Life in the Desert

Patience

BIG news is on its way at Nevada 365....yes, there is still Life in the Desert

Silence

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.

-Ansel Adams

Just a Picture of a Day

It was windy...hence the blur, but I like it anyway.

Color Your World: Violet (Purple)

Left: me; Right: Catie

I am still recovering from the shock of knowing that I don't have to take a picture every day. This shot is from a kayak trip on Lake Tahoe on Saturday. The excursion was a blast, and photographing the event just because was even more freeing. Woohoo!

(9.23.10) Looking Forward

To look forward, we must take pause and look back.

This has been a year of settling into myself.

Of settling into a place.

Of discovering myself as an artistic being.

Of growing in strength--both the mental and physical varieties.

Of explorations.

Of new communities.

In the vast spaces of the desert, a flower has bloomed.

Life exists in the desert, small and hiddened.

Large and abrasive.

At 365 days end, there are no fireworks, no champagne.

It reminds me of standing in the desert, alone with yourself

Yet completely surrounded.

What is next? Artistically? Professionally?

I do not know.

There will always be life in the desert.

There will continue to be Life in the Desert.

At least for a little while.

Keep checking back, I'll keep you posted.

(9.22.10) A Year of Images

Do you have some favorite photographs from Nevada 365? I do.

For a limitied time, I am offering a link to the original files of the photographs I took this year. This is a small way I can say thank you for reading this blog and providing support and encouragement--both in cyberspace in real space.

You may download these images, but please leave me a message letting me know 1) Why you like it 2) What you plan to do with it. Also, as always, where appropriate credit the original photographer...me!

(9.21.10) M&M

We may or may not have consumed a 42 ounce bag of peanut M&Ms in forty-eight hours. May or may not.

(9.20.10) Celebration!

With a tidbit of sadness, we celebrated the end of our term with the Nevada Conservation Corps. What a year! Cheers to you, reader, for walking this road with me.

(9.19.10) Home Sweet Home

When I acquired my tent a year ago, I took a cue from the Stauffer family, and I decided to record every location I set this trusty little shelter up. To date, I am at 14 locations scattered throughout Nevada and California. This does not include tours and trips in which I did not set up my tent (i.e. Big Sur, Zion National Park) as well as a few nights that I forgot to record and whose place names escape me now.

On a slightly related note, if you are shopping for camping or hiking gear I have some strong opinions on the subject. Let me know, and I'll be happy to give you feedback as well as to point you towards a few deals. The bottom line: invest in good gear. You never know when you will use it again, and replacing headlamp after headlamp is a little degrading if not wasteful and expensive.

(9.18.10) Imagine

Do me a favor. Draw an imaginary line from the bottom center of this picture to where Tim is standing. That's right, there needs to be a trail there. Thank God for pionjars. I forgot to take the "after" picture, but by gosh by golly, we carved a trail.

P.S. Happy National Public Lands Day!

(9.17.10) Reflections

As the year, as well as this blogging project, draws to a close, my mind is a chaotic mess of thoughts, opinions and reflections. For your consideration, a few reflections on blogging and a 365 project.

First and foremost, it is a stunning way to document a year. Scrapbooking is a worthy endeavor for those blessed with the dedication to follow through. I am not so endowed, therefore the discipline of a daily entry--however significant--is a beautiful collection of a year.
In relation to the above point, if you are pursuing a 365 project, do not be dismayed by "mediocre" entries. Let's face it, some days just are sub par. It is okay to document this. In fact, this level of honesty brings a depth to the art project. Sometimes art is not just in seeing beauty but in the ability to see at all.
Allow yourself time to edit. Clearly, I have not been so generous with myself at points throughout the year. The pressure to post is an overwhelming force, it pushes one through the nitty gritty aspects of the project but don't be bowled over by it. Give yourself time to copy edit and photoshop, as needed. On the other end of the spectrum (see #2 for more) don't nit pick and stall posting.
Set your own rules. How often will you blog or contribute? How much structure do you need for impetus before you become overwhelmed? Cheat a little bit if you have to, but keep your overall goal in mind. I am so thankful that I gave myself the freedom to contribute artistically in any medium I chose for that particular day. Not only did I develop several artistic areas, I learned to appreciate certain things as art (i.e. laughter, cooking).
Enjoy the blogging and art community! Make friends! I have strengthened, reconnected, and built new friendships over this blog. It certainly adds a richness to your contribution to the internet art community.