Author: lauramchugh

I went to a lecture last night at the Palo Alto Art Center. The speakers were from the Djerassi Art Residency in Palo Alto. The first speaker, Michael David White, was a poet who spoke a little bit about his process and read three of his poems.

The second artist was Glynnis Reed. Glynnis makes photoshopped collages about love and nature. This was really interesting to see her use of layering and use of the tablet (Wacom) in her work.

The third speaker I enjoyed the most – Loren Schwerd. Loren is a sculptural artist who has created these small replicas of houses hit by Hurricane Katrina that are overlaid with human hair woven as the walls, roof, etc. Sounds funky, but it was very powerful work, especially to hear her process explained.

We traveled from Belllingham to Victoria BC and back today. Many great photo opps. Here are some of my favorites. The rest can be viewed on my Picasa Web Albums. Enjoy!

I took this photo while toodling around MSP the other day (6/30). Thank you again to Laurie for the generous loan of her vehicle. I was on my way to the Walker Art Museum to do some self-induced Art-O-Mancy*, and went down the Lexington Parkway the wrong way. This move put me on the very south side of Minneapolis, so I got to travel all the way north on Nicollet, which was interesting. When I found myself at the Bad Waitress, I was no longer lost.

Many a good meal at the Bad Waitress while at the MCAD WAI program two years ago. It is such a hoot to see all this ’60’s era decor, but the place is very neat and clean. Service is irreverant, though.

Anyway, I snapped this photo of the railroad, a paper company (I think) and the Pearson factory. Turns out it was Pearson’s Candy Company. They make peppermint patties, nut goodies, salted nut rolls. Kinda old fashioned candy, but I’m sure it is good!
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* Art-O-Mancy: Devised by Laurie Phillips, it is a game where you ask yourself a question like: What is the next direction my art should take? or What is my next career?

You are blindfolded (usually) and with a guide who helps you keep from running into something. You are in a museum, with a copy of the museum’s program/floor plan open in front of you. As you ponder this question, you put your finger down on the museum plan. The piece of art at the location of your finger has the answers to your question. You go there (take off blindfold first, please) and view the art, seeking clues to your question. Journal, as appropriate.

Not really art I did today, but a photo will have to do. I’m in the midst of planning some vacations. Whew – who knew that vacationing could be so exhausting! Here’s a photo of the Royal Couple – Queen Aurora and King George Randall Peeve III – lounging on the royal bed.

I don’t have any of my own pictures for a postcard today. I took some with my camera, but just got home and it is very late, so I will have to download them tomorrow. I was joking with my hosts in MN that I really didn’t feel I could leave MN until the whole Franken/Coleman situation was settled. Today, the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that votes cast for Franken in the November election were counted fairly. Norm Coleman conceded and it is likely that Franken will be sworn in after the 4th of July, finally able to start serving his constituency, only seven months after being elected. The news all day in Minneapolis said this was a relatively swift proceeding, given that it went all the way up to the state Supreme Court. Anyway, felt good to know that was in the bag before I left tonight.