we drive east to find art

Jo, Cyr and I went on another art drive today, first stopping by a pedestrian tunnel near Pilot Butte, then heading east on Highway 20.  Jo and Cyr had gathered a gold star-shaped mylar balloon to use as a prop, as well as an old lamp and a vintage suitcase.  I captured quite a few photos that I am going to use as references for collages, the mood both whimsical and lonesome.

I don't know what it is about these drives, we find the oddest things.  Driving through the badlands we came upon a huge pile of cinder that ODOT must use to salt the roads.  The ruddy color against the stormy sky was beautiful, scrambling to the top of the pile was rewarding.   Along the same stretch of BLM land we found an abandoned tiny play house, still filled with toys.   A gift left by superstitious ranchers to some feral child who was being raised by wolves, I imagine.

Make a Little Art Every Day

Cyr called me after I got out of New Year Yoga yesterday.

"I've decided today is the first day of the rest of our lives, or however Bright Eyes says it.  I'm picking you up."

It had been a few weeks since we had been on an Arting Outing (I'm still looking for a proper name for what we do when we wander around and find things we think are pretty).  The sky was gorgeous East of town, and we felt fine.   Alfalfa lead to Powell Butte to Redmond to the Peterson Rock Garden, and back to Bend.  There was an animal theme to the drive, animals with sweet eyes and curly hair we found amusing and anthropomorphic.  They tolerated two silly girls and the tripod quite well.

While I gathered ideas, Cyr gathered some amazing images.

Day one of the rest of our lives.  Day one of creating/gathering.