most famous National Parks. I cannot even begin to describe the excited state of my mind when I consider this.

An opportunity to continue studying with Silvia Heyden has also come to fruition. After a suggestion from another student that took the workshop in Mendocino, Silvia has created a “distance learning” project for all of us that studied with her there. I’ll be posting more about this experience after I’ve had a chance to dig into & explore the first exercise we’ve just received.

A new loom.

When the news hit about the Grand Canyon & the condor tapestry, Dennis made the mistake of uttering a phrase he has since learned should never be said aloud to a tapestry weaver, “I think you may need a bigger loom.” A full size condor can have a body length of 45” to 50” & the wingspan with wings fully outstretched can be up to 9 feet! Much to his chagrin, I will soon be the proud owner of a large Shannock loom!

An organized studio.

In preparation for participating in Silvia Heyden’s distance learning program, I recently (& finally) got the carnage in the studio under control & organized. After three almost back to back workshops, let’s just say the phrase “it looked like a hurricane just struck” couldn’t even do justice to describe the state of being in here! Now, my fiber shelves are organized by color, not by fiber, & my drawing & art journaling supplies are out of the cabinets & stored in a wheeled storage cart that I can easily access from the work table. Aaaahhh!

September.

My favorite month, the month of my birth, the end of summer, the beginning of fall, my favorite season. White winged doves have flown for hotter places & temperatures are falling... hey, 98 is great after 107!

An artists reception.

Receptions can be addicting… they are so much fun, especially when shared with friends. The reception for Wish You Were Here Fiber Art Postcards & the Días de los Muertos exhibits was recently held at Tohono Chul Park & I attended it with Olga Neuts & Susan Lawson. My soul garden tapestry was part of the exhibit, but I was more excited that this was Susan’s first exhibit & reception… what a lovely time we had!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

A trip to the mountains.

Dennis & I are leaving soon for a week at our mountain property in New Mexico, with Roger & Mo in tow. It has been longer than a year since we’ve been & it is time. Temperatures there at 8100 ft elevation will likely be a good 50 degrees or more cooler than here in the desert. I always dread the preparations, because we must bring everything we need, including drinking water, but once we are there the solitude & beauty are exactly what we need to give our minds & souls a rest.

Comments

[lyn]

Thank you, everyone, for sharing my excitement! I love your suggestion of a separate blog, Jennifer, but I have been trying to achieve a goal to post to this blog more often, so having two might prove to be more of a chore! I'm also interested to record the events as they correlate with what is going on in life during that time, because I think my art & life are closely linked.

Well, we head for NM tomorrow so I'll be looking forward to catching up with what everyone is doing when we return. Rebecca, our property is actually in the Sacramento Mtns which are east of Alamogordo, so no snow there, but much cooler temps!

[Rebecca Mezoff]

Wow wow wow!!!!
I was jumping up and down for you myself when I read the Grand Canyon thing! That is completely inspiring. I can't wait to hear how the experience goes... and also how you like your new big loom (and can you post photos of it?)... and when will you weave this huge tapestry? Soon or after the residency?
Also, you're probably in NM now, so maybe you know that it snowed last night in the mountains... I'm looking at Truchas and Santa Fe Baldy in the Sangres and they are white white white. WHY does summer have to be so short? There is hiking to be done.
I'm so excited about all your news Lyn. Nice work!
Rebecca Mezoff

[Sue Schwarz]

What a thrill to read about all of your exciting news. I am looking forward to vicariously enjoying your adventures over the next years. Congratulations on a job well done

Sue S

[tommye scanlin]

Lyn,
Wonderfully descriptive post. Congratulations on all the exciting opportunities. I know you'll make the most of them and share your many gifts even more widely as you take part in these things.
Tommye

[Merna]

Lyn -- wonderful news about the Grand Canyon! And how exciting that there will be tapestry in their visitor center, both in 2010 when you're there, and later when your piece is installed. It must be rare that a park residency is goes to anyone other than a painter. Good for you!

[Jennifer]

Congrats on the residency and the commission and the loom!!! How wonderful!!! I can't wait to see the progress of the piece. Have you thought about a blog dedicated just to the piece and the residency for the park? THat would make a great promotion for both. Have a great vacation - I understand the preparation angst, but it's all worth it when you get there!